She looked at Bucky who looked at her with a monstrous ferocity. "Bucky, please. I swore to protect you. You don't want to hurt me and I don't want to hurt you." He marched towards her. She ran to the kitchen to grab a knife. Her abilities still not working with him. She couldn't anticipate his move. She couldn't dial into his head? In her split second of hesitation he grabbed her by the neck and pulled her over the counter flipping her to the ground. The all too familiar as he sat above her and he began to choke her. She had to hold on until the shift where her abilities would allow her to mimic his power. Suddenly Bucky let go and flew to the side. She gasp for air as Steve stood above her. He reached down and helped her up.
"What happened? "he asked as Bucky charged him knocking him into the wall and grabbing Ella by the arm. He threw her into the glass patio door that led to the balcony. Ella struggled to stand. A large piece of glass was lodged in her arm. She pulled it out ready to use it to defend herself, but again, it was too late, Bucky picked her up by the neck preparing to toss her from the balcony.
"Bucky, no!" yelled Steve. Bucky lifted her over the edge of the balcony. She dangled by her throat from the 52nd floor. She wrapped her hands tightly onto his. It was the only thing between her and certain death. The completion of his mission. She could barely breathe. She briefly saw Steve staring at her. Just as she saw him sprint towards them. She looked at Bucky. His eyes still staring at her with an emptiness that made her feel cold. She saw no way out. She looked at her hands wrapped around his. The diamond sparkled on her hand. She felt his grip release. She fell from his hands as she briefly saw Steve push past him to reach for her. His hand missing hers only by an inch. She heard him scream then saw Bucky pull him back from the balcony. She closed her eyes awaiting the impact. She felt the fall stop and then felt as if she was floating. Was this death? She slowly opened her eyes and saw the glowing eyes from the red metallic armor before her.
"Hydra's not the only one with a backup plan." Said Tony's voice through the armor.
"Don't hurt him." She said.
"You're welcome, by the way." He quipped. "And why shouldn't I? He just threw you off the balcony to your death."
"It's not him, you know that." She said.
"Yeah, getting a little tired of that explanation?" he said. "I'll try to be cordial. Hold on."
She wrapped her arms around his neck tightly as they flew up towards the balcony she fell out of.
"I think I need to get you to a safer floor." He said.
"No, you need to get to Steve to help restrain Bucky now." She said.
They heard the struggle as they approached the balcony. "You stay right behind me at all times." He directed. "He comes at you just remember, I was defending you."
They landed on the balcony and carefully put Ella down. Tony fired a concussive blast at Bucky. Unfortunately, it affected Steve too but it gave Tony time to fly at Bucky and knock him to the ground. He used his hand and sent a shock through Bucky which kept him down. He was nearly unconscious. Ella ran to Steve.
"Are you ok?" she asked. She could see the cuts on his face.
"That's my line." He said smiling at her.
She smiled back as he embraced her. His grip made realize he was as terrified as she was.
"Sorry to break the moment, but Steve. I need you." Said Tony removing his mask.
Steve walked to Tony as Ella approached the barely conscious Bucky.
"Is he ok?" asked Ella.
"I have to be honest. I really don't' care." Said Tony.
Steve held his arms behind his back and put his knee on him to hold him down. Ella knelt next to him. She brushed Bucky's hair from his face. She pressed her lips to his cheeks and gave him a soft kiss. "I'm sorry," she whispered as she heard the faint ring of the phone. She looked towards the noise of the phone "I have to do this."
Steve and Tony were busy restraining Bucky and did not notice Ella retrieve the ringing phone. Bucky stirred. His eyes opened searching for Ella. He saw her pull the ringing phone from beneath the couch. Their eyes met for a brief minute as she put the phone to her ear. He began to struggle against Steve and Tony. "Ella!" he yelled. The men fearing, he was ready to attack again pinned him down. She hit the button and answered the phone walking from the room. "No!" he yelled.
The voice on the phone spoke, "Elise Lauren Amiel Kreutz, Hydra welcomes you as their own." Ella felt as in a trance. "We are waiting in front of the tower. Come now." She blindly obeyed as she heard a struggle in the background. A voice screaming. A familiar voice. The familiarness fading with each step.