A/N Another update! Let me know what you think.
It's been three days since the team had arrived to the safety of Wakanda. In that span of time, Clint had gone back to his family while the rest stayed in hiding. T'Challa had even appointed people to fix Bucky's arm and it's now back to full function.
Sitting in a room with a long wooden desk, Rogers had called a small meeting with the rest of the group. Now that they've settled in, it's time they discuss a serious matter "Is there anything you can do to help her?" asked Steve while looking at the Prince. He's the only one with the resources and willingness to help.
T'Challa nodded his head "I've spoken with my leading Doctor. He says there may be a way to reverse the damage that's been done, but it won't be easy" he glanced at Bucky. Since finding him innocent in Siberia, the Prince felt guilty of the things he'd done and almost did.
"I can help her too" replied Wanda "I can look into her mind. I know how she feels and thinks. It might be useful if she can remember her old memories"
"That's what I'm worried about" spoke Steve "Katya's not like Bucky. She doesn't have a past she can go back to, or memories she would want to remember"
It would be difficult getting a response out of Katya that wouldn't be one of anger and violence. Unlike Bucky, the team has nothing to work with; nothing to really help her recover. All she knows is the life that Hydra had taught, and that wasn't one the team could accept.
Looking over to his friend, Steve wondered why Bucky was so silent "Buck?" since they'd sat down, he hadn't said a single word. Steve thought he would've had at least one thing to say in the matter. After all, Bucky knows her better than anyone else in the room.
With a crease in his brow, the brunette sat with a dull look in his eye; as if he were remembering a bad moment "I can't" he said before getting up from his seat and leaving the room. The others were a little shocked at the sudden turn in events. Steve excused himself with a slight cough before following after his friend.
Turning a few corners, Steve found Bucky standing outside on a veranda. Leaning on the railing, he looked out onto the forest. Approaching, the blonde stood beside him for a moment before asking "What's wrong?"
Bucky answered with a defeated sigh "I can't do it. I can't help her" he hadn't forgotten that moment on the Quinjet. What Katya had said him was slowly eating away at his conscience. Even after telling her he'd do anything to make it right.
Steve stared with confusion "Why not?"
"How am I supposed to help her when I can't even help myself?"
"What are you talking about?" questioned Steve "Buck, that's behind you now. You're not Hydra's weapon anymore. If you were, I wouldn't be here"
"What if that's just it?" he retorted "You might not be dead now, but what happens if I flip back? What if something sets me off and I start killing again? They messed with my head just like they did hers. I don't know what I'm capable of – I don't want to hurt anyone" Bucky sighed "She's right Steve. I'm not the Bucky you remember"
Sitting on the metal chair with my eyes closed, my whole body is still and a little sore. During the last couple of days, they'd cleaned my wounds and dressed me into a pale blue uniform similar to the one I wore in the Facility. Since waking up from the cryo, I'd gotten very little rest and I was trying to fit in as much as possible; but it's hard when I'm constantly being watched.
"Are you going to stare at me all day?" I asked as I felt an intense glare through the observation window.
My eyes opened to see Steve standing with his arms crossed over his chest. He didn't look to pleased "What did you say to him?" he asked with a cold tone.
"You need to be more specific"
The muscled in his jaw went taught as he shifted on the spot "I'm talking about Bucky. You said something to him and I want to know what it was"
I know the captain is protective over his friend. Like me, the Soldiers the last link he has to his old life. But I wonder how he could still care for a man that's committed so many wrongs "I told him what no one else would – the truth" I replied.
"That isn't the truth and you know it. If it was then he would have killed you and everyone else back in Siberia"
"Don't be so quick to put it past him yet. He still has plenty of time to kill us all, and that's if I don't get to him first" I watched as Steve relaxed his arms to his side. Something had clicked inside of him but it was interrupted by a guard. He whispered something to the captain before they both left. It's only a matter of time.
Standing in the middle of the hall way, Wanda was just on her way to her room when she'd been stopped by the last person she expected to see "What are you doing here?" she asked with her brows pulled together. Somehow Vision had managed to find their location and now he was standing right here in front of her.
"Mister Stark requests that I take you home" the humanoid responded.
Wanda shook her head in protest. She thought she'd made it perfectly clear "I'm not going back there. He locked me in my room and then left me in a prison" there's a scowl on her face, but it isn't directed toward Vision.
"Yes. Although that wasn't Mister Stark's intentions, I understand it was for your own protection as well as that of civilians" Vision replied as he tried to reason with the women.
Crossing her arms in defiance, Wanda took a step back "You can leave vision. I'm not going with you. This is where I belong now" her place is here with the Captain as well as the others. Stark had betrayed her too many times for Wanda to change her mind otherwise.
Steve came to a halt behind Vision and the humanoid turned to greet him "Captain Rogers"
"What are you doing here?"
The doctor approached wearing a white lab coat. Wheeling the trolley behind him, a buff man stood guard by the doorway. Coming up beside me on the left, the doctor gave me a quick look before turning to the metal trolley; which contained a few syringed and bottles of unknown clear liquid, as well as other supplies.
Watching the Doctor approach through the door, I looked him up and down. Wearing a white lab coat, he had dark skin and short brown hair. Wheeling the steel trolley behind him, he nodded for the single guard to stand watch in the corner. Coming up beside me on my left, he gave me a look before turning to the trolley; which I had noticed, contained a few syringes and bottles of unknown liquid, as well as other supplies.
The doctor didn't speak a word as he lifted the bottom of my blue top. Looking at the faint scars that littered my body along with the recent one I'd obtained on my lower ribs, he nodded to himself before pulling my shirt back down. Writing on the clipboard he had in his hand, the doctor placed it down before tightening a tourniquet just above the crease of my elbow.
Tapping a few time, he pressed his fingers into my flesh as he searched for a vein. The doctor stood with an obstructive view toward the guard. It's the perfect opportunity. Pulling my wrist against the metal restraint, I gritted my teeth when my thumb broke. I could feel the sharp tip of the needle puncture my skin when I punched the doctor in the face and pulled him down into a choke hold.
"Toss your gun and do as I tell you, or he dies" I told the guard who'd stepped forward with his weapon raised. The doctor struggled in my hold as he yelled in a foreign language. The guard placed his gun on the floor "Now get me out of here" he was hesitant as he moved "Hurry up"
Pressing a few buttons, the latches unlocked and snapped the doctors' neck before grabbing a scalpel from the trolley and slashing the guards' throat. Clutching the open wound, the buff man gargled as blood oozed. Falling to the ground, a puddle of crimson quickly formed around him. Discarding the weapon, I patted down the guard and found the key card for the room.
Opening the door, I jogged out and down the hallway. Avoiding anyone that walked passed, I know it'll only be matter of time before the place is swarming with guards. I didn't miss the security camera's that are in the room and everywhere else in this place. Memorising the way we came in to the building when we first arrived, I navigated my way around; trying to find the Soldier and a way out of this place.
The complex is much larger than I thought as I followed signs. Nearing a corner, I pressed my back up against the wall as I heard voices. I assumed it to be a small group of guards "Phantsi apha. Musa ukubulala kwakhe Prince ufuna ephila" (Down here. Don't kill her the Prince wants her alive)
Waiting until they got close enough, I jumped around the corner and knocked the first man unconscious. There's only three of them left. Taking the weapon from the man's holster, I shot two of the guards in the leg and shoulder. Turning to the last, he stood holding a gun of his own despite being told that he's to take me alive.
"Yeka. Beka phantsi isixhobo sakho. Ndiza ayifunayo umva" (Stop. Put down your weapon. I'm taking you back) spoke the guard.
My head tilted a little to the side as I took step forward. Firing a bullet, it hit him straight in the forehead before he slowly fell to the ground; his eyes rolling up into his head. Not wasting anymore time, I continued down the hall when I saw the Soldier walking in my direction. Pulling the trigger, I emptied the rounds until the gun was knocked from my hand.
Punching the Soldier in the face, I kicked him in the ribs. Tackling me to the ground, we rolled on the floor in a constant fight before he pinned my arms above my head. His heavy weight straddled me and I kneed him in the groin. Flipping onto my stomach I crawled to reach the gun when I was dragged away by the legs.
Turning in the Soldiers grip, I kicked him in the stomach and got up onto my feet. Swinging punches and kicking my legs, he dodged most of them. Threading his fingers into my loose hair, my teeth grinded on another. Wrapping his thick arms around me, my back pressed up against his chest as I elbowed him and threw my head back.
Dropping onto to my knees, the gun was right there and I quickly grabbed it. Turning, I aimed right at his forehead as he stood only a step away. Pulling the trigger, my breath hitched in my legs. Nothing happened. There's no bullets. Pulling the trigger two more times, the shock wore off and the Soldier backhanded me with firm force.
Tumbling to the ground, my lip had split and I tasted iron. Taking deep breaths, the Soldier loomed over me; the light from above casting a looming shadow over him. The site sent chills down my spine "Well done Soldier" I mocked "You've cheated death – but only for now"
"Bucky, stop!" came the urgent voice of Steve, as he stood not far from us. The rest of the team stood behind him, including the Prince and the humanoid looking man.
"Damn" mumbled Falcon "Remind me never to get on their bad side"
Standing in the observation room, Steve had his arms crossed again as he looked through the screen. With the help of a group guards including the Soldier, Katya was relocated back to her room and away from any harm she may cause. The two way mirror had been turned back to black and the audio had been silenced.
"I don't know what to do" mumbled Steve.
Vision stood next to the captain "It's a human's basic instinct to try and escape captivity. Therefore, I don't believe it should be punished"
Steve watched Katya through the screen "I don't blame her for trying to escape. She's been a captive her whole life. But that doesn't excuse the fact she almost killed Bucky"
Vision replied "I agree. Only I do wonder. How can you excuse the action of your friend, but not the ones of this women? They're much alike, even if you refuse to believe it"
Steve sighed. Vision's right. It isn't fair to discriminate the two. He glanced toward Vision as he watched through the screen "So, what are you preposing?"
"That it may be wise you allow Mister Barnes to help in her recovery" he said "As much as I despise it, with the help of Wanda's gifts there stands a chance that they can relinquish her from the hold that Hydra has"
Shaking his head, Steve didn't think it was a good idea "It's too risky for both of them. There's no guarantee that she won't lash out again. She won't stop until she's dead or he is" stated Steve with unease. After Katya managed to escape so effortlessly, he wasn't confident that she would stop.
"Of course there's complications. But if this works, you may very well have saved her life and that of your friends"
Steve sighed "I just hope it's the right thing"