Summary: Bucky is recaptured by Hydra where their scientists conduct more experiments on him. There he meets an unlikely ally, an innocent looking young woman who is hiding a much darker side. Meanwhile Steve has tracked his best friend and discovered his location and is preparing to mount a rescue mission with the help of some of his fellow Avengers. Can they save Bucky before it's too late? And who is this mystery woman? Co – Written with Dixon – Vixen 13. Bucky/OC, Steve/Sharon, Clint/Natasha, Tony/Pepper. Rated M for graphic violence, language and eventual sexual scenes.
Soldiers and Spies
Chapter 24
Eva leaned her head back against the wall and looked at herself in the mirror across the room which she was certain was two way glass. She was in a straight-jacket and the electric shock collar around her neck was digging into her skin harshly, causing blood to drip from the wounds. The slightest movement only made them worse.
Bucky was on edge as he listened to Steve and Clint explain to Natasha what had happened while she had been unconscious. Eva had been imprisoned in the Raft by Bobbi Morse on suspicion of being an undercover HYDRA agent, not only that but Natasha was a suspect too and they planned on coming back for her.
He just wanted to storm into that prison and get her out of there, he didn't care if he had to go alone, and Eva needed him.
"Alright, we're ready to move out." Steve said finally and Natasha stood up, she was dressed and suited up, completely healed.
"I'm coming with you."
"Babe, are you sure..." Clint began to say before Natasha shot him a dirty look, daring him to utter one more word. But Clint knew better than to pick that fight. Instead he smiled sweetly and said. "I got your back."
The team piled onto the Quinjet and Clint flew them to the co-ordinates that Fury had provided. There they met up with the Director who took them to the facility on a boat. He would use his top level clearance to get them in discreetly so that they could rescue Eva, who he knew had been wrongly imprisoned. He knew for sure that she wasn't HYDRA, she hated them and everything they stood for. Eva had proven herself to the team and himself plenty of times, so he didn't need to think twice about helping the team get her out. Once they had entered the facility they made their way to the lower levels where Eva was being held, Fury alongside them.
Tony hacked their system to turn off the security cameras and find Eva's exact location. They were taking no chances at this point they didn't know who was SHIELD and who was HYDRA, so they had to regard everyone as a threat. Making their way through the corridor they came across two guards standing in front of a door, Tony informed them that it was where Eva was being held. Natasha threw a couple of her widow's bites at them, rendering them unconscious before they proceeded to the door.
The door had a security code and Tony hacked into it, before the door clicked open and they all saw a very ill looking Eva. She had a straight jacket on that stopped her from moving her arms and she had a metal collar on her neck that was digging into her skin. As they rushed into the room, Strucker, who had been in the room interrogating her, shocked her and she collapsed on the floor in pain.
Bucky saw red at seeing Eva, his partner and the woman he loved being electrocuted by Strucker. He let out a vicious snarl and charged at him, he began mercilessly beating him, punching him until he was bloody and then grabbed him by the throat as he hauled him to his feet and pinned him against the wall.
"We will take him into SHIELD custody." Steve said. Bucky wanted to kill the man but he knew that would be wrong, no matter how evil he was.
"You cannot contain my power… You cannot contain our forces. Wherever you take my Psyche, I will find her and she will be my perfect soldier! Hail HYDRA!" Strucker shouted defiantly and Bucky could think rationally but every inch of his body told him to end this vile man so he broke Strucker's neck violently, dropping him onto the ground before racing over to Eva who was looking dully ahead.
"Guess we're not taking him in…" Fury replied calmly.
"Good riddance I say." Natasha added in.
"One less sick bastard in this world." Fury replied coolly.
She had cuts and bruises that were healing up but the cuts on her neck looked even more painful, he gently pulled it off the jacket and undid the collar and Eva slumped into his arms.
"We need to get her to the hospital, she looks really bad." Sharon said concerned as she saw Eva's eyes looking unresponsive as she suddenly had a seizure.
"Turn her on her side!" Sharon shouted quickly and they turned Eva as she rode out a severe seizure. Bucky looked shocked and grabbed her hand, she gripped it tightly and at that minute began to throw up blood.
"Jesus Christ!" Tony shouted shocked, Rhodey looked alarmed and Eva sobbed in pain then, Bucky gently but carefully picked her up and she struggled to speak.
"What the hell did they do to her?" Natasha demanded terrified, Sharon shook her head grimly.
"Tony can we give Eva the same thing we gave Nat?" Clint asked, very concerned about Eva's current state.
"I... I don't know." Tony said in a panic. "Maybe... I mean if they were injected with the same stuff it should help. But we should test Eva's blood to make sure before I go putting anything more into her system. We need to get her back to the lab ASAP!" Tony said.
"You guys go." Steve said to Tony, Bucky, Sharon, Natasha and Clint. "The rest of us will stay here with Fury to round up any remaining members of Hydra. Just save Eva." he said worriedly.
"Take the boat." Fury instructed. "Hill's on the way with another boat and more agents."
They certainly didn't need to be told twice. Carefully Bucky and Clint carried Eva out of the facility and loaded her gently into the boat. Tony flew back to the tower at full speed to prep more of the serum he had used on Natasha while Clint drove the boat back as fast as he could. Once at the shore they loaded up on the Quinjet and headed straight for the tower. Eva's condition was worsening and there was no telling how much time they had, not a second was wasted in their race to get back home.
"Lay her down there." Tony instructed as the others arrived at his lab carrying a barely conscious Eva. "Sharon can you take a sample of her blood please."
Eva began to panic, she was confused and disoriented. Bucky had to hold her still while Sharon took some of her blood, and shortly after she slipped out of consciousness. Tony quickly began analyzing her blood sample with some help from Jarvis.
"Sir... it appears that Miss Nikolayev has been injected with the same serum as Miss Romanoff, however I do detect something different." the AI told him.
"What is it J?"
"I'm not quite sure Sir, it appears that Miss Nikolayev has much higher levels of the serum in her bloodstream, I am analyzing it now but it may take time. The dosage may be wrong".
"Jarvis we don't have time... will the serum help or make things worse?"
"I believe it will help Sir. She just may need several doses. I will know more once I have done my calculations."
"Do it." Tony said as he handed the syringe to Sharon.
"Tony are you sure?" Bucky said worriedly as he grabbed his arm to stop him.
"I'm sure that it won't make things any worse than they already are. We don't have time to wait. Your girlfriend is dying Barnes."
"Ok." he agreed as he let go of Tony's arm. Everyone watched on anxiously, hoping that the serum would help. Bucky stood by holding her hand tightly while Clint had his arms around Natasha.
Shortly after the serum was injected into her veins Eva began to convulse violently before her heart monitor flat lined.
"What's happening!?" Bucky screamed.
"Just give it a moment... the same thing happened with Nat." Clint told him as he put a comforting hand on his shoulder. And sure enough a moment later Eva gasped for breath and began looking frantically around the room.
"Eva... It's ok my love I'm here." Bucky told her softly.
"James." she whispered as she wrapped her arms around him.
"It's me doll, you're safe now, you're safe now." Bucky whispered reassuringly and Eva sighed in relief then for a minute, before falling asleep in his arms.
"I think she's exhausted from the lack of sleep, plus now that the serum kicked in, I think she can now sleep without having any nightmares." Tony said pleased for Eva as the woman question snuggled into Bucky.
Natasha held her hand and she squeezed it tightly in her sleep, a smile on her face as she fought back a yawn but Clint made her lay down on the sofa that was in the room and she crashed out too.
The next morning Fury instructed the team to rest and recover from everything that had happened and they agreed with him. Eva was curled up into Bucky, wearing an old and comfortable pair of black sweatpants with a large black t - shirt that had the photo of a black cat with bright green eyes. Bucky held her close as they were planning to go out dancing, have some fun and let loose. There was a charity ball being held in a couple of weeks.
"Maybe we should all do it? You know it would be fun to see Rodgers performing the Swing dance with Sharon." Tony suggested and everyone agreed.
"It would be nice to be normal for once and just go dancing with my girl." Steve said thoughtfully and Sharon smiled as she cuddled up into him.
"When everything's died down, we probably need to figure out what the dress code is." Pepper said thoughtfully.
"Already on it Miss Potts, the dress code for the first dance is 1940s themed." Jarvis informed them.
Bucky hoped no one saw the sudden look of alarm on his face then, did that mean they would have to wear their old army uniforms?
"I think you two would look handsome in your old army uniforms, it would be kind of sexy." Sharon suggested as she gave Steve a small nudge and everyone nodded in agreement.
"So who's in?" Tony asked excitedly. The whole team held up their hands and after Bucky got over his initial nerves he put his hand up too. He wanted to dance with his dame.
"Alright, I'll book it up and you girls better go to the vintage stores and find something to wear, it's in two weeks' time." Tony added.
"Do we have to wear our Army uniforms?" Bucky asked finally, there was no way he was shaving or cutting his hair for this.
Over the next few weeks the woman had all gone out shopping together, it took a while and visits to multiple stores but eventually each of them found the perfect dress and they couldn't wait for the dance. With the fight against HYDRA they had all gone through so much, Natasha and Eva more than most, a night of fun and dancing was much needed.
As the evening had finally approached, the women were all getting ready together. They had managed to keep their outfits secret from their partners and were all looking forward to the surprise reveal.
Meanwhile the guys were all getting ready in their 1940s suits with a little style input from Tony. Steve had decided to wear his old formal army attire, while Bucky had chosen to go with a suit that Tony had suggested. As much as he enjoyed his army days with Steve, it also reminded him too much of HYDRA and what they had done to him. Being kept as the Winter Soldier for all those years, he didn't even own his old army uniform and finding one that wasn't a museum piece could have been difficult. He much preferred the suit anyway, at least then he didn't have to be clean cut and shaven. He knew how much Eva liked the way he looked and he wasn't about to change it.
Steve seemed nervous as he adjusted his tie for what seemed like the millionth time. "Buddy relax." Bucky told him. "It's just a dance."
"Easy for you to say, you used to go dancing all the time... I never..." Steve confessed.
"You never got to go dancing? Not even with Peggy?"
"We planned to, but you know the whole getting frozen in ice thing happened."
"You at least know how right?" Tony piped up.
"Kinda..."
"Oh god." Tony said as he put his face in his hands. "Right Cap... come here. Jarvis play something slow."
"What are you doing...?"
"Teaching you how to dance" Tony said simply.
"That's not necessary." Steve replied feeling a little awkward.
"C'mon Cap! You want to impress your lady don't you?" Clint added in as he placed his tie around his neck.
"Yeah, I do... but..."
"Don't tell me the brave Captain America is afraid of dancing." Tony joked.
"I'm not afraid... just out of practice."
"We will fix that... come on now. One time offer, let's go!" Tony said as he beckoned Steve.
After a few awkward minutes of Tony instructing Steve, and Steve standing on his toes he was finally getting the hang of it. He was now taking the lead and dancing almost perfectly to the slow music.
"Right Jarvis… play something we can swing to." Tony instructed.
"Tony, that's really not." He began before he was cut off.
"Rodgers… just go with it. You have waited over seventy years to go dancing, just let me help you make it perfec.t" Tony said as he began to instruct Steve how to do the swing dance. He was a very quick learner and it didn't take him long until he had it down.
"Well done buddy. You're good to go! Sweep that gal off her feet!" Tony said as the music finished. And just in time as the elevator dinged and the ladies emerged, and there was nothing but shock and admiration written on the faces of all the men.
Pepper had gone for a nice blue dress with Sharon going for a nice darker blue, the dresses weren't too flashy but they were beautiful.
Besides Sharon had known a lot about 1940s fashion as Peggy would show her the clothes she used to wear, Natasha and Eva were both wearing dark red pencil shaped dresses. Then again their dresses were all pencil shaped, emphasising their curves and they had all styled their hair. Sharon had done her hair up in victory rolls as had Pepper while Eva and Natasha had done something similar. It suddenly occurred to Clint that Natasha's red hair had grown very long and was now the same length as Eva's.
The women smiled at their partners but they simply stared back in shock, Eva smiled as she took in Bucky, he looked handsome in his suit but she did wonder why he wasn't wearing his uniform, but decided not to bring it up, he must have had a good reason.
"Damn, you ladies look hot." Tony whistled as he embraced Pepper and she smiled at him as they began to leave and head to the building where the dance was being held.
Bucky walked with Eva, the two holding hands and they saw that everyone was celebrating the end of the Second World War by either wearing costumes or just singing the national USA anthem. Once they reached the hall, people were either in suits or army uniforms. Bucky looked at Eva who smiled at him and they all began dancing to the 1940s music that was playing.
Bucky and Eva both cheered as they saw Steve and Sharon dancing, Steve it seemed had gotten confident and was now dancing with ease as they all cheered him on.
Bucky danced with Eva, before he threw her over his strong shoulders and she laughed happily before he let her go and they started dancing again.
The dance was being held for a charity event and the Avengers were happy to help, Eva and Natasha signed autographs along with the rest of the team.
All of them had followers on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Not to mention all the video footage of their fights that had made it to YouTube and gotten millions of views.
Eva loved Bucky so much, she'd love to settle down, get married and have children with him. Bucky held her tightly as they danced and rested his forehead against hers, she smiled and held him tightly.
"I love you so much, James." She whispered softly and Bucky smiled at her as he looked down at her.
"I love you too, Eva."
The others smiled as they watched Bucky and Eva dance, Clint and Natasha were dancing, and they were like professionals.
"I bet twenty dollars that Bucky and Eva will be getting hot and dirty tonight." Tony said to Sam as he observed how intensely in love the couple looked as they moved across the dancefloor together.
Sam smirked as he eyed a beautiful lady across the room. He looked at Tony and grinned. "I'm hoping they aren't the only ones getting lucky tonight." He said as he sauntered off towards the woman.
"Go Sam." Pepper said quietly as she wrapped her arms around Tony and eyed the lady their team mate was talking to. She was medium height, African American with short black hair. She wore a beautiful black and silver dress that hugged her in all the right places and she looked stunning.
She turned back to Tony and whispered seductively. "Care for a dance Mr Stark?"
"Don't mind if I do." He replied as he took her hand and led her out onto the dancefloor, joining the rest of the team.
Natasha and Clint seemed like pros as they swayed together in perfect unison. With all the undercover work they did together it was no wonder they had become extremely good at dancing. They looked more at ease than ever. Normally it would all be an act, pretending to be people they aren't with the mission always at the front of their minds, always watching people and searching for exits, but tonight... tonight was all about just being who they are with the people they loved.
"Tasha..." Clint whispered in her ear as he held her close sending a shiver down her spine.
"Mmmhm?" She replied as her hands gently caressed the muscles in his back.
"I have something I need to tell you." He said, and she stopped suddenly, worry written all over her face. "Well actually it's more something I want to ask you." He continued. Her expression changed from worry to confusion. With all their friends nearby and the sound of soft music in the background Clint dropped down to one knee and suddenly it hit Natasha what was happening.
Everyone around them stopped dancing and watched on in anticipation, the band still playing quietly. They guys all knew Clint's plan, he had discussed it with them and asked for their blessings and advice and they were more than happy about it.
Natasha put her hand over her mouth in shock and tried her best to keep her emotions in check. Clint held on to her other hand and squeezed it gently.
"Natasha... you and I have been partners, friends for many years now. But to me you have always been more than that. I've loved you since the day we met. I can't explain it but there was just always something about you. You are captivating. And when I finally told you how I felt, I was relieved to hear you say that you felt the same way. You have been by my side through good and bad, and I couldn't imagine my life any other way. So Tasha... will you make me the happiest man in the world and be my wife?" Clint asked as he opened a small box to reveal a beautiful diamond and ruby ring.
Her hands trembled slightly at what had just happened. She was overwhelmed with happiness and excitement but she felt a little scared too. But she pushed that fear aside and took the opportunity to seize what she had always wanted. A life. A normal life... with Clint.
"Yes... of course, yes!" Natasha whispered before Clint stood up and wrapped his arms around her spinning her around. When he placed her back on the ground he kissed her passionately and the entire room burst into applause and they could hear cheers from their friends and teammates.
"I love you." Clint whispered as he slipped the ring onto her finger.
"I love you too." Natasha replied tenderly.
The next morning, Eva was sitting in the living room thinking over what had happened last night, she was happy for Natasha and Clint but also wondered if she and Bucky would ever be able to get married and have children someday. All she wanted was a normal life.
She smiled slightly and realised that someone was knocking at the door, she opened it to reveal Happy Hogan.
"Hey Happy." She greeted kindly and the man smiled at her as he handed her a package that had been delivered to her and Natasha, she smiled at him.
"A woman dropped it off for you and Natasha, said it was your family legacy." He informed her and she nodded in thanks before Happy sat down on the couch to watch Downtown Abbey, his guilty pleasure.
Eva opened the package and saw a note attached to the parcel, she quietly read it.
'I believe your father's would have wanted their daughters to inherit their legacies.'
There was no name.
Eva pulled out the wrapping and saw it was a bunch of old files, she read them quietly and saw a DVD tucked into the back of one of the folders and it was titled, The Winter Soldier Program. Cautiously Eva, played it in her laptop and saw to her shock Bucky was strapped on a metal table, partially unconscious and there were two doctors working on his left arm.
It was made out of metal.
"Dr Nikolayev, how is our Winter Soldier progressing?" He inquired and she looked at the date.
'12th of October, 1993.'
This was two days after her parents had supposedly died in the train crash, on Friday the 10th of October.
Her father and uncle had created Bucky's old metal bionic arm and she looked at the other doctor.
That was Arnim Zola.
"Jarvis, run a security scan of who dropped this off to Happy!" She called out quickly.
"Of course, Miss Nikolayev." Jarvis said kindly and ran a scan and she saw a dark haired young woman and her blood ran cold as she looked st the woman.
"Jarvis, who is this woman?" She asked quietly.
"I believe her name is Katrina Larissa Vanko, the daughter of the late Ivan Vanko and the granddaughter of Anton Vanko, she was believed to have been adopted by English parents." Jarvis informed her and Eva cursed.
"Thank you Jarvis and please tell the others that I am going on an errand." Eva said grimly and grabbed her motorcycle keys before leaving a note for the others next to the food she had cooked.
She hurried down to the garage and drove off on her black motorcycle onto the highway.
Bucky woke up to see Eva must already be up and after getting dressed, as he and Eva had rather had a passionate night, he saw she had already cooked breakfast for them and had gone out on an errand.
"Hey Jarvis, where did Eva go?"
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