Chapter Two

James Buchanan Barnes

The Winter Soldier didn't know why he entered the room. Maybe it was because it was registered under a familiar name. Maybe because he heard that someone who worked for S.H.I.E.L.D. lived there. Maybe he had hoped to find out who he was. He wasn't sure.

All he knew was that one moment, he was looking around the room, and the next, he could hear someone opening the door. Instinctively, he pulled out his gun and aimed it at the person.

It was a girl. She had long black hair that was tied up into a ponytail. She had olive skin and was dressed in a casual shirt and jeans. Her eyes, which had locked onto his, were a deep black. Her face barely showed any emotion, apart from her surprise at first.

She was scanned him from head to toe before locking eyes on him again.

"If you're going to kill me, kill me. Don't stand there and dawdle."

He tried to mask his emotions but he knew that it still showed in his eyes. He lowered his gun. He couldn't shoot her, that much he knew. He may have forgotten everything, even his name, but he knew what the words on his wrist said.

Slowly, he pulled down his mask. He was still wary, of course, but if she was really his soulmate, she deserved to see his face. He saw her take in his appearance, but he couldn't tell what she thought. He wasn't exactly looking his best.

"I'm not going to kill you."

The Soldier saw her freeze the moment he said that. He was afraid he did something wrong, that she would bolt. He knew he didn't deserve a soulmate. He had did a million unforgivable things.

He saw her step forward instead. It was slow, deliberate, cautious, as if she was testing how he would react. He stayed perfectly still. She took one step, then another. Soon, she was right in front of him, within his reach.

He was afraid he might scare her away, or worse, hurt her. She looked him in the eye, and he couldn't tell what she was thinking. Her hand reached towards his, and he took a step backwards.

She had flinched the moment he moved, as if she was expecting him to hurt her. He knew had to go. He was about to move away when she spoke again.

"Wait."

That word made him stop. He followed it immediately, and he knew it wasn't because of HYDRA. He refused to meet her gaze, but she stepped towards him anyway.

She reached down for his wrist again. This time, he didn't move. She pulled away the glove and his sleeve. The words were there, plain as day. She silently moved her fingers across his wrist.

She turned her hand around, her palm facing him. He looked down and saw the very words he had said to her.

I'm not going to kill you.

He moved to touch it with his hand before he froze. She wouldn't want a metal arm touching her wrist. To his surprise, she moved her hand towards his, signaling that she wasn't bothered.

His fingers traced the words written there. A feeling bubbled up within him. Was it happiness? Relief? Both? He wasn't sure.

"Would you like to stay?" she asked him.

He hesitated. The longer he stayed, the higher the chance of him hurting her, whether intentionally or not.

"I'll wait downstairs if you will," she said, moving away.

He didn't know why, but his hand almost reached out for her as she did so. She left the room, leaving him alone. He took a deep breath and considered his options.

He could go. Go as far away as possible and hope that the link would be broken. It would cause them both pain, but it would be for the best.

He could try and recover his memories first before seeing her again. Maybe go to that blond guy, Steve. It would take time, but he would have a smaller chance of doing something he would regret.

Or he could stay. He could try and make it work. They could try and make it work. If he did, there would be no guarantee of her safety. He could hurt her at any minute. It was a selfish act.

But he did it anyway.

He went out of the room and went downstairs. There, he saw her sitting on the sofa. She caught his eye and the grin on her face made everything worth it. Looking around the room, he went towards her.

"So, you decided to stay," she said. The way she said it gave clues about her character. It was a bit sarcastic, but he could feel the relief in her voice.

He nodded.

"You don't talk much, do you?"

"Only when necessary," he replied.

She nodded, as if confirming something to herself, before extending her hand. He took it, almost not noticing that it was his left. She didn't seem to mind.

"Take off your shoes and I'll show you around."

He ended up staying the night. He had fully intended to leave after a while, but when she asked him if he was staying, he had said 'yes'. She gave him another smile, one of many that she had given him that day.

It was as if she wasn't fazed with who he was. Maybe she was just naïve. The room she gave him was directly next to hers. It was a bad choice, but having her near calmed him down.

"The shower's over there," she said before her eyes fell on his arm. He felt self-conscious about it, more so than ever. "There's the problem with your arm, however. Alright, get in the tub and strip down to your boxers."

"What?" He turned to see her face red.

"You heard me," she said, her tone defensive. "I'll help you wash until we figure out how you can do it yourself."

He nodded. He didn't really have to learn how to shower in HYDRA. They did that for him when he was in cyro. He went inside the bathroom and did as she had asked.

A few moments later, she went in, red-faced. Going up towards him, they started on their task. Soon, they were done and she left so that he could change into cleaner clothes. She took his old ones with her, and had panicked when she saw the weapons he had.

He went out, fully expecting her to ask him to leave. She was in the bath, and he was about to leave when she stepped outside. When she saw him inside, she looked surprised before her eyes scanned him again.

"You look nice," she commented.

He took in her pyjamas and the way they hung loosely from her body. Her hair was dripping wet and she was fidgeting. He realized he should say something to her, as well.

"Do you want me to leave?" were the first words out of his mouth.

She raised an eyebrow. "After giving you a bath, you think I would throw you out just because I found a gun and some knives?"

He stayed silent and she sighed. She went up to him and held out her hand. "Let's start over. I'm Elizabeth Ramirez. You are?"

"The Winter Soldier," he replied, not taking her hand. "Why would you trust me inside your house?"

She ignored the second sentence. "You're James Barnes. Now, shake my hand."

"Why would you trust me?" he repeated.

She looked him in the eye. "I'm your soulmate. I have to try."