So, I was thinking about this chapter all week, and I just now got to writing it. It took me all day, but I finally got it all figured out.

Hannah: Yeah, y'all got spoiled that day. I was on a roll. Things are gonna get interesting!

Tiphanie: Steve's gonna be an ass, it's in his DNA. They're kind of at a crossroads as to what to do about the current situation, but as always, the call is Steve's. Sam just got Anna, he's not leaving any time soon. And don't worry, Tippy's coming in this chapter. Kind of.

Dez10d2Rite: Lol, hopefully you went back to work, since I failed to update again...

inperfection: Aww, thanks! Sam is breaking a lot of hearts, but don't worry. It's not over yet.

Enjoy!

Anna sat on the quinjet, Bucky across from her. He was leaning forward in his seat, fingering the gun in his hands. It was silent, neither of them saying anything. Anna knew Bucky would shoot her the second he had proof she'd lied. But she hadn't. Not this time.

3 HOURS EARLIER

"The base is here, in Hell's Kitchen, on the docks. Not a lot of civilian traffic during the day, even less at night. There's a truck that makes a round every thirty minutes, and usually three on the roof. Lightly guarded on the outside, but the calvary's on the inside. Could be fifty or more. The number changes every day. The main control room is in the center of the building. There are cells surrounding it. There are two prisoners I know of. Could be more."

"You're sure."

"As sure as I can be. HYDRA only tells you what you need to hear. And what I needed to hear wasn't much. I can't be positive that I'm right. There may be more of them since they're planning an attack. But what I've told you is what I know. And I wouldn't lie about something like this. Not when my sister's life is on the line."

"We can take out the guards outside without problem. Sneak our way in, work from the outside towards the center. Save as many prisoners as possible. Anna will be coming, staying in the quinjet with Bucky. If things turn ugly, Bucky will take Anna to a safehouse and await further instruction."

"Wait-"

"The jet leaves in 10."

CURRENT

Bucky leaned back in his seat, his eyes on Anna, one hand holding the gun. She knew he had a comm in his ear, listening to what was happening. She wished she had that liberty, but she was left wondering. Hoping things would turn out. Then maybe they'd trust her enough to let her leave. Find her sister. Get out of their lives. But then there was Sam. She couldn't hurt him. He'd just try to find her.

Inside the base, things were looking up. The Avengers had the upper hand from the start, Anna being right about them not expecting an attack. It was one thing Anna had been truthful about. Steve fought his way to the cells, taking out the surrounding guards before starting to open them. They were all empty, until he came to one, a form huddled in the corner. It was a woman, covered in blood and barely conscious. She was slumped over, clutching her side as he approached her. Her head turned towards him, eyes cracking open.

"What's your name?" He asked her, kneeling beside her.

"T-Tiphanie." She murmured, his sensitive ears the only reason he heard it.

He stared down at her, and even with her bruised and bloodied face he could see the resemblance. "Are you Anna's sister?"

"Yes…" She whispered, before she fell unconscious, nearly falling over.

Steve steadied her, pressing his finger to his comm. "Are we clear?"

'Nearly.' Sam's voice came through the link.

"Anna was telling the truth. I found her sister, but she's in bad shape. Bucky?"

Bucky straightened up in his seat, bringing his finger to the comm in his ear. "Yes...right…" He looked to Anna. "Right away."

She was terrified, blood pumping in her ears as she stared at him. He stood up, making her flinch slightly, waiting for the gun to point at her. But it didn't. He turned, grabbing the first aid kit, pulling up the table across from her. Every small move he made had her nervous, anxious, waiting for the bullet that would end her life. She'd never see her sister. She'd never be able to change her life. Maybe have a future with Sam. It was wishful thinking, but she couldn't let go of hope. It was all she had in that moment.

Steve came running up the ramp, nearly giving her a heart attack. He had a small body in his arms, covered in blood, but Anna knew exactly who it was. She struggled against the restraints keeping her in.

"Let me go! Let me out!"

Natasha undid her handcuffs, both of them working at the straps keeping her in. She tore away from the seat, Natasha having to take a step back as she rushed to the figure laid out on the table.

"Tippy….no. No, no, no." She cupped her face, staring at the bruises and the blood. "Tippy. Tiphanie!"

Tiphanie coughed, blood on her lips as she weakly lifted her hand, blood stained fingers wrapping around Anna's wrist. "N-Na-Nabelle." She coughed out weakly, just turning her head slightly before falling unconscious again.

"Anna…" Steve put his hand on her shoulder and she flinched a little. "I'm so sorry. We shouldn't have taken you for granted. We should have believed you."

Anna took Tiphanie's hand, turning her head to face Steve. "You didn't want to believe me. If she dies…" She turned back to look at her sister. "Lying will be the last of your concerns."

The rest of the ride was quiet, Anna working to stabilize her sister, wiping as much blood from her dark skin as she could. Her fingers were shaking, tears still welling in her eyes as she fought them back. She couldn't let her sister die. She couldn't lose anyone else.

When they landed, Tiphanie was rushed off to the med bay, Anna being stopped from following her. She fought, but it was useless. She stood on the opposite side of the glass, watching as her sister was tended to.

"So, you were telling the truth."

"I know. I shouldn't have lied. But I did it to protect her. I had no other choice." She finally turned to face Sam.

"I know. You rejected me because you didn't want me interfering. You didn't want me getting hurt too. But it doesn't mean it hurt any less." He turned away from her, watching the doctors work.

"I'm sorry, Sam." She said quietly. "I didn't want to get that close. But you're my soulmate. You're...you're the first stable thing I've had in a long time. I just...I never planned on meeting you. Dragging you into this. I just wanted my sister safe, and that's it."

It was silent between them for a moment, both watching the doctors.

"What is she like?" Sam asked, taking her by surprise.

"Hard-headed. Too curious for her own good. But she has a good heart. She likes helping people. She's an empath, so she's always had a sixth sense when it comes to figuring people out. She wanted to go into psychology, but...we were attacked. I thought she had gotten away...until HYDRA threatened to kill her to get me to behave. I used to hope they were bluffing. That they didn't have her. That she was somewhere safe. Living her life like she should have. But it turns out I was wrong."

"So your whole family has powers?"

"No." Anna shook her head. "Just us two...that we knew of. Our brother...he was killed trying to protect our mother, and us. He was only six at the time. Our father taught him how to shoot a shotgun. He thought he'd be brave and protect us. But it only got him killed." There was a bitterness to her voice. Something Sam couldn't ignore.

"It's not your fault. You both...you were victims in all of this. Just like your brother. Just like your mother. Just like Bucky. The one at fault here is HYDRA." Sam turned to face her again. "And I don't care what the others say. I'll bring down every HYDRA base left on this Earth, every last head to prove your innocence in all this. And if I can't, then they'd better make room for me in that cell. Because no matter how much you hurt me, and how much I fight not to forgive you, you're still my soulmate. And I just got you after years of thinking I never would. You better be damn sure I'm not letting you go again."