Chapter 6. I'll Come For You


Content warning: Violent threats are made in this chapter. The physical results of a beating are also detailed. If you are in a violent relationship know you are not alone and that help is just a phone call away.


Bucky's cell phone rang and he sat up in the dark, turning on the light before he answered it after the third ring. The clock said 4 am.

"Bucky?" It was Natalie and he was instantly alert.

"Where are you?" he demanded, rubbing his face with one hand.

"Pittsburgh, at the police station," she whispered. "I told them to phone Steve Rogers but he wasn't there and they put me through to Sam instead. He told Rumlow and that's who's here to get me. He's here and I can't get out Bucky. I'm so scared. I'm sorry...I'm sorry I left you."

"Natalie, there's no window, no exit?" he asked, desperate.

"No!" she was crying now. "They put me in an interview room with a single door and I can see him. He's standing there joking with the officer. Bucky he's looking at me and laughing. Oh God, Bucky. I'm scared. He's going to kill me."

"No, he won't, not yet," said Bucky quickly, trying to reassure her, "because I'm not there and he knows that you're talking to me right now. He knows that I'll come for you because he wants me too. Natalie, are you there? Natalie?!"

He could hear her crying almost hysterically as Rumlow got closer to the interview room. Rumlow called her Mrs. Madison and told her how her nightmare was over, that the killer had been caught and she could go on with her life knowing that justice had been served. Bucky could hear him telling the Pittsburgh officer that she was obviously emotional about being safe. There were sounds of doors opening and closing then the sound of a slap and Natalie crying out in pain and fear as Rumlow obviously hit her. Bucky yelled her name again but there was no response, other than the sound of something hitting the ground. Then he heard Rumlow's voice.

"That you Barnes?" asked Rumlow, his raspy voice full of arrogance and disdain. "I have her Bucky. If you want her you're going to have to come to me. I won't hurt her ... much. I won't kill her until I have both of you in front of me, together. We might as well end our little feud at the same time. You're like a gnat that keeps buzzing around my head."

"Don't you touch her Rumlow," warned Bucky, trying desperately to keep his cool. "I know it was you that set me up in Afghanistan. They're reopening the file because you fucked up the attack on the base. They know there was no Taliban around that night. So they know Warren and Haines were murdered and it's going to lead to you Rumlow, you and all of your associates that helped you set me up."

"You're bluffing," said Rumlow. "How could you know any of that?"

"Because you're an asshole," spat Bucky. "You always were and many people like me better than you. Someone noticed and they're talking now. So you better not hurt a hair on her head."

"Nice try, Barnes," he replied gloating. "We're going to Baltimore. We have a warehouse there. You give yourself up and I'll make it quick. She won't suffer. You tell anyone or bring reinforcements I'll have a party with her, have a fucking gang rape then kill her slow. See if she feels as good as her little slut sister did."

"Like I said, Rumlow, you touch her, I'll kill you."

Rumlow gave him the address and told Bucky again to come alone. Then he hung up, leaving Bucky in the dark motel room wondering what his next move was going to be. Breathing heavily he looked at his cell phone and called Steve who answered on the second ring.

"Bucky, where are you?" he asked desperately.

"I'm in a motel north of Pittsburgh," replied Bucky. "I fucked up, got drunk when I heard about Tim, and Natalie left, then hitched a ride to Pittsburgh to give herself up to the police there. They tried to call you but you were already gone and they talked to Sam instead. He told Rumlow and now he has her."

"Shit," said Steve. "When Peggy told me that you talked to Sam I couldn't believe it. Why wouldn't he tell me that you called? Now you're saying he sent Rumlow to get her? I have to place him under arrest, like now."

"No," said Bucky. "They don't realize that you know. Rumlow wants me to meet him. He wants to kill us together. Sadistic bastard wants me to see her die by his hand. Let's play this out and see if we can uncover the whole lot of them."

"What do you want me to do?" asked Steve.

"Keep on being Detective Rogers, partner of Detective Wilson," said Bucky. "But I need some phone numbers. You remember that kid, Peter, the tech kid who was computer crazy but knew all sorts of shit. He set up our computer systems on the base."

"Parker?" asked Steve. "Yeah, I think he works for a security company now. Hold on, I have it bookmarked somewhere. On The Wall Security. I'm texting you right now."

"Got it," said Bucky. "There was the other guy, Torres. Really good at infiltration. Have you kept in touch with him?"

"Yep," replied Steve. "Texting you his contact info. Anyone else?"

"One more," said Bucky. "The rich guy with dad issues...Stark. I think he has a tech company, lots of cool toys. I might need some."

"I remember," said Steve. "Texting you that information. Are you sure there's nothing more I can help you with?"

"Not right away," replied Bucky. "I'll try to call you once I get Natalie out. We'll go dark, really dark and try to uncover everything."

"Okay," said Steve. "Be careful. These guys are very dangerous. I'll try to put up some roadblocks on Sam but he's being reassigned to the police commissioner's detail."

"That's weird," said Bucky. "Isn't that usually for a uniformed officer?"

Steve didn't answer at first. "Yeah, now that you mention it," he replied. "Interesting. Take care Bucky."

"Oh, Steve, one more thing," said Bucky. "I was attacked in Buffalo two nights ago, got slashed pretty bad but I defended myself. The guy hit his head on the road surface and died. I moved him behind some dumpsters and took the knife. I was already in shock from the slash so my thinking was pretty fuzzy. He told me there was a bounty put on us, 5 big ones for me, 10 for Natalie. Any chance any of your criminal informants can tell you who would have sent that out? I didn't think Rumlow had that kind of reach."

"I'll look into it and I'll take care of that body with Buffalo PD," said Steve. "Thanks for the info. What are you going to do with the knife?"

"I was going to toss it," said Bucky. "It's his fingerprints on the handle but my blood on the blade. What do you think?"

"Hold onto it," said Steve. "It will exonerate you if Buffalo PD get sticky over the dead body."

They said goodbye and Bucky placed three calls. As he hoped each man he spoke to said they could help if it meant rescuing a damsel in distress, even though he wasn't giving them much time. They all needed a full day to get their gear together. Bucky gave them the rendezvous point for the next morning. He packed his bag, and Natalie's then went to the motel office next. The night clerk who had carried him in from the car was there, at least Bucky assumed it was him as the guy was big and looked more than strong enough to have carried his unconscious body the night before.

"I need to check out," said Bucky. "I got drunk earlier and smashed a bottle in the room. I'm sorry about that so I'll pay extra for you to have the room cleaned. I need my car as well."

"Where's the lady?" he asked. "She was nice."

"She is nice," said Bucky. "But I was an asshole to her and she left, hitched a ride to Pittsburgh. The guy who killed her sister has her and now I have to go and rescue her."

"Can you?" he asked.

"Pardon?" asked Bucky back.

"Can you rescue her?" asked the clerk.

"Oh yeah," he replied. "I just recruited some help. I'll get her back."

"Then don't worry about the room cleaning," he replied. "We get jerks here all the time who leave the room in worse shape. You just get her back safe and sound."

"Thanks man," said Bucky, smiling at the guy.

The clerk put his hand out to Bucky and gave him a fist bump. Told him the keys were in the car and the car was in the storage shed. Bucky paid the bill, backed the car out and drove it to the room, then loaded the bags in the trunk. With a quick look to make sure he didn't forget anything he left the room, got into the car, and began the drive to Baltimore. He stopped in Pittsburgh to get gas and was back on the highway again, never speeding or going too slow. After the sun rose he stopped at a fast food place for breakfast and tried to come up with a plan while he ate. He went over in his mind how he was getting Natalie away from Rumlow and realized it would have to be by infiltration of the warehouse. Together he and Torres could do it with Stark's toys and Parker monitoring Rumlow's position. It would be the next day before he could meet up with the other three, and the waiting was wearing on him. Really, he should have stayed at the motel and tried to get some sleep. He pulled his phone out and dialled a number.

"Bruce? It's Bucky," he said. "No, don't get Natasha. I need your help. I'm going to need a doctor."

He told Bruce what happened and that he expected Natalie to be hurt when he found her. Bruce agreed to help him, giving him the address of his office. He tried to convince Bucky to take her to a hospital but he refused, said it was too dangerous for both of them. After hanging up Bucky drove to one of those truck stops and pulled his car into the shade provided by the shadow of a semi truck. He put his seat back and tried to sleep but the place was too busy and he drove away to look for someplace better. Finally, he found a quiet spot under a tree in an empty parking lot and closed his eyes for a few hours. He drove the final way into Baltimore, going to a movie theatre that had afternoon showings, hoping it would keep him from losing it. With a sigh he bought a ticket to the new Matrix movie. He had liked the first one but the next two were disappointments. So was this one but the time spent there served its purpose. When it was over he went to a sushi bar and ate, trying to stretch it out as long as he could. Looking up once, he noticed his reflection in the mirror wall behind the sushi chef; he looked as rough as he felt and sighed. Once again, he had failed and his fuck up might cost Natalie her life. For a moment he craved a drink, something that would burn down his throat and remind him of his fucking life but he resisted, knowing he needed to be stone cold sober for her. He owed her that much.

It was late at night when he finally got to the Walmart parking lot, the rendezvous point where he would meet the others. He turned off the car, closed his eyes, lowered his seat back and fell asleep. Surprisingly he had no nightmares but he didn't feel rested when he woke up in the chilly morning. At 8:30 am he went to McDonald's, used the restroom, and bought 4 breakfast meals, eating one while he waited back in the Walmart parking lot. At 9 am three vehicles pulled up beside him with three different guys driving. He got out of his car and offered his hand to each of them in turn. Then he reached back inside his car and pulled out the breakfast meals.

"Thanks for coming," he said. "It's been a long time."

"I always thought the charges against you were bogus," said Torres, taking one meal and sitting on the hood of his car. "It doesn't surprise me that Rumlow was involved. That guy was always an asshole. Is it really true about Wilson? He's with them?"

"Yeah, he is," said Bucky. "Steve will take care of him. We're going to play it out and reveal everyone who's involved. So no matter what Rumlow gets to leave alive. I need him to get to his boss. We're just going in, getting Natalie and getting out. Torres, you'll be inside with me. Stark, you'll send your drones inside to see the setup and where she is. Parker, you monitor all that and communications. Tell us if we're walking into a trap. Then you lead us out. While you two are out here I want you to disable their cars so they can't follow us. Any questions?"

"I can add a few pyrotechnics to the mix," asked Stark, "confuse the shit out of Rumlow and his guys."

"Sure," said Bucky. "Whatever it takes to get them away from her long enough for me and Torres to get in there and get her out."

He turned to Parker. "I hope your boss at On The Wall Security wasn't too upset about you not showing up at work today," he said. "Thanks for dropping work to help."

"No problem, Sarge," said the still baby faced man. "I'm the boss and sole employee so I can come and go as I please."

"Wait a minute," said Stark turning to the young man. "You're the owner of On the Wall Security, the next generation of computer and home security software."

"Yeah," replied Parker. "I set up the company when I got back from Afghanistan. I work better on my own so I've kept it simple. I guess now that it's taking off I might have to hire a couple of people."

Stark rolled his eyes. "We're gonna talk kid," he said.

Bucky grinned at their exchange; Stark always did look out for the kid. They all did. He gave them all the address and waited while they finished their breakfasts. They drove together in their small convoy to a parking lot just down the street from the warehouse. As Stark and Parker set up the drones and connected them to the three linked laptops that Parker would monitor, Bucky and Torres began to gear up. Torres opened his trunk, prompting Bucky to smile at the arsenal he brought.

"That's a lot of firepower to have hanging around," he said, looking at Torres. "Should I be worried about you?"

"I actually do what you do for a living," said Torres, smiling, "except I'm allowed to have firearms. I don't usually use all of them on a job but you sounded desperate. Thinking of getting into a new line of work. Remember that spook, Barton? He's been after me for a bit to join a new agency. Not sure though."

"Yeah, he's been after me as well," said Bucky. "I have it on good authority he's a white hat now. He quit the CIA for this new agency. Might be worth a look when this is all done and over with."

Torres smiled again and nodded his head. He pulled out some tactical wear and both of them strapped on some holsters for guns and knives. He pulled out two Kevlar vests, handing one to Bucky.

"Can't be too careful," he said. "Rumlow can still shoot."

They checked each other out, making sure they were all strapped in properly. Stark came over with some comms earpieces. "These are worth more than what you guys make in a month," he said. "Don't lose them, don't wreck them. They will be in constant broadcast and receiving mode at all times. You don't have to touch them. We're ready to send the drones in. There's an open vent at the top of the building. We'll send them all down there."

They all gathered around as the drones were sent into the building. There was barely any sound from any of them as they lifted off from their location, flew to the top of the warehouse and silently made their way into the building. All of them were equipped with video cameras, complete with infra-red mode. Between them Parker and Stark did a good job of keeping the drones out of sight and they got a good idea of the setup. There was still no sighting of Natalie yet so Peter used the infra red mode to locate a smaller size person. He found her in an office on the main floor, tied up in a chair and possibly unconscious as she was slumped over.

"Rumlow?" asked Bucky tersely. "Where is he?"

"He's at the loading dock," said Parker. "Most of his guys are there. I think he's waiting for you. There's only two ways into the building and the loading dock is one of them."

"What's the other?" asked Bucky.

"There's a door to the street on the other side of the building," replied Parker. "They have it blocked off but I think one of the armed drones can probably blow it. It's closer to the office so you and Torres could probably get there before Rumlow does. I can also send a couple of armed drones to keep Rumlow pinned down at the loading dock for a few minutes."

"Long enough for us to get Natalie out," said Bucky. "Okay, that's our plan. You ready, Torres?"

He nodded and the two men made their way to the building without being seen. Parker guided them to where the blocked door was, then blew it open with one of the drones. Bucky and Torres ran in with arms drawn while Parker directed them to the office. As Torres stood guard, Bucky broke in and kneeled in front of Natalie. Gently, he lifted her head up, feeling his fury at Rumlow grow tenfold when he saw her face. Both of her eyes were swollen shut, one worse than the other. Her face was badly bruised, indicating just what a sadistic scumbag Rumlow really was.

"Natalie," he said quietly as he cut the zip ties that held her to the chair. "Sweetheart, can you hear me?"

She moaned and opened her one slightly better eye. "Bucky...," she mumbled before passing out again.

"She's in no shape to walk," said Bucky. "I'm going to carry her out. Stark, we need those pyrotechnics to get out of here, now."

Gently, Bucky picked her up and slung her over his shoulder. He came out of the office and with Torres covering him Parker guided them back towards the blown doorway.

"We got company," said Torres, on his six. "Multiple adversaries."

"Stark, I need those pyrotechnics, now!" yelled Bucky as he ran back to the blown door.

"Here they come," replied Stark. "Get out of there. I'm sending the whole building up."

They heard the explosions at the other end of the building and as they ran out the doorway heard more as Stark blew up every drone he had inside the building. They ran to the cars and Torres helped Bucky lay Natalie down on the back seat. He looked up at Bucky with disgust when he saw her face.

"We should have killed him, just for this," he spat out.

"I know but we need him to get to his bosses," said Bucky. "He'll pay. Stark did you disable their vehicles?"

"Yup," he replied. "Those cars won't be starting for a while."

"Good," said Bucky as he undid his vest and removed the holsters while Torres put the weapons quickly back into his car. "Thank you all gentlemen. We're going dark but it's been a pleasure."

He got behind the wheel of his car and started driving. The others weren't long behind him and by the time Rumlow and his remaining goons got out to the street there was no sign that anyone had been there. Bucky drove for an hour before he pulled up at a doctor's office, checking the address with the one he had on his phone. Parking in the shade at the side of the building he placed a call and a door opened beside the car.

"I need help," Bucky said as he stepped out of the car. "He hurt her bad."

A man propped the door open and then came to Bucky's side. He gasped when he saw Natalie and looked at Bucky with concern.

"Rumlow did this?" he said. "I'm sorry I ever doubted you. Come on, let's get her inside."

"Thanks, Bruce," said Bucky as his ex-wife's husband helped push her out of the back seat so he could lift her over his shoulder again. "Your help means a lot."

Bucky carried her to a treatment room in Bruce's office where the doctor put his stethoscope on and listened to her breathing and heart. Then he pulled on latex gloves and gently touched Natalie's face and eye areas, then carefully pressed her sides and abdomen.

"I don't think he's broken anything," said Bruce, "but if you brought her into the ER I would insist on a head and chest X-ray and possibly a CT scan. He worked her over pretty good. Her heart and lungs sound okay so no broken ribs. You don't know if he ...?"

"Fuck, I hope not," said Bucky. "Can you look and see if there are bruises? I can't stay for this part."

Bruce nodded and as Bucky stepped out he gently pulled Natalie's jeans down and examined her for bruising on her upper thighs. "Sorry, Natalie, but I just need to be sure," said Bruce softly as he checked.

When he was satisfied he pulled them back up and refastened them.

"It's okay," he said to Bucky in the hallway. "He didn't touch her so far as I can tell. There's no bruising there. I'm going to set her up for an IV and see if I have any ice in the staff fridge for an ice pack."

Bucky watched as Bruce hooked Natalie up to an IV then held her hand, worriedly watching her face as Bruce went to the staff fridge.

"I'm glad you kept your medical practice up," said Bucky as Bruce came back with an ice bag and applied it to Natalie's face. "I didn't know who else to turn to. They would alert the police and that would alert Sam."

"Sam's involved in this as well?" asked Bruce. "Jesus, Bucky, how far up does it go?"

"That's what Steve and I need to find out," said Bucky. "I found out there was no Taliban near the base the night of the attack meaning my witnesses were murdered. That alone has meant my file has been reopened. I have an idea who told the military about it but I can't say anything more. If I can identify who else was in on this with Rumlow then I might have the evidence to overturn my guilty verdict."

Bruce motioned Bucky out of the room. "She needs care," he said in an urgent tone. "Not just for the injuries but emotionally. He worked her over and that's going to be hard to deal with. Is there no one who can look after her while you get your evidence together?"

"No, she's a target," said Bucky. "She saw Rumlow kill her sister. He only kept her alive this time to lure me in. He wants to kill her in front of me. He already killed a friend of mine. I have an idea where I can take her and look after her but I need to buy food first."

"Look, I know you didn't want to involve Natasha but let me call her to buy you a week's worth of food and drop it off here," said Bruce.

"If they're smart they already have her under surveillance," said Bucky. "It's too risky. I shouldn't have even come here, to be honest. I'll figure something out."

Bruce took his cell phone out and checked a website. "I can order you groceries and you can pick them up outside the store," he said. "I wouldn't do it with her in the car, looking like that. If you can leave her briefly where you plan to look after her you can take a run to the nearest Walmart and pick them up."

"I can do that," said Bucky, thinking for a moment. "Thanks, Bruce. Let's order them now for pickup tomorrow morning. I don't want to be here any longer than I have to."

Together they went over the grocery website and picked out a week's worth of groceries. They set the pickup for the following morning at 8 am and Bucky chose the Walmart location. Bruce paid for it so they couldn't trace Bucky's credit card. They went back into the treatment room and Bruce took the ice bag off of Natalie's face. It had helped reduce the swelling somewhat which pleased him. Gently he shook Natalie.

"Natalie?" said Bruce. "Can you hear me?"

She moaned, then opened her eyes, one of them still badly swollen. As she came around she cried out in panic. Both Bruce and Bucky spoke to her calmly to settle her down.

"You were hurt," said Bruce. "Bucky brought you to me to treat you. I want to check you out while you're awake. Can we do that?"

She nodded and Bruce checked her pupils, then had her open and close her jaw. He watched her track his finger as he moved it from one side to another. Then he examined her abdomen again to see if she felt any pain. He helped her to sit up and checked to see if she had any dizziness.

"I think you can safely take her," he said to Bucky. "Now I want to see your arm. You've been favouring it since you got here."

Bucky took his jacket and shirt off and unwrapped the elastic bandage. Carefully Bruce peeled off the dressings, scrunching his nose as it didn't smell good. As he touched it Bucky winced a little. Bruce got some antiseptic wash, poured it over some large cotton pads and gently cleaned the wound as Bucky held his arm over the sink in the treatment room. Once he cleaned around the stitches it looked better.

"I'm going to give you some painkillers to take with you and some sleeping pills for Natalie. You'll need some antibiotics for this. Be right back."

"Mirror," said Natalie, when Bruce left. "I need to see."

"No," replied Bucky. "You don't. He hurt you and it shows. I'm taking you someplace for a few days and looking after you. You can look there."

She nodded. "I'm sorry," she began to cry. "I thought he would kill me."

"I know," he said as he put his uninjured arm around her and held her. "I wasn't going to let that happen. I'm sorry, too. I was way out of line."

They were still holding each other when Bruce returned with some painkiller and sleeping pill samples. He also had a bottle of antibiotics. Then he redressed Bucky's wound.

"When did this happen?" he asked.

"Three nights ago," replied Bucky.

"Take the pills, one 3 times a day, until they're gone. The stitches can come out in four days. Keep it clean. Change the dressing every day."

Bruce took one final look at Natalie then he handed her the ice bag and walked with the pair towards the back door. Bucky looked first to make sure they weren't being watched then Bruce went out with them and held the car door for Natalie.

"Stay low," he said to Bucky. "Call me when you get this all figured out. Natasha would be happy to know."

Bucky waved and backed out of the parking spot. Bruce watched him for a while to make sure no one followed then returned to his clinic. He picked up the phone and made a call after a few moments of thinking.

"He just left with her," he said. "I treated her for her injuries. Rumlow went too far. Bucky's injured too but should be okay. I'm pretty sure he's taking her to the cabin. You have it all under control at your end? Okay, keep me in the loop."

Ten minutes later he locked up his clinic, got into his car and drove home.