Bucky's POV:
Ayo's tall strong body strides towards us. She isn't someone that you want to mess with. Her eyes look only at me, unblinking, "How could you free him?"
"We need his help." I keep my posture and voice steady.
Ayo begins to circle myself and Charlie, she's pissed. "With time, will, and the resources, the Winter Soldier programming was removed from you like a rotten fur."
"And I'm grateful for that. I'm grateful for everything you and Shuri have done..."
"Zemo murder our King T'Chaka at the U.N. The man who chose us. Who chose me to protect him." Her body still circles around us and her eyes look me up and down in utter disgust.
"I understand." My head turns so I can meet her eyes. They're cold and angry.
"Very little, if anything, of our loss and our shame."
I begin to speak in Xhosa, "He's a means to an end." She takes in what I said, agreeing to give us some time.
"Eight hours, White Wolf. You, too, sorcerer. Then we come for him." She places her hand palm up and wiggles her fingers. I drop the Kimoyo beads in her hand. She turns without another word. Leaving us there. I turn with Charlie's hand in my own as we walk back to the house.
"I know you don't like to, but you may have to use your powers a bit more with Zemo." I tell Charlie.
"I know...he's not exactly our friend so I shouldn't feel so guilty forcing him to do something. And we have a mission and only eight more hours." She brings her small body closer to mine, and instead of holding her hand I drape my arm around her shoulder.
The closer we get to the house the more our eyes shift around, making sure we've not been followed. Ayo wouldn't lie about the eight hours, but there could be others following us.
Zemo brings himself out of the bathroom, hair wet and dressed in a robe. That actually sounds nice, normal. I close the door behind us. Charlie makes her way to the large sectional, plopping down with a huff, "Well, the Wakandans are here. They want Zemo. Bought us some more time." My body goes over to the bar and where Sam is.
"Were you followed?" Sam asks looking between the two of us.
"No."
"How can you be so sure?" Zemo asks looking out the window.
"'Cause I know when I'm being followed." I answer, already annoyed by him.
"It was sweet of you to defend me at least." I watch as Charlie rolls her eyes while she looks on her phone. I wouldn't call it defending.
"Hey, would you shut it. No one's defending you. You killed Nagel." Sam tells Zemo. She jumps up walking over to my side, handing me her phone. I scroll through the article, my heart drops.
"Do we really have to litigate what may or may not have happened?" He counters Sam. He really is into playing games.
"There's nothing to litigate. You straight shot the man." Sam is shocked by the rashness of Zemo.
"Sam." I whisper as I finish the article.
"What?" He asks, turning back to where we are.
"Karli bombed a GRC supply depot."
"What? What's the damage?" He looks between me and Charlie. He knows how fast this is getting out of control.
"Eleven injured, three dead. They have a list of demands and are promising more attacks if those demands aren't met in full." I read. Sam let's out an aggravated huff.
"She's getting worse. I have the will to complete this mission. Do the three of you?" Zemo asks, making his way back over to us.
"She's just a kid." Sam warns Zemo.
"You're seeing something in her that isn't there. You're clouded by it. She's a supremacist." Charlie's hand slides around my back as she brings me closer to her as we listen to Zemo's words. "The very concept of a super soldier will always trouble people. It's that warped aspiration that led to Nazis, to Ultron, to the Avengers."
"Hey those are our friends you're talking about." Sam's eyes narrow at Zemo.
"The Avengers, not the Nazis." I added, just in case he gets confused.
"So, Karli is radicalized, but there has to be a peaceful way to stop her." Sam tries to reason. He's not wrong in thinking this.
"The desire to become a superhuman cannot be separated from supremacist ideals. Anyone with that serum is inherently on that path. She will not stop. She will escalate until you kill her. Or she kills you." Zemo's voice comes out as a whisper as he talks mostly to Sam.
"Maybe you're wrong, Zemo. The serum never corrupted Steve." I tell him.
"Touche. But there has never been another Steve Rogers, has there?" His eyes narrow at Charlie. She doesn't give into his mind games.
I pull Charlie with me as we walk back towards the couch, "Well, maybe we should give him to the Wakandans right now." I sit and pull her close to me, making her almost sit in my lap. Having her here with me after the last five months, is perfect, and just right. I never want her out of my sight again.
"And you'll give up your tour guide?" He's too cocky for his own good.
"Yes." Charlie answers, even she's over him, Zemo moves to the pantry grabbing more food out and nods his head, he's thinking.
"From my understanding, Donya is like a pillar of the community, right? So, when I was a kid, my TT passed away." Sam looks between all of us, like he's came up with a plan.
"Your TT?" I ask. My head leans back with my eyes closed as I'm trying to figure out what he's saying. Charlie smacks at my chest as she snickers.
"Yeah, my TT, yeah."
"Who is your TT?" Now I'm looking at him. Confused and even intrigued by the name, again I get an attempt at a slap to the chest but I grab her hand quickly.
"Fine. When I was a kid, my aunt passed away, and the entire neighborhood got together for a ceremony." I roll my eyes at the fact he calls his aunt, his TT. "It was like a week-long. Maybe they're doing the same thing for Donya."
"Worth a shot." I agree.
I watch as Zemo pulls candy out of a jar. "Your TT would be proud of you. Turkish delight." He tosses a piece to Sam and an excited Charlie lifts her hand before he throws her one. "Irresistible." He pours the rest out on the counter before leaving to go change.
"I've always wanted to try one of these." She unwraps the candy and takes a bite, extending her hand for me to take the rest. I use my teeth to take it out of her hand. "Not what I expected. Although it does look different than the ones the White Witch gave Edmund." She says and then licks her fingers. She looks over at me, and I have no idea what she's talking about. "Chronicles of Narnia?" My face remains blank. "C.S. Lewis? Best friend to Tolkien? Bucky! Tolkien wrote The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings."
It dawns on me where I had heard that name. Sam laughs at the exchange. "So, what happens in Narnia with the Turkish Delight?"
"The White Witch offers Turkish Delight to Edmund, and he gives up information about his brother and sisters. It's complicated. Parallels the Bible. I know something you didn't know." She smiles up at me.
"What's Lord of the Rings?" I ask, honestly curious.
Her eyes go large at me, "What? It's the sequel to The Hobbit. Well, there's three books in the series. There are even movies."
Now it's my turn to get excited. "There's a sequel?" She giggles and pulls me in close for a kiss.
"This is why I love you..." She pauses looking at me. I heard it; she can't take it back. "I mean, you're adorable Bucky. There's a sequel, we'll have to read them, and could even have movie night. Sam's a fan, too." She looks over at Sam. "And, I expect to read and watch the Chronicles of Narnia, too. They're more easily digested. Lord of the Rings is intense."
I rub my hand on her upper thigh, wanting to let her slip up go, but I just can't. "That's why I love you, too, because you're a big dumb dork." I smile down at her.
"It just slipped out." She shrugs. Sure, it did.
"So does that mean, we're having a movie night when this is over with?" Sam asks. "I'm down to watch some Lord of the Rings."
Her eyes light up again, "You would love Harry Potter, too!" She's so cute and adorable. I love when I see and hear the lightness in her eyes and voice. Despite everything that she's been through the past eight years, and even the past week, she's kept her edge of innocence and childlike wonder. Her life since joining the Avengers hasn't made her jaded, I guess that's why so many people love her and are willing to protect her. She's perfect.
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Charlie's POV:
We head to the refugee camp, and this is when everything hits me. Yes, I had my selfish reasons for wanting to bring everyone back, but billions of others wanted their loved ones back as well. But seeing this, and the devastation that overpopulation has brought, gives me a twinge of guilt. I look up at Bucky and squeeze his hand. I couldn't imagine not having him here. The thought that Steve and I could possibly be living our mundane life; loving each other but almost envisioning another person in the bed with you. There were countless nights I imagined it was Bucky's chest I was laying on, and I would wake up hating myself. I can't do that anymore, because Steve and I are both exactly where we belong now.
But this, it's heartbreaking. The uncertainty, the poverty, the fear...it's palpable. And this is one refugee camp. How many millions of people were displaced when with just a snap, they all reappeared. "You, okay?" Bucky casts over to my mind while giving my hand a gentle squeeze.
"Just thinking how I was responsible for some of this. If we never brought everyone back, these people wouldn't be living like this."
"You regret bringing everyone back?"
"No... just wish there was something more that we could do to help. This isn't okay."
He gives me a nod. Conflicting thoughts continue to run through my mind. Zemo leads the way. The fur around his collar and royal demeanor actually makes him seem like the White Witch, "Shame what's become of this place. When I was young, we used to come here for fabulous dinners and parties. I knew nothing of the politics of the time, of course, but I remember it being beautiful." He's always monologuing. It's obnoxious how pompous he is.
"I'm gonna take a look around upstairs." Sam informs us. "See what you can find out here. And keep an eye on him." Bucky and I give him a nod.
"I'll stay out of your way." Zemo throws his hands up in mock surrender, and Bucky can't help but to glare at him.
"Focus your thoughts to him." He casts to me.
"I've tried. He's quite good at blocking me. I should be able to focus on whoever he speaks with thoughts." He gives my hand another squeeze before releasing me, and walking off to hopefully find some answers as to where Donya may be.
As we walk around asking, we're met with no's, or people just walking away, refusing to talk at all. I try to be as charming and understanding as I possibly can, but no one wants to talk to us. We're outsiders, they don't trust us at all. Out of the corner of my eye I spot Zemo, he takes slow long strides towards a group of children, singing the "Baa, Baa, Black Sheep" nursery rhyme. I halt my own movements and watch his own. I can't trust the man. While he's helping us, he's also helping himself, and without a doubt he would sell us out for his own gain.
He moves a stool closer to him and pulls out the bag of Turkish Delights, pouring the contents on the stool. "Turkish Delight. It was always my son's favorite." One of the children, a young girl, apprehensively walks closer, desperately wanting to take one of the treats, but he's a stranger, and a creepy powerful one at that. His voice comes out almost in a whisper and I focus on the young girl, wanting to hear him. "My old friend, Donya, passed away. Did you know her?"
Quietly and unsure she responds, "Yes."
"I would like to pay my last respects. Do you know where her funeral will be?" She nods and comes closer to Zemo.
"It's not going to be that easy to listen in Charlotte. Pay attention to your boy toy rubbing your back, and forget about this. In time, I will tell you all you need to know." And with a scream he blocks my head from the little girl.
I rub on my temples, confused as to what just happened, and then I feel Bucky's strong hand is indeed rubbing on my back. "You, okay? Your body was almost vibrating."
"I was focused on the girl, I could hear what Zemo was saying, and then...it was like he shut a door in my face from her mind. He knew what I was doing. He told me in time, he'll tell me all I need to know." Bucky furrows his brows as he tries to burn holes in Zemo with his staring. My head still feels tender, and becomes more painful with each passing second.
I hear Sam shuffle his feet beside me, "It's starting to feel like a dead end."
"What the hell is he doing?" Bucky asks.
"Remember what I told you about Narnia? The White Witch used the Turkish Delight to make Edmund comfortable. The treat was magical, making him want more, and he gave up all the information she wanted about his family. Zemo's doing the same thing. That little girl wanted candy so bad she's willing to give an outsider information. The question now is, will he tell us?"
"He needs us just as much as we need him. He's not going to be able to stop all the Flag Smashers alone." Sam tells me. "But you're right. Kids are more easily manipulated."
He turns making his way back to us. Smirking like he did something extraordinary. I don't like it. "Cute kids." He says with a smile as he walks past Sam. Sam jerks back to look at Bucky and then down at me. We're going to have to follow him on blind faith alone, I guess.
"He seemed satisfied with himself." I acknowledged.
"Let's go. I'm uncomfortable here." Bucky pulls at my hand and we walk back to Zemo's house.
___________________________________________________________________
Bucky's POV:
"Well, I got nothing." He knows that none of us got any information, it's why he was so satisfied with himself. "No one's talking about Donya." I lead Charlie and I back to the couch, pulling her on top of me. Her legs drape lazily over mine and she leans into my shoulder. Whatever Zemo did when he shut her out has exhausted her.
"Yeah, it's because Karli is the only one fighting for them." I let out a sigh at what Sam's saying. "And she's not wrong."
"What do you mean?" Charlie asks, barely raising her head up.
"For five years, people have been welcomed into countries that have kept them out using barbwire. There were houses and jobs. Folks were happy to have people around to help them rebuild." Charlie's body tenses, Sam is speaking her insecurities to life and I squeeze her body closer to mine. What they did was right. Living in that darkness for five years, in limbo, it wasn't a life. "It wasn't just one community coming together, it was the entire world coming together. And then, boom. Just like that, it goes right back to the way it used to be. To them, at least Karli's doin' somethin'."
"So, you think we made a mistake bringing everyone back?" Charlie squeaks out.
"That's not what I'm saying. There's no black or white answer. You saw what I saw. Are those perfect conditions?" She shakes her head. "They're displaced. Not everyone had the Avengers or Tony's money to help rebuild." She starts to interject, "I'm not blaming you, Charlie, but everyone's situation is different. I know that those five years weren't easy for the ones left either. But it gave them a taste of a better life, and then it was taken from them in an instant."
"You really think her ends justify her means?" I ask, trying to steer the conversation away from bringing everybody back. "Then, she's no different than him or anybody else we've fought." I point over to Zemo.
"She's different. She's not motivated by the same things." Sam whispers, sensing Charlie's distress.
"That little girl. What'd she tells you?" I ask Zemo as he brings a tray of tea over to us.
He glances at each of us, I'm assuming figuring out exactly how much he wants to reveal. His eyes land and stay on Charlie. He takes in her drained body lying on me. He knows what ever he did to her caused this, and my anger rises. "The funeral is this afternoon."
His hand comes to the side of Charlie's head and he pushes back her hair, before I slap his hand away. "You know the Dora's coming for you any minute. In fact, they're probably lurking outside right now. Keep talking." I want him to tell all the information he has. When the Dora get here, he will be gone, and all that information with him.
"Leaving you to turn on me once we get to Karli. Hmm, I prefer to keep my leverage."
I gently push Charlie off of me. I've taken all that I can. I slowly walk over to him. He's played enough games for today. My hand grabs at the tea cup in his hand and fling it to the wall. The delicate glass shatters. "You wanna see what someone can do with leverage?"
"James." Her voice is soothing as she walks beside me, pulling at my left arm.
"Take it easy. Don't engage him." Sam goes over to his side. "He's just gonna extort you and do that stupid head tilt thing." Zemo realizes that he is in fact tilting his head and lifts it upright. Knowing he better keep his eyes on me. "Let me make a call." Sam slaps my arm as he walks away. My eyes stay directly on Zemo.
"Want some cherry blossom tea." He asks.
"No, you go ahead." Still holding onto me, I walk away with her. She needs to get away from him. I guide her into the bedroom. Picking her up bridal style I gently lay her on the bed, "How are you feeling right now?"
"Like I have an aching headache and my body weighs a thousand tons." I lay down on the bed beside her, pulling her closer. Lightly I use my fingers to smooth out her hair. I don't know how he did this to her, but it's not okay.
"I should get you some medicine." I go to move.
"I would like to take a bath. I feel dirty." Even though her voice is weak I hear a twinge of flirting going on.
"Yeah? I've been wanting to get you in that tub since I've seen it. What do you want to wear?" She smiles and as I walk to her suitcase, pulling up different articles of clothing before settling on some tan pants, white shirt, and blue blazer. I pick out some clothes and pick her up bridal style again. Carrying her to the bathroom I sit her down and hunt for some aspirin and bring a glass of water.
When I return, she takes the pills and watches as I begin to feel up the tub. "These oils too much with the smells?" She shakes her head no watching me with a small smile on her face. I pour in some of the oils and bath milks and then walk over to Charlie, gently but quickly removing her clothes. This isn't a sexual moment, it's a moment for me to take care of her, indulge in her, breathe her in. A lot has happened in a few days and none of us have slept great. Once she's fully naked I place her into the tub. "You don't mind if I join you, do you?" She shakes her head no, and quickly I undress and place my body behind hers.
I use a wash cloth to squeeze water over her skin, and more forcefully work the heat and oils into her skin, massaging her. Moments later her head falls limp on my shoulder, eyes softly closed. I look down at her long lashes, freckled nose and soft pink lips, she's utterly stunning. "What are you thinking about?" She whispers.
"How perfect you are. And how I don't deserve you."
"I told you to let me decide what I deserve." She smiles, eyes still carelessly closed.
"I know. And that's what I'm doing. I don't get it, but I'm happy you want me. Whose girl, are you?" I whisper into her ear.
"Yours, James. Only yours." She deeply inhales before bringing an arm up to rest on my neck. Her breast now fully out of the water. I bite my tongue to not make a comment. This moment is more intimate than sex, but having her so close, and our naked bodies pressed up against each other's is driving me crazy. Not to mention she is still mine. My girl. My best girl. I'll take things as slow as she needs me to, because I don't want to miss any more moments with her.
I feel her arm slip off my neck and into the water and then her sweet soft humming snores start. She's relaxed and resting. I just watch her as she sleeps in the big tub, smelling the sweet luxurious smells of the oils and milks. I'm not sure how long I'm enraptured by her sleeping until I hear a, "James, the water's cold." whine come out of her mouth.
"Well, come on, sleeping beauty. Let's get you out of here." I stand, with much difficulty because of the oils and grab a robe before assisting Charlie out, and putting the robe on her. Her eyelids are heavy, not because she's still tired, but almost as if she's in a drunken stupor. "How are you feeling?" I ask as I grab a towel and begin drying her off.
"Much better. Very relaxed thanks to you." Her hands pull up the bottom of my chin instructing me to stand up. She stands on her tiptoes, wrapping her hands around my neck, she pulls me into her lips, and I drink her up. Her relaxation has turned into pure raw desire as her hands pull my body closer to her. I allow her to take the lead even though every part of me wants to throw her up against the wall and have my way with her, but I need her to navigate this part of our relationship.
I'm completely enchanted by the feeling of her lips on me. Her foot slides up my leg before she has her thigh at my hip. I pick her body up and she wraps her legs around me, "Is this, okay?" I ask, still wanting and needing her to lead this.
"Yes, James." Her voice comes out in a pant and I resist the urge to want to devour every part of her. I memorize the way her small hands pull at my neck and tangle through my hair. The way her soft and pouty lips can't decide if she wants to kiss my lips or kiss along my jaw. The way her toned thighs tighten around my waist so she can create whatever friction she can on my stomach. I memorize the way her core is throbbing because she in fact does want me, but also wants to take things slow. I memorize the way she tastes on my tongue. Perfectly sweet, the perfect cocktail.
Her kissing slows and she opens her eyes to look at me, "I want you so much right now, but not here. Not now."
"I know." I whisper. And I do, because I want her too. But not in Zemo's bathroom.
"I'm such a tease."
"Yes, you are." We both laugh as she slides down my body. I give her another peck for good measure and we both dress. Both of us high from each other's lips. Both of us not letting desire get in the way of doing things right. She should be treated like the angel, no the goddess that she is. I don't ever want her to think that what we have is just sex, I want every part of that woman. The good and the bad, and one day I will officially make her mine.
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Charlie's POV:
We walk through the streets of Latvia to go to the memorial service for Donya. I still can't get enough of Bucky. We are on mission, but I want to keep him close, my fingers constantly want to graze against him, making sure he knows I am exactly where I want to be, and that's wherever he is.
Even though we have a mission, things at this moment are almost blissful. I have my two best friends, and we're doing something good, with an obnoxious and pompous Zemo, but still. And within seconds that blissful bubble is popped as I hear the other annoying voice that I wish would leave my brain.
"Karli Morgenthau is too dangerous for you guys to be pulling this shit." John and Hoskins come walking down the stairs heading straight towards us.
Our direction slightly changes as we walk right to them, "Ah! How'd you find us now?" Bucky sarcastically asks.
"Come on, man. You really think three Avengers can walk around Latvia without drawing attention?" Hoskins, the more desirable of the pair answers.
"No more keeping us in the dark." John arrogantly says. Like he thinks he can make us do something. "You can start by telling us why you broke him out of prison." He has an angry gait as he points over to Zemo.
"He did that himself, technically." Bucky responds and pulls me just a bit closer to him.
"This better be an unbelievable explana..." John spouts out, hatred brimming through his eyes.
"Hey, take it easy before it gets weird." Sam interrupts John. Sam ever the voice of reason and calm. Bucky can't help but spew sarcasm.
"I know where Karli is." Zemo speaks up and steps forward.
He tries to walk past John but he jumps in front, stopping him. "Well, where?"
"All we know is, it's a memorial." Sam's voice is still cool and calm. "So, we're gonna intercept her there." Zemo pushes John's arm off of him and begins his walk and Bucky and I follow. Bucky keeps an eye on John as I walk past him.
"That means civilians. High risk of casualties." I quite like Hoskins. He seems like the voice of reason with this stupid man.
John reaches over and grabs at my arm, and Bucky slings it off. "Don't touch her."
"I was just checking to see if she was okay. She looks like she hasn't been sleeping." His voice changes. He too easily jumps in and out of nice guy and angry man.
"I'm fine, thank you."
"Alright, good. Look, we'll move in fast. Take her by surprise." He says as he follows behind me and Bucky.
"No, I wanna talk to her alone." Sam has a plan. And his soothing baritone voice could work with Karli, she respects him.
"I'm not losing her again." John tells him. He doesn't have any idea what Sam is capable of.
"Look, the person closest to her died, she's vulnerable. If there's any time to reason with her, it's now." Sam's voice is getting an irritated edge to it.
"What? No. Wait, no!" John runs in front of us. "No! Stop. Hold on. Stop, okay?" He stops in front of us. His angry man persona blinks through again. "I think we're way past reasoning with her, unless you forgot that she blew up a building with people still in it."
"Sam, you walk in there cold, she could kill you." Hoskins looks over to Sam.
"And if I go in hot and the op goes wrong, more people will die."
"You two going to let him do this?" John asks looking at me and Bucky. "Are you going to let your partner walk into a room with a super soldier alone?"
"He's dealt with worse. And he's not my partner." Bucky answers.
"Fine, Charlie, you seem to be level headed one, here." John looks at me.
"And I trust, Sam. Like Bucky said he's dealt with worse. And he's not a prideful man, so if he thought he couldn't do this, he would let it be known."
"You're unbelievable!" He shouts.
"I could go against my code, and make you go along with this, if you'd prefer." I glare up at him.
"I used to counsel soldiers dealing with trauma, okay? This is right in my wheelhouse." Sam comes and stands in front of me, looking directly at John.
"Yeah, I know. And I know those soldiers, which is why I know this is a bad idea." He was one of those soldiers. He has to have been one of those soldiers, it explains his mood swings. At one point he was probably a good guy.
"Wait, John." Hoskins speaks up. He's the rock that holds their duo together. The calmness in John's storm. "If he can talk her down, it might be worth a try."
John looks at all of us and scoffs, clearly not happy things are going his way. He looks over to Zemo, "We'll deal with you later."
"I'm sure it will all come to an agreeable conclusion." Zemo reassures him. "My associate is just up ahead." He points to the young girl from earlier. Bucky pulls me along with him, and we continue our walk to the memorial service. "Hello, my friend. This is for your family." Zemo hands the girl some money. So, bribery it is, and more than candy. "Can you show us the way." The girl spins and motions for us to follow.
"What the hell?" John asks behind us, clearly confused as to why a child is leading us.
She guides us through a backdoor, wanting to not cause suspicion for the fact that she's helping outsiders out. She points through a doorway and walks through, "Karli's in there." Zemo says.
Sam walks ahead and towards the door, "Alright."
John jerks Zemo up against a heater door, causing the man to grunt, and he cuffs him to the handle. I don't understand all the hostility since Zemo has been relatively cooperative. "Hey. You got ten minutes."
"Really?" Zemo asks, angry about being cuffed to something.
"Then we're doing things my way." I roll my eyes. He's got too much testosterone running through him.
"Aggressive." Mr. Sassy Zemo. I can't help but bite my lip. He's an ass, but I like his sassy side. John turns back to scowl at him, "But I get it."
Nervously John paces and rocks around the boiler room. Not only does he think what Sam is doing is wrong, he believes with every part of him that his way is the right way, the only way. And how wrong he is. Anytime that there is a chance to do things calmly, that's what should be done.
John stops his pacing and pulls the shield off his back. Staring down at it, like it's going to give him some kind of answer. His breathing becomes heavier. He's about to have a nervous breakdown. Grabbing at the bridge of his nose he looks over to the door where Bucky and I are standing. He scratches his head, moving his neck around and looks back down at the shield.
"He's freaking out Bucky."
"I see that."
"Is it wrong of me if I used my empathy to control him?"
"Is it wrong that he wants to kill Karli instead of talking her down?" I nod.
"Is this...I heard you two can communicate in each other's heads. Is this it?" He looks up at me and Bucky. I nod at him. "It's weird. What are you talking about?"
"Nothing in particular." I answer.
"She likes when my mouth tastes like whiskey." Bucky gives him a charming smile.
"No, that's not what you were talking about." He comes up to look at us, staying on my eyes before turning and pacing back towards Zemo, "Uh-uh. No, no, no. This is a bad idea."
"It hasn't been ten minutes yet, John. Just sit tight." Bucky answers him.
"Don't do that. Don't patronize me." He spits back at Bucky.
"He knows what he's doing." I calmly answer. "Relax." I cast over at him.
He body spins facing me, "What did you do? That's what you were talking about!" His body however does quit his pacing. His eyes turn back soft and not agitated, and his posture slumps down, but only slightly. He sits down momentarily, deeply breathing, and then it slows.
"Good girl." The deep baritone register that Bucky casts over to me, sends chills up my spin, and butterflies hum around in my stomach. "You like that, huh? I felt you shudder."
"Time and place, Bucky." He smirks over at me.
I glance over to John, his body is slack and relaxed, until his eyes wander to the clock. He stands and nearly stomps his way over towards Bucky. I tap on my stars and pull over my gauntlets. My easiest to hide weapons, and no one gets injured. "I'm goin' in."
"No, you're not." I huff at him. Bucky's body meets his and he pushes John's shoulder back, halting him from going through the door. John backs up, eyes on the floor, it seems like he's admitting defeat, but he's too arrogant for that.
His eyes glare up to Bucky, "This is all really easy for you, isn't it?" Bucky squints at him, not fully understanding what John's referring to, "All that serum runnin' through your veins." I look up at Bucky and his eyes go glossy. He's frozen looking at John.
"He didn't ask for that." I spit up at John.
Ignoring me John continues to torture Bucky's mind, "Barnes, your partner needs backup in there. Do you really want his blood on your hands?" Bucky's gaze falters.
"John, shut up! You shut your mouth." My eyes turn towards Bucky, "James, look at me. He's playing with you. You know Sam. He's fine. If he needs back up, he will cast into my mind. James!"
"That's right." John continues his taunting. "How does it feel that Steve passed the shield to Sam, he knew you weren't good enough for it." I hit John in the chest, he still doesn't faulter. "And now I'm Captain America. Poor Barnes, always second best. Even Charlie chose Steve first. I had hoped she would join me, I almost had her, must be my lack of serum." He sneers over to Bucky.
"SHUT UP!" I feel the electrical current run through my veins as I hit his chest, lightning flows through my fist where we connect. His body slings back to the ground. He looks up at me with wild eyes before his sight goes to the still frozen Bucky. I wrap my arms around Bucky and our bubble explodes around us. John runs into it but cannot enter, it was enough to bring Bucky's eyes back down to mine. "Are you okay, James?" I feel the tears well in my eyes, worried about my sweet Bucky. John runs past us with a shocked Hoskins behind us.
"Yes. Drop the bubble, let's go."
We run through the winding hallways to find John. And I hear his booming voice, "Karli Morgenthau you're under arrest." We run into the room. The ass hole wants her more than making things right.
"So, this is what that was?" She shakes her head at Sam.
"No, wait..." He tries to calm her back down.
"Tricking me until your backup arrived." She backs away from him as John comes closer to her.
"No, I think we had enough time to talk," John puts his hand up to Sam. I walk past trying to get to Karli and Hoskins pushes me back. Bucky comes up to Hoskins, seeing red. He hits Hoskins arm that was on me and tries to get to me, "Karli stay calm. We're not with him. Sam does want to help."
"No, he doesn't" She casts over to me, fear in her eyes. Normally people aren't that quick to cast back. "Nazi." She spits at John.
"Why don't you..." He puts the shield in between him and Karli and she throws him off of her. She's an angry super soldier. He is a mentally wounded soldier who had no business in his position, physically yes, but mentally he's not stable enough to handle this. Bucky is still fighting with Hoskins and I shoot a sound wave towards him, he drops his arms from Bucky, clutching at his ears, and we run after Karli.
She jumps up a flight of stairs and Bucky is right on her tail, me only a bit behind. After earlier I feel stronger, more capable. I watch as Bucky jumps down from another set of stairs before several people block him. When I land, I fire more soundwaves, making all of them hold their ears as we continue chasing after Karli. However, what few seconds she got away was enough for us to get lost in this big building. The hallways have no rhyme or reason.
Somehow, we're met back up with Sam, "Shit."
"We lost her." Bucky tells him.
"This place is a maze." Sam pants, trying to catch his breath.
"Yeah, no shit." I answer. In the distance we hear gunshots.
"Come on." Bucky grabs my arm and we run to where the noise was coming from.
We go into another room where we see a passed out Zemo and John standing over him, "What'd we miss?" Sam throws his arms up at John. I place myself in front of Bucky. I'm still pissed off at John for trying to manipulate his mind. He looks over at Hoskins who shrugs his shoulders.
"What did you do to him?" I demand looking at John.
"He got in the way." He turns and walks over to Hoskins.
"I really hate that guy." I say running down the stairs to Zemo. I hate him more than I hate Zemo. How dare he for any second make Bucky believe he isn't good enough. "James, look at me." His eyes meet mine. "John was playing you."
"I know." He answers kicking at Zemo's body, his eyes flitter and he stirs a bit.
"Nothing he said was true. You know that right." His eyes finally meet mine.
"But they are."
"No, they're not. And if you think for any second that Steve chose Sam because he thought you weren't worthy, you're an idiot. Steve loved you. He respected you. And you see how John is? He's not stable for the shield. I don't know his story, but something happened to him. He's having a breakdown. Steve knew that your mental health was the most important thing."
"Fine...but he still had you first."
"That doesn't even matter. Where am I right now? With you."
"Steve didn't have her first." Zemo groans standing up. "Look at the file."
Bucky looks down at me, "John is an ass. He wanted to say anything he could to get you to get out of his way. Don't listen to him." His eyes soften as he gently kisses my lips.
"You're here." He nods his head. "Was that lightning I saw come out of you?" He smiles down at me. His smile doesn't quite reach his eyes, but he's trying.
"I don't know what it was."
"Lightning?" Sam asks. "Charlie, now's a good time to look at that file."
"No." I'm not ready for that.
"Why not?" He pleads.
"Because when I read whatever is in that, I'm going to know that Clint isn't my uncle, and... that man has been more of a father to me than anyone, other than Tony...and I can't..." Bucky's hand slides around my waist pulling me closer.
"Family isn't about your blood. It's about the people you choose to have in your life. You're choosing the Barton's, that doesn't change anything. But you have serious powers if you had lightning come out of your body, maybe..." Sam brings his body closer to me and Bucky.
"No. Not right now, Sam. I don't want to think about this, okay?"
"I think the lightning should be answer enough," Zemo sneeringly says.
"Shut up!" I yell at him.
"What about what's in the file concerning Bucky? Do not think he deserves some answers? This shit keeps following you. Until you know, it's going to continue to come as a shock to you each time. Anger is consuming you." Sam's eyes go soft. "Please."
"Doll, I'm here when you want to look at the file."
"Maybe when we're back home, in the States. I just can't right now, Sam. Can we please just drop it?" He sighs but does indeed drop it. Zemo scoffs shaking his head before him and Sam walk out, I start to follow and Bucky holds me back.
"What are you scared of?"
"Losing you and Maggie." I tell him.
"That's not what I meant. I meant what are you scared you're going to find in that file?" His hands rub up and down my arms.
"I'm scared that everything is going to change. You know, when I met old man Steve, I asked him how Peggy aged compared to him." Bucky looks down at me realizing what I was asking. "He told me I didn't want to know. You know my fear is you and Maggie aging at a much slower pace than me. She's half super soldier. Bruce tested her blood, it's in there. I told Steve I needed his help."
"Charlie?" Worry weaves through Bucky's eyes.
"I want to be your equal. I want you to be the end of my story and I to be the end of yours. I don't...I don't want either of us to be without the other. I was there with Steve when Peggy died. Not old man Steve, but our Steve. It broke him." Tears slowly drip down Bucky's cheeks as he watches me.
"Did he, do it?" He asks.
"Not yet." I look down at the ground, and he pulls my chin up to look at him.
"You don't have to have the serum. And if what I'm thinking is true, you may age a lot slower than even me." I smack at his arm.
"We're not talking about this anymore, Bucky."
"Hey, that serum isn't a cure all..."
"But if it keeps me aging with you." I whine, wanting him to understand.
"It can alter your brain. It makes you more of yourself. Look at Karli, she has a good cause, but her anger and bitterness have been amplified with the serum. I need you to promise me, that you won't use the serum until after we read that file." I want to interrupt again and he shakes his head no, "And, I will wait until whenever you're ready."
"It's part of you, too, apparently." I'm being selfish.
"And I'm ready when you are. But doll, there's nothing to be afraid of. I'm sure whoever your real father is, is proud regardless."