____________________________________

they had Bucky restrained.

"Interesting way of keeping him restrained," She said when she entered the room.

"Had to make sure he didn't pull anything else."

"You put on quite a show up there in the compound, Mr. Barnes,"

Bucky simply looked up at her. "As did you,"

"What did I do?" She merely laughed.

"I've never seen a woman with such..... abilities,"

"I'm not sure if you were going for a compliment there, but your delivery sucks, man." Sam spoke.

Their eyes all turned to Steve, who came running in.

"Steve," Bucky breathed.

"Which Bucky am I talking to?"

"Your mom's name was Sarah. You used to wear newspapers in your shoes,"

Alex's eyes softened at Bucky recalling memories of her friend. He was almost human, and you could almost forget what he had just become.

"Can't read that in a museum," Steve smiled.

"Just like that, we're supposed to be cool?" Sam spoke.

"What did I do?" Bucky reluctantly asked.

"Enough," Alex chimed in.

"I knew this would happen. Everything HYDRA put in me is still there. All he had to do was say the goddamn words--"

"Who was he?" Steve cut him off.

"I don't know."

"People are dead. The bombing, the setup--the doctor did all that just to get ten minutes with you. I need you to do better than 'I don't know-,"

"He wanted to know about Siberia, where I was kept."

"Why would he need to know that?" Alex stepped toward him.

"Because I'm not the only Winter Soldier."

"Who were they?" Sam spoke up.

"Their most elite death squad. More kills than anyone in HYDRA history. And that was before the serum,"

"They all turn out like you?" Alex jabbed.

"Worse," He looked up at her.

"The doctor, he could control them?" Steve asked.

"Enough."

"Said he wanted to see an empire fall,"

"With these guys, he could do it. They speak thirty languages, can hide in plain sight...infiltrate, assassinate, destabilize. They can take a whole country down in one night, you'd never see them coming."

Alex's imagination flashed with images of her brief time with HYDRA. They were testing on innocent people, and to think that some of their testing was successful...it brought her chills.

Sam stepped over to Steve to quietly decide what to do. Before Alex could join, Bucky spoke up.

"Heard they had you too,"

She looked down at him. "HYDRA? Couldn't keep me for very long. Not decades, like yourself."

"Well, we all can't be walking sleeping potions, now can we?"

She only chuckled.

"I know a guy," She heard Sam spoke.

✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦

The four of them, now set on recruiting help for their side, had a small pit stop to make. Sharon was going to give them their gear back.

They drove in a run down buggy car, much to Sam's chagrin.

"Of all the cars to steal," He griped. "Did you see the Audis in that compound?"

"We have to remain incognito, smartass. Now, wait here,"

He exited the car, leaving Alex squished in the backseat with the former Winter Soldier.

"Can you move your seat up?" Bucky said in a monotoned voice.

"No."

Bucky then proceeded to slide over, squishing Alex even more.

"I don't think so, buddy." She spoke, shooing. "Back to your side,"

They watched Sharon and Steve interact, and Alex wished she had super-hearing. They shared a meaningful look, which was followed by a small kiss.

"Would you look at that," Sam grinned.

"Hey, can we try that?" Bucky winked at Alex.

"She's off limits."

"Shame."

Steve returned to the car, ignoring all three looks he was receiving. He drove the buggy to an airport, where he told the gang they'd be meeting their new recruit. They also were going to board a helicopter, and finally get the hell out of Germany.

The doors creaked as they stepped out of the car, and Bucky was no help. Alex had to pry herself out from behind the seats that didn't move up. The parking garage was empty, except for a white van that was waiting. As soon as she saw who was in the parked van next to them, her face lit up.

"Wanda," She spoke.

"Alex!"

The women embraced in a hug, as Steve shook Clint's hand. "You know I wouldn't have called if I had any other choice."

"Hey, man, you're doing me a favor. Besides, I owe a debt."

Alex smiled sadly, remembering how brave Pietro was to save Clint. Wanda's eyes fell, but she glowed at Alex's comforting touch.

"How about our other recruit?" Steve spoke.

"He's rarin' to go--had to put a little coffee in him but,"

Clint pulled back the van door to reveal a sleeping man, who awoke at the sound of the door. He had dark hair, and a 5 o' clock shadow. If Alex had to guess, he hadn't left the house in weeks.

"What time zone is this?" He stepped out, looking incredibly disheveled. "Captain America!"

"Mr. Lang,"

"It's an honor," This guy was totally geeking. "I'm shaking your hand too long,"

"I feel like I'm at ComicCon," Alex muttered to Wanda.

"I know you too, you're great!" He said to Wanda. He then turned to Alex, "You must be the cool energy whatever one--I'm Scott Lang."

"Jesus, you're a character. It's nice to meet you, Scott."

"They tell you what we're up against?" Steve spoke.

"Something about psycho-assassins."

"We're outside the law on this one, so if you come with us, you're a wanted man." Alex said.

"Yeah, well, what else is new?"

"We should get moving. We got a chopper lined up." Clint interrupted.

Suddenly, a voice came over the loudspeaker, saying words in German.

"They're evacuating the airport." Bucky said.

"Thanks, Google Translate." Alex replied.

"Stark," Sam said to Steve.

"Suit up," Steve announced.

They all were dressed in their gear when they began moving. Alex went with Steve to the tarmac where their helicopter was waiting. They were all split up, with plans to meet back at the copter.

However, Alex and Steve were intercepted.

"It's so weird how you run into people at the airport, don't you think that's weird?" Tony spoke to Rhodey.

"Definitely weird."

"Hear me out, Tony. That doctor, the psychiatrist, he's behind all this."

Then came T'Challa.

"Captain, Stark protégé."

"Hey, Cat Woman." Alex retorted.

"Ross gave thirty-six hours to bring you in. That was twenty-four hours ago. Can you help a brother out?" Tony piped up.

"You're after the wrong guy," Steve spoke.

"Your judgement is askew. Your old war buddy killed innocent people yesterday--"

"And there are five more super soldiers just like him," Alex cut in.

"I can't let the doctor find them first, Tony, I can't."

"You guys, you know what's about to happen," Natasha came walking in. "Do you really wanna punch your way out of this one? Or is she gonna drain us all?"

Alex rolled her eyes.

"Alright, I've run out of patience--Underoos!"

Out of no where, a web shot at Steve's shield, yanking it out of his hand. His hands were then tied, and the culprit was crouched on top of the helicopter. A figure, fully suited in a red and blue suit, was staring at them. Not that she'd admit it, but the gaping eye shapes on his face mask were creeping Alex out.

"Nice job, kid."

"Thanks. I could've stuck the landing a little better, it's just..new suit. I-It's nothing, Mr. Stark, it's perfect. Thank you." He rambled. Alex thought he couldn't be over eighteen.

"Got yourself a new protégé to play daddy with?" Alex spoke.

"Never got rid of my first one," Tony replied. She frowned.

"Okay, Cap. Captain," The kid saluted at Steve. "Big fan. I'm Spider-Man. And, uh, who's she?"

"Will someone tell him that recess is over?" Alex rolled her eyes.

"Was just getting there."

"You've been busy." Steve said.

"And you've been a complete idiot--dragging in Clint, putting Alex in danger, rescuing Wanda from a place she doesn't even want to leave...I'm trying to keep you from tearing the Avengers apart."

"You did that when you signed,"

Tony was taken aback. "Alright, we're done. You're gonna turn Barnes over, you're gonna come with us, now, because it's us. Or, a squad of J-SOC guys with no compunction about being impolite. Come on."

Tony locked eyes with Alex, and she could see the pleading in his eyes. He had hoped she wouldn't pull something like this. But, he saw himself in her, so he knew she would. She had a strong head, and didn't stop when she got her mind on something.

He wished so badly that he could be on her sight of the fight too, but he just couldn't be.

_____________________________________

𝚠𝚑𝚘'𝚜 𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚍𝚢 𝚝𝚘 𝚁𝚄𝙼𝙱𝙻𝙴

𝚜𝚑𝚒𝚝'𝚜 𝚐𝚎𝚝𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚒𝚗𝚝𝚎𝚗𝚜𝚎 𝚢'𝚊𝚕𝚕