The House in the Field

“Clear.” The word Bucky didn’t want to hear but kept doing so. They had managed to gain access to the abandoned warehouse where Ava was being kept. They’d gone in search for her, but, with each and every room checked there was no sign. They’d found her coms device about ten minutes ago but after that there was nothing. They had one last floor to find her before it was official that Ava wasn’t here. “We’ll find her Buck I promise.” Steve told his best friend who by now was losing all hope.
“Guys.” Wanda spoke out quietly stopping at a door. “She’s in here.” She whispered “Her brain activity isn’t strong but it’s there.” She informed them as Bucky practically shoved her out of the way, swinging the door open he saw her there. She was still tied to the upright bed, her head lolling whilst she drifted in and out of consciousness, her throat raw from all the screaming that the waves of pain brought that she just let out a silent sob when it came round again.
“I’m here doll. I got you.” Bucky whispered rushing over to her as he took her battered face in his hands gently, he blinked back the tears as her eyes raised to meet his, the drugs that were combined with the serum taking hold making her pupils roll to the back of her head as she struggled to focus on the man in front of her. “Let’s get you out of here.” He whispered to her, wrapping one hand around her waist he used his pocket knife to cut at the restraints holding her hands and legs in place as she slumped against him. All her energy drained just like her blood that was now soaking Bucky’s arm through from the wound on her back. “They’re going to pay for this doll I promise.” He whispered to her Sam grabbed the other side of her and helping to carry her out. They’d just got to the door when the familiar voice sounded out, Bucky stopping instantly at the past memory.


“I’m afraid she’s property of HYDRA.” Bucky looked over at Sam making sure he was holding her before spinning on his heels and marching down to the doctor who had done this to her. The doctor quickly moved back until he was backed up against a wall, Bucky’s flesh hand wrapping itself around his throat with a tight grip.
“I don’t need the Winter Soldier to kill you.” He spoke harshly against the man’s face as he choked out.
“Then you’ll never know what I’ve done to her. You kill me and you kill her.” He smirked the words being broken from his lack of oxygen, Ava’s already slack grip on Sam’s shoulder completely lost as she fell to the floor, foam rising past her lips, body jerking violently on the cold, damp, dirty concreate floor. Bucky instantly let go of the doctor’s throat rushing over to his wife, Wanda took the opportunity to help holding her hand up and allowing her power to freeze the doctor in place giving Cap a chance to replace Bucky in standing in front of him.
“What have you done to her?” He asked shoving him violently against the wall.
“I’ve improved her build up. The Super Soldier Serum was only the start, she’s the first in a long line of new assets.” He smirked looking down at the helpless girl. “When you ever so carefully detached the IV line you detached the drug that regulated her until the process was complete. She has about a minute until her body shuts down completely.” He informed them, Steve dropping his grip on him but not budging away from the wall. “So asset what’s it to be? Give her back and let me continue her process or let her die on the cold floor? She’s in excruciating pain let me tell you, it’s like each cell in her body is being burnt.” He smirked as the torn look on Bucky’s face was evident for everyone to see.
“The radio they said they wanted me. If we give her back I come to.” The Captain spoke surprising everyone.
“Two for one deal.” The Doctor spoke as Sam stared at Steve like he was stupid. Steve walked over to pick Ava up from Sam who was reluctant to let her go.
“Go get Stark.” He whispered as he picked her up bridal style and walking back into the room they’d just rescued her from.
“They’re all yours boys!” The doctor shouted as red laser lights were trained on Wanda, Sam and Bucky; the door slamming harshly.

Steve’s eyes never left Ava whilst the doctor reattached her to the IV drip, the shock slowly subsiding as the substance coursed through her body. “I must say your government did quite the number when they injected her. It seems that they changed their recipe when it came to injecting you.” He spoke so casually like they’d been friends for years. “Tell me Captain it must have been such an easy choice to make just then. Handing over the life of your best friend’s wife out of pure curiosity. You may tell them that it was for her benefit, but, you have niggling feeling don’t you about her? You want to know exactly what she is.” He looked over his shoulder at him, Ava’s head slumped against the bed. “You don’t trust her do you Captain?” He looked him right in the eye and no matter what Steve tried it was like he was seeing directly into his soul.
“I think it’s better to have two against you when the time comes.” Steve told him truthfully, or so he thought. “So what do you plan on doing next? Once the process is complete?” He asked slowly.
“Well Ava’s skill set means she can control her own mind, our techniques wont bend or shape her mind so she will be terminated once we take her DNA. You see just because her mind can’t be bent doesn’t mean we cannot encourage the shutdown of that function in others.” The doctor told him brutal honesty in his tone.
“You can’t just shutdown brain functions.” Steve shook his head, the doctor letting out a laugh.
“You of all people should know that that isn’t true. Your best friend is an example of that. Do you really think that he would have killed all those people if we didn’t warp brain function?” He smirked. “In fact let’s ask him.” He looked over at the door, prompting Steve to do the same, to notice the metal arm smash through the door to unlock the object in the way as in walked Bucky; cold, calculated and emotionless expression on his face as his gaze locked on Ava and Steve.
“Asset.” The doctor spoke in his native Russian tongue.
“Ready to comply.” The Winter Soldier responded too in Russian.

Notes