The House in the Field

Tony didn’t offer any more information, he just took off down to the basement, passing the training room where Sam was taking his stress out on the defenceless punch bag. He noticed the running Captain and quickly made his way outside to see what the commotion was all about, joining in the chase when he saw it was Tony he was running after. “What’s going on?” Sam asked his best friend, not fazed by the sprint he’d just done.
“I don’t know he said he could get her back.” Steve shrugged watching Tony with a steely glance to assess his actions. He watched as the vault opened and Tony wasted no time rummaging through everything to find the containers. “You know if you told us what you’re looking for we could help.” Steve spoke stepping into the chamber looking round despite not knowing.
“Trust me you’ll know when you find it.” Tony shouted throwing papers on the floor groaning each time. “Friday where did she put them?” He shouted louder at his AI device.
“Sir, Mrs Barnes placed two containers with unknown contents by the arc box you stored down here.” Friday informed him, he knew exactly where that was. Rushing over to the far end of the room he saw the two boxes each had a little drawing on them.
“What are those things?” Sam asked reaching forward to grab one as Tony slapped his hand away.
“Don’t touch them.” He snapped at his fellow teammate. “Friday, scan it.” He instructed her as the noise filled the silent room.
“The contents are still living sir.” She told him as he reached forward, carefully picking up the box that had a cartoon ghost drawn on it, her humour carrying on even when she was dead.
“What’s in that box Stark? What’s still living.” Steve asked, all seriousness in his voice as he moved closer to the man he fought beside plenty of times. Tony didn’t answer with words, instead he opened the box to reveal the slow beating heart as cold air escaped the frozen container.
“Is that?” Sam asked as Tony nodded. “So who’s is that one?” He nodded to the other box and that’s when they noticed the famous symbol that could only be associated with one person, Captain America.

They carefully carried the boxes back up to Tony’s lab. Steve couldn’t describe how he felt carrying his own heart in his hands, it was so surreal he wasn’t sure it was real. “Look I don’t know how to do this; I’m not going to lie. I’ve seen her do it before but I’ve never.” Tony didn’t finish as he pressed his back to the door to open it, not risking holding the container with one hand, not that it mattered because he nearly blew it when he jumped seeing the assassin sat there holding the dead woman’s hand crying.
“C’mon I thought we agreed.” Tony shouted at Steve placing the box down carefully on the side.
“Bucky we talked about this.” Steve said, copying Tony’s motion and walking over to his broken buddy.
“She’s my wife Steve.” He looked up at him through watery eyes. Steve looked over at Sam and Tony for guidance on whether he should be told or not. Sam nodded and Tony rolled his eyes.
“Buck, you need to go back to your room. Tony needs to examine her make sure they didn’t do anything else to her.” Steve started, Bucky picking up on his tone.
“You’re lying. Your voice goes softer when you’re lying. Like your apologising. Don’t lie to me. What are you doing?” His voice harsh, his glare one that could kill.
“Guys, Bucky has – oh.” Wanda burst into the lab, noticing them all there.
“Why don’t we invite everyone in? Someone go heat up popcorn!” Tony shouted, normally he wouldn’t be bothered but the pressure was getting to him about what and why he was doing this. He could feel his heartrate elevate as the cold sweat came on, he reached into his desk draw quickly unscrewing the pill bottle cap and throwing back two pills. The scene not going unnoticed by everyone in the room. He hadn’t felt pressure like this since New York. There was too much to lose and that was before the deadly soldier even knew, now if he failed you can bet your bottom dollar that he wouldn’t be far behind joining her.
“They’re her boxes.” Bucky spoke, standing up and letting go of her hand carefully walking over to them. “She kept them in her bunker.” He whispered his hand running over the container carefully. “She kept” he didn’t finish, turning to Tony, who just nodded.
“Look listen here frosty I don’t know if I can do this. I mean I did the arc, but, even Pepper helped out with that. She’s told me what to do, but, I don’t know the risks or if it will work and I can’t risk you flipping if something goes wrong. You need to leave.” Tony tried to level with him, to no avail.
“I’ve seen your interviews, you’re normally so careless; why does she matter so much?” Bucky squinted his eyes at the guy he’s studied and studied.
“She was a good employee.” Tony told him honestly. He’s not known for being openly caring, deep down though the billionaire did care and when she upped and left to chase down Bucky he actually did miss her. She was like a kid to him, he taught her everything she needed to know and then she just went.
“Then you’ll be able to do it.” He reassured him, his hand squeezing Tony’s shoulder.

Tony got everything he needed ready, trying to keep his nerves under control he arranged his robotic helps around her before grabbing the scalpel and slicing as close as he could get. Everyone had decided to stay, standing around the room except for Bucky who was at the other side of Stark, holding her hand as he watched the delicate precision in which Tony was operating. Taking a deep breath Tony picked the heart up slowly which felt every bit disgusting in his gloved hand. He had the arm pull the skin tight as he pushed forcefully her heart back into its biological place. He nodded to the other arm as it glued the wound up, everyone holding their own breaths as they waited to see if all his efforts had worked. “Count it.” Tony spoke as Sam looked at his watch. One minute passed. Two minutes passed. Three minutes passed. Each minute that passed the collective level of hope was draining until ten minutes had passed and a deep intake of breath could be heard as well as the heart monitors beep going off the scale as the heart kicked back into action. The arm placed the oxygen mask to her face as she knocked it away with her hand, confused and dazed she didn’t know what had happened and her fight or flight mode kicking in she grabbed the figure at the side of her. Not fully being able to see panicked her even more as she wrapped her hand around the throat of whoever she had grabbed she squeezed tight.
“Doll, it’s me. It’s your hot shot.” She heard the words, her brain taking seconds to recognise the voice as she dropped her hand from his throat, Bucky coughing and spluttering as the air rushed back into his own lungs.
“I guess we’re even.” She breathed out in short pants, her breath and heartbeat regulating as she looked round the room to see all the relieved faces of the team.

Notes