Blurred Bloodlines

Steve noticed the far-off look on his friend's face and was immediately concerned.

He placed a hand on his shoulder, bringing him back to the present.

"I just remembered something."

Steve's eyes widened, "Was...was it bad?"

His friend gave a small smile.

"No, it was...nice. Better than what I usually remember. Syrena and I were sparring like usual, but that day was different. She was pulling her punches, not really landing any hits on me, so I threatened to break her arm."

He raised his left hand.

"She ended up dislocating my elbow and pinning me to the ground."

"It sounds like she was well trained."

Bucky nodded.

"I trained her for thirteen years, Steve. Thirteen years! She was just as good if not better than me. I damn well made sure of it."

Steve crossed his arms.

"So what made an ordinary training day so special?"

"We kissed. Or rather she kissed me."

"Oh."

At Steve's shocked face, he smirked.

"Among other things."

"Buck."

"I know, I know, I'll keep it to myself, wouldn't want to damage your delicate sensibilities."

"Jerk."

"Punk."

Sam's laughter filled the room.

"Oh man, you two bicker like an old married couple."

"Shut up, wings." Bucky shot back.

"I hate you, you know that right?"

"Yeah, tell me something I don't know."

"Alright, you're an asshole."

"Really? I said something I don't know. I already knew that."

Sam waved him off.

Bucky turned to his lifelong friend.

"What's our next course of action, Cap? When do we go after Becky?"

Steve nearly cried at the nickname.

His friend was starting to sound more and more like his old self and he couldn't be happier.

"First we have to make a trip to D.C. If we are to rescue both Rebecca and Syrena, we need those files."

Steve turned to the others.

"Sam, I need you and Scott to stay here and go back over the files I have on Syrena. See if there's anything hidden that we're missing."

The two men nodded in agreement.

Scott motioned to Sam.

"Come on. I have a few buddies that owe me a favor. I'll see if they've heard anything."

A few moments after they left, Scott peaked his head back in.

"I'll give Dr. Pym a call too. Maybe he can help with any incryptions? If that's alright."

Steve smiled.

"The more help, the better, Scott. Thanks."

Antman waved them off before ducking back out the door.

Wanda stepped forward.

"What do you want Pietro and I to do?"

Bucky crossed his arms, glaring at the young speedster.

"You can come, Wanda, but he stays here."

Pietro took a step forward, "Now look-"

Wanda's hand gripped his arm.

"Pietro..."

"I don't know you and frankly that doesn't help your case any."

Steve shook his head.

"Bucky, they have both spent more time with Rebecca than us. They know her and she knows them. It would help to have them there."

Pietro mouthed a silent thanks to the Captain.

The former assassin deflated at Steve's words before standing groggily to his feet.

He wavered a bit but kept himself upright.

"So when do we leave?"

Steve smiled.

"Suit up. We leave in an hour."

/ ~ / ~ /

An hour later saw Steve, Bucky, Wanda and Pietro seated in the back of a quinjet on their way to D.C.

Pietro sat across from Bucky, who glared death his way.

He swallowed hard.

'Well, this was going to be a lovely trip.'

"Bucky, I think you're making him uncomfortable."

"Good," he growled before turning his gaze back down to the knife he was polishing in his hands.

Steve chuckled before turning back to the controls.

Bucky could only think of the horrors he could remember HYDRA inflicting on him and his chest ached.

'We're coming Becky. Just stay strong a little longer.'

/ ~ / ~ /

"We're getting close to D.C. airspace. I'll have to set it down on the outskirts."

Steve yelled back.

Bucky stood up and stretched, grabbing Steve's chair to keep himself upright.

"The jet will still get spotted, won't it?"

Cap shook his head.

"Not where I'm putting it."

He clicked a green button right above his head.

"Hill?"

"A female voice sounded on the other line.

"Cap? What do you need?"

"Open the hangar door. I need to hide a quinjet. I have to stay out of the public eye for the moment."

"Wilco, Captain. See you on the ground."

The ground below them cracked apart, revealing a large opening which Steve lowered the Quinjet down into.

Bucky smacked his friend's shoulder.

"What is this place?"

"It's where I hide after the Bridge Incident, when I found out you were still alive. You tried to..."

The assassin's face fell.

"I'm sorry about that buddy."

"I know. I knew it then too. That wasn't you."

Steve gently landed the quinjet and clicked a series of buttons, effectively shutting the engines down.

He climbed out of the chair and grabbed his friend's shoulder.

"Now let's go get those files and find your daughter."

Notes