The Night We Met | Steve / Bucky

eighteen - where's my love

Natasha was lucky. 

Chaos ensued on the streets of Vienna. She somehow managed to survive a bomb attack at the United Nations. How? She doesn't know. People were carried from the building on stretchers, some where being treated in ambulances. Other people weren't as lucky as Natasha. T'Challa, son of the King of Wakanda, sat outside, mourning his father.

Steve and Sam were very lucky in the fact that they did not agree with the signing of the Sokvia Accords and attended the funeral of Peggy Carter in London. Steve's heart was heavy, saying goodbye to a great woman - a woman he deeply loved. He was appreciative of Sam accompanying him. Steve walked through a hotel with Sharon Carter, the niece of Peggy, and a good friend of Steve's. As the pair spoke, Sam interrupted, needing Steve's attention. 

Sam led Steve and Sharon to his hotel room. The trio stood in front of the TV as the news reported on the latest updates from Vienna. Fire trucks flooded the streets to extinguish the fires, people were screaming on the streets while others were being treated for their wounds and injuries. "A bomb hidden in a news van ripped through the UN building in Vienna. More than seventy people have been injured. At least twelve are dead, including Wakanda's King T'Chaka. Officials have released a video of a suspect -" The footage then changed from the current scenes of Vienna to security camera footage that had been captured earlier in the day. It depicted a news van, a man approaching the drivers side, another walking around to the other side of the vehicle. " - Who they have identified as James Buchanan Barnes, the Winter Soldier and an unidentified female, at this time. The infamous HYDRA agent linked to numerous acts of terrorism and political assassinations."

Steve felt sick. Although the news did not identify the accomplice, both Steve and Sam knew that it was Katherine. Katherine Stark. Steve tried to comprehend how Bucky and Katherine reunited, how they found one another and what their next move was. He knew instantly that both of them were in serious danger.

Steve changed from his suit and changed into jeans, a t-shirt and a jacket. He wore a cap and sunglasses, shielding his identity. Steve left the hotel and took out his phone, calling Natasha. "Yeah?" Natasha answered.

"You alright?" Steve asked, concerned for his good friends health. 

"Uh, yeah. Thanks. I got lucky." Natasha paused for a moment, realizing the true intent of Steve's contact with her. She got to her feet, exhaling, "I know how much Katherine and Barnes mean to you. I really do. Stay home. You'll only make this worse. For all of us. Please."

"Am I supposed to believe that Stark is staying at home?"

Natasha sighed once again, concern filling in her tone, "It is out of our hands."

"Are you saying you'll arrest me?"

"No." Natasha responded, "Someone will. If you interfere, that's how it works now."

"If they're this far gone, Nat, I should be the one to bring them in."

"Steve." Natasha questioned, "Why? They're both too powerful."

"Well, I'm the one least likely to die trying." 

Steve hung up the phone. He walked down the street to a local restaurant. He approached the bar, coming up beside Sam, who ate a meal that had been already served to him. He too sported a cap and sunglasses. Steve leaned on the bar, "Did she tell you to stay out of it?" Sam asked as he continued to eat his meal. Steve remained quiet, "Might have a point." Sam took Steve's silence as a yes. Hoping that Steve was making the right decision.

"They'd do it for me." Steve responded.

"This is Katherine we're talking about. And Barnes." Sam glanced to Steve, but quickly resumed his eyes to his plate in front of him, "I just want to make sure we consider all our options. The people that shoot at you usually wind up shooting at me." Steve and Sam shared a look. Steve appreciated Sam's help.