Certainty (A Bucky Barnes Fanfic)

━◦○◦2.2: Suit Up◦○◦━

episode 2 - Star-Spangled Man

Shamara leaned against the uncomfortable seats of the military cargo plane, "How long is the flight?"

"About seven hours," the Latino soldier, Joaquin Torres, smiled at her. "A little less."

"Should have brought my pajamas," Shamara ran a hand through her loosened hair.

Bucky didn't say anything. Neither did Sam. They had been engaged in an unofficial staring contest for over a minute. Shay wondered if it was Sam's way of remaining defiant, even though he had allowed them to come along.

"When did you join the military, Shay? Or airforce. Navy?" Torres walked to the seats, also ignoring the grown children.

"I was in a special ops program in the Middle East," Shamara rubbed her arms.

"What kind of special ops?" Sam didn't look at her.

"It was a bit of a mix and match. Top secret. And unfortunately, the organizers had made some poor choices in who they trusted."

"Terrorists," Joaquin grimaced. "Yikes."

Have to love Middle Eastern stereotypes. Shamara thought, nodding. Every issue is terrorists. She flexed her hands as her feet began hurting. Not just itching this time but burning. She moved closer to Bucky, stretching her legs on the seats. She had taken off her shoes earlier. She pressed her feet against the chilled straps and metal, fighting a shiver.

"It's bothering you again," Bucky finally faced her.

"Yes."

"What is it like?"

"Burning all through my legs," Shamara shook her head. "Strangely enough, it seems to be all mental pain. As soon as I am distracted, it doesn't hurt."

"That makes sense, given the . . . experiment," Bucky lifted his eyebrows.

"Experiment?" Sam also turned his gaze on Shamara.

She let her face darken, hoping it would be enough to stop further questions, "They trusted the wrong people."

Torres hissed through his teeth, "Are you going to be able to fight?"

"Yes," Shamara cracked a smile. "I can fight through almost anything."

"Pain training, huh?" Sam shook his head. "I do not envy the special ops."

Once again, Shamara didn't bother correcting his assumptions.

After a few hours, Shamara excused herself to remove her makeup. It didn't seem there would be any surprise cameras on her. When she came back, she couldn't hold back a chuckle. Torres, Sam, and Bucky ate sandwiches--Torres sitting on the floor.

"Want one?" Torres pushed a small bin at her.

"Are they any good?" Shamara resumed her seat.

"If you pretend."

She shrugged, reaching into the bin, "I have probably had worse."

"You have," Bucky assured her.

That being said, she could only manage one. They kept flying, and she gradually grew tired. There were no windows, but it didn't matter. They were flying forward in time anyway, chasing the sun. She lay on her back, trying to sleep, but her legs kept burning. Sam and Torres fell asleep sitting up, and Bucky didn't stir.

"Would pain medication help?" He asked when she shifted again.

"Probably not. It's all mental, remember," Shamara kept her voice detached.