Traitor ~ Bucky Barnes

The Girl At The Fruit Stand

"I can help, who ever is next," said Katherine, amongst the few people, gathered at the fruit stand. For her, however, she was interested in one person in particular. James Barnes.

James had been going out more in Bucharest for the last few months. He found Hydra's safe houses and took what resources they had. This just consisted of clothes, money, and some food. Today, he figured he would treat himself to some fruit. Walking forward, he approached the woman that was offering assistance.

"Hi," said James. This was perfect for Katherine; she had seen around the city keeping an eye on him. But, this was everything she hoped for. To have an honest conversation and to invest in him a little.

"Hi," she said back, giving him a bright smile. "What can I get for you?" she added. She could tell he was unsure. Maybe it was the lack of social interactions or the lack of free choice. For James, it was a step in the right direction. He froze for a second at her question; he does not know what he wants.

"Umm. I don't know actually." he said.

Katherine had to hold back a laugh. It was strange seeing a trained killer not know what fruit he wants to eat. This whole situation was weird for both of them. "Well, I know everything about fruit. Is there a certain type of flavor or benefit you want?" she said.

James caught the words benefit; maybe that's what he was looking for. He needed something that would benefit him, benefit his memory. "Um... do you have something that supports memory?" he asked timidly.

Memory? Katherine thought. It was an exciting request, but it gave her some information about James. He was trying to regain his memory; the Winter Soldier was not in control. The person in front of her is James Barnes.

"Memory? I would say plums." she said, pointing to the mass tray of plums. Katherine did not know if this was entirely true or not. All she knew was dark fruits are "suppose" to help with memory. It did not matter; James took her word for it.

His eyes traced over the plums looking for the good ones. Picking up four plums, he handed them to Katherine. "I'll take these then." he said, adding a smile. This was probably the first time he had smiled at someone. Usually, people were rude or impatient because of his lack of knowledge. Everything was different for him; this world, this society was different.

To have this person whom he did not know be patient and kind to him made him happy. He appreciated this interaction. He wondered if it looked weird or forced with the action of smiling since he hasn't smiled in years.

Oh god, thought Katherine. James was smiling at her. The smile was a little awkward, but he smiled. For some reason, she did not expect him to act so normally. Besides the social awkwardness, he looked like an ordinary person.

Returning the smile, she took the plums and placed them in a bag for him. Then, she rang in the total. "Okay, that will be 1.25 lei," she said. James started to dig in his pocket for the money. Putting it in his hand, he counted it.

Shit, he thought. He only had 1.10 in his pocket; he was short. "Can you take one off? I only have 1.10," he asked.

Katherine was about to do just as he said, but she hesitated. She could not blow her one moment with him. If she was going to get close to him, she needed him to trust her. Her hand tied the bag together, still with the 4 plums. Then, she hands James the bag.

His face overcame with confusion. Why was she giving him all 4? He could not afford it. "Here," she said with a smile. "Don't worry about it, its on me." she added.

James was shocked at her offer. But he could not take them. His hand started to reach out for them. However, he stopped himself. It may seem minor to others, but for James, it was a huge deal. Someone had just offered him free fruit. Usually, he would take it and go. But, for him, it was coming from the one person who had been nice to him. He could not let himself take it, even if it was only 4 plums.

"I cant-" he said.

"No! I insist, please," she said, offering the bag of plums again. This time James hesitantly took them. He looked down at the fruit in the bag and smiled. Something so simple had really struck a chord with him. "But, only if you come back" Katherine had to add a little flirty touch to it.

James gave a little chuckle from her words, and he could feel his cheeks warming up a bit. This sensation was new for James. This girl at the fruit stand had just given him free fruit and even flirted a bit. But, deep down, he was glad he chose this stand.

"For more fruit?" he said back to her.

"Exactly," she said. They were both just smiling at each other. Then, extending her arm, Katherine said, "My name is...Katherine" Should she had used a different name than her own? Probably, but it had just come out. Plus, what was he going to do? Report her?

Reaching out, he shook her hand. Katherine had noticed he was wearing gloves. It was an odd thing, considering the weather. But then, it clicked; he was wearing it because of his metal arm.

"My name is uh..." he said. For James, this was unusual. No one had asked for his name. What does he say? James? Bucky? He actually froze at trying to say his name.

"Bucky...my name is Bucky."

~

Zemo was calling Katherine; he wanted to check in on her. Answering the phone, Katherine said, "Hey dad!"

There was a little energy in her voice. It was enough for Zemo to notice. "How are things going?" he asked.

"Well, I made contact with James," she said. Katherine was proud of this. Everything from their interaction gave her some sort of information. From his clothes to him speaking gave off something. "He came up to the fruit stand. He wanted fruit to help with memory. He wears gloves to cover his metal arm. He does not have much social skills. Also, he called himself Bucky." she said all at once.

Zemo was taken aback by all the information his daughter had gathered. It was clear James was trying to adapt to life. He wanted to conceal himself from others yet be a part of society. To call himself Bucky was an attempt to regain himself. James did not want to be the Winter Soldier.

"Wow. You did good Katherine. Make sure to keep a close eye." he said. Katherine was indeed proud of herself. This, to her, was a step forward in their plan. As long as she kept him close, then could access him whenever.

"How about you? Anything new?" she asked. Zemo had been working on decoding both Hydra and SHIELD files that been released to the public. They were all encrypted, but he had experience. So far, he has only gotten files on the Avengers and their past. The Hydra files were a bit trickier. All he got was the beginning of the Winter Soldier Program. There was nothing so far for the present day. But, he is patient.

"Just the usual SHIELD files and early Winter Soldier Program. I am still decoding. My hopes is to get someone alive today. Then we can use them to our means." he said.

This was true; they needed something to push their plan in motion. But, they also needed the perfect moment to act. At this moment, they were one, not ready or two, the time to act. Their goal to destroy the Avengers was in motion, but the real kicker of the plan has yet to take place.

~

Bucky was sitting in his apartment. He sat in the single chair with a plum in his hand. Taking the first bite, he was trying to remember his life before Hydra. The only things that came to mind were the Stark Expo and falling off the train. However, those two memories were completely different. One was a more happy memory, going out before he left. The other was his final moment before his freedom was taken away.

He took another bite, this time just focusing on what he already knew. Katherine showed up in his mind. The kind woman that made him feel normal. Her smile radiated in his mind. Only her was he thinking about. Bucky did not understand why. This girl he had barely met made an impression on him.

Maybe it was the way she greeted him. Or maybe it was her smile and kind features. Perhaps it was her flirty remarks toward him. But, whatever it was, he could only think about the girl at the fruit stand.