Where Do You Run // TFATWS

09

[Power Broker]

The Avengers made their way to Berlin, Germany to talk to Zemo. They arrived at a prison and were led down a corridor by a guard.

"He's just through that corridor," the guard informed, looking back to the three.

"Give us a sec," Bucky replied as the guard walked away. "I'm gonna go in alone."

Katherine frowned. "Absolutely not. I'm going with you."

"Why?" Sam asked, looking Bucky up and down as he pocketed his hands.

"Because you're both Avenger," Bucky reasoned. "You know how he feels about that."

"It's not like you two were known for frolicking in the sun together," Sam said.

"He was obsessed with HYDRA. We have a history together. I got it. Katie's going with me."

Bucky and Katherine followed after the guard and as they continued down the corridor, it grew progressively darker. The guard said codes to the camera to get them further in and the door opened with a buzz. Bucky and Katherine went into the room. The walls seemed to have barbs sticking out. There was a glass door and wall. A rectangular ray of light shined on the ground, which held Zemo's feet and hands.

As Bucky walked closer to the glass, Zemo began saying in Russian, "Longing. Rusted." He stood, revealing his face. "Seventeen."

Bucky answered in English, "Those days are over."

"I know. I just wanted to see how the new you reacts to the old words." He walked up to the glass and studied Bucky and Katherine. "Something is still in there. But there is also a light between the two of you, something I can still see, perhaps more so."

Bucky smiled as he glanced at Katherine. "She's the best thing to happen to me. Without her, I don't know where I'd be."

"At least you were not conscious for most of your imprisonment."

"That time wasn't exactly a picnic."

"For what it's worth, I'm sorry," Zemo apologized. "It was never personal. You were simply a means to a necessary end."

"I know someone-" He stopped himself. "Someone is recreating the Super Soldier serum. Katie and I need to find out who."

Zemo pointed between Katherine and Bucky. "You are assuming HYDRA has something to do with this, which is why you came to me, which means you are desperate. Luckily, I know where to begin."

Bucky glanced at Katherine. "Go back to Sam. I'll be there in a moment."

"No," Katherine argued. "I'm staying here."

Bucky let out a sigh. "I was about ready to leave anyway." He turned back to Zemo. "What's the book you're reading?"

"Machiavelli," Zemo replied.

As they left, he pulled a tiny scroll from his pocket. Katherine eyed him suspiciously.

Bucky tossed the scroll on a table and left, followed by Katherine who asked, "What was that?"

"What was what?" Bucky questioned innocently.

"Don't play dumb with me, James. What was that?"

"A way out."

"Meaning?"

"Meaning you'll see."

Katherine groaned. "You are so stubbornly annoying when you want to be."