Love and the White Wolf - Book 2

15. Building a Mystery

I could tell that James' cyborg brain, as Sam often joked, was working overtime. All during dinner he would take a bite, chew slowly, then stop as another piece of the picture clicked into place. I got up to grab something and he asked where I was going.

"To get more ketchup for my fries," I said.

"Oh, okay," he said. "Just don't go far. Things are clicking into place but if you leave I'll lose my train of thought."

Then he would return to thinking while I just sat there. Someone would stop to talk and James would give one or two word answers. Instead of being offended they would chuckle and say "Sarge is thinking again." I was beginning to feel like a captive. He wasn't talking with me but I was necessary to his process. It was the first time I was experiencing this side of him and it was disconcerting. Finally, he finished and we set out for the medical centre. Part way there James changed his mind and we went to the team office instead. Zoe was there.

"I had a feeling you would be here," he said. "How far along are you?"

"My workstation's system is configured and I'm just loading the software now," she said. "I've got most of the holo-projectors in place. Good call on the batch numbers. They tried giving us the defective ones. Kyle really laid into them."

"What's your timeline for starting some search inquiries for me?" he asked.

"I might be able to start by midnight if there are no issues loading the software," she replied. "I would like to get some sleep though."

"Of course you would," said James smiling, "who doesn't? I'm going to be here at 09:00 tomorrow with a search request. Rest up, eat well and hydrate – tomorrow you're going to have some fun.

Her eyes lit up and she resumed installing the remaining holo-projectors. James took me by the hand and led me to an empty office.

"Friday, obscure windows," he said.

He grabbed me in a passionate kiss, which I returned. Then he stopped and held me at arm's length.

"Friday, engage My Eyes Only protocol for the following conversation, authorization Barnes, James Buchanan. Confirm."

Friday confirmed. He sat me on the table and sat on the chair so he was looking up at me.

"This conversation is between us only, until I indicate otherwise. In 2014, I finally broke away from HYDRA after battling Steve on a burning helicarrier. I didn't know who he was and I was ready to kill him when he said a line to me. I remembered saying that same line to him in a different circumstance and it stopped me in my tracks. He fell to the water below and I jumped in, saving him from drowning. I still didn't know who he was but I knew he was important to me. I stole some normal clothes and went to the Smithsonian because I saw all the billboards advertising the Captain America exhibit. Part of the exhibit was about his team during World War II, the Howling Commandos, and their members. I came to the part about Bucky Barnes and the picture was of me. I now knew my name, and I read my biography on the display. For the first time, I had something that wasn't dark, and twisted, to show me that I had been a good guy once. I wanted to be that guy again. There were HYDRA safe houses where I could go to get food, money, weapons but I didn't want to be captured. So I would break in, steal what I could and get out. I never took weapons as I was done with killing. Soon, I made my way to Romania and I spent the next two years there, dealing with my returning memories, both good and bad. The thing is the CIA knew I was there and they left me alone, until T'Challa's father was killed in a bomb blast in Vienna, supposedly set by me but actually set by Baron Zemo."

"Oeznik's Zemo," I said.

"The same," replied James. "Sharon told Steve where to find me, just before the CIA told German Special Forces. Steve fought alongside me, realizing I wasn't the Winter Soldier anymore. We were captured and transported to Germany, where Zemo infiltrated the holding cell I was in and reactivated the Winter Soldier. I fought everyone there including Steve and managed to make it to a helicopter which Steve prevented from lifting off. That's how strong he was. The helicopter fell into the water, knocking me out and resetting me to Bucky, still without most of my memories. I woke up with my metal arm clamped in a large industrial vise, just in case I was still bad. Steve and Sam were there and Sam did not trust me at all. I told Steve some things I did remember from our childhood and he released me, saying he was going to help me. But he needed his shield, and Sam needed his Falcon suit – both had been confiscated by the CIA as they were suspected of helping me. Guess who stole those items and brought them to a rendezvous with Steve?"