Traitor ~ Bucky Barnes

Dora Milaje

"I'm going to go on a walk." said Bucky.

The four of them were currently in Lativa. Sam was able to track down where Karli is and where this Donya was. But, from Bucky's words, everyone looked back at him. Sam was concerned, Zemo could care less, and Katherine knew he was up to something.

"You good?" asked Sam.

"Yeah"

Everyone just let Bucky be. Turning around, Bucky followed the high pitch sound only he could hear. Perks of being a super-soldier. As he walked down the sidewalk, he picked up the little ball that was emitting the sound. Then, he went on and followed the next one. Bucky ended up down an alleyway. No one was there, but he knew people were watching him.

"I think you dropped something." he said.

He turned around again, looking to see if anyone would show up. Just like that, he senses someone behind him. It could only be one person, Ayo.

"I was wondering when you were gonna show up."

Facing back around, he saw Ayo. She looked pissed. It was a matter of time till she and the Dora Milaje showed up to claim Zemo and Katherine. But, they were not done yet. Bucky was not done with Katherine. He still needed to figure out where they stood, correct the past.

In Wakandan, Ayo said, "I'm here for Zemo and Katherine."

Bucky did not say anything; he knew why she was here. Continuing her stern look, Ayo approached Bucky slowly. She was upset with him. They let him in their country, helped him, healed him. Then, he goes to free the man who killed their king and used him. There were no excuses, no justification.

"How could you free them?"

"We needed their help."

Ayo was not pleased. Help. Bucky might as well go back to the person he was, the Winter Soldier. Now it was as if it was all a waste.

"With time, will, and resources, the Winter Soldier programming was removed from you like a rotten fur."

"I'm grateful for that. I'm grateful for everything you and Shuri have done..."

This was true. Bucky could never be a free person without them. For the first time since his capture from Hydra, he was free. His mind was free. No one could use the words against him; no one could use him. Any and every choice he makes now is his own. Maybe he did not make the right choice of setting Zemo and Katherine free, but it was the only way.

"Zemo and Katherine murdered our King T'Chaka at the UN. The man who chose us. Who chose me to protect him."

Bucky knew he fucked up. But, did he regret it? No.

"I understand..." said Bucky.

"Very little, if anything of our loss and our shame."

Fuck, Ayo is right. But he needed more time. They were not done yet. Zemo and Katherine were still needed. Bucky still needed Katherine.

In Wakandan, Bucky said, "They're a means to an end."

In his mind, Bucky heard Katherine's voice. You are just a means to an end.

Goddamit, I sound just like Katherine. Bucky had just realized he was no better than Zemo or Katherine. It was true; he was using them. He was using them to figure out this whole super-soldier mess. Just as they used him to end the Winter Soldier program.

Ayo looked Bucky up and down. As much as she was disgusted with him. She bought what he said.

"Forty-eight hours, White Wolf. Then we come for them."

~

Bucky walked into the apartment they were using in the meantime. Sam sat on a chair near the kitchen island. Zemo had just gotten out of the shower. Only wearing a robe. Katherine leaned against the island, looking at Bucky.

"Well, the Wakandans are here. They want Zemo and Katherine. I bought us some more time." said Bucky.

Katherine was shocked, well, only partially. The Wakandans finding them was not a shocker. But, Bucky defending her, and Zemo was. He does care. After their conversation on the plane, Katherine did not know where she and Bucky stood. Bucky still loved her. And Katherine is confused. A part of her refuses to fall back to him, but she cannot resist it.

"Were you followed?" asked Sam.

"No."

"How can you be so sure?" chimed Zemo.

"Cause I know when I'm being followed."

Walking next to Katherine was Bucky. He was standing a little too close to her. Katherine could tell Bucky was a bit stressed. Even after all these years, he is still easy to read.

"It was sweet of you to defend us at least." said Katherine with a sweet smile.

Smiling back was Bucky. He smiled back! Something was turning in Katherine. Slowly she could feel her heart turn back on and defrost from the cold it was. Allowing herself to feel something.

This is not permanent.

Now her heart went back in the ice. Reality set in. This, whatever this was, would never last. Katherine was a wanted criminal. Bucky was a hero. Taking her away from her thoughts was Sam.

"Hey, you shut it. No one's defending you." Then, pointing to Zemo, he added, "You killed Nagel."

Katherine put her hands up. To motion her compliance with Sam. But, she ended up laughing a bit because of how pressed he was about Nagel.

"Do we really have to litigate what may or may not have happened?" said Zemo.

Sam could not believe Zemo, "There's nothing to litigate. You straight shit the man."

Sam and Zemo kept their bickering about Nagel's death. Ignoring them, Katherine focused on Bucky. With Bucky near her, she decided to engage in a conversation with him.

"How much time do we have?" she asked.

"Forty-eight hours."

"Okay, two days."

It was not much time. What this meant was Bucky and Katherine had forty-eight hours to decide what they were. If that was anything at all. Once the time was up, Katherine had to decide to go back to prison or join Sharon. No matter the time, Katherine knew one thing. She had to enjoy the time she had left with her father and even with Bucky.

Stepping closer to Bucky, she said, "I guess we have to make the most out of it."

Bucky did not get where she was going with it. Then, her hand went to his cheek. Caressing it slowly. God, he missed her touch. With her standing on her toes to match his height, which she barely did. Katherine gave him a kiss on his cheek.

Removing herself from him, Katherine walked away. Leaving a red-faced Bucky behind.