Monster (A Bucky Barnes fanfiction)

The Trial

A group of police officers come get me from my cell. As they're loading me into the car, people are yelling and taking pictures. We get to the courtroom and I sit next to Matt.

"I'm going to win this for you. I believe you had no idea what you were doing," he tells me.

I nod and stare at the table, trying to hide my arm. The judge comes in and calls order in the court. The prosecutor stands up and starts making her case.

"James Buchanan Barnes is a traitor and terrorist. He is credited with over two dozen assassinations, including Howard and Maria Stark."

She makes more accusations that I know I've done, but I keep my facial expression unchanging. The prosecutor finally stops talking and it's the defense's turn.

My lawyer speaks, "Mr. Barnes was brainwashed by Hydra after he fell off a train during World War Two. He has not betrayed this country and he is not a terrorist. He should not be held accountable for anything he had done during that period of time because he was brainwashed by Hydra."

"Can the witness come to the stand," the judge requests.

Steve comes forward, his face healed. "Mr. Rogers, did James try to kill you?"

"When he was brainwashed, yes. He stopped when he overcame it," he replies.

"Next witness to the stand," the judge orders.

"Ms. Romanoff, there are multiple accounts of Mr. Barnes trying to kill you. Are they true?" the prosecutor asks.

"Mr. Barnes did try to kill me while he was under Hydra's control. He had been brainwashed so many times until recently that he didn't recall training me," she answers.

"He trained you?" the prosecutor questions.

"Many years ago."

"Where?" the prosecutor asks.

"Objection!" Matt exclaims.

"You may speak, Mr. Murdock."

"Thank you, your honor. The information Ms. Santana is requesting is not pertinent to this case," Matt argues.

The judge nods, "The jury will deliberate now."

After what seems like hours, the jury finally comes back in. "We have determined Mr. Barnes not guilty,"

The court erupts in chaos. "Order in the court!" the judge yells.

One of the officers that brought me here comes forward and unlocks my handcuffs. Matt and I leave the courtroom.

"Thank you for fighting for me," I thank him.

"I knew you weren't guilty. I think everybody knew that. Now you can live without worrying about the police coming for you," he states.

If only I didn't have to worry about Hydra coming for me, I think to myself. I need to find somewhere to hide until I can take down Hydra.

"Somebody donated clothes and $15,000 to you. It's in the car. Do with it what you please and stay out of trouble," Matt tells me.

He gives me the clothes and money and I thank him one more time then leave. I take off the prison-issued jumpsuit and put on jeans and a button up shirt. I see a sign advertising Captain America outside the Smithsonian and decide to go in.

I see my face and name on a glass wall in Steve's exhibit. I watch the video and read the facts, trying to understand who I was before Hydra took control of me.

I have a few flashbacks here and there, but nothing I can really hold on to. Someone comes up beside me and I try my hardest not to cringe away.

"He's a hero. I'm glad he's not guilty because he isn't at all. Everybody knows that," a girl's voice says.

I turn towards her, hoping she won't know who I am. Thankfully, I don't look anything like the picture anymore. I examine the woman and decide she's not a threat.

"I'm sorry, I set this exhibit up and I just feel strongly towards Bucky and Steve," she apologizes.

"It's okay. Steve is more of a hero out of the two. Bucky killed so many people. He's practically a monster," I reply.

The woman looks shocked. "Bucky Barnes is not a monster! You can leave if you think that!"

"I'm willing to bet that's how he feels. I'm sure I'd feel that way, even if it was out of my control," I try to calm her down because people are staring. "I think I'll be leaving now, great job on the exhibit by the way."

I leave the Smithsonian and look for somewhere to lay low for a few days. As I'm walking on a back street, I get the feeling someone is following me. I stop and the footsteps stop. I think they're 200-300 feet behind me, so I turn and run in their direction.

They're not fast enough, so I catch them before long. "Why are you following me?" I demand as I pin a blonde woman to the wall.

"I have orders to make sure Hydra doesn't get to you. I was going to follow you until you found somewhere to stay," she explains.

"Who are you?" I ask, still not believing her.

"I'm Katarina Oswald, agent of S.H.I.E.L.D.," she introduces herself.

"Can you prove it to me?"

She unzips her jacket and shows me a bullet scar. "You shot me when you were trying to get on the helicarriers."

"I'm sorry," I apologize.

"Don't apologize. It wasn't your fault. I blame Hydra."

"But I shot you."

"Yeah, you were brainwashed. You had no control. We should probably get out of here. You never know where Hydra is."

"Are you going to follow me inside?"

"No, I'm going to follow you there until I'm sure you're okay and you get a room okay."

We get to the hotel and she gives me her number in emergencies. "If you ever need anything, clothes, a razor, toothpaste, call me. I'll get here as fast as I can. Stay hidden. See ya later, Mr. Barnes," she says and walks away.