Stay Another Day

Part 4

"And what are we doing in Madripoor?" I ask impatiently as we walk.

"If anyone knows where the serum is being created it'll be here. Just follow my lead and try not to get us killed. Obviously we cannot just walk into Low Town as ourselves so you three will need disguises. James, you will have to become someone who you claim is gone," Zemo tells Bucky who's eyes darken at the mention of once again becoming the Winter Soldier.

"Sam, you'll be the rich and sophisticated Conrad Mack, also known as Smiling Tiger..." As Zemo talks with Sam about his alter ego, I jog over to walk with Bucky, who is staring straight ahead, expressionless.

"Hey. You gonna be okay?" I ask quietly. He doesn't say anything.

"Buck? Bucky? James." He turns his head to look at me and I see past the hard exterior to the man deep inside who is terrified of becoming the villain, no matter how fake it is.

"Listen to me. Zemo has no control over you anymore, okay? You're going to be fine, I know it. Just breathe. If you need me to rescue you just let me know, alright? It's going to be okay Buck, you're stronger now than you were before. He's gone and he's not coming back," I say, referring to his villain persona. Bucky doesn't say anything and we keep walking, but after a second I feel him grab my hand and squeeze quickly before letting go.

"Kendra, you'll have to act as my, um, significant other. Just...don't say anything," Zemo finishes. I glare at him and look at Sam who's shaking his head.

"Not happening. We can't have Bucky following through on that promise and murdering you before we find anything. She can be with me." Zemo sighs but doesn't disagree and we continue following him down the empty road.

Later, we follow Zemo into a dingy bar. Sam is dressed ridiculously but according to Zemo that's how Mack dresses. I'm in a tight dress and, to my dismay, heels. Bucky is dressed in black leather gear and hasn't said a word, only glared forward. I sidle up next to Sam at the bar and the bartender gives him Conrad Mack's usual drink, making me smirk as Sam makes a face before shooting it down his throat.

"Hey gorgeous, wanna dance?" A man says, grabbing at my arm. I glance at Bucky and give him a warning glare to not blow the cover and shrug the man off, after a minute he walks over to Zemo.

"I got word from on high, you ain't welcome here," he says roughly. I pretend to laugh at something Sam says and he smirks and winks at me.

"Winter soldier, attack," Zemo says in Russian. Bucky jumps into action, pulling the man's hand backwards off Zemo's shoulder. I jump up into a seated position on the bar, watching him fight and praying nothing goes wrong. I take a shaky breath and Sam grabs my knee reassuringly. Suddenly it seems like everyone is holding a gun and the bartender tells us we will be seen. Bucky walks ahead of Sam and I with Zemo, the perfect soldier, as we walk to meet Zemo's contact here.

As Selby and Zemo are talking, I try to catch Bucky's eye but he's only focused on Zemo. Sam's phone rings mid-conversation and I suck in my breath. Our cover is blown because Sam didn't turn his phone off? Shit.

Before any of us can move, a bullet flies through the window, hitting Selby in the chest, she falls to the ground dead before her body hits the floor. Buck knocks out the guys easily and grabs their gun and my arm, ushering me out of the room.

"They're gonna blame this on us," Sam says warningly.

"Yeah no shit," I respond, "oh for Christ's sake. Hold on." Holding onto Bucky's arm I stop and kick my heels off and kick them out of the way. We make it out of the bar but by the time we're down the street all we hear is phones dinging around us and we know there's a price on our heads for "killing" Selby.

"Kendra, get out of here and find someplace safe," Bucky says quietly as we pick up our pace.

"No. I can take care of myself. You need me James." He takes a deep breath and grabs my hand, pulling me along with him. Bullets are flying and we're running down an alleyway before the guy chasing us is gunned down.

"Well this is too perfect," a voice says behind us. I whip my head around and brace myself for what's coming.

"Sharon?!" Buck asks in surprise. Great.

"What are you doing here?" Sam asks. I stay perched behind Bucky, there's no guarantee that if she sees me she won't shoot considering I stole her spot as the Avengers' trusty informant.

"We need help," Bucky says. Sharon looks from him to Zemo to Sam and sighs.

"I have a place in High Town, you should be safe there." We follow her out of the alley and to her car, driving into High Town and into her place. I glance around and Sam whistles.

"You sell fake artwork?" he asks.

"It's real. This place specializes in stolen artwork," Zemo chimes in as we follow Sharon.

"You know half the stuff in big museums like the Louvre is fake. Real stuff sits in places like this," I tell Sam as I walk next to Bucky. He doesn't believe me.

Sharon gives us all clothes to change into and after changing from one dress to the next, I take a seat on her couch, Bucky sits next to me.

"So how's the new 'Cap'?" she asks. Buck rolls his eyes and glances at me. Squeezing my knee gently.

"Don't get me started," he says to her as I stand to walk around and she takes my place.

"Hey, is there something happening here?" she asks, gesturing between Bucky and I. I steal Zemo's glass and take a swig of whatever is in it before handing it back to him.

"She's kind of awful now," I tell Sam who glares at me.

"We need her help. Play nice," he responds quietly. I roll my eyes.

"Okay, I'll help. I sell to some pretty connected people. I'll see if I can find Nagel. Lay low, enjoy the party. Stay out of trouble, I'll see what I can find," she says before leaving the room. I glare after her and pour myself another drink, wishing the alcohol would do more than leave a sour taste in my mouth.