Winter's Weakness

Nagel

The situation with Steve had Sam and Bucky on edge. Deciding to step out and call Nat, the two of them went for a walk. They didn't want Winter to hear what was being said.
"What's going on Nat?" Sam asked as they walked around the buildings near Winter's safe house, careful not to draw any unwanted attention.
Nat sighed on the other end of the phone. "Something's wrong Sam. Steve disappeared for two days. He's back but something is off." When Black Widow begins to worry, you know it's serious.

Bucky walked beside Sam, worry etched into his face. "What's going on?"
Sam placed the phone against his shoulder. "Steve's back but Nat thinks something's wrong." He explained before holding the phone back up to his ear. "Do you need us to come back?" They knew keeping an eye on Winter was important, but this was Steve.

"No. You stay on her, I've got this. Just make sure you find something we can prove was her. It's the only way we can legally bring her in." Nat was the only one that knew what Sam and Bucky were doing. None of the others would have even given Winter a chance, but Nat knew how important second chances were. Bucky had barely spoken about his relationship with Winter, but it hadn't taken Sam long to figure out he loved her. The need to protect his friend is what had spurred him on to follow Bucky in the first place.

After Nat agreed to call if anything happened Sam turned to Bucky.
"If this was Winter..."

"I'll deal with her Sam. You have my word."

***

I walk into the port in Madripoor, the three stooges following my every footstep. "Half of Madripoor is looking for us, thanks to you. This needs to be quick." I looked down at my phone, making sure I'd got the right number for the storage container.
"What do you want with Nagel?" Sam asked as we rounded the corner, the number BF657 coming into view. I stopped, turning to face him. "That's my business Sam." The fact we were on a first name basis, still didn't sit right with me. As nice as Sam is I had to keep reminding myself that he was the enemy. Pulling the earpieces out of my pocket, I held them out in my hand. "Take these, just in case."

Sam, Bucky and Zemo each took one, placing them in their ears as they did. I carried on towards the container that housed the next name on my list. Sam opened it before looking over to me. "Winter. It's empty."
It was thoroughly exhausting working with heroes. I couldn't help but wonder how they ever got a job finished. Slipping past him, I rolled my eyes, the smell of rust and metal filling my nostrils as I walked into the dark container. "No. You're just being an idiot."

I walked up to the end of the emptiness, noticing a slight crack in the metal. I instantly knew what I needed to do. Pressing my palms against the cold metal, I pushed forward, hearing a satisfying click. A hidden door appearing in front of me.

I could hear Bucky and Sam draw their weapons as I did with mine. Nagel was the brains, not the brawn. On his own he was no threat, but I didn't know if he was alone. Better to be safe than sorry.
The corridor down to his lab was long, I ended up walking next to Bucky who mirrored me in the way our guns were drawn. I had to ignore the way heat pooled between my legs, he looked like the James I loved and it temporarily distracted me. The way he smirked at me, told me he knew exactly how he was affecting me.

"You're not killing him Winter." I'd never been so glad to have him open his mouth and break my train of thought. I smirked over at him, "oh I know that James. Now shut up."
Walking through the lab, I could see vials and equipment all around us. This was one hell of a setup for someone on the run. He was being funded and I knew I'd eventually have to find out by who. For now I had to focus on getting Nagel, I had a score to settle with that slimy son of a bitch.

Rounding the corner, we found him. His greasy hair falling in his face as he leant over two vials. The serum.
"Hey Nagel, long time no see." The second he heard my voice I could see the sweat appearing on his face. He had no reason to fear me when he was working with Hydra, I couldn't fight back then. This time was different, I wasn't being beaten into submission this time. "Miss me?" I taunted, my gun raised right into his eyeline. The terror in his green eyes had me smiling.
"What do you want?" His voice was shaky, giving away just how terrified he was.
"Did you really think I wouldn't find out that you were using my blood to make the serum?"