Katelyn Steel is an old and powerful witch, who is doing everything to overcome her weaknesses and protect herself from the people that are haunting her. Her magic is not exactly as Loki's. She is a witch and she casts spells.
What Kate needs is the...
More months passed with no signs... My ringing phone pulls me out of my sleep in the middle of the night. I look at the caller ID. 'Rogers'
"I'm almost 300 years old. Beauty sleep is not optional in my age so this better be good" I say
"I think I know where Bucky is. Meet me at the location I texted you in 30 minutes" he demands
"Make it an hour" I argue and I hang up before he could answer. I packed the necessary things and got there in 45 minutes.
"I said be here in 30 minutes. You're 15 minutes late" Rogers says
"And I said to make it an hour so I'm actually 15 minutes early" I argue and he shakes his head. "Who's that?" I ask pointing at the guy that was with him
"Sam Wilson" he speaks, offering his hand
"Kate" I reply and I shake his hand.
"I have a friend that is working for the CIA on the Joint Terrorism Task Force. She handed me a copy of some files mentioning the Winter Soldier. They have pretty good evidence that Bucky is in Bucharest" Steve informs us
"Then why didn't they go to find him first?" I question
"Because they can't afford to make a mistake right now. They are in a complicated state" Sam answers
"Alright. When do we leave?" I ask
"Now" Steve answers, pointing at the jet he got probably from Stark.
"Stark most likely has a tracker on it, he'll find us" Sam says
"I can make it invisible and untrackable" I suggest
"I was counting on it" Steve replies.
We got to Bucharest in just a few hours and found Barnes' safe house, but he wasn't there. Sam went to a nearby roof so he could keep an eye out for him in case he returns, Steve covered the entries of the building and I insisted on staying in his apartment.
I start looking around but there isn't much to see. Just a small kitchen and a mattress on the floor. I open the fridge and I find a small notebook in the refrigerator. Predictable...
Inside are pictures of Steve and notes on him. Then there are also pictures of the Avengers and various information on them. Last there is a page about me. Why does he need all the information? Is he after them or after me?
"You shouldn't be here" he says, appearing behind me
"Why are you keeping tabs on us?" I ask
"I'm just trying to get my thoughts and memories together, and also adjust to the new world" he answers
"I guess you could've easily killed me from behind a few seconds ago if you wanted to" I assume and he gives me a sad smile.
"I saw Steve down there also" he informs me
"Yeah, he brought me" I admit
"Why?" he asks
"Because I can heal you. I can repair what Hydra did to your mind" I answer
"No, no one can fix me" he insists and avoids eye contact. That moment, I start feeling bad for him.
"I can. When I brought back your memories, I got a glimpse of what is happening in there. I saw the red book, I saw the words--" as soon as I say this, he pushes me to the wall and puts his hand around my throat. But he's holding me with his right hand, instead of the metal arm he always used. Maybe he is different than the other version...
"I'm not going to say them. I promise" I say calmly. He releases me and takes several steps back. He apologizes and I nod.
"Why do you think you can fix me?" he asks
"Because I made a spell for it. And if it works, it'll have your name on it" I answer and for the first time the corners of his lips raise to a small smile.
"What if it doesn't work?" he asks
"Then I'll have to disappear again because your buddy, Rogers, will kill me. But, of course, I can only perfom it with your cooperation" I explain.
"Let's do it" he says and I let out a breath of relief
"Should I call Rogers before--" I suggest
"No. Let's get it over with and then, maybe, I'll get to him" he insists.
I set up my things and I explain to him the process step by step without making any sudden moves. First, I examine him and I make sure he is at the state I need him to be. And then I begin...
Everything was going smoothly until Rogers jumped in the middle of the process. I had Barnes in an unconscious state, with my hands on his head and my eyes glowing more than ever.
"What are you doing?" he yells
"Stay away or else he will end up with brain damage at best" I warn him as I try to stay focused. He goes silent, so I continue to whisper the words the spell requires.
Barnes' eyes finally open and they are purple, exactly like mine. That's a good sign because it means that I finally gained control over everything that is there, including Hydra's powerful program. I just mastered mind control.
But Rogers is still watching me. I hurry to repair the damage Hydra has done. When I'm done his eyes fade to blue again as they close.
He wakes up almost immediately, like he just saw a nightmare. I step away as he sits up. "Bucky?" Steve calls
"Steve..." he replies.
"You know we have to test this now, right?" I ask before they'd get their hopes up, even though I'm know it's done. "Can you leave us?" I look at Steve
"I'll be right outside" he says and leaves.
"Are you sure the spell worked?" he asks scared
"I wouldn't be doing this if I wasn't" I answer as much scared of him turning into Winter Soldier again.
"Желание..." I read the first word and I look for his reaction. "Ржавый... Семнадцать..." he shuts his eyes and breaths heavily. "Рассвет... Печь... Девять..." tears roll down his cheeks but he seems normal "Добросердечный..."
"Stop" his voice shakes but I ignore him
"Возвращение на Родину... Один... Товарный вагон" I finish.
He opens his eyes and looks at me. That's definitely the same Bucky. He is really crying. I almost feel bad for him.
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"Thank you" he sobs.
The man I was terrified most of in the entire universe is crying broken in front of me. He is crying because he is finally free, like I'm finally free of him. But he's also crying because he remembers what he did.
At this point there are tears in my eyes too. I sit next to him and I offer him some water. He accepts it and takes a small sip. He sets it on the table and takes a few shaky breaths.
"Thank you for everything. I didn't deserve it after what I did to you but I'll spend my life repaying you" he says again and looks at me this time. His eyes are so sad and apologetic.
"You're welcome" I reply and I hug him. He is surprised but he also wraps his arms around me. I'm not sure why I did that. It just felt right that moment.
