Finding Love in France (Alternate Version)

Part 54: Cognitive Recalibration

"Can we please help this man on the floor, Sergeant Barnes?" Mila tried to remain calm. "You have to let go of me so I can help him, okay?"

Bucky realized he was leaving marks on the woman and eased his grip. "How do I know you aren't here to kill me? Don't try to trick me!" He cried. "I need to make sure I can see what's going on out there! Are they armed?"

"You are going to have to trust me that I am not here to kill you, sir." She knelt down to the unconscious orderly. "Just let me get this man out of here, and I promise you I will stay in his place."

"Are you out of your mind, Mila?!" Stark yelled through the door.

"Who is that?!" Bucky yelled, eyes wide, grip tightening again on her arm. "What does he want with me?!" He panicked. "I'm not going back, you hear me?! You're not taking me again!"

"Okay, James..." Mila tried to calm him. "No one is taking you anywhere. You are in England, on an Allied base." She pointed to the window in the door. "Look outside. Your best friend Steve is right there. He is trying to help you, we all are. You are safe."

"Steve?" Bucky furrowed his brow and looked through the window. "Is it really you?"

"Yeah, Buck. Just listen to the nice lady doctor and let that guy go, okay?" Steve tried to bargain. "You're okay, you're just confused. Let's start by unlocking the door, okay?"

Bucky didn't move, tears running down his face, his mind visibly shook. Mila took the opportunity to drag the orderly towards the door. When she reached up to unlock it, Bucky put his hand out to block her.

"Just the guy, right? You stay here?" He blinked at her. "No funny business."

"No funny business, Sergeant Barnes. Now please let me help this man." Mila opened the door just enough to pass the guy off to Steve on the other side. As she pushed him through, she looked at Howard and asked quietly "Any suggestions?"

Stark thought about it for a moment. "Got it! Cognitive recalibration!"

Mila looked puzzled for a second, then smiled. "You sure?"

"No, but do you really think you can hit him with the drugs?" Stark smirked. "At this point, what's the harm?"

Mila nodded. As the patient was taken away, Mila stood back up to face James. He immediately locked the door and pulled her further into the room. "Thank you, James. You did the right thing..." Mila wondered what the best next move was. "...do you want to sit down? You must be tired."

"No. Don't move. Just stay where you are, okay? I did what you wanted." Bucky paced anxiously. "What now?"

Mila noticed a metal meal tray on the floor next to the bed. "Now, well, what do you want to do?" She inched closer to the bed as he paced. "How can I help you?"

"Get me the hell out of here!" He yelled. "Tell Steve to call for extraction."

"He's right on the other side of the door, James, you can tell him directly." Mila was almost at the tray. "Captain Rogers? Can you hear us?"

"I'm still here, Bucky. I'm gonna get you out of there, just don't hurt anyone." Steve pleaded. "Just take it easy, okay?"

While Steve had distracted him, Mila grabbed the tray. When Bucky turned around, she bashed him in the forehead and knocked him out cold.

"Yes!" Stark cheered from a safe distance, while everyone else gasped.

Mila got the door open so she and Steve could heave him back onto the bed.

"What the hell was that?!" Steve said, a mix of relief and concern flooding his face. "Cognitive re-what?"

"Recalibration." Stark boomed. "Hit him in the head hard enough, maybe we can reset him." He laughed. "Or just knock him out long enough to take him down! Damn, Doc, I didn't know you had it in ya!"

"You have no idea..." Mila chuckled.