Troubled Mind | Bucky Barnes

Part 11

A/N - I'm posting this part a little early because I'll be on vacation this weekend. Absolutely LOVING the comments. Keep them coming! <3

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Bucky took a deep breath as he approached the Avengers compound entrance. He adjusted the bag slung over his shoulder and looked up, unable to take the next step forward. The last contact he had with Steve early this morning was to tell him that Alexi had left in the middle of the night without him knowing.

The drive back gave him a few hours to process everything that had happened, but his mind wasn't settled. His thoughts and feelings were mixed. At first, he was disappointed, both in himself and in her. That quickly turned to anger. He got so angry he almost destroyed the motel room, but he decided that was no use. He considered trying to find her but that would be pointless. She was highly trained, could disappear in a moment, go anywhere. He had no idea how long she'd been gone by the time he woke up or in what direction she would head. He had sat on the edge of the bed with his head in his hands reading the pages of the note she left. He wondered when she had had time to write it. How long she had been planning it. How he didn't notice. How he ignored all the signs.

He stepped forward, opening the door of the compound and braced himself for what he might find. What he found was everyone gathered and waiting for him. His eyes flashed with anger when Tony confronted him.

"What the hell happened, Barnes? How did she get away?" Tony came forward aggressively.

"Tony let's calm down," Steve spoke up trying to keep the peace before Bucky had a chance to lose his temper.

"I'm just trying to understand what happened out there? Did she overhear you?" Tony continued.

"She was out of the room. She's gone, okay? That's all there is to it," Bucky's tone growing in anger. "You want to tell me why we were attacked and how they got our location?" he yelled accusatorily at Tony.

Steve stepped between Bucky and Tony who looked like they break out into a fight. "It wasn't Tony's fault."

"It was mine," a voice came from behind them, and all turned to see Nick Fury entering the room. "The lines of communication got crossed. The orders were to go in and retrieve Alexi. No one was supposed to be fired upon."

"Well, your safe house is in need of some major reconstruction, so I'd say they missed the memo," Bucky spat.

"I was overridden by a general in the U.S military. Told his men that two dangerous international fugitives were inside. They had shoot to kill orders." Fury said regretfully. "By the time I found out, it was too late. I'm just glad you both made it out alive."

"What did she say exactly? Did she indicate in any way that she didn't trust us?" Natasha asked, standing in front of Bucky with her arms crossed.

"Nothing. She pretended like nothing was wrong. I don't know what you want me to say all right. She's very good at what she does," Bucky looked away annoyed. He pulled a piece of paper out of his pocket. "She left this for you all" He held up the paper, passing it to Natasha who took it to look it over.

"It's a letter," Natasha announced.

"What does it say?" Steve asked with a fair amount of concern.

Natasha read the letter aloud:

By now, you've probably come to know who and what I am and so you will know why I can't stay. I want you to hear it in my own words. Let me start at the beginning. 5 years ago, I stumbled across information that led me to uncovering Hydra's super soldier program.