A Pirate's Life

Chapter 18

Steve groans and his eyes flicker open slightly, everything looked loopy and out of focus. He didn't know where he was, he needed to know what happened to Bucky. Steve rubs the back of his head and winces then stands up. Looking around he sees that he's been merely been thrown into a cell. He checks the bars on the windows and nearly rolls his eyes. It would be very easy to escape, which is what he does.

Once on the streets Steve sneaks around carefully, because the last thing he needed was to get caught again by the other guards. He looks around and tries to find Bucky, but is so far unlucky.

He finds his crew, though, and that's definitely something. He quickly explains Bucky's situation but they don't want to hear it.

"C'mon, guys, he's changed. He told me he wanted to change." Steve explains, Dum Dum scoffs.

"Did it ever occur to you that he's a pirate, and he was probably toying with you?" Dum Dum huffs.

"I wouldn't trust him. He killed Jim!" Gabe yells the last part, he'd been rather close to Jim.

"He nearly killed us. And you expect us to blindly trust him, and you, because he told you to?" Dum Dum questions incredulously.

"I get it. Okay? But even if it's a small chance that he's changed, why let it pass us by? Look. He needs our help if he knows it or not. I'm going to help him because I believe that he's actually changed." Steve says then waits for their reply.

Peggy speaks up, she'd been silent for the whole argument.

"Steve. How so you know for sure that you can trust him? His crew killed Jim, he nearly cost me my leg. He could've killed you, too, while you fought." Peggy explains, trying to keep her voice gentle.

"That's just it, though, isn't it? His crew killed Jim, not him. He could've easily killed me at any point in time on that island. But he didn't. And if he were still a pirate, he wouldn't be running, would he? He'd fight." Steve explains and Peggy sighs exasperatedly.

"You don't have to help me. Just thought I'd ask." Steve mutters then starts to walk away but Monty grabs his arm.

Steve looks back at his crew, who all look rather determined about something.

"Alright. We're in. But at the first sign of trouble he's a dead man." Dum Dum threatens and Steve nods. The crew of the Commando take off in search of Bucky, under instructions from Steve not to scare him or hurt him.

Peggy steps into the beaten down bar and hears soft whimpering from behind the counter. She cautiously walks over and looks down to see a scared looking Captain Bucky.

Bucky looks up when he hears her, within seconds he has the rusty sword up and ready to attack.

Peggy stands her ground but tries to calm down the brunette beneath her.

"Relax, please. I'm trying to help you, okay? Just keep quiet or we'll be found." She whispers, sneaking a glance behind her.

Bucky slowly stands up, making sure to put as little pressure as possible on his ankle.

"Why would you help me? You hate me." He hisses at her and she sighs.

"Steve doesn't appear to hate you. He trusts you, so I suppose you couldn't be all that bad." She replies and Bucky stays quiet.

"Is Steve okay?" He asks quietly after a while and Peggy nods.

"You actually care for him, don't you? You'd just better not be leading him on, because he's grown to love you." Peggy says and Bucky nods quickly.

"Honestly. I love him and I don't want any harm to come to him. You gotta believe me, I would die for him." Bucky whispers, being 100% sincere. Peggy looks at him sharply before nodding.

"I believe you." She states and Bucky smiles, relieved.