The Soldier's Love

Chapter 15

My POV

Sam, Bucky, and I were walking inside the jail to meet Zemo. He was the psychiatrist that turned Bucky back into the Winter Soldier during the Avenger's little Civil War. It was later figured out who he was, and what he wanted. I felt bad honestly for him but understood he was dangerous. I stopped staring at the double door, looking at Bucky and Sam.

"You stay out here. You know his thoughts on the Avengers. It's better if I just go in." I took a step forward as I shook my head.

"I'm going with you Bucky. Don't even try to argue with me." You could tell when I called him Bucky, his eyes lit up, and a grin on his face. Bucky tried to come up with a good reason, but realized I wasn't taking no for an answer.

As the guard let us in the room, I looked around, seeing the glass container he was in. I leaned against the wall as Bucky took a step forward, meeting Zemo closer face to face.

"Longing. Rusted..." Zemo grinned as he started using Bucky's code words before Bucky shook his head.

"Doesn't work on me anymore," Bucky stated as Zemo grinned, putting his hands behind his back.

"Can't blame a guy for trying." His eyes scanned the room before landing on me, my body going stiff.

"Ah. Artemis right? Don't think I didn't forget you, my dear. Come here, let me see that face." Zemo said as I took a step towards him, my eyes darting to Bucky, whose jaw was rigid, hands balled up in fists.

"I'm so glad our last meeting he didn't kill you. You're exquisite, you know. I can see why the Winter Soldier took a liking to you." Zemo's smile stayed in place as he looked at Bucky. I couldn't bear to look at Bucky, wondering what he looked like after hearing Zemo say that, as Zemo's smile faltered, surprise hitting his face.

"Ah. I see," Zemo nodded. I couldn't take it, leaving the room right after, running past Sam as I tried to find a space to breathe. A space to cry.

I hadn't spoken to Bucky after that, always finding a reason to never be near him too long. I told Sam what Zemo had said.

"Another chapter in that romance saga," Sam always tried to cheer me up. As we walked through a mechanical-looking shop, I looked around, confused about why we were there. Bucky turned around sheepishly as he looked at Sam.

"Look, let me walk you through a hypothetical. Can I walk you through a hypothetical?" Bucky asked as I turned to a plastic flapped door, feeling someone coming.

"What did you do?" Sam glared. Bucky started talking about his hypothetical while I started feeling uneasy.

"Bucky...you're sounding very casual." I said right as Zemo walked out. Sam was furious. I was frightened. Bucky was calm. And Zemo...just stood there. Awkwardly. Sam started yelling as Bucky tried calming everyone down. Once it was 'settled' that Zemo would be joining us, he told us we could use a plane to get to our first stop, Madripoor, knowing someone he could talk to. As we walked through an airport, seeing a private jet with a butler, I heard Sam whistle, asking Zemo if he was always this rich.

"I'm a Baron, Sam. My family was royalty until your friends destroyed my country." Zemo started as we boarded the plane. I smiled as Zemo offered his hand out, helping me up the stairs and into a seat across from him before asking for a drink.

"Would you like one dear?" Zemo offered, and I looked at Sam and Bucky, who both looked ready to tear Zemo's head off. Why not.

"Thank you Zemo, why not. Something to help the nerves." I said as the butler handed me a glass of champagne and I nodded, thanking him. Zemo was pushing buttons, mostly Bucky's though, as throughout our flight he made flirty remarks towards me, and then he grabbed Bucky's book he always carried flipping through it as he found a list.