The Long Game

Chapter Five: What are you hiding

No one has spoken since Starks outburst, Steve is staring back and forth between us. Tony is staring at me, the tears slowly rolling down his flushed cheeks. What he says can't be true, what kind of backwards, messed up game is this. How the fuck could I be his sister? I have been in Hydra my entire life.
Or have I?

The thought crosses my mind but before I get a chance to ponder it further I'm snapped out of my thoughts by arms wrapping around me in a tight hug. I focus back on the scene before me and I'm horrified to find I'm in Tony's arms. He's crying and going on about how happy he is to have found me. "Hey! Get the fuck off me! What are you, insane?! I'm not your sister!" I'm shouting the words so loud that they echo around the room, Tony stumbles back, shocked at my outburst. "What are you going on about? Of course you are!" he turns to Steve and gesture to me. "Look at her! She..." Tony trailed off, noticing the look on Steve's face. "Cmon Steve. Just look at her. That's my sister, that's Aurora!" He spoke quickly, almost pleading with Steve to believe him.

I stood in silence after my outburst, my eyes on the pair of them as I rack my brain trying to figure it out. I can't be his sister, I just can't be.. there's no fucking way thats true. "If she is your sister then why is she with Hydra?" Steve asked Tony, crossing his arms over his chest. Good fucking question, capsicle. I nod. "Yeah, exactly! Case in point I can't be your sister!" who am I trying to convince? Tony and Steve begin to argue, Tony's explaining his insane theory while Steve is trying to reason with them, both men now ignoring my existence. Perfect opportunity.

I move slowly to the doors behind me and slip out of them and into the hallway only to turn and be face to face with Bucky. I sigh. Great. I don't need this shit right now. I'm not fucking strong enough to fight him, the witch done a number on me and even with my advanced healing abilities I'm still weak. He looks pissed, really pissed.. well, I mean I'm not surprised considering I did kick his ass. I lean back against the wall beside the doors and cross my arms over my chest. "Soldier." I say with a smile, the smile only growing at his irritation to the name. "Don't call me that." He retorts through gritted teeth. Mhm, this could be fun. "What should I call you then?" I ask, pushing myself off the wall and moving towards him, he backs up quickly until his back hits the wall behind him, I swear I see fear flash across his face just for a moment. He's now trapped between me and the wall. "Tell me, what do you want me to call you?" I say, my voice barely above a whisper, this close to him I can see his eyes so clear, steel blue eyes that could definitely see into my soul. What the fuck.. focus!!. I study his face, watching a range of expressions cross it. He's tense, I wonder why he's not pushing me away, he seems afraid? Afraid of what? Of me? Surely not...

"Get away from me. You should be in a cell." he practically spits the words at me, trying to put on a brave face but he's hiding something. I reach out and put my hand to the wall, close to his face. "What aren't you telling me, soldier?" I'm so close now that I can feel his breath on my face. "What are you hiding from me?" I can practically hear his heart racing, sweat beading on his forehead. Something is most certainly not right. But, before he could answer the door behind us opens, I take a step back from Bucky as Steve and Tony emerge from the medbay. "There you are, Aurora" Tony calls, sighing in relief at having found me. "That's not my name. My name is Echo." I practically growl the words as I turn to face Tony. He's startled to see me with Bucky. "Why are you here, Barnes? What did you say to her?!" There's panic in his voice, his fists are clenched at his side. Bucky goes to move past me, careful not to touch me. I don't like this, they're keeping secrets from me. I slam my hand out, grabbing Buckys shirt and shoving him back into the wall, my hand moving quickly to wrap around his throat.

"No more games!" I shout as Steve and Tony take a step towards me, I tighten my hand around Buckys throat, causing them both to stop. "Tell me what the fuck is going on!"

"It's all my fault.." Bucky gasps out, my eyes shift to him.. "What is all your fault, soldier?" I growl the words, loosening my grip just a little. He gasps for a breath and looks at me with tear filled eyes as he speaks again.

"I'm the reason Hydra had you."