It's Been A Long, Long Time ; Bucky Barnes

Chapter Four

2014

Fury was in a horrible condition and a surge of guilt flooded through Cara's entire body.

"Oh my god..." Cara muttered.

"I guess I have you to thank for this, Agent Rogers," Fury said.

"I am so sorry, I- I had no choice,"

"Blaming you would just be naive of me, I know this wasn't your fault," he sat up slightly, "It's Alexander Pierce's."

Cara cringed at the name, "I want Pierce dead."

"As long as I'm dead, the opportunity will present itself," Fury said to her, "have patience, Caroline."

How could she have patience? Cara was under Hydra's control for almost a century, it was torture just sitting there and waiting around for the right time, especially because James was still with them.

"Patience?" she asked, "All due respect Fury, but I've had my fair share of patience."

Before Cara knew it, she was standing from the small chair she had been sitting on. Steve placed his hand on her shoulder and she realized nobody in that room truly trusted her except Steve. Even though deep down she knew he didn't fully trust her either. Cara couldn't blame them though, she had hurt so many people throughout her extended life.

"I'm going for a walk," Cara said. She didn't end up going for a walk, instead she sat outside on a bench until Steve arrived shortly after her.

He sat down next to her, no words were spoken for a few moments. He wrapped his arm around her and she leaned into the half hug. A single tear fell from her cheek and she couldn't be more happy about it. Cara finally felt a real emotion, a true human experience and for that moment, she felt free from the spell Hydra had cast on her.

Cara wrapped her arms around Steve and he pulled her into a warm embrace. She remembered his hugs, even when he was a tiny man his hugs never failed to warm you up. There were clouds in the sky and the wind was shaking the trees around them but for that brief moment she felt like the sun was shining down on them.

"None of this is your fault, Care," he said, breaking the silence.

Cara chuckled, she knew he was wrong. Steve was always just trying to help her so she gave a deep sigh and pulled away from the hug. The guilt of her past made her wish she would have just died in the flames the night Schmidt captured her for good.

Steve wiped the tear from her cheek and grabbed her hand. He stood up and began walking back inside, with her close behind him. As soon as they showed up the room went quiet, Cara felt like a burden. Natasha faced Maria and Cara noticed a slight amount of tension.

"I can help," Cara said. From there on everyone in the room created a game plan to stop Pierce from murdering people from all around the area.

"Cara, I think you should stay with Maria while we take down the helicarriers," Steve said.

"What?" Cara replied.

"I just don't want you to be recognized by Hydra,"

"Come on Steve. I'm the strongest and smartest one here," Steve's jaw dropped and he scoffed, "We all know it's true."

Everybody nodded their heads slightly, agreeing with Cara. Steve looked to the ground and said, "Meet me at the rendezvous point, there's something I need to get."

Sam followed soon after, Cara still had no idea what his name was. She looked at Natasha and smiled, how could the fiery little redhead from The Red Room turn into this woman. Cara was happy Natasha found a way out; Natasha looked back to Cara. She stood up and wrapped her arms around Cara, she hugged Natasha back.