Never Safe

Chapter Twenty-Two

Bucky was at the compound when it happened.

On his own in the living room, he sat on the couch, pointing the remote at the TV as he flicked through channels. He came across a breaking news story, and decided to watch it.

"... heartbreaking story of yet another school shooting. It's been reported that at least a dozen armed men infiltrated the high school in Queens, Midtown School of Science and Technology..."

Bucky stared at the TV, a horrid feeling was rising in his stomach.

"... despite immediately responding to the call, police officers were unable to arrive before the armed men left the scene. They do not currently have any suspects in custody. In terms of casualties, four faculty members were injured. One student was shot, another was taken by the attackers..."

Bucky's heart dropped in his chest.

"... the students identity is currently unknown, but their family is being contacted as we speak..."

Bucky ignored the rest of what was being said as he frantically began to look for his phone. He didn't have it.

He got up and ran to Natasha's office. She was sitting at her desk, completing paperwork.

She smiled at Bucky when he came in. "Hey baby... are you okay?" she asked when she noted his expression.

"Do you have my phone? Do you know where it is?"

"Oh, yeah..." she took it out her desk drawer. "It's been ringing like crazy."

Bucky snatched it and scanned his notifications. He had missed calls from the school, from Peter, a couple of texts from him too.

But he had nothing from you.

Bucky didn't realise that Natasha had gotten up and was now standing next to him until she touched his arm.

"What's going on?"

"I- " Bucky took a deep breath. "I need to go."

He turned and hurried out the room. Natasha followed him.

"Bucky? Talk to me. What's happening?"

"Somethings wrong. At the school."

"How do you know?"

"It was on the news. And the school called me."

"Is y/n okay?"

Bucky didn't answer the question. He didn't know. Nat didn't prompt him anymore. They were silent until they got in Bucky's car and he started driving.

Natasha studied his face as he blankly stared at the road ahead. But she could see fear and worry in his eyes. A look that she'd never seen before. She thought back to your last conversation with him: the night before. You were yelling. You each told the other that you hated them. You didn't forgive each other.

Natasha knew Bucky must be thinking the same thing. She reached over and took one of his hands that had been tightly gripping the steering wheel. Bucky glanced over at her and she tried to comfort him with a small smile. He nervously squeezed her hand before returning his attention to the front of the car.

They got to the school. It took Bucky a couple of minutes to park as there were so many people; it only stressed him out more.

When he finally pulled over and switched the car off, he hesitated to get out. He turned to Nat.

"I don't know what to do if she's not there" he said, his voice breaking.

"We go to the compound. We get the team together. We find her and bring her home... I will be by your side the entire time. I promise."

Bucky nodded his head once. They both got out the car. He instantly started looking around and yelling your name. His eyes scanned the crowd of students, teachers, reporters, police officers, paramedics...

He made his way over to the ambulance. He started running when he recognised the boy in the back.

"Oh my god" Bucky bent down in front of Peter and picked up his hand. "What happened?" He touched his blood stained shirt. He lifted it up to see the dressing on the wound. Bucky made eye contact; his eyes filled with tears to match Peter's. "Please tell me she's okay."

"I'm sorry..."

Bucky started to shake his head. "No..."

"I tried to stop them" Peter continued. "I tried to keep her safe Bucky. I couldn't- I couldn't keep her safe."

"No, it's not your fault, Pete. It's not- it's my fault. This is all my fault." Bucky felt Nat's hand place down on his shoulder. He took a deep breath to try and calm himself. It didn't really work. "Where's May? Is she on her way?"

Peter nodded. "I- I called her. She's coming."

"Good. Okay. Are you okay? Does it hurt?"

"No. It's gonna heal quickly because of the spider thing... Bucky, will y/n be okay?"

"I don't know" he admitted.

"Of course she will" Nat assured them. "She's gonna be just fine. Everything's going to be okay."

Bucky stood up and faced Nat. He was about to say something, argue the negative, when he spotted Steve over her shoulder. Bucky watched him approach them.

"What are you doing here?" Bucky questioned.

"I saw the news..." Steve had concluded that it was you who had been taken. "I'm so sorry, Buck. Was it Hydra?"

"I don't know who else it-"

"It's Captain America!"
"That's Black Widow!"
"Oh my God!"
"Isn't that the Winter Soldier?"
"What are they doing here?"
"Why are they talking to Peter?"

Bucky could hear the murmurs in the crowd. He looked at Steve and Natasha.

"I thought that was y/n's brother?"
"No, that's definitely the winter soldier."
"Guys... y/n's last name is Barnes."
"So?"
"Like... Bucky Barnes."
"Oh shit."

"We should probably go" Steve suggested.

"Yeah. Let's get back to the compound and we can start working on this" Nat agreed. "We'll find her, Buck. She'll be okay."

Bucky wasn't convinced, but he took Nat's hand.

"Pete, will you be okay?" he asked.

"Yeah, May's gonna be here soon. Will you keep me updated?"

"Okay. See you later... take it easy."

"Mhm. Bye guys."

Bucky, Steve and Natasha returned to their cars and drove back to the compound.

"So y/n knows the avengers?"
"Yup. My girlfriend knows all the avengers. She's related to one. My girlfriend is related-"
"Oh shut up Flash, you never even been on a date together. She's rejected you like ten times!"
"I... shut up!"