Redemption ||Bucky Barnes||

39. Role Reversal

Ever since coming to our new secret base, I've done some exploring, mostly out of curiosity. That's what I tell people, anyway. I know why I roam the halls and take interest in knowing the layout of the place: I want to find Jessabelle and Bucky.

I don't worry about Jessabelle, as my worrying isn't worth it for her. I always mess with the dog tags around my neck when his name comes to mind. He's still with me, even when he's not. You saved me, it's only fair that I save you now, I think. Saving him from Agent Romanoff isn't enough to repay him. Bringing him back to his old self, that may just do it. It'll give me satisfaction, for sure.

Agent 13—who's name I finally understand is Sharon—and I get along really well. She takes away the seriousness of being a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent and sometimes babbles on like we're friends. She talks about normal stuff, stuff that distracts me from the plan in my head. But sometimes, I welcome it.

I can't remember the exact month we're in, I lost track of time since June really. I know it's still 2015, so that's something. My cast is long gone and now my wrist is only in wrappings just as a precaution. I was glad the day I got my cast off, I felt like I was carrying unnecessary weight around.

I walk around with my head held high, trying to keep a calm air. I know where my destination is today. I've made them think I won't do it for long enough. It's time to move in. I know where my first stop is.

She'll give me information that I need. I don't think anybody has gotten to her yet. I'll be the first. I'll make her tell me. She owes me that much for murdering Vanessa, for standing by and watching me be injured. She should owe me a hell of a lot more for attacking me during my rescue mission.

I find the room she's confined in, notice the hand scanner as the key. I purse my lips. Will I be able to access her room? I give it a shot.

I've got clearance. My brows rise in surprise. Huh, guess I really fooled them. I hesitate momentarily on the handle before I enter.

Jessabelle isn't shackled to a wall, nor is she gagged. I wish she was both. She has a blank stare on her face. Some life comes back into her when she notices me. She gets off the cot she was sitting on but doesn't come any further.

"You're missing the orange jumpsuit," I joke snidely.

"I'm glad you don't issue one," she says. "What happened to your wrist?"

"None of your business."

"Barnes did it, didn't he?"

I scowl.

"He's ours, Danielle. Hydra will come looking for him and me."

"Well, they'll have to search the whole damn planet. They weren't smart enough to put trackers on either of you," I say proudly. "You've disappeared off the grid."

Jessabelle doesn't react with fear, she just looks at me. "I don't understand why you treat prisoners well."

I shrug. "I can't tell you, I'm not in charge of that sort of thing."

"I'm flattered," she says dramatically. "They're actually letting someone visit me."

"Don't you get food?"

"They don't hang around. They drop the food and walk back out." She moves hair away from her face. She's lucky she looks decent. She's lucky her room even has a bathroom. "I should be so blessed." She tilts her head. "You came alone. No bodyguards?"

"I would have had one, but you put him out of commission." I cross my arms over my chest. "He's why I'm here."

"Damn, I was hoping to talk with my little sister."