The Before [Prequel- Part 1]

Winter Soldier

~~~Catherine's pov~~~

I watched with Natasha as James was brought into the building via containment module. Just for a moment, we locked eyes, and I sent him a telepathic message.

"I'll get you out of here. I promise."

Steve, Sam, and the Wakandan prince T'Challa walked in next.

I looked at Steve and Sam, practically begging them to not give away that I was in Romania too. They both gave me a discreet nod and turned to Everett Ross. Not Secretary Ross. This guy is much nicer.

"What's going to happen to him?" Steve asked.

"Same thing that ought to happen to you. Psychological Evaluation and extradition."

Okay, maybe not that much nicer.

"See that their weapons are placed in lock-up." He told Sharon, who stood behind Nat and me. "We'll write you a receipt."

Sam watched as someone carried away his wings. "I better not look out the window and see anybody flying around in that."

"Got it." I nodded, walking backward to face him as we went to a surveillance room. "No one will touch the bird costume."

"Oh, haha. Like you're one to talk, Tinker Bell." He rolled his eyes.

"Care to elaborate on that?" I raised an eyebrow at the statement.

"Your magic. It's basically Pixie Dust. But instead of yellow and happy, yours is dark and depressing. You're the evil Tinker Bell." He explained, making me laugh.

"This only proves to me that you've watched one too many fairy movies." I laughed, slowing down so I was between him and Steve.

"I'm glad you guys are okay."

I am only allowed in the building because I'm Tony Stark's daughter. In their eyes, because I didn't sign the Accords, I'm retired.

As if.

Loki's hiding out somewhere, keeping an eye on things.

To no one's surprise, the government doesn't exactly trust him, especially since he didn't sign either.

~~~One hour later~~~

Everyone is settled in their private offices, James is still locked up and waiting on a psychiatrist, and the only good thing to happen so far is Steve and Nat's reunion. They were both worried about each other.

Right now; Dad is trying to hash things out with Steve, and I am watching James through the security cameras.

He's my brother. I'm not about to let anything happen to him.

The psychiatrist soon arrived and began to interrogate him.

I don't know, there's something about him I just don't trust.

Then the power went out.

Guess I was right!

I jumped out of my chair and ran to find Sharon. I could hear my dad calling out my name, trying to locate me, but I needed to get to James before something happened, and Sharon knows where James is.

"Where is he?" I asked anxiously as agents ran all around us, trying to get the power back on.

"Sub-level five, east wing."

"Thank you!" I turned from her and saw Steve and Sam behind me.

"Sub-level five. Let's go." I rushed them out the door and to the stairs.

"I knew there was something wrong with that doctor!" I groaned, still running down the stairs before Steve grabbed my arm and stopped me.

"Teleport to him now. We'll catch up." He said, realizing the situation.

I nodded and quickly teleported to the secured room. I had to lean on the wall balance since I was still worn out from teleporting so much earlier.

I turned to the containment module and saw the fake doctor start to question him.

His name was Helmut Zemo. He's Sokovian. His family was killed during the battle with Ultron.

The question is, what did he want with James?

"What the hell is this?" He looked around at the flashing lights, not seeing me yet.

"Why don't we discuss your home? Not Romania, certainly not Brooklyn, no. I mean, your real home." Zemo pulled out a red notebook with a black star on the cover.

"No!" I yelled and ran forward. He can't use that book! He can't!

But I guess he was expecting that because as soon as I was close enough, he stabbed me in the arm with a needle.

I cried out in pain, but I couldn't use my magic. He just gave me the serum.

He's Hydra.

~~~Bucky's pov~~~

"Catherine, no!" I yelled as the man grabbed her.

He had the serum. That's the only explanation. She can't escape now.

Don't get me wrong, she's an amazingly skilled fighter, even without her magic. But the serum takes a toll on her physically.

"Let her go!" I demanded, trying to break out of the containment module.

"Not yet. First, you need to hear these words." He brought out a pocket knife and pressed it against her neck.

I clenched my metal fist. I won't let him hurt her.

"Now, listen carefully. Тоска. Ржавый. Семнадцать. Рассвет." He started to speak Russian.

"Stop! James, don't give in! Don't let him get to you!" She begged me as a single tear fell from her cheek and he continued to hold her by the neck.

I tried to resist. I can't lose control now. Not while she's still at risk.

"печь. Возвращение домой. Крытый вагон."

With the last word, the world went dark.

~~~Catherine's pov~~~

He broke out of the containment module, and for a moment, I had hope that Zemo's plan hadn't worked.

"Готов выполнить."

All hope was lost when I heard James say those words. He was back in Winter Soldier mode.

"Mission report. December 16, 1991."

December 16, 1991... That was the day my grandparents died in a freak car accident.

It was then I realized it wasn't an accident. It was a mission.

The Winter Soldier killed my grandparents. Not James. It wasn't his fault.

He gave the mission report in Russian, so I could only understand bits and pieces.

"No witnesses."

I was right.

"Good. Now, Soldier, I think you have unfinished business with this one." Zemo threw me on the ground in front of him.

"Da."

Before I could process what was happening, James grabbed me and put me in a chokehold, cutting off my oxygen.

"James... Please, you know me... Don't do this..." I managed to say before I passed out.

~~~3rd person pov~~~

Once Catherine was unconscious, Bucky let her out of the chokehold and dropped her on the floor.

He pressed a button on the star of his metal arm, and a beacon popped out.

"Ведьма в безопасности. Отправить в извлечение." (Translation- The witch is secure. Send in extraction.)