Radioactive | Bucky Barnes

IRON MAN: CHAPTER TWO

Phil Coulson stood in front of the two-way mirror, watching Rhiley Stark through the glass. She had barely moved in hours, her eyes locked on Captain America's unconscious form, the weight of confusion and grief hanging heavily around her. The young woman was clearly struggling to make sense of everything around her.

Coulson tapped the phone against his ear, trying to focus on the conversation as his gaze never left her. "She's been staring at him for the last couple of hours, sir. She's confused, but so are we. No, I don't think she's Hydra. She knew Captain America—no, she didn't act like he was an enemy. She acted like he's her friend. She's scared," he added quietly, almost to himself.

He heard the other end of the line crackle, but he didn't break his focus. Rhiley was too important, and he knew the tension in her was about to hit a breaking point. "Yeah, that's what she claims. Do I believe her? Well, we don't have any records of there ever being another Stark, but... why would she lie about this?"

Another pause, and then Coulson rubbed the back of his neck. "How do we get her to trust us? I'm pretty sure she thinks we kidnapped her. Sure, she'll find out eventually, but I'm afraid it's just going to make her a lot more dangerous. She punched a wall when she saw Rogers. No, that didn't wake him up. He's a heavy sleeper."

Phil listened for a moment as the voice on the other end spoke. "You want me to do what?"

He sighed and set the phone down, looking back at Rhiley. 

"Is he gonna be okay?" she murmured. 

But when Phil turned, he was surprised to see that Rhiley had left the room.

. "He's still alive; that's all that matters right now," he muttered.

Rhiley stood in the hallway, her back to him. She turned around as soon as she noticed his presence. Her voice cracked, no longer demanding but pleading. "I need to see my brother."

The words hit him harder than expected. He had spent his life trying to make people feel safe, to get them to trust him, but the look in her eyes was raw. She wasn't asking. She was desperate. He had no idea how to comfort someone in her situation, but he had to try.

Phil pursed his lips. "There isn't an easy way to tell you this."

Rhiley's expression shifted as she took in his words, confusion mixing with disbelief. He could see the cracks forming. She was on the edge.

He led her into another room. The flashing screens and photographs seemed to intensify her anxiety, making her move like a wild animal caught in a trap. She folded her arms across her chest and muttered, "This... This isn't possible."

Coulson's voice was measured but firm. "We found you frozen in ice at the bottom of a ravine. A few weeks before, we found Captain America."

Rhiley looked over at him, the weight of his words seeming to finally break through her confusion. "Steve."

Phil nodded, moving on before she could say more. "That was a while ago. A lot has happened since."

She gave him a hard look, and her voice trembled when she asked, "What year is it?"

"2010."

Rhiley sucked in a deep breath, and Coulson could feel the gravity of her shock. "I know this is a lot to take in," he added softly.

"It's more than a lot." She cut him off, her eyes hardening. "I don't know you. Frankly, I don't trust you. How am I supposed to trust all this?" She waved her hand at the screens, her voice tinged with a raw frustration. "For all I know, this could all be... fake."

Phil's shoulders slumped slightly. "Come with me."

They exited the building, stepping into the bustling city outside. Rhiley paused, and for the first time, something akin to awe crossed her face. "Holy shit," she murmured, turning back to him. "You weren't lying."

Phil smiled faintly. "Shocking, I know."

She glanced up at him, her eyes narrowed. "Now, how do I know you're telling the truth?"

Phil raised an eyebrow. "You couldn't find any information on me?"

Phil's face hardened. "According to our scans, you don't exist." 

Her voice cracked, a little more vulnerable now. "My brother's voice was the last thing I heard before... before..." She trailed off, clearly struggling to put her feelings into words. "Do you know how painful it is listening to your brother beg you to be okay when you can't answer him?"

Coulson stayed silent, understanding she didn't need words from him right now. She just needed to speak.

Then, with a weary breath, she continued. "Then waking up in a world that never knew you existed?"

Phil hesitated, then softly said, "How about we start with your name? First name."

Rhiley glanced at him for a long moment, then seemed to surrender. "Rhiley."

"Rhiley Stark?" he asked gently, and she nodded, though it was clear the name was still foreign on her tongue.

Coulson smiled, though it wasn't from happiness—more a recognition of the gravity of this moment. "How about we grab some lunch, Rhiley?"

They sat in a quiet diner downtown. The world outside was a blur of cars, skyscrapers, and thousands of people—so different from the life Rhiley had known. She stared at the menu for a moment, clearly lost in thought, before looking back up at Coulson. "You work for S.H.I.E.L.D.?"

Phil nodded. "Yes."

"And it stands for Strategic Homeland Intervention Enforcement and Logistics Division?" Rhiley said, sounding almost surprised at herself for remembering all those words. "This is good." She hummed in thought as she took a bite of her sandwich. "And it was founded by Peggy and Howard?"

"Exactly," Phil confirmed.

She paused, frowning as she leaned back in the booth. "Are you in charge?"

Phil chuckled quietly. "I'm not," he said. "That would be Director Nick Fury."

Rhiley smirked. "And when will I meet him?"

Phil smiled. "He's a busy man."

Rhiley raised an eyebrow. "I'm not exactly at the top of his to-do list, huh?"

"Well, that's for you to decide," he said with a shrug. "For now, what happens next is... we need to prove you're who you say you are."

Rhiley sighed. "Slightly offended by that," she said, but then her gaze softened. She looked around the diner at the normal, everyday people. "How?"

"A simple DNA test."

Rhiley gave him an incredulous look. "I don't know much about science, but wouldn't you need my brother's DNA too?"

Phil gave a small nod. "Luckily for you, we have a different source."

Rhiley's eyes narrowed. "Howard had a kid?"

"A son," Phil said. "His name is Anthony Stark, but he goes by Tony."

Rhiley's eyes widened slightly. She stared at him, the realization sinking in. "I missed a lot."

Phil shook his head, his voice quiet. "I'm sorry."

Rhiley shook her head forcefully, her eyes closing for a moment as she took a few deep breaths. "It's all his fault. Dylan—he took everything from me."

Phil didn't respond right away. He wasn't sure how to comfort her at this moment. "What am I supposed to do now?" she asked quietly, her voice tinged with hopelessness.

"We'll help you adjust," Coulson said. "S.H.I.E.L.D. will help rehabilitate you into this new world. You don't need to worry about that."

Rhiley's expression darkened slightly. "What do you want from me?"

Phil paused for a moment before answering. "That's your choice," he said softly. "But we're always looking for new Agents."