Trust Me, I Will Never Trust You.

Chapter 27

Xpel lay unconscious on the ground as Bucky took a moment to catch his breath. Sweat trickled down his forehead, mingling with the dirt and grime on his face. The room was filled with an eerie silence, broken only by the distant sounds of the ongoing battle outside.

Bucky's attention shifted to Gregorovich, who had been watching the fight with a mixture of anticipation and malice. He could see the anger burning in the man's eyes, fueling his desire for revenge. 

Gregorovich clenched his fists, his knuckles turning white. With a savage snarl, he lunged at Bucky, his movements fueled by a desperate rage. Bucky's instincts kicked in, and he swiftly evaded Gregorovich's initial attack, narrowly dodging a deadly punch aimed at his face.

As the fight raged on, Bucky realised that Gregorovich was more than just a skilled combatant. He had an uncanny ability to anticipate Bucky's moves, countering with precision and forcing Bucky into a defensive stance. It became clear to Bucky that Gregorovich had undergone his own enhancements, courtesy of Hydra.

Bucky knew he had to change his approach. He couldn't rely solely on his physical strength and combat training to defeat Gregorovich. He needed to outsmart him, find a weakness to exploit. As they circled each other, Bucky's mind raced, searching for a strategy.

Then, it came to him. Gregorovich had relied on his own enhanced abilities to match Bucky's skills, but that left him vulnerable in other areas. Bucky faked a stumble, deliberately leaving an opening for Gregorovich to exploit. As Gregorovich lunged forward to deliver what he thought would be a decisive blow, Bucky swiftly sidestepped, evading the attack.

Bucky seized the opportunity and delivered a powerful uppercut, sending Gregorovich stumbling backwards. The man's eyes widened in shock as he struggled to regain his balance.

With precision and speed, Bucky drew his weapon and aimed it at Gregorovich. The room fell silent as Bucky pulled the trigger, the sound of a gunshot piercing the air.

• • •

Xpel groaned as she slowly regained consciousness, her head throbbing with pain. Blinking her eyes open, she saw Bucky standing over her, his gun pointed at Gregorovich, who lay motionless on the ground.

Despite her weakened state, Xpel knew she had to help. She scrambled to her feet as she faced Bucky, her eyes filled with confusion and fear.

Bucky saw the fear in Xpel's eyes and quickly lowered his gun. "Xpel, it's me. Bucky. You have to remember," he shouted, hoping to break through the brainwashing that Hydra had inflicted on her.

Xpel's vacant eyes briefly flickered with a hint of recognition, but the brainwashing quickly took hold again. She straightened her posture and adopted a fighting stance, her movements eerily mechanical.

"Xpel, fight it! Remember who you are!" Bucky pleaded, hope rekindled in his voice

Bucky's voice resonated in her ears, his words a lifeline in the chaos of battle. Memories flashed before her eyes, fragmented images of camaraderie, trust, and shared struggles. Slowly, like puzzle pieces falling into place, her recollections started to form a coherent whole.

With a sudden surge of clarity, Xpel's eyes widened as she remembered who Bucky truly was. Emotion welled up within her, mingling with the adrenaline coursing through her veins.

"Winter?" Xpel's voice quivered as a smile spread across her face, tears welling up in her eyes.

BANG

The moment of reunion shattered as a thunderous gunshot echoed through the room. Xpel's heart skipped a beat as her gaze darted towards the source of the sound. Her eyes widened in horror as she saw Gregorovich lying on the ground, blood pooling around him. His arm extended, and smoke wafting from the barrel of the gun. Bucky staggered backwards, a look of disbelief etched across his face as crimson blood spilled from the wound on his stomach.

"No!" Xpel's voice ripped through the air, filled with anguish and desperation. She rushed to Bucky's side, dropping to her knees beside him. Her trembling hands reached, trying to stem the blood flow that stained his combat clothes. Tears streamed down her face, mixing with the dirt and blood.

Xpel' glanced over at Gregorovich, looking at his body to see him dead, lying on the floor, the gun to his side.

"Winter..." Xpel's voice cracked, choked with emotion. Her grip tightened around his stomach, desperately willing him to hold on. Memories of their shared struggles, the bond they had formed, surged through her mind, fueling her determination to fight for him, to save him.

Bucky's breaths came in ragged gasps, his eyes flickering, struggling to stay open. He mustered a weak smile, his voice barely a whisper. "I'm... okay... you have to... escape."