Saving the Winter Soldier

Day 35 - Sadie

"Ok ladies. You've all passed the first level of training. Now we will be taking it to the next stage"
Our hand-to-hand combat instructor stands in front of us. Behind him, stands about half a dozen male soldiers.
"You need to know how to defend yourself and take down opponent that are bigger and stronger than you. Where your fists may fail, you'll learns to use your knives"

We're in the large training gym and along the side, there is a table of knives and daggers. The instructor divides us into groups of four and assigns each group a soldier.
I watch the first girl in my group go up against the man. She's a natural with the knife, swerving and dodging her opponent with swift moves. The second girl isn't so skilful and gets knocked to the floor over and over again.

"Look that's him. The Winter Soldier" I over hear two girls in the group next to us whispering.
"I heard he's Hydras secret weapon. He's to thank for some big time assassinations that have helped towards Hydras success" she continues and a chill goes through me.
"God he looks deadly. Kinda hot though" her friend adds.

I look to who they're secretly pointing too. My breath hitches as Bucky walks along the side of the gym and speaks to one of the officers. He's wearing his all black combat armour, looking terrifyingly dangerous.

"Rogers! Pay attention, you're up!" my instructor shouts at me.

Buckys' eyes find mine in a second before I turn back to the mat. The previous girl has multiple minor cuts across her limbs as she hobbles off to be treated. I pick up the knife from the floor and I can feel eyes burning into the back of my head.

I block my attacker as best as I can but the man is much stronger than me. By the end of my round, I'm panting out of breath and have a deep cut on my forearm. My eyes search the room but I can't find the man I'm looking for.
"Go clean up Rogers" I'm dismissed and I get my arm checked by the medic.

The next day we're back in the gym, again, practicing our knife skills. We're standing in line whilst our officer goes through the debrief for today before splitting us into our groups. The voices in the room start to thin and heads start to turn to something behind me.

"Rogers, you're with me"
I freeze on the spot while Bucky walks past towards an empty mat at the back of the room. I hurry after him, keeping my head down from the stares. Soldiers start to shout around the room and the girls drop their attention from the two of us.

"You'll be training with me from now on" he straps a glove onto his right hand and takes a knife out from inside his boot.
"Why?"
"Because you need to improve if you're going to defend yourself. I might not always be around to protect you" he throws the knife in the air then catches the blade, holding the handle to me.
"Take the knife, Sadie"

Nine years ago
All ready to go to my friends fifteenth birthday party at the bowl and diner. I managed to get a ride there but I'll have to walk about a twenty minutes back at the end. As I open the front door to leave, Bucky is walking up the front steps.

"Oh hi, Bucky"
He looks up from his feet and stops at the top step. His eyes sweep over me. I'm wearing a pink dress that I got for my birthday just a few weeks ago. It's the first time I've worn it.

"Wow, you look beautiful Doll" I flush probably as pink as the dress at his complement.
"You think so?"
"Yes, I'm glad Steve took my advice on picking that dress rather than the one he was going to get" he chuckles.

A horn beeps from the road and my friend waves from the passenger seat.
"I've got to go" I dash past him, still on a high over what he said.
"What time does the party finish Sadie?" Bucky calls after me.
"9pm"
"I'll be there to walk you home"
"You don't need to do that"
"I'll be there"

Sure enough, 9pm on the dot, Bucky was waiting for me outside the entrance and he walked me home, right up to my front door.