Winter to Spring

One Day in October

It's my first story. It's not beta- read. Criticism welcome, but don't be mean, please. I'm new to this.

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„Are you sure this is it?"

Bucky looks at Sam, who stands on his right. They stand behind some trees, and look at the small cabin that stands across the clearing.

"It's the entrance. The base is below." Sam just frowns. He isn't convinced. It looks like an ordinary cabin in the woods, surrounded by the first snow of the year. In October. He hates snow. He's from Louisiana for God's sake. He doesn't do snow.

„And there is still someone living there?" Judged by the smoke coming from the chimney and the faint light behind the window there is. That makes it all more difficult. Especially if the person is a civilian. „Maybe they don't know about the base."

„Really, Sam? So what do you suggest? A friendly knock? Introduce ourselves and ask for a basement tour?" Bucky gives him one of his stoic looks and raises an eyebrow.

„For example? Not everything needs your brutal force."

„I will not explain to Sarah how you got shot being stupid like that."

„What does my sister have to do with it now?"

„Well, she seems to be the reasonable one of the family." He also fears her more than Sam. She's a mother, that always puts the ladies on a different level of protectiveness. Sam gives him a hard stab with his elbow, nods towards the cabin.

„We moving or what?"

„I go first." Before Sam can even start fighting him on it, Bucky moves. Once out of the trees there is very little cover. Changes are bit they're getting seen. When they arrive at the door, Bucky hears the familiar click of a weapon's safety pin being disabled. He sighs and looks at Sam. He only whispers.

„Weapon. Back to the original plan." To his relief Sam nods and takes a step back. Bucky takes a step back and places the small explosive package close to the door handle. The blast goes off, perfectly aimed towards the lock and away from them. A kick to the door sends it swinging open and connecting with the wall behind it.

The first bullet just barely misses his left arm. He ducks down behind the sofa with a roll over his shoulder. Light footsteps cross the room. A young woman positions herself in the space between a dining table and a small kitchen, fires another shot. Bucky takes the split second after the shot and lunges forward. He manages to disarm her, the gun landing somewhere behind him. Face to face with the woman, who starts to put up a good fight, he mentally corrects himself. Not a woman, more a kid.

Their forearms and shins connect in a row of thrown and blocked punches and kicks. It dawns on Bucky that there is no way this person isn't trained for more than athletic reasons. Her movements are fast, forcing him a few steps back. One of her punches connects with his ribs- not hard enough to break them, but with enough force to hurt, maybe even cause a bruise. Then she's even fast enough to force him back another few steps, close enough to the gun to make a leap for it. Bucky throws himself to the side and catches her midair, sending them rolling across the floor.

„Sam! Now would be the moment."

She tries to get hold of the gun one more time and Bucky has enough. Pushing her onto her back, straddling her by her hip. She might be fast, but she's also only half his weight. He reaches for her grabbling hand. With his hand around her wrist, he slams her arm to the floor to pin it down. He can feel the shift of bones under his palm and she goes still with a grunt, visibly gritting her teeth. Her nostrils flare with a forced deep inhale. No other reaction.

Sam's taser device hits her a second later. Her eyes are still fixed on Bucky. There is nothing but anger in them. He gets to his feet just in time to not be shocked with her. The electric current going through her strains every muscle in her body, arching her back off the floor. It takes four seconds in total, then the device falls off.

She heaves in a breath, somehow still conscious and staring at Bucky.

„Isn't she supposed to be knocked out?" He looks at Sam, who approaches with his eyes staying on her.

„Yeah..." Sam frowns. Her eyes shift back and forth between them. Sam jerks back when she pulls her left arm closer slowly, cradles it against her chest and sits up in slow motion with a grunt. Bucky can still see the muscles in her shoulders spasm. He tenses, ready to jump her again.

„Better bring her in before she's recovered."

Sam takes a step forward, ready to haul her off the floor.

„Don't..touch me." There is enough menace in her strained voice to stop Sam mid motion.

„You'll have to let him help, kid. You won't walk any time soon."

„Watch... me.."

Both men watch in disbelief as she fights her way up into a standing position. Her knees visibly try to buckle, but she supports herself with her left hand braced against the sofa.

„She's definitely not supposed to do that."

„I'll rename you into Captain Obvious." Bucky rolls his eyes at Sam. He steps closer to her, ready to catch her if she might fall. She straightens up. Her movements are slow, muscles still spasming and fighting the movements.

„Alright. Then walk. Transport is this way." Bucky gestures towards the door. Sam steps aside to make space for them to walk out first. Her glares are shooting daggers at them before she sets into motion. One slow step at a time she walks next to Bucky.

„You'll regret...this ... soon."

Sam and Bucky just look at each other. Bucky shrugs. That's what they always said. He never regretted this work.