II: The Girl Who Ran: Little Monsters

X: A Hundred Years Old

     The plane hummed louder as Steve and Bucky touched down. Steve flipped a bunch of switches. Bucky went to the back and opened a rack of rifles. He grabbed one and examined it. Good enough. Steve unbuckled his seat and came to the back. They stood side by side as Steve opened the door. Bucky went over all the scenarios in his mind. A) Zemo had already activated the Soldiers and they would have to fight all of them, B) Zemo had already activated the Soldiers and sent them out to do who knows what and C)... Bucky's mind went blank. There was no option C.

     The wind flew into the plane. Bucky was thankful that Sunny had grabbed him some clothes. If she hadn't, he'd be freezing right now. Steve's voice broke into his thoughts, "Do you remember that time we had to ride back from Rockaway Beach in the back of that freezer truck?"

     Finally, something he actually remembered, "Was that the time you used our train money to buy hot dogs?"
Steve smiled widely, "You blew three bucks trying to win that stuffed bear for a redhead."

     Bucky chuckled, "What was her name again?"

     "Dolores. You called her Dot."

     Bucky stared at the snow, then back at Steve, "She's gotta be a hundred years old by now."

     "So are we, pal." Steve reached up and patted Bucky's shoulder. Bucky froze for a moment and Steve's arm fell back to his side.

     They both marched out of the plane, leaving the door open. Bucky fell behind Steve naturally. He followed Steve to a
rock overhang, under which was an open door.

     Steve continued on, "He couldn't have been here more than a few hours."

     Bucky frowned, "Long enough to wake them up." He followed Steve in. The entryway was dark, too dark for him to recognize it yet. He breathed deeply, trying to keep his mind in the present. Steve went into an elevator, and Bucky joined him. They faced each other but Bucky tried to avoid Steve's eyes. Exhaustion was rolling over him in waves. He hadn't slept or ate since... yesterday? the day before? He didn't even know.

     The elevator lurched when it stopped, and Steve opened the door. Bucky followed him, lifting up his rifle and covering him. Bucky walked around the corner before him, looking around before relaxing when Steve followed him. He walked up the stairs, letting his eyes sweep from side to side. A door shut behind Bucky and he swung his rifle around. Steve shielded them both. A squeal sounded and Bucky aimed.

     "You ready?" Steve asked.

     "Yeah." Bucky said, although he wasn't very sure that was true. How would Steve and him fight off five elite super-soldiers?

     The door finally opened and a light shined out of the darkness. Bucky thought it was a flashlight, but then he saw two smaller lights far above the large light. Iron Man came into the room. Bucky tightened his grip. Iron Man's helmet retracted and Bucky almost laughed. He thanked Iron Man silently for giving him a clear head shot. He approached, and          Bucky saw Steve raise his shield a bit more.

     "You seem a little defensive."

     Steve walked forward towards Iron Man and Bucky crouched down. "It's been a long day." If he wanted to, Bucky could've cut the tension and sarcasm in the air with his knife.

     Iron Man's eyes shifted from Steve to Bucky. "At ease, Soldier. I'm not currently after you." Bucky rolled his eyes. Yeah right.

     Steve lowered his shield a bit more, "Then why are you here?"

     Iron Man paced forward and shrugged, "Could be your story's not so crazy."

     "Maybe." Steve said, obviously still on guard.