The Dark Captain

Chapter 10

Bucky knew of only one person who could help him find answers. He hated having to ask him. He would hold it over him for months. He'd go around, bragging that he, Bucky Barnes, had asked him, Sam Wilson, for help.

So, Bucky waited in the hangar for the new Captain America to appear. As Sam walked down the stairs, Bucky came up to him. There wasn't an ounce of joy in seeing him. Sam knew why Bucky was there. During the first month and a half, Sam had waited for this day. Now, everyone wanted to move forward, not look back.

"No, Bucky," Sam said, heading to the jet.

"Sam," Bucky replied, knowing he sounded as desperate as he felt, "I need you to be with me on this. Cap can get answers."

"I get that, but at this point, we're looking for a body."

"I know that, but at least I can help him get closure! He's killing himself, Sam!"

"The answer is still no."

Bucky pulled him to a stop. "I promised him I'd bring her home, but I need help. It's the least I can do for him."

Sam sighed. The whole team had been there. They had watched Tony spiral so fast, he made rollercoasters look like kiddie rides. They tried to be supportive, even after they had all moved on. At this point, Bucky was the only one saying to not give up. Everyone else had lives to lead and couldn't afford to keep working on the dead-end case.

"The answer is still no," Sam reiterated.

Bucky sighed, knowing he was throwing out a Hail Mary, but he had no choice and said, "What if it was Sarah that was missing?"

Sam seemed to deflate at those words, the gravity of it hitting him hard. "Buck-"

"That's what it's like for him."

Sam knew he was backed into a corner and sighed in defeat. "Fine, but you owe me one. Got me?"

"Fine, whatever."

Sam looked smug. "That's the fastest you've agreed on anything." Bucky looked annoyed, so Sam decided to not push his luck. "Look, I get it. Your husband and daughter miss her. Hell, I miss her. But don't get your hopes up that she's alive, Buck."

For the first time, the weight of the situation showed in Bucky's body language, the stress pushing the super soldier to the brink of his endurance. "Until we find something that says she's dead, he won't stop."

Truth be told, Bucky didn't know if that would stop Tony. Bucky had been as supportive as he could be, knowing that he would have been that way if Rebecca had been the one missing. Even though he no longer had that fear because of HYDRA, the fear was still there.

Sam snapped Bucky back to the present by saying, "Then, let's get this over with. I've got real missions to get to. Come on."

"Thanks," Bucky said.

"Uh-huh."

Sam knew his annoyance showed. He honestly didn't know if they would find anything. But knowing that Tony's cousin, closer than any sibling could hope to be, was possibly out there bothered him now that the comparison had been made.

Taking over the use of SHIELD's database and resources, Sam set to work. Fury wasn't happy to have the case reopened, ready to get the death certificate signed and filed, but if Captain America thought it was worth looking into, then so be it. The government would let Sam do as he pleased.

Days went by without any news. That was until the only image they had of Arianna's stalker was cleared up. Sam shook his head. Fucking HYDRA.