𝚄𝚗𝚍𝚎𝚛𝚌𝚘𝚟𝚎𝚛 𝙾𝚋𝚜𝚎𝚜𝚜𝚒𝚘𝚗 - 𝓑𝓾𝓬𝓴𝔂 𝓑𝓪𝓻𝓷𝓮𝓼 [1]

22. {Reunion on the Tracks}

The rhythmic clatter of the train's wheels against the tracks fills the air as you settle into your private cabin. The sleeper train from Paris to Tallinn exudes an understated elegance, catering to the elite and wealthy. You stow your compact luggage securely under the bed and crouch down to ensure your weaponry is concealed and ready for use if necessary. Methodically, you count each piece of ammunition and attachment, carefully attaching the silencer to the barrel of your pistol, waiting for the precise click that ensures it is securely in place. Satisfied, you place the weapon back into its compartment, understanding that carrying it openly would be conspicuous and imprudent in such a setting.

The lavish surroundings of the cabin reflect a world of sophistication, with plush seating and rich, polished wood finishes. The faint scent of lavender and leather permeates the air, a testament to the luxurious accommodations. The train sways gently as it glides through the European countryside, the landscape outside a blur of verdant fields and distant, snow-capped mountains.

The mission briefing was thorough but impersonal, delivered separately to you and Barnes. Bucky had already been in Europe when the orders came through, his last mission with Sam ensuring the safety of some scientist. You paid no attention to other agents' missions, and the less you knew about what Bucky had been up to, the better. But now, for the first time since the funeral, for the first time since Barnes had laid all his metaphorical cards on the table with you, you are about to see him again. Work with him, once more.

The prospect fills you with a familiar dread, a tight knot forming in your stomach. Yet, beneath that dread, there's a flicker of something else—excitement? Relief? It's a confusing blend of emotions, the thought of confronting the unresolved feelings between you both and finally addressing the tension that has been simmering since your last encounter.

As you contemplate the mission ahead, you can't ignore the irony of being thrust into yet another high-stakes situation alongside Bucky. The sleeper train from Paris to Tallinn will provide the perfect backdrop for the confrontation you've been avoiding. The enclosed space, the long hours with nowhere to escape, and the inevitable moments of forced proximity— all these factors will strip away the barriers you've both built, destroyed, rebuilt, and then demolished once more.

You take a deep breath, steadying yourself for the impending encounter. The mission's importance demands your utmost focus, but you know that the personal confrontation with Bucky is just as crucial. The unresolved issues between you have the potential to disrupt your professional dynamic, and the stakes are too high to allow that to happen – again.

You can hear the faint murmurs of passengers outside your cabin, their conversations a distant hum against the rhythmic clatter of the train. You focus on these sounds, grounding yourself in the present moment, pushing aside the anxieties that threaten to overwhelm you. You remind yourself that you are a professional, trained to handle the most dangerous situations with composure and efficiency.

But as you sit there, the weight of the past months pressing down on you, you can't help but wonder how this reunion will unfold. Will Bucky be as distant and guarded as before? Will he acknowledge the raw emotions he had exposed at the funeral, or will he retreat behind a wall of stoicism? More importantly, how will you respond?

With a final, steadying breath, you rise from your seat and make your way to the designated meeting point on the train. Each step feels heavy with anticipation, the corridors of the luxurious train narrowing as you approach the inevitable confrontation. The mission awaits, but so does the personal reckoning that you can no longer avoid.

Reaching the bar carriage, you find an empty seat near the window and settle in, ordering a glass of wine to maintain your cover as a leisurely traveler. The bar area is a picture of refined comfort, with plush seating and an array of fine spirits lining the shelves behind the counter. The passengers around you are a mix of affluent individuals, each absorbed in their own world, oblivious to the covert operation unfolding in their midst.