Red Ledger- A Marvel Short Story

Part 2

As you made your way down the walk from the jet back at the Avengers compound, you watched as an agent jogged up to the Captain and delivered a message. Steve's eyes lit up, a smile gracing his face, as he picked his head up and looked around. His eyes quickly caught sight of something, causing him to quickly make his way to the doors leading to inside the building.

You followed the path he took and froze in your steps. Greeting Steve Rogers with a wide smirk, neatly trimmed hair, and open arms was none other than James Buchanan Barnes. Formerly known as the Winter Soldier.

"Everything okay, Cupcake?" Tony stopped just beside you, his eyes following yours. "Ah, yeah. Manchurian Candidate is here. I guess he's been all cleared through Wakanda. No more mind control. Don't worry, he's the good guy now." Tony patted you on the back before continuing on with the rest of the team into the living quarters.

Shaking your head, you followed the group, maintaining a safe distance and once more keeping to the shadows. Taking only a moment to observe the small gathering, you watched as Barnes greeted the team, everyone offering a handshake and a smile. 

You turned your head down and away as Barnes' eyes scanned those gathered in front of him, barely avoiding catching his eye. You did your best to keep to the edge of the room, quickly and quietly making your way down the hall and into a small alcove.

Pulling out your phone, your fingers quickly dialed Fury's number. Thankfully, he answered after two rings. "Agent Y/N, what can I do for you?"

"What the hell, Fury?" Your voice was nothing more than a harsh whisper as you checked over your shoulder to make sure nobody was sneaking up on you. "A heads up would've been nice, you know."

"You're going to have to elaborate a little more than that, Agent." Fury chuckled at your words.

"How about the next time your Avengers invite the Winter Fucking Soldier to the compound, you give me enough time to vacate the premises first?"

"Barnes?" Fury's voice was low, now more serious-- if that was possible. "He wasn't due to arrive until tomorrow."

"Yeah, well, plans changed I guess." You ran your hand across your neck, closing your eyes as you took a deep breath to recenter yourself. Fury knew of your past. He knew how disastrous it could-- would be if the two of you found yourselves in the same room.

"Suggestions, sir?"

"I'm enroute to collect you, Y/N. Report to Captain Rogers' office for a debrief in the meantime. I'll be there by the end of it."

"Yes, sir. Am I to inform Cap of any details?" You held your breath as you awaited his response.

"No. I'll handle things when I get there."

You breathed out a sigh of relief. "Yes, sir."

Fury's voice came across almost soft, as soft as was possible for the stoic man anyways. "Stay safe, Y/N." And with that, the line went dead. 

Shit. Fury had called you by your given name. That couldn't be good.

Ignoring the memories pounding at the sides of your mind, you quickly made your way to Steve's office, knocking on the slightly ajar door. Silently, you prayed that he was there and, more importantly, alone. 

A moment later, his voice called through, bidding you enter. Taking a deep breath, you stood with the familiar soldier's stance, straightening your shoulders and back, and entered, eyes remaining straight ahead. You just had to get through this debrief.

"Sir," you gave the Captain a slight nod, coming to parade rest in front of his desk, hands neatly clasped behind your back.

Steve chuckled. "Everything okay, Y/N?" He waved to the chair in front of the desk. "You can take a seat, this should only take a few minutes."

"With all do respect, I'd prefer to stand, sir." You needed to get out of there as soon as possible.

Without waiting for a response, you continued on with your report in a professional manner. Normally for these debriefs, you'd accept Steve's offer of a chair, the two of you going over mission details more casually. But with what was lurking just beyond, threatening to rear its ugly head, you found courage and strength in the familiar stance of a soldier.

"I have spoken with Fury who has informed me he is on his way to collect me. The Director has instructed me to report to you for a debrief and be ready for departure as soon as he arrives."

Steve frowned at the mention of your sudden departure, but guessed he shouldn't expect anything new when it came to the actions of Fury. Shaking his head, he continued on. "Will we be seeing you around again?"

"I don't believe so, sir." It pained you to have to say a final good-bye to the Avengers. They were fun to work with and gave leeway where SHIELD didn't. But with the newest arrival, you believed it better for everyone if you and your past remain just that-- in the past.

"That's a shame. You've been a good addition here. You should think about joining us here when you get tired of Fury." Steve's words sent a jolt of pain through your heart. Your eyes slipped down to see his face, just briefly, before snapping back to attention.

Clearing your throat, you answered, "I believe I still have a long road of hard work and discipline before I would be ready to consider such an offer, Captain. On that note, I would like to apologize for the insubordination on mission today. I should've known better than to do something that reckless. It endangered the mission and could've put the lives of the team at risk."

You had full confidence in the decisions you had made, however, that confidence was based off of skills the Captain was unaware of. He deserved your apology.

Steve waved your words off as he leaned forward in his seat. "Don't be too hard on yourself, Y/N. You weren't wrong for what you did. The mission went off without a hitch, we got all the data, their servers were wiped, and two of Hydra's most valuable players just got wiped off the board. All without incident or collateral damage. There's nothing to apologize for. You saw a clear path and you took it. Any of us would've done the same."

You could only nod in acknowledgement at his words.

FRIDAY's voice interrupted at that moment, informing Captain Rogers of a meeting called for the Avengers in the conference room.

After thanking the AI, Steve stood and walked around to your side of the desk. Gently resting a hand on your bicep, he spoke. "Try not to stay away too long, Y/N. You're a valued member of the team. You'll be missed."

Giving you a friendly smile and a nod, he made his way to the office door and opened it, only pausing in his steps when you called his name. Looking over your shoulder, you addressed him softly, "I'll do better in the future to prove myself worthy."

Steve gave you a slightly confused look at your words, before bidding you goodbye and disappearing down the hallway.

With a fortifying breath, you began making your way down the various halls back to the hangar. Just a few yards from the hangar door you suddenly felt a metal hand wrap around your throat before slamming you against the wall.

Pain radiated through your head as the back of it was slammed against the hard plaster.

When you opened your eyes, you were met with the hard, cold, steel blue irises of Bucky Barnes. His lip curled up into a snarl, his eyes blue with fire and ice. You remained still, fighting the reflex to fight back. You knew there was nothing you could do. Not against this man.

You also knew that you deserved whatever he dealt you. You wouldn't fight him on it.

Bucky Barnes' voice came out low and gravelly, his lip snarled up with a growl.

"You shouldn't be here. You should be dead. Rotting in hell where you belong."