Bucky's Anchor

Chapter 8 - A Friend Worth Saving

I was in the break room, staring into my coffee cup, when Steve walked in. I could tell right away that something was different. His shoulders were tense, his jaw set in that way that meant he was wrestling with something heavy. He didn't say anything at first, just went to the counter and poured himself a cup of coffee.

I glanced up at him. "Steve? What's going on?"

He turned to face me, and I was struck by the storm in his eyes. Steve was always so composed, so sure of himself. But right now, he looked... lost.

"Emily," he began, his voice low, almost hesitant. "I need to talk to you about something. About Bucky."

My stomach tightened at the mention of Bucky's name. Ever since the fight in Lagos and the introduction of the Sokovia Accords, tensions had been high. I knew Bucky was at the center of Steve's conflict. And if Steve was coming to me now, it meant things were about to get even more complicated.

I gestured to the chair across from me. "Sit. Talk to me."

He hesitated, staring into his coffee as if searching for the right words. Then he sat down, his eyes meeting mine with an intensity that made my heart race.

"I'm going to find him," he said, his voice steady but filled with an edge of desperation. "I have to."

I took a deep breath, trying to keep my voice calm. "Steve, you know what that means. If you go after him, you're going against the Accords. They'll come after you."

He nodded, running a hand through his hair in frustration. "I know. But this is Bucky. He's not a criminal, Emily. He's a victim. He was used, controlled. And now they're treating him like he's some monster that needs to be put down."

I reached across the table, placing my hand over his. "I understand that, Steve. But they see him as a threat. If you go after him, you're putting yourself in their crosshairs. You're risking everything."

He looked at me, his eyes pleading. "I can't just sit by and do nothing. I won't let them take him without a fight. I have to find him. I have to try to reach him."

- - -

I leaned back, feeling the weight of his words settle over me. Part of me understood his need to protect Bucky. This was his friend, his brother, and the thought of losing him to some cold cell or a firing squad was unbearable. But the other part of me knew what this could mean—for all of us.

"Steve," I began carefully, "if you go after him, you could be labeled a criminal too. You'll be hunted. We'll be hunted. Is that a risk you're really willing to take?"

He looked away, his jaw clenching. "I know what's at stake. But if I don't do this... if I don't try to help him... then what am I fighting for? If we give up on the people we care about because it's inconvenient or dangerous, then we're not the heroes we claim to be."

His words cut through me. He was right. In a way, he always was. It wasn't about the rules or the Accords; it was about doing what was right, even when it was hard. Especially when it was hard. I felt a knot form in my throat as I realized what he was asking of me.

"You want my help," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

He turned back to me, his expression softening. "Yes. I can't do this alone, Emily. I need someone I can trust. Someone who understands why this is important."

I closed my eyes, trying to steady the whirlwind of emotions inside me. If I helped him, it would mean crossing a line I wasn't sure I could ever come back from. It would mean going against everything we were being told to do, everything we were trained to uphold.

But it would also mean standing by a friend who was fighting for something he believed in. Fighting for someone he believed in. And deep down, I knew that if I were in Steve's shoes, I would want someone to stand by me, too.

I opened my eyes, meeting his gaze. "I'll help you, Steve. But you have to promise me something."

He leaned forward, his eyes filled with a mix of hope and trepidation. "Anything."

"You have to promise me that you'll think this through. That you'll be careful. This isn't just about you or Bucky. This is about all of us. If you go through with this, you need to understand what it could mean for everyone else."

He nodded slowly, his eyes never leaving mine. "I promise. I know what this could mean. But sometimes, you have to fight for what you believe in. Even if it means standing alone."

I felt a lump form in my throat at his words. I wasn't sure if I was ready for what was coming, but I knew that I couldn't turn my back on him. Not now. Not when he needed me the most.

"I'll stand with you," I said, my voice steady. "But you're not standing alone."

- - -

Steve's shoulders seemed to relax slightly, and for a moment, I saw the gratitude in his eyes. It was fleeting, quickly replaced by the steely resolve that had become his trademark. But I knew then that this was the right decision. Not because it was the easy one, but because it was the one that aligned with who we were.

We sat there in silence for a while, the gravity of what we were about to do settling over us. I knew there would be no turning back after this. I knew it could mean the end of everything we had built. But as I looked at Steve, I realized that some things were worth the risk. Some things were worth fighting for.

Bucky was more than just a name on a wanted poster. He was a person—a person who had been through hell and back, who deserved a chance at redemption. And if Steve believed that he could save him, then I had to believe it too.

I squeezed Steve's hand, offering a small, resolute smile. "We'll find him, Steve. And we'll bring him back."

He nodded, a flicker of hope returning to his eyes. "Thank you, Emily. For not giving up on him."

I looked down at the coffee in my cup, now cold and forgotten. There was a long road ahead, filled with uncertainty and danger. But for now, we had a plan. We had a purpose.

And in this line of work, sometimes that was all you could ask for.