Searching for James

Ch. 6: Trust

"Well, that was simpler than expected."

Back at the apartment, Scythe was brewing tea and Bucky had resumed his lookout at the window.

"It was an unnecessary risk," he corrected harshly. "We learned nothing."

"I don't agree," she replied. "You forget that I have contacts in SHIELD. While you were doing a check of the perimeter, I called Maria Hill."

His expression darkened. "Were you going to tell me?"

"You just got back inside. I'm telling you now."

Bucky looked out at the street. Scythe set her cup down, preparing her words carefully. "I'm not trying to make you uncomfortable. I guess I should have called while you were in the room, but I was in a hurry. But I don't want to lie to you or go behind your back."

Bucky's anger lessened. "What did she say?"

"Maria said SHIELD has hundreds of warehouses like that and she can't remember them all. She was unfamiliar with this one and its state of disuse interested her. She's going to look into it but it could take some time. The government has put heavy restrictions on her. She says she'll call us when she has something."

"Is that everything?" he questioned, voice suspicious.

"No. I asked about Natasha and Steve Rogers, but Maria hasn't heard from them. She wanted to know if I needed help but I refused it. I didn't tell her about you. I take it you don't want anyone to know where you are, which means we can't call for backup."

"They would get in the way." He hesitated. "Thank you."

She glanced away, suppressing a smile. "You're welcome."

"What now? Hydra knows you're on to them."

"Yes, but they don't know where we are and we should be able to avoid any cameras they've left for us, at least for tomorrow."

He shoved off the wall and went to look at their plans scattered on the table. "We were going to the hospital tomorrow. They could have left cameras there too."

"That's why we're not going to the hospital," she replied mischievously. "Here's what I was thinking..."

It was later that night, after they had eaten. Scythe was on the couch, watching the news on low volume. Bucky was the type that seemed more comfortable standing than sitting. He watched the news for a second but then wandered over to Scythe's bookshelf.

When she noticed him studying the books, she stood. "I like to read in my spare time. Do you read much?"

"I've never had the chance."

"You should try it sometime. It's soothing."

She reached up and pulled one out. "How about this one? The Old Man and the Sea. Funny, I can actually imagine you reading a classic. Or maybe some Edgar Allen Poe. Definitely."

"What's the point?" His voice was bored. "Reading won't help with my work."

"Books offer in-depth research," she said, offering the possibility. "But you might be right. Fiction isn't that useful in our line of work." She opened the book and riffled through its pages. "But I've found...I can understand characters in stories better than real people sometimes. I can relate to them..."

He studied her. "Why do you keep calling me James?"

She looked up, surprised by his sudden directness. "It's a good name." His mouth tightened and she knew that answer wasn't good enough. "Bucky is what you used to go by, right?" she asked, turning to him. "It's your name from a lifetime you can barely remember, when you were someone else. And I don't believe that's who you are anymore."