1 | SURVIVE • BUCKY BARNES [COMPLETED]

XV.

"Erskine! We need a medic in tent nine!" The calling of her name was in a near repetition as the war progressed. Every one of the limited doctors and nurses were in a constant rotation of those soldiers in need. She would like to say this job grew easier, but it never did; she only learned to suppress all of the horror she had seen.

The woman ran to the commanded tent, already sliding on a new pair of white gloves. She didn't quite know what to expect when she walked past the canvas sheets. A part of her was always prepared for the worst, but seeing a pair of blue eyes that she couldn't forget sitting on the bed, her heart stopped.

"Jesus Bucky," Gideon exclaimed, settling down on the open end of the bed, the one with the best angle to inspect his bloodied left arm  and bruised face. Glass shards glistened from their bed in his skin, marring it in a near dozen of entrance points. Despite the adrenaline and fear rushing in her veins, she went to work. "What happened?"

Taking his arm gently, she immediately began to extract the glass; the pinging sound of each piece in a metal bowl resonated throughout the tent as she waited for an answer.

"You should see the other guys," the man cracked a smile despite the grimace on his face that he tried to hide.

"I probably will," she stated, 'Now spill."

"Our truck was hit. I didn't get a chance to catch by what, but the windshield blew back in on all of us," he explained, wincing slightly as she began to take out shards with a pair of forceps.

"Did you hit your head," she asked, pausing to watch his eyes follow her moving finger in case of a concussion.

"Not that I know of," the man continued to joke.

"James Buchanan Barnes, you are going to be the death of me," Gideon shook her head, pulling her bottom lip in between her teeth to concentrate on removing every piece. She didn't like it [she loathed it actually] that he was out there risking his life, knowing that this was a side effect and that worse could happen. But it was their job to lay down their lives in hopes for a better world, to serve and protect. And she honored to it, but that didn't mean she liked it.

The two were quiet for while as she set to work, the sounds of passing people and engines from outside the tent filled the air. Once she found his arm clear of glass, she paused on cleaning the cleaning the cuts to say, "Thankfully, only a few of these need stitches."

They continued to chat as she worked, like they did for the many nights before. It was about anything and everything, and Bucky always had a way to make her laugh in the inbetweens.

This was how she liked it, just her and him with the weight of the world off of their shoulders for a moment.

She was just finishing up his last line of sutures, the pain light to James in comparison to the removal of the glass, when Colonel Phillips stepped into the tent.

"Erskine, you have a phone call, and it's a damn expensive one too," the man announced.

"From who," she asked in return while rising to her feet.

"Dr. Howard Stark. He said it was urgent."

A frown crossed her face for it wasn't likely for anyone to call her, especially overseas, but continued to say to Bucky, "You're all set Sergeant Barnes. Please come find me though if you notice any signs of infection within the next few days."

She gave the soldier a small, secret smile before leaving the tent, knowing they would most likely meet up again that night.

"Did he say why he is calling," Gideon wondered on the short trek to the phone in a separate section of the array of tents

"No," he shook his head. "Just that he found something you'll need to see, Doc."

"Thank you, Colonel," she nodded before taking the receiver in her hands. "Howard," she said, placing the device near her ear.

"Gideon, I'm glad to get ahold of you," his voice sounded through the phone, tiredness present in his voice. It felt nice to talk to someone else that she knew from Brooklyn though; everyone besides Bucky and the Colonel were near strangers.

"You as well," she greeted, "Don't get me wrong, Howard, I'm glad you've called, but Colonel Phillips said this was urgent."

"Yes, after your father passed, I was given all of the possession in his lab. Which I hope you don't mind. You are welcome to all of it, but earlier today I found something that'll you'll need to see. It was meant for you actually."

"What do you mean," her eyebrows furrowed together more out of confused curiosity.

"It's not something I should disclose over these lines, Gideon. It wouldn't be safe if someone else was listening in."

"I understand," she nodded, knowing full well of HYDRA's relentless tactics to gain knowledge of their enemies. "But can it wait until I return? I'm afraid it won't be too easy for me to get back."

"I'll call it in Gideon. This is something you'll want to read before the war is over because..." He paused as his thoughts raced to try to explain it, "let's just say, if this works, it could help end this war."

Gideon leaned against the nearest wall, speechless, as she was left to ponder the dilemma. She didn't want to leave her post or Bucky, but she also didn't want to miss this opportunity. No matter the short list of details, she knew her father wouldn't leave her something unimportant, especially something that had Howard Stark anxious.

She went to speak, but the words were caught in her dry throat. She couldn't utter her response because her instincts were pulling in two directions.

But after another swallow and a deep breath, she found herself saying, "I'll be there."

Just wait guys, it's only just beginning. 😏

[8/7/16]