Not Without You {Steve/Bucky Fic} COMPLETED

Chapter Sixteen

Bucky wandered aimlessly around the huge city of Brooklyn. For a while, he made his way down the busy sidewalks in the central of the city, which were bursting with people. Then he decided to find a more secluded area, and now walked in the desolate south side of the city, where only occasionally would he see another human. Other than that, all that surrounded him was wayward trash that had sneaked its way out if the green bins that lined the sidewalk, and the grimy brick walls of buildings that hid the sketchy alleyways from Brooklyn's sight.

There probably were usually a few more people wandering around that what there currently was, Bucky presumed.
However, it was the dead of night, so most of the time he was the only human being to tread the gravel of the alley.

Other than that it was usually a few animals here and there, the occasional stray dog.

Nothing special.

In a way, it made Bucky feel content.

Contradicting who he was in the forties, the current Bucky liked alone time.

He liked the just sit alone from time to time, and Just be content knowing that he could do that.

He wasn't alone because he was crawling snow-covered plains in Germany, with half of his arm gone and barely able to breathe, he wasn't alone because he lashed out at his handlers and Hydra and was about to have his memory wiped.

He was alone because he chose to be.

It was of his own personal will, and even if it seemed minor to most people, it made Bucky feel triumphant in making his own choice.

But now, as Bucky walked the dark alleyway, not a soul to be seen or heard, he felt his heart aching in his chest with longing.

If he just had never kissed Steve, he could be warm in the guest room, with a nice, soft blanket covering his body, sleeping soundly, and not worrying about when he would next eat or how he would afford it.

The first time he ran away was very different from this time.

He hadn't really known how to function as a human being back then. Bucky had went days without food before, and being brainwashed, he didn't really know that he needed it, so not having any on hand didn't seem like a problem.

Sleeping didn't seem to be an issue, either.

The man didn't usually sleep while being used as an Asset, he would Just be put under. So the first time Bucky ran away, he would awkwardly lean himself against the backside of a building, when nobody was around, and wait to pass out.

But living with Steve was like a dream.

He had been provided with a nice, soft bed that was more comfortable than anything Bucky ever recalled experiencing.

He could wake up and there would be food that he could eat, he could choose what he wanted to do, and he always felt safe.

Even if Steve didn't love him, the man always made sure that Bucky was as comfy as possible, that he didn't want for anything, and that he always felt protected.

Bucky missed it.

He sighed as he stared down at his feet, watching them step evenly on the pavement, even without a destination.

His legs had begun to hurt hours ago, and he currently had a penetrating headache.

It must have been about one in the morning, and Bucky felt his eye lids strain to stay open.

He stopped walking and sat down by the side of a building. The man huddled his legs to his chest as he laid down uncomfortably on the gravel.

He propped his pillow underneath his head, grateful that he had brought it. Pulling his jacket under his chin, Bucky slipped in to a dreamless, uncomfortable slumber, as the world around him continued to carry on as it always did, utterly unaware of the both physical and emotional pain that James Barnes battled.

****

No matter how smart, cunning, flexible, or incredible the Black Widow was, she was now completely powerless to the firearm pointed at her skull.

She took several deep breathes, desperately trying to think of a way to get out of the situation.

It was one of the rare times that Natasha's mind was blank.

She could almost feel Sharon Carter's smirk behind her.

"So, " Sharon said in a calm voice, like this was a situation she'd grown accustomed to. "Rogers has you investigating Barnes' whereabouts? "

Natasha didn't answer at first. Her mind didn't come up with witty remarks quite as fast as usual in a situation such as this.

"I haven't heard anything. " She stated truthfully, being cautious with her words. "He's completely off the radar."

"But you think he's in Brooklyn? " Sharon said.

Of course she heard that conversation, Natasha mentally kicked herself and vowed that she would take more precaution next time.

If there was a next time, she morbidly thought.

"Answer me! " The woman demanded, her voice breaking out of its once calm state.

"I don't know where he is. " Natasha said through clenched teeth.
She hated Sharon.

If she was ever given the opportunity, she would kill this woman using the most painful, brutal techinices she had ever learned.

But as of that moment, Natasha was helpless, the barrel of a gun fixed on her skull.

"Even if you won't tell me, I'm going to scour this apartment. I'm going to go through all your files, your phone, your laptop, everything. So rest assured I'll found out anyways. "

Natasha almost rolled her eyes at the blonde's arrogance.

Like she would just leave her info lying around in such obvious places like that for Sharon's grubby fingers and greedy eyes.

She let out a chuckle. "Let me know how that goes for you. "

"I wouldn't sound so sure of yourself. I'm the one behind the trigger. "

Natasha managed a nonchalant shrug. "I've never been afraid of death. So try me, Carter. I have no idea where Barnes is, and he's a hell lot more smarter than you. Of course, most everyone is. "

Sharon's grip on the gun tightened. "I will find out where he is. And I'll also make sure he doesn't take another breath when I do. Don't expect me to let Captain America live for too much longer, either. He'll be gone soo-"

She was cut off ad Natasha quickly reached behind her own head and grasped the gun, using her body weight to knock Sharon to the ground.

Sharon scrambled to her feet, attempting to catch her breath.
Natasha placed her forearm over the other woman's throat and pressed he against the wall.

Bringing her knee up, Sharon managed to maim her enemy in the stomach, causing her to double over.

Sharon grabbed the gun and pointed it at Natasha's forehead. "You're good, Black Widow. But sometimes, you just can't be good enough. "

A grin full of malice etched its way onto her face, hey eyes cold and empty as she clicked the trigger, and a bullet came bursting out, painfully embedding its lead body in Natasha's skull.

The Black Widow fell to the floor in a slump, blood making a crimson crown on the back of her head, her lips never releasing another breath.

Sharon Carter, the niece of the beloved, heroic Peggy Carter and the lover of righteous, brave Captain America smiled at her job well done.