RAISON D'ÊTRE ( bucky barnes ) 一 under editing

NINTH

RAISON D'ÊTRE
NINTH

ROME KNEW THAT THE quicker they had accomplished their mission, the faster her and her soldier could get back to the base. She wanted to get back so they could rest, for it'd only been hours since the Winter Soldier returned and he deserved the rest. However, even as she walked across the highway, she tried to memorize everything of the outside world 一 everything had considerably changed in the many years since she'd been with HYDRA. Even the shape of cars had changed, and she chewed on the inside of her cheek as she walked over to a group of HYDRA agents. "So mnoy." [1]

She nodded at them, and watched as the men dug their hooks in the cars and looked over the edge of the bridge. Down below was a large bus, tipped over onto its side and the windows shattered across the ground, and people were running out as quickly as they were able to. The blond man, one of their targets, had been thrown into one of the windows. She silently wished those people below got out in time; HYDRA didn't care who got in their way, they'd eliminate everyone and everything if it meant they got the target.

The men jumped off the bridge, landing easily on the ground or thudding loudly against the cars. Rome reached into her jacket just as she heard the sound of guns firing, bullets lodging into metal, and pulled out a pair of gloves. She quickly put them on then grabbed hold of the rope, swinging her legs over the barrier and sliding down. Even with the gloves, her palms still burned slightly, but not enough to cause any true damage to her skin.

Gunshots echoed in the air and the witch could hear the frightened screams from inside the bus. She watched as the blond man jumped from the bus, more glass shattering, and she ducked behind a car as soon as he used his shield to ricochet the bullets back. Rome peaked over the car and tried to get a better look at the man. He had short blond hair and blue eyes narrowed in a glare, and muscles hidden under his jacket and shirt. He had a familiar face, one that she must have seen before sometime in her long past, but she wasn't able to pinpoint where.

When he managed to take down the last HYDRA agent, Rome muttered a quick spell and inhaled deeply. If she remained on the sidelines, who knows what they'd do to her when they got back? She has enough scars. She ran out from behind her cover, charging at him and grunting the moment her shoulder collided with his chest. The man was sent to the ground, shield scattering just out of arms reach, and his blue eyes widened when Rome straddled him. He was surprised that a scrawny girl like that had been able to push him to the ground like this, and that her face was uncovered. All of the other agents had masks, even the Winter Soldier, but she remained uncovered.

"Sorry about this," she shrugged, then quickly muttered another spell. Her fist slammed into his jaw, and he was instantly taken aback by it 一 by both the apology and her strength. Her spell was rather simple, just enough to enhance her own physical traits but would wear off soon, and she'd ache just the same.

The man suddenly punched her in the gut, and Rome loosened a breath. He pushed her off quickly, kicking her once more in the abdomen. He swung his legs out from under Rome, watching as she fell off of him and her head smacked against the cement. "Sorry, ma'am, but it's my job," he said as he leaned over her, his fist narrowly missing her head as she dodged.

"I know," she muttered, letting out a pant, "but this is also my job. Phasmatos superous em animi!" She jutted her hands out in front of her, watching with uncomfortable satisfaction as he fell back to the ground, clutching his head. It wouldn't cause him any permanent damage, just significant pain now and a headache later, but he'd be fine. Rome slowly pushed herself up on her knees, rolling her neck. Now to find my soldier.

∞ ∞ ∞

"Phasmatos superous em animi!"

The red haired woman fell off from the Winter Soldier's shoulders, fisting her hair as she slammed against the ground. The wire had been casually thrown across the street by the assassin as he turned his head, seeing that it was Rome running towards him. Overall, she looked fine and about the same, but the area around her temple was a little red from when she hit the ground and her knuckles were red. He sent her a nod of appreciation. "Your arm," she asked, "is it okay?" Rome had noticed the small device that momentarily depowered his arm.

He nodded, blue eyes locked onto her head.

Realizing she was still watching her, she shook his head and gave him a weak grin. "It's okay, I'm fine," she said, letting another pant. "I've told you I've endured worse, this? This is nothing."

The Winter Soldier nodded again, and rolled his arm, working out all the kinks.

She hadn't heard someone approaching until she was thrown rather roughly away, her body hitting the side of a car. Rome let out a cry of pain then fell to the floor. The impact of her head against the car and then the ground made her vision a little woozy, and she suddenly realized how tired she felt. She must have not used her magic as sparingly as she believed earlier, for her limbs were aching and her magic felt drained. As she managed to push herself up, she paused when she heard a voice speak out.

"Bucky?"

It was the blond man who spoke. Initially, she wouldn't have had a problem but it was the way he said the name. It sounded almost familiar, like he knew her soldier.

"Who the hell is Bucky?" She recognized her soldier's voice, though he spoke with a harshness she rarely ever heard. The Winter Soldier never talked to her like that, always much softer that she had ever expected.

There were a few more grunts along with gunshots before an explosion rocked the street. Rome jumped, gasping and pressing her hands against her ears for the sound was nearly deafening. When she felt arms slide under her legs and body, she shrieked and whipped around. Luckily, it was only her soldier, and he nodded quickly at her.

"We have to get out of here," he said quickly, and she nodded, allowing him to pick her up. She reached up, tightening her arms around his neck and before she knew it, her eyes had shut and she fell into a deep sleep.

[1] So mnoy. – With me.