Shattered Thoughts: Book Three (Bucky Barnes/Winter Soldier)

Chapter 28

    Willow desperately searched the faces of every agent in the room, praying that they would vote to release Bucky. He'd only been allowed to walk free because he'd been working for SHIELD, but the argument Clint had made may just be what saved Bucky. Instead of releasing Bucky-who they saw as a war criminal- to walk free among civilians they were placing him in the custody of a capable SHIELD agent. The way Clint had phrased it was perfect, even now Willow could see the gears turning in the agents heads. Willow could read most of them easily, just by their expression, Natasha and Clint would vote to free Bucky. Neither Steve nor Willow got a vote. But Tony Stark's face was a mask of fury, and Willow was waiting for him to die from lack of air.

  One by one, hands went up. First Clint's hand, then Natasha's, then one by one the majority of the SHIELD agents gathered in the room. Only a few remained, their hands down, one of them was of course Tony Stark. 

  Willow could tell that Coulson was trying not to smile, "Very well then. It's decided. Special Agent James Barnes is officially retired from SHIELD. He is being placed in the custody of retired Special Agent Willow Dariela."

  Tony Stark slammed his hand down on the table, "I can't believe this! This is ridiculous! You can't honestly tell me that your releasing these two! Fine, if you want to let Dariela out. Sure, she could kill us all in a heartbeat and I think she should be locked up. But I'll settle for letting her out, considering she's not an agent of HYDRA or a mass murderer." Tony's face was red, veins popping out along his forehead, "We are talking about releasing the Winter Soldier here. How many people has he killed?"

 "Agent Barnes was not doing any of that of his own free will Stark, and you know it," Natasha snapped. 

   Willow did her best to contain the rising worry. The agents had voted to release Bucky, but could Stark convince them otherwise? She glanced at Bucky, who looked as though every one of Stark's words was driving a dagger into him. Bucky never got angry when someone started insulting him, bringing up all the things he'd done as the winter soldier; just sad, and resigned, like he felt he deserved it. Willow felt Bucky's fingers curling around her hand, squeezing her hand as though needing reassurance that she was still there. 

  Coulson began to speak, as though he too was worried Stark could manage to turn the tide, even though the vote had already been taken. "The decision has been made Mr. Stark, now kindly sit back down or I'll have you restrained." Coulson stood, and stepped toward Willow and Bucky. "Special Agent Barnes and Special Agent Dariela, I thank you both for your commitment to SHIELD the last few years, and I officially retire you from service."

  "Thank you," Willow sighed in relief. They were out, they were free.

"Thank you Agent Coulson," Bucky echoed Willow, and then stood quickly and grabbing the handles of Willow's wheelchair, steered Willow ahead of him and walked out of the room. Willow knew he wanted to put as much distance between SHIELD and himself as possible, in case they changed their mind.