Hello Sergeant (Bucky Barnes)

Hold onto me

Sarah's POV

I woke long before James did the next morning. Easing myself from his arms, I found running clothes and changed. I pulled back my hair, grabbed my phone and let myself out the bedroom door. Jace was still fast asleep on the couch, Netflix asking him if he was still watching. I slid on my shoes and let myself out, plugging in my earbuds as I quietly went down the stairs.

At four am, Washington DC was quiet and I needed to clear my head. I decided to run to Shield, a good 15 mile run would give me enough time to work through things. I set out at a fast pace, slower than Steve's fastest but significantly quicker than a normal human could run.

The miles passed quickly while my mind was occupied. I was hoping that Maria or Clint would be in when I got to Shield, I could really use someone to talk to about this other than Natasha. She'd already told me what she thought I should do, but I still wasn't sure that was for the best.

Before I knew it, I'd turned onto the road into the Triskelion. The guard waved me past when I gave my fingerprints and I sprinted the last bit all out. Luck was with me and the light was on in Maria's office already. I pulled out my earbuds and pushed the door open to see Clint was sitting there, leaning back in the chair, feet crossed at the ankle in front of him and talking to Maria. They looked like they were flirting a little, with eyes only for each other because my entrance visibly startled them.

"Hey – what're you guys doing here already?" I asked.

"Some of us never left for the day yet," Maria said with a tired smile.

 I settled into the chair next to Clint, looking over at him. He shook his head. "It's been a long day for me, too. We've been trying to figure out what to do with the Hydra situation, but we've got nothing to go off of until we get new intel."

"Sorry, I can try to work on that. Since Jace is here, I can come in for part of the day and do the rest from home unless you need me for something. I'm not convinced we're going to make much progress until Steve gets back, though."

"Bucky's your priority for right now. I showed Clint the pics you sent me, Sarah." Maria shook her head and smiled. "I can't believe Bucky Barnes is still alive, too. We lucked out finding Steve and being able to reanimate him considering he should have been dead after being frozen for 67 years."

"How much has Nat told you?" I asked curiously.

"Not a lot, only that she thought he'd been given a serum similar to Steve's but more potent than hers."

I nodded. "He's spent most of his lost years in cryofreeze in Siberia somewhere. He'd get thawed and mentally prepped for missions, then wiped and put back in cryo after he completed them. His short term memory is sketchy and he has almost no long term memory to speak of, but things are starting to come back to him somewhat." I could tell I had shocked them as I watched them process his rough treatment at Hydra's hands.

Maria spoke first. "You're certain that he is Bucky, though?"

"Absolutely. We took him to the Smithsonian and the old pictures of pre-serum Steve triggered some memories that fit in with what I've heard from Steve. He doesn't recognize Steve as he is currently, though."

"Do you think they did something to prevent those memories from coming back?" Clint asked, steepling his fingers.

"I've shown him recent pictures of Steve and he shows no sign of recognition whatsoever. Never remembers seeing the picture later, either," I said, shrugging. "Make of that what you will."

Clint whistled. "I don't envy your job, Sarah. I see your arm looks better."

"Yeah, I'm just about back to normal again. Nat told you?"