Eye for an Eye (sequel to Protecting Spirits)

Chapter 3

Asha walked with Bucky to the fruit stand, smiling at the vender in front of them.

"Buna dimineata (Good morning)," Asha greeted. She glanced down at the plums then back at the vender. "Ce fac ei? Sunt bune? (How are they? Are they good?)"

"Probabil cel mai bun sezon, dor (Probably best of the season, miss)," the man replied.

Asha looked up at Bucky, who smiled slightly, picking up several plums with his gloved hand.

"Vom lua șase (We'll take six)," he said, handing the plums to the man so he could bag them up. The man did so and handed them back to Bucky. "Mulțumesc (Thank you)."

"Cu plăcere (You're welcome)."

Asha linked her arm with Bucky before walking away. There wasn't much that they needed in town so the two decided to walk around for a while. When they came to the street, they waited patiently to cross. Asha looked at Bucky, noticing how on edge he seemed to be.

"You alright?" she asked.

"That man across the street. In the newspaper booth." Asha spotted the man he was talking about. "He hasn't stopped staring at us. He looks like he knows something."

"You wanna go over?"

Instead of replying, Bucky nodded. He guided Asha across the street. As they approached the news stand, the man quickly got up and hurried away. Asha's eyes followed after him briefly before returning to the stand. Bucky picked up the newspaper that lay face up on the table. His eyes widened slightly before he swallowed and handed the paper to Asha. She stared at the headlines. "Winter Soldier bombe Națiunilor Unite."

"What the heck?" Asha muttered under her breath.

"We need to go," Bucky quietly to her. "They're going to be looking for me."

Asha nodded, throwing the paper down and walking with Bucky through the crowded streets. Bucky kept his head down and stayed close to Asha's side. The two hurried back towards their apartment. When they arrived, Bucky opened the door, allowing Asha to duck inside the building. The two started up the stairs, moving two at a time before Asha suddenly stopped, sensing something with her powers.

"Wait," she whispered harshly.

Bucky looked back at her, moving down the stairs to stand with her.

"What is it?" he asked.

"Someone's in the apartment."

"Who?"

"It's Steve." Bucky relaxed, though only slightly. "How do you want to handle this?"

"No doubt authorities are on their way. I'll grab our things. Head to the rendezvous point on the roof. I'll meet you there as soon as I can."

"Do you want me to stay in contact?" Bucky nodded. "Alright. I'll see you shortly."

Without another word, Asha teleported away, appearing on the roof of a neighboring building. She faced their apartment building, her eyes trained on their window. She used her powers to create a mind link with Bucky.

Bucky slipped into the apartment, moving silently. Standing by the fridge was Steve, dressed in his Captain America suit. He was looking through one of Bucky's notebooks.

"Understood," he said suddenly, most likely talking to someone - Sam - through a com link. After a moment, he turned around, realizing Bucky was standing in the room with him. Steve slowly turned around, setting the notebook down. "Do you know me?" he asked.

"You're Steve," Bucky replied. "I read about you in a museum."

"I know you're nervous. And you have plenty of reason to be. But you're lying."