Monster of a Ghost | Avenger's OC|

Aftermath

The Howling Commandoes exhibit seemed to be livelier than ever most likely because of recent events. But for once that was a blessing in disguise, making it so much easier to slip through completely unnoticed. 

Leaning against one of the walls, Kelsey's eyes bounced through the crowds scanning all the faces viewing the exhibit. Finally her eyes landed on the one she'd been looking for, she knew they were going to be there, the slightly popped collar of a green cargo jacket, black baseball cap pulled down to cover the majority of his face with chin length raven hair poking out from beneath it. 

Pushing off the wall she'd been leaning against, Kelsey slowly started crossing the exhibit heading directly for the figure. Stopping beside him, Kelsey kept her eyes ahead of her not even peaking at the man next to him.

"He's not wrong." Kelsey said low enough for the man beside her to hear and no one else. The man turned just enough to look at her but Kelsey just kept her eyes trained on the display in front of her.

"That is you." She said again jerking her head in the direction of the picture.

"Who are you with?" The man asked taking Kelsey's forearm into his grip and squeezing it tightly.

"Technically, I am with SHIELD but after recent events I am not so sure anymore." Kelsey answered nonchalantly. "We need to get you out of the US."

"Why should I trust you?"

"Because If I had wanted to turn you in I would've taken you down before you had even stepped into the building." Kelsey responded in a strong close to authoritative tone.

"I've got two tickets for a bus heading to New York in two hours. From there it should be markedly easy to get you out of the country compared to here anyway." The words were flying out of her mouth at an exceptionally quick pace in a near whispered as she turned finally to look directly at him as he did the same to her, his icy blues met her granny smith green eyes.

"Why are you helping me?" The man, she had no idea what it was she should call him, asked all to painfully.

"Because I know who you are and what those monster put you through..." Kelsey said closing her eyes as the images of HYDRA's brutality towards the man in front of her flashed through her head not just from the premonition she had days before but... 

The man he once was, a man that Steve Rogers had looked up to in the past, was torn from the body distorted and demented, tortured and enslaved to do the biding of others. He was only the shell of the person that the memorial in front of them was dedicated to.

"And I know who you were... It's only right you do too."

With her last words she reopened her eyes and the man watched in awe as Kelsey's left eye changed from the bright green to a light brown in front of his eyes.

"Who are you?"

"Well me, I'm a ghost." A completely different almost disembodied voice called out from between Kelsey's lips.

~~~~~~~

"Steve... I'm sorry there was an issue with my library and I needed to get back as soon as humanly possible. When things are squared away I'll come see you right away. I promise. Now get some rest you'll need it for when I kick your ass in a race." She said softly into her phone with the lightest of chuckles.

Her eyes were trained on the rapidly passing scenery just outside of their train. Beside her in the seat against the window was Bucky, his hair tied back in a small ponytail and face covered by his dark blue baseball cap making sure his face was well hidden.

"Yeah. Okay, see you later. "

"Is he okay?" Bucky asked lowly after Kelsey dropped her phone on her lap the screen dark.

"Do you remember him?" Kelsey asked trying to keep her voice from betraying her true feelings.

"I remember somethings about him. I know I've seen him before... but I can't place it." Bucky answered after a minute rubbing his hands anxiously.

"That's good, it's a start which is better than nothing." She said gently putting her hand over both of his.

"After we get you out of the country, it'd probably be a good idea to take notes on the memories as they come back to you." Kelsey said  meeting eyes with him briefly before looking away with slightly red cheeks.

"Steve, he's beaten up then again that's never stopped him before. He's more concerned with finding you than his own injuries." Kelsey said finally addressing his original question.

"So  how are we supposed to get out of the country?"

"Easy. We take the first flight out of the US we can. But the question is are there any places you can lay low for a while, like a hide out or something along those lines."

"There are a few safe-houses across Europe that I can look into, small ones that are pretty much never used." Bucky answered softly pulling his hands away from her.

"Alright is there any place you want to start?" Kelsey asked looking ahead to the seat in front of her.

"No."

Sighing Kelsey turned back to look at him opening her mouth to say something only to stop when she saw his expression. He looked so confused that she could swear he looked like a little hurt puppy.

As her words left her in the dust, Kelsey couldn't help but simply stare at the man in front of her, her heart suddenly skipping a beat.

Damn...