Winter's Daughter

Chapter 18

"I want everybody looking for that bird." Steve ordered as he watched the tracking beacon make its way back to their base. Agents were scrambling as they ran to make contact with whoever was piloting the jet that was reported stolen the night before.

"Has anybody made progress on finding agent and sergeant Barnes?"

No response came from the agents as they continued with their current task.

Steve looked at the video before him. It showed James being dragged off. Steve shook his head and turned the video off.

"Captain, we've made contact!"

Steve looked up at the monitor and stood as he listened to the transmissions that were coming and going.

"This is agent Barnes speaking.I'm flying back from an enemy base, and I have an injured passenger. In need of immediate medical attention as soon as I land."

Steve smiled lightly as he listened to the planes transmission.

"It's Vic."

He made his way to the launchpad and watched the plane land safely. Vic emerged quickly, helping to stabilize her father as he walked out.

"Steve!" She shouted as she saw her mentor.

"Come on. Let's get him to the hospital wing." Steve told the girl.

The two got the injured man to a room.

"Guess I took a beating huh?" James smiled lightly.

Vic held his hand tightly. "I'm just glad to see that you're still kicking."

"How did you stop them?" He shifted in the bed to prop himself up

"I'm not sure. I was furious at what they were doing and the next thing I knew, I was helping you up and out of the base." She said as she went deep into thought about what she'd done.

"Well, you are one of their soldiers. You may have overpowered them with strength built by your anger." Steve suggested.

"Maybe," Vic said unsure of what the answer was.

"Let's let your dad get some rest. He's had a lot happen to him lately." Steve put a hand on Vic's shoulder, signalling that it was time to leave.

Victoria nodded and squeezed his hand one more time before leaving with Steve.

James settled back down into his hospital bed and thought about what Hydra might do to get them back again.

'They'll probably kill everyone here when they build themselves back up again. Steve won't be able to protect people from that kind of attack. I've gotta come up with something. I can't sit back and watch everyone I care about die.'

After a few minutes of thinking things over, he thought of a single idea to at least help one person through.

'It's risky, but it has to work.'