Ties (sequel to The Stark Family)

8

"Tony," Pepper whispered. Tony looked over at Pepper, eyebrows having shot up. He questioned her with a look. Pepper pointed over at a Hydra agent who was staring them down.

"We need to get out of here," Tony warned her.

"No, wait! Look at her hand!" Pepper said. Tony looked over and watched the woman tap in Morse Code against her leg.

S.H.I.E.L.D.

Over and over again, she tapped SHIELD.

Confused, Tony met her eyes.

A.G.E.N.T.M.A.R.I.A.H.I.L.L.

"Pepper, its a SHIELD agent!" Tony whispered. Pepper sighed with relief.

J.A.M.E.S.B.A.R.N.E.S.

"James Barnes? Pepper, she knows Bucky!" Tony tapped back to her.

H.E.S.M.Y.S.O.N.

W.H.A.T.

H.E.S.M.Y.S.O.N.

L.E.T.M.E.G.E.T.H.I.M.

"She wants to get him," Tony told Pepper "Tell Carol and Clint to hold their ground. I don't want them in with her," Pepper relayed the message to the kids, and her face fell.

"Carol's in there already, she's watching," Pepper whispered. Tony rolled his eyes and looked over at Maria.

M.Y.G.I.R.L.S.I.N.T.H.E.R.E.T.O.O.

-------

Maria entered the facility where James was chained to the table, crying softly and silently.

The torture doohickey was a new one to Maria. They were gonna put a helmet thing with needles on him. Maria looked around for James's sister. She had to be here somewhere. 

The sharpest agent in the room, Maria, obviously, located her. A smaller blond girl was standing in full Hydra uniform. She looked to be the least scared in the room.

The device lowered towards James's face and he whimpered. It made contact with his skin and he screamed. The blond girl winced as it was turned on. She moved closer to the front of the line of agents watching the punishment.

It was about a minute or so before she could really make herself do anything.

She ran forward and punched the thin man overseeing the punishment. He crumpled to the ground as Maria realized the girl's fists were glowing. She shot some light thing MIB style at the other Hydra officials as Maria ducked.

She moved to hit Maria, but Maria yelled.

"WAIT! Is he your brother?" Maria asked, motioning to James.

"Yeah?"

"Your dad sent me to help you get him out,"

The girl looked at James and immediately began clawing at the machine with her bare hands. She ripped it clear off of James's face and took his hands, trying to pull the shirtless boy off of the table.

He got up, void of emotion, and stared her down.

"Let go of my wrist," he whimpered.

"Bucky, come over here!" the girl pleaded "It's me, Carol!"

"James!" Maria said, standing so he could see her. Carol looked at her with a look that said 'try me. He's mine'.

"What?" James asked.

"We're saving you, c'mon! Let's go see your dad," Maria said.

"I don't have a dad,"

"Yes. You. Do." Carol barked. Maria put her hand out to calm Carol.

"I don't know either of you! Get away from me!"

"We just saved you! For Pete's sake! Get your butt over here!" Carol looked very frustrated.

"James,"

"His name is Bucky!"

"Stop, you're confusing him!"

"I just want my brother back,"

"Carol. James. We need to get out of here," Maria stepped forward and took James's wrist. He struggled, but then gave in to trust Maria.

-------

"Dad? Dad!... okay, so um, we got him... yeah... can you- first, tell Peter to shut up, I can't hear you... thanks. Okay, get an ambulance. We're in Portland. I think... yeah, Portland IS weird... thanks... Duh. Of course... Okay. I'll protect him,"