(1) Wild Cat (B.Barnes)

Chapter Six

Tatiana sits in the corner of a sterile room, her knees pulled up to her chest, fingers digging into her arm. She'd basically been stuck here after her capture. She gets fed but that's about the only contact with people she gets now. It was worth it. For that last night with Bucky. Of course, she would want more but she got what she got with him. A year. A year is more than she's ever had with anyone. And she's never had it with someone who makes her feel the way he makes her feel. Even if she doesn't fully understand or accept those feelings. The door across from her opens revealing a male figure, she knows him. Howard Stark. She'd met him when they brought her in. He seemed nice enough, he didn't try to instantly manhandle her like the other agents did. He looked at her with more fascination than suspicion. He talked to her like a human being. So it kind of puts him above most of the other humans she's met. He touches his wrist, running his fingers there a little trying to steel himself.

"Howard" she greets.

"Tatiana" he counters and then nods, more to himself than for her. "I'm really sorry to have to be the one to tell you this" he starts, she cocks her head as she stands. "Tatiana.....Abraham he...." he struggles a little. "He was killed" she pulls back alarmed a little, a sharp sound leaving her.

"What?" she asks him.

"A Nazi spy infiltrated Project Rebirth and after its success....he showed himself and...shot at your father" She turns away from him, her eyes misting over. Abraham may not be her actual father but she has been at his side for decades. His is....was her brother. She takes a shaky breath. "I know how close you were" Howard tries. Her face contorts into pure pain. "And I am sorry...." She lunges at him. Howard manages to dip out of the door and slam it shut behind him. She screams hammering on the door. Her emotions rolling out of her. He was all she had left. Her protector. Her best friend. And her brother. She breaks down into sobs falling to the floor. She throws her head back and wails sounding almost animalistic.

.............

Days Later:

Peggy stands with Howard watching in on Tatiana, she's curled up in a ball in the corner of her cell. Howard was concerned so he called in Peggy. Peggy sighs softly, her own concern touching her.

"Has she eaten?" Peggy asks, Howard shakes his head.

"No" he answers. "If she doesn't....with her metabolism she will fade, and she will fade fast" Peggy lets out a breath.

"This wasn't the best idea" she motions to the cell. "Have you ever seen a caged cat?" she asks him. "They don't survive in captivity"

"You did help put her here" Howard reminds her.

"I was outvoted" Peggy scolds. "Someone like her, someone that evolved...does not belong locked up...She is magnificent" Peggy tells Howard.

"I happen to agree" Howard assures her, turning to look at her. "I don't want her here, but I have my orders" he shrugs. "If some better solution presented itself..."

"You would be agreeable?" Peggy asks.

"You know I would" Howard answers. "But as there isn't....she is here to stay" he claps his hands together a little. "Hence why I called you" he admits. "You were close...ish, I figured if anyone can talk her into eating....bathing, sleeping.....it would be you"

"I was part of her rescue from Schmidt" Peggy agrees. "I wouldn't call us friends, but I would have liked to, before all this" she shakes her head. "I'll talk to her, see what I can do" she shrugs. "But I think whatever trust was built before is gone now"

"Be careful" Howard warns. "She's been lashing out...." he holds up his hands in a clawed shape and slashes a little. Peggy raises an eyebrow and then heads to the cell door.

.................

The walls of Tatiana's cell now have deep scratch marks in them, Tatiana doesn't look like she's washed, slept and definitely hasn't eaten. She's pale and withdrawn, hair ratty and unkempt. She looks wild. Feral almost. Peggy closes the door behind her and then turns to Tatiana.

"Tatiana" Peggy greets, Tatiana sniffles and turns away from her. "I know you're upset" Peggy offers softly. "But you should eat something...and have a bath because you do actually stink" Tatiana shoots her a glare and then stands, pushing herself to her feet, Peggy takes a step back trying to hide her nerves.

"What is the point?" Tatiana hisses at her. "I lost everything because of you people"

"This is not our fault" Peggy argues. "It was...."

"You couldn't protect him...." Tatiana interrupts her as she draws her nails along the wall, her claws driving grooves into it. Peggy's eyes watch her carefully. "I should have been there, I could have protected him, I could have saved him"

"It was unfortunate" Peggy adds. "And we did everything we could to protect and save your father" Tatiana laughs dryly.

"He wasn't my father" She argues, Peggy cocks her head. "I met him when I was 18 years old, just some stray on the street....and he was kind to me, he didn't have to be....he took me in, I called him brother first....then father" she pulls her claws back from the wall, close to Peggy now. "I'm 65 years old" she admits. "And you are all treating me as if I were a child with no understanding of the world around me....believe me, I understand it just fine...." Peggy is staring at her. "Questions?" Tatiana asks.

"A few" Peggy admits, Tatiana smirks a little and shrugs walking away. Her eyes already tearing up again, thinking about Abraham. Talking about him. She hangs her head and tenses her entire body. She's weak. She's hungry. She's tired. She's dirty. But she will not give them the satisfaction of winning. She has nothing left. Nothing.