Winter's Sunshine

1. Dr. Cho's Lab

Jen saw the Red alert flashing on the screen. "A fire had broken out somewhere near New Museum", she heard her boss announcing to the team."Jen you are the backup for now, report to the Dr.Cho's lab immediately."

Jen obliged, making her way towards it. Being a Biotech Engineer, she was efficient in both medicine as well as in technology. On reaching the lab's entrance, she swiped up her ID for authentication. A beep sign indicating her approval opened the doors for her.

Jen on entering, witnessed chaos in the lab. Usually an highly disciplined and a well organized lab, now was completely out of order. She saw pieces of various equipment lying out of their place. She swiftly moved aside to make way for the medical team rushing out of the lab.

"Level maroon!", one of the paramedic announced when he saw the alert message flashing on the screen. "Hurry! Team Gamma. You are the only one remaining."

Jen watched the whole team rush frantically out of the lab carrying their respective emergency kits. It seems the fire around the Museum was getting out of hands.

Jen was left alone in the lab to watch a the passerby on the other side of the door. Doing absolutely nothing after few hours had started taking a toll on her. I miss my office, she complained pacing around the lab. She preferred tech over medicine any day, but today she was asked to work with medicine. She sighed heavily looking towards the door, waiting for the team to come back making her free to go. She then glanced at the big clock which timed four o'clock. Still few hours more, just few more hours, she tried consoling herself.

Done, she announced completing the work on her tablet. It was an armor she was building which would be used by the soldiers. She looked at the clock once again which now read four thirty. What? it's just been half an hour. Felt like a lifetime to me!

What else I can do here? she wondered. There is nothing interesting to do here she complained.

She stroll around for a while and then finally decided to text her friend.  Alex. Come on honey. Please reply, I am getting bored over here.

"Doctor?", the voice called out from a figure walking through the door.

Jen looked at him and realized it was none other than Steve Rogers. Captain America? she recognized welcoming him with a tight smile. "No, this is Jennifer", she said introducing herself.

"Is Dr. Cho here?"

"No, Dr.Cho and all her team are on the site of the red alert."

"Oh, that's alright. And are you the backup?", Steve asked looking around the lab.

"Yes, I am the only one right now. Do you need any help?"

"Yes, few stitches for me and a lot for this guy", Steve replied pointing towards Bucky.

Jen looked at the soldier sitting on the wheel chair. He had his head hung low with sweat dripping down his hair.

"I don't need any help.", he said, arrogance lacing in his tone. Steve rolled his eyes on hearing his comment and patted his shoulder asking him to sit on the bed.

Jen saw the soldier swat away Steve's hand and then groan in pain.  Are those bullet holes? she  noticed on seeing blood sweeping out from his arm sleeve. "Soldier you have, from what I can see three bullet holes in your arm. If not treated, they would-"

"I SAID I DON'T NEED ANY HELP", Bucky interrupted growling at her.

Jen was taken back by his sudden outburst. She gulped hard taking a few steps back from him. Never had a soldier growl at me like this. Not since the time I was training. She looked at Steve who hadn't seem to faze. Instead he simply nudged his arm and asked him to sit on the bed, again.