The Asset

Chapter 7

He felt like he'd been falling forever. He'd fallen on the day he died, plummeting from the train into the icy river below. He'd fallen again a few short months ago, on the day that Steve had brought him back to life. This time, though, there would be no one coming to look for him, no water to break his fall. At least he hoped there wasn't. He didn't think he could manage getting up again.

The rain streamed down around him and Bucky opened his arms, turning his face to the sky. He'd failed Natalia. One more regret to go with all the rest. But soon it would be over.

His arm jerked suddenly, painfully above his head. The force of it swung him sideways, barely giving him time to shield his face before he collided with the cliff face. Blinking the rain from his eyes, he looked up and found Barton above him, gripping his forearm.

"Let me guess - she kicked your ass?" He'd recovered his bow. They both hung suspended by it, a rappelling line disappearing into the darkness above them.

"...How?"

"While you guys were playing tag, I found an elevator and doubled back to the jet. Always keep a spare."

"The jet. Natalia. She's going after Fury."

Barton scowled, realizing what that meant. Nick Fury might be the spy of spies, but if anyone was capable of taking him out, it was her. "You sure?"

"Yeah."

"Then what are we hanging around here for?" He pressed a button on the bow and the cable retracted, jerking them upward. When they reached the top, he helped Bucky over the cliff's edge, nodding to his arm. "You're unbelievably heavy. How much does that thing weigh, anyway? "

"Enough." He scanned the darkness. The rain was letting up, but there was no sign of Natalia. "You should have stopped her, gone after her. You shouldn't have..."

"What? Saved your life?" Barton rubbed at his shoulder. "You're welcome, by the way."

"We need to get to the jet. We might already be too late."

"I wouldn't worry about that." He pulled something from his pocket and held it up for inspection. It looked like some kind of circuit board. "She's not going anywhere."

"What's that?"

"Something's she's gonna need if she wants to get airborne."

"You disabled the jet." Finally, some good news. "How did you know that's where she was going?"

Barton stuffed the thing back into his pocket and ran a hand through his hair. "Actually, I took it when we landed. I figured it would be you turning on us and making a run for it."

"Great." Bucky eyed his bow. "I guess that means you didn't bring anything for me?"

With a sigh, Barton pulled a pistol from his belt. "Here." He held it out grip first, but when Bucky took it he didn't let go. Barton pulled him closer, holding his gaze. "Just... don't shoot her. Not unless you absolutely have to."

"Trust me, it won't come to that." He couldn't promise that, but the words almost made him feel better. Barton had given them a chance and he intended to use it.

They made their way into the hills, using piles of fallen rock as cover. The jet was still where they had left it, the exterior lights glaring through the rain. Bucky shielded his eyes. Natalia was inside, sitting behind the controls. From the look on her face, she'd realized she was trapped.

He turned to Barton. "Give me the thing, the piece that you took."

Barton looked doubtful, but he handed it over. "What are you gonna do?"