My head throbbed as the fog of sleep cleared. As my body woke up I had the horrid realisation of where I was. Huge cuffs constructed out of what only could be vibranium bound my wrists to the chair, the same around my ankle. I tried to flex my metal arm only to find it had been deactivated somehow.

I didn't even know that was possible.

I guess even hydra needed a safety switch.

"Ah you're awake." A strangely familiar voice echoed around my box-like cage.

I lift my head to get a better look at the owner and instantly regret my decision. A splitting pain cracks through my skull blurring my vision. I can barely hold my head up for a second before it drops back down.

"Where am I?" I stammer trying to block out as much pain as possible.

"A secure facility. You and your partner were surprisingly easy to catch."

"Partner? I don't have...WHAT HAVE YOU DONE WITH BELLE." All former pain forgotten I thrash in my seat trying to break the shackles.

"So her name's Belle. Thank you she hasn't said a word since we got here."

I focused on the figure who I could make out to be the red headed woman from central park.

"She doesn't talk to avengers who knock out her guardian and then kidnap her, funnily enough." I hoped enough of my inner rage seeped out. Based on the put off look on the woman's face I would say so.

"We're sending someone to talk to her as we speak. If your stories match we might let her see you."

"Why should I believe a word you say."

"Because if you don't talk you won't see her again. I'll make sure of that." She's bluffing, I can tell. But the irrational part of my brain is screaming at me to talk in order to protect Belle.

"We only wanted to escape Hydra. We came here to start over."

"How did you two meet?"

That question struck a nerve and I slumped in my seat. "That's none of your concern."

"Look I know you don't trust me, but there are people who are going to take her away from you. Prove to me that you have been the one looking after her and I will make sure she doesn't get put in the system."

"I'd like to see you try." I snarled, clenching the arm of the chair it may well snap off.

"James..."

"My name is Bucky." That received a rather unexpected reaction. The woman smiled to herself noting down something on her pad.

"He said you would say that. 'Always hated the name James.'"

"Who told you that?"

"So you really don't remember him."

"Who?"

"Steve Rogers."

Steve. Steve Rogers. The scruffy boy from my memories spoke to her, how? He must be at least one hundred years old. That shouldn't be possible.

"I- how? I don't understand."

My mind is clouded by too many thoughts to think clearly. The agent takes a step closer to the glass looking at me with sympathy.

"I told him I would alert him when you wake up. You can see him if you want."

"No, I don't understand. How is he alive? It's been seventy years, he'd be a hundred. It doesn't make sense."

"Bucky, he is a super soldier. Captain America to be precise."

"Let's give it up for Captain America."

Captain America. Steve Rogers. Did hydra mess with his mind too? Is he like me?

"I can tell this is too much. I will send him in when he gets here."

She left the room but I barely acknowledged the loss of her presence. I clamped my eyes shut in an attempt to quench the memories that were flooding my brain. Nothing worked.

I hope Belle is having a better time than me. Oh god I promised I would protect her, that nothing would happen. She'll never trust me again. I fucked everything up.

---

Why dad trusted me to do this I have no idea. I can't interrogate a criminal! The last time I tried they literally gave me tips on how to do better, that's just pathetic!

Then again she isn't exactly a criminal. Just a girl who happened to live with the infamous hydra thug. This should be easy. Yeah, it'll be easy.

"Alright Mr Stark you have half an hour. Good luck." The officer unlocked the door to the holding cell and I walked in. The girl was huddled in the far corner of the room, knees to her chest and shaking.

"Hi, I'm Peter. I'm just here to ask you a few questions." She stared at me blankly like she didn't even know I was there, as if looking through glass.

I began to approach her but she started frantically shaking her head and pushing herself into the wall. Don't get to close: noted. Instead I slid down the wall opposite her, making sure she could see me at all times.

"What's your name?"

No answer. Maybe this is going to be harder than I first thought.

"I want to help you. This will be easier if you cooperate."

She curled tighter into herself, pulling on the sleeves of her hoodie which must be at least three sizes too big. Okay let's change strategies.

"I like your hoodie. It looks comfy."

"It's Bucky's." I tried not to exhibit my shock at an actual answer and instead followed the conversation.

"Is Bucky your dad?"

"No. But he looks after me like one. He basically raised me."

"Really? I wouldn't think Hydra would allow that."

"They didn't exactly like me. I could never go anywhere or do anything. That's why Bucky and I are here."

"To escape Hydra." The girl nodded solemnly, her posture relaxing slightly. "How long have you been here?"

"Almost two weeks. Today was the first day I actually got to leave the apartment. I don't think I will again."

"I'm sorry. We needed to make sure Bucky was somewhere safe. There are lots of bad people out there who would want to use him."

"They attacked him and locked me in a cell just like Hydra did. These people are just as bad."

I was taken back by that answer. I never looked at it like that before. This girl has been locked up for what sounds like her whole life with only Bucky for company. When she finally got a taste of freedom Shield took it away, separating her from Bucky on top of that.

"Shield aren't the bad guys. Bucky has done some questionable things under Hydra's control. As far as the public are concerned he is the bad guy."

"He's not bad." The girl whispered tensing up again.

"Okay. I believe you."

"You do?"

"Yeah. You know him better than I do. If you say he isn't bad then I will take your word for it." That took her by surprise and she looked at me as if trying to figure me out. I guess she isn't used to being shown kindness.

After a few moments of awkward silence the girl smiles and holds out her hand. It's encased in the oversized sleeve and trembling slightly but she doesn't retract it when I reach out.

"I'm belle."

"Nice to meet you belle." I give her a dopey smile and she giggles.

"How old are you Peter?"

"Sixteen. How about you?"

"I think I'm fifteen. But it's hard to say really. Everything feels weird when you are locked in a cell for years."

The longer we talked the worse I felt for the teen. She told me that whenever Bucky went on missions she would be left alone for sometimes months, so during that time she would never speak to another person. Apparently it would take a while for Bucky to coax more than a few words out of her once he returns.

When she told me she never speaks to anyone unless she really trusts them I felt a pang of pride. The bar must be pretty low to be considered trustworthy. All I did was show her kindness.

"There was one day when Bucky brought me back a book from America. Because I was brought up in Serbia I can only really read Serbian, so he tried to teach me with it. I wish I could bring it with me."

"What book was it?"

"The hobbit. It was Bucky's favourite." I couldn't help but smile at how her face lit up whenever she mentioned Bucky. He must mean a lot to her.

"Times up Sir." Belle's face fell as the officer entered the room. A dash of fear flickered in her eyes as he started to approach. I spotted the handcuffs dangling from his belt and hastily stood up.

"We were just finishing up. You can leave."

"But sir I need to-"

"No you don't. You can leave now." I gestured to the door and he reluctantly made his way back into the corridor.

"Thank you."

"Don't mention it. I will see you soon."

"Promise?"

"Promise." She extends her pinky and it would be wrong not to take it. We hold that position for a few seconds before an urgent knock raps against the iron door. With a sigh I drop her hand and wave Belle goodbye.

I wish I didn't have to leave her in here. She doesn't deserve this. After what she has told me it would seem Bucky doesn't either. Not really.

"Bye Peter."

"See you soon."