The smell hit him first. A dingy, diesel scent permeated his senses as James pried his eyes open, scanning the unfamiliar surroundings. The low lighting forced his vision into a strained assessment. Car parts, machinery, all doused in the familiar putrid smell. A fuzzy memory emerged from the recesses of his mind, a sunny afternoon spent with his dad in the garage. He loved that car, a red... something. But the smell infiltrated his mind, quiet yet steadfast.

He couldn't remember how he got here. A look of resignation plastered his face toward the mechanic clamp sandwiching his vibranium arm.

"Hey, Cap!" Sam called.

Steve ran from the open garage hanger, back to his entrapped childhood friend.

"Steve," James' hoarse voice whispered.

"Which Bucky am I talking to?"

"Your mom's name was Sarah. You used to wear newspapers in your shoes," he chuckled. He returned the smile donning on Steve's worn-out face.

"Can't read that in a museum."

"Just like that, we're supposed to be cool?" Sam's dumbfounded expression wavered between the two super soldiers.

"What did I do?" James spoke through gritted teeth.

"Enough," Steve admitted.

"Oh, God, I knew this would happen. Everything Hydra put inside of me is still here. All he had to do was say the goddamn words."

"Who was he?"

"I don't know."

"I need you to do better than 'I don't know'. The bombing, the setup, he did all that to get ten minutes with you. And we have reason to believe he wasn't working alone. See this woman?" Steve held up a file, unclipped and extended the photo of a woman with long black hair and glasses.

"She was there, too," Steve continued. "C.I.A. did a background check, but Nat did her own. She found out all this info's fake. Dr. Lilith Weiss isn't a real person. So, two unknown players show up when you're brought to C.I.A. headquarters and all hell breaks loose. Help me out, Buck. Who are they?"

"I don't know."

Steve blew frustrated air out of his nose.

"The guy who interrogated me... He wanted to know about Siberia."

"Why?"

"Because I'm not the only Winter Soldier."

_____________________

"This would have been a lot easier a week ago," Sam spoke lowly, facing away from James.

"If we call Tony—"

"He won't believe us," Sam quipped.

"Even if he did—"

"Who knows if the Accords would let him help?" Sam sighed.

"We're on our own," Steve replied. "We're gonna need allies..."

"Man, we've got a lot of work to do. Shit... Siberia, though? Didn't pack a parka." Sam eyed Steve. "Should we tell him?"

They peered over to James; his head limply cradled in his non-contained arm.

"There's something else you should know, Buck. Please don't freak out."

"Let me out of this." He tried to yank his arm out of the large clamp.

"Buck, wait. Please."

"Let me out, man. Jai—" he stopped. His eyes widened and beads of sweat formed on his brow.

Steve crept closer, speaking in a low tone. "She didn't come out of the building with us. We think they're holding her—maybe at a remote location in case we decided to break into headquarters."

"She's not here?" James roared, the pace of his breath quickening. "You brought me here, and she's—you're lucky I'm stuck in here, Steve, I—"

"Hey, easy, Buck. I need you to calm down if we're gonna figure this out. She didn't exit the building. She's still with them, somewhere. There's a good chance they'll use her as a bargaining chip to get you back in custody. We need to get her out before they get the chance. But, I'm sure she's safe. Natasha's in there, she'll take care of her."

"Bullshit," James muttered. "She's not safe until she's with me."