There were a lot of bars closer to home but Sister Margaret's was special. It was a mercenary watering hole and a second home to your best friend Wade Wilson, aka Deadpool. The two of you sat at a table in the back corner with Weasel stopping by occasionally to catch up or bring you another drink.

You leaned back in your seat and put your booted feet up on the table, crossing them at the ankle. You'd just finished telling Wade about Nat and Clint's unexpected visit. "So, what do you think?"

His brows lifted. "What do I think? I think they're up to something, sweet cheeks."

You sighed. "That's kind of a given. But what?"

"They're keeping secrets again. I know it's kind of their job, but I don't like it." He crossed his arms over his chest and looked you over. "I think we should have a talk with them about it."

You shook your head. "No hurting my family, Wade."

"Oh, come on." He sounded so disappointed you couldn't help but laugh.

"Besides, I know you can't be killed, but I assure you that it would hurt when they kicked your ass."

"Eh," he said and shrugged one shoulder.

The bar suddenly went quiet which you couldn't recall ever happening before.

"Fuck me sideways with a wooden dildo," Wade muttered as he stared at the door. You gave him a look then glanced over your shoulder. Nat and Clint stood just inside looking around.

You dropped your feet to the floor and stood. "I'll see you later, Wade," you said without even glancing at him.

"Call me if you change your mind about that talk, princess."

You lifted a hand in acknowledgement then strode across the floor toward your friends. "They're with me," you stated loudly and people instantly went back to what they'd been doing.

"Nice place," Clint said with a smirk as you neared them.

You rolled your eyes and grabbed both of their arms as you walked by to pull them back outside. You released them as soon as you were in the night air. "What the hell are you two doing here?"

"We weren't done talking," Nat said as if it was the simplest thing in the world.

You turned in the direction of your apartment and started walking. "So, talk."

They fell into step with you and it didn't surprise you when Clint was the one that spoke. He had always been better at calming you down than Nat. "We're worried about you, Nikki."

"Don't be."

Clint grabbed your wrist and pulled you to a stop. "Just talk to us for a minute. Please."

You looked him over for a moment. "Why bother? I'm not in the mood for lies and you two are never in the mood for the truth."

You pulled from his grasp and continued home, leaving them staring after you.

***

Shortly after dawn the next morning you received a call summoning you to a meeting with Fury. You took your time getting ready. There were advantages to Nick Fury considering you family. Mainly, he tended to be more patient with you. Sometimes anyway.

When you arrived at the base, you parked Lola in her dedicated spot. You ran a hand along her trunk as you walked around her to head inside. You strode past the agent stationed outside his door with a nod and shut the door behind you.

His back was turned toward you as he stared out the window. "About time you got here."

"Yeah, well, I wasn't supposed to be working today. Yet here I am." You dropped into one of the chairs in front of his desk without waiting for an invitation.

He took his seat, leaning back and steepling his fingers in front of him. "I talked to Barton and Romanoff. A decision has been made to provide you certain information that has been kept from you up to this point. It was for your own safety that you were not told previously."

You hummed in acknowledgement. "You guys do that a lot. What is it this time?"

"We have been aware of the Winter Soldier's location for over two years."

Irritation flooded through you as you straightened in your seat. "Excuse me?"

He held up one hand. "Stay calm and I'll explain."

You wondered if you'd get fired if you punched him. Instead of finding out, you nodded to let him know you were listening.

"As you know, after New York, the Avengers under Captain America turned their attention to Hydra. They've been fighting on two fronts. On one they're finding Hydra operatives and rooting them out of business and agencies alike. On the other they're taking out their bases of operation."

You knew all of this. All of SHIELD did but you assumed he was reminding you for a reason so you stayed quiet. You weren't going to give him a reason not to tell you where Soldat was.

"Two and a half years ago, they took out a base in Siberia. In that base they found the Winter Soldier." He paused then as if judging your reaction.

"Why is he still alive?" If the Avengers were determined to rid the world of Hydra, they needed to eliminate Soldat.

"Because the Winter Soldier is Steve Rogers best friend."

Shock slammed through you. "How is that even possible?"

Fury turned his chair so he could lean forward on his desk. "In 1945 Sargent James Barnes was on a mission with the Howling Commandos and Captain America when he fell from the train. He was assumed dead. In actuality, Hydra found him and turned him into the Winter Soldier. They froze him when he wasn't needed."

"So, Captain Rogers found the Winter Soldier and just decided to keep him because they used to be besties. Is that what you're telling me?"

The corner of his mouth kicked up in a smile. "Not exactly, Coulson. He was taken into custody. After some time out of Hydra's control, he recognized Rogers and started to recall details of his life before them. He was handed over to some associates and underwent advanced medical treatment to repair the damage done to his brain."

"What exactly are you saying?"

"The Winter Soldier no longer exists. Bucky Barnes is part of the Avengers and your soulmate."

You stood and paced the office. You couldn't believe this was what they'd been keeping from you. "What about his trigger words?"

He trailed your movement with his eye. "No longer effective."

"And it didn't occur to any of you that I needed to know this information?" Your voice had a snap to it you hadn't intended but you were so fucking angry at this point you didn't care.

"We weren't certain the treatment would work. And once we knew that it had—"

You slammed your fists down on his desk and leaned toward him. "I don't give a shit about that. Did it never cross your mind that Hydra would be more persistent, more aggressive in trying to capture me to get him back? You couldn't say, 'hey Hydra lost the Winter Soldier. Sorry about how that fucks up your life. Good luck you.'?"

"Sit down," Nick ordered though his voice was soft.

"Fuck you."

His gaze turned cold in an instant. "Sit. Down."

"Fine." You dropped into the chair you'd sat in before.

"As I said, we weren't certain the treatment would work, but we were hopeful. There was some concern that if you were aware of his location you would proceed to eliminate the perceived threat." He didn't meet your gaze as he spoke. Half-truths again.

"You were afraid you'd lose an asset. Another super soldier at your disposal. This had fuck all to do with me." God, you were angry. You wanted to rail and rant and rave but it wouldn't do any good. You shouldn't be surprised that your family had chosen the agency over you. You shouldn't be hurt. But you were. "Why tell me now?"

Fury sighed. "Barnes recently remembered he has a soulmate. The rest of the team are engaged in helping him locate you. He's concerned you'll fall into Hydra's hands. He wants to protect you."

"Well, that's irony if I ever heard it." You ran a hand down your face suddenly feeling exhausted. "I know you aren't just telling me this for the hell of it. What's the plan?"

"We need to introduce you to the team so they stop looking. Barnes will end up back in Hydra's hands otherwise."

The two of you just sat and stared at one another for a long stretch before you stood. "I have a mission in the morning. We'll talk about it when I get back."

You didn't wait for a response before walking out of his office.