Getting Bucky secluded away somewhere was not an easy task.

We managed to get him inside an abandoned warehouse. While he was still out, we trapped his metal arm in an industrial clamp. Not the nicest of ways to hold someone, but for now it would have to do. We still had some time before he woke. We just weren't sure what version we would see, though.

Even though my nose had long stopped bleeding once we found shelter, I kept it pinched just in case. I did the bare minimum pressure on it, it still hurt from when Bucky head-checked me.

"You still think this guy's innocent?" Sam asked me. Steve had wandered off to make sure this place was safe.

"I know he is," I insisted. I winced as a light throb settled on my nose, I figured enough time had passed to where I wouldn't need to pinch it anymore. "I played on the same side as he did for a little bit, long enough for me to understand him...somewhat. He didn't choose to be this way, someone made that choice for him. Come on, Sam, how could you forget that?"

"What, your brief stint on the dark side? Trust me, I didn't."

Bucky stirred.

"Hey, Cap!" Sam called.

Steve came trotting over. Sam gently pushed me away out of Bucky's reach, just in case. I thought it was moronic.

"Steve." Bucky's voice was thick and hoarse.

"Which Bucky am I talking to?"

"Your mom's name was Sarah. You used to wear newspapers in your shoes."

Steve looked to Sam and I. "Can't read that in a museum."

"Just like that, we're supposed to be cool?" Sam deadpanned.

"What did I do?" asked Bucky.

I swallowed. "Enough."

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

"Who was he?"

"I don't know."

"People are dead," said Steve. "The bombing, the setup. The doctor did all that just to get ten minutes with you. I need you to do better than 'I don't know.'"

"He wanted to know about Siberia. Where I was kept. He wanted to know exactly where."

"Why would he need to know that?" I asked, brows creased together.

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

My stomach roiled. While I wouldn't trust Bucky with my life, I trusted him enough to know he wouldn't lie about something like that. I inhaled deeply.

"Who were they?" asked Steve.

"Their most elite death squad," said Bucky bitterly. "More kills than anyone in Hydra history. And that was before the serum."

"They all turn out like you?" asked Sam.

"Worse."

"The doctor, could he control them?" I asked in dread.

"Enough."

"Said he wanted to see an empire fall," Steve recalled.

"With these guys he could do it. They speak thirty languages, can hide in plain sight, infiltrate, assassinate, destabilize. They can take a whole country down in one night. You'd never see them coming."

Sam stepped closer to Steve, talking in low tones. I took a few steps towards Bucky, kneeling down to his level.

"Be honest with me: if we let even one of them get away, not by choice, would we stand a chance?"

"Don't ask questions you don't want the answers to."

"Fair enough. Do you remember me?"

"Vaguely. My memory isn't the best right now."

"Any details you want to share?"

"Eh, they're not the nicest, so no. I'll spare us both."

I rose to my feet, briefly joining Sam and Steve.

"So, what's the plan?" I asked.

"Siberia. We need to get there before the others are let out. The four of us aren't going to cut it. We need to recruit some help," said Sam.

"Who were you thinking?" I had a name come to mind. If he could be swayed, he'd certainly lend us a hand. Trouble was, with these Accords...would they stop him from aiding us? He'd certainly be a big help.

"Tony's not an option," said Steve. "Given the circumstances. But Sam has someone in mind."

"Well, someone is better than no one, right? You got someone in mind, Steve?"

"Yeah, but apparently he's retired."

"Clint?"

Steve nodded. "We can see if he'll be willing to help. If he is, he can get Wanda out of whatever Tony's got her in."

"Well, I guess we shouldn't waste more time, yeah?"

* * *

Steve had kept one name out of our recruitment. While she wasn't going to partake herself, as she had other commitments, she'd still provide us with what we needed to make this work.

In terms of a getaway car, Steve hadn't chosen the best—a little bug that I was amazed fit me and three guys inside. I got stuck in the back with Bucky, which didn't bug me as much. The lack of space got under my skin a little bit.

We met with Sharon under an overpass. Eager to stretch my legs, I jumped out of the backseat as Steve did.

"She's risking a lot for us," I murmured to Steve. She'd just shut her car off. "What'd you have to do? Bat those baby blues of yours?"

Steve nudged my ribs. Sharon gave us a small smile as she got out.

"Sharon Carter, you are either the bravest woman I've ever known, or you just don't give a damn," I said to her in greeting.

"Steve didn't tell me everything, and that's fine—probably for the best, actually. But I think it's safe to say we're all on the same page now, about one thing at least." She peeked past the two of us. "Not sure you understand the concept of a getaway car."

Steve shrugged. "It's low profile."

"Good, because this stuff tends to draw a crowd." Sharon opened the trunk of her car, revealing Sam's gear, Steve's, and mine.

"You really are something, Sharon," I said. "Seriously, we'll think of some way to make it up to you."

"How about for starters not dying?"

I looked around. "Not that this isn't a nice chat, but, in case eyes happen to wander...we should probably get this stuff moved and get going."

Steve and I grabbed all the gear, shoving it in the tiny trunk of our little getaway car. Sharon made her escape. I really hoped nobody caught on to what she had done for us. While she wasn't my best friend, she was still risking a lot for us.

"All right, what are you thinking about?" Steve slammed the trunk of the Bug, full of superhero equipment.

"I'm thinking?"

"You have that look."

"Oh, so there's a look." I raised my brows.

"Seriously, Kiara."

"The Avengers were supposed to fight together, not each other." I blew out a breath. "Can't believe we're at this point now. It's bad enough we have to fight people—or beings—that want to destroy Earth. But to battle terrorists on Earth's soil..." I shook my head in dismay. "I'll never understand the universe."

"Maybe that's because nobody is supposed to. Come on, we've still got some road to cover."

"Well, don't you two look chipper," I commented to Sam and Bucky as Steve and I got back into our Bug. The gap between Bucky and I was minimal, almost nonexistent. "Any reason as to why you're almost in my lap here, Barnes?"

"He won't move his seat up."

I groaned. "Oh come on, Sam. Now isn't the time to be petty. Move the damn seat, or I'll move it for you."