POV: Mrs. Barnes

The new hiding place they've taken us to is more sophisticated than the first. It actually looks very professional. However, the action is limited to the mustachioed man's annoying visits and I'm beginning to lose all notion of time. I can't tell whether we've been here for several hours or days.

I've managed to negotiate a short walk outside the room that serves as our cell. My little boy is clinging to my hand, but at least he's stretching his legs. Good thing he's not in an adventurous mood. It's hard enough to hold him back under normal circumstances, so it's not my lack of sleep that would help me if he felt like exploring the corridors.

I take the opportunity to discover more about the place while trying to get some information from our jailers. But they're just joking with each other in Russian. Maybe I should have asked Bucky to give me some lessons in that area too. A smile escapes me when I think of the face he would make at such a request.

"Is it the company that puts you in such a good mood? Unless it's the decoration. Anyway, I'm happy to see you're enjoying your time here."

I'm unpleasantly surprised to see our kidnapper walking towards us. I don't reply and just glare at him. I'd appreciate it if he could take care of his dubious business and his mustache rather than us.

"You know, this is my first time in the abduction business. Let's say that women trafficking didn't really count. I never thought it could be so much fun. We're actually a bit like roommates. We could become friends, it would make your stay with us even more enjoyable."

"You're threatening my husband in the most despicable way, so don't expect any sympathy from me."

"What a delightful temper. I understand what her husband sees in her." He comments to the men around me. "I have to admit, he has good taste."

The slap goes off before he can stop it. I wish it had left a mark on his cheek. He rubs it with an amused smile. I'm tempted to give him another one, but his men have grabbed my arms.

"Don't touch me!" I protest, trying to free myself.

"He's not here, you know." Our kidnapper continues. "He's left you to your fate to do my dirty work. I'm much more loyal than he is. If you want to have some fun, he won't know."

"Don't talk to me about loyalty! You're not getting anything from me. You stupid-" I stop myself before I say anything rude that shouldn't end up in my son's ear.

"Man, there's a call for you." One of his men tells him with a surprising lack of formality, handing him my phone.

"We'll finish this little chat later." He says before putting the phone to his ear and winking at me. "Oh, what a nice surprise! I was just having a fascinating conversation with your wife. She's very witty, you know. And her hands... Come on, there's no need to be so rude. I told you she was in good hands. Mine, actually. So, how is your mission going? I'm not known for my patience."

The nasty man walks away to continue his conversation and gestures to his men to take us back to our cell. He shouldn't be playing this game. Provoking Bucky like this is going to come back to bite him in the ass.

Back in the room, I sit on the single bed and lean against the wall. My little boy climbs onto my lap to play with his father's chain hanging around my neck. I didn't expect him to give it to me—he never takes it off. He has also thought to pack our son's irreplaceable favorite toy and a bag of belongings, although I'm sure he must have left the house in haste. Even though I was already convinced of it before I married him, he keeps showing me every day what an exceptional father he is. Boy, do I love this man.

My thoughts are interrupted by the door swinging open. A blond woman who looks like she's been in a fight storms into the room.

"Sharon?"

"I found them." She says with two fingers on her ear. "Stick to the plan, we'll meet you outside."

A wave of hope washes over me as she moves closer. I knew they'd come to save us. Bucky's out there, somewhere, probably with Sam and maybe even some other Avengers. I'm finally going to get my son out of here.

"Are you okay?" She asks. "Listen, we have to move fast, we don't have much time. I've neutralized most of them, but their backup is probably already on the way. The rest of the team is waiting for us at the entrance."

"Thank you for coming." I nod, my eyes full of gratitude.

"You're welcome. Come on, let's go."

I smile at my son. "You hear that, sweetie? We're going home!"

His joy at the news makes my grin widen. I give him his toy and gather the few things we have with us before following Sharon outside. Apart from the inert bodies of the two guards in front of the door, the corridors are curiously empty.

"We're almost there." She tells me after a while of running through this endless maze. "Watch out!" Her arm slams us against a wall. Footsteps and voices, for once devoid of Russian accents, pass by before fading into the distance. "All right, they're gone. Look, this is where it gets tricky. We have to be fast and run to the exit. Give me the kid, it'll be easier."

"What? No, that's okay, I can run with him in my arms."

"It's too risky, he's gonna slow you down. You're not used to it but I am. He'll be safer with me, don't worry."

How do I explain to her that she may have trouble holding him? I don't think he wants to go into her arms, and he'd be sure to express his disagreement, which would only complicate things.

"It's nice of you to offer, I really appreciate it, but that's okay."

"Come on, we don't have time to waste on debates. We've got to hurry or we're going to get caught."

"Then let's get going. I'm ready."

"You'll have him back in less than two minutes, the others are waiting for us outside."

I hesitate and look at her. It must be important for her to be so insistent. We're not great friends, but our issues were resolved a long time ago. Bucky and I have even had her over to our home on several occasions.

"Hurry up, we have no time to lose!" Sharon urges me, trying to take my son from my arms.

Her gesture makes me recoil and he begins to wriggle and whimper. I glance into the corridor but don't see the threat she's rushing me for.

"Why aren't the others here with you?"

"I told you they were waiting outside."

I can't believe Bucky is patiently standing around outside a building full of armed men when he knows Sharon has found us. Why didn't he come running to meet us?

I take a step back. I'm afraid I understand. No, it's impossible, it can't be. The days when I distrusted the former SHIELD agent are long gone; she's easily earned my trust over the last few years.

"Where is everyone, Sharon?"

"Do you really think this is the time for one of your skeptical girl acts? I thought we were past this." She moves closer to me and my son starts to panic as she tries to take him by force.

"I can't believe it!" I realize with horror.

"You want to play it that way?" A smile spreads across her lips. "All right, then."

"You're not taking my son away from me!"

Any hope she herself had raised is instantly replaced by distress. It's all an act. None of the others are here. They're not coming.

I hold my little boy tightly against me and look for a way out. My escape attempt is quickly cut short by men bursting into the corridor. They wince at my child's cries, but that doesn't stop them from grabbing me and forcing me to let go. I scream and struggle but can't free myself from their grip. Sharon grabs my son, in tears and increasingly uncontrollable, and gives him to another man who carries him away from me.

"You could have saved yourself, you know. You'd be out there, free and alive. I would have taken you back to your beloved husband, your son would have just unfortunately disappeared in the rescue attempt. You would have mourned him and gone on with your life. But now that you know, I can't let you run away. That's okay 'cause I've got some questions for you. You can still be useful to me—at least for now."

I gasp as I realize. "You're the one who set this up. They all obey you."

"Right from the start, you've done nothing but interfere with my plans. I remember warning you to stay out of my way, little thing."