I don't own anything except any original/own characters and any original plot.

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Chapter 20 - Psych Eval

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"So, you like cats?"

"Sam," I sighed in exasperation, leaning my head against the seat.

"What? Dude shows up dressed like a cat and you don't wanna know more?" Sam shrugged casually, as if we weren't handcuffed in the back of a van like three criminals.

"Your suit, it's Vibranium?" Steve spoke up.

"The Black Panther has been the protector of Wakanda for generations. A mantle, passed from warrior to warrior. And now, because your friend murdered my father, I also wear the mantle of king. So, I ask you as both warrior and king how long do you think you can keep your friend safe from me?"

"Bucky didn't kill your father," I spoke confidently, using my Royal Voice. It seemed fit while I was talking another royal, "I am truly sorry for your loss, but this is not the proper way to go about things."

"'Proper way'?" T'Challa chuckled, "From the information I have gathered, you are not one for proper ways. Why are you lecturing me about something you do not understand?"

I growled. Steve sent me a warning look.

"The only reason I am still in these cuffs is because I am choosing to," I grit out, breathing speeding up due to my anger, "I can break out of these easily, and take everyone willing to stop me out. I can disappear forever, and cause as much destruction as I want. If you think I'm not willing to go against the UN, you're wrong."

Everyone was silent after that. I knew it was my words that had done that. In more than one aspect I had threatened to become a villain, and I had no hesitation in my words.

"You may release yourself from your bonds."

At those words I snapped my fingers, and all our our handcuffs shattered, falling to the ground. The van we were being transported in pulled up to a large government building. Bucky- stuck in a pod like prison- was being carried away by a forklift. We spotted Sharon a small distance away with a grey-haired man.

"What's gonna happen to him?" Steve questioned the man.

"Same thing that ought to happen to you. Psychological evaluation and extradition."

"Our minds are quite clear. Thank you though, Mr..."

"Everett Ross. And I was informed that you threatened the entire UN while you were incapacitated. Not a good example for your words now."

"What about our lawyer?"

Ross chuckled at Steve's question, "That's funny. See their weapons are placed in lockup. We'll write you a receipt. Miss Altovar, just, don't make us detain you."

"I better not look out the window and see anybody flying around in that," Sam pointed at his gear.

As Ross left with T'Challa, Nat approached us, arms crossed.

"For the record, this is what making things worse looks like," she huffed in frustration.

"He's alive," Steve shrugged.

"Try not to break anything while we fix this."

"No. Romania was not Accords-sanctioned. And, Colonel Rhodes is supervising cleanup," Tony approached us, taking heatedly into his phone, "Consequences? You bet there'll be consequences. Obviously you can quote me on that 'cause I just said it. Anything else? Thank you, sir."

"Consequences?"

"Secretary Ross wants all of you prosecuted. Had to give him something," Tony told us.

"I'm not getting that shield back, am I?"

"Technically it's the government's property. Wings, too."

"Good thing they haven't claimed me as their property," I grumbled moodily, "Is there somewhere we can watch what's happening?"

"Yeah, this way," Tony led us to a glass walled office overlooking the control room. Once all of us were settled in, he spoke up again, "You wanna see something cool? I pulled something from Dad's archives. Felt timely," Tony showed us two pens in a presentation box, "FDR signed the Lend-Lease bill with these in 1941. Provided support to the Allies when they needed it most."

"Some would say it brought our country closer to war," Steve pointed out.

"See? If not for these, you wouldn't be here. I'm trying to- What do you call it ? That's an olive branch. Is that what you call it?"

"Is Pepper here?" I diverted the topic of conversation when I saw how upset Steve was getting, "I haven't seen her."

"We're kinda, well, not kinda-"

"Pregnant?"

"No. Definitely not. We're taking a break. It's nobody's fault."

"Oh," I felt a bit guilty that I had brought her up, "I'm sorry Tony, I didn't realize."

"A few years ago, I almost lost her, so I trashed all my suits. Then, we had to mop up Hydra, then Ultron. My fault. And then, and then, and then, I never stopped. Because I didn't wanna. I don't wanna lose her. I thought maybe the Accords could split the difference. (Y/n), I understand your hesitation, but Nat told me they were discussing rewriting that piece before the bomb went off."

"We don't mean to make things difficult," Steve said apologetically.

"I know, because you're polite people. (Y/n), you're kind of scary sometimes in a passive aggressive I could destroy you kind of way."

"Thank you?"

"Sometimes I wanna punch you in your perfect teeth. But I don't wanna see either of you gone. We need you. So far, nothing's happened that can't be undone, if you sign. We can make the last 24 hours legit. Barnes gets transferred to an American psych-center instead of a Wakandan prison."

"Steve," I put a hand on Steve's arm, "If we discuss the part about the experiments, if one of you can come with and make sure everything is okay...I'd sign. I'd deal with the pain and the lack of acceptance. Because it would mean all of this would be over."

Steve frowned thoughtfully, picking up one of the pens, "I'm not saying it's impossible, but there would have to be safeguards."

"Sure. Once we put out the PR fire, those documents can be amended. I'd file a motion to have you and Wanda reinstated-"

"Wait. Wanda? What's going on with Wanda?"

"She's fine," Tony assured, "She's confined to the compound, currently. Vision's keeping her company."

"Atreya Tony," my voice began to raise, "Just when I believe we are beginning to walk down the same path!"

"It's a hundred acres with a lap pool. It's got a screening room. There's worse ways to protect people," Tony defended.

"Protection? Is that how you see this? This is protection? It's internment, Tony," Steve added in.

"She's not a US citizen," Tony continued, "And they don't grant visas to weapons of mass destruction."

"I wasn't even born on this planet!" I shrieked. The Talisman pulsed, preparing for a fight, "I can imitate the president and order a nuclear missile strike! I can imitate you and commandeer your suits! It doesn't matter because that's not how I'm choosing to use my powers. Neither is that how Wanda's choosing."

"Give me a break!" Tony  shouted back, "I'm doing what has to be done, to stave off something worse."

"You keep telling yourself that," Steve put the pen back in the box, grabbing my hand, "Hate to break up the set."

"I can't believe him," I hissed as we walked through the facility, "Just as we're coming to an agreement! If he thinks it's alright to lock up a child for something she can't control, then I don't know what the UN would do with her. Earth always hated things they couldn't control."

"There you guys are," Sam waved us into another office where he was waiting with Sharon.

"The receipt for your gear," Sharon held up a piece of paper.

"Bird costume? Come on," Sam sighed in frustration.

"I didn't write it," Sharon moved to the screens at the front of the room, pressing a button so we could hear the audio from Bucky's evaluation.

"I'm not here to judge you. I just want to ask you a few questions. Do you know where you are, James? I can't help you if you don't talk to me, James."

"My name is Bucky."

"Something isn't right," I felt a strange twist in my gut, "That isn't how therapy is supposed to work."

"Well this isn't exactly a normal situation," Steve pointed out, "But it does make me wonder. Why would the Task Force release the photo of 'Bucky' to begin with?"

"Get the word out, involve as many eyes as we can?" Sharon suggested the obvious answer.

"All therapists are supposed to act the same way, even in evaluations," I muttered to myself.

"It's a good way to flush a guy out of hiding. Set off a bomb, get your picture taken. Get seven billion people looking for the Winter Soldier."

"You're saying someone framed him to find him?"

"It's almost like..." I looked to the screen again, "He's not a real therapist."

Everyone's heads turned towards the screens. The evaluator looked at his phone, and then the power to the whole building went out.

"Sub-level five, east wing," Sharon yelled to us, pushing us out of the office so we could get to Bucky.

"I knew something was off about all of this," I yelled over the voices of the panicked workers, "Why release the photo? Why would Bucky do that? There's something, some thread. We need to pull in it so this whole thing unravels."

We arrived outside the chamber. Red emergency lights flashed. All of the agents assigned to watch Bucky were out cold.

"Help me. Help," a weak voice called out from inside the chamber.

As soon as I saw the so-called therapist I grabbed him by the collar of his shirt and slammed him against the wall.

"You little wurn. You're going to tell me exactly why you did this or you'll face a fate worse than death," I growled, free hand sparking with energy.

"I want to see an empire fall."

"Duck!"

I dropped to the ground just in time. Bucky's fist was where my head formerly was. Bucky grabbed Sam by the jaw and threw him at the open pod. Steve landed a few punches on Bucky, none of which he responded to. Bucky kicked Steve in the chest, sending him flying through the door.

"Sam, handle him," I pointed at the therapist, running after Steve and Bucky, "Where did they- Oh no."

I stopped in front of the darkened elevator shaft. It was open, and I heard a fight from the bottom. If there was one thing I hated more than elevators, it was elevators shafts. Dark, cramped, and dangerous. Sucking it up, I jumped down, levitating a bit before I actually touched the ground.

"Steve," I helped him off the floor, "Where's Bucky?"

"He went up a level, to the ground floor," Steve groaned, looking up the shaft, "Mind giving me a lift?"

"Oh yeah sure," I wrapped my arm around his waist, grunting as both of us lifted into the air, "I should warn you that I've never done this with another person, I'm only used to using it a few feet off the air, and even then it's still shaky."

"On Earth we do those kinds of warnings before we do the life threatening stunts," Steve informed me, almost too tired to function.

"Noted. I'm still learning new things every day," I beamed, dropping us off on the ground floor level.

"Where is he?" Steve rushed over to an injured Nat.

"On the roof," Nat groaned.

"Go get him Steve, I'll help out down here," I assured him, kneeling down next to Nat to help her up, "You good? Do I need to ask you how many fingers I'm holding up?"

"Ha ha," Nat's voice was monotone, "Do you know how much trouble Bucky is going to be in now?"

"I do," I sighed, "Where's Tony?"

Nat pointed over to a shattered glass panel, where Tony was lying on the ground. I gave Nat one last lookover, before jogging over to Tony. He let out a pained groan, pushing himself up and out of the glass.

"Hang on, you have a lot of glass in you," I waved my hand, wincing with Tony as small shards of glass removed themselves from his skin and hair, "I hope you realize that this wasn't his fault."

"Who threw me into a glass panel then?" Tony asked sarcastically.

"Something is off about all of this Tony," I stepped away when my phone rang, "What's going on Steve?"

"I have Bucky, we need to go," Steve yelled, panting.

I glanced back at Tony, "I'm on my way. Where are you?"

"In a warehouse down the river a mile."

"Okay," I ended the call, turning back to Tony, "I have to go."

"You don't have to," Tony grabbed my arms, "You can end all this. If you sign, then Steve will too."

"I'm sorry," I stepped back and away from Tony, "I really am."

"I am too."

~*~

"I got here as fast as I could!" I shouted, hands on my knees as I tried to catch my breath, "Oh my Atreya I hate running so much. Oh."

When I looked up, Steve, Sam, and Bucky were staring at me.. Bucky had his metal arm stuck in a clamp. I smiled awkwardly. I hadn't been really aware of my surroundings as I came in. Now I was regretting that.

"(Y/n)," Bucky greeted from his confinement.

"Hello...What Bucky am I talking to?"

"You hate whiskey, but you ordered a manhattan the first time we met," he mumbled, "You talked about how the different flavors cancelled each other out."

"That's not knowledge the pubic knows," I informed Steve, "What about him? What do you know?"

"His mom's name was Sarah. He used to wear newspapers in his shoes."

Steve nodded in confirmation. Sam crossed his arms, skeptical.

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

"What did I do?" Bucky asked innocently. He looked at our forlorn faces, "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. The bombing, the setup. The doctor did all that just to get to you for ten minutes. I need you to do better than 'I don't know'."

"He wanted to know about Siberia," Bucky explained, surprised by Steve's outburst, "Where I was kept. He wanted to know exactly where."

"Why would he need to know that?"

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

The room seemed to grow ten degrees colder at that statement. I shivered, shifting my long sleeve into a sweatshirt.

"Who were they?" I questioned, not sure if I really wanted to know

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

"They all turn out like you?"

"Worse. That man, he said he wanted to see an empire fall. He could do it. They speak 30 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."

"This would have been a lot easier a week ago," Sam commented.

"If we call Tony-"

"He won't believe us," I shook my head, "Trust me."

"And even if he did, who knows if the Accords would let him help," Sam finished my thought, "But, I know a guy."

~*~

"Not sure you understand the concept of a getaway car," Sharon motioned towards the beat down, small car we had her bring to us.

"It's low profile," Steve shrugged.

"Good, because this stuff tends to draw a crowd," Sharon opened the trunk,  revealing all of our gear. I smiled happily.

I could have easily shifted into my uniform, but there was something about the one I had, the fact that SHIELD had given it to me, that made me feel more confident wearing it.

"Thanks Sharon, if we ever stop being wanted for stealing Bucky, we'll pay you back somehow."

"Yeah, well a little birdy told me you're good at baking," Sharon pointed at Sam, who was in the car with Bucky, "They're going to come looking for you, and they aren't going to be very forgiving this time."

"We know Sharon, thank you," Steve waved his hand as a goodbye.

"Yeah, hope to see you soon," Sharon bid us farewell and left.

Steve and I turned back to each other, knowing that we had to go so we could get to the helicarrier, but even then, neither of us moved. Steve held out his arms, and I gladly stepped into his embrace.

"I love you," he whispered, "More than anything."

"I love you too, and I'm going to stay with you no matter what happens," I kissed his jaw, revelling in the moment for a few more seconds before pulling away, "Now come on, we need to go handle the other Winter Soldiers."

After a small argument, Sam moved to the back with Bucky, who was smirking the entire time as he did so.

"Can you move your seat up?" Bucky asked me politely.

"Don't do it," Sam grumbled, "He already asked me."

"Sure Buck," I rolled my eyes at their childish behavior, scooting my seat up a bit.

The car was silent as we drove to the airport, taking all of the backways. If I leaned back a bit, I could feel the competitive tension between Sam and Bucky in the back, and when I leaned forward again, I felt Steve's stress and worry. It was almost suffocating.

"One way or another, everything is going to be okay Steve," I reached out and grabbed his hand on the wheel.

"It doesn't have to be, I just want to marry you," Steve repeated my words from the Avengers Compound, "We're here."

Steve went up the ramp and parked next to a large, grey van. The four of us got out, meeting Clint and Wanda behind our cars.

"Cap," Clint greeted.

"I'm sorry Clint," I apologized, "We wouldn't have called if we had a choice."

"You're doing me a favor. Besides, I owe you two," Clint shrugged off our apologies.

"Thanks for having our backs," Steve looked to Wanda.

"It was time to get off my ass," Wanda smiled, arms crossed.

"I wish things were different," I told Wanda, "I wish the world understood powers and creatures above them. I sounded like Loki with that last bit."

All of us shared a chuckle. Steve looked to the sliding door on the van, "How about our other recruit?"

"He's rarin' to go. Had to put a little coffee in him, but he should be good," Clint slid open the door revealing Scott Lang. Steve and I had seen reports about him when we were still at the Avengers compound. It seemed like the right time to contact him.

"What timezone is this?" Scott asked sleepily, crawling out of the van. He seemed to perk up when he saw Steve and I, shaking our hands excitedly, "Captain America, (Y/n)."

"Mr Lang," Steve greeted formally.

"It's an honor, I'm making this awkward aren't I?" Scott chuckled nervously, "Wow! This is awesome," he looked to Wanda, "I know you too. You're great! Hey man!"

"What's up, Tic Tac?" Sam spoke as if he had met Scott before.

"Good to see you. Look, what happened last time when I-"

"It was a great audition, but it'll never happen again."

"They tell you what we're up against?" Steve asked Scott.

"Something about some psycho assassins?"

"The law doesn't agree with us. So if you're going to come along, you'll be considered a criminal," I laid all of the risks out on the table.

"Yeah, well, what else is new?"

"Dies ist eine Notsituation. Alle Passagiere müssen den Flughafen sofort evakuieren," the announcer came over the speaker.

"They're evacuating the airport."

"Stark," Sam sighed.

"Suit up. Wanda, (Y/n), you want the van?"

"Of course we want the van," I chuckled, despite the tense situation. I grabbed my suit from the trunk, stepping inside the vehicle with Wanda just behind me. We slid the door closed, beginning to change into our uniforms, "Are you okay with all of this? I know it's a lot to handle."

"I'm alright," Wanda mumbled, "As you say often, people fear what they do not understand. We are within the misunderstood spectrum, which makes us dangerous to them."

"That's right. Tony's side...Even if we were good friends, even if you and Vision may have a romance blooming- don't deny it- we're fighting for our freedom."

"Understood."