.

.

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'She's everywhere.'

The A.I. ghost was everywhere.

'She can turn anyone....'

They didn't know why but they still....

I didn't know but I still....

Everything according to her plan.

"Val?" the librarian called out.

"Hmmm?" came from my right.

"What if you were supposed to be kidnapped?"

The fingers I held twitched.

"Huh?" Valeriy was buying time. Slowly turning her head to stare at the back of the driver's. "What would be the bloody point of that?"

A misdirect. It's crossed her mind.

"Wouldn't this whole thing be over by now if you got taken and the ransom was paid?" the brunette pointed out.

"...Have we ever paid for a ransom before?"

"...Not in the years I've worked."

"...So why the hell would I wait for something that would never fucking happen? It's an utter waste of my time. Got better shit to do," Valeriy huffed.

"It made sense that they didn't when you got yourself disowned, but your parents did get me to make sure you weren't killed."

"The grudge clinging part of me wants to logic that away as it looking bad if their kid turned up dead. 'Oh, our daughter was too dumb and got maul by a fucking bear in the middle of a city.' Or some other stupid shit. Then again, cougars were more common around there...."

"As harsh as that was, they do love you, Val," the librarian pointed out.

"Yeah, I fucking know that."

"We're the first ones to mobilize if one of you guys get taken... or trapped. A few months after your situation, we got your mom out nice and safe before anything happened to her. Hey, wasn't your brother taken before too? Before my time."

"Yeah?"

"Didn't they pay for that?"

"No?" Valeriy replied. "He didn't give anybody a chance to do anything. Blew up the house he was holed up in and walked right out."

"That was a mess to clean up."

"It's what happens when you leave a kid with a bunch of explosive chemicals. What were they expecting? Fucking thumb twiddling? Bloody dumbasses."

"...I... I don't thin.... I.... How is that even expec.... Val...? I don't eve.... That's not normal," the librarian finally managed to get out, putting a voice to my thoughts.

"It's not?"

"No! It's not!"

"Oh...."

From among the trees, a car came to view. Empty. In the middle of nowhere.

My eyes darted through the surroundings for any movement. None.

What was it doing there?

Why was the librarian slowing down? Pulling up to the empty vehicle.

A soft sigh escaped Valeriy. Her fingers slipping out of my grip. Her gray eyes finally looking my way. Again, she seemed so out of reach. Even if she was sitting next to me. The smile she tried to pull was completely forced.

"This is my stop," she said softly. The words cutting into me like knives. Her eyes dropping away as she turned. "Maybe we'll see each other someday again? I sure hope we do."

With that, the door opened and she moved onto her feet, out of the car. Backpack in hand.

"Val –"

Frantically, I reached out. Before I knew what I was doing, my fingers clutched onto the back of her lacy jacket and tugged.

Hard.

I quickly let go, but it was too late.

A thud shook the vehicle. Her body toppling onto the floor mats.

"Sorry. I didn't – I'm sorry. Please don't – I'm sorry I'msorry I'msorryI'msorrysorrysorrysorrysorryso –"

"– ucky. Look at me. Bucky. Come on. Breathe with me."

I couldn't.

My chest felt more constricted than it did inside the suit. Panic welling up inside. Suffocating me.

A choking gasp stretched my lungs for a moment before it left far quicker.

The next breath was just as much of a struggle. Too shallow. The world spinning away with it.

I could barely grasp that the hands on me weren't threatening. Barely feel that they weren't hurting me.

Slam head into knee. Target incapacitated.

Took everything I had not to fight her off. Tell myself that the touches were soothing touches. One on my cheek and other on the middle of my chest. Gentle.

Over my thundering heartbeat, I could hear it. Hear her voice. Too far away for the words. But I could hear her.

The darkness in my sight clearing enough at my gasp. To see her shoulders' exaggerated movements. Up and down. Up and down.

Breathe.

She wanted me to breathe.

"There we go. Just like that. Nothing's going to happen to you, Bucky. I'm not hurt. Just a little bump. Everything will be okay. Sparks will take you to Gramps. Second safest location we have. He'll make sure nothing will happen to you."

"Y-you?" I tried, eyeing the car behind her. "Wh-what about you? You're going alone?"

"Sparks isn't safe around me, but you'll be safe with her. Best person Eve has. Wicked fast on her feet. So if Hydra pops up again, you'll have an advantage on your side rather than a handicap.

"And you're safest once you get to Gramps. No one can touch you once Gramps knows you're alive. Between him and the Captain, what happened to you won't repeat. Me, Eve and the Puppets, we're all counted under Gramps' resources. Amber, sort of, too. I'll talk her into helping with the whole Hydra thing."

Her thumb brushing across my temple. Referring to the mess inside my skull.

"...And you'll be alone?" I couldn't help but ask. To buy time. Anything to make her stay a little longer.

"I should be okay in Canada. I have a lot more personal resources here. If you want to contact me, tell Eve. She'll get us in touch safely. Any time. Don't even need a reason, 'kay? I'll answer."

I shook my head. This wasn't right. She shouldn't be the one going off alone. I didn't want her to go.

I didn't want this.

I didn't want any of this.

I wanted to reach out. Hold on to her. But I couldn't.

I'd hurt her again.

Everything I touch breaks.

Her body dropped against mine. Her arms wrapping around my ribs tightly. Her head tucked under mine. Resting against my neck.

I couldn't think.

This was so familiar.

For just a second.

Before it was as foreign as the world I was left in. 70 years after my time.

"You don't have to stay there. You're free to go wherever you want. Free to do whatever you want," she said. "Though I do suggest letting us help you out with the brain thing. Amber's one of the best.... And you'll have fun with Gramps. He's really into space too. He can show you a bunch of cool things, and he has a bunch of Becky's art pieces too. I'll make sure he doesn't go all ten year old kid on you."

My hand itched to move. To where, I did not know.

Why my head wanted to rest against hers... I did not know.

Had to will myself not to grab her when she pulled away. Not to reach out when she tucked a lock of hair behind my ear.

"Besides, Eve owes you a fuck ton. Gramps would... probably most definitely throw a fit when he finds out all the shit she pulled on you. She can make a lot happen. She can get whatever you want. Find someone to teach you whatever you want. Eventually, you can use her to go wherever you want. Sparks will explain it. Just ask Eve and she'll do it."

With those words, Valeriy slipped out of the car.

"Bye bye, Bucky."

I couldn't help the flinch at the finality of the door slamming shut. Left here alone. With a stranger. To be watched at all times by a ghost in the speakers.

"...Why are you still standing outside of the car, Sparks?" the Valeriy questioned, resting a hand on her hip.

"How is he not dangerous again?" the librarian responded in what should be a whisper, leaning over the car roof as if that would help mute my enhanced hearing.

But I couldn't recall when she moved or even when the driver door shut.

"He's not," Valeriy hissed back, copying the librarian with leaning.

"...We need to go over the definition of dangerous. That man's terrifying."

"Oh come on. He's not."

"Then explain why you're wearing three casts. I bet there's more than that."

"I don't know? Maybe a car crash had something to do with it?"

"You... you were in the D.C. mess?"

"...You'll be fine. You're Jiya fucking Sparks. No need to be so jumpy. I've been more of a problem for you than he will be."

"You can't even punch your way out of a paper bag compared to him."

"Eh. I got other ways to escape a bloody paper bag.... I leave him in your capable hands. Get him to him to Gramps without anybody knowing."

"I don't want to be skinned by D'amour. I know the drill."

"My parents can't find out either. Which means, nobody knows."

"Understood."

"See you when this shit storm blows over."

"Keep your head on a swivel, Val," the librarian warned, slipping into the driver seat.

As the car rolled away, Valeriy gave a final wave. Wearing that smiling mask before turning to the other car.

I couldn't tear my eyes away from her. Climbing onto the seats to stare out of the rear window. Through the dark fabric covering it.

For a moment. For a just a moment before she was swallowed up by the trees, her feigned confidence broke. Shoulders sagging. Looking so defeated.

"Would you like an update on Hydra's movements?"

"...."

"From what we've gathered, they've been fanning out from the States searching for you after the other night. They seem to be banking on you heading to Europe some time. They have more men there."

"...."

"Either way, it should be smooth sailings until we reach the Genevan H.Q. and then we'll be adapting the shinobi's way until we reach Cupcakes."

"...."

"You should have piloting experience, right? I'll let you fly my jet when we're over the ocean... if you want?"

"...."

"...Or I can shut up and do my job.... I can definitely do that."

Better this way.

Better the further she was away. Safer that way.

Safe from Hydra....

From me....

Less chance of me hurting her if she wasn't in reach. Less chance of me killing her if we weren't in the same country.

Better this way....

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Author's Note:

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