Chapter Nine

Malone, James, and Cap got onto the hovercraft. It was set up almost like a house, with comfy chairs and flat screen TVs. To the right Mal saw doorways, which seemed to lead to bedrooms. A delicious smell floated towards them from the left, which Malone assumed was the kitchen.

Steve rubbed his eyes tiredly, "You must be hungry." He led them down the left hallway, bringing them to the kitchen. A woman with red hair was cooking, her back was to the three. The woman turned, and Malone gasped, "Black Widow!"

The woman looked Malone up and down, regarding her coldly. Her eyes flickered to James, her expression unreadable. Steve walked over to her, "Tasha, this is Malone... And well, you already know Bucky."

"You don't really tend to forget a guy that shot you twice," Natasha sneered. James looked confused, "I did what?" Steve glared at Natasha, "He doesn't remember anything, so lay off."

Natasha just shrugged and went back to stirring the pasta she was making. Malone clenched her fists, it was taking all her self-control not to punch the Black Widow in the face.

Natasha served up plates of the creamy pasta, and they all sat down to eat. No matter how much Malone was angry, she did have to admit that the Black Widow was a great cook. The plates rattled slightly as the Hovercraft took off. "Where are we going?" Malone asked. Natasha snorted, "Somewhere." James smirked slightly when he saw the look Malone was giving her.

After dinner, Steve led them to their rooms. He pointed out that Malone was just across the hall from James, hoping that would at least make them more comfortable. "Great," Malone mumbled, "Do you have some fresh clothes?" "It's all provided in the rooms," Steve reassured her.

Malone went into her room, taking a shower and changing into simple jeans and a black tank top. She went outside into the hall, and knocked on James' door.

"James? It's me, Malone," She called. A loud thump could be heard from inside the room. Mal twisted the door handle, slowly opening the door.

James was on the floor, asleep. He had rolled out of bed, and was still twitching violently. Malone stayed by the door, and called his name softly. She had learnt how to wake him up the hard way.

"James?" She dragged out his name, increasing in volume slowly. His eyes fluttered open, "Где я?"

"English please, James," She said calmly. He looked up at her, "Where am I?" Malone slowly sat down beside him, "We're on the S.H.I.E.L.D. hovercraft, and they are gonna want to question you soon." James nodded, "Okay. Yeah, I remember."

Malone stood up and offered him a hand up. He stood beside her. "Why don't you take a shower and get some rest?" She asked. He shrugged, "Shower, yeah. Rest? Probably not."

Malone walked over to the door, "I'll be in my room if you need me." James paused, "Mal, wait." She turned around, "Yeah?"

"I know they seem nice, but..." He trailed off. She nodded, "No, I get it. We're not out of the woods yet."

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Steve backed away from the door, Bucky's words echoing in his mind. "I know they seem nice, but..." How could his friend not trust him? Did he really not remember anything? A great weight seemed to settle on his chest. Steve heard a soft whisper in the back of his mind, "You're a punk."

He walked down the hallway, hearing Bucky's door open and shut. "Hey, Mr. Freedom! Wait up!" Steve paused in the hallway as Malone ran towards him. He glared at her playfully, "Did you really just call me 'Mr. Freedom'?"

She coughed awkwardly, "....maybe." As she looked up at him, his eyes were drawn down to her neck. A ring of yellowish-blue bruises circled her neck, along with the small nick from the butcher knife. Malone saw him looking and blushed, staring awkwardly down at her feet.

"Did," Steve paused, "Did Bucky do that to you?" Malone nodded, "He didn't know what he was doing though, honest! He was having a nightmare and I... Well, I didn't handle it very well."

Steve frowned, the old Bucky would never ever had done that to a woman. He sighed, "Can you go get him, Malone? We really need to question him. I've tried to buy you some time..."

Malone nodded, "There's only so much you can do." She patted his arm reassuringly. As she turned to go get James, Steve called her name.

"Malone, put some makeup on that, okay?" He said, gesturing to her neck. "It won't help his case at all if it looks like he hurt you."

Mal rubbed her neck self-consciously. "Yeah, alright."

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James showered and changed his clothes, pulling on a pair of jeans and a dark tee shirt. He avoided looking in the mirror. He barely remembered what he looks like, and he wanted to keep it that way.

A soft knocking made him jump. He pulled his knife, keeping it close to his side. James slowly opened the door, the knife in his grasp glinting. Malone stood outside, smiling at him through the crack in the door.

His heartbeat slowed, it wasn't Hydra Agents coming to wipe his memory again. It was Malone. Just Malone. He tucked his knife back in his boot, opening the door and swiftly ushering her in.

"They want you for questioning," Malone said. Her tone was pleasant, almost like she had said they were going to the movies. James wondered if she knew that 'questioning' might involve torture.

Mal looked up, "Geez James, did you even look in the mirror?" She reached up and smoothed his hair down, brushing it out of his face. Malone took James' metal hand in hers, leading him out the door and down the hallway.

She stopped in front of a thick steel door and knocked three times. Captain America opened the door, leading them inside and pointing them towards two metal chairs.

A mirrored glass panel covered one side of the room. James avoided looking at it. Malone glanced at the mirror nervously, "Are there people watching?" Steve nodded, "Yes, but only Natasha. I was able to pull some strings."

Malone still had a death grip on James's hand. She was extremely nervous that this wasn't going to end well.

"Ask away," James said blankly, ignoring the pounding headache he got when he looked at Steve.

Steve leaned against the table, "I know you guys don't know if you can trust me... But let me say this, I'm the better of the two options."

"What two options?" Malone asked, confused. Steve lowered his voice, "S.H.I.E.L.D. is the problem. I tried to have it disbanded, but Fury wouldn't have it. I need you guys to trust me, just for a little while."

"Why should we?" James asked defensively. Steve sighed, "We've got a double agent. You two aren't safe here. Tasha and I will get you out and into a safe place. After that," he paused, "We find the mole. It's Hydra or me, take your pick."

James tightened his grip on Mal's hand, "We'll trust you for now. You have to promise us one thing in return."

Steve shrugged, "What?"

"You have to help us take down Hydra."

A smile stretched across Captain America's face, "Deal."

A/N oooooh man it's gettin' real. More action soon. This was kinda an important plot building chapter? I guess?? I dunno. I only have a vague outline for the plot so I'm kinda winging it.

Oh. My. Gosh. I finally finished writing/editing The Dreaded Chapter 15.... So here's an update to celebrate! My writers block is gone! (For now. I'm sure it will be back in a few chapters.)

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