The Witch

Chapter 17

We sat in the back of a van. I knew Hill was one of the guards. I had heard her mind loud and clear, she was going to take us to Fury. It was time Steve and Nat knew he was still alive. I was in shock that the Winter Soldier was Steve's best friend from World War two. My mission to help the soldier escape just became my number one mission. I was going to help him not just because I felt I had to, but for Steve. Steve needed the peace of knowing his best friend and brother was safe and still alive.

"It was him. He looked right at me like he didn't even know me." Steve said. I wanted badly to tell him but I couldn't yet.

"How's that even possible? It was like seventy years ago." Sam said, not really believing, but wondering how he could still be alive.

"Zola, Bucky's whole unit was captured in '43. Zola experimented on him. Whatever he did helped Bucky survive the fall. They must have found him and.." Steve stopped, not wanting to continue. I leaned into him, wanting nothing more than to comfort him knowing he was having a hard time, processing this information.

"None of that's your fault, Steve," Nat told him, trying to comfort him. I knew he blamed himself either way.

"Even when I had nothing. I had Bucky." Steve said. I sighed. I would tell him soon that I made it my mission to help his friend long before I knew he was his friend. He deserved to know.

"We need to get a doctor here. We don't put pressure on that wound, she's gonna bleed out here in the truck." Sam said, looking at Natasha. I looked at her worried. I watched as the guard I knew to be Hill pulled, her electric rod and neutralized the other guard, knocking him out. She took the helmet off as I made the cuffs on our wrists unlock and drop to the ground, surprising Sam, Steve and Natasha.

"Ah. That thing was squeezing my brain. Who's this guy?" She asked as she looked at Sam. I chuckled and shook my head.

"Let's get out of here," I said. Hill agreed and got into the back with us. I teleported us all into the secret facility Fury was hiding in. A man rushed over to Natasha.

"GSW. She's lost at least a pint." Hill informed him.

"Maybe two," Sam said.

"Let me take her." The doctor said while I shook my head.

"She'll want to see him first," I said before leading the way to Fury. Steve and Natasha both looked at him shocked. But he looked at me.

"You really think you can help the Winter Soldier?" He asked me, making Steve and the others look at me shocked.

"I know I can, I've already spoken to him twice. He'll accept my help when the time is right," I replied, before looking at Steve.

"I'll tell you everything but first talk with Fury. I need to rest." I told him. He nodded. The doctor pointed out a chair for me to sit on. I gladly took it while he got to work on Natasha. I shut my eyes only to open them in a bank vault. I looked around to see a HYDRA agent working on Bucky's metal arm. He looked to be far away at the moment. I walked closer to him, taking him in. I had never actually stopped to look at him. He had a well defined chest with nice muscular arms. He has grey-blue eyes that hold so much pain. I lightly moved some of his hair, making him snap out of his frozen state. He knocked the agent that was fixing his arm over, Rollins pointed a gun at him to stop him from attacking further. He sat back down and glanced at me. I once again placed my finger to my lips, letting him know he was the only one to see me. Pierce walked in with Rumlow and a few other agents at that moment.

"Sir, he's....he's unstable. Erratic." A scientist told Pierce. I watched as Pierce ignored him and walked over to Bucky.

"Mission report," Pierce demanded. Bucky looked blank and didn't respond, so Pierce asked again and moved closer. Bucky didn't answer though, so Pierce struck him across his face. I balled my hands into fist wanting to punch the man but refrained from doing so.

"The man on the bridge... Who was he?" Bucky asked instead of answering Pierce. I looked at Bucky, realizing he was remembering Steve.

"You met him earlier this week on another assignment," Pierce said. I knew he was talking about Fury's death. Bucky looked lost for a second before claiming that he knew who Steve was.

"Steve was your best friend in World War two before HYDRA found you." Informed him, Pierce sat in front of Bucky, not knowing that I had just told him who Steve was.

"Your work has been a gift to man kind. You shaped the century, and I need you to do it one more time. Society is at a tipping point between order and chaos. Tomorrow morning we're gonna give it a push. But, if you don't do your part, I can't do mine, and HYDRA can't give the world the freedom it deserves." Pierce said. I rolled my eyes at him.

"Nothing he says is true." I chimed in, making sure Bucky knew Pierce was lying.

"But I knew him," Bucky said sadly. Pierce turned and looked at the scientists.

"Prep him." Pierce said to him. I squatted in front of Bucky. Wanting his attention on me, knowing what they were about to do to him.

"They are about to erase your memory of me and Steve. But I can put a temporary block on it and the moment you see me again you will remember me. I can help you regain all of your memories, but for now I have to make sure you remember me so I can help you. Tomorrow I will help you escape, just like I will destroy HYDRA and SHIELD for good." I inform him, he looks into my eyes and blinks, letting me know he understands. I stand up, he follows my every move with his eyes. I leaned closer to him whispering my spell before placing a gentle kiss on his forehead, placing my spell on his memory of our encounters. I step back and nodded to him before fading away. I open my eyes to find, Steve, Fury, Hill, Nat and Sam all looking at me.

"Purple mist was flying all around you, what were you doing?" Steve asked me. I stood up from my chair and walked over to stand next to him.

"Placing a spell on Bucky. They launch in the morning. Pierce just confirmed the time. This all ends tomorrow." I said before walking out of the facility, leaving them all there stunned. I stood on a bridge waiting for Steve to join me. Once he did, I told him everything from the moment this all started. How I had left the mission because I had a vision of Fury being killed, having watched them wake Bucky from Cryo freeze and saying the words that turn him into a mindless killer. I then told him that I had visited him a few times and decided to help him escape long before I knew who he actually was. By the time I was done, Steve seemed shocked but yet grateful. He wrapped his arms around me, pulling me into a hug. I hugged him back, knowing he needed it.

"When this all ends, I'll be leaving with him. I promised I would help him and I plan to do just that. Even if it means leaving my friends and family. I will make sure he is safe and I will help him regain his memories. He's your best friend, but even before I knew that something was pulling me towards him. I need to help him." I tell him. He nods and looks out over the bridge. I turn and look as well. I was still in my suit, Steve was quiet as we just stood there. I knew he was thinking about his friendship with Bucky.

"He's gonna be there, you know?" Sam said, joining us. I sighed and looked at Steve.

"I know." Steve said. He knew more than Sam did at that point. He even knew the spell I had placed on Bucky to make sure he would remember who I was so I would be able to help him.

"Look, whoever he used to be, the guy he is now. I don't think he's the kind you save. He's the kind you stop." Sam said, I glared at him right then and there, not believing him.

"Your wrong." I said, not letting him argue. Sam looked at me but turned to Steve.

"I don't know if I can do that." Steve said, ignoring me.

"Well, he might not give you a choice. He doesn't know you," Sam reminded him.

"He will. Gear up. It's time." Steve said as he pulled me away.

"You gonna wear that?" Sam asked. Steve looked at me before looking back at Sam.

"No. If you're gonna fight a war, you gotta wear a uniform." Steve said as I snapped my figures, changing his clothes into his uniform with his shield on his back, Sam looked shocked.

"Close your mouth, you'll catch flies." I said before turning and walking away with Steve. Sam soon joined us.