Remorseless

It didn't take Zara long to figure out a plan of action once Bucky had gotten the call. From what she'd heard, there had been some sort of Hydra crisis, and Ward had had to split his team up, and run with Larson. Wherever he'd run it was within range of them still, as Bucky was still in 'evil mode' with her yet to break through him any further.
As far as she knew they has been told to sit tight for another couple of days, and then Bucky was to load her into the car, and meet them at whatever secret location they were at.

Great, really looking forward to being knocked out again... Not...

There was no chance she was going to be able to sneak his car keys from him, but maybe when they got on the move she could disable him somehow and get the upper hand. They'd both be outside, they'd be near the car, it was the only logical, do-able plan she could muster at short notice. She'd need a weapon, her thoughts traveling to the gun she'd kicked under the bed the night before... Part of her was convinced Bucky would notice, but then again Bucky's mind was all over the place. When he wasn't looking at her like he was going to snap her in half, his eyes were worried and confused. Maybe Larson didn't have as strong a hold as she thought? Maybe they were almost out of range? Maybe he was weak after holding onto Bucky all this time? She had no way of knowing, but she sure as hell was planning to take full advantage of it.

She'd gotten out of the shower, not turning the tap off straight away to give her sound cover to search the bathroom. Maybe there'd be razors, a bottle of sleeping pills, a length of shower curtain cable? You could use pretty much anything as a weapon with a bit of imagination, Bucky had taught her that much over their time together.

Damn...

Nothing of use, and she could hear the floorboards in the hallway creaking. She turned the tap off, drying herself quickly before dressing. One thing she was grateful for was Bucky and his backup plans. She didn't know until now that he kept a spare change of clothes for each of them stashed in his car along with the arsenal of weapons he had. Well, the weapons didn't surprise her, but the clothes and toiletries sure did. She took the old looking pack of Marlboro Reds from behind the shampoo bottles in the cabinet, flipping the lid open. Three left. She pulled them out, shoving them into her pants pocket, whispering a silent thank you to whoever may have left them there.

The bathroom door burst open, making her gasp as she pulled the front of her flannelette shirt closed. She stood, mouth gaping with shock as he glared at her, cocking his head a little.
"Get out..." Is all he said, his eyes glued to hers. She nodded, bending to pick up her towel, only for him to snap at her again. "Leave it"

Jesus Christ...

She put her hands up in surrender and slipped past him and made her way into the main room, Bucky not bothering to close the bathroom door behind her. She listened as he turned the shower on, kicked his heavy boots off and undressed. Zara grit her teeth, pacing back and forth in the kitchen, her mind racing again. She wasn't sure she could wait this out, she definitely couldn't deal with Bucky being like this. One minute she thought she could break him, and then in the next he was outright scary.
She thought back to her earlier plan, waiting for the call and taking Bucky down when they were outside... In theory he wouldn't see it coming, but if he got the call in the middle of the night and knocked her out, they were screwed.

Who knew saving someone who was trying to kill you would be so hard!?

It was time for a new plan. She didn't need keys to start that car, but she needed time. Time is something she wouldn't have, ever. She pulled a cigarette from her pocket, lighting it on the stove and sitting on the kitchen counter. Zara closed her eyes, dragging in the first deep breath of her cigarette, feeling the tension fall from her body as she blew the smoke out again.

Right, so my big plan is to take him out, run, and get him to chase me. Larson looses the connection when we're out or range, Bucky goes back to normal... The day is saved.

It was as good a plan as any, but like all plans, it always payed to have some sort of a backup. Her thoughts went to his shaking hands when she mentioned the photo of them. Bucky said it himself, she was his one weakness. She flicked her ash in the sink before the cigarette went to her lips again, her mind clear for the first time in days.
Surely mind control didn't work like that, you say the magic work and the spell is broken. Are some minds easier to control than others? She assumed someone as pig-headed as Bucky would be hard to pin down, she'd proved that herself when he'd broken into a cold sweat, screaming at her to shut up, his eyes jammed shut in pain... Maybe she was getting through to him, if he hadn't put her in a sleeper hold, she may have been able to crack him. Push him that little bit further.

Okay, so plan A - try to crack him. If that doesn't work, THEN start shooting...

She shook her head, knowing both versions were going to end up in her taking some sort of an epic beating. If he knocked her out and decided to tie her up, it was all over. If he put her in the car it was all over... If he killed her... It was all over. Zara let out a long breath, there weren't too many other options, and if she could save him, then at the end of the day it was worth it. He'd do the same for her...

Zara bit her lip, suddenly noticing the room was full of smoke. That was sure to get his attention...

Shit.

She pulled the window open a crack, hearing the inevitable movement in the bathroom. She leaned back on the cabinet in an effort to look comfortable as he shot around the corner, still wet in nothing but a very low slung pair of sweatpants. She flicked her ash into the kitchen sink and blew a breath of smoke out the window, maintaining eye contact with him.

Here we go... Don't die...

"What the hell are you doing!?" He demanded, striding over to her angrily.
"I wasn't trying to escape. Honest..." She said, finding herself backing away from him, tucking her legs up in a feeble effort to create distance between them. He glanced up at the window, only open a fraction and then back at her. He let a frustrated breath out, snatching the cigarette from her and butting it out in the sink.
"You shouldn't do that..." He scolded her, eyes glaring. She shook her head at him in disbelief, biting her lip as she glared back at him.
"And what are you gonna do about it?" She said, challenging him as he leaned towards her, hands spread out on the bench either side of her.
"Do you really want to find out?" He threatened, keeping his voice low, not appreciating her attitude.

Okay Bucko, game on, let's see if I can break you down...

"We both know I can't fight you off, OR outrun you, Bucky. You've got nothing to prove by beating a girl up... Unless you enjoy dishing out on someone half your size..." She said intentionally, knowing it was something he was sensitive about. He grit his teeth and growled, jamming his eyes shut for a moment.

Ha! ...Oh shit.

He grabbed her by the collar of the shirt, pulling her off the bench, and shoving her in the direction of the living room. She stumbled as her feet hit the floor, stopping herself from falling as she spread her feet, finding her balance as he strode towards her. She swallowed hard, knowing she had to finish what she started. She'd break him like she broke him last time, it was going to hurt them both, but at this point determination was winning over self-preservation.

"Where's our photo, Bucky?" She taunted him, barely having time to gasp as he sent a backhand across her face, sending her flying across the room. She clenched her jaw, shaking it off as best she could.
"Did that feel good? Hurting someone you love?"
"I DON'T LOVE YOU!" He roared, picking her up off the floor and slamming her into the nearest wall, hard.
"Yes you do! Larson and Ward have control of you, all you can see is your mission-" She said, cutting herself off with a gasp as he raised his metal arm to punch her. Her eyes shot from his fist to his eyes... His broken, confused eyes.
"You don't have to do this, Bucky... You're stronger than this..." She pleaded, her voice softening. "You know who I am. I'm Zara Jones, and that means something to you, think about it..." His other fist which was twisted into the front of her shirt trembled as he screwed his face up, sending the metal fist into the wall beside her face, making her jump.

For a moment they stood looking into each others' eyes, Zara swallowing down the urge to lean forward and kiss him, instead slowly reaching up to place her hand over the arm that was restraining her. Tension rippled from him, but he remained still, Zara somewhat shocked that he let her do it. She rubbed the skin gently, blinking away a threatening tear as she let out a breath, watching his unchanging expression. He stepped back, yanking his arm away in disgust, Zara sliding down the wall into a heap on the floor where he left her.

"You're playing a dangerous game..." Is all he said, leaving her to cry it out.




Her dreams were riddled with all the most painful memories she'd ever had, laced with happy moments she'd shared with Bucky. His smile when he woke up beside her, swimming in warm, tropical waters together, the heart racing kiss before they escaped Avengers tower... His sheer determination to keep her safe in whatever situation they'd faced together. Something that was easy to take for granted... What she wouldn't give for protective Bucky to run in the door and save her from the Winter Soldier version of himself... To whisk her away to safety, to somewhere with a big bed and a warm, summer breeze. She shivered into the tattered blanket that was half covering her, sure that she could make out her breath hanging in the air.

She bit her trembling lip, letting out a breath as she closed her eyes. She was going to have to shoot him, and take him down. Her body couldn't take another beating like that, the way he'd looked at her was a stern warning - one more attempt at mind games, and he was probably going to hurt her in a way she might not come back from. She didn't want to shoot him, how the hell was she going to be able to shoot someone that didn't know they were being controlled.

Easy. You're shooting Ward and Larson. Bucky would never hurt you... This isn't him, stop looking at him all doe-eyed, grow up and toughen up. If you don't take him down, they'll take you both. Bucky goes back into a cryo freezer, and it's anyone's guess what they'll do to you...

Her thoughts were interrupted by gunshots out the front of the house, coming in the front window. Zara stayed down, shielding herself as another rain of shells came in. She was vaguely aware of heavy footsteps behind her, suddenly worried for Bucky, hoping he hadn't been hit. Before she could say a word, the couch flipped over backwards, Bucky catching and shielding her as the bullets kept coming. He raised his gun, firing it twice, screams ringing out in the distance. He crouched back down, checking her over quickly.
"Are you hurt?" He asked, looking into her eyes. She shook her head, shocked at his sudden show of compassion.

Is he back to normal?

"I'm fine, are you okay?" She asked, gripping his forearm. He nodded once, pulling away from her as he stood, sending more gunshots towards their attackers, taking out what sounded like another two before crouching down beside her again.
More gunfire erupted, Bucky pulling her in close to his chest, covering her with his metal arm as best he could. Zara hung onto him, glancing over her shoulder to watch their backs, Bucky pressing her face back against him with his metal hand. She closed her eyes, nestling into the crook of his neck for a moment, suppressing the sudden urge to cry.

She heard him mumble something in frustration, tapping her shoulder to get her attention, nodding towards the hallway. Zara nodded once to let him know she understood, waiting for the bullets to stop flying before he stood up and pulled her to her feet. They quickly made their way to the nearest bedroom where he backed her against a wall gently, but firmly as to stay hidden.
"What's going on?" She whispered, her face inches from his. "They look like Hydra soldiers..."
"They are..." He said back, hi voice low as he peered over his shoulder.
"Why are they after us? Are you... Free?" She tested, his eyes narrowing at her as though she'd hit a nerve.
"I can do whatever I want"
"Yet you chose to keep me safe..."

He let out a frustrated breath, shaking his head, ignoring the rain of bullets flying down the hallway.
"As I said, my job is to keep you alive, and deliver you to Ward. That's it." He said somewhat harshly. Zara bit her lip and nodded, staying against the wall as he reached for his military bag, and the gun under the bed, giving her a look as he did.

"Stay there." He instructed as he made his way to the door, flattening himself against the frame as more bullets came through the front of the house. He darted out the front, leaving her in there, alone to listen to the sickening sounds of metal pulverizing flesh amongst the sounds of bullets going through heads.

She swallowed hard, having heard all she needed to hear. Bucky wasn't there to save her, and nobody else was coming either if they hadn't already. He was still under Larson's control, even if he was out the front of the house taking out every Hydra soldier that had showed up.

What the HELL is going on?

Her only guess was maybe that there was some sort of mutiny going on. Hydra was a big organization, maybe they were rebelling against Ward? It was anyone's guess...
She knew she had to get moving, she couldn't hide in here much longer, and if Bucky decided to drag her into the car and kick his plan into action early, there was no stopping him. She snapped into action, gathering herself together as she started out of the room, hearing another ruckus at the back door. She stopped in her tracks, an armed soldier bursting in the door, sending bullets flying at her. She backed up, flattening herself against the wall beside the door and grabbing him as he stepped in after her. She grabbed his gun with one hand, sending the heel of her other palm up into his nose, disorienting him. She yanked at his gun, and as he stumbled towards her, she sent an elbow into his cheek, her knee into his crotch and spinning the gun, a bullet through his abdomen. He slumped on the floor, Zara raiding him for weapons, hiding as many on her as she could.
She stepped into the main room, taking out two more soldiers in the house before Bucky came running back in. He looked up at her, her pistol still pointed at the last soldier on the floor. There was silence around them, Bucky opening his mouth to say something, Zara raising a finger to her mouth as if to hush him. His attention shot to the window at the same time as hers did, Bucky stepping out to take down the last of the soldiers, Zara following him out to the front porch, taking the opportunity to quickly and quietly reload her gun, flicking the safeties off her other two.

Her heart raced, knowing what she was about to do, and suddenly she wasn't sure if she could do it. He'd protected her, he hadn't come at her even knowing she was armed. They'd worked as a team taking these soldiers out. Maybe she could talk him down? The last three tries hadn't worked, but who's saying this one won't? Then she wouldn't have to shoot him, and all their problems would be over... Right?

"Why are Hydra after us?" She asked, repeating her question from earlier.
Bucky shot her a look, not 100% sure what to say in reply. If she'd read him correctly, she'd say he wasn't sure what the hell was going on either. Good, he was easy to work with when he was confused.

"Ward has Larson controlling you, so why would they send soldiers to take us out? Do you think there's been a rebellion?" She asked, testing him again. He grit his teeth, and let out a breath as if trying to calm himself.

"...Unless Larson is losing his grip on you..." She mused aloud, Bucky's face darkening.

His face screwed up angrily again like he was going to pounce on her... This wasn't going how she'd pictured, and she really, really, REALLY didn't want to hurt him...

"Bucky... I'm sorry, I don't wanna make you mad... I want to help you" She said, her voice pleading.
"I don't NEED your help"
"Yes you do! I can save you!"
"Shut up!"
"I can save you like you saved me... I'd do anything for you Buck, just like you'd do anything for me"
"You're nothing to me. You're my mission, that's IT. We've been OVER this!" He snarled, striding over to her now.

You made me do this, Bucky... Please forgive me...

Zara grit her teeth, raised her pistol and put two bullets into his thigh, making him stumble. He straightened straight up and started running at her, un-phased by his wounds. Zara's stomach tightened as she sent another set of bullets into his other leg, hoping to drop him to the ground. It scared her how resilient he was. She knew she'd have to aim higher, worry setting in.

What if I hit something that won't repair. One shot through the heart and nobody is coming back from that...

She fired again as she started running, sending three shots into his abdomen. That slowed him down. He dropped to the ground on one knee, looking up at her, pain in his eyes with his hand over the bleeding wound. She kept running, tears leaking from her eyes as she fought against every urge to stop, turn back and help him. He was in pain, possibly dying, and she'd done it to him.
She didn't stop until she reached the car, smashing the driver's side rear window in with the butt of her gun, and pulling the driver's side door open. She slammed it shut, pulling the panel from under the dash to yank the wires out that she needed. Hot-wiring it was a piece of cake, sending relief through her for a moment.

Her eyes darted up in time to see him running at the car, taking a flying leap towards the hood. Zara jammed it into reverse, hard, and flew backwards. She spun the wheel, clutch in as she floored the gas pedal, throwing it into first and roaring off. Bucky gained on her quicker than she thought he would, panic rising up in her as she suddenly doubted her whole stupid plan. If he caught her, she was dead. The punishment he'd dished out on her for mouthing off was nothing compared to what he was bound to do after she unloaded half a clip into him.

She finally started accelerating away from him, relief sweeping over her as she kept her eye on him. She slowed down a little as she took the corner out of the driveway, Bucky disappearing into a parked car, no doubt to hot-wire it and give chase. She watched him out of the corner of her eye in the rear view mirror as she got further and further away.

The blood on the back seat caught her eye for a moment, helping to get rid of some of the guilt she was feeling for shooting him. Zara bit her lips, fighting tears off. She should have put him down right then and there, called Stark and had him collected. She reached forward, entering Bucky's code into the touch screen display in the car, activating the GPS and the communication system. Her eyes flicked up to the rear-view mirror, watching a car speeding up behind her, gaining on her at a frightening rate. She changed gears, putting her foot down hard. She had to keep enough distance between them that he couldn't shoot, hit her or capture her, which was going to be a challenge, given how much firepower he was packing...

She swallowed hard as the GPS finally loaded.

Do your thing Stark... Track me. I'm officially being hunted.