Remorseless

Bucky shot Zara a sideways grin as they made their way down the corridor, hand in hand. She smiled weakly back up at him, not sure why she'd agreed to go out in public on the back of a motorbike of all things, while such a huge threat was still looming over them both. Nerves had definitely kicked in, and is if he could read her mind, he moved his hand to interlock his fingers with hers, and pull her nearer to him at the same time, all without saying a word.
They didn't pass anyone else on their way to the basement garage, nor was there anyone down there as they stepped through the heavy door, Bucky closing it behind them. Their footprints echoed as they quickly crossed to the back of the room, Bucky glancing over his shoulder once at the sound of the timed door lock latching shut.
By the time they stopped in front of the bike, Zara's heart was racing like crazy and try as she might she just couldn't stop her damned hands from shaking. Bucky looked over at her, his face worried as he cupped her cheek with his free hand.
"Zee, we don't have to take the bike if you don't want to..."

Zara opened her mouth, the words not wanting to come out as she realized the real reason for her worry... She was alone with him and nobody else knew it, nobody knew where they were or where they were going. She was suddenly overcome with guilt at the very thought of not trusting him completely, or even the thought that once they were away from the base that Larson could regain control of him...

Once we're on the move, how will I possibly know if he's still him or not...

"The bike's fine" She stammered, shaking her head dismissively, realizing he was looking at her awaiting an answer. "I was just having a 'moment', it's fine..."
He frowned in confusion for a moment, a couple of seconds later having some sort of a light bulb moment as a possible conclusion came to him.
"It's me, isn't it..." He said in a regretful tone...
"No it's not that, I was just thinking... Does anyone else knew where we're going? Just in case something was to happen, or we got intercepted..." She asked, her hand giving his an encouraging squeeze.

Bucky nodded, biting his lip as he considered her thoughts, letting go of her hand to pull his phone from his pocket and punched out a text. He gave the bike a quick but thorough look over, locating a tracking device under the seat as he waited for a reply which came through quicker than he'd expected.

"Rogers knows" He said, holding up the phone to show Zara the screen, "There's a tracker on the bike, If Shield can track us, then so can Hydra. If it was up to me I'd take it off, but I need you to feel safe..." He said gently.
"You don't need to show me the screen..." She said, embarrassed suddenly, "It was just a thought. Maybe we take the tracker off. If Hydra can't find us, then Larson can't get into your head... We stay anonymous, and safe. If Rogers knows where we are, and we don't come home, he'll know to send help." She said, feeling brave again.

Bucky nodded and wasted no time pulling the tracker off, leaving it on the ground next to the bike. He opened the locker that had been built into the wall, pulling out 2 helmets and 2 sets of leather gloves, handing her the smaller set.
"You sure about this?" He asked, testing the waters again.

Zara smiled at him, pulling him over to her by his leather jacket. She put her arms around his neck and kissed him, pulling apart far enough that he could look into her eyes.
"I'm not worried about you, I just want to keep away from certain organizations that could put us into trouble. The bike is just a stupid fear that I'm sure you'll help me get over like all the others."

Bucky smiled and nodded to her, giving her a squeeze as he kissed her again, "I'll take good care of you, I promise."
"I know you will" She answered, the two of them pulling apart to put helmets on, Bucky helping Zara with the strap under her chin. They pulled their gloves on, Zara reaching over to Bucky's metal arm, pulling the sleeve of his black Henley down to hide his wrist, tidying the top of the glove and tucking it under the leather jacket sleeve.
"That's better" She smiled up at him.
"Thanks"

He swung his leg over the bike, Zara pulling her phone out when a last minute thought came to her. She turned off her Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and GPS, reminding Bucky to do the same which he did, both of them turning their phones off afterward.

"Ready?" He asked, flicking out the passenger foot pegs, Zara nodding nervously at him. She put her foot on the peg, holding onto Bucky for balance as she swung on, landing softly in the seat behind him.
"If you wanna stop, or something's wrong, just tap me on the shoulder, okay?" He said, handing her a pair of sunglasses he had tucked into his top, "I got you these"

She put the sunglasses on, giving him a dramatic pout which made him chuckle.
"Hot" He said in between laughs, "keep your knees tucked in close to me, safer, less wind resistance and much warmer too" He added, pulling her legs in close, hugging his hips."
"Real smooth, Buck" She said, noticing his hand lingering on her thigh, making him chuckle again.
"Can't blame a guy for trying" He said, giving her a wink. She shook her head, rolling her eyes as she smirked, holding a laugh in.
"There are grab handles either side of the seat just under there" He said, pointing to them, "But honestly, you'll be much better off holding onto me, and I'll feel better knowing you're okay and still with me" He added, his voice serious.

Zara leaned forward, putting her arms around him, giving him a tight squeeze for a moment, making him smile.
"That's the way" he encouraged her, "ready to go?"
"Yep"

Bucky started the engine, slipping on a pair of sunglasses and pulling a familiar black mask from his jacket pocket. One that Zara hadn't seen since the collapse of the shield building almost a year ago... The very mask that had helped her breathe surrounded the smoke that day, and also the one and the same that Bucky had worn in 'one of his many previous lives' as he referred to it...
He looked over his shoulder, checking again that she was okay before pressing the mask to his face, clipping it on inside his helmet. He stood the bike up straight, walking it backwards out of the parking space with his feet before putting it in gear and slowly pulling out.
Zara felt him reach out and rub her hand gently as they approached the now open garage door, giving her a bit of reassurance that she was safe before they accelerated off up the road.

It had been years since Zara had been on a bike, this time was already proving more pleasant than the last - except for the cold that is. She was suddenly grateful to Bucky for making her put a warmer top on under her jacket, and for suggesting she hang onto him, rather than the handles. As usual he radiated warmth, and aside from that the contact itself was comforting. She watched as the world whizzed by, Bucky expertly maneuvering the bike, changing gears and reading the traffic and conditions. Like all things he did, he was seasoned and competent, her thoughts going back to his time as a young man pre-serum.
The thought of sitting behind someone with super strength and super senses was comforting enough as it was, but when she factored in the 80 odd years of experience he'd had riding bikes during the war, and on Hydra missions, she certainly felt much safer.
She finally let her body relax as they pulled onto the highway, suddenly not worried about the speeds they were traveling at. She noticed Bucky's eyes would flicker to his mirrors occasionally as if to check her, and then back to the road again.

It was a long ride, Zara enjoying the experience, as well as just being close to him. When the traffic got thicker they slowed down, Zara noticing more and more buildings around her.
When they stopped at the first set of traffic lights Bucky's hand found her thigh, giving it a squeeze as he looked over his shoulder. He gave her a thumbs up which she nodded back to, the sounds of the bike and the city too loud to bother having a conversation. The stop was brief and Bucky navigated through the congestion to find the street they were after, eventually finding a dilapidated old building with a underground parking garage sign at ground level.
They pulled in, finding a parking space near the elevator easily, Bucky turning the bike off, his hand giving her thigh another squeeze. Zara pulled her sunglasses off, tucking them into her top and dismounted the bike, holding onto Bucky for balance as she did. They both took their helmets off, Zara shoving her gloves into hers and stepping back to Give Bucky the room to step off the bike and do the same. He hung both their helmets off the hooks under the rear seat, turning to give Zara a smile. She grinned back at him, putting her arms around his neck and letting her lips find his.
"Told you I'd look after you" He said with a throaty chuckle, Zara smiling at him still, "Not too scary?"
"No, not too scary" She agreed, "But freaking freezing cold"
"You're always cold" He teased, rubbing her arms briskly.

They made their way to the elevator door, pressing the ground floor button. Bucky protectively placed her in front of him, Zara reaching up to give the forearm around her a squeeze. The door opened, revealing an empty lift, both of them stepping in quickly and closing the door. Zara reached over, instinctively taking his hand as the lift began to move, Bucky turning to watch her for a moment. They stepped out into the foyer, Zara letting out a breath that she'd been holding without realizing.
"You okay?" He asked, as they looked around for an intercom for Jessica to buzz them up.
"Yeah, a little nervous, but I'll be fine... I mean I have you here with me, right?"
"Sure do"
"Thanks for being here for this... I guess it's weird coming face to face with her now that we know we're, well... Family" She said with a shrug as she blew out a nervous breath.
"I'll always be here for you, whenever you need" he said gently, taking her face in his hands and leaving a tender kiss on her lips.

Zara pressed the button on the intercom next to the appropriate apartment number to announce their arrival, a very casual 'come on up' coming back in response.
Bucky led the way up the flight of stairs, both of them amused that there were no elevators in the upper floors of the building. they'd come to the conclusion that it was something to do with the age of the place, both of them having a laugh for a few moments. They came to Jessica's door, Zara knocking twice and listening to hear something inside get knocked over, and some loud cussing. The door opened, revealing a slightly disheveled looking Jessica, and an apartment messier than Zara had imagined.
"Hey" They were greeted, "I see you brought your bodyguard..."
"This is Bucky" She corrected, with a giggle. "Boyfriend, not bodyguard"
"Sometimes both..." He said, cocking a half smile, "Nice to meet you finally"
"Likewise" Jessica said, her tone short. Zara blew a breath out, peering around the room as she crossed her arms, feeling a little awkward. "Coffee?" Jessica offered, "I've only got instant..."
"Thought you'd never ask" Zara smiled, following her to the island bench in the kitchen, pulling up a stool, Bucky doing the same.

The three of them were quiet as Jessica passed mismatched mugs around, taking a sip of her own before letting out a breath.
"So... You two are sisters..." Bucky said, trying to salvage what was becoming an awkward visit.
"But you got the height..." Zara sassed
"Oh shut up, you got the blue eyes" Jessica chuckled, the mood instantly lifted.

Zara felt Bucky relax beside her, and in turn let herself relax while Jessica turned to pick up an old looking overfilled envelope. She slid it across the table and nodded for Zara to open it.
She put her coffee down, lifting the tab to peer in. Her eyes lit up as she tipped the contents into the palm of her hand. A smile forming on her face as she started flicking through the old photographs in her hands. She sucked in a breath and paused when she came to one, her eyes widening.
"It's Dad..." She said breathlessly, putting the photo down on the counter so Bucky and Jessica could see, "Much younger than the guy I remember, but it's definitely him..." She said, looking up at Jessica who nodded in response, sipping her drink.

Bucky picked up the picture as if to study it, Zara flicking through the rest, not seeing much else that she recognized, other than the odd picture of her Dad here and there.
"I remember him" Bucky said breaking the silence, both girls turning to him. "Hydra, early 90's... He tried to get on the team that worked with me, gave my orders, kept me in control."
"Are you sure it was him?" Zara asked.
"I never forget a face" Bucky answered, his tone shorter than he intended. "I overheard them speaking... They told him he had to move closer to the base to even be considered... He agreed, and he said he'd sweeten the deal by making them an offer they couldn't refuse"
"What offer?" Jessica asked, cocking her head, her voice flat.
"A young, fully trained, lethal combat specialist with all the skills they needed... Someone that lived and breathed Hydra from their very first breath..." He said, his voice trailing off as he was overcome with realization. He turned his head, looking at Zara as he clenched his jaw, "It was you..."
"Impossible, early 90's I was still a baby"
"And I went back under the ice shortly after that, what's that telling you?"
"Holy shit" Zara gasped, "They put you under while I grew up and got all my training done..."
"Exactly"
"I was pulled out of school after the bike crash, it all makes sense"
"Bike crash?"
"Yeah, I tried to run away with a boy from school, early teens... There was an accident, and we both got hurt. Dad was FURIOUS with me, like CRAZY angry. Maybe it wasn't for protection of me, but more himself and his own future... I was grounded and home-schooled after that for the next few years, and then dragged in at 17"
"Well that explains the motorbike thing..."
"Wait-" Jessica interrupted, "So he promised his baby daughter to Hydra?"
"Yeah, I did fight training, acrobatics, archery, gymnastics, shooting, advanced driving... You name it, he was right into his extracurricular activities... I was none the wiser, I'd never even heard of Hydra. I just thought he was a 'stage Dad' as I was his only child... Well, that we knew of... And then I was pulled out of bed in the middle of the night, and ended up in a Hydra base full of kids my age. We did further training, until we were old enough to be put up against him" She replied, gesturing towards Bucky.
"So you guys knew each other back when he was a 'baddie-assassin' guy, and you were a tortured, kidnapped kid..." Jessica asked, fingertips against her temples as she struggled to put the pieces together.
"Yeah, but I was wiped and she was crushed under a building... So neither of us remembered until the memories were dug out by a telepathic at Shield recently..." Bucky explained, stifling a chuckle as he realized how ridiculous it all sounded.

"Okay, okay, so what were they doing with you there, any why were you put up against an enhanced person?" Jessica asked after a few quiet moments.
"Super soldier programme" They both answered at the same time.
"They had so much success with Buck, that they wanted to make more soldiers, but they didn't have much of the serum available. So they were basically going to pick the best young fighters, and whoever worked best alongside him were chosen to be injected. Then when everything happened with DC, they lost him, and I was first in line to become his replacement."
"And how did you get here?"
"I blew up the base from inside with help from some of the others down there. Only 2 of us survived..."
"Holy shit" Jessica said, shaking her head... "And then you went to work for Shield?"
"Well kinda. The other girl and I were rescued, the rest is a kind of a long story..." Zara shrugged, taking a sip of her coffee as the three of them sat pondering the past.

"Okay I have to ask..." Jessica started after a long pause as if gathering courage, "What happened with Dad and your Mom... They were found dead, you said you did it. What happened?"

Zara let out a long breath, glancing at Bucky who had his eyes on her, attentive as always which didn't go unnoticed by Jessica.
"I was killed, captured, and revived by Hydra last year - another long story - but the short version is that they wiped my memories when I woke up, and I was brainwashed to kill. I don't remember killing Mom and dad, but I know they sent me there to catch Shield's attention. Successfully as it were." She said, glancing over at Bucky who reached across and gave her thigh a squeeze. "I'm not sad that it happened though... How horrible does that sound?" She added, not game enough to look Jessica in the eye.
"Not at all. I knew he was an asshole, but I didn't think he'd trade his child for a promotion at work..."
"We didn't have any kind of relationship growing up, he was like a drill sergeant and if I didn't do what I was told, I suffered the consequences. You can understand why I tried to run away... After the bike crash I wasn't allowed to see friends or leave the house without him, and then I was taken and the rest is history."

"He wasn't that bad with us growing up." Jessica started, "Strict, yeah, but never laid a hand on us. Mom raised us on her own as he was always away on work trips, but as long as the money was coming in, she didn't really care. I think deep down she knew something wasn't right, but why break up a family unit when we lived so comfortably, y'know?" Jessica said, Zara nodding.
"It wasn't until years later I accidentally found out he was alive while working an unrelated case... But by then he'd obviously shipped you off, and was living with your Mom. I could never pin him down though... By the time I thought to get back to looking for him he'd moved again and it took me years to find him. By then it was too late..."

The three of them went back and forth over another coffee and several stacks of photos before it was time for Jessica to meet her client. She hadn't mentioned Ward, but promised to call Zara soon for another talk, or possibly to come visit them at Shield. When they parted, Jessica stepped in to hug Zara, squeezing her tightly, Zara doing the same.
"Look after yourself little Jones..." Jessica had said to her when they'd left, patting her on the shoulder as she stepped out the door. Bucky had given her a friendly smile and a wave, putting his arm around Zara as they made their way down the hall.

The ride back to the base was shorter with Bucky having to go a bit quicker to beat the weather. A rainstorm was looming behind them, the temperature dropping considerably. Zara hung onto him tightly, burying her face into his back and hugging him with her knees. The downpour held off until they were only a couple of miles out, Zara gritting her teeth as the first flash of lightening flickered as the heavens opened up on them.
Bucky pulled into the garage, getting them home safely, the two of them getting off the bike quickly and making a dash for their room where it was warm and dry.
They laid their helmets, gloves and jackets out to dry, both of them ending up in the bathroom together stripping their wet clothes off, Zara in fits of giggles as Bucky struggled to peel her wet skinny jeans off. With one mighty yank they finally came free, Zara still on the floor, Bucky kneeling in front of her with a triumphant look on his face. She propped herself up as she leaned herself against the counter, going quiet when Bucky crawled towards her on all fours, stopping between her knees, his face an inch from hers. She bit her lip, suddenly feeling nervous, but at the same time wanting him to stay there. He went to back off at her reaction, Zara closing her knees against his sides, stopping him.
"Don't go" She whispered, his lips turning up into a small smile. He leaned back in, kissing her tenderly, pausing to look into her eyes as if to check she was okay with it. She gave him a smile with her blue lips, Bucky standing up and pulling her up with him by her cold hands. She crossed her arms as he turned the shower on, pulling her in after him. He stood behind her, both of them getting under the stream, both still in their underwear. Bucky put his arms around her, kissing her on the cheek as they both warmed up.

Zara turned to face him, reaching behind herself to unclasp her bra, letting it fall to the floor as she stepped in to kiss him, Bucky eagerly returning the kiss, snaking his arms around her, pulling her closer. He ran his hands down her back, letting them come to rest on her waist where he tightened his grip, feeling her body tense. She gasped a little, Bucky pulling away from her, a worried look on his face.
"Sorry" She mouthed, leaning over to kiss him again, Bucky dodging her.
"No, I shouldn't have pushed you" He said, glancing down at his hand, realizing it was gripping a deep bruise, "Or gotten busy with my hands..."
"I like it when you're busy with your hands..." She chuckled.
"Not when my hands did THAT" He said, crouching down to get a closer look at the purple mark up her side.
"That wasn't you, that was my fault... I was the one who decided to cause a car wreck"
"Only because you were running from me"
"Only because I wanted to save you... Because I love you, Buck..." She said quietly, looking down at him as he stopped to look up at her. He closed his eyes, kissing the darkest part of the bruise before standing back up again.
"I love you too, Zee."
"We really have been through a whole lot together, haven't we" She said, pondering aloud as she thought back to the conversation with Jessica. She snuggled into his chest, relaxing as her body warmed up.
"I was thinking that, myself before" He admitted, wrapping his arms around her again, gently this time, "Which is why I need to look after you, and you need to let me..."
"I've been really good lately" She argued, feeling a chuckle reverberate through his chest.
"You have... But don't be in such a rush for this" He said, running his fingertips down her side suggestively, Zara struggling to suppress a grin.
"It's not your job to please me, and I don't want to hurt you. We'll be back to normal before you know it, you just have to be patient" He said, his voice almost a whisper, "I'm not going anywhere" Zara nodded against him.

Bucky was the first one out of the shower, drying himself and heading into the main room to turn the heater on while she finished washing her hair. She was almost dry when he called out to her, something about a meeting with Stark in the morning. They spoke briefly through the crack in the door as she dressed herself in the sweatpants and fitted long sleeve top he'd brought in for her, and he pottered around tidying the apartment. Both Candice and Wanda would be on base first thing in the morning and a new mind shield would be getting tested, Bucky the first one to try the new design.
Much to Zara's surprise he sounded really excited and positive about having his mind bombarded with attacks while trusting one of Tony's devises to protect him... 

Zara walked out after shoving all their wet clothes in the machine, deciding to do a quick lap around their room to gather up any other clothes that needed a wash, finding the off sock or shirt here or there. She picked her phone up, holding the 'on' button down as she made her way back into the bathroom, dumping the last few things in the machine. The phone lit up and vibrated as it came to life, Zara tucking it in her pocket while she added the washing liquid, pressed a few buttons and closed the lid, the machine coming to life. She hung the towels up, finally feeling content with the state of the room when her phone buzzed in her pocket.
She pulled it out, unlocking the screen, her eyes darting up on hearing Bucky sit himself down on the couch and flick the TV on.

Unknown, 4.45pm
Little disappointed I haven't heard from you in a few days, princess...

She grit her teeth, deciding to ignore it as she locked the phone, only to have it vibrate in her hand again.

Unknown, 4.45pm
And don't ignore me, I know you're back home from your little trip today ;)

Zara Jones, 4.46pm
And what little trip would that be?

Zara shook her head, no trackers, no GPS and only Rogers and Jessica Jones knew where they were for the day... Whoever this was, was clearly full of shit.

Unknown, 4.47pm
Testing the waters, I see?

The reply puzzled her until another message came through with a map, showing all her movements for the day, including the impromptu stop to get something to get lunch on the way home, which of course nobody but her and Bucky knew about...

Zara Jones, 4.58pm
So you have someone following me? Real ballsy, why not just show your face so we can get this over with, or did my company today intimidate you? Maybe something to do with what was left of your little organization dumping you and disbanding? Don't think we don't know what's going on. Fuck off or front up.

Unknown, 4.58pm
I'm well aware you know full well what's going on. You better believe we'll be fronting up sooner rather than later, and no matter where you are or who you're with, we'll be able to find you. Sleep well knowing you're being watched, you won't be laying next to him for long. The countdown is on, see you soon -Ward xx

Zara turned her phone off again, realizing that her breathing had deepened and her heart had taken off at a million miles per hour. She looked up through the gap in the door, Bucky laughing at whatever TV show he was watching, blissfully unaware of someone threatening her in the next room.

TELL HIM!!!

She shook her head at herself, one more day... Well not even a day, in a matter of hours they'd have a mind shield that worked. Once they had that set up, then she'd tell him. Yes, definitely... She let out a breath, making her way to the front door to test it was locked, Bucky looking up at her, raising a brow.
"You okay?"
"Yeah, just making sure we're safe in here."
"If you had any idea how many weapons there were in this room, you'd leave the door open and invite trouble in" He chuckled.

Yeah, well I don't think I need to leave the door open for that...

She forced a smile, offering to make them a coffee before he had the chance to pull her up on it.

Okay, I know it's Ward, I know he's watching me, and I know he's planning to hurt, kill or capture me, possibly Bucky too... If I tell him, we go back to battle stations and everyone flies into a panic. If I wait till morning I'll have time to figure out how he's watching us, and Bucky will be protected, regardless. If he has a working shield, then we're both safe, simple as that. He won't let harm come to either of us if his mind is safe... Even if I did tell him now, there's nothing that can be done until the morning anyway... Suck it up, only a few more hours to go.

"Hey Buck, what do you say we skip the coffee and have a nice, relaxing bourbon each?"
"Sure, what's the occasion?"

To chill me the fuck out...

"No occasion, I just want to enjoy some time with you, and we haven't had a drink together in a while"
"Sounds good, I'll get the bottle out"