Bucky's P.O.V.
Frankly, I don't know what the hell I'm doing here. All I know is Sam woke me up and dragged me to this stupidly large conference room, Steve was waiting with a file, and now, I feel like a kid in detention.
It's about the most idiotic thing that's happened in at least fourteen hours.
"Listen, Buck," Steve sighs deeply. "I know you're trying. And I know it's hard. Trust me, I know."
This again. I fight the urge to roll my eyes. I love Steve. Of course I do. But the punk is pushy as hell.
"But I'm just going to be honest here," he continues. "We really need some progress. This whole 'hide-in-my-room-and-hate-myself' thing isn't working. Tony's getting moody about it, Fury's starting to complain, and, honestly, I hate seeing you like this."
Does it look like I give a damn about Stark and Fury's feelings?
I scoff at the thought. I gesture to the three of us, "What is this? An intervention?"
"Yes," Sam deadpans. I glare his way. He's lucky I like him.
"I know someone who can help," Steve continues. I raise my eyebrows at that.
Seriously? A babysitter? I'm a grown ass man. The brainwashing is gone, dealt with. Why the hell does he think I need help?
"So, a shrink," I say, unamused.
Steve sighs again and pinches the bridge of his nose. Sam outright starts cackling. I give him a dirty look. This is dumb. All of this is dumb. I don't need someone to help. I'm not going to snap again, if that's what they're worried about.
"A shrink," Sam repeats, still snickering. "Sure, if that's what you want to call the most dangerous covert operative SHIELD has to offer."
That catches my attention. Not a babysitter, then. Why waste a covert operative on me, though?
"They call her Nightingale," Steve explains once he notices I'm a little less offended. Softer, he says, "Hydra had her too, Bucky."
My eyes shoot to Steve's. I clench my jaw. Another one? Someone else like me?
I can't even start to like the idea, though. All I can think of is some poor woman, locked up in Siberia and screaming as they hurt her. And the brainwashing- god, no, I can't do it. I can't be near her if she's been brainwashed too.
If it isn't out of her, I could have to kill her. I can't. I can't kill another Hydra victim. I can't do it. I won't.
"Brainwashed her?" I force out as I fight the growing panic attack. I sound choked and restricted, but that's probably because I'm actively struggling to breathe. Steve shakes his head.
"All her file says is torture and experimentation. She's safe. I promise," Steve says, and it's meant to comfort me. I guess it does, a little.
I'm quiet as I fight to regain control of my heart rate, and I stare down at the table. I close my eyes.
"Fine," I mutter. "At least she won't try to make me talk," I grumble, glancing at Sam. He smirks.
"She barely talks herself. It's creepy as hell, but you'll like her," he says. He sounds way too satisfied with himself. I roll my eyes.
"What's her story?" I ask Steve, glancing down at the file clearly labeled Kataryna Kryvonis.
"Ukrainian. Former military," Steve says, and I immediately notice he's giving me as few details as possible. "She was captured, ended up with Hydra. If you want to know anything else, you'll have to ask her yourself."
I glare between the two of them. Sam looks smug, and Steve seems, well, relieved. That's good, I guess. I don't want to be a burden for him. If this lady- whoever she is- being here will mean things are a little easier for Steve, I'll make it work. He fought like hell for me to be welcome here. He did it all over again when he got me to Wakanda and convinced them to help me. The least I can do is play nice with this 'Nightingale' woman.
Steve's phone beeps, startling me. Damn things, I still haven't gotten used to them and the sudden noises they make.
"She'll be here in an hour," he says after reading whatever message he was sent. To me, "Seriously, though, Buck. I think you'll like her."
Here's hoping.