Chapter 1
"Mission report."
The asset remains silent in the chair, staring at the scalpel in the doctor's white pocket. He is still in the same black combat suit when he was taken back.
The fight with the man on the bridge seemed to remind him of something distant, followed by a sharp pain between his temples. Memories in bits and pieces have taken over his mind, and all he can hear is a sound of bucky echoing through the valley.
"Mission Report" The doctor tries again.
The asset tiltes his head almost imperceptibly.
"If brainwashing doesn't work, I can try performing a surgery to remove parts of his brain," the doctor anxiously turned to the man with a rifle at the door with a noticeable fear in his voice.
The man moves forward to stand in front of the asset. He is visibly annoyed but doesn’t say anything besides staring straight at him.
The silence continues for a second too long until even the doctor shuffles a little uncomfortably, and the man suddenly smacks the asset in the face with his gunstock.
"Your beloved Captain America.” The man reaches out to grab Bucky’s hair and violently drags him down to the floor, “picking fights with me in S.H.I.E.L.D., and even in hydra still getting in my way.”
Bucky’s knees hit hard on the floor as he falls out of the chair, but he doesn’t resist. He stays on his knees and stumbles forward as the man pulls him close.
The doctor is startled and quickly takes a few steps back to keep his distance, and he watches as the man lifts the assets head by pulling his hair.
The doctor expects to see fear in the asset’s eyes, to see him apologize and beg on his knees like before. The agents win every time.
"How certain are you? If Pierce sees I can't do this, God knows if I'm the next one lying here tomorrow."
It took a second for the doctor to realize that the question is addressed to him. "Sir, I'm not the best neurologist. I had to try first.” the doctor swallowed, “You know, most memories can be erased or even changed, but he, after so many brainwashes, is still capable of remembering, it is very rare."
There is no anger, confusion, or resignation on the asset’s face, only a touch of tenderness. That is Barnes’ face. His eyes are wet with tears, which annoys the man even more.
"If you look at me like that again, I'll cut your eyes out." The man already has his hands on his sheath strapped on his upper right leg.
“Jack, hey, stop.” Someone grabs the man’s wrist.
The doctor feels a little relieved when he sees that it is the commander entering the room. He was worried that the agent might make the asset worse and then he’d have to fix him, but judged from the limited interactions he had with hydra field agents, Rumlow is the more refrained one comparatively.
Jack Rollins rolls his eyes and let the asset go.
Rumlow crouches down besides the asset, “hey, sodat, you okay?”
“Why the hell are you so obsessed with that thing?” Rollins kicks the asset in the ribs and smirks at him when he curls up.
“Jack! Can you quit hitting him?” Rumlow pushes Rollins slightly.
“Can you quit playing lovebirds with him and get your job done?” now Rollins is getting annoyed at Rumlow also.
Rumlow doesn’t say anything and stands straight. The doctor takes the opportunity to offer the idea he has for a long time, "With all due respect, commander, I don't think he's worth any more resources. It’s a waste of time. If you bring me a new test subject, I can assure you that the brainwashing effect will be much better."
"New test subject? Go straight to Pierce and ask him for a new fucking super soldier? Next time you might as well just say you want to get shot." Rumlow glared at him, “Just go. I got this”
The doctor is more than happy to leave the three of them and doesn’t even look back before rushing out of the door.
“You got this?” Rollins sounds amused, “If it weren’t for you, captain america would’ve been dead right now...”
“What do you want me to do? Shoot him on sight?” Rumlow argues back frantically.
“…and I don’t have to deal with this shit with pierce or the fucking asset or you…”
“and you think you can walk away free after that fucking helicopter livestream to the world?”
“oh so I have to thank you huh?”
“Yes! You’re welcome!”
Rumlow can’t help but sigh. "Listen, I’ll go to Pierce. Until then, you keep him on the chair. Okay?”
“Good.” Rollins finally grins, “then you better hurry. I don't care if his brain freezes. I’m not gonna let him stop screaming.”
Rollins grabs the Assets’ face, looks him in the eye, and scorns, "You like being Captain America's bitch that much? What the hell did he give you? Or do you just like him fucking you in stars and stripes?"
The asset looks up and unconsciously repeats the word, muttering "Captain America..."
“Fuck.” Rumlow frowns, “Go back to the chair. ”
Rollins loosens his grip and gives Rumlow an expression that clearly says I told you so.
SHIELD
Steve went through every secret SHIELD file he could find and attached labels on all the references to bucky. Hydra didn’t do anything after they bring him back from the bridge, which is suspicious enough. Steve knows that they must be planning on something. Pierce just promised him that he would find every hydra scum within SHIELD, but Steve still doesn’t trust him. He doesn’t trust anyone.
"Cap," Sam comes in his office, "There's another meeting this afternoon about the damage and pr after the incident on the bridge. If you don't want to go, I’ll find an excuse."
"It’s okay, I'll go." Steve puts down the file and stands up. There might be a clue about bucky.
"Conference Room 501." Sam is leaving but looks back at Steve, “We'll find him."
"Thank you."