Hydra gets Kree-ative
Bucky came out to the common floor and heard voices Steve was talking with someone he couldn't quite identify. He was alerted to something pushing past his legs racing into the room. He rounded the corner to see Carol Danvers and the talking raccoon. "Oh hey Buck. You remember Carol and Rocket?" He waved but didn't answer. "Carol dropped by because they got word of a kree on earth selling Hydra weapons on the black market of nowhere."
"Fun…..if i knew what half that meant." Rocket crossed his arms "It means your Hydra people are branchin out and playin' with things beyond them, that's what it means." He rolled his eyes "sounds typical for Hydra. I'll leave you to it." It was then that an orange cat hopped up on his shoulder and purred in his ear. "Well, looks like Goose approves. I guess he's good to go." He looked at Steve.
"What does she mean I'm good to go?" He smiled a little. "Rocket want's to find the Kree. He thinks maybe they are working through old Hydra bases and you know them better than any of us. We could really use your help. This kree has more information than they should about the team so we need to end this." He nodded. "Am I cleared for this?" He nodded "yes."
"Ok when do we get started?" Steve patted his back. "Rocket has a location search going, we'll move out as soon as we get a ping."
He headed towards his room and pulled out his gear. He held up the kevlar uniform. There was no way it would fit him now. It was made for an underweight winter soldier. He made a quick phone call and went down to the locker room and grabbed Clint's old uniform. It wasn't his favorite option but at least it was protection. Even Clint's uniform was cutting it a bit close. He rejoined the others and Steve made a face.
"What. I can't go out there in sweatpants and a tshirt can I?" Steve shook his head "No it's just…. I haven't seen that outfit in a long time. Didn't know Clint kept it." He nodded "well it's a good thing he did. It's about the only thing I had to wear." Goose resumed her perch on Bucky. "Ah that's why she warmed up to you so easily. She likes chubby guys. I couldn't see it till now." Rocket snickered "At least he still looks threatening even with the fuller face. Quill never did look threatening especially when he filled out a bit more."
Bucky crossed his arms. "Do we have a location yet? I'd rather not spend the rest of the day listening to you fat shaming someone." Rocket got quiet as he looked at Bucky. "Not yet jeez don't get your boxers in a knot." There was a small chirp and a map projected from Rocket's wrist. "Here it is." Steve looked at the map. That's near manhattan. I thought we cleared that one." Carol frowned "clearly someone came back. Lets go. Goose wait here ok. Mommy will be back." She gave the cat a small kiss and they left.
The closer they got to the building the worse Bucky felt. He hadn't been cleared for a mission in over a year. Even before that he hadn't really fought since they stopped Thanos in Wakanda years ago. He and Rocket carefully cleared the building checking for traps and cameras. They cleared the room and he signaled Steve and Carol. Despite the building being clear he still felt like someone was watching him. It was then that something struck him from behind and wrapped around his neck like a collar. It prevented him from calling out to Steve as some kind of energy surged through him. He wheeled around to see a petite woman with tattoos and Blue hair smash Carol into the wall like it was nothing and then walk over to him.
"Hey James, long time no see. Interesting companions you're running with these days." He shook his head as he backed away from her. "Vi...vi..vivian? Why?" She shrugged "Why not? Hydra needed a way to expand their reaches and I wanted a new toy. You were so easy to manipulate once I found my in. I hope you like my new toy. Everything Hydra needed from the chair but this is portable. So let's give it a go shall we?" Steve raced forward but was easily stopped by Vivian. Rocket was frantically adjusting something on his gun as he watched over Carol and Steve desperately trying to wake them.
He felt a surge in the energy pulsing through him as it tried to tear away memories. He screamed and fought. Struggling to hold on to Steve and Sam and Nat and every other person he loved so much. He finally felt it all rip away just out of his grasp as the world around him disappeared.
Steve staggered towards Vivian as his punches landed she could see he had every intention of murdering her. "You leave him alone." She snapped her fingers and sent another wave of energy pulsing through the collar. "His mind will be pudding by the time I'm through too bad you won't live to see it Captain." She wrapped her hands tight around his throat and smashed him into the floor. She was just about to deliver the final blow when Rocket fired off a shot setting the sprinklers off. He then tossed something in the air and waited. Vivian was now gasping and choking on the ground. This gave Carol a chance to grab her. "Rocket watch them. I'll get her back on the ship."
Bucky opened his eyes and found himself in his bed being held by Steve. He looked around the room. Steve feeling him move woke up. "Buck?" He latched onto Steve as he began to sob. "Did I hurt you? God please tell me I didn't hurt you. She tried to take you away from me Stevie. She tried and... and.. I fought…. I fought so hard it hurt. I couldn't lose you. No you ever again. Or Sam or Natasha or Clint. I love you guys. I NEED you guys. Please tell me I didn't do anything bad. I can't forgive myself if I hurt you." Steve rocked him as he hiccuped and sobbed rubbing small circles on his back.
"It's ok Buck. It's ok. You didn't hurt anyone. We're fine. You did good. I'm so sorry I asked you to go. If i had any idea that Vivian-"
"Vivian...this was all my fault. I let the fox in the hen house." Steve gripped him tight with one arm. The other was in a sling and he could see the dark bruises on his neck and chest. "No. It's not. No one considered that she was a rogue alien. Carol only just found out because Rocket's team caught one of their weapons runs. Don't blame yourself. What matters is that Vivian is being taken back to be dealt with under the fullest extent possible. How's your neck feeling? It took Tony and Rocket hours to get it off. We were scared you were gonna wake up before they were done."
He ran a hand around his throat and could feel a swollen groove. "I guess it's ok." Steve pulled out a handkerchief and wiped his face. "Good. I'll give Nat a call and tell her you're up. What sounds good for dinner? You get to pick?" He smiled still holding onto Steve. "Any meal I have with you is my favorite but I like the sound of pizza." He laughed "ok. I'll have Nat bring it in." He was now taking a good look at Steve.
His face was bruised and his back was in a brace. His right leg was propped on a pillow and he could see the pins holding it in place. "Damn Stevie she hurt you." The words stung as they left his mouth. "I'm-" he stopped as Steve placed a hand on his mouth. "Not. Your. Fault. If anything I need to apologize. That was a raw deal for you. For what it's worth Carol was so scared you were not gonna be ok. She left Goose here until you were stable. You told Tony your rank and file while he was trying to check you out. That's how I knew you were ok." He laid back against Steve "I don't think I'm good for missions anymore."
Natasha arrived with pizza and sat on the bed with them. "Glad to have you back with us. As you can see Steve celebrated turning 106 by getting the stuffing knocked out of him by a kree and almost not making it to 107. I knew Carol could punch his old ass through a wall, I just didn't want to see someone actually do it to him."
Natasha stayed with them as they ate pizza and watched movies. She fell asleep with her head on Bucky's chest and Bucky had his head on Steve's listening to the steady beat of his heart. Despite all that it caused he thanked god everyday for Erksine's serum. He thanked God that Steve had a chance to live his life and for tonight he thanked God for the chance to be a part of that life.