Rust and Ruin
James is making his way across the country in a car he stole and subsequently switched out the plates for. He’s got a base he wants to hit, and if all goes well, he’ll have a decent amount of time to set himself up. He’s got this down to a fucking science, and preparation is always key. HYDRA’s got pretty standard SOP across the board, but it’s those little anomalies that’ll get him killed if he’s not careful.
What he’s less prepared for is the base to already be something of a ruin. He frowns, from his hiding place. Someone hit the base before he did, and he doesn’t know just who. Actually, that’s not entirely true. It was probably Steve Rogers and his secondary, if he’s being honest with himself. But why? What would they get out of this? They aren’t still here, as far as he can tell, and nothing has happened to him yet.
That is why he makes himself move to investigate the wreckage. It’s less curiosity and more of a concern that he will miss something vital. They didn’t leave much. There’s bodies scattered around, several missing their heads. He thinks about stopping that shield with his metal arm.
He’s ambling around, staring at a burned out jeep, when he notices it. There’s a phone there, an older model, a paper stuck between its two halves. He gently eases the paper out, in case the phone has some tricks in it.
Hey Bucky,
We thought this was the best way to talk to you. It was - here, several words are scratched out - real good to see you again, back in DC. I hope your wound has healed alright. There’s no trackers in the phone, so I hope you’ll take it with you. All our numbers are programmed into it. I’m Cap, Sam is Wings, and Natasha is паук, - the writing is precise, as if the person writing the characters was unfamiliar with them - she says you’ll understand. He does. If you ever need anything from us or just - the next part is scratched out for several words - feel free to call.
I miss you,
Steve
James picks up the phone, considers it, retreats to cover with it. He recognized the handwriting of the note even before he read the name at the end. He wonders if he’s ready. He doesn’t know, and that worries him. But this is an invitation for a very small amount of trust, and maybe he’s ready for that. He’ll take the phone. It could be a trap, but something about the note says that it isn’t.
He’s not sure what it means when Steve Rogers says that he misses him. He misses Bucky, and James is quite sure that he is not Bucky. He doesn’t think he’ll ever be Bucky, unless SHIELD wipes and remakes him. They might. They’re all the same, after all. He will kill SHIELD too, if they try.
The phone goes into a pocket and he walks back to his truck. They’ve done him a favor, getting rid of this base, which means he can really get serious about his next one. Maybe visit a weapons cache of two. That will mean a detour, but he’s got a whole day free. He’s eaten, too, so he won’t need to stop to do that or to sleep.
He puts the phone in the glove compartment, next to a pistol and two knives. It will be safe that way. He keeps the note in one of his jacket pockets that is always kept zipped. It will be safe there too.