Captain America
“Should Old Acquaintance Be Forgot…”
Part six.
He’s been reviewing the events for the past half hour, assessing every minute detail, considering if anything was out of the ordinary. Unfortunately, Natasha also felt his distance – after her debriefing with Stark (at least, that is what she said), she seemed frustrated… needed to open up – but at the same time, she could not. After all, not everything was declassified – and Bucky… no matter the fact that he was now the new Captain America, had no security clearance for her to open up to. So could this frustration be a sign of ‘out of the ordinary’ situations happening? It could be that... something was certainly up - and this Captain America could sense it.
He tried reminiscing about his 'memories' of her – making an excuse that he still had blind spots with his long term memories – especially as the Winter Soldier, which was not far form the truth. He was testing her… seeing if she really knew him.
She was seeking comfort – a reason to forget what her day was like… and he was trying to do subtle interrogation… by way of seduction – an art made more challenging, by the way, considering that the Black Widow's dosier would specify that she was a known master of such techniques.
He could remember how she just stood up, facing the window, and asked him bluntly… “Why are you doing this James? Why are you pushing me away, while you ask all these questions about our past? If I did not know any better, I’d swear that you were interrogating me… are you?” The last statement said, as she turns to face him.
What could he say? He knew she would sense the truth, but at the same time, he was trying to see if she was aware of what was happening, that Skrulls were abound. No easy way around this one… so he decided to go for truth. “You’re right ‘tasha’, I am interrogating you…”, he registers the look of surprise – then hurt, as she weighs his words, and sees his him casually raise his gun at her, “I’ve been told not to trust anyone… and that includes you, so answer my questions, or…”
“Or what?!... you’ll kill me?!” Outrage – a promising sign, after all, he can always try asking her forgiveness later. He stares evenly at her… and simply answers… “Yes.” Surprisingly, she takes this in stride – but her tone tells him otherwise. “Very well, comrade…” she states, formally… distantly. “What would you like to know?” The only indicator of what she really felt, evidenced by the moistness of her eyes.
20 minutes later, she’s answered all his queries – and She is still staring at him, but with a look very distant to her earlier caring visage when she entered the room. Seeing that he has not asked her anything for the past minute, she finally breaks the silence. “Are we done? Does my debriefing satisfy you?”
“Tasha… I…”
“No!” She literally moved so fast, launching herself across the room – and slaps him on the face… a move that is both unexpected – yet not surprising. He saw it coming, but did nothing to prevent it.
“Don’t you dare call me that way!” This statement, almost screaming… “I reserve that privilege for people I am close to – and last I heard, that presupposes trust between me and that person whom I allow to call me that way.”
From accusatory, she composes herself and projects an aura of ‘cool and calculating’ the Widow’s professional face. “Apparently comrade Captain, I do not belong in your circle of trust – so I am simply reciprocating.” She turns away, before he could say anything. “Goodbye Captain… and good luck” She closes the door and leaves him feeling slgihtly overwhelmed by what just happened.
He then dons the mask and leaves through the window.
“Widow!... Wait!” He exclaims, having caught up with her pace after a few blocks, and as he sees her turn, she moves all the more faster – this time, using the crowds and rooftops – she obviously will not make this easy. He finally catches her; grabbing her wrist. “Natasha! I said wait!”
She counters and he finds himself flying towards a wall, his momentum being used against him – such surprising strenght for one so lean - then again, she has been a spy for a long time, and a hero - so that lean frame has to be all muscles - he thinks as he back flips, making sure his feet hit the wall. He pivots back to summersault and land beside her. Despite herself, she seems slightly impressed.
“The time for talk is ended, James, I do not appreciate being given the cold shoulder – more so by you! If you cannot trust me enough to share your intent, you need not bother talking to me. I’m sure Tony Stark has given you the same marching orders he gave me. I understand that.”
He does not miss a beat. He approaches her and agrees – “Yes, I have Natasha… I’m sorry. Can you forgive me?”
Her face softens for a moment…
Then she tosses a small device to him, and it attaches to his chest – he looks dumbfounded at it, before a hundred kilovolts course through his body – and he falls. Drifting into unconsciousness, he sees her slowly approaching him. Looking clinical.
He awakes, tied up – back in the apartment. She’s there… with another man. He looks Russian, with reddish brown hair and a moustache. He collects himself and struggles – as the Widow leans closer. “What is your mission here?”
Captain America glares at her, and keeps quiet. “Suddenly silent? Don’t be, I know you – and I know you are not working alone. Tell me now, and I can spare you.”
“You sicken me Natasha! How could you turn against the Earth and the human race?”
“Even now, you play the role quite well… convincing at that. But you see, your plan had one little flaw – possibly due to failed intel on your part.” She looks at him – this time, with deadly intent, “Whoever you are, you are not Bucky Barnes… and make no mistake – you declared war with us – so you had better not think that I will go follow rules of conduct based on the Geneva accord… which by the way covers the ‘Human Race’ only, last I read.”
A moment’s pause, then the shape of Bucky Barnes/Captain America shifts, while taking on a more fluid form and, in the process, loosening his bonds. “Look out!” the Widow’s companion shouts, and he picks up the shield he's been hiding at his back – tossing it cleanly at the Skrull’s neck – hitting the larynx (or what may pass like one) – as the Skrull’s escape is aborted, the Widow’s companion releases a taser, and uses it on said revealed Skrull.
He whispers to the Skrull in Russian “Nothing personal, but I do not like people stealing my name and face, comrade...” He then 'removes' his face - a mask! thinks the quite groggy Skrull, and reveals his true visage… as Bucky Barnes – “…and, as you can see, you’re not the only ones who can borrow faces.” The last half of said statement said in English. The Skrull falls into darkness, wondering whrn his cover was blown.
“He is unconscious James, or at least he seems to be.”
“Yeah, that he is – or she is… we can’t really tell with these body-snatchers, can we?”
“Does it matter? He is an enemy – and now a prisoner of war. Will you do the honors of interrogating him, James? Or shall I?”
“I’m thinking, maybe we should turn him over to Stark and S.H.I.E.L.D. – of course, we could delay that a bit.., until we get to learn more of their plans.”
“As you wish…”
“I do… ‘talia’ – lucky for us, he didn’t really know what I call you, huh?”
“No… whoever he got his intel from, it is obvious that he thinks I go by the name of Natasha – and most everyone calls me that… except you, of course, James.” “By the way, James… how did you know to trust me?”
“Simple Talia, by taking on the guize of an old friend of yours, and looking for some reaction on your part. Surprise was definitely a reaction I was looking for when I used Ivan’s face when I approached you.”
“You realize that I could have killed you for that… Ivan, after all, has not been a part of my life for a long time… but he was very dear to me - an uncle if you will, as it is, I miss him again.”
“Yes I did recall how he hovered around you all the time… and I was somehow banking of that recognition as well. I gambled that should they try to take you, it would be with more recent... acquaintances... like me.”
As he stands to pick up the unconscious Skrull, he hears the Black Widow sweetly ask...
“Wait James, before we go – what did Ivan use to call me?” He notices the slight tension in her voice. And responds coolly - “I believe it was Princess – Princess Natalia.” Bucky says in a rather half-joking manner, then, adds.... "You testing me now ‘talia?"
She simply smiles… and that’s all he needs see... the smile of a princess.
“Should Old Acquaintance Be Forgot…”
Part six.
He’s been reviewing the events for the past half hour, assessing every minute detail, considering if anything was out of the ordinary. Unfortunately, Natasha also felt his distance – after her debriefing with Stark (at least, that is what she said), she seemed frustrated… needed to open up – but at the same time, she could not. After all, not everything was declassified – and Bucky… no matter the fact that he was now the new Captain America, had no security clearance for her to open up to. So could this frustration be a sign of ‘out of the ordinary’ situations happening? It could be that... something was certainly up - and this Captain America could sense it.
He tried reminiscing about his 'memories' of her – making an excuse that he still had blind spots with his long term memories – especially as the Winter Soldier, which was not far form the truth. He was testing her… seeing if she really knew him.
She was seeking comfort – a reason to forget what her day was like… and he was trying to do subtle interrogation… by way of seduction – an art made more challenging, by the way, considering that the Black Widow's dosier would specify that she was a known master of such techniques.
He could remember how she just stood up, facing the window, and asked him bluntly… “Why are you doing this James? Why are you pushing me away, while you ask all these questions about our past? If I did not know any better, I’d swear that you were interrogating me… are you?” The last statement said, as she turns to face him.
What could he say? He knew she would sense the truth, but at the same time, he was trying to see if she was aware of what was happening, that Skrulls were abound. No easy way around this one… so he decided to go for truth. “You’re right ‘tasha’, I am interrogating you…”, he registers the look of surprise – then hurt, as she weighs his words, and sees his him casually raise his gun at her, “I’ve been told not to trust anyone… and that includes you, so answer my questions, or…”
“Or what?!... you’ll kill me?!” Outrage – a promising sign, after all, he can always try asking her forgiveness later. He stares evenly at her… and simply answers… “Yes.” Surprisingly, she takes this in stride – but her tone tells him otherwise. “Very well, comrade…” she states, formally… distantly. “What would you like to know?” The only indicator of what she really felt, evidenced by the moistness of her eyes.
20 minutes later, she’s answered all his queries – and She is still staring at him, but with a look very distant to her earlier caring visage when she entered the room. Seeing that he has not asked her anything for the past minute, she finally breaks the silence. “Are we done? Does my debriefing satisfy you?”
“Tasha… I…”
“No!” She literally moved so fast, launching herself across the room – and slaps him on the face… a move that is both unexpected – yet not surprising. He saw it coming, but did nothing to prevent it.
“Don’t you dare call me that way!” This statement, almost screaming… “I reserve that privilege for people I am close to – and last I heard, that presupposes trust between me and that person whom I allow to call me that way.”
From accusatory, she composes herself and projects an aura of ‘cool and calculating’ the Widow’s professional face. “Apparently comrade Captain, I do not belong in your circle of trust – so I am simply reciprocating.” She turns away, before he could say anything. “Goodbye Captain… and good luck” She closes the door and leaves him feeling slgihtly overwhelmed by what just happened.
He then dons the mask and leaves through the window.
“Widow!... Wait!” He exclaims, having caught up with her pace after a few blocks, and as he sees her turn, she moves all the more faster – this time, using the crowds and rooftops – she obviously will not make this easy. He finally catches her; grabbing her wrist. “Natasha! I said wait!”
She counters and he finds himself flying towards a wall, his momentum being used against him – such surprising strenght for one so lean - then again, she has been a spy for a long time, and a hero - so that lean frame has to be all muscles - he thinks as he back flips, making sure his feet hit the wall. He pivots back to summersault and land beside her. Despite herself, she seems slightly impressed.
“The time for talk is ended, James, I do not appreciate being given the cold shoulder – more so by you! If you cannot trust me enough to share your intent, you need not bother talking to me. I’m sure Tony Stark has given you the same marching orders he gave me. I understand that.”
He does not miss a beat. He approaches her and agrees – “Yes, I have Natasha… I’m sorry. Can you forgive me?”
Her face softens for a moment…
Then she tosses a small device to him, and it attaches to his chest – he looks dumbfounded at it, before a hundred kilovolts course through his body – and he falls. Drifting into unconsciousness, he sees her slowly approaching him. Looking clinical.
He awakes, tied up – back in the apartment. She’s there… with another man. He looks Russian, with reddish brown hair and a moustache. He collects himself and struggles – as the Widow leans closer. “What is your mission here?”
Captain America glares at her, and keeps quiet. “Suddenly silent? Don’t be, I know you – and I know you are not working alone. Tell me now, and I can spare you.”
“You sicken me Natasha! How could you turn against the Earth and the human race?”
“Even now, you play the role quite well… convincing at that. But you see, your plan had one little flaw – possibly due to failed intel on your part.” She looks at him – this time, with deadly intent, “Whoever you are, you are not Bucky Barnes… and make no mistake – you declared war with us – so you had better not think that I will go follow rules of conduct based on the Geneva accord… which by the way covers the ‘Human Race’ only, last I read.”
A moment’s pause, then the shape of Bucky Barnes/Captain America shifts, while taking on a more fluid form and, in the process, loosening his bonds. “Look out!” the Widow’s companion shouts, and he picks up the shield he's been hiding at his back – tossing it cleanly at the Skrull’s neck – hitting the larynx (or what may pass like one) – as the Skrull’s escape is aborted, the Widow’s companion releases a taser, and uses it on said revealed Skrull.
He whispers to the Skrull in Russian “Nothing personal, but I do not like people stealing my name and face, comrade...” He then 'removes' his face - a mask! thinks the quite groggy Skrull, and reveals his true visage… as Bucky Barnes – “…and, as you can see, you’re not the only ones who can borrow faces.” The last half of said statement said in English. The Skrull falls into darkness, wondering whrn his cover was blown.
“He is unconscious James, or at least he seems to be.”
“Yeah, that he is – or she is… we can’t really tell with these body-snatchers, can we?”
“Does it matter? He is an enemy – and now a prisoner of war. Will you do the honors of interrogating him, James? Or shall I?”
“I’m thinking, maybe we should turn him over to Stark and S.H.I.E.L.D. – of course, we could delay that a bit.., until we get to learn more of their plans.”
“As you wish…”
“I do… ‘talia’ – lucky for us, he didn’t really know what I call you, huh?”
“No… whoever he got his intel from, it is obvious that he thinks I go by the name of Natasha – and most everyone calls me that… except you, of course, James.” “By the way, James… how did you know to trust me?”
“Simple Talia, by taking on the guize of an old friend of yours, and looking for some reaction on your part. Surprise was definitely a reaction I was looking for when I used Ivan’s face when I approached you.”
“You realize that I could have killed you for that… Ivan, after all, has not been a part of my life for a long time… but he was very dear to me - an uncle if you will, as it is, I miss him again.”
“Yes I did recall how he hovered around you all the time… and I was somehow banking of that recognition as well. I gambled that should they try to take you, it would be with more recent... acquaintances... like me.”
As he stands to pick up the unconscious Skrull, he hears the Black Widow sweetly ask...
“Wait James, before we go – what did Ivan use to call me?” He notices the slight tension in her voice. And responds coolly - “I believe it was Princess – Princess Natalia.” Bucky says in a rather half-joking manner, then, adds.... "You testing me now ‘talia?"
She simply smiles… and that’s all he needs see... the smile of a princess.
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