From Bucharest
Chapter 14 - Red Guardian
Summary: The Winter Soldier must confront the Red Guardian to save Bec.
Trigger Warning: Graphic Depictions of Violence.
The Winter Soldier made his way to the adjacent building, ascending the fire escape with little effort. He hoisted himself over the side, hearing his metal arm shift into place as he pulled himself up.
Finding the M249 he had stashed there several nights before and concentrating through the scope, he scanned the area. His breath caught when he thought he spotted Bec's long blonde hair, but it was only a student.
Becoming increasingly frustrated, he stowed the weapon across his back and jumped from the roof, landing in a crouch that scared a young couple who had been sitting on a nearby bench, deep in what appeared to be a philosophical discussion.
He ignored their gasps of surprise and took off into a run in the direction of the apartment. He halted when his cellphone rang. Bec's name appearing across the top of the screen.
He nearly fumbled to answer it, the metal of his finger scratching across the surface. "Bec, where are you?" he asked, his voice a desperate knot of fear and anxiety.
"Bucky, my boy, good to hear your voice." It certainly wasn't Bec's, but he recognized the deep vibrato immediately. Alexei Shostakov, the Red Guardian. "It's been a long time. 25 years give or take."
"Where is she? Is she hurt?"
"Nice to speak with you too," Alexei said, laughing over the line, a sarcastic note that made James want to punch through the device. "She's fine. A little bruised, but still breathing...for now."
"You know I can't do that. You need her, and unfortunately, I need you. So I suppose we are at an impasse, unless you are willing to turn yourself over. Then I might be prepared to deliver an exchange."
James could've sworn he heard a train echo in the background over the phone. He paused, moving the phone away and listened. His hearing along with several other senses had improved after HYDRA had injected him with the super serum, but he couldn't hear anything that sounded similar to what was coming from the other end.
He returned the phone to his ear. "What do you propose?" he asked, clenching the phone so tightly, he heard the plastic cover groan under his grip.
"Interesting. This female must have a strange hold on you. First you tell her your real name, then you're so willing to give yourself over for her. I'd say you might have a little crush, huh Buck."
He didn't recognize the name Alexei kept using, but it made his stomach churn a little, an undecipherable reaction. "Don't call me that."
"Whatever you say, brother. Meet me in an hour at Cișmigiu Park and we can chat. I look forward to seeing you. It's been way too long."
He shoved the phone into his pocket, a snarl of frustration rippling through his gritted teeth. He checked his watch. The park was only a kilometer from the University, giving him plenty of time to stop at the apartment.
Alexei was getting up there in age but not to be underestimated. They had crossed paths several times before, and while The Winter Soldier knew his skills and strength were superior, The Red Guardian had always left a mark or two.
And this time, Alexei had a hand he could play.
************************************************************************
James frantically gathered every weapon he had hidden around the apartment into the black backpack he had taken with him from HYDRA. He hadn't anticipated needing to don his Winter Soldier gear on this particular mission, but he strapped on his tactical vest, clipping the gun holster over his shoulder.
He checked his watch again, loaded his M249, and left for Cișmigiu Park.
The sky outside was a dull grey; large storm clouds rolling in. James checked the cache of combat knives along his hip and down his thigh. He slowed when he rounded the corner to the park. It was pretty much empty with the impending storm, but he spotted Alexei alone on a small bridge that extended across an idyllic pond. A strange juxtaposition if there ever was one.
Alexei waved, a goofy smile on his face. He was never the soundest of mind, but he looked even more manic than the last time James had seen him.
"Where is she?" James called out.
James approached the bridge, stopping where the path met the bridge's cobble stones. Alexei leaned against the railing, resting his elbows in a position of relaxation.
"It's been a long time. You look...older," Alexei said, a deep laugh following. "I suppose a century will do that to a person."
"I could say the same about you," James replied, resting his hand over his hip.
"You flatter me. Anyways, let's not beat around the bush. You for her, agreed?"
"You know that's not going to happen," James said, pulling his M249 from over his shoulder and cocking it.
Alexei moved off the railing, lifting his hands in the air. "Woah, woah. Take it easy, Bucky."
"Stop calling me that." Before he finished speaking, James shot the rifle, the bullet pinging off the railing just inches from Alexei's thigh.
"Now, now, now. I thought maybe we could play nice, but I guess not." Alexei barreled toward James, giving him little time to react, but Alexei was slower than the last time they had come face to face. James had just enough time to step out of the way, slicing through Alexei's shoulder with the combat knife he had withdrawn from his hip.
The two collided, James' rifle was knocked from his grip as Alexei struck him with the back of his elbow, stunning him slightly and giving Alexei enough time to wrap his bicep around James' throat until he was behind him, pulling his neck into a chokehold.
James bent back, giving himself enough space to slip out of Alexei's grasp. He twisted in one fluid motion, bashing his forehead into Alexei's face. He heard Alexei's nose crunch and several teeth spewed from his mouth. They both watched the teeth fall and bounce around on the ground.
Alexei laughed, blood bubbling around his lips. James stepped back, giving himself enough time to reassess. But Alexei was one step ahead, spitting the blood dribbling down his chin straight into James' eyes.
James felt a stabbing pain in his gut right below his ribs. He yelled out, grabbing at the open wound now gushing warm liquid down his front. The blood slicked his normal hand, making it hard for him to keep hold on his knife. As he managed to take in a breath, staggering back, Alexei bashed his fist into James' shoulder, knocking his metal arm nearly out of the surgically built socket.
While James moved to knock the arm back in place, Alexei managed to get in a kick to James' knee sending him stumbling.
"I can do this all day, old timer," Alexei chided.
James quickly took inventory; his stomach was bleeding heavier now, which made him think that Alexei had punctured his liver. His metal arm wasn't working properly, the mechanisms connecting the limb to his shoulder and therefore to his brain had most likely been knocked out of place.
"Ah, perhaps you are starting to realize the small predicament you have found yourself in," Alexei said, pushing against James' good shoulder until he was on his knees in front of the Red Guardian.
A glint of black chrome, caught James' eye. His M249 was a few feet away, behind Alexei's left foot, but with his metal arm malfunctioning, he would need to grab it with his right hand.
Alexei landed an upper cut, snapping James' head back. He kept himself up, bracing himself with his good arm. And that's when he heard it, a loud shot ring out. He waited for pain to spread through him again, but none came. He looked up to find Alexei falling over, his body as limp as the dead.
James scrambled back to avoid Alexei, slipping onto his back. He could hear that Alexei was still breathing despite looking like a corpse next to him; the super soldier serum coursing through him would be able to recover his body even after a bullet to the back, which he could now see near Alexei's hip bubbling with blood.
James rolled onto his side, taking in ragged breaths, each one feeling a claw was running across the gash in his gut. He knew he wasn't going to die, but he also knew he wasn't exactly in the best situation. Alexei could wake up at any moment, granted he was also in pretty bad shape, and not to mention the possible threat from whoever had made that shot.
He closed his eyes briefly, focusing on his heart beating and taking in enough air that he would need to push himself to his feet.
"Shit, James." The curse was both music to his hears and a shock to his system. He peaked through his heavy eyelids to see Bec standing over him. She looked mostly unharmed save a small bruise around her throat and his M249 was still clutched in her shaking hands. "Can you stand?"
He groaned, trying and failing to roll over on his front so he could prop himself up.
