24

The flight was, for the most part, uneventful. There were no obvious signs that any of the passengers—or any of the flight attendants or pilots—were working for HYDRA. But that didn't ease the hyperawareness James and Rosalie were feeling. James was aware of how desperate HYDRA was to get him back; they were willing to do anything for his unconditional return. As for Rosalie, she was just an extension in HYDRA's eyes. She had what it took to be as good as the Soldier, but she wasn't like the Soldier. The Winter Soldier would always be HYDRA's favorite. Not that it mattered to Rosalie anymore. She was as good as dead anyway.

Rosalie was unconsciously aware that her fingers were irritably tapping against her thigh. She was expecting something to happen. She wanted something to happen. But HYDRA couldn't be so stupid as to attack on an airplane; especially full of civilians.

The thought almost made Rosalie roll her eyes. When did HYDRA ever care about the lives of civilians?

"What's wrong?" James' voice snapped Rosalie out of her thoughts.

Shaking her head, Rosalie looked up at James for a brief moment before looking down. "It's nothing," she said. There was a heavy moment of silence. "What do you expect me to say?" she murmured.

"The truth."

"I don't know what to think," Rosalie sighed.

"We'll figure it out when we get there."

"How'll we make it in Bucharest?"

James shrugged. "We'll have to figure something out," he murmured.

Rosalie tried settling into her seat, tried figuring out some sort of solution. She couldn't. Her brain was starting to feel...frazzled. For the first time in a long time, she couldn't think a comprehensible thought. She let out a sigh, trying to figure anything out.

"We'll be fine," James murmured. "We've made it this far."

"But what happens if this isn't good enough?" Rosalie felt a sensation rush over her, one she couldn't quite describe. "How long can we live like this?"

"For as long as we can." James put a hand over hers, hoping to bring some sort of unspoken comfort. "We've got each other. We're starting to remember. That should be enough."

Relatively early the next morning, Steve awoke to a phone call. He hardly understood how to use modern technology, even with the help he'd received from those around him. Luckily, Steve had minimal understanding on how to use the smartphone Tony had given him. And when he picked it up, squinting against the light it was giving, he sighed when he saw Tony's name on the screen.

"Hello?" he murmured, hoping he didn't sound too tired.

"Sorry to call you so late," Tony sighed, sounding equally tired, "but this is important stuff."

"What is it?"

"It's HYDRA..."

That was enough to pique Steve's interest.

Sleep, that was something Rosalie hardly experienced since reawakening. HYDRA didn't give her the opportunity to rest; going into cryogenic "sleep" was the closest she'd ever gotten to actual sleep.

So when she was carefully nudged, she almost jolted out of her seat, unconsciously grabbing at the closest weapon.

A hand stopped Rosalie from making anymore moves, which only frightened her even more. Until she was met with James' face. His face remained stoic, trying to ease the situation. "We landed," he murmured, his gaze steadying with hers.

Closing her eyes, Rosalie let out a couple breaths before nodding. James removed his hand from hers, once he was certain she wouldn't cause any harm. "When did we land?" she murmured.

"Not that long ago."

Nodding again, she swallowed thickly before standing up, adjusting her clothes. James stood up as well, keeping Rosalie close to him while they waited for the other passengers to get off.

They had to keep a façade of normalcy, that was their mission. They already made it as far as Bucharest, that part was completed. Partially completed. They only just landed in Bucharest, what they planned to do afterward was still up in the air. However much time they had in Romania would be for deciding what they planned to do.

Once the other passengers had gotten off, Rosalie and James got off as well.

When they made their way through the airport, dodging their way through families and other people, Rosalie and James made it out of the airport. Standing outside for just a moment, James and Rosalie took a moment to take in their surroundings. People were coming and going, various cars were picking up or dropping off individuals. There were some signs in different areas, telling drivers where to go and what to do. Rosalie's brows furrowed. She wasn't that fluent in Romanian.

"Why did you choose here?" Rosalie asked, looking up at James.

"I've been here before," James said, his voice hoarse. "I've done...various stunts here. I have some familiarity with the landscape."

"You remember?"

"They never made me forget."

Steve had listened to Tony carefully as he told the situation. HYDRA was starting to make more appearances around the globe, and they were causing trouble. People were terrified. They needed help.

"News spread quick about what you and Nat did," Tony said, his tone still tired but serious. "Things are a little more complicated now."

"But we'll do what we have to."

"We always do."

Author's Note:

Sorry for not having this chapter up sooner, but I hope this was at least a little bit interesting. I'll be sure to wrap up any lose ends as the chapters progress.

MCU isn't mine.

There's a possibility that I may wrap the story up pretty soon. I don't know how, but I'll try. So if you've got any ideas on how the story could possibly end, let me know, OK? I think suggestions from reviewers are important.

Have a nice New Year. Be safe, be smart.

Leave a kind and helpful review, please!

Thank you.

Susan Strong