[Virginia AU] we rose up from the falling waters

[nerves_of_ice]

A little over a week goes by, and as it does Bucky falls into a pattern, slow but sure. He wakes with Sharon in the mornings, shares coffee and something that suffices for breakfast, then works a little on searches and checking contacts and sources from other time zones and locations. Mid-morning finds him at the Task Force offices with Riley and his team. Early afternoon finds him meeting with Ross, if there's any reason to; mid-afternoon he checks in with Steve, with Tony, or with Natasha before he goes back to tracing rumors and hints.

Today's different, though. Today is Sharon's first day back at work after her suspension, and Bucky's determined not to do a single damn thing that might possibly make it difficult for her.

Comments

[marvel_npc]

The black mask of the Panther habit stares back at the man impassively; behind it, T'Challa takes in the scene unfolding around them. Nakia is with the woman in white, helping to calm the crowd as the blonde woman orders Task Force agents among them. He wonders, idly, if they'll be confiscating the phones and cameras of the onlookers.

Turning his attention back to the mysterious man, T'Challa studies him, his temper simmering. "I have no idea who you are," he says, each word crisp and precise. "Why would I take your word on anything at all? I have never met Captain Rogers, and Wakanda has no dealings with the Avengers. If we did, rest assured we would have collected our property long ago."

He glances at the man's metal arm, then back at his face. "I can only assume you were here to collect more of our vibranium from this criminal for the Avengers you represent. Perhaps as some sort of arrangement with the Task Force?"

He doesn't wait for an answer. "Believe me when I say, these actions do not endear either group to us."

[nerves_of_ice]

He reminds himself of the news coverage, that this man's just lost his father, and that a king's probably got to be at least as arrogant as Thaddeus Ross just to get by in the world.

It doesn't help much. With an effort, Bucky keeps his tone mild. "I'm not here for vibranium," he says. "The Avengers don't want it. I'm here as a liaison from them to assist the Task Force in apprehending Ulysses Klaue, because the illegal weapons trade thing's a problem and he doesn't get to do that any more. Especially not with vibranium."

He makes himself meet the other man's contemptuous stare with an even one of his own. "My name's Bucky. Bucky Barnes. I served with Cap during the last world war. You don't have to take my word for it. God knows there's enough news coverage and museum exhibits to prove it."

[marvel_npc]

"Then you may take this message back to the Avengers, and to the Task Force, too, Bucky Barnes," T'Challa tells him, anger still steaming through his system. "Ulysses Klaue is coming to Wakanda to face justice for his crimes. What happens to him now is of no concern to any of you."

"Actually, I think that's not quite right." Everett Ross has appeared at his shoulder, and his eyes are hard. "Yeah, I know who you are under that costume, your highness. And I think, right now, you had better come with us. Let's not have this conversation in public."

[nerves_of_ice]

Getting out of the public eye's maybe the best idea he's heard all day. Hopefully the fact that T'Challa evidently knows Ross from elsewhere, given what they'd all heard on the comms, will be helpful here.

But if not--

He doesn't let himself move, but holds himself ready to act in case anyone does anything stupid.

[marvel_npc]

Two more join them: the woman in white, and Nakia at her side. The woman speaks to Ross in a low voice, reporting. "We have Klaue," she tells him. "We'd better get going before this blows up even more."

Ross turns to look at him, but T'Challa's attention is on Nakia. She meets his mask's stare with her own level one. There's something almost resigned in her eyes, but what bolsters him is the determination behind it. She nods, very slightly, and he exhales.

"Very well," he tells Ross. "We will accompany you. You may have access to Klaue for questioning before we remove him to Wakanda. And the vibranium returns with us. That is my offer, Ross."

[marvel_npc]

"Sure," Ross says, inwardly fuming. So the new king of Wakanda thinks he can set terms, does he? "Let's start with that. Come on, your highness. I'll drive."

He glances over at Barnes, who shakes his head very slightly and tips it toward the vehicle where they've secured Klaue. Probably not the worst idea this day's seen, he figures, and gives a sharp nod of agreement.

[from_the_outside]

"This way," Sharon tells Nakia, ushering her and the figure in black – who turned out to be T'Challa, of all people – toward the vehicles while Bucky moves like a silent predator toward the SUV with Klaue.

Who turns out to be a singularly annoying captive. He doesn't seem to care that he's been captured and instead spends his time singing 'Don't Stand So Close to Me' at the top of his lungs, making Ross grind his teeth so loudly Sharon can hear it from the passenger seat as the caravan winds its way towards the Task Force's safe room.

Sharon glances back at Nakia, who meets her eyes with a faint, wry smile and shakes her head very slightly.

No answers here, apparently. At least, not yet.

[nerves_of_ice]

He keeps his watchful gaze on Klaue, outwardly unmoved by the man's taunting or any of his antics, and keeps whatever thoughts he might have about the way the Task Force secures the weapon the man had embedded in his prosthetic arm to himself.

Halfway through the ride, his phone buzzes with an override signal. Bucky pulls it out of its inner pocket and flicks a glance at it. It's Tony.

so I'm seeing a lot of reports online about a wild night in Busan
I mean, a LOT
want me to tap in?

The last thing they need right now is for Iron Man to land on this city, Bucky thinks. He keeps his screen angled away from everyone as he texts back.

K in custody
minimal property damage
relax, will call later

[from_the_outside]

The ride to the safe room is a grim and silent one, until they arrive, whereupon the Wakandans engage in a hushed, whispered conversation that ends with the woman with the shaved head giving her king an exasperated glance and leaving – presumably, Sharon thinks, to get their things.

She changes out of the gown while the team gets Klaue situated, telling them to take any advice Bucky might give before she does so. By the time she returns, the Wakandan woman is back, and T'Challa has changed from the clinging black suit into something more reasonable. His gaze could burn a hole through the two-way mirrored glass of the room where they're putting Klaue.

"Sure this is a good idea?" Sharon murmurs to Ross, her arms folded. He shakes his head and scowls.

"But we don't have much of a choice, Carter."

[nerves_of_ice]

It's reasonably appointed for a safe room, he decides, even with a notable absence of basement cells. Bucky reviews the surveillance options with the team, confirms the cameras cover all angles, and makes sure that at least two agents are monitoring at all times. He sends a text to Tony to reconfirm everything's still okay and he'll still call later and reminds himself to share his observations about the women's car and spear later, too. Once that's finished, he returns to join Sharon and Ross in the room outside the interrogation cell.

For now, he doesn't approach T'Challa. Better to hold off on that until after this is dealt with.

"Well?" he asks Ross.

[from_the_outside]

Ross considers them both, his jaw tight, then looks at Sharon. "Carter, you know the Wakandan woman?"

"Nakia," she confirms. "I ran into her a few times during my SHIELD days. We're..."

She considers allies, tosses out colleagues. "Friends," she decides.

"Then I want you with her," Ross orders. "Find out what you can, and if there's any way we can get the Wakandans to relent a little. Barnes – "

He turns to Bucky. Though her boss is a short man, he holds himself with the kind of military precision that means even looking up at Bucky doesn't make him seem small. "With me," he decides. "In interrogation."

[nerves_of_ice]

Bucky nods. "Good cop, bad cop?" he asks, curious if the man's going to go classic or if he's got something else in mind. He keeps a corner of his attention on T'Challa and the spear-wielding woman, who approach them in time to hear the question.

"Pretty much what I was thinking," Ross says. He turns to T'Challa. "We'll go in first, then you guys can take your turn. Okay?"

[marvel_npc]

The woman leans close to T'Challa and mutters something in their language. T'Challa replies in the same, then turns back to Ross. "After your questioning, we will take him back to Wakanda with us."

Ross stares at him, feeling his headache beginning to spike. "What? No. Look, I like you fine, your highness, but he's in my custody now. He's not going anywhere. Listen, I'm doing you a favor even by letting you be in here."

He pairs this with a light tap of the back of his knuckles against T'Challa's chest. The king looks down, nonplussed, and Ross manages not to step back as the woman puts herself between him and the king. Her eyes are hard as steel as she snaps out what definitely sounds like a threat in the Wakandan language.

[nerves_of_ice]

The way she looks, he honestly wouldn't be surprised if she pulled out that spear of hers and stuck Ross in the gut with it. Bucky shifts position, clearly ready to act if necessary, and makes an effort at diplomacy.

Again. Natasha's going to laugh herself sick when she hears, he just knows it.

"Ma'am, please," he says, neutrally. "Deputy Commander, if you'd oblige me?"

[marvel_npc]

It's a sad day when the damn Winter Soldier is a relative beacon of diplomacy and manners. Ross looks askance at the woman. "Does she speak English?" he asks T'Challa, and her lip curls.

"When she wants to," she says, and Ross bristles as they eye each other. "Right, Sergeant," he answers Barnes, finally, and looks at T'Challa. "I'm going in. And when we're done, you're up."

He turns away, only to turn back as T'Challa calls him, before the king puts a friendly hand on his shoulder. "Agent Ross," he says, warmly. "I do appreciate your help here in Busan."

Ross looks at him, then at the glowering woman. "You see that?" he says, nodding to T'Challa's hand on his shoulder. "That's called diplomacy. You're welcome," he tells the king, and nods to Barnes. "Let's go."

[nerves_of_ice]

He's fairly certain that grip was a demonstration of power, if not a challenge to see if any of Ross's people would defend him the way T'Challa's own had, but Bucky doesn't rise to the bait, if bait it was.

Silently, he follows Ross into the interrogation room and takes up position against the wall, staring intently at Klaue, who's singing again.

[marvel_npc]

Ross settles in the metal folding chair across from Klaue, a Styrofoam cup of coffee in his hands, and doesn't allow any of the exasperation he's feeling to come across his face. Off to the side, Barnes is staring Klaue down like he thinks blinking might be against the law, but Ross has to admit it's effective.

He lifts his eyebrows at Klaue, waiting until the man finally stops singing and grins cheerfully at him. "You know," Klaue says, almost conversationally, "you really shouldn't trust those Wakandans. I'm much more your speed."

"I don't trust anybody, not in this job," Ross tells him, not allowing himself to get dragged in. "But what I am interested in is that arm cannon out there. Where'd you get that?"

Klaue smiles. "It's an old mining tool I made some adjustments to," he says. "But I can get you one if you like."

[nerves_of_ice]

“Why don’t you give me the name of your supplier and I’ll ask them,” Ross counters.

Bucky watches as Klaue looks past him and at the window. “He’s right outside. Why don’t you ask him yourself?”

“T’Challa? You’re telling me that weapon on your arm is from Wakanda?” Disbelief paints Ross’s words.

For his part, Bucky’s not so sure. He thinks of an impossible spear, of a car that repelled bullets as harmlessly as rain, and narrows his eyes the slightest bit.

[marvel_npc]

"What do you actually know about Wakanda?" Klaue pitches his voice low, like they're conspiring together, but Ross doesn't lean in.

He shrugs. "Shepherds," he says. "Textiles. Cool outfits."

"It's all a front," Klaue tells them. Ross frowns as he goes on, luxuriating in each word, like a storyteller with an audience. "Explorers searched for it for centuries. El Dorado. The Golden City. They thought they could find it in South America, but it was in Africa the whole time. A technological marvel. And all because it was built on a mountain of the most valuable metal known to man."

He must see Ross's skepticism, but it doesn't stop him. "Isipho, they call it," he says. "The gift. Vibranium."

[nerves_of_ice]

“Strongest metal on earth, right?” Ross asks. Bucky’s pretty sure he’s trying to lead Klaue down the garden path, pretending to know less than he must. Seriously, ‘cool outfits?’

It seems to be working. “It’s not just a metal,” Klaue confides. “They sew it into their clothes, it powers their city, their tech, their weapons… makes my arm look like a leaf blower.” His glance shifts. “Yours too,” he informs Bucky, then looks back at Ross. “Strong silent type?”

Bucky manages not to roll his eyes.

[marvel_npc]

"You don't get to ask the questions here," Ross tells him. "And anyway: that's a nice fairytale, but Wakanda is a third world country, and you stole all their vibranium."

"I stole – ?" Klaue dissolves into astonished giggles, then lunges forward, shifting the chair he's restrained to by a few inches as Ross sits up and away from him. "All of it?" he growls. "I took a tiny piece of it. They have a mountain full of it. They've been mining it for thousands of years and they still haven't scratched the surface."

It's impossible, of course, but it's a strange story to tell, and Ross frowns, slightly, as he thinks about that arm cannon. "If you don't believe me," Klaue continues, "you ask your friend what his suit is made of. What his claws are made of."

He doesn't want to believe it – and he doesn't – but Ross hasn't gotten to where he is without a healthy dose of skepticism. He turns it over in his head, then glances back at Klaue and leans down to pick up his coffee before standing. "Keep an eye on him," he tells Barnes, and turns for the door, his expression grim

[nerves_of_ice]

Bucky nods to Ross and turns the full weight of his regard on Klaue, who looks back at him.

“Gonna beat up a helpless cripple?” he taunts. “Or is it supposed to be a fair fight because you’re a cripple too?”

As far as anyone watching could tell, Klaue might as well be speaking a language Bucky doesn’t understand. Taunts like this mean nothing. He watches him in silence, his empty-eyed stare unwavering, and waits.

[from_the_outside]

Nakia's a little distracted, she thinks. They're in the back room of the black site, looking out the window while surveillance huddles over a desk full of screens. A white van drives slowly by, then turns behind the building, and Sharon frowns as she sees Nakia watching it. "What's up?"

Nakia shakes her head. "Perhaps nothing," she murmurs, but tips her head toward the agent on monitor duty. Sharon follows as she goes and studies the different camera inputs. "Where's this?" Nakia asks the agent, pointing to an empty alleyway.

The agent gestures with his thumb over his shoulder. "Back there."

Nakia glances up and as their eyes meet, Sharon knows the same worry written on her friend's face is etched into hers, as well. "That van just turned in back there," Sharon murmurs, and Nakia nods.

"Come," she says, and heads into the main room.

[marvel_npc]

T'Challa had watched him approach with nothing more than mild curiosity, but Ross isn't buying it. "Your father told the UN that Klaue stole all the vibranium you had," he says, bluntly. "But now he's telling me you have more?"

T'Challa looks mild. "And you believe the word of an arms dealer strapped to a chair?"

Ross studies him, not wanting to believe what he's beginning to think must be true. There's no doubt in his mind that Klaue is lying... but he's beginning to think T'Challa is, too.

"How much more are you hiding?" he demands, only to whirl around as the other Wakandan woman bursts back into the room with Carter at her side, both of them tense and alarmed, and his stomach suddenly empties into a pit.

[nerves_of_ice]

“You don’t talk much, do you?”

Even if he’d wanted to answer, he wouldn’t have had the chance, for it’s at that moment when the wall explodes. Bucky goes down under a murderous weight of concrete debris. Even through the bursts of gunfire that follow, he can hear Klaue cackling.

Metal whines as he punches straight up, then sweeps his arm forward and down, unearthing himself. He’s in time to see someone carrying Klaue through the wall, chair and all, and bolts after them without hesitation.