[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

[nerves_of_ice]

"That's the gunman." He looks up at her. "Tony got him, too."

[from_the_outside]

"If the Wakandans don't want to deal with him, the Task Force will," Ross grits out. "He doesn't get to shoot one of my agents and get away with it."

Sharon can't help reaching to rub at the freshly-healed spot on her back. There isn't even a scar. She wonders if she'd feel better if there were something, at least, but from her perspective it's like she was never shot at all.

Unlike for Ross. And for Bucky.

[nerves_of_ice]

"Tony's bringing him to Okoye," he tells Ross, before being distracted by the way Sharon shifts.

"Does it hurt?"

[from_the_outside]

"No," she promises. "It doesn't feel like anything happened at all."

[nerves_of_ice]

"Incredible," Ross mutters, eyeing Sharon with a narrow stare. "Don't think that means you get out of resting, though."

Bucky's in complete agreement, but figures Sharon doesn't need both of them ganging up on her at once. Instead, he asks Ross, "What news from your end?"

[from_the_outside]

"Same as yours," Ross tells him, as Sharon rolls her eyes. "The agents we left behind are cleaning up in Busan, and coordinated with Romanoff on surveillance. But only Stark made contact with the suspect."

A knock comes at the door, and Ross startles, slightly, before a muffled voice calls: "Food, as requested by Nakia. I will leave it here for you."

Ross goes to the door and waits until the footsteps have turned inaudible, then opens the door and wheels in a tray of delicious smelling food. Sharon's mouth begins to water.

[nerves_of_ice]

He goes to help set out the food on a table so they can all reach it - especially Sharon - without having to move much.

"I guess Klaue being dead probably makes a few things simpler on your side, huh?" It's a little dry, but to his credit, only a little.

[from_the_outside]

"Are you kidding?" Ross demands. "Do you have any idea how much paperwork that means?"

Sharon ignores him for the moment, opting instead to fill a plate with some spicy – what is that, lamb? – curry and flatbread, along with generous spoonfuls of the other dishes. It all smells and looks amazing and tastes even better, and she eats as Ross puts together a plate of his own. "I'd rather question him. The man knew the Wakandans would be at the casino, and he sure as hell acted like he knew help was coming for him. I want to know why."

[nerves_of_ice]

He shrugs at the mention of paperwork, and starts assembling his own plate. "Pretty clear he knew a hell of a lot more about Wakanda than most people," he points out. "It's possible he was assuming, or it's possible that his contact, his source, gave him a heads-up."

[from_the_outside]

"But why set it up to begin with?" Sharon asks. "He could have sold that vibranium to anyone. He didn't have to make it a big enough deal that the Wakandans would come for him. What was the end goal?"

[nerves_of_ice]

"I'm not sure it's 'how much', but more like 'any at all,'" Bucky replies. "I can tell you that when we first clashed, T'Challa was pissed as hell and accusing the Avengers of being involved just so we could get the vibranium."

[from_the_outside]

Sharon shakes her head. "That doesn't explain why Klaue set a trap for the Wakandans," she points out.

"He did know they were coming," Ross agrees. "He told me as much in the casino."

[nerves_of_ice]

"It could have been a trap," Bucky agrees. "It could also have been as simple as being ready to respond to a threat, if he'd gotten word. You'd have to figure that after Ultron, only an idiot wouldn't put a few more precautions in place. We just don't know enough yet."

[from_the_outside]

"Honestly, he kind of seemed like an idiot," Sharon points out. Ross makes a gruff sound as he swallows a bite.

"I'd like to interrogate the accomplice, if that's what he is. See what we can find out."

[nerves_of_ice]

"We can offer," Bucky murmurs. "No idea how much experience Wakanda's got in this sort of thing, but it might be a way we can help."

[from_the_outside]

"Could be," Ross agrees, as Sharon cleans up the last drops of sauce from her plate with a piece of the fluffy bread. He frowns and sends a new message, to Tony, Sharon thinks.

"Wonder if Stark's managed to ID him."

[nerves_of_ice]

"If he's on record anywhere that he can scan I'd be surprised if he hasn't," Bucky drawls. "Did you just ask, or do you want me to?"

[from_the_outside]

"Just did," Ross says, watching his phone. "And I – oh, hell."

He turns his phone to show Sharon and Bucky the image and name that had popped up. "He's one of ours."

[nerves_of_ice]

He feels his expression go blank as he looks at the image, then at Ross.

"Your agent was working with Klaue?"

[from_the_outside]

"Not mine," Ross tells him. "He's US Military. Was a SEAL, then Black Ops."

He looks back at the photo and curses. "I'll see if he's still active."

[nerves_of_ice]

"I know this is pointing out the obvious," Bucky says, "but it's going to be a hell of a problem if US Black Ops is involved in vibranium theft."

[from_the_outside]

"You're right," Ross says, frustrated. "That is pointing out the obvious."

He dials a number and presses the phone to his ear, wandering towards the window before snapping at whatever unfortunate picked up the call. "I need a background," he says, sharp. "Erik Stevens, formerly US Navy. Find out his last known location and if he's still active in the military."

A pause. "Then find out."

"The plot thickens," Sharon murmurs, and sips at her water.

[nerves_of_ice]

He keeps his voice low enough for Ross not to overhear him. "Not unheard of, mind you. Which I'm pretty sure he knows, too."

[from_the_outside]

"You don't get to where he's gotten without learning a lot of uncomfortable secrets," Sharon murmurs back. The sun is beginning to go down over Wakanda and the long golden rays glow into the room they've been given.

"And it's definitely possible. Could be someone back home is hedging their bets."

[nerves_of_ice]

He watches Ross pace the floor, completely ignoring the view now. "I could call Natasha," he observes. "See what she can find."