[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

[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."

[from_the_outside]

"Give him a minute," Sharon advises, with the certainty that comes of long familiarity with her boss.

She glances a crooked smile at Bucky. "He's got contacts of his own, you know. And it wouldn't hurt to wait for him to ask you for help if he wants it."

[nerves_of_ice]

“I guess that’s fair,” he allows. “Give me time. I’m still getting used to it.”

[from_the_outside]

"Just remember," she murmurs. "Whatever you might think about him, or about the Task Force and how it's not the Avengers, he's not incompetent."

And he'd put himself on the line for her, more than once.

[nerves_of_ice]

“You know, that’s one thing I never thought he was.” He’s absolutely serious.

[from_the_outside]

"Good," she says, and smiles over at him. Ross, meanwhile, shoves his phone into a pocket and stalks back toward them.

"Stevens was honorably discharged last year," he says, looking like he's sucking on a lemon. "Which isn't to say someone back home isn't using him to play both ends against the middle, but there's nothing official. I'll do more digging. The last thing we need is for this to turn out to be some kind of power play by the States."

[nerves_of_ice]

"We've got a few hours, at least," Bucky observes. "Tony'd get here faster, but I somehow doubt he's dragging them through the air in his hands."

He considers that. "Although with him I guess anything's possible."

[from_the_outside]

"I wouldn't be against it," Ross says. "As long as he's in decent enough shape to question once he gets here. In the meantime, I'll pass on our new intel."

He fixes Sharon with a gimlet gaze. "And you should go rest."

"I'm sitting down," Sharon protests. "That's resting."

[nerves_of_ice]

Bucky raises his eyebrows at her in obvious disbelief, even as Ross counters, "No, it's sitting. Don't think I can't see your busy mind working."

[from_the_outside]

"I will if you both will," she says, by way of compromise. "I've been unconscious the better part of a day. I'm willing to bet neither of you did anything more than doze."

She glances back and forth between them. "Like you said, we won't know anything for a few hours, anyway."

[nerves_of_ice]

Bucky trades a look with Ross, and tries, "I can stand guard while you both rest. I'm good for a long while yet."

[from_the_outside]

"So am I," Sharon says, mulish, and settles herself a little more comfortably into the corner of the couch.

Ross scrubs his hand over his face and says, tiredly, "Carter, don't be so damn stubborn."

"Me?" Sharon gives him an incredulous glance. "I am being the least stubborn about this of all of us right now."