Chapter Text
"Just sit on the table over there. We'll get started on today's sessions in a sec." Shuri called from across the lab.
Bucky hopped up on the table and shifted his new vibranium arm.
"Did you sleep well?" Shuri asked.
"Mmm…yeah."
Shuri tsked as she fiddled with a small triangular device.
"You know you can tell me about your nightmares."
Bucky paused for a second and chewed his bottom lip.
"I didn't have a nightmare."
"For someone who's supposed to be one of the greatest assassins in history, you're a terrible liar."
Bucky kept his eyes glued to the floor.
Incoming call from Steve Rogers
"Wrong number. Redirect call to Sergeant Barnes." Shuri responded without glancing at her kimoyo beads.
T'Challa poked his head into the room.
"He wants to speak to both of you actually."
Bucky looked up. "Is it an emergency? We're kind of busy."
"It is. The avengers are calling for all hands on deck."
Huh
"Answer call"
A hologram of Steve appeared in front of them. He was wearing his full suit, minus the helmet.
"Captain, I hear there's an emergency. What's the situation?"
"Princesses, good to see you. Sorry for calling on such short notice but we have just received multiple reports of strange phenomenons."
"What sort of strange." Shuri asked.
"Blue flashes of light, loud explosive sounds and disturbances in electrical fields. "
Bucky furrowed his brow.
"What does the last one entail?"
"Electricity going out. Street lights bursting within a 4 km radius."
Bucky groaned and pushed his palms into his eyes. "Right. Okay. So why do you need me?"
"Well, we were just going to monitor the areas but Strange burst into Stark Tower like 10 minutes ago. He says that we've got some inter-dimensional visitors."
"Why contact me though. You've got the avengers."
"Strange says we'll need as much help as we can get. Didn't elaborate. Are you going to join us?"
"T'Challa are you coming?" Bucky sighed.
T'Challa shook his head. "I've just been notified that there's been a disturbance near our borders. I doubt it's an emergency but just in case I need to stay here."
"Shuri?"
"Nope, I'm gonna stay with my brother and make sure everything is okay."
"Right....do you think I should go?"
"Well you're pretty stable right now and we've been making some really promising progress. We haven't completed treatment though, so if someone tries to mind control you...well it won't work...but you will experience some…side effects."
"That's fine. As long as no one can mind control me I can handle the side effects." Bucky grunted.
"Great. The team and I will be there in an two hours."
"See you then."
The call blipped off and Shuri approached him.
"I know there's an extremely low chance that any of those visitors would know your trigger words, but if they do…"
"Shuri, don't worry I'll be fine. If things do go sideways I have a plan.
"You do? Wha-"
"The mission will go well, I promise." Bucky said firmly.
Bucky should have known better than to make such a promise.
***
As promised Steve arrived 2 hours later with Sam and Clint.
"How have you been, Buck?" Steve grinned, pulling him into a hug.
"Not bad. How's things been back at home?" Bucky replied, smiling.
"Well things have been a bit…tense back at the compound."
"That's an understatement." Clint snorted.
"I don't think we've properly met. I'm Clint."
"Nice to meet you. I'm Bucky, but I'm sure you already know that thanks to the erm…the airport fiesta."
Clint averted his gaze and his face contorted into a grimace.
"Let's get going. The others are already on their way to their locations." Sam called from the Quinjet.
"How many locations are there?" Bucky asked as they started towards the jet.
"Three. One in the French countryside, one in Singapore and one in New York." Sam answered, punching in the coordinates.
"Which one are we scouting?"
"The one in France, so buckle up and lets get this show on the road!"