Connections

45: Berlin

Tony sighed again. His eyes followed mine as he looked up at Bucky as well. He shook his head before looking back at me. "I do this because I want to protect you." He said. My eyes shifted back to him as he continued, "Right now you're acting like a schoolgirl with a crush."

"You're kidding me." I said with another scoff and leaned back into my seat.

"Running around in different countries doing god knows what." He continued, "What if something happened and I can't get you out? I can't pay off an entire foreign government."

"I would never ask you for that-" I tried to speak but he cut me off.

"No, This is what's best for us, for everyone." Tony continued.

"You keep talking to me like I'm a child, Tony. Maybe if you changed it up a little I would listen." I replied.

"That's because you're acting like one." He said quickly, his voice was low but seething with anger, "Running after your sleeper agent boyfriend causing damage along the way. I'm doing what I have to do to protect you."

That was it. I finally snapped, "Why do you care Tony? You're not my dad!"

The room fell silent as the oldest hurtful cliche fell out of my mouth. I opened my mouth shocked at what I just said as Tony closed his. I could see the pain develop in his face. That one hurt him. It hurt him big time. Tony nodded his head as I took in a sharp breath.

My eyes followed him as he walked up to the door of the room. I reach out for him. Trying to figure out what to say. "Tony I'm-" I tried to speak but he shook his head.

"No, it's fine. You made yourself perfectly clear." He said before walking out and shutting the door behind him. I fell back into my chair as the guilt washed over me. I shouldn't have said that. Why did I say that?

"Shit." I said to myself as as I leaned my head into my hands. I didn't know how to fix this one. I don't even think I can. That was horrible for me to say. Even after everything Tony has done for me.

I sat in silence for a few minutes as I tried to hold back the tears. Steve and Sam walked into the room as I just sat there staring at the table. I'm a jerk. I'm the biggest jerk there is. I took a deep breath as I looked over at the screens through the glass. Steve was doing the same. We couldn't hear anything but Bucky's evaluation had started. I just watched as his mouth moved. I could tell he was giving the doctor short answers.

Sharon walked with a paper handing it to Sam. He peered down it, looking over it before a glare set on his face. "Bird costume?" He asked annoyed. Hearing that, I knew Tony had a part in it.

"I didn't write it." Sharon snapped back.

Sharon stood at the middle of the table staring at Steve. She noticed we were both staring. I watched as she looked around and brought the sound and screen up to the tv in the room. I moved my eyes over as I watched silently and listened. I could hear how tired Bucky was. I just wanted to break him out so badly.

Steve looked down at the the files on Bucky. He opened it up and looked at the photo that was sent out.

"Why would the Task Force release this photo of Bucky to begin with?" Steve asked. Sharron shrugged.

"Get the word out, involve as many eyes as we can?" She answered.

Steve looked at me remembering what I told him. He seemed to catch on that none of this was adding up.

"It's a good way to flush a guy out of hiding. Set off a bomb. Get your picture taken." Steve continued.

I crossed my arms over my chest and continued looking at the screen. I focused in on the doctor evaluating him. Something wasn't sitting right. "It's a good way to get seven billion people looking for the Winter Soldier." I chimed in.