Code Name: Untraceable

Chapter Eleven: If She Wanted To Stay

The team reconvened outside the compound, boots crunching over gravel, breaths still heavy.

Tension buzzed through the air, frustration boiling over as they tried to piece together what just happened.

"She had every chance to talk," Ava snapped, pacing. "She was right there!"

John threw his hands up. "And then she just bolted?! That's psychotic, right? We all saw that?"

"She ran," Yelena added. "Like a ghost. Again."

"She wasn't a ghost," Bucky said quietly. "Not this time."

Alexei crossed his arms, eyes narrowed. "She gave us just enough to care. Then vanished. That's not fair."

They kept talking, voices rising-arguing over intel, tone, strategy, guilt. But Bob didn't say anything.

He stood apart. Quiet. Still looking down the corridor she'd vanished through. Still feeling her hand on his shoulder. The way it lingered-just long enough to say something she didn't speak aloud.

Then Yelena turned.

"Bob."

He looked up.

"She put her hand on your shoulder. What the hell is that supposed to mean?"

The others went quiet, watching him.

Bob swallowed, voice low.

"I think... she doesn't want to be found."

No one interrupted.

"If she did," he continued, "she would've told us then and there. She would've stayed."

Yelena's arms dropped to her sides.

John looked away.

Bucky nodded-slowly, like it hurt to agree.

Bob shifted uncomfortably, eyes still fixed on the shadows ahead.

"She's helping us. But that doesn't mean she wants us to help her."

And just like that, no one knew what to say.

The wind picked up.

And in the silence, it felt like Frankie was still watching.