CROSSING PATHS - PART TWENTY FIVE
PART 25 - warnings: arguing, gunshots, fighting, pretentiousness lol
a/n: middle of ep 3 lol, youre welcome for the ending btw
When you got to Madripoor, you once again had to not be in on the action. Though this time, it was because you were, in fact, right. James was going to have to pretend to be the Winter Soldier again, while Sam had his own character to play. If you had gone in with them it would have been too suspicious, as you had no cover to use. While you walked to the car Sam joked about his outfit looking like a pimp, as Zemo explained it, but James stayed straight-faced. You kept staring at him during the car ride, trying to read his facial expressions (or lack thereof) to get any information about him.
You dropped them off and kissed James on the cheek before watching them walk towards the street the club was on. You had to wait anxiously outside for hours until they came out. All you could think was your fear of how playing the WInter Soldier was going to affect James. You couldn't help but worry about him, he meant everything to you, and you didn’t want him to get set back by this.
You were broken out of your thoughts by the sound of gunshots.
“This can’t be good.” You said to yourself out loud, getting out of the car and walking up the street. You saw them running, being chased by men on motorcycles. You quickly ran down the alley after them, throwing the motorcycle out from under one of them, but the other one got shot down before you could act. You met up with James and Sam and looked up at where the shot had come from.
“You seem to have a guardian angel.” Zemo said as he emerged from further in the alley.
“Well this is too perfect.” A familiar voice said from the darkness. “Drop it, Zemo.” Sharon Carter walked out pointing her gun at Zemo.
“Sharon?” You looked at her with your brows furrowed, as Zemo set his gun down on the ground in front of him.
“You cost me everything.” She said as she continued to walk towards Zemo with her gaze and gun both centered on him.
“Sharon, wait.” Sam pleaded, as she kicked Zemo’s gun away, not removing her eye trained on him. “Someone recreated the super-soldier serum and Zemo had a lead.” Sam continued, stepping in front of Zemo with his hand out. Sharon tilted her head and nodded.
“That explains why you guys are here. And Selby’s dead.” She said matter of factly, not lowering her weapon.
“So what are you doing here?” James asked.
“I stole Steve’s shield, remember?” SHe asked sarcastically “I also took the wings for your ass, so that you could save his ass-” She gestured to James “From his ass.” She gestured back to Zemo. “I didn’t have the Avengers to back me up. So I’m off the grid in Madripoor.” She explained resentfully, finally dropping her hands to her sides.
“Don’t blow smoke. I was on the run, too.” Sam tried to empathize with her.
“Was. Is. Big difference.” She snapped. “I don’t speak to my family anymore. I can’t. My own father doesn’t know where I am.” SHe shook her head.
“Listen, Sharon, we need your help.” James told her. She laughed softly but angrily. “Please.”
“This isn’t over.” She warned. “I have a place in High Town. You’ll be safe there for a while.” She relented. You followed her to her car, and she then drove you all to a gated, and guarded private apartment gallery, an incredibly upscale apartment full of art and high tech lighting fixtures, and loads of other expensive looking stuff you couldn't place.
“Looks like breaking all those laws is treating you well.” Sam joked.
“I thought if I had to hustle, might as well enjoy the life of a real hustler. You know how much I’ll get for a real Monet?” She shrugged.
“Deactivate your hustle mode. You sell fake Monets.” He scoffed.
“No. She means real. This gallery is specialized in stolen artwork. Monet. Van Gogh. Classics.” Zemo explained.
“It’s true. You know, half the artwork in museums like the Louvre is fake. Real stuff sits in places like this.” You added, looking around at the amazing interior. James nodded in agreement with you.
‘Okay, guys, I see what you’re doing. You’re more worldly than good old Sam.” Sam didn’t believe you, so he pulled out his phone to check. James walked behind him and looked at his screen over his shoulder on the way.
“Yeah. What’s Google say?” He asked rhetorically.
“No shit.” Sam was in disbelief.
“Come on, You guys need to change. I’m hosting clients in an hour.” She told you and showed you guys where you could find clothes, though Sam was the only one who really needed to change. She led you all down the stairs into a large furnished room that was sort of like a living room, but it had a rack of men’s clothes against one wall, which Sam was rummaging through. He was shirtless, which felt more like showing off than actual necessity. She left them there and took you to her room, and handed you a short, black, one shoulder dress with a gold hoop detail connecting the strap to the front of the dress. You raised your eyebrows.
“By ‘hosting clients’ did you mean ‘clubbing in Jersey’? You laughed as you held up the dress.
“I’m surprised you even know about that.” She laughed.
“Oh, hah hah, very funny.” You said flatly, but with a half-smile. “If anything, I’d say I’m way more caught up than the walking fossil out there.” You chuckled.
“Sounds about right.” She smiled, and handed you black heels. “When you’re done you can just meet us back where the guys are. I’ll take the bathroom so you can change in here.” She grabbed a nicer shirt and pants, and walked out of the room, closing the door behind her. You changed into the dress and shoes and pulled your hair down out of the braid it was in, the waves settling on your shoulders. You walked out into the hallway and overheard them arguing.
“Okay, maybe it is hypocrisy. Maybe you’re right. What happened to you. But I’m willing to try if you are. They cleared the bionic staring machine, and he killed almost everybody he’s met.” SAm attempted to whisper but you could hear it, and apparently so could James.
“I heard that.” He said from the couch, before getting up and walking towards the hallway where you were still struggling to get your shoes on without falling over.
“Hey- woah…” He said quietly, almost breathlessly, as he stepped towards you. “You look…” His voice trailed off, but you could tell by the grin on his face what he meant.
“I know, it’s cute isn’t it? I just wish these shoes weren’t such a bitch to get on.” You chuckled.
“Here, let me help.” He pressed himself against your back and held onto your arms so you could stabilize yourself while still being able to use both your hands. You laughed softly.
“Was this just a ploy to get up close and personal with me?” You asked jokingly.
“Hey, can you blame me?” He asked. “Youre gorgeous.” He leaned down and pressed a kiss to your neck. You heard Sharon exhale and walk towards the stairs. You got your shoes situated and walked closer to the doorway to hear her better.
“Well, I sell to some pretty connected people. Lay low, blend in, enjoy the party. Try to stay outta trouble. I’ll see what I can find.” You heard her tell Sam and Zemo.
“Trouble.” Zemo repeated. You sighed.
“That can’t be good.” You chuckled nervously, turning to face James. “You should change.” You smiled up at him.
“You just wanna see me shirtless.” He grinned.
“Well, yes, but aren’t you just changing your jacket?” You laughed.
“Depends, you think they would miss us for a little while?” He whispered to you.
“Oh my god Buck, you’re disgusting.” You laughed and glanced into the room where Sam and Zemo had stayed. You bit your lip. You turned back to James. You paused as he looked you up and down, running his hands down your sides. You sighed. “Go get your jacket.” You told him. He sighed and looked a little disappointed but didn’t hesitate to do as you told. You grabbed his arm just before he walked through the doorway. “Tell them to go on without you.” He grinned before turning back and walking into the room, as you headed for one of the many empty rooms in the hallway.
