[Leipzig AU] good for trouble

[from_the_outside]

Busan glitters like a disco ball in the night, and no one gives them a second glance as they stroll through the fish market, Sharon in her white dress on Ross's arm, the rest of the team behind them. "Sophia," she says, warmly, and exchanges air kisses with the woman, her pink visor and plastic apron both bright. She knows to expect them, and after she pats Sharon fondly on the cheek, she nods them through.

They spread out through the casino, the team's voices low in her ear. She stays by Ross, playing the part of arm candy, applauding when he wins and consoling him when he loses.

There's no sign of Klaue yet, and the metal briefcase full of diamonds stays locked to the wrist of one of the other agents. "I'm going to get a drink," Sharon murmurs to Ross, and makes her way through the crowd to the bar. 

The martinis here are fine, but not as good as Nat's.

Comments

[marvel_npc]

The Sergeant looks relaxed and comfortable, his hair drying into a slightly loose mess, and T'Challa wishes with all his heart that he does not have to say the words that will destroy this man's calm.

He has worked so hard for this peace. It seems cruel to distress him – but T'Challa knows he would far rather find out at once than realize his friends had hidden something of this magnitude from him. "Sergeant Barnes," he says, and finds he cannot even attempt a smile. His face is too grave, his eyes too worried.

"I would not disturb you, but I believed you would wish to know. We are returning to Wakanda."

He takes a breath. "I am sorry to tell you that a short time ago, Sharon Carter was injured while protecting Nakia. We are bringing her to Shuri for treatment."

[nerves_of_ice]

He hears the words, of course he does, but at first they don't make sense. Bucky stares at T'Challa in blank silence, unable to accept what he's just heard.

Understanding sets in with the force of an avalanche in the next instant. He's on his feet before he knows he's moving, as if he could somehow throw himself through the image and to T'Challa's side.

"Injured?" It sounds like what it is: a desperate plea. "Not dead. Not dead--"

[marvel_npc]

"Alive," T'Challa promises. It is all he can do for this man in this terrible time.

"She is stable." He elects not to add for the moment. "I am sorry, Sergeant. It gives me no pleasure to tell you this."

[nerves_of_ice]

"Alive," he whispers, clinging to that like a child to a promise. "Stable."

Bucky swallows hard, still trying to take it all in.

"Is Nakia okay?"

[marvel_npc]

"Yes." His voice is very, very gentle.

"Nakia is perfectly fine. Agent Carter saved her life."

[nerves_of_ice]

"Good. Good," he repeats. "I'm glad. Sharon would be too. Will. Will be."

Agent Carter saved her life. He'd just talked to her, not two hours ago, and she'd been smiling, she'd said everything was secure and it was only talking left--

"What happened?"

[marvel_npc]

T'Challa's expression sets, grim. "Klaue," he says, the word a curse in his mouth as the man has been a curse on their land. "Associates of his attacked the Task Force space where he was held and broke him out. One man had a gun, an automatic weapon of some kind. Nakia was in the line of fire."

He will not soon forget the fear that had risen in him then, bitter and choking. "Agent Carter realized what was about to happen and pushed Nakia out of the way. She was struck instead."

[nerves_of_ice]

"Attacked the-- what the hell kind of miserable excuse is the Task Force using for security?"

Decades-long habits of training conflict with his sudden urge to pace, to move, and he deliberately lets the latter win for three steps before whirling back toward the image.

"You're coming to Shuri? I'll meet you there."

[marvel_npc]

He does not speak against the man's vitriol – he has to be able to vent his feelings somehow – and waits as the Sergeant paces, all controlled grace even in his rage and fear, like a caged wolf.

"Yes," T'Challa says, "but it will be some time yet, Sergeant. Do not expect us before dawn."

[nerves_of_ice]

Dawn is hours away, and he knows already he'll be aware of every minute's passing. Bucky makes himself focus through a sheer effort of will.

"How badly hurt is she?"

[marvel_npc]

T'Challa hesitates, and knows that in doing so he has already answered the question.

"I will not lie to you," he says, quietly. "It is severe. Enough that we felt it necessary to bring her with us to Wakanda."

To leave her, he knows, would have been a death sentence. He does not wish to speak the words aloud to this man, already so worried. "We will help her. I promise you this. Shuri is already preparing for our arrival."

[nerves_of_ice]

Necessary. He hears what T'Challa doesn't say as clearly as what he does, and all the blood drains from his face as he stares at him.

"Is she awake?" he whispers. "Can I see her?"

[marvel_npc]

"She is not awake," T'Challa says. Gently, so very gently. The man looks drained dry.

He flicks a glance toward where Sharon Carter lies on the sand table and struggles with himself – it could not possibly help the Sergeant to see her this way, but is that his choice?

"But I will show her to you, if you wish."

[nerves_of_ice]

"Please."

He says it instantly, without even the slightest flicker of hesitation.

[marvel_npc]

T'Challa sighs, but nods. "Give me a moment," he murmurs, and vanishes the hologram from over his wrist before her lowers the privacy bubble.

The others look up at him, and he glances to Okoye, tipping his head to the side. She understands instantly and gestures to Ross and Nakia. "Come," she murmurs. "Come."

She pulls them aside and towards the front of the flyer as T'Challa comes to stand by Agent Carter's side. She looks perfectly peaceful, her skin pale as porcelain, her hair spread around her as if she were floating in water.

A moment later and he has activated the privacy bubble around himself and the table both, then renews the hologram, turning it so the Sergeant can see her. "As I said," T'Challa murmurs. "She is stable. We are monitoring her closely, as is Shuri, in her lab."

[nerves_of_ice]

He nods, his gaze fixed on Sharon's sleeping face. "Hold on, baby," he tells her, each word ragged and rough with emotion, watching for any sign that she can hear him, any sign at all.

"Just hold on. Keep breathing. Shuri can work miracles, I promise. She did for me. I'm here waiting for you. Hold on, please."

[marvel_npc]

His heart aches for this man, for them both. Though the Sergeant has refrained from asking him to make an exception for this woman, T'Challa knows it had been his secret wish. Even knowing it would have been impossible, he is sorry, deeply sorry, that this is the way she has come to Wakanda.

The sleeping Sharon Carter gives no sign of hearing the familiar voice, but T'Challa has to clear his throat, which is feeling strangely tight.

"Everything we can do for her will be done," he promises. "I will bring her to you safely, and Shuri will help her. Your Sharon saved Nakia's life. I owe her a great debt."

[nerves_of_ice]

"That's who she is," Bucky tells him. He glances away from Sharon to T'Challa, just for an instant. "Nakia's a friend of hers, but she would have done it anyway. It's why she joined SHIELD all those years ago. To-- to protect. No matter how --"

He swallows back the tears that are fighting to drown him in a sea of fear and grief.

"Thank you for taking care of her, your Highness. I'll be waiting in the lab when you get here."

[marvel_npc]

"We will fly as fast as possible," T'Challa assures him. "General Okoye will assist me."

He realizes now that he has utterly neglected to mention their other American guest. "And Deputy Commander Ross insisted on accompanying us. I am certain he will wish to come to the lab as well."

[nerves_of_ice]

His eyes narrow. "Did he."

Bucky takes a second to get a firm grip on himself, then nods. "I'm sure you're right."

[marvel_npc]

T'Challa sighs, very slightly.

"I understand your frustration," he says, "but this was not Ross's fault."

[nerves_of_ice]

Maybe not, but he desperately wants it to be, wants to have a target to blame. The instant he realizes it, he makes himself get an even tighter hold of his emotions, and nods to T'Challa.

"I understand."

[marvel_npc]

T'Challa's expression softens. "Have faith," he says, quietly. "I will bring her to you."

After a beat of silence, he adds: "I believe Shuri has some things she could use your assistance with in the lab, as she prepares."

[nerves_of_ice]

"I'll go there now." His gaze shifts back to Sharon, and rests there. "See you soon, baby," he murmurs.

[marvel_npc]

T'Challa allows him a last long look at her, then nods to him. "Soon," he says, and lifts his free hand in farewell before ending the call, feeling wrung out and exhausted.

It's a moment longer before he drops the privacy bubble, a moment of quiet, just between him and the sleeping Sharon Carter. If he says anything to her, it stays between the two of them.