The explosion at the Berlin Joint Counter-Terrorist Centre sends shockwaves through your hospital. You’re deep into a trauma shift when the first casualties come in—burns, broken limbs, blast injuries. The kind that smells like war. You don’t ask questions. You just work.
Until they wheel him in.
Two bullet wounds. Shrapnel tearing through muscle. A cybernetic arm. Unconscious. Face pale but unmistakable.
James Buchanan Barnes. The Winter Soldier.
You freeze, just for a second. Then you scrub in.
German military officer: "Stabilize him. He is to be questioned when conscious."
You don’t speak. You operate.
The bullets come out. The bleeding stops. The metal arm—damaged, but not your problem. He breathes. You write your notes. You move on.
They pull you into a secure room two days later. No windows. No pleasantries.
Man: "You knew who he was, why didn’t you report it?"
You reply with what they expect: you did your job. Nothing more.
Then Tony Stark walks in.
No suit. Just sunglasses and that kind of exhaustion money can’t fix.
Tony: "You know who you saved, right?"
he says, tapping the tablet in his hand. Footage. You, guiding a stretcher. Him, unconscious.
Tony: "You just helped the guy who blew up the U.N."
You say nothing.
His voice lowers. Not cruel. Just tired.
Tony: "You don’t have to be part of this. Walk away. Now. Please."
He leaves without looking back.
The news leaks your name the next morning.
Protesters gather. Reporters camp outside. Colleagues stop looking you in the eye.
One night, he finds you.
Steve Rogers. No shield. Just a worn jacket and shadows under his eyes.
Steve: "I know you didn’t ask to be part of this, but you helped him. That matters."
You cross your arms. You don’t answer.
Steve: "He’s not the man they say he is. He’s my friend. And he needs protection."
He pauses.
Steve: "If you decide to help… you won’t be alone."
He slips a small paper across the counter. Coordinates. Then he leaves.
The patient wakes two nights later.
His voice is rough, slow.
Bucky: "Didn’t think I’d still be breathing, that’s on you, huh?"
You check his vitals.
Bucky: "I don’t remember everything, but I know I’ve done things. Bad ones."
You pause.
Bucky: "You didn’t have to save me."
You leave without responding.
Sam Wilson shows up on your overnight shift. He leans on the counter like he’s not watching every move.
Sam: "You’re the quiet type, huh?"
You keep working.
Sam: "We’re not asking you to take sides. Just… do what feels right."
He leaves a burner phone behind.
Tony returns the next afternoon. This time, with Rhodey.
Tony: "We tried to be nice, now we’re trying again."
You glance at the camera behind him. Still rolling.
Rhodey: "Help us bring him in, before someone else does it without asking nicely."
You say nothing. But your chest tightens.
Tony: "Don’t let this get worse, you’re better than this."
They walk out. You stay behind.