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[redrooms]

"You've reached Natasha Romanov. Please leave a message."

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@robertsmith; text; day 198; evening

[advanced]

[The Soldier has been ordered to check in with Romanov and Watson, so that's what he'll do, giving the lie he's been ordered to give.]

Pierce is captured and contained.

@itsybitsy; text

[redrooms]

[Well that's... abrupt.]

Where? Are you alright?

[advanced]

[He has no idea how much information he's supposed to reveal, but he has a fair idea that his handler wants him to act in a way that will allay suspicions. It's hard to recall the sort of relationship they'd had before, his mind parses it more as posing as a completely different person.

How would that person react?]

I don't want to talk about it.

[redrooms]

Bucky, you can't leave me in the dark on this.

[advanced]

[The name throws him for a moment, it's not his name, but he's playing a part.]

It's safer if you let me handle it.

[redrooms]

I'm already involved. I need to know what's going on.

[advanced]

[There's a hesitation as he considers what to do.

Should he give her the information, or keep refusing? Which would Barnes do? It's so hard to remember exactly, he must not have studied the case profiles well enough. His mistake, he'll ask his handler to see them again so he can better emulate Barnes in the future.

For now, he'll just have to make a choice and hope it's the right one.]

I saw him downtown and we fought. I won. He's contained now, and I'm going to keep him that way.

[redrooms]

Contained how? Where are you?

[advanced]

[Stop asking him questions that he doesn't know if he's allowed to answer!]

Tied up and gagged, feet are free so that he can walk when we need to move. I told you, we're downtown.

[redrooms]

Are you alright? Are you certain he won't be able to trigger you?

[advanced]

I said I'm fine, he's captured and contained.

[redrooms]

That isn't what I mean and you know it.

[advanced]

[No, he really doesn't. What else could she mean? He's said that he's not injured and Pierce is contained, that should answer her questions and allay her concerns. The Soldier stares at the tablet for a moment before responding again.]

Sorry, a little shaken.

[redrooms]

[It takes Natasha a moment to respond as well.]

You don't have to do this alone. We can come down to help.

[advanced]

It's better to keep this as contained as possible. You have other things to worry about.

[redrooms]

I worry about you too, Bucky. I know this isn't easy.

[advanced]

[That worms something momentarily discomforting into his stomach, but it's come and gone in a heartbeat.]

I've got it handled. I have to go. Goodbye, Natasha.