Chapter Text
“None of this makes any damn sense. Why would someone want to contaminate the lake? Is there something we're missing here?” Wade looked over at the silent woman next to him, studying her angry frown. “Angel face?”
“Whomever it is, wants to distract us with minor situations to keep us from seeing the bigger issue.” Aveline scanned the shoreline in front of them, her frown deepening. “Either way, I don't care who it is. I want them found before my son arrives and they try to harm him.”
Wade nodded, watching as the shoreline got closer. “Tony doesn't want us in the water but the raft should survive whatever is killing the fish.” He studied the waves next to the boat as Aveline slowed the boat. “I can see the sensors from here. There aren't any barrels but there are some cloudy spots.”
“Which means who ever is poisoning the lake hasn't gotten this far, just close enough to the villages and the city water lines.” Bucky leaned over the edge of the boat, shaking his head. “Angel, get as close to the shore as possible. Whatever is in the water, I don't want any of us getting it.” He glanced up at Steve, studying the silent man. “Stevie, you alright?”
Steve looked over at Bucky, giving him a small grin. “Yeah, Buck, just..something feels off about all of this.” He looked around them, not sure how to explain his uneasiness. “Dariq said the villagers have been trying to reach someone about what's been going on for months but never received a response. He also said he and Addy have been trying as well, with the same results. It's not a coincidence, none of this. There's just no way any of them would ignore something so important.”
Bucky frowned in worry, glancing over at Aveline and Wade. “You think someone is deliberately doing this? But why, what would they have to gain from poisoning the lake?”
“It would force us to relocate the villagers along the river basin as well as reroute the main water line that feeds most of the cities. If we do that, it would give the oil companies a chance to destroy not only the lake and rivers but the forests as well.”
Steve looked up at Aveline, watching as she studied the beach in front of them. “Aveline?”
“When we first started construction, there were a number of oil companies that wanted to drill on the other side of this island. To keep them from destroying the area, we bought the entire island along with all mineral and water rights.”
Steve studied the water, frowning at the faint blue lights flashing below them. “This will cause an even bigger issue if it reaches the Mediterranean Sea. If it's just concentrated near the villages it's easier to control but if this spreads..” He looked up at Aveline's soft sound of frustration. “Aveline?”
“It can't get to the sea, it'll kill over half the continent if it spreads that fast. Tangier alone has a population of over thirty-eight million people. Since we're so close to the Strait of Gibraltar that means it could infect Spain, as well.” Aveline scowled as the boat stopped. “Someone's trying to cause an international incident and they're trying to use us to do it.”
Wade shook his head, pressing his ear piece to answer a call. He frowned as the other person spoke before turning to Steve. “Cap, do you remember how many barrels you saw? Bruce thinks this may not be to harmful and can be fixed in a few days but it depends on how much has been dumped into the lake.”
Steve frowned in thought as he studied the beach across from them. “It was about three or four and they were close enough to the village to be a concern but not to close that it was immediately noticeable.” When Wade nodded, he turned back to Aveline. “Aveline, the last time you all were here, did you notice anything wrong with the water? Or any of the villages?”
“No, honestly, the last time we were here was about a year and a half ago. The issue now, though is the lack of communication, why are we not getting our emails or calls like we should? If we'd known about this sooner..” She turned to Wade, watching as he shook his head. “Wade?”
“Tony's going to have all the passwords changed and make new phones for everybody. Someone's hacked all of our emails, including Peppers. And Pepper said Andy called, he's on his way to the house in about an hour so..”
“Fuck, he'd only be headed to the house if they've already arrived.” Aveline sighed in frustration. “Come on, we need to see what we can find and get back. I don't want them getting involved in something that doesn't involve them.” She turned the engine off while Wade dropped the anchor. “Steve, James, stay close, this island has a number of indigenous people who aren't exactly comfortable with strangers. They won't know you but won't approach as long as you stay close.” When they both nodded, Aveline turned to Wade. “Pull out the raft and bring the trunks, I'm concerned no one has come to the beach to see who we are.”
Bucky watched as Aveline and Wade moved around the boat before turning towards the beach. “Angel, are they who you're waiting on?” He studied a small group of people watching them. They were dressed in long orange and blue tunics, their hair pulled back and up from their faces. “They know who you are?”
Aveline turned to look at the group on the beach. “It's the Washinata tribe elders, if they're all here there must be something wrong.” Glancing at Wade, she shook her head when he showed her the weapons case. “You know we can't go ashore armed, pack them in the raft and make sure the case stays closed unless needed.” When he nodded, Aveline turned to Steve and Bucky. “I need you both to observe, what ever you see or whom ever you see, don't interact with it or them. They're a superstitious tribe and won't hesitate to attack if they feel threatened.” She reached into a trunk and pulled out two hats and two pair's of sunglasses. “Both of you put these on, they only trust people they know. As of right now, they only know Wade and myself.”
Steve frowned as he took the hat and glasses, watching the group on the beach. “Are we in immediate danger from them?”
“Not really but I'm not taking any chances. If anything happens to either of you, Pepper will skin me alive.” Aveline grinned at their soft chuckles. “Wade, are we ready?”
“Yep, let's go before they start wondering what's taking us so long.” Wade climbed over the side, dropping down into the raft. He looked up as Bucky leaned over to look at him. “Hand me the trunks next to you. We need to make sure that they know we come in peace while also bearing gifts.”
Bucky turned to the trunks next to him, studying them with a skeptical frown. “What are we giving them for letting us look around?”
“Bedding, non-perishables, and clothing. If any of their people have been infected, we also have some medical supplies but nothing that would cure anything serious.” Aveline sighed as she stood behind Steve and Bucky. When Bucky picked up the first trunk and lowered it down to Wade, she frowned. Reaching out, she placed a hand on Steve's arm. “Steve, I want to apologize for Tony's earlier behavior, he's not always an asshole but sometimes..”
“Yes he is! He's always an asshole because he gets away with everything!” Wade shouted from the raft. He grinned as Aveline glared down at him. “Hey, we're all assholes, so..”
Steve grinned, shaking his head at Wade's comments. Turning to Aveline, he gave her a quick grin. “It's ok, he told me before that all of you are used to depending on each other.”
Shaking her head, Aveline held the understanding gaze, searching for the words to explain. “True, we've had to do a number of things alone but that doesn't excuse his behavior. You're trying to help us resolve an issue you know nothing about and he was..” Frowning, she felt her face heat. “Tony was rude, no matter how you look at it. So, I apologize for your having had to be subjected to that.”
Giving Aveline a reassuring grin, Steve nodded. “Apology accepted and I kind of understand where he's coming from. If you're used to doing it yourself or having certain people help you, a stranger interfering can make things feel much worse.”
Letting out a soft breath, Aveline nodded. “Thank you, I promise we'll work on opening up. It just may take us a few to get used to you both being around.” At his soft smile, Aveline returned It before turning to the side of the boat. Climbing over, she grinned at Wade as she dropped down into the raft. “Don't upset anyone if we're allowed to see the village. The Elders don't look to happy right now.”
Wade grinned as he turned to the back of the raft. “I'll be as quiet as a church mouse.”
Laughing, Aveline turned as Steve and Bucky joined them. “You've not been in a church since we were kids, so you have no idea how silent a church mouse can be.” She grinned at Steve and Bucky's chuckles. “Let's go Wade, we need to get back to meet Andy.”
Wade grinned as he started the boat engine. “You think their already here? Maybe they'll wait until tomorrow to show up at the house.”
Bucky looked between Aveline and Wade, a frown curving his lips down. “Who are you two talking about? Are they someone we should be concerned about?” He studied their expressions, wondering how many more people they would meet before leaving Morocco. “Do we know them?”
Shaking her head, Aveline frowned. “My uncles, Dusan and Zayan. Not sure if dad ever told you about his older brothers but their being here can make things more..difficult, especially if there's an issue they feel the need to get involved in.”
Bucky looked over at Steve, a frown of confusion curving his lips down. “Stevie?”
Giving Bucky a small grin, Steve nodded. “Eli used to tell us stories about his family but I don't think we met them. The only brother we met was..”
“My Uncle Malachai.” Aveline finished softly. She glanced at Wade before turning back to the beach. “He's been missing for a while, so I'm not sure..” She broke off as they reached the beach. Shaking her head, she watched the group slowly walking towards them. “Stay here, I'll be right back.” Leaving the boat, Aveline sighed as the others stopped half way to the boat. She glanced back at Wade, giving him a small shake of her head. “I'll be right back.”
Bucky moved forward, searching the group in front of them. “Angel, wait..”
Wade grabbed Bucky's arm. “Don't, if we move before she tells us they may attack her.” When Bucky scowled, Wade gave him a small grin. “I don't like it either but that's how things are done here. If we put her in danger the end result could be devastating.”
Steve pulled Bucky back, watching as Aveline spoke to the small group. “We have to trust her Buck, both she and Wade know them better than we do. Besides, Wade is right, if we rush into this it could make things worse.”
Letting out a soft breath of frustration, Bucky shook his head. “Fine but if anything happens to her because we were to slow to react..”
“Nothing will happen, they're more scared of her and Bruce than anything else.” Wade watched the small group, a frown of worry curving his lips down. “Besides, if they were going to try anything they would have already.”
Steve watched the small group on the beach. He wasn't sure what was being said but could tell it was serious. “They look more worried than anything. Do you think someone from their tribe is sick?” Turning to Wade, he noticed he was frowning, too. “Wade?”
Shaking his head, Wade sighed. “There's a chance something has happened. Hopefully we aren't to late to fix it, though.” He watched as Aveline walked back to them, a small wooden box in her hands. “Angel face?”
Aveline looked up at Wade, a frown curving her lips down. “Someone is trying to move the tribes off of the island. The elders said that a man came to them and showed them papers that say we sold the island. They forged our signatures, Wade. Someone is really trying to hurt them and they are using us and our connections to do it.” Handing the box to Wade, Aveline climbed back into the raft. “Give me the packages, I want to give them to show we're not going to let anything happen to them. We'll also come back later with Bruce to see if there's anything he can do to help those who are sick.”
Turning, Bucky opened the trunk and picked up the two packages. “I'm coming with you.” At her stubborn look, Bucky scowled. “I don't want to hear it, they can be mad all they want but I'm not taking any chances with your safety.” When she nodded, Bucky handed her one of the packages. Turning to Steve, he sighed. “Watch my back?”
Steve nodded, searching Bucky's worried expression. “Be careful, Buck.” When he nodded and followed Aveline back to the group waiting on the beach, Steve ran a hand through his hair. “Wade, who would want to hurt Aveline? This all seems to be directed towards her, to throw her off or distract her.”
Shaking his head, Wade watched as Aveline and Bucky set the packages down. “Not to sure, honestly, there are people who have a grudge against her along with the rest of the family. The last ones who tried anything were Stane and Pierce but that didn't end to well for them. Ross tried with Bruce and despite his military status, it didn't end well for him, either.” Fingers drumming on the trunk next to him, Wade felt his heart racing. “These people are innocents, if they're being attacked that means this is personal.”
“Someone close to the group or family could be behind this.” Steve finished softly. He moved forward, sitting next to Wade. “Wade, it's not just the three of them is it?” When Wade turned to look at him, he smiled at his look of confusion. “Bucky and I have been doing our research. It seems Fury found out there was a fourth child but there's nothing about them anywhere.” When Wade looked away, Steve frowned. “Wade?”
Chuckling softly, Wade shook his head. “Leave it to good ol' Nicky to find what shouldn't be found.” Looking back at Aveline and Bucky, Wade sighed. He turned back to Steve, giving him a crooked grin. “There are four, Tony, Bruce, Aveline, and..”
“Wade, Steve, let's get back to the boat. The elders agreed to see us once Bruce and Tony have figured out how to clean the water.” Aveline climbed into the raft giving both men a small grin. “Thankfully, they don't believe we sold the island but they don't trust anyone not with one of us.” Looking from Wade to Steve, Aveline frowned. “What's wrong, did Bruce or Tony call? Has something else..” She broke off as Bucky climbed in behind her, a small grin curving his lips.
“Well, that was interesting, they seem to know who we are, Stevie.” Bucky chuckled at Steve's look of surprise. “The tribal elders are children of World War II survivors. We helped liberate the country back when we were with the Commandos.” He studied the three in front of him, a frown of concern curving his lips down. “What's going on, did we miss something?”
Steve shook his head, looking from Bucky to Wade and Aveline. “Wade and I were trying to figure out who would go through this much trouble to hurt all of you.”
Looking between the two men, Aveline frowned. When Wade gave her a quick grin, she turned to Steve. Studying the other man, she wondered what had been said while she was with the elders. Shaking her head, she sat down across from Wade. “I'm not sure, being in the military, there would be any number of people after me. Being Tony's cousin means almost the entire planet, if we allowed Tony to have his way.” She grinned at Wade's chuckle.
Steve shook his head, a small smile curving his lips. “Would there be someone who would target all of you?”
Nodding, Aveline's expression turned thoughtful. “Well, we've made a number of enemies when sent out on missions.” Glancing at Wade, she wondered how much she should say. At his small nod, Aveline turned to Steve as they headed back to the speed boat. “The General sends us out on missions that no one else is capable of handling. Some of them could cost us our lives but others..” She hesitated, not sure what to tell Steve or Bucky.
“The others are assassination missions.” Wade looked back at Steve and Bucky, a rueful grin curving his lips. “The General is aware of our, unique, abilities. So he sends us out to do the dirty jobs, while the brass gets to enjoy rum and cokes with plates of finger sandwiches.”
Steve glanced at Bucky, a frown curving his lips down. He had a feeling that Ananias sent Aveline and her team on the more dangerous missions for his own personal reasons. Reasons that seemed life threatening in more was than one. “Well, let's head back to the house. We need to see if Tony, Bruce, and Peter figured out what's going on in the lake.”
Bucky looked from Steve to Wade, a frown curving his lips down. When they pulled up next to the boat, he followed Steve up the ladder. Glancing back at Aveline and Wade, he wondered at their pinched expressions. “Stevie, what else did you and Wade talk about?”
Steve looked back, studying the pair still in the raft. “I asked him about the fourth child. He knows who they are, Bucky, and if Wade knows we need to know, too.”
Bucky frowned, watching as Wade and Aveline finally climbed back onto the boat. “Are you sure, Stevie? How..”
Shaking his head, Steve glanced up at Aveline and Wade. “We'll talk about it once we get back to the house. Maybe Nat or Clint can help, as well.” Giving Bucky a small grin, Steve watched as Aveline and Wade climbed back into the boat. He wondered who the fourth child could be? Did they already know them? Was there a chance they'd already met them?
Shaking his head, Steve turned to look back at the beach. He could see the others still standing there, watching until they disappeared from sight. Turning around, Steve sighed, wondering what was going on and who they needed to be focused on. Reaching up, he pulled off his hat and set it beside him. He was beginning to think there was more to the situation than what they had originally been told. Glancing over at the silent man next to him, Steve sighed. Whether he remembered or not, Steve had a feeling that Bucky had more to do with what was going on than either of them knew.