MUNICH 2024. 6 {NEAR PRESENT}

                                    

                                          
MUNICH, GERMANY, 2024 - THIRTY MINUTES LATER
Sam and Bucky stride purposefully along the empty expanse of road flanked by open fields. It has been half an hour since their thwarted heist of the convoy. Upon their return to the warehouse, finding no trace of Avery, they opt to traverse the path back to the plane, hoping she might be waiting there. 
"So, what you are saying, you and Avery are an item?" Sam inquires, delving into the nuances of their relationship during their journey back to the carrier. 
"We're not an item, Sam. That's not what I'm saying," Bucky retorts with a sigh, his eyes diverting from Sam's gaze as he maintains their brisk pace. 
"Sleeping around with the same person over time? Sounds like the makings of an item to me," Sam remarks, nonchalantly shrugging and allowing a smirk to play on his lips, finding amusement in this newfound information. Bucky remains silent, offering only a scoff in response to Sam's banter. "What's with the brooding act, anyway?" Sam queries, a perplexed frown creasing his brow as he observes Bucky's reaction to Avery. 
A military vehicle behind them honks its horn, drawing their attention. Sam and Bucky glance over their shoulders as the jeep pulls up, maintaining a leisurely pace beside them. In the back, John and Lemar observe the two men walking. 
"Well, that didn't go as planned, huh?" John shouts from over the engine, a laugh accompanying his words, directed at both Bucky and Sam. The duo continues walking, steadfastly looking ahead, refusing to acknowledge John's attempt at levity. 
"We are just trying to find Avery. We know she was with you," Walker asserts, his tone turning serious as he realizes that humor won't get him anywhere with the two. 
"Well, she's obviously not with us now, John!" Bucky retorts, calling out to him. 
"Any clue where she might have gone?" Lemar inquires, his tone considerably calmer than his counterpart. 
"If we knew, we wouldn't be having this conversation," Bucky replies with a touch of sarcasm, finally glancing over at the back of the jeep. 
John and Lemar exchange astounded looks at Bucky's blatant disdain towards them, while Sam's expression remains unchanged. 
"Besides your sister's location, what else is on your agenda, Walker?" Sam questions, detecting an underlying motive to their discussion in the Munich countryside. 
"We all know you took the plane that was meant for us," John admits in response to Sam's inquiry. 
"We didn't take the plane, John. Avery offered. There's a significant difference," Bucky interjects, his gaze piercingly directed at the soldier. 
"I'm well aware of my sister's involvement in this!" John snaps. Bucky and Sam exchange a knowing glance and simultaneously ease their pace slightly. 
"Look, can you both just get in the car so we can have a proper conversation?" John negotiates, his composure returning as swiftly as it had vanished. Bucky presses his lips together firmly, glancing at Sam. Sam nods in agreement, signaling for them to abandon their journey on foot and join the discussion in the jeep. 
Reluctantly, Sam and Bucky concede to John's proposal. They approach the military vehicle and climb into the back, flanking John and Lemar. The cramped confines of the jeep are filled with a tense silence, broken only by the hum of the engine. 
"I reckon we all got off on the wrong foot here," John decides, attempting to break the palpable tension. 
"All we're after is understanding why there were eight super-soldiers on a bulk supply run, Walker," Sam responds, his expression unwaveringly serious.