RIGA 2024. 3 {PRESENT DAY}

                                    

                                          
RIGA, LATVIA, 2024 
"Sharon, I understand we already owe you one, but we're in a bind and could really use your expertise." 
Sam and Bucky navigate the streets of Riga, distancing themselves from the trio of John, Lemar, and Zemo holed up in the hideout. Swiftly strategizing how to address two issues at once, Sam reaches out to Sharon Carter for assistance in tracking down Avery since their time in Madripoor. 
"We need to find Avery. John is not going to quit until we do," Sam asserts, with Bucky maintaining a stoic silence and shooting an irritated glance at the mere mention of John. 
"Have you considered that John might be the reason she vanished after Madripoor?" Sharon responds through the digital connection on Sam's cell phone. 
She remains in Madripoor, choosing to linger since the time Bucky, Sam, Zemo, and Avery crossed paths. In the night's obscurity, Sharon strolls at a more relaxed pace through a secluded alley, the glow of her cell phone illuminating her features. 
"We're aware. He's likely the very reason, Carter," Sam remarks, stealing a quick glance at Bucky before fixing his gaze forward. 
"Alright, so what do you need?" Sharon inquires. 
Once again, Sam shifts his attention to Bucky, seeking his input. "What do we need, Buck?" His phone temporarily leaves his ear as he maintains the conversation with Barnes. "Sure, Sharon can use the satellites to trace Avery, but it's clear she doesn't want to be found..." 
Bucky slows his pace, a deep sigh escaping him, "I don't know, Sam, but we need to-" 
Sam interrupts him, swiftly bringing the phone back to his ear to address Sharon, "Can you use your intel to track down Ave's whereabouts or at least identify where she has been?" he asks urgently. 
"I can pull a few strings on my end, yes. But are you sure you're prepared for what comes next, if you do find her?" Sharon warns, adding a light sigh at the end of her words. 
Wilson's gaze flickers to Barnes, "We'll figure that out when we get there... Thanks for this, Sharon." 
"Anytime, boys," Sharon bids farewell before hanging up, keeping her phone in hand. Without hesitation, she dials another number and patiently awaits a response. 
Sam eases his pace to a stop, and Bucky follows suit. "Sharon's stepping in to assist with Avery. For now, we stay focused on Karli... and John," Sam informs Bucky, earning a resigned nod from the super soldier. 
Meanwhile, Sharon's call is answered. "You're quite the sought-after woman, Avery. Bucky and Sam just enlisted my help to track you down," Carter informs Avery, who is seated just outside a café, her phone pressed to her ear as she listens to Sharon on the other end. 
"I've already told them and John to stop searching once... Men, they never listen," she sighs. 
"Well, I hope you realize they're not going to stop," Sharon informs, raising a brow. 
"I'm fully aware of that, Carter. It's precisely why I'm already here," Avery explains. 
"In Latvia? You're certainly making it a lot easier for them to find you on their end, Walker," Sharon chuckles, and Avery sighs once more as she places some change onto the table for her coffee and stands up to leave. 
"I've taken care of what needed to be done. It's time they found me," she declares. 
Sharon comes to a halt, her expression filled with concern. "Just be careful, Avery. Aside from your brother, you don't need enemies in the wrong places." 
Avery smiles, walking away from the quaint cafe. "You would know, from experience, Carter," she remarks, ending the call and sending a text to another contact. 
Sam's phone vibrates in his hand, diverting his attention from the conversation with Bucky on the Latvian street. He looks up at Bucky after checking the message. 
"It's Avery. She's in Riga," Sam reads the text, and Bucky's jaw clenches. He looks away, visibly agitated and somewhat in disbelief. 
Sam pockets his phone, exchanging a glance with Bucky. The weight of the news hangs heavy between them. "We need to find her," Sam declares, his voice determined. 
Bucky nods, a mix of emotions crossing his face. "Yeah, we do," he agrees, the urgency in his tone matching Sam's. 
As they continue down the dimly lit streets of Riga, the urgency of the situation propels them forward, a sense of determination enveloping their every step.