BALTIMORE 2024. 8 {NEAR PRESENT}

                                    

                                          
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND, 2024 - ONE HOUR LATER
Bucky and Sam emerge from the Baltimore police station, the atmosphere heavy with the aftermath of a tumultuous session with Raynor. Tension lingers between them, fueled by a few heated exchanges. The sun has dipped below the horizon as they turn, moving down the street in a contemplative silence. Abruptly, the wail of a cop car siren pierces the air, accompanied by flashing lights from a vehicle parked in front of the station. 
"John! Seriously, cut the lights. Turn it off!" Avery's vehement hush reverberates amidst the sirens, attempting to disentangle her older brother's hand from inside the cop car with its window down. He laughs, paying no heed to his sister but eventually complies. 
"Gentlemen!" he calls out to both Bucky and Sam, earning a thoroughly unimpressed and defeated look from the duo. Avery lets out a deep sigh, leaning against the hood of the car, almost sitting, her arms folded, observing the duo as they approach. 
"You are so embarrassing sometimes," Avery mutters to John, ensuring only he and Lemar hear her, with Lemar positioned on her other side. 
"And you shouldn't be sitting on the hood of a cop car, Ave," John warns, his voice hushed but firm. Avery scowls at the reprimand but, with a light huff, she slides off the cop car without a word, arms still folded. 
"Good to see you both again," John's demeanor shifts once more as Bucky and Sam come to a stop in front of the trio. Bucky and Sam remain silent, compelling John to continue. Bucky's attention is solely on Avery, who offers only the briefest of glances before looking away, directing her focus to John. 
"Let's cut to the chase... By dividing ourselves, we don't stand a chance here. You both know that, right?" John folds his arms now, mirroring Avery on his side. Subconsciously, she notices this and her arms go lax at her sides. 
"So what have you got, John?" Sam is the first to respond between him and Barnes, his eyes rolling, making it glaringly obvious that he is not interested in what John has to say. 
"Well, the leader's name of these Flag Smashers is Karli Morgenthau," he states, implying that his team has the upper hand in this mission already. "Thanks to, Avery. We found a hideout in DC earlier today," he adds, smiling smugly. Bucky and Sam exchange a quick glance. Bucky's eyes return to Avery, his jaw clenching as he places his metal arm against the roof of another cop car to lean. Avery keeps her expression still, refusing to look at Bucky, and turns to Lemar instead as he speaks up. 
"Karli was not there, but we now have enough intel to track her," he offers, looking proud of their achievements today. 
"As Ave also reminded me earlier," John continues the conversation without leaving a beat of silence, "We are all striving for the same outcome here: incapacitate the leader and stop the serum from circulating and falling into the wrong hands." 
Sam expresses an inquisitive look to this, subtly impressed by the clarity of their common goal. However, Bucky deadpans another look towards John. "So does Avery have to remind you often of our shared goals, Walker?" he taunts, daring him to respond. 
"She does when it means the best outcome is working alongside you, Barnes," John retorts back, not fully looking at Bucky but his voice carries a warning. Avery, once again, rolls her eyes but refrains from speaking. 
"You both cannot deny that working as a team remains the optimal decision." Lemar swiftly interjects, attuned to the cut-knife tension between the two soldiers. His focus remains fixed on Sam, though Bucky takes the initiative to respond once more. 
"You've proven more a hindrance than a help since Munich," Bucky asserts, his voice devoid of inflection, offering unfiltered honesty. John, no longer casually leaning against the car, steps forward, his irritation now more pronounced.