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Norman just looked at his surroundings, carefully studying the trees that surrounded them, the place where he was currently standing was a somewhat ideal environment for a possible ambush.

"I thought I told you that you should always have your sword at hand" Henri commented casually, but a trace of seriousness could be heard in his tone.

"Just because it can't be seen doesn't mean it isn't there" replied Osborn calmly turning his eyes away from his surroundings and concentrating on Ducard.

Ducard just looked a little at Norman and after a few he realized something: "I have to admit it was a good idea" were his words.

"I had to think of something, after all I couldn't walk in New York with a sword in my hand" Norman explained a little: "However" he started to say: "You haven't told me the reason for your visit besides I doubt that the people who follow you are simple companions" he finished saying.

"No, they are not, but they are here for something else" were Ducard's simple words, "Tell me what you would say if I told you I had a proposal for you" he said to Osborn.

"I would have to hear the proposal before even making a decision" replied Osborn with a bit of sincerity.

"Unfortunately, that's something that can' t be said" Ducard began to speak, but was soon interrupted: "Then the answer is no, only a stupid man would agree to something that he doesn't even know what it is" was Norman's reply.

"That's a pity" after a brief silence was all Ducard said to him, after a brief struggle of glances Ducard started to move in Norman's direction, but simply passed him by without stopping at any point: "I'll just warn you that there is a price for your head, what you do is up to you" he mentioned without stopping, and finally, it was as if the darkness covered him completely before simply disappearing.

A trace of surprise crossed Osborn's eyes, but before he could say anything he saw how Ducard disappeared, and he could not feel his presence anywhere, the other people who were in the surroundings also began to withdraw each one quickly.

However, there was one of them who did not seem to move and Norman quickly brought his gaze to him or rather her because despite having a suit that covered her entire body and much of her face he could still see several curves and features of the female body.

The only thing that the Osborn could distinguish were her blue eyes that reminded him of the ocean, the gaze of both connected, the blue met the green, both people only looked at each other until the woman only subtly tilted her head. A few seconds later she turned around and started to leave the place.

'Damn trouble' thought Osborn at the situation that had just happened.

…

Two days had passed since Norman had the conversation with Ducard and despite his best attempts he could not locate any news about the supposed price for his head.

Nor had there been an attempt on his life or anything similar nor did it even appear that he was being watched, and it was beginning to bother him a little, as he doubted very much that Ducard was just saying empty words.

He was the type of person who would only say what was necessary something that could be both good and bad at the same time, and it was because of that he believed in his words.

Even with Walter's help and his contacts Norman could not find anything related to that fact, which only meant two things, Ducard lied to him that it was unlikely or the second was that whoever wanted him dead was someone who covered his tracks very well.

In the first instance he thought Fisk could certainly be the person he was looking for, but after a brief infiltration of his headquarters by Walter he found nothing to show that fact plus Norman didn't consider that someone like Fisk would hire someone else to eliminate him, he would do it himself or one of his men, but he didn't think Fisk would leave it to someone else.

And taking Fisk out of the equation he simply couldn't think of anyone else, no rather there were too many people who might want him dead and not necessarily for a personal grudge, but for the simple fact that he was Norman Osborn, so trying to find the culprit would be somewhat difficult.

The ringing of the office phone snapped Norman out of his thoughts, who quickly answered the call a few seconds later gave a clear and simple order: "Let him through".

…

The sound of the door opening was heard through Osborn's office and almost immediately he could see the so-called Winter Soldier enter through the door.

"You may sit down if you wish" Osborn told him as he pointed to one of the chairs he had for visitors.

Bucky just moved quietly however his gaze scanned the room he was in, finally he sat down and faced Norman.

"If you're here it must be because you found your answers" Norman mentioned to him knowing full well that Bucky was unlikely to be the one to initiate the conversation.

"How did you know all that?" asked Bucky pointedly.

"That's a good question" said Norman: "You were a ghost, most of the world's intelligence agencies searched for years for you, but never came across you, so they just wrote you off as a mere legend" he continued.

"However I consider that legends in some way will always have some truth to them, I was lucky I must admit, one clue led me to another and in the end I was able to find you" once his words were finished he kept a bit of silence, of course Norman knew there were a few holes in his story, but it's not as if he could tell the truth of how he knew about his existence.

"What do you want from me?" asked Bucky without questioning Norman's story, whether it was because he didn't find it somewhat strange or just decided to ignore it only Bucky himself knew, though Norman could get an idea.

"A man with your skills and experience is a hard thing to find, so I would like you to work for me" Norman replied, "Of course I won't entrust you with tasks like killing civilians or something similar, but I will definitely make use of your skills in assassination" he continued and for a second, he could see how Bucky grimaced at the mention of civilians however he didn't show a reluctance at the word assassination, so all was not lost.

"And if I refused?" Bucky questioned again, trying to get a reaction from Osborn.

"Then it will be a shame" he replied nonchalantly, this was a question he already expected, but his answer would not change, "As I mentioned earlier a man like you is hard to find, but not impossible" he stated confidently, making it clear that while he would like to have him on his side it was not a necessary thing.

"Mr. Barnes I am giving you a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity in your life not the other way around, I am giving you the chance to have a new life and the only thing I ask in return is your skills" Osborn said again, "However the final decision rests with you so tell me what is your decision?" he asked as he looked Bucky straight in his eyes.

…

Norman was on his way to the subterranean parking lot that the Oscorp building had, but he certainly thought it had been a productive day he had managed to recruit Bucky and while he might have his doubts about him, it wasn't something that couldn't be fixed.

Best of all he now had a blood sample from a person that the Super-Soldier Serum was successful on, that alone was completely worth all the trouble he had caused in trying to locate Bucky.

It was nighttime most of the Oscorp employees had left a short time ago, the remaining ones were saying goodbye to each other and going their own ways.

Norman for his part just walked calmly to his car, part of his thoughts were divided between the problem posed by the threat Ducard had told him about and the development of the serum and on the other hand he wondered what he was having for dinner tonight.

Ever since Harry tasted Mary Jane's food there were times when the redhead would cook a little for him to eat, of course this also included Norman, although originally Norman didn't think that was something a nanny should do anymore consider there isn't really a need, but after a brief chat with MJ and her telling him it wasn't a bother he just let it be.

Despite having his own personal chef the redhead's food tasted a little different, the only word Norman could think of was a home cooked meal, and somehow it tasted better than the professional.

Norman stopped thinking about it once he got to the parking lot where his car was parked, there were several of his employees both the ones working in the offices and the security ones, Norman was greeted by them by way of farewell, and he did it back.

He was about to get into his vehicle when he heard some kind of complaint, soon he saw what looked like an argument between two security guards and a somewhat unkempt person.

However, it seemed that the person did not pay attention to the guard who quickly grabbed her shoulder only to let out a scream, the second guard panicked when he heard the scream of pain of his companion and drew his gun to point it at the man, while the one who screamed quickly retreated.

Many of the onlookers were somewhat nervous and a good portion began to move towards the exits, the unkempt man seemed to begin to have some sort of tremor and at the same time began to emit some sort of orange light from his body.

"GET AWAY FROM HIM!" the scream from Norman was heard throughout the parking lot however it was soon eclipsed by a booming sound "BOOOOOOOOMMMMMMM!" everyone around the Oscorp building heard the explosion.