This is going to be perhaps the lemoniest story I have ever written. I hope it will be as fun to read as it is to write. Enjoy

L

James Barnes, former Winter Soldier and recovering assassin, stood before the director's chair, a look of outraged astonishment on his face. The clock above the desk said it was closer to three in the morning than two and he was forced to wonder what the hell he had been brought in for at this time. The fact he had been awake anyway was beside the point! The warmth of the room did a great deal to relieve the cold that had crept into the room on this late November evening.

The director, Nick Fury, sat at his desk. The large leather chair he was in suited him, a black affair with high arms. A smaller version was located on the opposite side and that was where he now sat. Fury's usually pristine appearance was a complete shock; there was mud to his knees and not a small amount of dried blood on his shirt either. His dark face was pale and his one good eye was sunken with fatigue. He looked like shit and that was more alarming than anything else

The third occupant in the room was laid on the table, not participating in this conversation at all. Her unconscious form was hard to imagine, the fact that she had been taken down at all was a surprise in itself. Her skin was paler than he had ever seen it before and she too was covered in mud. Even her vibrant red hair had lost its lustre. She was wrapped in a dirty tartan blanket, her face marred with pain.

"Run that past me again?" James said, not entirely sure if he had heard Fury correctly.

Fury pinched the bridge of his nose before turning his head back up to James, "I got a message from Mitchell Carson, saying they had her. I was to collect her and to go alone. They'd know if I didn't. If I brought others, I'd be collecting a corpse, not an unconscious agent."

"Why didn't you tell anyone?"

"Because I wanted my agent back, not an argument about going by myself," he said. There would have been little point in arguing if his mind was set, besides there may have been a time limit on the offer.

"What happened?" he asked. He knew he was not going to like the details, he pressed his lips together and waited for the news.

"He was carrying her, the smug expression on his face when he said, 'A willing woman for you,' before ditching her at my feet. The needle was still in her neck." Fury explained, "They've infected her with a chemical that had penetrated her cells, they called it austeris libidinem, means demanding lust apparently." "Why would they do that?"

"Oh he told me, he said that it was about time I got laid!" Fury replied. "Something about humiliation too…"

"And that is such a hardship," Bucky replied dryly. "Why are you bringing me into this?" he asked. He had a rough idea why but he wanted to hear it from the director's mouth before he assumed anything.

"Because I cannot be the one she throws herself at, which is what will happen when she wakes. Carson said the first person she sees will be the one who she will fixate on until the drug wears off," Fury explained.

"What about the others?" He knew the frown on his face had deepened and he was being sullen about the whole thing. Natasha was one of the group and as such, his friend. They might not know one another very well but that didn't mean he'd not help her in a bind. This particular bind was just more distressing than most. "Why can't you or they do this?"

"I have too many places to be running this outfit to have her demands too; same as the others. Steve's off in Taiwan, Tony's determined to do right by Pepper, Clint's married, Banner's missing in action and Thor is in Asgard," he explained.

"I can't do this," he said with a shake of his head. James had a lot to be thankful for since he had escaped HYDRA's grasp. A quiet place to live and all the support he could need were just two of them. He had an inclination he was about to be told that it was time to pay them back for it. He had expected something along those lines in the future but nothing like this!

"You can and you will," Fury replied, "Now, there are more than one reason for calling you in on this. Not only because you don't do much but you don't live here, you can help her hide this humiliating condition until we can either cure it or it wears off," he explained. James ran a hand over his face and let out a sigh. He had a point after all. "And you can protect her while she is in such a vulnerable state," he added.

"What about my humiliation?" he muttered, aware this was petulant, weak even. Fury levelled him with a look and he dismissed the point out of hand.

"If you won't do this, I'll find someone else who will."

"Like who?" he snapped

"Scott Lang,"

"Lang?" he frowned. He shook his head. There was no way Lang would be able to keep his integrity. His big mouth would be open before the weekend was over and the whole team would know. Natasha would be way too embarrassed to show her face around for weeks and it would cause a rift so large there would be no coming back from it. All because Lang was a careless gossip that wouldn't be able to keep his mouth closed. No. he couldn't let that happen. He shook his head. "No, not Lang."

His mouth was dry and he let out a deep sigh. He knew already that he was the best candidate for this and although the mission was not what he would consider tasteful, he knew he would do it. He nodded, "There is no one else," he said, aware of that truth too.

"After the first few days, the symptoms should settle. She can return to base after that, resume her training regime. I'll make up some story about needing some recovery time after the last mission," Fury said. James nodded, half listening and half wondering how he was going to cope with what was to come. He wondered when he had been so easily trapped into doing something like this.

He looked down at his unconscious friend and let out another sigh. Fury got up then and placed a hand on his shoulder, giving it a squeeze, "She'll understand," he said. There seemed to be a hint of pride in his voice when he spoke, "She won't be disgusted by it, she'll fix on you and you'll become her base for a while. When the drug is out her system, you'll let her go back to her normal life and things will go back to how they were," Fury said. "Be kind to her, emotionally too, she's going to need it during these first few days. See to her needs and this will be over soon," he added.

That stung. James made no mention of it however, just looked to his superior and hoped that he was right. Would they be able to get back to normal after this? He had his own needs too, what about those? His memories weren't all there yet, he had a long time to catch up on… He didn't sleep so well, the nightmares plagued him constantly, a reminder of some of the deeds he had done when his mind was not his own! What would she think when he awoke her with his screams? He pushed it to the side, if what Fury said was true, sleep was not something he was going to worry about.

"Take her back to yours," he said. "Hole up for the weekend. I will get in touch with you in a day to see how she is getting on."

"That's it? Just, take her back to yours?" he asked.

Fury nodded. "Not much more I can do," he said. "Except wish you good luck!"

He also reached into his pocket and pulled out a small box. James picked it up and gave Fury a flat look, "You can explain to her! Tell her what happened."

"So can you, I cannot be here when she wakes, in case she fixes on the wrong person," he said. "It's her safety we have to think about, she will be defenceless for the first few days, we have to make sure she is protected and fixed on you," he explained.

James nodded. "What if she doesn't believe me?"

"She's going to be so distressed she'll likely believe anything you say, I'll have files sent over though, just in case." Fury replied.

He ran a hand over his face, flicking dark hair back from his forehead and sighed. There was no way he was going to get out of this. Fury said no more, leaving him alone in the room with Natasha. He got to his feet and looked down at the lithe assassin on the table. There was a warm flush on her skin now and her face was much more peaceful. She was a fine looking woman, that much was certain and perhaps he would enjoy the next few days. He tried not to think of it in that light, this was about her needs, not his.

Gently, he reached down and scooped up her light form with ease. She was slender and easy to carry. He'd do as Fury said, take her back to his flat and keep her there for the first couple of days. What happened after that, they could think about when they got there.