Chloe fell onto the sofa. Her breaths were still labored, even after the elevator ride. Steve, on the other hand, looked like he hadn't just run ten miles.
Sam came in, took one look at Chloe and shook his head.
"Oh, no... you took her running?"
"What? I let her take breaks. And I only jogged."
"Your jogging is running for us regular people."
Sam grabbed a water and handed it to her as he sat down.
"Thanks." She sipped at the water. "I think I'll take a shower."
"No shower," Steve said. "We're hitting the training room."
"Now?"
"Now."
"Steve, man, give her a break. Let the woman take a shower."
"All right. Meet me in the training room in an hour."
Chloe nodded and Steve left the room. She leaned back into the sofa and sighed.
"Thank you. I thought I was gonna die out there this morning."
"Look, Steve is used to dealing with super human powers and soldiers. He's going to push you, but he won't push you harder than you can handle. Let him push, but tell him when you've hit your limit. He'll ease up."
"Good to know. Thanks."
"No problem. And if ever just want to hang out, like a regular person, I'm your guy."
Chloe laughed. "Noted."
She stayed in the shower long enough to let the warm water soothe her aching legs. She wondered for a moment if she had gotten herself into something she couldn't handle. It wasn't even noon on her first day and she already failed to keep up with Steve. Granted, he was a super-soldier, but she felt like a disappointment. Maybe she should use the rest of the vacation time she took from work for actual vacation, and give up on the training.
On her way to the training room she grabbed a water from the kitchen, then passed through the common area. Bucky was standing alone staring out of the windowed wall. She didn't know if he saw her reflection in the glass or just sensed her presence as she slowed, but he turned his head.
She tried to smile. "Good morning."
He gave a small nod and turned back to the view.
Steve tossed Chloe a bo staff as soon as she entered the room. She held it tight for a moment, then spread her fingers and spun it with open hands.
"Nice," Steve said. "Have you ever used one before?"
"Never."
"Good."
Steve lunged at her in attack. Her eyes wide, she thrust the staff forward in a block as she stepped back. He stayed on her, punching and trying to kick her feet from under her, but she blocked every attempt as if she had been handling the staff for years.
Steve stepped back and put his hands up.
"You've really never used one of those before?"
"Never. This is what happens."
"That's a great ability."
"Yeah, while I still have the weapon in my hand. When I put this down I'll be tripping over my own feet."
"Come on, it can't be that bad."
"It's worse... verging on ridiculous."
Steve took the staff and put it away.
"Block me," he said. "Fair warning, right?"
"I guess."
He lunged at her. She thrust her arm forward, but overestimated the distance and her fist connected with his chin, knocking his bead back.
Chloe gasped and covered her mouth.
"I'm so sorry."
"Well, that's one way to block someone."
"I didn't mean to, I swear."
"It's ok. You didn't hurt me."
"See? Something as simple as putting my arm up to block and I cause an accident. It's just stupid!"
She turned on her heel to walk away, but her foot caught her ankle and she fell flat on her face. She lay her forehead against the floor and slammed her fist down.
"Maybe this was a mistake," she said.
"No. You need to learn to control this."
She sat up, taking her time turning over and folding her legs.
"How?"
"I'm not really sure, but I'll do what I can."
He put out his hand and pulled her to her feet. We'll keep training like we just did, and we'll see how it goes. Maybe the balance and control will start to stick around after."
"That would be nice."
"I can't make any promises, though."
"I understand. I can't promise not to punch you again."
Steve laughed. "I can take it."
She wore her gloves whenever she wasn't training to try to avoid making her clumsiness worse. She never knew what would set off her ability.
Between running every morning and training until lunch, the workouts and more training until a late dinner, Chloe was exhausted by the end of the week. Part of her wanted to crawl into bed, but everyone was getting together for dinner, and Steve wanted to officially introduce her to everyone.
Steve was nice enough to carry things for her so she wouldn't drop them, and he gently held her elbow as she sat down. She managed to make it through dinner with just a few drops of her fork.
After dinner, everyone moved to the sofas. Sam had gone out of his way to make her feel welcome since she arrived, so she followed him to sit beside him. He was already seated when the toe of her shoe caught her other heel, and she tumbled head-first into Sam's lap.
"Woah!"
"I'm so sorry."
She pushed away, very careful to keep her hands on the sofa. Sam helped her with his hands on her arms.
"You ok?"
"Yeah, are you? Did I hurt you?"
He smiled. "No, all good. You know, there are more subtle, and less dangerous, ways to flirt."
He winked at her and Chloe let out a loud laugh. Her cheeks got red hot, and she covered her face with her hands.
"No, no, no," Sam said, "I like forward women."
He pulled her into a hug and she groaned. She could hear the others chuckling.
"This is so embarrassing."
"No, you're fine."
Sam let her go, but kept his arm around her. He got the conversation going, and her incident was all but forgotten. The only person who continued to stare was Bucky. He sat quietly at the edge of the group, relaxed, but attentive. Steve interacted with him from time to time, but it was quiet. Usually when everyone else was in heavy conversation.
Chloe realized she dozed off when she felt a nudge. Sam smiled down at her and whispered.
"If you wanted to sleep with me you just had to ask."
Chloe blushed, and Steve leaned over.
"Hey, Sam, maybe you should reign in the flirting, huh?"
"No," Chloe said. "It's ok. I know he's just messing around."
Who would want to be with a walking disaster? Of course he was just goofing.
Sam squeezed her shoulder. "Maybe you should get some sleep."
"Yeah," Steve said. "Take the day for yourself tomorrow."
"Really?"
"Sure. You've been working hard. Get some rest. Get your feet back under you."
"That may take longer than a day."
Steve smiled. "You'll be fine."
Chloe spent most of the next day reading in her room. She ventured to the kitchen for food twice. Wanda was there one of those times, and they talked for a while. She made Chloe feel a lot better. Wanda had similar problems with control when she first joined the team. People saw her as dangerous, and she harbored a lot of guilt and doubt, but she learned to gain more control over time.
That night, Chloe went up to the roof. She found the first lounger that let her stare straight up, and she lay back. She took a deep breath, filling her lungs with cool, crisp air, and let her entire body go limp.
There was movement in the dark corner. Chloe tensed until she caught a shimmer of blue eyes behind a veil of dark hair.
"I'm sorry," she said. "I didn't realize anyone else was up here."
She swung her legs off the lounger, but Bucky put his hand out.
"You can stay. I just like the quiet."
"Me, too."
She lay back and willed herself to relax again, but it was hard knowing he was there. She glanced at him and he looked away, out toward the darkened horizon.
"So... does everyone call you Bucky, or just Steve?"
"You can call me Bucky."
"Cool."
