Chapter 3
Clara stood at the entrance arch of the expo, leaning against the metal arch frame bathed in the golden glow from the gateways lights as the bright strobe lights behind her illuminated the dark night sky. Hoards of people made there way past her in the way to the Expo, all of the bubbling over with excitement about the prospect of that they were all about to witness, gossiping to their friends and partners about what storied they'd heard about the show. Checking her watch for the third time that minute Clara wrapped her arms around herself as the New York cold was beginning to bite at her skin through her soft peach wool of her cardigan. She knew she was early but once the Doctor had gotten over his apprehensiveness he'd become like an over active, excitable toddler and had practically dragged her out of the TARDIS.
Looking out across the crowded street it was hard to see whether Bucky was a part of the crowd or not as there seemed to be half of the American army mingling amongst the masses both inside and outside of the Expo, all taking the opportunity to show off their smart, clean uniforms. Feeling a hand being placed tenderly on her arm Clara jumped at the sudden contact. Turning towards the contact, a broad smile spread across her face as she came face to face with Bucky. Holding out his arm to her like a true gentleman of the time Bucky gave her a crooked half smile. "Shall we?" he asked his smile mirroring hers. Looping her arm gracefully around his proffered one, she answered with a gleeful "We shall" as they both headed towards the bright lights decorating the exuberant expo buildings.
As the pair walked arm in arm through the pop up street neither of them could hide the look of awe on their faces, despite having been to places unimaginable to the man next to her, the creativity and the technology on display all around her were magnificent even to her. Giving her arm a gentle squeeze Bucky smiled down at Clara, twirling her around so she was facing him, the pair bathed in a spotlights glow. As Bucky looked down at her smiling tenderly, a nervous shiver ran through Clara's body, straight to the pit of her stomach. Clara knew that look. As Bucky slowly lowered his face to hers Clara did the first thing she thought of which to take a step back and hold her 'date' out at arms length.
"Wow there soldier boy!" Dropping his arms and also taking a step back Bucky at least had the manners to look ashamed at his action, something Clara knew wouldn't have happened if this had been a situation back home. There was remorse in her voice as she spoke but she knew she was doing the right thing "Look I'm sorry but, you're shipping out tomorrow and I'm not in New York for long either, lets just enjoy tonight, as friends" Giving her a sad smile and lightly nodding his head in agreement. As Bucky raised his head to face Clara, putting on a brave face he said "Probably for the best" his voice only slightly giving away his disappointment. Offering his arm once more to Clara they both headed back around the Expo, trying to ignore the awkwardness that had blossomed between them.
While the pair were exploring the expo they kept seeing the Doctor from time to time, whizzing around the place full of excitement like a toddler in a toy store. Clara was almost positive that he was using his psychic paper to get into places that he definitely wasn't supposed to be. As the tension slowly began to deflate between them both Clara and Bucky found they were gradually becoming more comfortable with each other once more, laughing and joking around like nothing else mattering in the world than the two friends enjoying life arm in arm, like there wasn't the shadow of war looming over them on every corner.
Reaching the Expo's main event the pair looked on in amazement as the car from the poster sat pride of place on the spotlit platform. However Bucky seemed to get more distracted the closer they got to the main stage. "You OK?" Clara asked as she nudged him with her shoulder. Peering over her head Bucky's eyes seemed out of focus as he searched of something in the sea of people surrounding them. Sighing he turned to look down at Clara who, not for the first time that night wished that the 1940's fashion allowed for high heels that were more than a couple of inches high. "My friend Steve, I ran into him earlier, he said he'd meet me here" sighing in defeat Bucky draped an arm over Clara's shoulders pulling her closer to him, she in return raised her hand to hold onto the one currently hanging from her shoulder in an attempt to offer some comfort. "I'm worried about him, he's never been one to shy away from a fight and with the war... He wants to fight, to keep America free and I get that, we all want a chance to fight for our country, but if he went out there he'd be as good as dead, his health wouldn't be able to handle it" Running his hand through his hair Bucky went back to staring out into the crowd.
"Well it's a good thing he's got you looking out for him" Clara said, making her voice unnaturally cheery in an attempt to brighten the somber mood that had settled over them. Turning back to the car as a huge cheer rang out through the mass of people as a man, who Clara assumed was the famous Stark, appeared on the stage. As more cheering and excited chatter rang through the gathering of people around them Bucky pulled himself free from Clara, the cold New York air snaking between them, never the less Clara couldn't bring herself to pull her eyes away from the stage. As Clara felt Bucky's hand being placed gentle on her shoulder she felt his breath against her ear as he spoke in a low urgent tone. "I'm sorry Clara but Steve's here and he's not in the best shape, I need to make sure he doesn't do anything stupid" Turning round to face him Clara looked up into his forlorn face.
"Go" Clara muttered to him as the lights from the stage illuminating his face clearly. She recognised that look in his eyes, she'd seen it at school, it was the one older siblings got as they were hauled into the headteachers office, generally for fighting, cased by a defiant need to protect an upset younger sibling, only upset about being caught rather than there actions. Though there was something more there, a deeper connection than she thought even siblings could have. She had been enjoying their evening but she knew he had more important places to be right now. Stretching up onto her toes and pulling him gently down so that he was more her height she placed a soft kiss on against his cheek "Good bye Sergeant James Barnes" Pulling her close into a hug, holding her tightly to his chest he rested his chin on the top of her head. "Good bye Miss Clara Oswald it was a pleasure to meet you" Taking a step back, creating distance between them Bucky couldn't tell whether it was a trick of the light or whether there were actually tears in her eyes, Swallowing the lump that had suddenly formed in his throat he fought to keep his voice level. "And I hope that we may, one day, meet again" Taking another step back as he let his hands fall softly to his sides from where they had been resting upon Clara's shoulders, moving back into the crowd. Clara tried to follow Bucky's movements for as long as she could but he was only three feet away from her when he became swallowed by the crowd that was still watching the stage in awe, mesmerised by the show that had continued behind her through their quiet goodbyes.
Finding the show no longer held her interest she began to move quickly and quietly through the throng of people, following in the direction that Bucky had gone, heading towards the exit. She would wait for the Doctor back at the TARDIS, there was no reason to spoil his fun after all.
A/N: So longest Chapter so far! Thank you for reading you've already done one of the R's in this R+R so why not Review and make the set complete?
In response to Melody's review and in case anyone else was confused with these things yes the pink skirt Clara picked out was the one Rose wore in 'The Idiot's Lantern' it seemed right to add it in given the time period. This fic is an 11th Doctor one, I'm sorry if I'm not portraying him right but I haven't warmed to Capaldi enough to write a 12th Doctor piece yet, we'll have to feel how I feel about 12 when this series ends
