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Chapter: 7

"We have a serious problem," Fury growled, to the gathered Avengers.

"Don't tell me," Tony drawled, "The Winter Soldier is in New York City."

"I see you've hacked our systems again," Fury growled, causing both Natasha and Clint to sit up straighter and tense. If he really was around, then this could be very serious.

"Why's he here? Do we have any idea what his mission is? His target?" Natasha asked. Most wouldn't see it, but those around the table could see the flash of panic in her eyes.

"Who is this Winter Soldier?" Thor asked. Anyone who made Natasha panic was a big enough threat to be concerned about in his book.

"Let's just calm down here," Steve said, trying to start an explanation.

"You missed the time he was around, Steve," Clint said. "The Soldier has been known to take down whole teams of highly trained operatives, without even a scratch."

"Most of his kills never even knew he was there, before he killed them," Natasha added in. "I saw him do it- after scouting the targets for him."

Steve turned to Tony. "I thought you were going to tell them."

"I was waiting for you."

"Tell us what?" Sif asked.

"If this isn't about the problem at hand-" Fury began.

"It is," Steve cut off. "Look, I know this sounds like a problem, but it's not. He's broken out of the mind control he was under while working for the Red Room."

"How do you know about that?" Natasha asked.

"Because he told me all about it. And Cassia was the one to break him out of it. Bucky was the Winter Soldier. There's no need to worry about anything. He's not a threat to anyone, unless someone attacks him or Hermione and Cassia or Dan and Emma."

Natasha was usually very collected and in control of her responses. To see her jaw drop was a very rare thing indeed, even for the Avengers, who she allowed herself to be more open around. "What?"

"We found out today when we went round. He had the metal arm and all," Tony said.

"How did I never know? He saw the names and he never said a thing!"

"He was being controlled at the time," Steve said. "The people in charge of the Red Room probably knew all about the names too, so they would have taken steps to hide it from you."

She massaged her forehead. "This is insane."

"Can you lot be normal for once? Do you know how much of a headache this is going to cause me? It's going to be a paperwork nightmare explaining that SHIELD went onto red alert for this guy and he turns out to be a non-threat," Fury said. "And let's not forget the Security Council. How the hell am I going to be able to explain you can trust his word? There are very few who know the truth about your bond. The majority of them are in this room. Hell, the council doesn't even know- so tell me how I'm supposed to tell them that you vetted him Cap?"

"Tell them that he's James Barnes and that we were friends growing up and that he was one of the Howling Commandoes. Tell them I know him well enough to tell if he's lying or telling the truth. I'm probably the only one who can, barring Natasha, who could probably tell between him now and him under control."

"Fine, and if they don't like it I'll tell them that Romanoff is meeting him to verify your story. Like you said, she should be able to tell the difference."

"Don't doubt that," Natasha responded dryly.

Fury turned and headed out of the room, muttering under his breath- something about needing a holiday- or retirement. "You could have warned me, Tony," Natasha said.

"I didn't know SHIELD would pick up on him, or that Fury would call us for a meeting. I thought it may have been best coming from Capsicle, since he's the one who knew him best."

"Seeing as he's not a threat we have to worry about, but actually very much on our side, I take it we do not have to worry so much about putting up some sort of guard to watch the hotel?" Loki asked.

"No, Bucky said he'd watch Cassia and Hermione. He still remembers, and can utilise, all his skills from his time as the Winter Soldier. That is so long as he doesn't upset Hermione's father who threatened to kill him, if he makes a wrong move."

"Ah crap, we have to worry about a protective father? What about Cassia's Uncle- is he going to be in the same boat?" Clint asked. "Because I think I might be able to deal with one, but not two."

Steve's features darkened. "I'm not sure he will be," he said through gritted teeth.

"Why, what happened?" Sif asked.

"I'm not one hundred percent certain, but let's just say I don't think she gets on with her family and leave it at that. It could have been someone else, or it could have been them, but I really don't think her uncle will be siding with Daniel Granger."

This had all of their undivided attention. He'd left no room for them to think that perhaps she hadn't been hurt- that she had was undoubted- it was just by who. They just needed to know the story.


It was later that night and Bucky and Dan were the only ones still awake in the suite. Bucky was pretending to be interested in the TV, his attention was elsewhere though, as he planned every single escape route in the hotel out, and what attacks would be best to use should wizards come looking for the girls.

Suddenly the TV was turned off, and he turned to look at Dan who had the remote in his hand. "We both know you aren't watching that. And I know what you're doing. You're planning out the best route to escape through should someone attack. Let me make things easy for you- only concentrate on Hermione and Cassia. I'll concentrate on protecting myself and Emma. I know if it comes to it, you'll make the call to keep those two out of harm's way, even if it means forgetting about Emma and I. You know my background, I'm capable of protecting my wife. If someone attacks, get Hermione and Cassia out, get them to Avenger's Tower and keep them safe. We'll join you at a later point."

Bucky wanted to protest, but he couldn't. The man sitting across from him was a soldier as well, and knew how to make a call like this. So he nodded. "Alright then, I promise that, if it comes to it, I'll get Hermione and Cassia out."

"Good, because I'm trusting you with my daughters- both of them. Anything happens to them, and you're a dead man."

Bucky smiled. "I'd take a bullet to ensure they were safe. As the Winter Soldier, I very rarely did anything geared to protection detail, but I know how to transfer the skills anyway. Anyone coming after them will regret it."

"Would it be easier for you to protect them if they were in the hotel?"

"It would depend."

"On what?"

"How much the building would be a hindrance to us or to the attacker? Considering what I've been told, if the witch or wizard is a pureblood, then the hotel would be an advantage, hell, the whole non-magical world would be. Half-bloods, perhaps less so. I'd have to wait and see, but there's a great potential that whoever they were, they'd have less ability to navigate a hotel like this."

"Then I'll talk to Emma, and see what we can do."


It was really late the next morning when Cassia woke up. That was strange for her because she usually woke up far earlier than anyone else. Years of waking up practically at the crack of dawn (especially at summer) to do the chores assigned to her by her aunt had ingrained an early alarm clock into her. So to wake up at ten was really strange for her. She stretched and felt the metal of Bucky's left arm tighten reflexively around her. She opened her eyes. He was still asleep, but Hermione wasn't. She was awake and smiling softly at her and Bucky from her position tucked under his right arm. He'd had more nightmares last night, and they'd woken up, hearing his moans and whimpers, even with the wall between them now. So, they had gone into his room, and tried to ease his nightmares. They had to wake him up, but when he had realised where he was and that they were the ones who were on either side of him, and their touches were gentle, and not harsh and uncaring, he calmed. They stayed with him again that night, their presence seemingly dispelling the nightmares. Either that, or he was aware they were there subconsciously, and they happened quietly this time, without him thrashing round.

"Morning," Cassia whispered.

"Morning," Hermione replied, just as quietly.

The covers had been thrown to the bottom of the bed some point in the night, probably because of the heat, and that was probably a good thing when they heard a knock from the door that led to the room they were meant to be sleeping in. They winced. That movement woke Bucky, just before there was a knock at his door, and it opened, to show Emma, fully dressed, and raising an eyebrow at them. She noticed quickly that all three were wearing clothes, even if for Bucky it was only sweat pants.

"You have separate rooms for a reason, you know," she said, dryly.

"In our defence, I was having nightmares, and the girls were only trying to help. Nothing happened," Bucky said, catching Hermione and Cassia by surprise. They hadn't expected him to admit it so openly to Emma.

She nodded. "I'm inclined to believe that. You should all get dressed. Girls, I thought we'd use the spa facilities. I've read up on some of the treatments, and they look really good. However, I'm afraid Dan and Bucky are going to need to fend for themselves for the day."

"Fine by me, Emma." He nodded, smiling. He guessed this was what Dan had in mind to try and keep the girls in the hotel until they headed for the tower. But Bucky wasn't sure that they would be able to stay inside for three days. None of them were the type to be cooped up for so long. Bucky could manage it, and longer, so long as he had the provisions to not need to leave, especially if it was a mission. He could treat this as a mission, but the girls wouldn't appreciate it. So, he would just have to focus on keeping them safe in other ways. Cassia and Hermione went back to their room, and when they were all dressed, they went down for breakfast in one of the dining rooms, and the girls headed for the spa.

When they found out which room they were in, and after looking them up, discovering that everything there had been paid for, for each of them, the therapists were eager to help, and Hermione, Cassia and Emma were led off by three different women.

"Are you stressed often?" Kathrine asked Cassia.

"I can be, yes," Cassia answered.

"In that case, I think we'll start you with a Signature Soak. This will last about twenty minutes, and it will be in a bath. A hydro-massage is a highly effective treatment. Come on, this way." Cassia found herself led to a room that was decorated in calm pastels, and held a bathtub which looked like a mini Jacuzzi. It was heaven. The water temperature was just right and the jets hit her with water at a pace that had her relaxing her muscles- not having known they were tense in the first place. This was followed by a foot massage, and then a back massage, before she had what Kathrine called a radiance facial, which lasted fifty minutes in itself. She was then treated to a 'Salt Glow' which was meant to help exfoliate her skin. Finally, she was given a manicure, where her previously uneven nails were trimmed and shaped, before being painted in a clear polish which dried to leave nothing but a shine on the nails. She went back to the reception area of the spa and was greeted by Emma and Hermione, already done and looking very relaxed. Cassia put her arm round Hermione's waist. "Did you enjoy?"

"It was great! One of the treatments I had was where they put heated stones on my back! My goodness it was amazing!" Hermione gushed, her eyes bright, drawing a laugh from Cassia.

"The first thing she did was put me in a bath! Do you think she was trying to tell me something?" Cassia joked.

The three left the spa exchanging experiences, but headed back on Emma's insistence that they get an appointment for a makeup lesson. They finally reached the room, and headed in to find Bucky, but no Dan. Bucky wasn't alone though, as Steve was there with him. They both looked up as they entered, cutting off all conversation, and gathering up the papers on the table.

"You look great!" Bucky said, grinning. "The spa must have been a good idea!"

"Remind me to thank Tony when I see him," Hermione said. "It was wonderful."

"So, are you going back if you enjoyed it?"

"Hermione and Cassia have another appointment tomorrow for the makeup lesson they give."

"I don't see why we need it," Hermione said, shaking her head.

"Because I heard about your attempts, and in the end your dorm mates gave up and did your make up for you, for that ball. It's time you learnt to do it for yourselves."

Both Bucky and Steve were trying not to laugh. "I'm glad you had fun," Steve said, focusing on not laughing. "And I'll pass on your thanks to Tony."
"How did the meeting go yesterday, or can you not talk about it?" Cassia asked.

"It was fine. Some people just freaked out in the higher ups because they thought the Winter Soldier had been set loose in America. Tony and I assured them there was no need to worry. Everything's going to be fine."

"Well, that's good to know," Hermione said, smiling as she sat down.

"I also came over to say that a car will be here at midday in two days, to pick you up to come to the tower. The driver, Happy, will knock on the door. He used to be Tony's bodyguard, but he's now head of security at the Tower and still drives for Tony as well when needed."

"We could catch a cab," Bucky said.

"I did tell him you'd say that, but he insisted- and Happy won't listen to anyone but Tony and Pepper, and Pepper was out all day, so by the time she got back, the plan was all set."

"Midday, got it." Cassia said, nodding. That was going to be interesting.


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