Chapter 10
When Felicity got to the Queen Mansion, Roy and Bucky were waiting for her by the gate.
"We couldn't get inside until we were sure the security system was disabled." Roy explained.
Felicity went up to the electronic keypad which controlled the gate. "It's not active, but this gate won't open without it. Which means…" she trailed off as Roy grabbed the duffel bag and threw it over the gate. Then he climbed over after it.
"Toss me the rest of the bags." It took a few minutes, but eventually Bucky managed to toss all the bags over to Roy. Bucky looked over at Felicity. She looked at him nervously.
"This might be a good time to mention that I'm not exactly big on scaling walls or gates. I sort of have this thing about heights and I don't have ninja training, plus I'm wearing the wrong shoes and a skirt which isn't exactly good climbing gear. I mean I trust you boys, but I don't think any of us are in the point in our relationship where I would be okay with you looking up my skirt. And by relationship I mean…3…2…1" Felicity broke off, her face turning red. Roy started laughing. Bucky looked at her in concern.
"Don't worry dude." Roy said, looking at Bucky's expression. "You'll get used to it."
"You didn't even stop to breath" Bucky said, which sent Roy into another laughing fit. Bucky looked at the gate, then back at Felicity. A nervous calculating look entered his eyes.
"I could carry you." He said softly. Felicity looked at the ground.
"Are you sure?" Bucky nodded in response and turned so his back as to her. Then he crouched down. She climbed on, wrapping her legs around his waist and putting her arms around his neck.
"I'm not too heavy for you?" Felicity blurted out. "Right stupid question, I'm just going to be quiet now and OH MY GOD."
Bucky had begun climbing. She gripped him tighter and closed her eyes. "Please don't let me die." If it hadn't been for the potential of a horrible death she might have enjoyed being carried by Bucky. She could feel his muscles moving as he climbed and being wrapped around him wasn't a bad feeling.
Roy's fresh outburst of laughter told her that her interior monologue might not have been as internal as she hoped.
"Shut up Harper." She hissed.
"Not a chance Smoak. I wish I had a camera, this is priceless. I guess we all know why you're so eager to help him."
"Felicity." Bucky said
"What?!" she said.
Roy snorted. "Barnes wants to tell you that you're on firm ground. But he seems about as enthusiastic about you getting down as you are of letting go."
Felicity squeaked and let go, dropping to the ground. Before she could stumble Bucky turned and grabbed her arm, pulling her close to him.
"You're fast. Not that that's a bad thing…well for certain things it isn't great and I'm going to stop talking now. Felicity turned away to see Roy who could barely breath because of his laughter.
"Well since you seem to be enjoying yourself, I suppose you won't mind carrying the heavy bags." She turned and walked up to the mansion.
"He has super-strength." She heard Roy call after her. "Why do I have to do the heavy lifting?"
"As punishment." She shouted back. She was waiting for them in front of the doors when they made it up to the house.
"It's locked."
Roy rolled his eyes. "So that's why I'm here. You want me for my criminal expertise." He put down the bags and grabbed a bobby pin from Felicity's hair.
"Hey!"
"I need it." he began picking the lock. After about a minute it opened.
"Milady." He said, holding the door open for Felicity and handing her back her pin.
"Thanks Roy." They all walked in. "You boys make yourself comfortable. I'm going to hook the power grid up to the solar panels."
Roy waited until Felicity was out of earshot before turning to face Bucky.
"Let's make one think clear Barnes. Felicity is practically my family and if being associated with you gets her hurt…"
Bucky felt a rush of respect for the young man. He knew who Bucky was and what he was capable of doing, yet he still wanted to protect Felicity.
"Putting her in danger is the last thing I want."
"Just so we're clear."
They made their way into the living room where there was a big fireplace. They began unpacking the supplies Felicity had bought.
"That girl is a genius." Roy grinned as he pulled a fire log and matches from one of the bags. "She thinks of everything." Bucky nodded in response.
"Look I'm not usually much of a talker, but hanging around Blondie too much causes silences to make me nervous." Roy took a breath before continuing. "What was done to you was wrong, and I think it's good that you have someone looking out for you but…why Felicity?"
Bucky stiffened. "I was following Steve when he came here. He asked her for help and… I saw her." he broke off. "She's special. She also didn't know me before…" He raised his metal arm. "Steve expects me to be Bucky Barnes. His best friend, Felicity didn't have those expectations."
Roy smiled "Tell me about it. She's like a beacon of hope for the lost."
"I never wanted to bring trouble to her." Bucky looked distraught.
"No worries. I don't know how much Blondie told you, but trouble isn't exactly something we're unfamiliar with. And it was only a matter of time before ARGUS did something that crossed a line." Roy had meant for his words to reassure Bucky, but if anything his look of concern increased.
"Let there be LIGHT!" Felicity said as she flipped the switch.
"Thank you god." Roy grinned
"You are most welcome mortal." Felicity smirked "Who's hungry? I don't know about you guys, but breaking and entering makes my stomach rumble." She caught sight of the look on Bucky's face. "Not that I make a habit of breaking into other people's houses. And I know the guy who lived here before and who wants hot dogs? I bought some and if one of you sets the fire we can roast them in the fireplace."
The rest of the evening passed quickly. Roy and Felicity entertained Bucky with silly stories. While he stayed mostly silent, Felicity caught what was the beginning of a smile on his face.
Then Roy's phone rang. He answered.
"Oliver?" At the sound of the name Felicity started up and began making slicing motions across her neck.
"Um no I haven't seen Felicity." Roy said. "Maybe she's still at work? You know how see gets lost in her little nerd world sometimes."
"Really?" Felicity hissed.
Roy smirked, then continued his conversation with Oliver. "Yeah…ok…I'll be there." He hung up. "Is your phone off?"
"I couldn't take the chance that someone would track me here."
"Well Oliver's declared Def-con 1. I have to go meet him." Roy stood and looked at her questioningly.
Felicity was torn. On the one hand she knew Oliver would flip if she didn't tell him where she was. On the other, she really didn't want to leave Bucky alone just yet. Sensing her answer Roy groaned.
"I'll run interference with Oliver." He turned and began leaving. "He's going to use me as a human punching bag. I just know it."
He left the mansion. As he made his way down towards the gate, he stopped to look back inside. Through the living window he could see Felicity and Bucky's faces illuminated by the fire in the fireplace. Felicity was talking about a mile a minute, and Barnes was looking at her in wonder. Roy shook his head. "She's the real hero around here." He muttered as he walked back to his motorcycle.