Sam corrected Chloe's posture again as she held a squat.
"What's with you and this back arch?"
"I'm getting tired."
"Then you should quit."
"No. Just another ten minutes."
"Just ten minutes, huh? This wouldn't have anything to do with the fact that Barnes hits the gym in twenty, would it?"
Chloe stood straight. "What are you talking about?"
"I'm talking about you actively avoiding someone."
Chloe leaned over and stretched her fingers to her toes. "That's stupid."
"Ah, the classic defense of a five year old."
She stood straight again. "Why would I be avoiding him?"
Sam shrugged. "You and Barnes have had some serious ups and downs since he started training you. He piss you off again?"
"No. Everything's fine."
"Then why haven't you two been training."
"I told you why."
"Right, right... you two needed a break. How's that going?"
"It's going good. I'm not training as hard, and we're both getting more time to ourselves."
"Good. And the Russian? How's that going?"
She put her hands on her hips and took a deep breath. "I'm not getting as much practice as I would like."
"You know why?"
"Why?"
"Because you're avoiding the one person who was helping you with it."
Chloe flung her towel at Sam and walked away.
"You know I'm right, Chlo."
"Later, Wilson. It's movie night."
Chloe glanced up and down the hall as she walked out of the gym. She could lie to Sam, but not to herself. She was avoiding Bucky. She had meant it in an innocent way, but kissing him had her looking at him differently.
She managed not to think about Bucky for a few hours while she and Wanda were out. The movie was action-packed, and left no room for stray thoughts. It wasn't until they were at dinner after the movie that she was forced to remember her situation.
"Chloe, what's going on with you and Barnes?"
"Nothing. Why?"
"Sam thinks you two had a fight or something."
"We didn't."
"I didn't think so."
"Then why are you asking?"
"Because I think it's something else."
"Like what?"
"Like you're starting to like him."
"Of course I like him."
"You know that's not what I mean."
Chloe squirmed. "Don't be ridiculous."
"Clint thinks so, too."
"Do you guys not have anything better to do than talk about me?"
"You know Clint. He notices things. He asked me if you mentioned anything, once. After that, I started seeing it."
"I guess Sam and Natasha think so, too."
"No, we never mentioned it to anyone else. We weren't really sure, and we didn't want to start rumors."
"Thanks for that, I guess."
"It's just so odd. You two were practically inseparable, and now you're barely ever together."
Chloe pushed her food around with her fork.
"Wanda... if I tell you something, you have to promise not to tell anyone. Not even Clint."
"Of course."
Chloe took a deep breath. "I kissed Barnes."
Wanda's eyes grew wide, and Chloe rushed through an explanation. She even told her about the night in the pool.
"That's why I've been avoiding him. Bottom line is that I'm embarrassed. I just... I don't know how to be around him anymore."
"I've always thought Barnes had a bit of a thing for you."
"Now you're just talking crazy."
Wanda laughed. "No, I'm serious. He's always stared at you. And he worries over you. He talks to you. He doesn't talk to anyone else like that."
"He talks to Steve."
"Sure... the guy he knew before he was turned into a killer. You're different."
Chloe shook her head. "No way. I told you, when I kissed him he got all tense."
"Maybe because he liked it and didn't know if he should react. He was keeping himself in check."
Chloe didn't have a comeback. She stared at Wanda and thought about Bucky's reaction. Could she be right?
"I think you need to stop avoiding him," Wanda said.
Chloe leaned back with a sigh. "I don't know how to fix this."
"Just pretend everything is fine. Because it is, right?"
"Right. Everything's fine."
When they got home, Chloe searched for Bucky. She finally found him walking through a hall from the conference rooms.
"Hey, Bucky."
"Hey."
"I was wondering if we could start training again. I think I've taken a long enough break."
"Can't talk about that now. Steve just called a meeting, and he wants you in. Let's go."
They walked in silence to the common room, and neither of them sat.
"We have a mission," Steve said. He looked Chloe in the eye. "We found Dr. Gruber."
All eyes went to Chloe. She had a sudden urge to turn and run, but the weight of Bucky's hand on her back steadied her.
"Found him where?"
"Apparently he got a hold of some assets to get himself out of the country. He's in a private compound in Germany."
"When do we go?"
"Chloe—"
"This is personal. I want in."
"Bucky, can she hold her own?"
Bucky hesitated, but nodded. "She can."
"All right. She's your partner. Everybody pack a bag. We're leaving in twenty."
The group dispersed, but Bucky pulled Steve aside. Chloe walked away slowly, trying to listen.
"Her being my partner in the field is not a good idea."
"Why not?"
"You know why."
"Buck, you know what she's capable of. Better than anyone else. She needs to be with you out there."
Chloe walked faster. She couldn't listen any more. There was no going back with Bucky. She had ruined everything with one stupid kiss.
When she boarded the jet she sat next to Wanda.
"Did you get to talk to him before the meeting?"
"Enough to know I messed it all up."
"What do you mean?"
Chloe shook her head. "It doesn't matter. You were wrong. He doesn't want me. If he did, I turned him off."
"Tell me what happened."
Bucky boarded, and Chloe shook her head. Wanda knew not to push with Barnes there.
Once the plane was on autopilot, Steve and Tony laid out the plan. They would take Gruber alive. They wanted answers for Chloe, and the names of anyone else he experimented on.
When Natasha announced they were just ten minutes out, Bucky stood in front of Chloe.
"You ready?"
"Yes."
"Follow my lead. Keep your head down. If you come face to face with Gruber, stay calm."
"Yes, sir."
Bucky narrowed his eyes. "You ok?"
"Sure. I'm fine."
He knelt in front of her and put his hand on her knee. "If you're not ready for this, tell me now. Everyone here would understand."
"I'm fine. It's just nerves."
"Nerves are normal."
"I know."
"You've got this."
Despite the rejection she felt before, she smiled. "Thanks."
Bucky's thumb brushed over her knee. Chloe's leg twitched, and Bucky stood. He cleared his throat and ran his hand through his hair.
When the jet landed, Bucky pulled her to her feet. "Don't leave my side."
Chloe took a deep breath. "I won't."