AN: Hi, thank you so-so much for reading! Usual disclaimer applies, I own nothing Marvel/Disney!

Just fan work.

Chapter 22: Deep Impact

Amelia waits in the lobby for the elevator, staring at the ground silently. It's her first day back at work, since her "scare." She hates the terminology, no idea what to even call it, how to describe it or covey the fear she actually felt, scare feels like an understatement. Her phone is crammed with unread messages of good luck that she can't read and she hopes no one accosts her with sweet welcomes and pouting pity faces. She would rather no one dare mention it, her neighbour has already been poking around, asking 'why did it happen?' If Amelia knew why, she'd feel much happier herself, she nearly told the woman where to go.

She suddenly senses someone come to a stop beside her, a male, she can tell by the awkward cough. She doesn't look up, a feeling she knows exactly who it is. When the doors slide apart, she squeezes into the box, waiting for her level and trying not to look into the eye of the woman she's pressed against.

When her floor number lights up, she pushes through to escape. Breathing out as her foot touches the grey carpet. But immediately it feels like their air has gone again, 'Amelia?' The male is back beside her and she inhales deeply, looking up and making eye contact with Richard.

'I heard what happened,' is all he says, and she just stares at him.

She eventually shrugs, 'we don't need to talk about it, it's fine now, please, just be normal.' He nods and looks like he might say more but Natalie appears. She bustles over, hugging Amelia close. She watches Richard over her friend's shoulder, wondering what he's waiting for, why doesn't he just leave already.

He swallows, 'I'll, uh, I'll see you down in the studio.' He disappears hastily and Amelia turns back to her friend. 'How you doing, Mama?' Amelia nods, 'yeah, I'm ok, thank you, it's nice to be back,' she lies. Natalie beckons her over to her desk, 'it's all change here in a week, I tell you. Beth is on the couch, daily! That temporary guy has gone, I don't know what happened, Dick's decision, we think. She came in with him twice last week, on the back of his motorcycle no less, I saw them, I was sat in traffic on the goddamn bus, typical, isn't it? I didn't think people were allowed to date, remember that sound kid, he was moved floors after canoodling with someone.' Amelia looks across and can see the male producer chatting with someone, his eyes flicking over to her sharply. She doesn't have the energy for this, she could just about bring herself to come in today, but she's certainly not in the mood for him.

Steve marches off the jet, turning to Maria Hill, 'what just happened?' He rips his cowl off and waves his hands at her, flustered and annoyed. She checks her Stark Pad nonchalantly and shrugs, 'I don't know, Captain. They were meant to be there, our intel...' Steve pushes a stressed hand through his hair, 'well they weren't! Waste of time, a complete waste! There's other things I could be doing with my time. Speak to Fury, make sure this doesn't happen again.' She's surprised by his tone, it's not like him, but she doesn't let on, her usual cool demeanour staying strong.

Bucky appears next, strolling down the back ramp, cracking his fingers, 'Steve, come on, it's just a miscommunication.' He calls to his friend, surprised by how uptight he is, watching him pace in the hangar. 'That's not good enough,' Steve shouts and Bucky's brows raise, sighing 'no, it's not, but it's all we have, Fury will get to the bottom of it, we've done our bit, come on.' Steve shakes his head, 'that's not good enough, there has to be a reason this happened, things don't just go wrong.' He turns away from his friend, his nostrils flaring and his breathing uneven. Bucky has a feeling this might be some misplaced grief.

Sam strolls across to the pair, 'well that was a bust, not to mention a waste of time.' Bucky winces and Steve looks up in vindication, 'thank you! Someone agrees.' Sam whines, 'had to cancel a date with a lovely lady for this.' Bucky ignores him, watching his best friend carefully. Steve's neck clenching, his throat bobbing and he looks like he might bite right through his left cheek. Sam tugs out his ear-piece, 'well, anyone up for a drink? I'm free now and I think we're done here for the day, let's take advantage.' Bucky rubs his face, 'that's not something we ever do, why the hell would you suggest that right now?'

Victoria appears in view, entering the hangar with a handful of cables and connectors. Sam looks up, 'oh, here comes trouble, think she's free for a drink?' Bucky straightens, 'shut up' wondering what she wants, but spots what she's carrying and recalls. 'Sammy, don't be an idiot, she's smarter than that,' he warns Sam, the Falcon watches her smile spread as Bucky acknowledges her. 'Not that smart,' he mutters to himself. Steve is still beside him scratching his face and considering what went wrong in the field.

Victoria jogs over and stops next to the Sargent, meeting him half way 'hey, Bucky! Got some replacements for you, you ok? Seemed pretty tough out there?' Sam tries not to look too surprised when she uses his nickname. Steve peers over, wondering what replacements he needs. Bucky accepts the equipment, pulling his damaged ear-piece from a cord inside his jacket. Steve watches as he untangles it and returns it to the girl, 'yeah, fine, not what we were expecting. Bit of a bust.'

Steve storms closer, pointing at his friend 'wait, was your ear-piece out? Is that why we missed our shot?' Bucky looks up slowly, 'uh, we missed our shot because the info was bogus. They were never there, Steve, you know that. Be reasonable.' Bucky turns back to Victoria, trying the new ear speaker and mumbling to her that it fits fine. 'If you aren't communicating, you shouldn't be out there.' Bucky realises he's still coming at him, 'woah, Steve, can you get off my back, this isn't on me, it's on whatever lackey Fury has doing opps downstairs. Chill, will you?' Victoria works quietly between them, trying to keep her eyes and thoughts to herself, rolling her eyes at the term 'lackey.'

'Agent Haynes, isn't it?' She looks up at the Captain's firm voice, Steve staring harshly at her, 'uh, yes, hi.' He points at her, 'you've been here a while now, you should have told me he was offline, this could have wrecked everything. I need to know that my team is on the same channel at all times. You've been here plenty long enough and should know better, I'll be reporting this.' She looks up, terrified. Bucky's face contorts into a frown of disbelief. 'Steve, get over yourself, don't speak to her like that!' Steve drops his hands loudly at his side, 'if she knew you were offline, she should have told someone, namely FRIDAY and me. I'm running the mission, I'm in charge.' Victoria defends herself softly, 'I'm sorry, it wasn't until we realised the targets weren't there that I knew I'd lost him. I'm really sorry.' Sam is surprised by the scene, Steve's aggression, Victoria politely holding her own and Bucky defending her.

'Sorry won't save lives,' Steve barks nastily and Bucky steps up to him, 'hey! Stop it, it's not on her and you know that, she's just a kid. You need to deal with whatever has crawled up your ass and take a walk, you're making an issue. We won't win every time.' Steve eyes his friend, softening a little at the sight of an agitated Bucky and Victoria's wide, confused eyes. He sighs and leaves with no further words, Bucky watching as he goes, storming away with heavy footsteps. Someone stops him with a clipboard, and he keeps walking. The hangar is silent and staff are watching the group closely, Bucky doesn't say any more, leaving in the same direction.

Victoria stares after him and Sam walks closer, ready to introduce himself, but she mutters 'excuse me,' and leaves as quick as everyone else.

Bucky finally finds Steve in the briefing room that they were seated in only earlier that day. He's sat in a chair staring at the now wiped clean white board. Steve doesn't look up, knowing exactly who just walked in, he leans forward and buries his face in his hands.

'Maybe you shouldn't have come back so soon?' Bucky asks, strolling down the conference table and leaning against a wall, adjacent to his friend. Steve looks up, his eyes tired and red, 'I have no reason to feel like this, we were told she's fine, they are both fine.' Bucky doesn't comment, Steve continues 'every time my phone goes, I think my heart stops.' Bucky understands, whenever he hears Andi in the shower, he just pictures Amelia screaming his name in fear.

Steve scoffs softly.

'Amelia's so calm, so brave, she's getting on with it and I'm… I've never been so scared. I'm not meant to get scared.' He looks directly at his best friend, 'I'm sorry about down there, you were right, it was nothing. I just, every time I'm out there, I'm not here and look what happened last time.' Bucky kicks a chair out from under the table, taking a seat heavily, 'that would have happened wherever the hell you were, but it's ok, she's ok. They both are.' Steve nods, sniffing and looking at the ceiling, 'I know.'

'Do you need more time? At home?' Bucky asks and Steve shakes his head 'no, I think it's important for all of us that we get back some normal.' Steve and Bucky sit there together for a while, staring at the whiteboard. Bucky occasionally looking over to Steve.

'That communications colleague, Victoria, I need to apologise to her.' Bucky scoffs, 'yeah, but not right now.' Steve runs a hand over the smooth table idly, 'you stood up for her.' Bucky shrugs, slouching in his seat, his feet finding an empty one to perch on, 'you were being a jackass.' Steve agrees with a sombre nod, 'tell me about it.'

Steve thinks back to the baby, wondering how Amelia got on at work today, not being able to call her because of the botched mission, more missed opportunities.

'I don't know how we do another eighteen weeks of this, I feel like I won't believe it until she's here, in my arms, safe and sound.' Bucky nods slowly, picturing Steve with a new baby, smiling a little to himself. He tries to lighten things, 'you got any more name suggestions?' Steve smiles, appreciating the distraction, 'I like Poppy, but Amelia's not sure. I put it on the list anyway.' Bucky grins proudly, 'that was me, you know?' Steve laments, 'yeah, you seem to be out shining me at the moment.' Bucky laughs loudly, Steve stills and stares at the carpet.

'Would you be ok, if I didn't come back?' Bucky looks at him dismissively, 'yeah, take another week, it's all good.' He rummages in his pocket, absently thinking of a missed call from Andi earlier.

Steve looks up, making eye contact, 'no, I mean if I walked away from this, quit this life.' Bucky is shocked, his mouth and eyes moving of their own accord, 'I… I would understand, I'd miss you, but you must do what's right for you.' Steve sits back, 'I dunno, it's just an idea, don't mention it to anyone, I've not talked to Tony or even Amelia about it.' Bucky tries to hide his shock, 'sure, ok.'

Bucky's eyes trace the ceiling, 'hey, you remember that girl who lived on the corner, stole your paper round money at the pool that time? What was her name?' Steve smiles a little at the story, 'Beatrice.' Bucky shakes his head quickly, 'no, never mind, don't put that on the list.' Steve chuckles, 'it's tough, isn't it?' Bucky jokes, 'which part?' Steve sighs, 'all of it. Parenting is hard work, tougher than this place at times.'

Steve looks down at himself, smiling and remembering Rosie waiting at home for him 'I should get this suit off and get out of here for tonight, I'll speak to Victoria first thing in the morning. I umm, I'm cake tasting with Andi next week.' Bucky laughs loudly, 'oh you two will end up arguing then, I'll await the tears and tantrums that follow.' Steve is upset that his friend thinks that.

Steve begins to contest, but doesn't have any stamina left, 'ok, I'm going to go, you got much planned for tonight?' Bucky considers it, 'no, a nice quiet one. You look after yourself, ease up on yourself too. Say hi to Mia.'

Steve pats his shoulder as he walks past, 'thanks.' Bucky sits there long after he's gone, deciding how he should put things right with his comms operative. Scratching his head and thinking he may need another mug.

Bucky finds Victoria packing her bag angrily. Throwing her stuff in to a large tote and slamming drawers. He suddenly panics that she's quit, she reassures him 'no, I'll be back for more shit talk tomorrow. You know, I think everyone in this place has shouted at me at least twice!' Bucky feels guilty, he looks around, it's dark outside and all the other operatives have gone for the evening. The comms centre has almost completely shut down, but there are agents in the next department still working hard. Victoria picks up on him looking about, 'we have homes and lives too, you know, it's not just you. If you're not on a mission and I've done my hours, I can go, so you can't scream at me and harass me into working, I'm done.' Bucky looks up with wide eyes, 'forever?' She sighs, frustrated, 'no, for today.'

He props himself on the desk beside her's. 'Steve was a real jerk to you, back there.' She sniffs deeply, 'don't care, I'm used to it, just thought he was one of the good guys.' Bucky laughs, 'it might not seem like it from that, but he is the best of guys, trust me. He's just had some personal stuff, that's all.' Victoria folds her arms, 'don't we all, it's no excuse!' Bucky nods, 'fair point, but this time last week he thought he'd lost his unborn child.' Victoria halts, she blanches and Bucky feels guilty and wonders why he ever mentioned it. 'Sorry, I just can't have you thinking bad of him, I'm an asshole who shouts at you, Steve's just acting like one.' Victoria looks horrified, 'that's terrible, is the baby ok?' Bucky reacts quickly, 'yes, sorry, should have said that, all good, a little fighter, just like her dad.' Victoria swallows audibly, 'huh, a girl, that's nice.' Bucky didn't even realise he'd given that bit away.

She sighs, 'it's fine, I don't really care.' Bucky looks down at packs of tissues on her desk, peering back up at her, 'looks like you do.' She shrugs, giving up, 'I just want to do a good job, three years of communications studies and a staff loyalty card at Walmart have lead me here and I feel like it's hard, hard in the places it shouldn't be. I mean, you can't abide me…' Bucky looks up at that part, 'what? That's not true.' She scoffs, 'oh come onnnn!' He looks about, spotting the kitten mug that Andi planted, 'your mug, that was me.' She softens, finding it with her eyes, 'yeah, I guess.' Bucky continues 'and we've been doing better, I didn't shout just now, actually, I defended you.' Victoria smiles a little, 'I know you did, thank you.' Bucky waves her off, 'don't thank me, it's always fun telling Steve where to go, he's too perfect most of the time. Even as kids, it was always my fault, never his.' She laughs and matches his position, leaning again her own desk.

Bucky looks over at her, 'don't leave.' She grins, 'tonight? Or…'

He clarifies 'leave here, quit, no quitting, everyone can't leave.' He mutters the last part, and she wonders aloud 'who else is leaving?' He blanks the question and moves on, 'you held your own down there, against Steve.' She laughs bitterly, 'what? I'm a woman so I should keep quiet and cry, damsel in distress and all that?' Bucky looks awkward, 'no, I didn't mean, I just meant, he's basically the boss man, takes something to stand up to that.'

They fall into a silence and she quietly asks, 'you called me a kid back there, is that what you really think?' Bucky is confused, shrugging 'it's just a word.' She stares down sadly, 'but I'm small, I'm skinny, I'm a woman and I don't have a super power, isn't that what everyone's thinking? Kid, stupid kid.' Bucky confirms, 'well I'm not.' She nods, biting her lip 'I appreciate that, the least level headed guy in the building doesn't think I'm out of my depth.' Bucky's eyes widen as do Victoria's, she realises what she's said, trying to apologise, he awkwardly laughs it off, 'you aren't wrong, forget it. And remember when you're ninety plus like me, everyone's a kid.'

Victoria stares around the empty atrium. 'I like it like this… quiet. There's so much destruction and death in here sometimes. Well, on the screen, in your ear… anyway, my kitten mug really heals that for a few minutes a day, so thank you.' Bucky bows his head 'whatever I can do to help.' She watches him, enjoying the warm teasing and light conversation, it's all she's wanted all along. His phone vibrates and he doesn't check it, she forces a smile, 'Andi?'

Bucky grins thinking about his girlfriend, 'huh? Oh yeah, probably.' Bucky scuffs the ground and she smiles, 'your wedding must be getting closer?' Bucky is taken off guard, straying into very personal territory now, 'yeah, first week of June.' She doesn't say any more.

He thinks about leaving, this seems resolved enough that they can resume work no issue tomorrow.

She fiddles with her bag, smiling at a message on her phone and dropping it inside her tote, suddenly lighting up with an idea. 'Hey, could you take my picture? For my folks? There's always confidential stuff on the screens, I'm not sure they even believe I really work here. Shit, am I allowed to tell them?' Bucky shrugs, not really caring 'I am not the authority on anything.' He agrees and she pulls out her phone, blue bunny case, large silicone ears. He sighs at the sight of the mobile device, still puzzled by them at times and horrified by the monstrosity protecting it. She looks concerned, 'oh, you ok with this? What about your arm?'

'Doll, please. Just give me the damn rabbit,' he holds his hand open and she giggles at the nickname, Bucky not even realising he just said it.

Victoria poses against her desk, both hands flat to it and looking over one shoulder, a happy smile. He coughs awkwardly, she's very confident and the pose seems somewhat contrived, but who is he to judge.

Bucky thinks he's taken two pictures, but can't be sure, passing it back to her quickly. Standing across from her and watching as she reviews them, 'mmm, thanks.' He looks at her eyesore of a phone case, nodding to it 'how do you get that thing in your pocket?' She double-takes between him and the phone, 'I don't, it's in my bag or my drawer. Anti-theft, not easily lifted.' Bucky shakes his head, suddenly noticing how close she is to him now. She smiles up at him and he's sure she slides a little closer 'thank you for coming to find me, I hoped you would.'

Bucky isn't sure what that means, he looks around anxiously, feeling like it's time to go. Stuttering 'no, n-no problem, as long as you're ok. Steve will likely be down here tomorrow, he will have a babbling speech of an apology, no doubt. I'm going to g…' He takes a step backwards, knocking the row of desks behind. 'Shit,' he tries to catch a mug full of pens.

Victoria steps closer again, gazing up at him with wonder, he mumbles about damn messy desks and she whispers, 'I like you.' Bucky nods briskly, a tight-lipped smile, swallowing loudly, casually offering 'yeah, yeah, me too.' He glances down at her and for a second, he thinks she might… but then he decides surely she wouldn't.

Her eyes caress his face, from his eyes, sliding down his chiselled cheeks, cataloguing him and landing on his lips. He's muttering about leaving and she zeroes in on his mouth, leaning up quickly on tip toes and pulling his mouth down to hers. Her hand wrapped around at the base of his head, his lips chapped and his bearded face tickling hers.

Bucky finds himself trying to escape, wondering why she's so quiet, what is she thinking. Quickly he feels her drag him towards her and before he knows it, her lips are against his. His eyes fly wide open, looking around and catching up as quick as possible. He stands from the desk he's against and she must think it's an invitation, as she opens her mouth against him and makes a noise that startles him, alerting him in the worst way. He places a palm against either of her shoulders and gently but firmly pushes her off. She begins to lean back in and he splutters her name.

She gawps at him naively and genuinely seems shocked when he croaks 'um, Vi-Victoria, we can't, I don't want… I'm not, I have… Andi, I can't. No. I don't want…'

She covers her mouth, muttering crap and stepping back quickly, staring at him. She panics and dashes away, resuming packing her bag. She moves to pack the mug he gave her but leaves it, turning back to him. 'I'm so sorry, I don't know what happened, you were here, you were being so nice. I'm so sorry. Please don't have me fired.' Bucky can't keep up with her, frowning, 'woah, woah, I wouldn't do that, it's ok. I'm sorry if I… but I'm engaged. I… Andi, she's… my…' Victoria covers her face, holding a palm up to him 'please stop, I'm mortified, can we just forget this and never mention it again?' Bucky nods numbly, he starts to wipe his mouth but doesn't want to hurt her feelings any more. 'I have to go,' she declares, rushing off and not looking back.

Bucky stares after her, his mouth agape. When the door closes and she's long gone, he looks around, wishing someone had seen that. 'Fuuuccckkk!' he groans loudly. He considers what he should do, should he tell Andi? His mouth feels like it's fizzing, like he's burnt the tip of his tongue or drank something poisonous. He pictures Victoria's devasted face and knows she just made an error, right? Sure, they were chatting, it was pleasant, easier than it has been. She's always tries and makes an effort with him, but he assumed it was platonic. He reminds himself it is platonic, she just said she made a mistake, she was sad about it, embarrassed.

He looks down and pictures where she stood, she was so close, in his space and uninvited. He feels like he's been wronged, like something's been taken from him. He shakes it off, it was just a kiss, a voice teases him mentally.

He thinks about calling Steve, asking his thoughts on it. He shivers as he relives it and subconsciously steps away from the scene of the crime. He wonders what work will be like now, next time she's in his ear, telling him bogies at twelve o'clock. He looks back at her desk, once again it's spotless, perpendicular and neat, but she rushed out of here like someone who had missed their bus and didn't know what day of the week it was. He just doesn't understand her, but he certainly didn't see this coming. He kicks himself for being naive, Andi said she saw something, that Victoria wanted more.

'Fuck,' he groans aloud, once again to no-one. He can't remember ever being in this situation, once upon a time a lothario and now committed boyfriend, no in-between and he's never said had to say no, or wanted to. He pictures Andi and how she would take this, would she laugh or cry, he can't decide. He settles on the idea that she may punch Victoria and he decides to save the communications officer that.

He goes over and over it, she instigated it, she apologised, she left afterwards. He pushed her away, explained he wasn't interested, no harm done, surely?

Moving for the exit, he pauses and looks back to where she pressed herself against him, shivering and feeling exposed and ashamed. He feels his stomach clench, leaving with heavy, long strides, determined to walk away from this.

Steve unlocks the front door, stepping inside the warm house. He drops his bag and shirks his coat, looking around for signs of life. He smiles and calls 'flash!' He can hear the patter of feet and Rosie appears, barrelling down the stairs, screaming 'thunder!'

She runs to him and he catches her mid air, 'you're back!' Steve holds her close; it feels good to be home, 'yep, how you doing? How was school?' Rosie smiles, 'so good. Do you think Uncle Tony can come again?' Steve strokes her hair and kisses her cheek, 'I'm sure he would love to.' Rosie beams and squirms to get down.

Steve walks into the kitchen, spying Amelia, rubbing her baby bump, cooking and looking at a recipe book. He pauses and watches her by the archway to the room. She mutters to herself, telling the cat off for licking something and jumping a little when she spots Steve. 'Oh, hey, my God, you're home, new start was right. Good day?' He takes a deep breath, but snaps his mouth closed. He shakes his head silently and she confirms flatly, 'no, me neither. Want to run away?' Steve smiles and strolls closer, kissing the top of her head. 'Where did you have in mind?' He asks and she sighs, 'Some place warm?' He takes a wooden spoon from her, stirring something on the hob.

'You look nice,' Steve compliments, looking up from his sauce. 'Oh yeah? You wanna see what's underneath?' He looks down at her work skirt, tank top still tucked in, her shirt discarded on the counter. Amelia's eyebrows dance around jokingly and Steve laughs at her, 'maybe later, I'm busy cooking right now... what is this anyway?' Amelia deflates quickly, disappointed that he doesn't ravish her here and now. 'It's beef, something...'

Amelia smiles sadly at him, appreciating his help. She reaches around his middle, hugging him from behind 'it's so nice to have you here.' Steve looks at her over his shoulder, 'I shouted at someone today.' Amelia pauses, 'whaaaat?' Steve nods, still stirring, 'a woman.' Amelia gasps in fake shock, 'Steven Grant Rogers, what did she do to make you so mad?' Steve turns to her, 'nothing.' He looks down sadly and Amelia can relate, knowing misplaced anger is easier than facing up to what they are really struggling with. She looks at him, his glum expression, as he thinks about the events of the day.

'Baby girl has been busy today, rolling around during my morning meeting,' she grabs his hand and strokes it along her bump. He lightens and nods at her, appreciating her efforts. 'Have you apologised to…?' Steve sighs, 'Victoria. And no, I'll see her in the morning, God, she just looked terrified.' Amelia smirks, 'well, you are very scary.' He looks at her, silently asking really? She giggles, 'you can read at bedtime tonight, I've got some Scandal to catch up on and intend to make the most of you being here.' Steve kisses her bare shoulder, 'Ok, I'll go get changed.' He begins to leave, stopping at the doorway, 'you know you changed my life, right?' Amelia looks up, unsure and grinning 'for the better, I hope?'

When Steve is gone, Amelia looks through the fridge, sighing at the out of date food. She looks up at the sound of her phone, strolling into the dining room, grabbing it distractedly, 'hello?'

'Amelia, it's Bucky.' She brightens, 'hey, you ok? Steve's just taking a shower, I think, shall I get him to call you back?' Bucky coughs, 'no! It's uh, you I want to speak to.' Amelia smiles, but asks with uncertainty, 'ok, what can I do for you?' There's shuffling on the other end, 'no, can I come over and see you? Not Steve.' Amelia's eyes float to the stairs and she thinks, before suggesting, 'come over in an hour, he will be putting Rosie to bed, that ok?' Bucky agrees and goes to hang up, 'Bucky? Is everything alright?' He reassures her quickly and cuts her off before she can ask more.

Amelia opens the front door, Bucky stares down at her pyjamas, 'were you asleep?' Amelia appears surprised, pulling her robe around herself, 'no, sorry, just getting comfy, come in.' Bucky steps through, looking around for Steve and Rosie, but the house is quiet, just like she promised. Amelia watches him suspiciously, 'do you want to go to the kitchen?' Bucky shakes his head, marching past her to the back door and stepping out onto the wooden deck. It's dark and cold, Amelia can see her breath clouding in front of her face and she jumps her feet around, cold from the damp ground. Amelia eyes a patio chair and sits down, folding her knees up and staring at Bucky, 'what is wrong, stop pacing, will you?' He pauses and looks at her, 'something happened.' Amelia's gut drops, worried that he's killed someone. Her mind goes a mile a minute, will she be an accomplice, will she have to hide him, should she call the police. 'Umm, ok… well start at the beginning.' Bucky takes a deep breath, nodding and finally pulling out the chair across from her…

….

Bucky appears to be done talking and Amelia stares at him in shock, but then he keeps going 'she just kissed me, she grabbed me, I did nothing, pushed her away and she said sorry and fled. The end, what do I do?' Amelia is surprised, her mind confused and questioning how big this might be, then she remembers, she's been there with Steve. 'You should just tell Andi, it's not like you did anything wrong. She'd probably find it funny, she won't blame you...' Bucky looks down at the ground between his legs, about to confess something 'but it's not funny. I didn't like it.' Amelia feels bad, 'well no, not funny, funny…' Bucky shakes his head, like there's an insect crawling his face, 'she was so close, in my space. I didn't want it, it felt wrong and I can't get rid of it, the feeling of her, I don't like it. Her. Her smell, everything, no.' Amelia watches him sadly, 'Bucky, there's no shame in that, you did the right thing. It sounds like you stopped it, you explained, you were kind to her. What more could you do?' Bucky is embarrassed, feeling as if he should be able to brush it off, it's just a kiss.

'Who is this girl?' Bucky shrugs, sitting back, slouching lowly. 'I just want to forget it, is that wrong?' Amelia smiles warmly, 'no, I'd be worried if you wanted to remember it, but are you sure you can't tell Andi? You remember Steve and Sharon, I wish he had just said something. You really should tell her. Do you want me to speak to her?' Bucky stares at his hands, 'no, I can't. No, I don't want you to. She will be upset, it's better for her that she doesn't know. It meant nothing, so I should treat it like nothing.' Amelia yawns a little, trying to mask it, 'can you really keep working with this person?' Bucky nods 'I have to, just need to keep it professional, I guess.' Amelia is concerned, 'please, just tell Andi, let her be there for you, it's obviously upset you a great deal. She will support you, be there for you.' Bucky bristles, ashamed to be so affected by the damn kiss. It was just a kiss. He winces at the thought of her lips on his. He seems to think about it, 'no, I can't tell Andi, I just can't. What if she thinks I'm weak or I led her on or something?' Amelia's confused, 'she knows you better than that, we all do, look at you, you're terrified!' Bucky nods quickly, 'no, she is going to forget about it, I should too, right?' Amelia looks at a loss, 'umm, no, you should tell Andi, but if you think that's the right thing, then follow your head, but things like this tend to creep back up on us.'

You can't tell Steve, mind.' Amelia's mouth opens and closes, 'that's unfair.' Bucky smirks, 'I know, but admit it, you like being my chosen confidant.' Amelia grins, 'why did you pick me?'

He jokes, lazing back 'Wilson was busy.' Amelia laughs a little, looking up at the house, his voice catching her off guard 'I told you because you've never judged me.' Amelia reaches over and pats his knee, 'well we do keep seeing each other at our lowest points.' Her dressing gown falls apart and Bucky stares down, shocked 'that's some bump.' She covers up self-consciously, not delighted she wore the Snow White pyjamas for this 'don't! I'm huge.' Bucky smiles kindly, 'you look beautiful.' Amelia eyes him shyly, 'careful, I might try to kiss you next.' Bucky huffs out when she says it, that doesn't scare him nearly as much but he still flinches. 'Sorry, that was inappropriate of me,' she worries, he's so confused and conflicted and wrongly she assumed that it was easier for men to brush this kind of thing off. He looks up at the faint lamp light from Rosie's bedroom.

'Steve will come around,' Amelia is taken by surprise, tilting her ear his way for an explanation 'how do you mean?' Bucky explains awkwardly between coughs, 'you and him, being close, shall we say.' Amelia blushes deep red, wondering how he knows, and if she reads to everyone horny pregnant woman.

Amelia sighs, looking out across the neighbour's yards and admitting 'I still have a problem at work as well, not your kind of problem, but a definite feeling that something is not right.' Bucky nods, blowing into the night air casually, it reminds him of smoking and his mind flits to how this would be a great time to take it back up. 'Want me to have him taken out?' Amelia smirks, 'thanks but his dying action would be to use his own murder as a lead story, so no, but thank you. I will bear it in mind.'

Amelia shifts, hissing as her feet hit the cold ground. 'I better get inside, I'm freezing!' Bucky looks at her pink cheeks and nose and feels guilty, she's pregnant, dumbass. Quickly standing and offering her a hand up. Amelia lets him tug her to a standing position and she almost asks if she can hug him. 'Thank you,' he nods awkwardly, and he scoffs, shame making him twitch. 'No thanks needed,' she smiles warmly.

Stepping inside, Steve comes down the stairs just in time, 'oh, hey, didn't hear you come in?' He seems a bit confused but hides it quickly. Bucky puts his hands in his jacket pockets, nodding slowly, 'just some wedding stuff with Amelia here.' Steve looks between them, satisfied with that answer. Bucky heads for the door and Steve calls, 'oh hey, did you catch up with Victoria? She ok?' Bucky freezes and Amelia tries to remain impassive, her mind starts to pull pieces together, it's all the same person? She has no idea how he will hide this, 'no, I missed her,' Bucky lies, looking at the ground.

'Shame, I'll still try and find her first thing. Apologise, talk it over.' Bucky's eyes flick to Amelia and she tries to reassure him with just one look, mouthing 'tell him.'

Bucky turns back, watching as Steve steps close to his love, hugging her with one arm. He hesitates at the door and casually calls back, 'hey? You, uh, you know you are the best man, right?' Amelia hides her smirk by looking down, burying her face in Steve's arm. Steve swallows and steps forward as if summoned for a medal, 'really? I mean, I didn't know, I didn't want to assume, but yes, yes, I'd love to be, of course. Thank you.' Bucky waves him off, 'calm down, it's not that big. You will have to make one of those rousing speeches, probably. Andi will fill you in, and by that, I mean, tell you what to do.' Steve looks very touched, and Amelia snuggles into him, murmuring 'still no chance of moving the date?' Bucky's eyes drop to her swollen belly and he feels terrible, 'uh, not my area, sorry. Night all.'

AN: And there we go… last week I mentioned this was one of my favourite chapters, I don't really know why, it was interesting to try some new reactions on people, Steve being angry and shouting at people, Bucky feeling scared, looking for someone to confide in, Amelia just being human and saying the wrong things…

Poor Bucky, lots of people commented that Victoria seemed a bit off and I wanted to write it realistically but not paint her as a villain, so we will see what happens next… I thought it was interesting to explore it from a male PoV (unwelcome advances).

Again, I would def tell my partner about that kind of thing, but I try to write what the character might do and honestly, I'm not sure there would be TV if characters just told the truth straight up.

Next up: the day after the night before. What does Natasha have planned for Amelia? Steve and Andi taste some cake. Can they agree on a topping? All these big fictional questions, answered. Soon. Maybe.

I hope everyone is safe and well and still enjoying reading. I've been reading Mando FF and it's so great to find stories you like and look forward to. Take care. x