Hello, thank you for reading and for the lovely comments on the last chapter! It's very much appreciated thank you to those who have been reading for so long and also to anyone new, who probably hasn't reached this chapter yet and is thinking, god, how much has this person written?!

Usual disclaimer applies here, I own nothing.

A warning here, the storyline features descriptions of harassment.

Thought I'd post one more chapter, before we return to some Januray 'reality' tomorrow!

Stay safe x

Chapter 27: Bravado Can't Save You

Bucky finds Andi in amongst the archives, sat alone on the floor, leaning against a metal filing cabinet. He sighs and watches her from the doorway. 'You ok?' She jumps a little, 'hey, we talked about this, no assassin entrances, please. Scares me.' He agrees 'sorry' and strolls closer, taking a seat beside her.

After a while he offers her his arm and she leans in, sniffing a bit, 'I'm ok.' Bucky kisses her head, 'she'll be back.' Andi agrees, 'I know, it's just, I want my last days to be nice. I want her to be happy for me, for us.' Bucky pulls her tighter to him, 'your sister has nothing but love for you. She's got a lot going on.' She smiles a little, 'I guess.'

'Should I follow her there? Take the time off?' Bucky isn't sure but his gut says, 'no, some distance might help both of you.'

'I can't believe they might be moving away, here I am worried about up-friggin-state and she might be changing states! Surely that won't happen, Steve and work, it wouldn't make sense?' Bucky agrees, mumbling 'unless he steps down.' Andi halts and looks at him, 'is he? Wait, what? What do you know? Tell me now.'

Bucky holds his hands up, 'woah, it's just something he mentioned, only in passing, I don't know anything else.' Andi is stunned, 'well, that would be huge, I mean, massive. Does Tony know?' Bucky grumbles and warns her, 'no, so just keep it under your hat, yeah?'

They sit there in silence, considering everything.

After a while she hums 'you smell nice.' Bucky smirks, despite the circumstances, he's enjoying the moment, just them.

She looks around at the boxes and files, 'I'm meant to be dress shopping next week, doesn't feel like the right time and Mia was going to plan a bachelorette party.' She hides her face in her palms, 'it's all going to shit.' Bucky squeezes her shoulders, 'hey, speak for yourself, I have a suit, paid for some flowers, went on a bachelor night, it's just you that needs to get your act together. You're letting the side down, kid.' She chuckles at him, 'sorry, Sargent Barnes, I'll up my game.'

Andi wipes her face, 'hey, you never mentioned that Victoria's been reassigned, I saw her and Wilson together, Nadia from accounts told me.' He looks at her in temporary panic, 'yeah, I forgot, but probably for the best, I don't think I was what she expected.' Andi strokes his chest, 'don't say that, you're lovely.' He grins down at her, 'you say that now…'

Andi looks at him seriously, 'it's her loss. I mean it.' Bucky's eyebrows raise and he exhales slowly. It's been a few weeks since the kiss happened and he's growing accustomed to FRIDAY. It's simpler and he can say whatever he wants, and she just takes it, there are definite advantages to working with a robot.

Bucky gives her a nudge, 'what else do we have left to do for this wedding?' She sits up straight, 'I dunno, I'm completely lost. Need a new list. No, what I really need is my sister.' Bucky looks at her sadly, he leans closer, whispering with a nudge 'you want to know a secret?' She nods dejectedly, sighing 'always.'

He leans in close and moves her hair from beside her ear, mumbling, 'Steve is going to ask your dad if he can propose to Amelia.'

She pauses, gazing at him in wonder 'nooooooo, really? No! Well, finally!'

Bucky smirks at her, finding her hand in his and gripping her fingers. 'I don't really know details, but yeah. Anyway, I've got to go, Stark wants to see me.' Andi looks up at him as he stands, 'about the arm?' Bucky shrugs unsure, 'don't think so.'

'Really? It's not in his diary,' she considers aloud, he grins 'must be top secret, not even you can know, see ya later, kid. Keep your chin up.' Andi watches him leave, thinking back to her sister, moving, a proposal, no more Captain America? It's a lot to get her head around and looking about. She thinks she'd rather dig through records than deal with all that right now.

Bucky taps on an office door that he's never been in before, he didn't even know it existed. He's told to enter, stepping inside, he stops short, spotting Pepper, a HR colleague that he vaguely knows from sight only and a person scribbling notes. He catches sight of Tony, stood in the corner of the room. His arms folded, he looks unusually subdued, clutching his chin and not making eye contact.

Pepper offers him a weak smile and Bucky glance around for clues about what's happening. Whatever it is, it's not good.

'Take a seat, Sargent Barnes,' the Human Resources colleague advises, he looks at the empty chair marked for him like it's rigged to explode. He's not sure if he should sit and looks to Tony, who sighs, waving a hand 'Barnes, just do yourself a favour, listen to them, make this easier on all of us.' Bucky is perplexed, but sits quietly opposite the two women. They are behind a table, a single chair set out for him in the middle of the room. He recognises it immediately as an interrogation. 'What is this?'

'Sargent Barnes, I'm Theresa Phelps, I'm the Human Resource manager at Stark Industries and you will be familiar with Miss Potts. Mr Stark is also present and Cassidy from my department will be taking some notes.' Bucky doesn't respond, unsure what is happening and staring at the woman who is speaking.

'We've called you in today, as we have received a rather serious complaint of sexual harassment.' Bucky looks up and over to Tony, 'what? From who? Against me?' He almost laughs at the end and Theresa confirms, 'yes, in relation to you and some of your behaviour.'

'From who?' Bucky barks. Theresa folds her hands, 'that will become apparent as we discuss the details of the complaint.'

Bucky stares across at Tony in outrage, 'this isn't serious? Surely? Is this for real?' Tony just waves him off, 'nothing I can do, like I said, just do as you're told. Please?' Bucky relents and sinks into the chair, shaking his head in disbelief.

Theresa seems satisfied that his initial questions have been quashed, continuing 'we've called you in for an initial investigation of the complaint, also to seek your version of events and from there we will make a decision.'

'A decision about what?' Bucky asks, ruffled by the accusatory tone. 'Your job here,' Tony answers bluntly. Theresa gives the boss man a look that tells him who's in charge, 'thank you for the input, Mr Stark. Yes, we will look at ways to restore relationships and potentially disciplinary proceedings if we find the grounds for the complaint warrant such outcomes.' Bucky looks at her in horror, 'for what? What am I meant to have even done?'

Bucky watches as the woman rattles out details of right to representation, letters, invitations to disciplinaries, he can't hear the words anymore. Looking at Pepper and then back to Tony, and then to the kid scribbling, he's missing everything that is uttered in the room.

'…If we begin with the details of the complaint, a copy is available here for you and we have here an envelope with a hard copy for your records. It has been redacted where it is not pertinent to you or your conduct.'

He grabs it, snatching the paper and flipping it over, two sides of grievances against him. He searches for a name at the end but nothing, only redacted black boxes. 'Who is it?' Theresa swallows, 'we will get to…'

'No, I need to know now! Surely, I deserve to know? Come on!' Tony takes pity, rubbing his eyes, announcing 'Agent Victoria Haynes. Communications.'

'Mr Stark!' Theresa warns firmly, 'there are procedures to follow here. Please!' Tony shies away again and he and Pepper glance to each other.

Bucky pauses when he hears Victoria's name, confused why she would complain. 'If you would like time to read it, that's fine, we can pause.' Bucky crumples it slightly and passes it back, 'no, it's ok, let's get this over with.'

'Very well. Agent Haynes has pointed to a number of events and occasions where she believes you acted inappropriately, either aggressively or in a sexual manner towards her.' Bucky scoffs and Tony rolls his eyes, muttering 'not helping.' Bucky is past caring, sat biting his gum, confident that this won't touch him, she's blatantly the one in the wrong.

Theresa ignores his arrogance and continues. 'She refers to her first meeting with you, when you threatened to kill Agent Romanoff, following an exercise in the field. Miss Haynes states that she felt unsafe in such surroundings and your presence. That you were aggressive and threatening to your colleague.' Bucky could honestly laugh, his mouth dropping open in surprise. 'That's not what that was, I don't even remember… that, but Nat… Agent Romanoff and I… we have an understanding, we have a solid working relationship. Agent Haynes may not have known that we were kidding.'

The note taker writes everything down, never pausing for breath and the HR manager just nods, flipping through her copious notes and throwing the next point at Bucky.

'She also frequently mentions your aggressive and somewhat abusive language. Describing you as foul mouthed in the field and as using defamatory language.' Bucky rolls his eyes and Tony just shakes his head at the Sargent.

'Agent Haynes goes on to talk about a social gathering that you were both present at, a Halloween party? I believe this took place off site and outside company time.' Bucky looks up, trying to remember if she was even there or not. 'Agent Haynes sites that you were fraternising with another colleague and as you will know from your handbook, that is not appropriate for a colleague of your standing.' Bucky frowns, his eyes flick to Pepper and Tony, hoping one of them will defend him.

He groans, 'I declared that, I followed the rules, it's not fraternising, I'm marrying her! We worked together after our… whatever started.' Theresa looks to Pepper, who nods, 'that is correct, we were aware of Sargent Barnes' relationship.'

Theresa makes notes and Bucky runs his tongue over his teeth. She continues, 'later at the same party, Agent Haynes states that you touched her without permission.' Bucky racks his brains, horrified by this insinuation. He's about to deny it, when something comes to mind.

'Umm, Victoria, you have...' she looks back with a smile and lights up at the interaction. She tries to peer over her shoulder and can't see what he means, he leans forward and raises a hand, offering to help her with a grunted, 'may I?' She nods enthusiastically, and he pulls the decoration from her dress, wiping it on his denim jeans.

Bucky shouts, 'that!? What? That was nothing, it wasn't… s..sexual, she had crap on her dress, I offered to help, I asked for Christ's sake! She said yes to the help and I helped.' Theresa just nods and Pepper looks down, not enjoying this one bit. Bucky is getting more and more aggravated and Tony walks over. Leaning down and whispering 'you need to stay calm. You are making this worse, don't prove anybody right.'

'Calm? It's not you getting dragged through this slanderous shit.' Bucky stands up and Tony ushers him to sit down, 'you are doing yourself no favours, please, be helpful.'

'Are we ok to continue?' Theresa asks the group, unamused by the dramatics. Bucky looks to Tony and nods, retaking his seat. 'Ok, good. Agent Haynes speaks of many occasions where you would seek her out, she would catch you watching her, in what she describes as an overtly sexual manner.' Bucky shakes his head, leaning forward and trying to control his rage. Leaning onto his knees and looking at the ground. 'Agent Haynes maintains that you shared personal information with her and probed her for equally personal knowledge.' Bucky rubs his face, muttering to the ground, 'her asking about my wedding? That? Just trying to be fucking nice. She asked me! Chatting is not high on my agenda, believe me.'

'Agent Haynes mentions a graphic sexual note, passed between you and an unknown colleague.' Bucky's mind flicks to Andi and for a moment he feels lighter.

Stepping closer, he accepts the paper, looking down he can see it's Andi's writing and immediately knows it's whatever she tucked in his pocket. He scans it, something about his ass looking great and Bucky has read enough, looking back and praying Victoria didn't read it.

He recalls the event and her portrayal is unfair, twisted for who knows what gain. He can feel anger bubbling inside him, her making something harmless, lewd and disgusting. He scoffs, 'graphic? Christ…'

'Agent Haynes…' Bucky is growing sick of her name by now, 'describes your attitude as cruel and of a bullying nature. Quotes include, 'what are you even doing here?' and 'we aren't friends. I don't need more friends. You're nobody.' As well as 'fuck this shit,' when referring to working with her.

Bucky finally looks back up, rolling his eyes 'out of context, but do go on.' Theresa eyes him, 'Mr Barnes, your cavalier attitude is not helpful in the current circumstances, I suggest you take it down a notch and appreciate the severity of this situation.' He grimaces at her, growling 'it's Sargent Barnes.'

'Next, Agent Haynes describes an event where she ate lunch with you, you refused to leave, sitting with just her in a corner of the canteen.' Bucky laughs loudly, 'that's just pure make believe, she's dreaming this shit up.'

Pepper calmly pacifies 'James…' and he shivers at the use of his name, from people he thought he could trust.

'She describes unwelcome pet names, such as doll and kid. Names she feels undermine her work and role in the company. She describes you as unreliable, missing a number of appointments, she feels this was intentional at times. Such as when you slept through a pre-agreed appointment.' Bucky looks up and smirks, he can't help it 'no, that one is true, that really happened.'

Theresa is unentertained by his antics. 'Agent Haynes describes walking in on you, involved in sexual activity with a colleague in your office, here on site, that you share with Agent Wilson. She talks of how you intimidate colleagues into helping you. You call colleagues by derogatory names and you are highly unkind about Agent Wilson.'

'You!' Bucky barks. He won't admit it, but he enjoys torturing some people, reminding them who he is 'where is Victoria… yeah, Victoria.'

Bucky could laugh at the Wilson part.

'She also mentions that you went through her desk and personal items in her drawers.' Tony closes his eyes, not having heard the full extent of the letter of complaint. 'It wasn't like that, I always had this feeling something was off and look! I was right! Off! This is all bull!'

He leans back and looks to the sky. 'Did she also tell you, how she kept finding me, she kept popping up, hunting me down. She implied on occasions she liked me, found me… found me, I dunno, attractive?' He keeps the kissing bit to himself, assuming this all stems from the bitter sting of rejection. Fearful to incriminate himself in any way.

'One of the biggest things she mentions is a day when you "demolished a lab in pure rage."' Bucky looks confused and Theresa offers him the letter again, he ignores her, not wanting to read it. He looks at Tony a little, 'Mr Stark has already given us his version of events, do you have anything to add?'

'I took out a couple desks in an angered state, it wasn't good. I resumed further therapy off the back of it, in hindsight, I can see it was not a productive or helpful state to get in. I apologised to all involved.' He grits his teeth unwilling to say anymore. 'She details how your girlfriend was terrified and sobbing for you to stop?'

Bucky's eyes darken, spitting 'do not talk about her.'

Pepper shuffles, whispering to Theresa, she turns to Bucky. 'Sargent Barnes, would you like to take a break?' He shakes his head, 'no, keep it coming. Let's finish this.'

'Very well, Agent Haynes describes how you shouted at her in front of other colleagues.' Bucky's eyes open, staring at the ceiling, he knows that was Steve, not him. But he keeps listening. 'You intimidated her and made her feel guilty for things out of her control. Other colleagues berated you for such aggressive behaviour, but you continued.' Bucky makes eye contact, 'yep, that was me, I did that.' Pepper watches on sadly and Tony shakes his head, wondering how much more there can be. Bucky can't let Steve get in trouble and at this point, he feels his coffin is well and truly nailed shut.

'Are we nearly done? The girl's only been here nine months. He's practically monosyllabic most of the time, I can't see he's said all of this in that time?' Tony asks, Theresa requests that he sits down, her eyes imply shut up. Bucky purses his lips, gripping the chair arms.

'Agent Haynes goes on to talk about a "deeply hurtful event for her," where you begged her not to quit and then you kissed her.'

The word kissed travels Bucky's body like a bad dream.

'She describes how you stepped closer and pushed yourself against her, kissing her on the mouth, in the empty communications centre, until she pushed you away.' Theresa reads the last part directly from the letter and Bucky holds his breath.

He can't help it and shouts 'she kissed me! Came onto me, I was not, nor am I interested, I'm engaged for the love of God. She appeared, or rather, acted, mortified by her mistake and I tried to be nice, she then chose to have herself removed from my service before we could discuss it. I was willing to let it go and move on, believe me.'

Theresa notes down his words, but doesn't verbally respond, Bucky cries 'do you people even care? What about me? Why are you only hearing her?'

'Your side will be considered, Sargent Barnes, but so far you have said very little. Finally, Agent Haynes describes how you approached her in the cafeteria, begging her not to tell anyone about what happened.'

Bucky stands up suddenly, 'where is she, I need to speak to her!' Theresa shakes her head coldly, 'not appropriate, Sargent Barnes, please remain seated.'

'That it?' He asks, still stood and Theresa just looks at him, removing her glasses, 'I should think that's ample, Sargent Barnes. Is there anything you would like to add?'

Bucky pouts in thought. His heart hammering his chest. He tries to be honest and open. He speaks to the grey carpet, 'look, I do shout at people, I am aggressive, I can only make so many excuses for that. I'm sorry if I offended anyone, but I never made any sexual advances to her and she kissed me. Check the damn CCTV.' He sits back down, folding his arms, as if that's all he has to say.

Tony coughs awkwardly, 'we did check it, but it's inconclusive.' Bucky can't understand that in a place like this.

Theresa interrupts, 'Sargent Barnes, you are suspended on full pay, while we investigate this fully and you will likely be invited to a disciplinary meeting. We will mail you a letter once a decision has been made. You cannot stay on the premises or remain here at the tower or have contact with any staff in an official capacity. You are not to contact Agent Haynes and you will cease all work and operations with Stark industries and the Avengers Initiative immediately. Please hand in your badge.'

Bucky absorbs the information, stopping and looking to Tony sharply, 'the arm?' The billionaire shrugs, 'on hold, Sarge. I'm sorry. My hands are tied.'

Bucky doesn't move for a time. Then he stands up, nodding slowly, 'ok, well, I'll await your letter. How long do I have to get out of here?'

Pepper cuts off Theresa, 'thirty minutes, James. I'm sorry, that's policy.' He nods at her slowly, her calm, warm tone grounding him. Then he heads for the door. He looks back, taking a deep breath, but says nothing.

Bucky leaves the office, stopping in the quiet hall. He takes a deep breath and pushes a hand through his hair. He suddenly feels a well of emotions and he doesn't know what to do next. Voices in the room behind him remind him he needs to get out of there.

Bucky throws his few belongings into a duffle bag, chucking everything in, dirty clothes, clean clothes, photo frames, Andi's books. He looks around and thinks of Andi, he offered her to move into a home that he doesn't have anymore. He growls to himself, grabbing his toolkit from beneath the bed, tightening the bolts on his arm and slinging the equipment in the bag, along with everything else. He walks into the bathroom and snatches the items from above the sink.

Looking in the mirror he wonders what he's done and how this has reached this point. He struggles to admit it, but he's found something here, it wasn't his first choice, but he has a life here now.

In the bedroom, looking for anything he's missed, there's a tap on the door. He looks up to see Tony letting himself in. 'What do you want?' Bucky spits with venom and Tony strolls in, leaning against a wall. 'I just came to make sure you actually go.' Bucky laughs bitterly, 'great. Really?'

Tony sighs, 'no, not really. I came to check you were doing ok.' Bucky peeks around and spots his journal on the coffee table, grabbing it and stuffing it in his holdall.

'Well don't worry, I'm outta here.' He softens and looks across at the older man, 'what happens now?' Tony shrugs, pushing his hands into his pockets 'disciplinary, similar thing to today, but at the end they decide if you can come back, for real.' Bucky closes his eyes 'and if I can't?' Tony waves his hands, 'then you're out.'

Bucky turns away, wincing, a sting in his eyes 'for what reason?' Tony summarises sombrely, 'you would be fired for sexual misconduct.'

Bucky cries 'Fuuuckk!' and drops his bag, kicking it. Tony watches him, 'you need to simmer down, this isn't helping things. Scary HR woman already has a stick up her ass, that's why we pay her the big bucks, and she has her sights on you now. You are giving her ammunition, keep it in check.'

'Andi?' Bucky asks quickly, Tony shrugs, confused by the one-word question 'what about her?'

'Did she know?' Tony shakes his head, 'no, I kept it from her. I'm dreading that one. I thought she'd barrel in, tie herself to the gates, do something dramatic.'

'Steve?' Bucky asks apprehensively. 'Woah, no way. Not yet, another hum-dinger to look forward to' Tony confirms. Tony watches him, clearly over thinking everything, 'did you tell Andi? About this kiss?' Bucky shakes his head, no verbal confirmation. 'Did you tell anyone?' Bucky bites his lip, looking up, he utters quietly 'Amelia.' Tony offers a small smile, but says nothing.

Bucky stares down at his bag, lifting it to the couch slowly. 'I didn't kiss her, I never touched her like that. She kissed me.'

Tony scoffs, 'well, just man up and get on with it then.'

Bucky is suddenly annoyed, 'don't! Don't say that, what does that even mean? Man up? Let her kiss me? Let her make me uncomfortable? Go ahead and grope her? What, because I can? Take advantage? Is that what manning up means? Well fuck man up. It's bullshit, outdated bullshit. I lived through man up and look how that ended!' He clenches his fists, breathing hard and fast and he looks at Tony with rage.

'You're right, sorry, old habits,' Tony admits lowly, he watches Bucky sadly. 'Is that what really happened?' Bucky laughs, 'well it wasn't me doing the kissing, that's for sure. She came onto me the other week, but no one wants hear that version, she's been friendly for months and I knew it was off, I knew it, but Andi said be nice, let people in. Steve said, Steve… I need to trust people more…' Bucky stops, 'shit, Andi, what do I tell her? Steve?'

Tony grins, 'leave the PA to me.' Bucky snaps his head to look at him, 'no, I don't need you in my relationship any more than you are. Thanks.'

Bucky sighs, explaining 'my mom raised me better than to… better than to behave like that. I didn't touch her. I know it's serious and you have to treat it so, I've seen things, believe me. I know what people are capable of, I've been on the other side. But I never touched her in that way, it never even crossed my mind.'

'Is that it? All you're taking with you?' Tony asks, looking at the one duffle bag, 'what else do I need?' Bucky asks mildly, 'this is all I have.' Bucky's arm whizzes and it's the unmentioned elephant in the room. 'It will wait, Barnes, the arm. It will be there when you come back.' Bucky pauses, that almost felt like support and reassurance.

Tony checks his watch, stepping away and heading for the door. 'Well, you've got thirty minutes, go find her and explain before security escort you out of here.' Bucky looks up, to protest. 'I'll give you another thirty, just keep it to yourself. Yeah?'

AN: I had this planned for Bucky super early on, I wanted to look at something a little different for him. How he's trying so hard and ways in which other issues may affect him. I am a bit anxious about this, as it's super important that I'm in no way commenting or questioning on the validity of events and reports of victims of harassment.

I touched on it earlier in the story, that we don't often see it from a male point of view and Bucky is very vulnerable and trying to put himself out there constantly. There are also some things that ring too true for him and he's left shaken.

In the next chapter, it's explored more, but I've written it very much that Victoria sees it this way and that's how she feels, for whatever reason. There is no 'she's right, he's wrong' it's down to each one's perception. Bucky sees his actions differently, as I'm sure the reader will see it in their own way. But, safe to say, the entire event has a big impact on him.

I love Bucky telling Tony to F*?! Man up! As it is bullshit!

In the next chapter, Bucky goes looking for Andi before he's escorted from the building :(, how will she feel when she finds out what happened and Steve and Amelia remain blissfully unaware.