Chapter 3: A Quiet Place

"It goes like this," Bella giggled at the look of frustration on his face. She pulled out the car visor, showing him how to put it back together. He just grumbled as she folded it back down. "It helps keep the sun out," They were currently in Oregon, and had been for the last few hours. It took about a total of 10 hours to get through the state itself, and they had about another 7 to go.

Bucky was adamant about not stopping, unsure of who or what was following them. "I know you say you don't sleep at all, but you can't keep driving nonstop. I'll take over for a few hours, and we switch. I can nap in the back or something,"

The interstate had since gotten busy, and they thought it would be better to be lost in all the cars rather than take the back roads. "A few hours," He conceded, and Bella gave him a grin. "I've always wanted to drive a big truck," Bucky glanced over at her again, minutely shaking his head.

He pulled over to the side of the road, and he stopped Bella from opening the door. "Less exposure the better. Undo your seatbelt," He instructed. Like before when HYDRA's men caught up to them, he helped her into his lap, getting out from under her and into the passenger seat.

Bella shook her head in amazement, strapping on the seatbelt. "I don't get how you move like that," She pulled back onto the interstate, gaining speed, and following along with the traffic. "Comes with the territory. It's all about your body and how fluid you move," Bella hummed in thought, wondering if he'd be able to teach her a thing or two.

"So…I don't really know anything about you. What were you like before this?" Bella questioned, glancing over at him. She eyed his uncomfortable posture, a small frown on her face. "You don't have to talk about it," Bucky reassured her with a small glance. "I don't really remember. Bits and pieces here and there. What I do remember is that after my parents died, I was somewhat of an army brat, practically grew up in the military. I always wanted to see the world. Steve and I were best friends since we were little tykes. We both joined the military and fought alongside one another. Before my regiment got captured, I always thought that if I survived World War Two, I'd go back home, marry a nice girl, and settle down somewhere. I remember a lot of my time as the Winter Soldier. Can't really forget it. When I think of home, I vaguely remember faces. My parents, my sister. Now though, I feel regret. I did some horrible things, very horrible things without even batting an eye. I killed a kid once. He was maybe 6…"

He didn't think to stop talking, knowing that Bella probably wouldn't want to hear such a thing. He slipped anyway, back into the memory of the little brown-eyed boy who looked up at him with so much fear. The child was a casualty, not really meant to be there, but he was. Those brown eyes faded of light, and it didn't stir an ounce of guilt in his soul. "Bucky…" Bella's soft voice violently ripped him from the past, and he snapped his eyes to her.

"As tragic as that was, it wasn't your fault. You can't beat yourself up for the things those monsters made you do. You're free now, and you can make a difference," She reached over with her hand, laying it atop of his metal hand, giving him a reassuring smile.

"If I had come just close enough to killing you, you'd be terrified of me right now," He frowned, watching as her small hand stayed in his. "Not really. If things had still gone the way they did, and you snapped out of your...mind control, I'd still feel safer with you. Just reassures me that you can hold your own. Don't beat yourself up. Now you can change yourself, and do something good," She patted his leg in passing, returning her hand to the wheel. "Did you always have long hair?" She asked instead. "No, it used to be really short. I'm not entirely sure when it grew out," He answered, unable to take his eyes off her.

"Hmmm," Bella hummed, glancing over at him again. "I can imagine it. You must've had women lining up for you," She mused. Bucky chuckled at her trying to change the subject. "A few," He admitted. Bella laughed. "Wow. So modest," Bucky laughed again, leaning back in the seat.

"I only started to follow you once you were in Forks. You have your father, but is there anyone waiting for you somewhere?" Bella shook her head. "No. I'm all by my lonesome. I was born in Forks, but the majority of my life was spent in Arizona with my mom. Growing up, especially in my teenage years, I had a few boyfriends, and even in College, I was with a guy for my whole four years,"

She bit her lip in thought before continuing. "I wonder if I'd have said yes, would I be here right now. He wanted to get married. I didn't believe in marriage, I still don't. Dad got sick, and I had to come help. Darren didn't want to leave Arizona. Isn't that how fate works? One decision can determine the outcome of your life. Do you think this is fate or just some horrible coincidence?" She pondered.

Bucky didn't know if she expected an answer or not, but he gave one anyway. "I think it's both. Once this is all over, do you imagine yourself settling down?" He wasn't sure why he asked, and he wasn't sure why the question stirred an emotion that oddly reminded him of jealousy.

Bella immediately shook her head. "No. How could I? There's no telling that after HYDRA is done for if I'll still have a forever 17-year-old pining for my undying love," She snorted. "Other than that, I think I'm destined to be alone. Most of my relationships have ended with me heartbroken because I love too much. My last relationship may have been exactly what was right for me, but I made a decision, so I'll never know," She said softly.

"How come?" He asked, his eyes shifting to the rearview mirror. He narrowed his eyes for a second. "Oh, he's married now. Has cute little kids," She smiled fondly. She had only met them once in passing, and Bella could never be upset for someone finding who they want to spend the rest of their life with.

"I'll take care of that vampire, don't worry about that. Bella, at the next exit, I want you to pull over," Bella glanced at him curiously, nodding. "Is something wrong?" She asked. "Not sure. Just pull over anywhere you can okay?"

"Okay…" She said hesitantly. About 5 miles later, the next exit came, and she pulled off on the ramp, pulling over to the side of the road. The evening sky was starting to dim as the sun slowly started to set. Bella turned on the lights, turning to look at Bucky who was now facing the back.

"Bucky…" Bella called, unable to help the fear that leaked through her voice. His hand landed on her shoulder, and Bella didn't know if he was quieting her or comforting her, but she found comfort in it either way.

"Pull back onto the road, and get back on the interstate," He commanded, and Bella put the Hummer back in drive, slowly heading back on the interstate. By now, traffic had died down, and it wasn't so hectic. "Do the same thing we just did," He instructed, turning back around. She glanced over at him, eyes sunken with fear as he dug into his bag, pulling out a weapon, then strapping the bag on his back.

"What's going on?" She shakily asked, looking in the rearview mirror herself, only to see bright headlights. "I'm about to figure that out. Next exit, pull over," She shuddered as a thick accent slipped through, almost burying his English.

The next exit came up and Bella pulled over, turning to Bucky. He waited, his eyes looking at the side mirrors. Bella grabbed the door handle, and Bucky stopped her with his hand. "Stay," He snapped. He put his mask back over his face, getting out of the Hummer, the door slamming back so hard it shook the car. Bella locked the doors, and quickly turned around in her seat, trying to see in the dark as he stalked to the car behind them.

Before she could recognize what was happening, the driver-side window shattered, and a cold hand was pulling her out the window. She flailed her legs about, a scream tearing from her throat as fingers grasped her arms.

"This is for your own good, I'm sorry," A musical voice shushed in her ear, and Bella's eyes widened as a hand was placed under her chin, and the other on the side of her head. A whimper tore from her lips, and before should even think about anything else, the hands were suddenly gone.

She braced herself against the hard cement, looking up with wide eyes as Bucky held a blonde-haired man in his grasp. She came back to her feet, turning her head to see a large man barreling towards them. Bucky threw the man into the other, causing what sounded like thunder to rock the air.

Bella noticed a difference in the way he moved as he stalked towards her. She had the feeling that this wasn't Bucky Barnes making the calls.

The Winter Soldier was out to play.

His eyes were hard as he stared down at her, though she somehow knew he wasn't about the hurt her. She wasn't even sure he recognized her by the way his blue eyes were glazed over. Her eyes snapped to the side as cars suddenly came to a screeching halt surrounding them.

Bella grasped his arm as HYDRA men got out, each with gun drawn on them. Bella swallowed, tears threatening to spill as she realized it was all over. A day and a half, and her life was going to be over. There was also no telling what they'd do to Bucky now. He'd either be killed or under their control.

He stood in front of her, shielding her from view. That blue ball of light once again surrounded them, and Bella focused on pushing it out, hoping it would jolt them back. A gun went off, and Bella screwed her eyes shut. She winced as she could feel the bullet meet her shield before it dropped to the ground.

Bucky tilted his head, unsure if his gun would have the same effect. She slowly opened her eyes to see the HYDRA members staring at each other before they all started yelling, rounds and rounds of bullets hitting her shield.

Bucky noticed that no matter how strong it was, it would falter. He could almost feel it as it pulsed around them. He grabbed Bella, flipping her over his shoulder as he ran for the edge of the bridge, jumping over it, Bella's scream following him all the way down as they crashed into the river below.

They surfaced, and Bella sputtered, gasping for breath, clinging onto him as the river started to carry them with the current. He kept a tight grip on her, his eyes going back to the bridge as the men just watched them get carried downstream.

The water was cold, and Bella's teeth chattered slightly as the sun was starting to set. Bucky held her to him for body heat, and she was unashamed to say that she climbed on him like a monkey to a tree, her legs wrapping around his waist.

She let her head drop to his shoulder, her fingers grasping around his neck as she took in deep breaths. Her heart was beating fast in her chest, and she was unaware that Bucky's eyes were on her intently. She tried gathering herself as the river carried them to god knew where, but it wasn't violent like. It was almost calming, despite the temperature.

She shivered again, blinking rapidly at the setting sun behind them. Her arms tightened around his neck, and she swallowed. "I've got you…" She could feel his arm around her waist, holding her tightly to his chest. His voice still had that edge to it, with or without the mask, and she inclined her head to look into his eyes.

They were no longer glazed over, but there was a hardness there that she hadn't seen before. His thumb suddenly swiped at her cheek, and she was not aware that a tear had slipped from her eye. "Shhh. You're alright now," He soothed to her.

Whether in the arms of the Winter Soldier or Bucky Barnes, she'd continue to see another day.

The river had carried them through a little town just outside of Canyon City. They trudged through the dark, the town lights glittering in the distance. Bella trudged alongside him, gripping his hand for the warmth that seemed to seep from his body.

He had asked her plenty of times if she wanted him to carry her, and Bella said no. She didn't want him to carry her miles across a grassland. She wanted to pull her weight. He knew she was getting tired, and her feet could barely handle the long walk. He had to smile at her stubbornness.

She leaned against his arm, her feet getting jumbled with one another. Keeping in stride, Bucky swiped a foot under her feet, his arm coming down to catch her, bringing her to his chest as she grumbled at him, but also mumbling a quiet thanks.

She turned her cheek to his chest, hearing his heartbeat. It was slightly faster than the average human, so she assumed it was a part of the serum in his body. At that moment, Bucky felt like that hero in the comics, the one who smiles proudly as they save the damsel in distress.

Except the threat was far from over. If those vampires hadn't taken up his time, they wouldn't have gotten caught and forced to run as they did. His grip tightened on Bella as his mind flashed back to the vampire about to snap her neck.

It was like a cloud covered his whole body and he could feel the Winter Soldier within him coming forth with a rage so strong he thought he'd go on a rampage. This time he was fully aware of everything going on around him, and he even noticed that he could actually feel emotions outside of the haze.

There was this overpowering voice in his head that said kill, but as soon as Bella came into view, everything said to protect. Whether he and his counterpart were two separate beings, they both had the same view when it came to her.

Spending close to 72 hours with her, he saw why the vampire after her liked her. He could understand why someone would want to settle down with a woman like her.

Even dripping wet, she was beautiful, and Bucky wasn't sure if he'd always been the person to fall hard and fast, but with her, it was easy. He could say that he liked Isabella Swan. She was kind, thoughtful, smart, and what really got Bucky was that she trusted him. No one else would trust him like her.

He knew that. No one else would be able to look at him and say what she said. They would look at him like a monster or a rabid dog that needs to be put down.

She wrapped her arms around his neck, jolting him from his thoughts. He looked down at her to find that she was drifting off to sleep. He pulled her closer to his chest, vowing then and there that he wouldn't let anyone or anything take her away from him. There was something special about her.

Something that called to him like a siren.

Bella's eyes fluttered open as her head hit the soft pillow. She reached wildly into the dark. "Bucky?" She mumbled in a panic. "Right here," Was his soft reply, and Bella let her hand drop to the bed. She huddled under the covers, shivering slightly.

Bucky had run into a woman on his way into town who would let them stay in their home for a little while until they could be on their way. Bucky was initially hesitant to follow, but they had nowhere to go, and the sooner out of the elements the better.

The woman's name was Bonnie, and she had a husband named Clarence. They lived alone on the outskirts of town, and Bucky felt like it was a good place to hide out until he had what he needed to get him and Bella along again. They needed to lay low for the next few days, and in a small town like this, he and Bella could do so.

Bucky went ahead and used the shower that Bonnie had showed him how to use, and she was a kind old woman, asking no questions and told them as long as they came down for breakfast and dinner, she'd leave them be. As he showered, he started thinking ahead on what he could do to get them on their way to D.C. The next state was Idaho, and the quicker they moved, the better.

Once he was finished, he stepped out into the room, shirtless and with a pair of cargo shorts on. He debated on crawling into the bed and decided that even he needed to recoup from the day's events. He crawled into the bed, putting some space between them, tucking a handgun under his pillow.

Early the next morning, Bucky woke to find the bed empty, and he shot up out of bed, pulling his gun from under his pillow. He didn't hear the shower going, and some part of his mind was telling him that she probably was with Bonnie and Clarence, but the soldier in him couldn't help it.

He then stilled as he could hear Bella's laughter from down the hall, and Bonnie's gentle voice. "Not really. He doesn't sleep much, so I was surprised to be up before him. Thanks for the clothes by the way," Her voice soothed the panic within him.

He let out a deep sigh in relief, putting the gun back under his pillow. He got dressed for the morning and made his way out of the room. The home Bonnie and Clarence shared was like a farm home, and it was a large one-story northern home. It was warm and homey-like. They lived almost 45 minutes from the town. It was a small town, smaller than Forks, so news of Bonnie's and Clarence's guests was bound to reach some ears.

Bucky wasn't too worried at the moment, but he wanted to keep their presence on the low.

Brown eyes were what he saw first when he rounded the corner, Bella's warm smile greeting him. "Well look who's awake! How'd you sleep?" Bonnie chirped. She was in her early 60s with shoulder-length brown hair, fair skin, olive green eyes, and a smile as bright as the sun. Bucky smiled a small smile, nodding in her direction. "Slept great ma'am. Thank you for letting us stay," Bonnie nodded, laying a hand on Bella's shoulder.

"Of course! I couldn't just stand by and watch you two young kids travel like that. Nice girl you've got here. She was telling me that you two are trying to get to D.C. and your car broke down. Now Clarence and I were talking, and we'd like to help. We could use some help around here, and he and I would be happy to pay you both. What do you say?"

Bella turned to Bonnie surprised, turning to Bucky. "I…Bucky?" She questioned. She thought it was a wonderful idea, but Bucky knew more about laying low and what the best moves were. "If it's not too much trouble," He tipped his head at her.

Bonnie smiled a bright smile, throwing an arm around Bella's shoulders. "Not at all! We'll feed you and keep you nice and warm. Clarence and I have a feeling you both want to be hidden for right now right? Nobody comes down this far anyway,"

She started to babble away at how quiet it was, and that's when Clarence came in, a deep chuckle passing his lips. "Bonnie, leave them poor kids alone," In the doorway stood a dark-skinned man with light brown eyes. He was about 5'8 and had curly black hair on top of his head.

His eyes crinkled as he smiled at them. "Clarence. We really could use some help around here. You've got some muscle on you and Bonnie could really use some help inside. Some hard labor and some painting on the inside, renovations. We just need a helping hand,"

Bella smiled kindly, going to Bucky's side. "We'd be glad to," Bucky stared down at her as she curled her fingers around his metal arm. Bucky followed Clarence outside, a smile gracing his lips as Bonnie whispered to Bella, "Are you two together? He's very handsome,"

Bella's laugh followed him outside as he started talking with Clarence about what needed to be done.

Bucky watched through the window as Bella chatted with Bonnie, his hearing picking up their talk over painting the kitchen. "So what exactly are you kids running from? Bonnie said you two looked liked wet rats coming up through the barren,"

Bucky heaved up a load of logs, turning to look at Clarence. "Some very bad people," He responded, taking the logs up to the back porch. "I about figured as much. Something tells me…you've had your fair share of danger," Clarence motioned towards his arm. Bucky didn't try to hide it, and Bonnie and Clarence didn't ask questions.

"Her, not so much. Tell you what son. Tomorrow morning I'll take you into town to show you some of the cars at our dealership. Tell me what you need to get you on your way," Bucky couldn't help but be humbled at the generosity of the couple. "I'd like that. Can I just ask you one thing in return?" He turned serious making Clarence look at him.

"Don't tell anybody in town about us. As far as we are concerned, you don't know our names. My name is Sebastian, and she is Kristen," Clarence nodded. "Understood. Sebastian," Bucky nodded, continuing on with helping Clarence, his eyes going back and forth between what he was doing and the house.

The sun was setting, shining a golden light on the pair, their shadows cast to the grass. Bucky had Bella facing away from him, his arm positioned around her neck.

"Widen your stance," He instructed, and Bella spread her legs apart a bit, holding her hands on his arm.

"If you're grabbed like this, you take your chin and press it into the muscle as hard as you can. Let your head drop once their grip loosens, and force it back,"

"Will it hurt you?" She asked hesitantly. He brushed against her back, his grip tightening just a bit. "Doesn't matter about me. I'm the enemy, you need me off your ass,"

Bella nodded, and dipped her head, digging her chin into his arm, feeling it flex. He braced his hand against the back of her head so she wouldn't hit him in the face. He let go of her, stepping back. "Stay there. Your attacker is off of you and holding their face. You can either run, but then again, you won't have any place to go. You're going to put all your weight on the left side of your body and swing your leg out. It's better to aim for the legs. Do it slowly,"

Bella leaned to her left before slowly kicking out her foot, spinning to face Bucky, who caught her foot. "Good. Aim lower. If they're smart enough, they'd twist your ankle. I want you to try something," He let her leg go, and she stood up straight.

"Swing like you did, but I want you to grab onto me, swing onto my back, and grab the two guns that sit on my waist. I'll help you. Come closer,"

Bella moved a few steps closer, and she raised her leg. Bucky grabbed it, pulling her to his side before he instructed her to move with the momentum.

She jumped a bit, swinging her body sideways. He caught her other leg and she found herself on his back. She reached on both sides of him pulling the guns from the holsters. "Like that?" She asked, tilting her head at him.

"Just like that. I'm going to maneuver you to my front, and you just have to grab and do the same thing," A small gasp left Bella as she was facing him in a blink of an eye.

"Jesus…." She breathed, swiping some hair from her face. "We need to learn how to maneuver around one another, separately or together,"

She snagged one of his guns, moving her arm over his shoulder to aim behind him. She looked to him for approval. He gave her a grin, and Bella couldn't help but smile.

From inside, Bonnie and Clarence stared at the two with curiosity on their faces. "Do you think he can hear us?" Bonnie asked. She knew there was something strange about Bucky, but she wasn't going to pry. He hadn't brought trouble to her home and was very kind.

"I definitely think it's a possibility," Clarence uttered, inclining his head to the back window. Bucky had glanced in their direction the moment the question passed her lips before directing his attention back on the training.

"I told him I'll take him into town tomorrow. As far as we know, Bella and Bucky don't exist. She's Kristen and he's Sebastian," He draped an arm over his wife's shoulder, sipping on his tea. "Poor kids. So young," Bonnie murmured, squeezing Clarence's hand.

Back outside, the two were working on sparring. He let Bella throw her best punches, finding that she needed to work on her stance and putting a bit more force behind them.

"Plant your feet," He commanded, looking down to see if she placed them correctly. "May I?" He motioned towards her waist, and she nodded.

He placed his hands on her waist, moving her hips to match her feet. He stood back up, holding up his hands. "Move with your body, not your feet," He placed a pillow over his metal hand to soften the blow, and he grinned as her punches had a bit of a kick behind them.

Bella sighed out of breath, a tired smile gracing her face. "Give it to me straight. How am I doing?" Bucky took the pillow off his hand, flexing his fingers. "Doing good. Some more practice and you'd be set. Don't think, just move, but move smart. If you're at a disadvantage up top, go down low. With your height, it's better to aim low. Go for the soft tissue. The knees, elbows, muscle, it'll slow any human down,"

Bella chuckled. "Any human but you. Come on, Bonnie made dinner, and I bet you're starving," She gathered up the things he was helping her train with. Bucky took it from her of course, sending her a wink. "Such a gentleman," She mused.

As they headed for the back door, Bella paused, turning to face him. "Bucky?" She asked. He raised his brows at her, his brows then lowering in confusion as she kissed his cheek.

She chuckled at his confused expression, heading on towards the house. "What was that for doll?" He called after her. Bella spun around, the sun shining on her face, casting her in an almost golden light.

His breath caught in his throat at the sight. "For being you. Helping me. You're a warrior at heart Bucky,"

She continued into the house, and a small grin slid into place.