PLEASE read AN at the bottom, it's important to the continuation of the next chapter.

Chapter 4: Her Warrior

The next morning, before even Clarence and Bonnie were awake, Bella and Bucky were out back once again. Although he moved faster than the average human, Bella had no issue keeping up with him until he started to move around a bit more.

Bella was dressed in a black tank and gray sweats, her only pair of sneakers on her feet. Bucky was dressed in a similar fashion but without a shirt.

She had her hair pulled up and pinned back. She was growing a bit frustrated as with each miss, the more jabs he got at her. She took a deep breath before taking his advice from yesterday. She didn't think, going with the flow of her body.

She had started to learn his movements and she got one good punch in his arm. His falter in surprise gave her the opening to swing her leg at his side.

Her eyes widened as she knocked him to the ground. "I'm sorry!" Bucky just laughed and Bella reached out her hand, concern written all over her face. She let out a squeak as he pulled her down with him. "You suck," She laughed. "You caught me by surprise. You're somewhat of a natural,"

Bella beamed up at him, her eyes going down his arm where metal met skin. She curiously ran her fingers over his shoulder, meeting his eyes again. "Does it hurt?" She asked. Bucky shook his head. "Just feels weird," He murmured, watching her face. "Hmmm," She hummed.

Her face turned pink as she realized she had a hand on his chest and was practically laying on top of him. "How's the painting coming along?" He asked her, absentmindedly pushing a strand of hair from her face. Bella looked back to the home fondly before answering. "Bonnie is stuck on the color green. She's got three different shades. She really just wants the living room painted and the kitchen. Clarence likes you," She mumbles, looking back at him.

"Bonnie says he loves the help, and you never lose your stamina," She chuckled. "Are these people going to be okay? Do you think HYDRA will find us here?" Bucky looked back at the house. "I hope not. We need some time, and we need a plan. Taking a plane is too risky. We need to head East. State by state. Don't worry," Bella nodded, looking down at their adjoined hands.

She didn't realize they even did it, but she found comfort in his touch. "I feel safe with you Bucky," She admitted. "I don't understand why, but I do," She smiled softly at him, leaning on his chest as they watched the sunrise.

Bucky's hand traveled to her hair, that feeling of peace seeping through him like heat.

By the time Bucky left with Clarence, Bella was helping Bonnie with dinner for the evening to come. "Now what is this you call it? Fish fry?" Bonnie asked. Bella nodded. "Yeah, it's a Washington thing I guess. My dad…" She trailed off then, looking out of the window. "He liked Fish Fry,"

Bonnie laid a hand on her shoulder. "I'm sorry sweetheart," Bella smiled down up at Bonnie, wiping a tear from her eye. "I want you to have something," Bonnie stated suddenly. Bella followed her with her eyes as she left the kitchen, heading to one of the bedrooms. She came back with a black box, handing it to Bella. Bella furrowed her brows and opens the box, her eyes widening at the necklace that sat inside. "I…Bonnie…I couldn't,"

Bella closed down the box, pushing it back into her hands. "No please. This was given to me by my mother and her mother before that. I never had a daughter or kids for that matter. Clarence and I could never go to full term. It'd be an honor for you to have it," Bella's eyes glazed over with tears and she smiled, her bottom lip wobbling. She took the necklace out of the box, wrapping it around her hand before placing it on her neck.

"I'll never forget you Bonnie, and I thank you for your generosity. You remind me of my own grandmother," She chuckled. Bonnie beamed at Bella, the two going back to making dinner. As they finished up, a knock sounded at the door, and both women looked at one another.

"Wait," Bella whispered, going back to the room she and Bucky shared. She grabbed a handgun from Bucky's bag, putting it into her jeans. Bonnie went to the door and Bella stayed behind the wall. She poked her head around the corner, unable to see the man.

Bella shut her eyes as a man with a thick accent spoke to Bonnie. "Sorry to bother your miss, but we're looking for a dangerous pair. Murderers. Names are Isabella Maria Swan and James Buchanan Barnes. He goes by Bucky. Have you heard of them?"

Bonnie was calm as she answered. "Oh my god, no I haven't. I'm sorry," Bella hears the door creak before the man is speaking again. "Do you mind if I come in?" Bonnie makes a disapproving noise in the back of her throat. "I'm sorry, but unless you have a warrant, you cannot," Bonnie closed the door and Bella rounded the corner, peeking through the blinds to see the man getting into a tinted van.

Bella bit her fingernail, looking back at Bonnie. "Did he show you pictures?" She questioned. Bonnie shook her head, laying her hand on Bella's shoulder. "It's alright girly. That man of yours will know what to do. We just have to wait. Sit at the table. Keep that gun out,"

Bella paced the table before sitting down. Her head shot up at the sound of a shotgun clicking. "Holy shit Bonnie," Bella breathed. Bonnie grinned. "Let one of those fuckers come on my lawn again," They sat back, each once facing the front and back door.

"I see why Clarence married you. You're badass," Bella chuckled. About half an hour later, they heard a vehicle pulling to a stop. They heard one door open and close, and Bella turned around, gripping the gun tighter in her hand.

The front door slowly creaked open, and a heavy set of footsteps crossed the threshold and Bonnie cursed. "Dammit Clarence! Why the hell you came in so quiet?" Bella let out a sigh of relief, putting the gun back in her jeans.

"I had a surprise for you. What the hell is going on? What you got the gun out for?" Bucky came from behind Clarence, eyeing Bella, making a beeline for her. He sat what he had down, grabbing her arms. "What's going on?" Bella glanced over at Bonnie and Clarence before meeting Bucky's eyes.

"HYDRA's in town and looking for us. Someone came here about 30 minutes ago. He got into a van, had a thick accent. Almost Russian like, or maybe European. I don't know,"

She ran her tongue across her bottom lip, worry overtaking her features. "They need to get out of here," She whispered, looking over at the couple who were quietly whispering to one another. Bella's head dropped to his chest and she sucked in a deep breath.

"I don't know how they found us," She murmured. Bucky ran a hand down her head, his eyes going to Bonnie and Clarence. "Don't know, but we'll get them out of here and be on our way,"

Clarence suddenly cleared his throat, gathering their attention. "Are we in danger?" He asked. Bucky nodded. "Yes sir," Clarence nodded. "Okay, hold on," Clarence left the room, and Bonnie sat back down at the table.

"You two sit," Bella slowly sat down, but Bucky preferred to stand, his hands on the back of her chair. Clarence came out with a briefcase and set it down in the middle of the table. "Now um, Bonnie and I, we aren't normal people. We've always been prepared, outcasts, and in this briefcase is a quarter of a million dollars. You're the only visitors we've had in years, and we have no children to share our assets with. We want to give you half. It's the least we can do to aid on your journey. No but missy. We want you to have it,"

He opened it, and pulled out his share, before sliding it across the table. Bucky stopped it was his hand, looking Clarence in the eyes. "You two need to be gone within two days. Out and far away from here," Clarence nodded.

Bella frowned. "I'm so sorry," Bonnie smiled reassuringly at Bella. "None of this is your fault dear. We always knew something big would happen one day," Bella tilted her head at that, finding that Clarence had left the room again.

"I don't know how many you had in your bag, but here are two 47s, fully loaded. Silencers attached," Clarence slid two across the table, and Bella grabbed hers while Bucky grabbed the other. Bella blinked a few times before looking at him. "Money and guns. Who the hell are you people?"

Bonnie chuckled. "Retired C.I.A. We got out a long time ago," Bella looked up at Bucky who was clearly guarded, a blank expression on his face. "Did you know who we were?" They shook their heads and Bonnie stood, holding Clarence's hand.

"I saw you two and you reminded me of us when we were younger. Facing danger and kicking ass. It makes us feel good to do this. When we retired, we vowed to help where we could. This place was never meant to be found, and someone, whoever they are, has found it. Just means that either our people are corrupted or have been taken blindsided. We leave in 48 hours. Does that sound fair?"

Bucky nodded.

That evening, Bucky stood outside the house, watching the backyard. He leaned against the doorway, looking down as Bella came to a stand next to him. "Anything?" She asked. He shook his head. "It's all quiet. Why aren't you sleeping?" He asked.

Bella shrugged. "Couldn't sleep. Nerves," She replied. Bucky looked down as she slipped her hand into his. "Whatever happens, I'm not leaving your side," He didn't respond, and Bella looked over at him to find his eyes locked on their hands.

"Am I making you uncomfortable?" She started to pull her hand away, and he tightened his fingers around her hand. "No. You're talking about possibly dying," Bella nodded at him. "I know. I can run all I want. Hide off from the rest of the world, but they'll never stop. I won't let you do this alone. You're fighting for your freedom and my life. I want to help. It's fight or die trying,"

Bucky shook his head, a deep sigh passing from his lips. "Why are you so stubborn?" Bella shrugged. "Best and worst quality soldier," She smiled, then frowned. "What?" He questioned. Bella shook her head, deciding against whatever was on her mind.

She turned her head away from him, muttering something under her breath. Bucky grabbed her chin, tilting her head back in his direction. "Talk to me," She turned to face him and Bucky let his hand drop from her face, and without his own accord, he planted his hands on her waist.

"It's nothing. Really," She whispered, smiling up at him. "Come on. I'm gonna show you how to shoot," Bella pulled back surprised. "Now?" Bucky nodded. "Yeah, Clarence has some old boards out here. Target practicing boards,"

Bella followed him outside, smiling to herself as his hand never left hers. "Keep the silencer on," He handed her one of the guns Clarence had given them and Bella cocked it. He went behind the barn that they kept full of tools, pulling out a few that looked like they'd only been used once.

They went back out to the yard, and the moon shined down enough light to see. He started out close to her and let her take a shot. She practically made a bullseye on her first few rounds. He determined that up close she was a great shot, but farther away it wavered.

He found a hammer and some nails and hammered the board to the tree outback. He jogged up to her and pushed her back a few feet. He moved behind her and grasped both of her hands, adjusting the gun a bit higher. "Look through the scope," Bella closed one eye, aiming for the red circle.

She pulled the trigger, and she smiled. "Shit," Bucky went to the board, nodding to her. "Practically shot right in the middle. Again, but feel your way through," He moved to the side as she let out the last few bullets. He checked the board again, nodding in surprise. "Better. Targets will be moving. Follow them with the gun at a faster rate than they're running, and shoot. You'll never miss,"

Bella took in his advice, and she tossed it to him, letting him reload it. "Think we stand a chance?" She called out. Bucky looked at her, the moon shining on him like a spotlight. "I think so. Can you do that thing? The bubble,"

Bella hummed and walked close to him. "I can try. I haven't really gathered how to control it," She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, trying to visualize it in her mind. She could feel her brain pulse, and then what felt like pressure was released.

She snapped her eyes open to see it surrounding her. "Try to move it," Bella closed her eyes again, focusing on physically picturing it moving forward. She opened her eyes again to see Bucky encased in it.

She pictured it encasing just her, and in a snap, she felt it surrounding her body. She did it back and forth a few times, moving it farther with each try. Bella remembered that bullets bounced off of it but didn't hold as long.

"Shoot at it," She blurted, watching as his expression changed. "Not a chance in hell," He immediately replied. "You won't hit me I promise," Bucky scowled at her but sighed, raising his gun. He fired off a single bullet, and she imagined her bubble like a steel panel. The bullet ricocheted off, hitting the tree.

"I think if I think hard enough, I can influence it into any material I think of," She let it surround her again, and looked at Bucky. "Hit it," Bucky looked at her concerned. "Full force?" She nodded, sending him a reassuring smile.

Using his metal arm, Bucky pulled his arm back, and the moment he touched the shield, he knew it was a bad idea. A force blasted in both directions, throwing Bucky a few feet away and on his ass. The same happened to Bella and she groaned softly, the stars staring down at her.

"Ouch," She mumbled, pulling herself into a sitting position. She rubbed the back of her head, shaking it a bit. Bucky made his way to her, helping her up. "Happy now?" Bella snorted, looking up at him. "Could be worse," She mumbled, leaning against him for support. "I think that's enough for the night. I'm heading into town tomorrow on foot to get one of the cars. You focus on Bonnie and Clarence and getting them packed up and out of here, alright?"

Bella nodded, raising her hand to the necklace Bonnie had given her. "Got it. We're heading out first?" Bucky nodded, opening the screen door for her. "The sooner the better," Bella nodded with a sigh. "I liked it out here," She admitted.

Bucky stared out into the night, nodding in agreement. "Me too doll,"

Bella leaned up and kissed his cheek. "Goodnight Bucky," Bucky stared down at her fondly as she turned away, and back into the bedroom.

Early the next morning, Bella woke up alone, remembering that Bucky was probably already gone, and headed into town. She got dressed for the morning, realizing it was still kind of dark outside. She looked at the time to see it was only 7 in the morning.

She opened the bedroom door, stopping short as silence greeted her. She was used to Bonnie either humming away or Clarence somewhere outback. She grabbed a gun off the nightstand and frowned as the home was really dark. She blindly made her way down the hall, her hand reaching for the light switch. She slipped on something slippery, landing on her hands and knees.

"Damn," She mumbled, pulling herself up slowly, her hand finding the light switch. She flicked on the light to see what she had slipped on, only for her eyes to widen in horror. Both Bonnie and Clarence were laid out on the floor with slit throats. There was so much blood that it had pooled, and she looked down at her hands, a shuddering breath leaving her lips.

"No no no no no no…" She dropped down to the floor, raking a shaking hand over Bonnie's face. "You were supposed to be safe…" She whispered.

A hand suddenly clamped over her mouth, an arm wrapping around her throat. Her eyes widened, and she flailed her feet about.

She started to get dragged backward until she told herself not to panic.

Take your chin and press it into the muscle

Bucky's words flowed through her brain and she grunted as she dug her chin into the attacker's arm, flinging her head back until she heard a sickening crunch.

Swing your leg out. It's better to aim for the legs

Bella balled her hands and swung her right leg out, her foot hitting the attacker's knee. The attacker groaned, falling to the floor.

Bella punched him in the face as he was down, pulling on his body for any identification and any weapon he had on his person. She pulled on something, and her eyes widened at the pin in her hand.

"Oh shit," She turned around heading for the back door, running, and bursting through the screen. Her Shield came around her and even it wasn't strong enough to keep the blast from projecting her into the air.

The house went up in flames and she landed in the grass on her back. She let out a groan as she pushed herself up, her ears ringing. She looked to the side of her seeing an arm. The wedding ring on their finger made the bile rise in her throat and she threw up beside the tree.

She was suddenly grabbed by the hair, a hand punching her in the gut. She wrenched her head from their grasp, rolling over on her back. She lifted her knees to her chest, kicking her legs out, her feet hitting a chest, throwing a HYDRA agent on their back.

They stood up just as quickly as she did. She made a run for him, swinging her leg out, wrapping it around his waist, pulling herself on his back. She jerked the gun from his holster, shooting him in the head.

A hard body suddenly collided with hers, knocking the wind out of her lungs. They tumbled to the ground, and Bella looked into fiery brown eyes. His hands suddenly wrapped around her neck, and she pushed her arms between his, shooting her hands outward, the force knocking his hands from around her neck.

She bit his closet hand, spitting his blood in his face before kneeing him between the legs. She knocked her head forward, head butting him.

She instantly regretted it, muttering out a "Fuck, that hurt," She pulled herself up once again, holding her side. Another person emerged out of nowhere, and Bella groaned. "How many of you are out there?" This man was just as big as Bucky, and he charged for her like a bull. Bella reached for the gun in her pants only to find that it had slipped in her tumble.

The man barreled into her, tackling her to the ground hard. His fist hit her across the face and she immediately tasted the blood in her mouth. She spits it out onto the grass, blinking rapidly.

Her eyes caught the glint of something, and her eyes widened as a sharp pain resonated from her side. It was suddenly intensified as the man took the knife he had just jabbed into her side, holding it above his head.

He came down with it again, and she pushed her hands out, holding back his hand, and failing every second as he was slowly overpowering her.

Bucky was driving down the dirt road when he noticed the jeep behind him. He pushed the gas, heading for Bonnie and Clarence's home.

Another jeep barreled in front of him and he was forced to come to a stop. He held up his hands as an agent stepped out armed. They slowly moved towards his truck yelling at him in Slovak.

Bucky opened the door, stepped out slowly with his hands up, waiting for the man to inch closer. He did, which gave Bucky the advantage of punching the man in the face, slicing through his skin like butter.

He yanked the gun off the man before he went down, turning so quickly it was like a blur, and shooting the next agent to the ground.

He shot into the windows, turning around quickly to shoot the remaining agents who had started to run. His eyes shot in the direction of the house where a large boom sound reached his ears.

He got back into his truck, speeding down the road, knowing he was a good 5 minutes out. Blood was dripping down his metal arm, his face set in a mask of fury. When he landed in front of the home, it was in shambles, a blazing fire that left nothing behind.

His thought of Bella was thrown out the window when he could hear fighting from the back. He raced around the remaining standings of the blazing house.

Bella was practically covered in blood as she fended off an agent. He was overpowering her quickly, and Bucky wasted no time charging into the man, taking the hand that held the knife and shoving it into the man himself more than a dozen times repeatedly.

The body dropped to the ground and he grabbed her by the hand, pulling her up. She was holding her side, and he moved her hand to see fresh blood leaking from her side.

Her eyes went behind him and she reached for his hip, pulling the automatic from him. She started shooting behind him and Bucky didn't turn his head to see, his own little stampede of men coming in the other direction.

He pulled her behind the large tree, pulling a grenade from his pocket. He tossed it in the direction where both sides could meet, thrusting them both to the ground, his body covering hers.

Debris flies everywhere and Bucky stood back up, shooting the remaining stragglers, pulling Bella from the ground. They looked around one another, surrounded by bodies.

"Are you okay?" He asked, moving her hand again. He gritted his teeth, holding his hand on the wound, adding more pressure.

He tried checking her over for more injuries but there was so much blood on her that he couldn't tell.

Her face contorted in pain and then sadness. "They didn't make it. Bonnie and Clarence are dead," She cried into his chest.

He held her to him, running a hand down her hair, looking around for any more surprises. "They slit their throats," She hiccuped her voice nothing but a waver. Anger washed over him, and he looked back at the house. Bonnie and Clarence were nice people, bright people, and it was just another list of innocents that deserved vengeance.

"I'm sorry baby," He whispered into her hair, his grip on her tightening. "We need to get out of here. Right now," He picked up the gun that fell from her hand, grabbing a few others that laid around.

She sniffed, and grabbed another one of his grenades, pulling the pin and throwing it into the already burning house.

Bucky shielded her away from the blast, heading around to the front. "My hands…they…my fingerprints were all over their bodies…" She mumbled, and Bucky deduced she was going into shock.

He helped her into the truck, getting in on the other side, driving away. He noticed a dirt road that one of the Jeeps came through, and took it to avoid authorities.

He looked over at Bella who was was still as a board, her eyes still wide. "Bella, you can't slip right now. I need you to keep pressure on your side," She was unresponsive to him and he cursed, pulling over to the side. He put the truck in park, turning to his side to turn her towards him.

I'm not going to lose you too was his thought as he ripped some of her shirt before tying it tightly around her side. He wiped some blood from her face, his fist clenching at the bruise on her face.

He reached in the back, grabbing some water before opening her mouth for her to swallow. "That's right…good," He snatched a blanket off of the back seat, draping it over her body.

He caressed her face, nothing more he could do in that moment but drive and get a first aid kit as soon as possible.

Inside the small motel, Bucky was taking a shower, blood dripping down his body and into the drain. He scrubbed a hand down his face, shaking his head.

He was still struggling to determine when HYDRA made their move and it bothered him greatly that they waited until he was gone before they moved in.

He and Bella both wondered why the first man didn't kill her the moment he killed Bonnie and Clarence. Despite losing two good people, his main concern was Bella and he was proud that she fought as well as she did. It only served to show that she was a fast learner.

He had patched her up the moment he got near a store, stitching her wound closed and wrapping it in a bandage. She was asleep through most of it, and he did what he could to wipe the blood from her face, but it was stained into her skin and without proper soap and water, he had to leave her be. He kept her in the back seat, a blanket covering her.

When he got to the motel, he laid her down on one of the pullout couches under a blanket so blood wouldn't be all over it.

A soft throat clearing made him turn his head, and Bella was standing in the doorway, her hair matted with blood, her wide eyes meeting his so that she didn't look anywhere but his face.

"Do you mind?" She asked, coming a bit closer, and Bucky kept eye contact with her as she was wearing her bra and underwear, a towel in her hands.

His brows rose once he understood what she wanted, and he stepped back, letting her step inside. The shower was big enough for probably 3 people, the size of Bucky himself, an upgrade he had to pay for.

"I didn't mean to intrude, but…everything kind of hurts…I could use the help," She whispered softly, and without his super hearing, he wouldn't have heard her over the water.

A long time ago Bucky Barnes would be blushing, his mind raving about how he had a pretty girl in the shower and mentally telling himself not to do anything embarrassing.

Now though wasn't that time.

He ran his hands along her back, grimacing at the bruising her skin took from all the tumbling. She leaned under the spray, and a dark red leaked from her body, turning pink as she let the blood wash off of her.

She jumped slightly as his fingers trailed over the bandage seeing as most of the bleeding took a while to slow. He'd have to change the bandage again.

She raised her hands scrubbing her face. She turned around to face Bucky, keeping her eyes on his face. She dipped her head back, and he slung an arm behind her back to keep her upright.

She grasped his arm, closing her eyes. "Is it all gone?" She asked, and Bucky pulled her back up. "On the surface," He responded, grabbing the shampoo. He squirted a big dollop on his hand, his hands going to her hair. She stepped closer to him, being mindful of his personal space.

She closed her eyes again, and Bucky gingerly scrubbed her hair and scalp, the shampoo turning pink with just the lathering.

It took a few washes for the shampoo to turn clear, and Bella waited patiently as he did so. He grabbed a cloth, soaping it up before he handed it to her. She got the places she could, and Bucky turned around after unclasping her bra.

He heard it drop to the floor, and he bent down to pick it up, hanging it up to dry. He could hear her sniffling, and he wasn't sure if he should turn around or not.

When it became apparent that she was crying, he snatched the towel off the wrack, wrapping it around his waist before turning around.

He laid his hands on her shoulders, and she turned around, her hands crossed over her chest. Bucky pulled her into his hold, leaning down to kiss her head as she cried.

"They didn't deserve to die," She sobbed, her head laying against his chest. She sniffed, her words slurring together as she described in detail how she found them.

Bucky realized that she cared for them a great deal.

She closed her eyes tightly, pushing into him as far as her body would allow. "I'm sorry," She whispered sometime after she calmed, and Bucky shook his head pulling back from her a bit.

"Nothing to apologize for," He meant it too. Her vulnerability or her walking in and showering with him. He understood that a person not surrounded by death suddenly seeing it in one big flash was bound to have a breakdown.

He shut the water off and stepped out first, helping her out of the shower, immediately wrapping the towel around her body.

"Sit, I need to check your stitches," Bella sat down, watching his face closely as he moved the towel to the side. She sucked in a sharp breath as he undid the bandage.

"Your stitches are good," He reached over, grabbing some alcohol and a cotton ball, looking at her face. "This is going to sting," She pursed her lips nodding, a small grunt leaving her as he swiped at the blood. "Doesn't seem to be infected. We just need the skin to heal back nicely. It might leave a scar,"

She let out a breath as he used a patch of medicated gauze, taping it over the skin, pushing against it.

"Okay?" He asked softly. Bella nodded quietly, running her eyes over his chest and anywhere she could, finding that he wasn't as beat up as she was.

"It's like your invincible," She whispered, trailing her hand over a pink scar. "It comes in handy, but it's sometimes a burden. I won't live forever, but I age very slowly,"

Bella frowned. "So one day, I'll.." He brushed a hand over her lips. "Don't say it," He pleaded. "Outside of Steve, you're the only…since the war, since this life, being mentally in it, you're the only other person I've cared about,"

Bella's face softened, and she wrapped her arms around his neck. "Bucky," She whispered in his ear.

"I don't want to lose you," He admitted softly. "You make it a bit more worth fighting for. Being the hero,"

Bella pulled back, caressing his cheek with her thumb. "You're more than just a hero Bucky. You're my hero. My warrior. Right from the start. You've defended my life with no questions asked, doing what you believe is the right thing. You could've left me for dead, and you didn't. Whether this world knows you like I'm starting to know you, you're the good guy in this story, one that deserves everything,"

She looked into his eyes, sighing softly. He cupped her cheek, tilting his head to the side. "Do I deserve you?"

Yes. Hate me. I left it here for a reason. I can move this two ways and it is simply up to you readers. I don't want to rush their relationship, but at the same time, they're wandering through a fast world and this world will take you in a heartbeat.

At this point, I hope you understand that they are meant to be together with her shield just being the key to unlocking his mind and the attraction to one another. Bucky feels this peace and while I have not explored Bella's side of it all yet, feelings-wise, she feels it too.

Here's my question(s): What should happen next? I'm not saying that they love each other but obviously feelings are growing, and should they embrace it now, or continue onward?