Acedown Court was situated in a highly desirable area in Kensington. With its large communal garden fenced off from the general public with large wrought iron gates. Balcony's overlooked the square as did large sash windows and gleaming polished front doors. The house was technically Nancy's mother's, but the former Mrs Cartwright preferred the quite solitude of the country, and so the house was gifted to Nancy. The ground floor hallway was tiled on shiny white marble. satin wallpaper coated the walls with turquoise and navy splattered with cherry blossoms. Spindly tables held ornate vases and sculptures. The hall was dominated by a grand ebony staircase flying up three extra floors.
Nancy marched over the threshold ushering Bucky and Sam in behind her. She reached a digital panel on the wall.
''Initiate full lockdown.'' What followed was considerable whirring and clanking, behind them three metal bars crossed the now closed front door, a metal shutter closed across small semi-circular window above it. Sam raised his eyebrows at Bucky as they walked further into the home. Taking a left off the hallway they entered a large drawing room, the grandeur continued with emerald green velvet sofas and mahogany coffee tables. The marble floor was replaced with plush creamy carpet. Deep green curtains hung next to more metal shutters, but a bright chandelier lit the room well. Nancy collapsed into one of the sofas, pulling her feet up and under her, her skirts fanned out around her giving her the appearance of a large petaled flower. Sam and Bucky sat opposite her, not nearly as at ease. Bucky shifted awkwardly taking in his new surroundings.
''Okay, this isn't just a diplomats house, this,'' Sam gestured around him, ''is, well, it's...''
''It's my mother's, my mother is a member of the European aristocracy. There are items in this house that cost more than the building itself. Sometimes protection of them is necessary, and so all this was installed.'' She gazed around. ''This is the safest place for me, why'd you think they tried to take me out in the open, I'm the only one who lives here, whoever wants to take me knew better than to break in here. I have the most sophisticated security system money can buy.'' Bucky smiled at this. Sam just looked confused.
''And you two, you know each other?'' He looked between the two of you.
''Yes.'' Nancy said quickly as Bucky hid a smile behind his hand.
''Right, either of you going to give me any more information. Should I just guess?'' Bucky and Nancy shared a look. Silently asking can we tell him, I trust him, okay, all in one look.
''She's my soulmate.'' Bucky said, lowering his hand no longer hiding the grin plastered on his face.
''She's, what! You have a soulmate?'' Sam's head turned between the two faster than a tennis umpire. Bucky didn't take his eyes off of Nancy. He was finally here sitting so close to her. He took her in, long dark hair, now windswept from their bike journey. Deep green eyes and a dusting of freckles. She was absentmindedly twirling a lock of hair through her long fingers. She shifted in her seat, the ruby round her neck glinting softly. It was then Bucky realised he was staring.
'Sorry' he mouthed, ''yes I do.'' He smiled again.
''Well, I'm happy for you, for you both.'' He stood up carefully, ''Don't suppose you've got somewhere I could clean up a bit?'' Nancy smiled guiding him through the door. Bucky couldn't stop looking around the room, things kept catching his attention, a stack of books on the sideboard, a tapestry on the wall, a photo frame on the mantle. He slipped off the sofa a slowly paced round the room, finishing the lap at the fireplace he took a closer look at the photograph there.
Two children standing side by side. One boy one girl, laughing wildly at the camera drenched from head to toe each carrying a water pistol.
''Find anything interesting?'' Nancy was standing in the doorway, Bucky jumped back from the picture handheld up in mock surrender. ''Sam's cleaning up, got him a change of clothes, he's gonna try and contact Torres but looks like we'll be staying here tonight.'' Bucky nodded walking over to join her.
''This isn't exactly what we had planned right? I was gonna take you out for dinner,'' he laughed.
''Nah, this was a much more exciting first date,'' she brushed her thump across his cheek. ''You did throw me off a building.''
''Mmhmm,'' Bucky reached for her hand, he pulled her in close his metal arm locked around her waist, slowly he started to sway.
''What are you doing?'' She laughed looking up at him.
''I haven't danced since the 40s, I wanted my next dance to be with you.'' He put it so simply Nancy held him closer. They swayed like that for a few minutes, Bucky spun her gently under his arm. Silent music surrounded them, she could hear his heartbeat against her chest, beating just as fast as it had on the bike. She closed her eyes letting him guide her. The questions that had begun to fill her head slipped away, this was where she belonged, with him in her arms and her in his.
"Was that Kit?" He asked quietly, Nancy opened her eyes at his words and saw him nod his head towards the photo frame. She nodded.
"We're not a family that's big on having photos up everywhere, Mum used to say they clashed with the decor, most of the photographs are organised in albums in the library. I liked that one too much to hide away."
"That's fair enough, you look happy." He smiled down at her.
"I was." She responded simply. They stayed like that a few minutes more until Bucky slowly drew back.
''I should really clean up too.'' He said softly.
''Want a change of clothes?'' Nancy smiled leading him out to the hall and two flights of stairs to the second floor. She knocked gently on the first door. Sam called them in and Bucky found himself in a bedroom, Sam sitting on the edge of the bed, freshly washed in dark jeans and a green T-shirt. His uniform laid out on the blue coverlet beside him. Nancy opened the wardrobe, grabbed a few items and tossed them over her shoulder for Bucky to catch.
''Should he be concerned you have so many men's clothes?'' Sam chuckled. Nancy's head whipped round, and Bucky's heart sank.
''They were my brother's this was his room.'' She made to leave the room, stopping briefly as Bucky's hand caught her wrist, but she slipped free. ''I'll get us some tea together, I'll just get out of this thing first.'' She called over her shoulder. Then she was gone, in a swirl of red.
''How long ago did you find out, about Nancy I mean?''
''Found her just before Louisiana. Just after Europe. I thought I was alone, then I wasn't, she was looking back at me. We've spoken every day since, just waiting for the right time to meet, a safe time, I didn't think it would be like this.'' Bucky sat down next Sam, flexing the fingers on his left hand.
''My parents were soulmates,'' Sam said clapping Bucky on the back. ''They always took it as a gift, and it is. We'll keep her safe.''
Bucky nodded at him an appreciative smile spread across his lips. He then rose, made his way into the ensuite.
...
Nancy pottered around the kitchen, soft cotton lounge wear replaced the long red gown, and her tired feet were stuffed into fluffy slippers. Sam and Bucky sat at her kitchen's breakfast bar tucking into the food she'd lain out.
''If it's alright I'm going to get some shut eye, review things in the morning.'' Sam announced stretching his arms above his head yawning.
''Of course, you're welcome to use the room I showed you earlier.'' Nancy said warmly.
''Your brother's? Are you sure?''
''I haven't any of the guest rooms made up, I'm sure he wouldn't have minded.'' Sam nodded to Bucky and retreated from the room. Bucky came over to Nancy. Silently taking her hands and leading her back into the drawing room.
'' I'm sorry about what Sam said, I hadn't told him anything about you let alone your brother...'' Nancy silenced him with a finger to his lips.
''Shhh, it's okay, I'm just happy you're here,'' she said resting her chin on his shoulder. Bucky's arms came round her slowly.
''Are you tired doll?'' He whispered softly burying his head in the crook of her neck.
''No, you?'' Bucky stood up straight shaking his head. She laughed softly. Slipped a hand into the pocket of her trousers opening up her phone. 40s music filled the room. ''Another dance?'' Bucky smiled unreservedly bringing her in close again. The danced again, faster than before, she was twirled and dipped and lifted. She squealed with laughter, she was not a talented dancer, never had been, but dancing with Bucky was different, it was freeing and fun. When the song finished they collapsed back onto the sofa. Nancy curled into his side. The music changed and Bucky tapped his fingers on his knee along to it.
''Don't leave me alone tonight Bucky.'' Nancy whispered after a few minutes of silence, Bucky turned his face to her, what was previously fierce and bold now cracked before him. ''Please,''
''Never.'' He answered simply, kissing the top of her head. They stayed like that for a long time, before he knew it she was asleep, leaning against his vibranium arm. He gently repositioned her, careful not to disturb her. Propping her head up on a cushion he slipped over to the adjacent sofa laying down slowly, he watched her till his eyes closed by themselves.