Chapter Sixteen

I pulled him down to my level and he came willingly, kissing me soundly once more. He would've continued, and I was about to shove him back onto the bed, when my stomach growled loudly.

Bucky pulled away with a startled laugh, withdrawing his hands from my pockets to rub sheepishly at the back of his head, "I forgot - you're prob'ly starving."

My impassioned determination assured me I very well could've gone without eating for a while longer, but my stomach said otherwise, making its presence known with another impressive bellow.

"I could eat," I admitted, pressing a hand to my belly, though I couldn't help but pout as he crossed the room and knelt beside the vanity. Cleaning up the long-forgotten mess, he shrugged slightly, "I don't even know if that was the best thing to bring you after being out for so long but, it was always my go-to."

"I'm never going to turn down a burger and fries," I wandered over to him, giving up on any attempt at charming him while my stomach was determined to make whale calls. Willing my body to calm down, I squatted beside him and gathered fries in my palm. "But I'm more of a strawberry girl when it comes to milkshakes."

With an exaggerated wince, he snapped his fingers and grimaced, "Almost went with that!"

"I mean, I'll take any flavor; it's a milkshake, but," I offered him a wink, "for future reference. Safe to say yours is chocolate?"

He shrugged, forearms resting on his thighs, fries hanging loosely between his fingers, grinning easily, "Anything chocolate and I'm yours."

Lips twitching, I queried lightly, "So those cookies I baked…?"

"Ahhh, those," he smiled widely, rising to his feet, tossing the food on the tray and offering me a hand. Tugging me to my feet, he wound an arm around my bare midriff, "ya had me hooked."

Kissing him gently, I teased, "My plan worked to perfection!"

Bucky chuckled and led me into the hallway, eyes flitting about the corridor; it was just habit, to search for any sign of a threat, and with Tony likely still about, it wasn't honestly a bad idea. I was a little apprehensive as it was; I had no interest in seeing Pietro lurking about the hallways, either.

Texting Natasha quickly, I hooked an arm through the super soldier's, noticing how he stiffened momentarily before easing against my touch. Hiding my triumphant smile, I mused pointedly, "So really you only want me for my baking."

Bucky snorted at that, shaking his head and pursing his lips in disbelief, the sarcasm dripping heavily from his tongue, "Yes. That's the only reason. Sorry, didn't want to hurt your feelings."

"Well, at least we got it out in the open early on," I replied with a feigned sigh, smirking as we descended the metal staircase. When I hit the bottom step, he spun me slightly and slid his hand down my forearm. His fingers twined with mine, his eyes darting across the wide, open foyer before they drifted down. A pleased smile tugged at my lips as his bright blue eyes melted when they met mine. It seemed to be an automatic reaction when he looked at me, and I knew in that moment it would never get old.

"There's a lotta reasons I want you, Aurelie," he smirked, tone markedly flirtatious, "I'm guessin' there are a lot more I don't know about yet. And I wanna find out all of them."

That, my heart danced wildly against my ribcage and I grinned suggestively, is what I like to hear. Tucking my arms beneath my breasts and giving them a little boost, I watched triumphantly as his gaze dropped to my chest before lifting quickly, almost apologetic before noticing my wicked smirk. He pursed his lips, eyes narrowing in exaggerated annoyance, before a brow lifted and his gaze blazed, torturously slowly, along my figure. "I do like the shirt, though. Or, half a shirt, I guess."

"She does love those."

Glancing over my shoulder, I offered Natasha a helpless shrug, "They're cute. Very sixties."

"Forties, technically," Bucky piped up, leaning against the railing, his vibranium hand tucked in his pocket, "my mom threw a fit when my sister Rebecca came home wearing one. Said it was all the rage. Wore it to the-," he faltered, "the Stark Expo."

Natasha's knowing expression told me the news had spread like wildfire and I inhaled deeply, "How's Tony?"

"He's gone," the redhead responded, jerking her head for us to follow her as my stomach roared once more, "headed back to the Tower, I think. He didn't really say."

"He's not arresting me?" Bucky inquired soberly, all flirtation and teasing falling flat, "or turning me in to Ross?"

"I'm sure he wants to," she replied honestly, a sympathetic pull of her lips a silent apology, "but we're on your side, Barnes; we won't let that happen. You've been working to wipe that red out of your ledger; we can see that. He'll remember it, too, eventually."

"Thank you," the super soldier's tone was gruff, but sincere, and he quickened his steps to reach the cafeteria door before us. He tugged it open, holding it for us like a proper 1940s gentleman. Natasha, brows high on her forehead, shot me a look, somewhere between incredulous and surprised, but passed through anyway. I winked up at Bucky as I entered and he was quick to follow. No doubt assessing the room for threats.

He always seemed to forget that I could do the same in the blink of one uncovered eye.

Thankfully there weren't many people floating about, Wanda and Vision occupying a table by the window and looking incredibly enthralled with each other. Studiously avoiding that area of the cafeteria, Natasha led me to one of the tables. Bucky touched the small of my back, informing me that he was going to get me something to eat, and I pressed my hands together, mouthing an emphatic thank you!

Nat and I sat down, the former with her back to the other redhead, wincing slightly as she explained, "I don't mind if they're together. I don't really get it, cuz I'm not sure what he even is, but it's fine. They just won't get together. It's just goo-goo eyes and awkward touches and I wanna just scream at them to make out before I lose my shit."

"Because I'm sure they want you watching them making out," I laughed sarcastically, "that wouldn't be weird at all."

"I'm not gonna watch," she huffed, "but it's 'oh, Viz'," her Sokovian accent was flawless, as was her posh one, "'I don't understand, Wanda, 'oh, what?'' It's so goddamn frustrating. What if I just grabbed their heads and shoved 'em together?"

"You'd prob'ly break Wanda's nose," I shrugged, though I wouldn't mind seeing the scenario play out if their flirting was half as awkward as she made it sound. Peering over her shoulder, I watched Wanda tuck her hair behind her ear, Vision examining the movement with a perplexed but admittedly sweet smile on his smooth, magenta skin. "Vision would be fine. Well, mad, but fine. If you can smoosh their mouths together with that move I'd be quite impressed."

"Well, I'm gonna try," Natasha cast a subtle glance over her shoulder, "tomorrow, maybe, if one of them doesn't make a move."

Shaking my head, I smiled before turning serious, a heavy sigh escaping me, "So what happened after I dropped?"

Natasha's smile turned calculating, her bright green eyes narrowing fractionally, "Barnes didn't tell you?"

"He didn't."

She hummed, drumming her fingers against her chin, "There was plenty of time between Tony storming off and you guys coming downstairs to discuss what happened after you passed out from sheer over-exertion. Dropped? Really?"

Lifting an unconcerned shoulder, I couldn't stop the grin from slipping across my mouth, "We were otherwise preoccupied, Natasha."

She smirked, eyes lighting up with interest, resting her forearms on the table and leaning forward in interest, "Preoccupied, huh?"

"Very," I answered lightly, examining my chipped nailpolish with a grin, "Tony lands a mean punch, even without the suit. Did you see how well I patched up Bucky's lip?"

"I can see how swollen yours are," the redhead noted scrutinously, "and your skin's still a little pink. All that scruff'll do that to you."

"It's a great feeling, though, isn't it?" I peered up from my nails mischievously.

She laughed loudly, "You would go for the Winter Soldier, wouldn't you?"

"I went for Bucky Barnes," I answered, sending him a sidelong smile as he approached the table and set down a heaping tray before him. There were three milkshakes, a handful of burgers, and probably two pounds of fries. He took the strawberry shake and handed it to me with a smile before turning to Natasha and gesturing to the remaining two.

The redhead shot me a quick glance, musing, "I see the difference."

Bucky's brows pitched upward in confusion, looking between the pair of us before he decided he didn't need to know and pulling the chocolate shake toward himself. "What were you ladies talking about?"

"Natasha was just about to tell me what happened after I-"

"Passed out from sheer exhaustion?" Bucky supplied, earning a chuckle from Nat, who muttered, "Close enough."

"Yes, that," I answered dryly, "so? Where's Zemo? I assume he's back in prison? Did he say what he was doing? I mean, why he decided to let loose all those other soldiers?"

"He's on the Raft," Natasha nodded, taking a bite of one of the burgers, "though I'm not sure T'Challa's going to leave it at that. We found tech and clothes on his jet which is why he was able to pass pretty easily as Barnes on surveillance. The mask was pretty impressive."

"I didn't think it was that great a likeness really," Bucky grumbled, eyeing me in amusement as I dipped fry after fry in my milkshake, nearly inhaling them as I went. "He wants Zemo extradited to Wakanda for sentencing. It's under consideration, but Wakanda's not the only country that's askin' for him."

"And what was the point of all this then?"

"He lost his family when Ultron- when we destroyed Sokovia," Natasha replied grimly, lowering her head and frowning, "he blames superheroes and super soldiers; wants all of us eradicated. He figured we would all just take each other out when he set the soldiers loose and that'd be the end of it. We'd all just kill each other and he'd get his revenge."

"Telling Stark about-," Bucky's jaw clenched, "about what I did was a grenade, I think. Last ditch effort to get us To treat each other apart when he figured the other soldiers were dead. It might actually work."

"Prob'ly not," I replied, though honestly I couldn't be certain. My heart still hurt for Tony, it always would, but the man beside me was not the same man that killed the Starks. Still, I would hope for the best and reach out to Tony when I thought he'd be more receptive. "So no one got too badly hurt? Peter's okay?"

"He's back in Queens," Nat informed me with a reassuring smile, "Happy came up with some last minute Stark Technologies internship; Peter's friend Neil-"

"Ned."

"-Ned covered for him," Natasha continued breezily, as though I hadn't said a word, "they were working on Peter's resume and cover letter, pulled an all-nighter, and went straight to school the next day. May was none the wiser."

My relief was palpable, though I questioned, "So he didn't break anything? He's not on crutches or bleeding internally or-"

"He's fine," Bucky assured me, his smile charming even if his cheeks were as round as a squirrel's, full of his third cheeseburger, "kid's a quick healer, like me and Steve. He was a little roughed up, had a limp, but by the time we landed here he was runnin' all over the place."

"He was very excited," Natasha agreed, grinning despite herself, "he'll make a good Avenger. With tons of training and maybe a few more years to, ya know, become an adult first."

"Oh, no arguments there," I laughed, patting my now very full stomach contentedly, "he's prob'ly been worried about me."

"Stark threatened to take the suit back to get him to go home," Bucky snorted, "he didn't wanna leave before you woke up, so you might wanna call him."

"I was more thinking of heading home and seeing him in person," I mused, glancing between the pair to gauge their opinion. Nat's lips dipped down into a frown, though as she tossed another glance over her shoulder, I assumed it had more to do with me leaving her alone with Vision and Wanda than actually leaving.

But Bucky seemed suddenly uncomfortable, his chewing slowing and his eyes downcast. Brows furrowing in confusion and concern, I called his name lowly, questioningly.

Nat's attention returned to the pair of us, comprehension dawning on her; she rose to her feet, snatching up her milkshake and a few more fries, "Thanks for dinner, Barnes. Aury," she smiled broadly, "glad you're up and about. I've gotta get a game plan together for their next training session. Text me!"

With that, she gave us our privacy, and I turned fully in my chair to face Bucky. He still hadn't looked at me, though he had at least nodded at Natasha when she thanked him. Finally, my unblinking stare forced him to face me and he drew his lower lip into his mouth, querying calmly, "When do you think you'll leave?"

Well, there went my hope that he wanted to come with me. Steve probably offered him a room here at the compound and why wouldn't he accept it? The rooms were suites, basically apartments on their own. There was no reason he would want to come sleep on my couch when he had the option of a luxurious king-size mattress and privacy.

"I'm not sure," I answered hesitantly, "I should talk to Steve first. I don't want to just disappear. But I'd like to get home soon. Maybe stay another night and leave in the morning?"

He nodded slowly, pushing the tray away from him and leaning back in his seat. He studied me carefully, his mouth opening once, twice, before snapping shut, his jaw clenching.

I waited for a moment, giving him the opportunity to say what was on his mind, but it became apparent that he wasn't going to break. So I inquired, "What did Ross think about all of this? Did Zemo confess in front of him?"

Bucky nodded, shoulders still tight, and he pushed a stray fry across the table with his forefingers, "It's on tape. He saw the face-mask-thing Zemo was using, saw it was supposed to be me. He's looking into how Zemo got out in the first place. It was definitely an inside job, but we haven't figured out who it mighta been. Whoever it was covered their tracks well; they knew what they were doing."

"And Zemo's not talking?" I guessed. When Bucky nodded, I sighed, "He might not even know. I could always check."

"Steve mentioned it," the super soldier rolled his vibranium shoulder, rubbing absently at his jaw, "Ross still isn't convinced it wasn't me."

"What?!"

A fleeting grin darted across his thin, pink lips and he shot me a fond, grateful look, "That's how Steve felt. Well, me too, but- Because I still haven't agreed to let them use the words, he's not convinced Zemo and I weren't working together."

Pinching the bridge of my nose, I groaned loudly, "What a piece of shit! God, I just wanna slap that mustache off his stupid face!"

Bucky threw his head back and laughed, earning a surprised glance from Vision and Wanda. Honestly, they probably just realized we were there, as obsessed with each other as they had been.

Grinning despite my irritation, I assured him, "It might even crawl away. I'm not convinced it's not a small rodent of some kind."

Bucky's laughter only redoubled and I giggled along with him, overjoyed to see he wasn't brooding after his altercation with Tony. He would later, I was sure of it, but if I could make him laugh, well- I couldn't help but feel accomplished.

His gaze was affectionate as his laughter subsided, "Are you sure you have to leave that soon?"

"You could come with me, if you wanted," I blurted, my pulse quickening as his smile grew radiant, filling his face, "I'm sure Steve gave you a place here, and my apartment is much smaller, but-"

"I think it'd be a good idea," he piped up, his calm tone belied by the earnestness on his face, "This is Stark's place; I'm guessing he comes around here a lot, right?" At my nod, he tipped his head to one side in consideration; excitedly, I thought his mind might have already been made up. "Not to mention, Maximoff."

"It'd be better for everyone," I shrugged innocently. Especially me.

"Right," Bucky nodded resolutely, the corners of his bright eyes crinkling. He grinned a lovely, toothy grin, running a hand through his thick, dark hair. "I'm sure there are other movies to marathon, right? I kinda missed out on decades' worth."

"Oh, you have no idea," I laughed, leaning my elbows on the table, folding my arms and whispering conspiratorially, "I have so many fandoms to introduce you to."

"Fandoms?"

He didn't look too put out by it, despite his disconcerted tone; in fact, he seemed content, pleased even.

Winking, I rose to my feet, the soldier quick to follow. If we were at some fancy restaurant, I'm sure he would've wanted to pull my chair out for me. Instead, we shared a quick smile and cleaned the table up as best we could, covered in fries and salt and crumbs as it was.

Bucky carried the tray to the trash, dumping it and setting it neatly above the can. He leaned casually toward me as we left the cafeteria, his upper arm brushing my shoulder, his head tipping toward my ear, "We could make a run for it now. If you're feelin' up to it?"

"No escaping just yet, Barnes."

Bucky stiffened beside me and I spun, furious and aggressive. Ross stood before us in a neatly-pressed navy suit, his medals glinting obnoxiously on his breast. Steve half a step behind him, was severely agitated himself. I knew the captain would've given us fair warning if he had the chance, but I had the feeling Ross had simply shoved by him and into the complex, blustering and self-important.

Steve could have stopped him, of course, but Ross was a government official.

I had no qualms about striking him. Lunging for him, I bared my teeth at him, halted only by Bucky, who wrapped his arms around my waist. He tugged me back, lifting me easily off my feet and spinning slightly, putting himself between me and Ross.

He pressed his lips to my hair, brushing against my ear and whispering, "It's not worth it, Aurelie, trust me."

He was right, I knew, but goddamnit if I didn't want to go straight for that mustache. I wanted to rip out every last fucking hair one by one. Bucky didn't need this; he didn't deserve this. Not on top of everything else.

"Let's go somewhere more private," Steve muttered, surveying the corridor and noting every single eye fall on us. There were plenty of people milling about, former SHIELD agents and maintenance workers alike, and each one seemed frozen in place at the sight of not only General Ross, but the former Winter Soldier restraining little ol' me. "This isn't the place for this."

"I don't really care where we do it," Ross grunted, eyeing Bucky and I disdainfully, "he must be rubbing off on you, Miss Reynolds."

"I should be so lucky," I seethed as Bucky hesitantly relaxed his grip. Frustratedly tugging away from him, my nostrils flared, and I seriously debated whipping the glasses from my face and forcing Ross to do an about-face and march his stuffy ass right back out the door.

But that wouldn't help Bucky, or me for that matter.

Steve nodded forward, gesturing for the general to take the lead and following closely behind him. He tossed a silent, warning glance over his shoulder, peering first at Bucky - perhaps hoping the soldier wouldn't cut and run like he was used to - and then me. His look screamed please don't jump him from behind.

It was tempting.

Inhaling sharply, I followed, Bucky stiffly, stoically at my side. Reaching toward him, I brushed my fingers against his vibranium ones. He chanced a quick glance down at me, a sad smile tugging at his lips as he squeezed my fingers hand gently.

Ross could ask and threaten and scream all he wanted.

I would not use my gifts against Bucky.

We reached a small conference room, Steve positioning himself at the door, his back ramrod straight as he leaned against it. Ross gestured toward the table, indicating for the Winter Soldier and I to sit. Neither of us did, so the general remained standing, looking incredibly disgruntled at our silent resistance.

Moving to the window, I hopped onto the sill, knuckles white as I clenched my hands together on my lap. Apprehension and anger roiled through me, my heart thundering in my chest, but I waited for Ross to make his request before denying him heatedly.

Bucky stood rooted by the table, hands flexing before shoving them forcefully into the pockets of his jeans. His silver arm shone brightly in the well-lit room and Ross stared, unblinking, at it. Almost desirously.

Bucky shifted just so, like he had when I first examined it, only this time, instead of looking ashamed by it, he looked enraged. His expression was hard, cold as ice, but his eyes blazed in a silent challenge.

"I'm sure we all know why I'm here."

"A little clarification would be appreciated," Steve responded calmly, his face far stonier than mine, "you didn't tell us you'd be stopping by, so I'm not sure what this is all about."

"Well, every time I give you fair warning, the people I'm most interested in seeing are conveniently never around," Ross retorted hotly, glancing between Bucky and I, "what use is Reynolds on the team if she's not there when you need it?"

"She is," Bucky and Steve chorused as I chimed, "I am. Depending on the need. We've been through this all before. I've been on, like, what, Steve? Twenty missions?"

"At least," he replied, his jaw set and his brows furrowed deeply, "not to mention, three days ago, she nearly killed herself taking out super soldiers that were only let out because your men couldn't keep Zemo in prison!"

Ross's dark eyes drifted over me in a calculating way, huffing, "Looks fine now."

Reaching for my glasses, I queried lightly, dangerously, "I have some scars; wanna see them?"

He averted his gaze quickly, turning unpleasantly to Bucky, "I wanted to catch the two of you in the same place before you could run off. You don't look like a bloodthirsty killer."

Bucky remained silent, the tick in his jaw clenching at a rapid pace. His jaw jutting forward, he didn't blink, didn't so much as breathe, as he stared down Ross. He didn't move when the general approached, circled him; stepping around the soldier, his gaze flitted to me, "I want to see it."

"Why?" I inquired sharply, "what good will it do, other than hurt him? You don't need proof."

"Your proof is our word," Steve agreed.

Two days ago, Tony would've been in here with us, agreeing, being his annoyingly charming self and talking Ross right out of the room. But today, I was glad he had left; I couldn't be sure he wouldn't want to see Bucky hang and side along with Ross again.

"Your word isn't good enough," Ross bit out, leaning a bit too close to Bucky for the soldier's liking; he jerked back, his metal arm whirring and capturing the general's attention. He stopped immediately, but the damage was already done. The general sneered triumphantly, stabbing a finger toward the glistening vibranium. "You think I'm gonna take your word as gospel after that?"

"Maybe if you weren't being a dick-"

"One more snip from you, Reynolds, and you're coming with me," Ross glowered, but I seethed, "You're threatening him! What do you want him to do?"

"Do it."

Everyone's attention snapped to Bucky, who stood, stiff as stone, his tone tortured but his gaze certain. He was staring at me, his sad blue eyes brighter than usual. His tone was resigned but resolute, "You can trigger the Winter Soldier. I know you'll stop him."

Don't make me do this, Bucky.

"What if I'm just making him act like the Winter Soldier?" I didn't turn my gaze from Bucky, directing my question to Ross. Keeping my voice low to mask the emotion I felt, I continued, "I don't have the words. Steve doesn't have the words. It would just be me using the power to make him do what you want."

"Where's the book?"

"I already told you - Tony sent it off-site," Steve nearly growled, "we don't have it."

"I don't believe you," Ross sniffed, "where's Stark? I wanna talk to him."

"Also off-site."

"Isn't that convenient?" Ross inquired sarcastically.

"Seeing as we didn't know you were coming, yes," I grumbled, crossing the room and pressing a hand to Bucky's chest. He still hadn't moved, but his head twitched downward, his eyes sliding to meet mine. "I can't do this to you, Bucky."

"I'm askin' you to, Aurelie," he whispered, catching my hand and holding it in place, "it's the only way he's gonna back off."

Releasing a slow, heavy breath, I nodded once, turning to Ross and squaring my shoulders, "I won't do it."

Ross drew himself up to full height, bristling, "I'm ordering you to."

"I get that," I assured him, ignoring Bucky's soft protests behind me, "and I'm refusing."

The room nearly buzzed in silence as Ross stared almost uncomprehendingly at me. Steve hastened to my side, his fingers nearly digging into my arm, addressing the general, "I think you should go, General. We'll talk about this-"

"There's no talking about this," I shrugged, dislodging him and folding my arms across my chest, one brow quirked high on my forehead, "so what're we gonna do?"

"Think very carefully about this, Miss Reynolds," Ross nearly growled.

With a careless shrug, I replied with a sense of finality, "I have."

"Aurelie."

Licking my lips, I didn't meet Bucky's gaze, the torment in his tone sending a tremor through me. Instead, I stared, steadfast, at Ross. When he didn't make a move, I held my arms out before me, prodding, "I'm not doing it. If you can't take the word of any of us, let alone Captain America, on Bucky's behalf, that's on you. But I won't use my powers on him cuz you wanna see the Winter Soldier. So. Are you arresting me or not?"

General Ross's eye twitched, gazing at my outstretched wrists in surprise. Lips pursed, he inhaled deeply, releasing it slowly and stepping forward. He halted as Steve spoke softly, "If you do this, General, there's no going back. Any of us who might've supported the Accords will turn against you after this."

Ross withdrew a pair of handcuffs from an inner coat pocket, hooking one cuff around my left hand and tugging it behind my back. He grabbed the other arm, commenting, "Not gonna risk letting you take those glasses off."

Like I needed my hands for that…

I kept that to myself, allowing him to maneuver me. Bracing myself, I turned with him, my gaze automatically drawn to Bucky. He was lost, his eyes sad, furious… uncertain. He wanted to intervene, I could tell in the set of his jaw, the coiled shoulders, the clenched fists, but Steve's hand on his shoulder kept him steady. The captain was dumbfounded, his azure gaze flitting between me and the general. His mouth opened, closed, and opened again.

I offered him a tight smile, returning my attention to the dark-haired super soldier, "Bucky." He was riveted, his attention fixed on me. "I told you I wouldn't use my powers on you and this asshole isn't gonna make me change my mind."

He let out a soft, sad laugh, dipping his head, "I know."

"Alright, enough of this," Ross barked, tugging me suddenly and sending me tripping over my feet. I caught myself, shooting Bucky a wide-eyed warning glance when his arm whirred once more. The general moved quicker than I expected and suddenly Bucky was in cuffs, too. "Barnes, you're coming too. No-," he held up a hand as Steve protested vehemently, "his innocence is circumstantial. You say he wasn't working with Zemo. I don't believe you. You say this so-called book turns him into the Winter Soldier, but you won't supply the evidence. You-," he glowered at me, "are in violation of a direct order. And you," he jerked a finger at Bucky, "have committed a number of crimes as the Winter Soldier. Unless I'm convinced that you're not doing it of your own volition, you're under arrest, too."

"General Ross-"

"Rogers, you can let me walk out of here with these two, or you can come along with us," he retorted easily, "I've got plenty of cuffs and I have backup outside."

Steve stood, frozen, glancing helplessly between me and Bucky. The latter didn't resist, though he could've snapped the handcuffs without straining a muscle, calmer now than when it was just me in bonds.

I fought the urge to roll my eyes in an exasperated fondness.

Instead, I silently allowed Ross to put a hand on the small of my back and usher me out of the room. Bucky kept pace beside me, the general nearly stepping on the backs of our shoes, close as he was. Steve followed, protesting, but the general refused to hear him out.

"Bring me that book, Rogers."

If the scene earlier drew attention, this drew a circus. Ross's appearance at the compound had already gotten around, and several of the remaining Avengers were lingering in the foyer. Natasha, chewing on her nail, pushed away from the stairwell she leaned against, marching toward us. Her green eyes took in the scene in amazement, "What the hell-?"

Clint jogged down the steps, leaping the last three and gawking in surprise, "Wait, wait, wait, there's gotta be some mistake. General, that's Aury-"

"One word from anyone and you're free to join these two!" Ross nearly bellowed, urging us a little faster toward the exit. The archer and the assassin fell in step with Steve, the latter whispering loudly, "What the fuck, Steve?!"

The murmurs surrounding us rose to a noisy din and Ross marched us outside. A massive, black van sat, several heavily-armed soldiers standing guard.

"This is a little much, don't you think?" I huffed irritably, "we're not resisting."

"I'm arresting you while you're surrounded by a bunch of enhanced, super soldiers, and expertly trained killers; you really think I'm chancing anything?"

Ross passed us off to several of the camouflaged men and women who loaded us rather methodically in the back of the van. They rearranged our cuffs, latching our hands out of reach of each other. It saved from a more uncomfortable ride, anyway.

They situated Bucky across from me and the soldier's hard, assessing gaze took in everything. The two women had hopped out, leaving the men to settle in, one beside each of us. Bucky watched them, studied them, murdered them a hundred times over with the force of his seething glare alone. His nostrils flared, his lip curling harshly at the sight of my bonds. His shoulders stiffened, his jaw clenching; his voice was deep, a razor sharp edge to it as he queried, "Are you okay, Aurelie?"

Nodding, I wiggled about in my seat, trying to get comfortable, "You'd think they'd pad these seats."

"Criminals don't get comfy seats," one of the soldiers commented, his tone sarcastic, his eyes rolling.

"Hey!" Bucky snapped, sending the two into high alert, a glower on his face that could have turned them both into ice on the spot, "she's a goddamn hero, you little shit, and a lady. Have some respect."

"Then why's she in chains?" he taunted, his green eyes mocking, his lips twisted in a taunting smirk, "and keep your mouth shut, Barnes, or I'll do it for you."

"You are a little shit," I scoffed, trailing my disparaging gaze over him. He was young, tall and blond, obviously eager to make a name for himself. And with a name as common as his, I noted it on his gear, it was almost laughable. I'd seen plenty of guys like him before, and was just as unimpressed with him as with anyone else. A sudden, dangerous grin split across my face. "I could make you apologize, Walker."

He offered me a derisive smile, turning his attention to the dark-skinned soldier beside Bucky, dismissing both of us.

"What the fuck?!"

Head snapping to the side, I caught sight of the Iron Man as he landed with enough force to split the asphalt, his helmet recoiled to expose his wild, furious face. He sprinted toward the van, swearing, before the heavy, reinforced doors slammed shut on him.

Relief filled me that he had even returned as the vehicle took off, jostling me and sending me bouncing off of Walker. He nudged me off of him none-too-gently, glaring down his crooked nose at me, "Don't get comfy, Reynolds."

"If I wanted to get comfy, I certainly wouldn't be leaning on you," I sniffed, shooting Bucky an incredulous glance. But his attention was pinned on Walker, fury roiling in those stormy blue eyes of his. "A cactus would be better than that."

"Ha," Walker clicked his tongue, "I didn't think you'd be so feisty. Then again, defending him, I shouldn't be surprised."

"Christ, you're a dick."

"One more word-," Walker warned, rounding fully on me.

"And what?"

Startled, he peered warily over at Bucky. The super soldier looked like a spring, tensed, coiled, a wolf ready to pounce, and his metal fingers cracking the plastic of his seat. Walker reached for his gun, his friend resting a steady hand to lower the weapon back to his lap, and Bucky bared his teeth in a vicious, threatening smile.

Walker shifted uncomfortably, keeping me in his peripheral as he focused on Bucky who continued, his tone mild, the underlying menace obvious, "What'll you do? Hit her? Could knock her glasses off and then what? She melts you from the inside?"

Walker's shocked face snapped toward me; I offered him an indulgent smile, lifting a brow in a silent challenge.

"And," Bucky added, conversationally, "you really think I can't break outta these handcuffs? They'd snap into twenty little pieces and then what do you think I'd do?"

"Barnes, knock it off, man," the other man muttered as Walker grew more agitated, "don't make this worse for yourself. You came willingly, and I'm glad you did. We know what you can do."

Bucky considered his words, leaning back in his seat and offering me a questioning glance. Lips tugged downward, I feigned consideration before nodding; peering at Walker's saving grace, I glanced briefly at his nametag - Hoskins - noted lightly, "You're a smart guy."

Bucky tilted his head from side to side, pulling a grimacing face that he didn't quite agree with me, but he fell silent anyway. He opted to study me, irritation flashing across his face whenever he glanced at the cuffs chafing my wrists. Winking at him, I earned a soft breath of laugh from him. Walker noticed but didn't speak, obviously not willing to go toe to toe with either of us.

A wise choice.

/

I just wanted to apologize for the lack of updates! A LOT has happened in the last 3 months - I got a boyfriend, a new 3 legged kitten (WHO I NAMED BUCKY BARNES OF COURSE), and a new job! Thanks for sticking with me! Please review!

SomebodyWhoCares: Haha oh it'll happen!

softrocks: Thank you! This does stray from the Civil War story line; because Bucky wasn't on the run and Tony found out now, Steve is going to try to talk him down. They don't have a great relationship, but it's not quite as bad as it was in Civil War. They have more important things to deal with :)

LoveFiction2021: Thank you! I'm so glad you think so!

tuckerjnp1: Thank you!

Guest: I'm sorry! Here I am!