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The Hercules aircraft was making its final approach to Reno Airport. The man next to Bucky tapped his shoulder and he sat up, stretching and yawning. It had been a long two days since his swim in the Indian Ocean. At least this final leg of his flight home wasn't delayed. It was just after dinner time and Julia promised to be there to pick him up. He remembered how animated her face was when he told her he was on his way home. It made him look forward to being alone with her as she informed him their last guests, her parents, left that morning. Quickly, he used the head then strapped himself back in for the landing. When he stepped out of the aircraft he felt chilled by the January air even though it was a mild day. As he entered the National Guard terminal he looked through the small crowd of wives and girlfriends and saw Julia at the back, waiting patiently for him. Her face lit up in a huge smile when she saw him and he lifted her up so their faces were equal, kissing her passionately.
"See you Sarge," said a voice and he turned to the young corporal he met on his first flight out of there.
"See you Peyton," he replied and turned back to Julia.
"Do they all call you Sarge?" she asked as he let her down and put his arm around her as they walked out.
"Yep," he said. "I am still in the Reserves so it's an official title. How are you, Julia?"
"Better now that you're home," she said. "I started a cold case while you were gone."
"That's good!" he exclaimed. "Tell me about it."
She handed him the car keys and he opened her door, then threw his go bag into the back before getting behind the wheel.
"It's one of Mason's," she said. "A murder from seven years ago; a woman found dead in her home. No break in, no signs of a physical struggle, but there were signs of sexual activity. The autopsy showed signs of asphyxiation."
"Well, after we catch up on our sexual activity I'll see if Greg has any work for me so I'm out of your hair," joked Bucky. "I missed you."
"It was that medical supply ship that you rescued, wasn't it?" she asked. "It was on the news but they did say there were aspects of the hijacking that couldn't be reported because of national security."
"Yeah, it was," he replied, surprised the authorities had allowed even that much to be released. "I can't talk about it either. I did come home and there was only one injury on our team. He'll be okay."
She smiled and he held her hand for a time as he drove with his left hand. It felt good to pull into their driveway and park the car inside the garage. He pressed the remote button to close the garage door while still seated and reached out to Julia, pulling her close so he could kiss her fiercely.
"You taste good," he murmured as he mouthed her ear and she leaned into him. "You'll taste better in bed."
"Don't you want to eat first?" she asked innocently, then realized what she said, laughing out loud before Bucky had a chance to respond. "You know what I mean."
They both got out of the garage and on the way to the house Bucky stopped. "I almost forgot," he said, looking down at her. "Bob was on the mission. He went on the first jet, did some good work too. We talked about the house and we haggled a bit. We settled on $1.1 million, no inspection because I already checked it out with Greg. He'll get the contract drawn up and send it to us via DocuSign."
"Really? We got the house?" she asked excitedly. "Oh Bucky!"
She jumped up and wrapped her legs around his waist as he held her. He carried her to the door, entered the code and stepped inside, kicking his boots off. Ignoring Jasper he carried Julia upstairs to their bedroom and laid her on the bed.
"I want you naked," he said bluntly as he took his go bag off his shoulder and unzipped his jacket.
He watched Julia take her clothes off while he undressed also. Then he crawled onto the bed on all fours so he was over her body.
"Where to start," he said in that low voice that thrilled Julia.
She ran her hands over his chest and back.
"Mmmm, darling, I like your touch," he whispered then kissed her deeply, lowering his body onto hers.
For some time they enjoyed the feeling of their skin on each other; his hot skin felt soothed by her cooler temperature. Then Bucky rolled so Julia was on top and he held her closely in his arms as she pulled her hair out of her face.
"I want you on top," he whispered. "Go sexy on me so I can watch you."
She smiled and ran her tongue over her teeth, then raised her hands over her head and ran them through her hair, all while watching him through lidded eyes. As she caressed herself Bucky breathed in heavily and grasped her hips firmly. She continued to fondle her breasts she moved one hand down and began pleasuring herself.
"I had to do this while you were gone," she murmured. "I woke up one night, dreaming of you in me and had to finish it by myself. I put my sexy playlist on, imagined you in me, your mouth on mine, pressing your tongue deep into my throat."
Bucky groaned and sat up, holding her firmly as he put his legs over the edge of the bed.
"You have a sexy playlist? Why haven't I heard it?"
She laughed and he felt the movement of her laughter on him.
"It has music that reminds me of you," she gasped. "When you're here I have the real thing."
It was his turn to laugh which made her moan as she felt his response deep within her. "Did you come?" he asked in that low voice.
"I came," she admitted. "But coming with you in me is so much better."
He thrust up hard and she cried out as she threw her head back.
"Ride me hard," he ordered and she thrust herself onto him repeatedly.
Her mouth was so close to his and her eyes were begging for him to put his mouth on hers but he held off, watching her intently as she came closer to coming. She was so close and he teased her, brushing his lips against her.
"Do you want my tongue?" he asked, whispering in her ear, as he thrust hard into her again. "Is that what you're waiting for?"
She nodded, almost in agony. "Please," she begged.
Savagely he kissed her, thrusting his tongue deep into her mouth, almost devouring her. She broke away from him and cried out in bliss. He thrust several more times, enjoying how each one made him feel, until he was empty. Then he smoothed Julia's hair back and kissed her tenderly.
"My sweet Julia," he whispered. "How I missed you and your body."
"We may have just made our baby," she whispered back, as she caressed his face.
"Wouldn't that be something?" he replied, as he rubbed her back. "I didn't hurt you did I?"
"It hurt good," smiled Julia. "In the best way possible."
"I love you," he whispered as he embraced her gently.
Julia buried her face into his neck before raising her face to his. "I love you, too," she said softly. "I'm glad you're home."
They whispered soft words to each other for a while longer then showered together. Julia had a hearty stew ready in the slow cooker. She quickly baked some biscuits while Bucky made a salad. They ate a late supper then sat in front of the TV, occasionally kissing before they finally went to bed, comforted with having the other next to them.
For the next two weeks they settled into a routine of Bucky working construction while Julia worked on the cold cases. Julia would make dinner, although on Friday nights they went to the burger bar, eating, and dancing for hours. Other nights they would watch TV for a bit before heading to bed and enjoying each other's bodies. Julia shared her sexy playlist with him and he made edits to his copy, adding songs that reminded him of her.
On the second weekend back they drove to Sacramento and met up with Shaun and Katy. As the two men sparred in a private gym they booked, Julia and Katy watched for a while then went out to various thrift stores and markets, looking for unique treasures. They all went for dinner at a Chinese food restaurant recommended by Katy because of its Saturday night karaoke.
"I told you I'm not into that," said Bucky to Shaun.
"I like karaoke," declared Julia, "almost as much as I like dancing. Just try it. I'm sure they have songs from the 40s."
"It's not that," stated Bucky. "I can't sing. Seriously, I'm a terrible singer."
"You think I'm much better?" asked Shaun. "Watch me and Katy for a bit then tell me you're worse than us."
He agreed to watch and ordered a double scotch. Julia and Katy went up first singing Girls Just Want to Have Fun and Bucky had to admit he enjoyed watching them. Katy stayed up, joined by Shaun to sing All Star. Together they were terrible but Bucky laughed so much that he almost knocked his drink off the table. The three of them turned to Bucky and said it was now his turn. Downing his scotch he chose a song and stepped up to the mike.
"This was a song people danced to in 1944," he said, then listened to the intro before starting to sing. "A-B-C-D-E-F-G-H, I've got a gal in Kalamazoo..."
He looked surprised when people started clapping and even more surprised when two younger women came up to sing backup for him. They even had the backup singer moves down. Julia put her fingers to her lips and gave a great whistle which he heard. By the time he finished he was laughing and after thanking his backup singers he ran to Julia and picked her up, kissing her passionately.
"Okay, so I enjoyed that," he said to the others when he sat. "It was fun, but I'm still a lousy singer."
"No one cares," replied Shaun. "Just getting up to the mike and putting yourself out there ... that's what matters."
They stayed for several hours until Julia started yawning and Bucky leaned towards her.
"Do you want to go?" he asked. "I could still drive home but it will be almost morning when we get there. Or we could get a hotel."
"What about those two?" she asked, pointing to Shaun and Katy up at the mike for the umpteenth time.
"Let them get their own hotel," smiled Bucky. The other two returned to the table and Bucky stood up with Julia. "I hate to break up a party but we're going to get a hotel for what's left of the night. Will you two be okay without us?"
"Aww, it's not that late, is it?" asked Katy then she looked at her watch and showed Shaun. "Sorry, we kind of lost track of time. Go ahead. It was fun today."
"It was," agreed Julia. "I'm just not used to being up this late. We'll do it again sometime."
Katy hugged Julia and looked at Bucky for a moment before giving a "what the hell" look and hugging him. He just smiled at her as he hugged her back, and shook Shaun's hand. Julia gave Shawn a quick hug then Bucky helped her on with her jacket and they went out to the car. After a short drive he pulled into a higher end hotel and handed the keys to the valet.
"No luggage, sir?" he asked.
"No, we were here later than we expected and don't want to drive to Tahoe in the dark," explained Bucky. "Do you have late checkout?"
"Yes sir, just ask the desk clerk," said the valet.
They approached the desk and Buck asked for a single king bed with late checkout. When he gave the name the desk clerk looked at him again.
"The Avenger?" he asked. "It's a pleasure to have you with us, Mr. and Mrs. Barnes. We have a breakfast buffet available starting at 9 am or you can order through room service. Your room is 1202. I hope you enjoy our stay with us. Oh, since you have no luggage, you might need this complimentary toiletries kit with facial wash, moisturizer, toothbrushes and toothpaste."
The room was very nice and the bed had already been turned down for them. They undressed with Bucky brushing his teeth and getting into bed first. He watched as Julia finished undressing, brushed her teeth, washed her face, smoothed moisturizer on it, and got into bed with him. She turned off her light and looked at him.
"I would love to make love with you but I can barely keep my eyes open," she said through a yawn. "Can we just sleep and do something in the morning?"
"I was going to suggest the same thing," he replied then he kissed her tenderly and turned off his light.
He raised his arm and Julia nestled her head in the crook of his shoulder, placing her hand on his chest. He kissed her forehead, whispered that he loved her and she responded with a barely audible murmur. He felt himself drift off as he listened to her rhythmic breathing.
In the morning Bucky woke up alone in bed and he looked around for a moment. Then he heard the shower running and someone crying. Getting up he knocked gently on the door and stepped in, sitting on the closed toilet seat.
"Julia, what's wrong sweetheart?" he asked. "Why are you crying?"
"Don't come into the shower," she said, sniffing. "My period started. It means I'm not pregnant. I'm sorry."
"Oh baby, it's okay," he replied. "I know you're disappointed but it will happen. I promise."
"I need you to buy me some maxi pads," she said. "They probably have them in the hotel gift shop."
"Okay, I'll get dressed and go right down," he replied. "Do you want anything else?"
"I don't know," was her response and Bucky stood up.
"I'll be back as soon as I can babe," he answered and he went into the room, getting dressed.
He was recognized in the elevator and smiled slightly at the couple, waiting for them to exit the elevator before he did. The gift shop wasn't open so he asked for the nearest drug store. It was several blocks away and he ran there. When he arrived and saw the wall of feminine products he took a deep breath trying to find what Julia asked for. It became confusing and a clerk asked if she could help him.
"My wife's period came suddenly and the hotel gift shop was closed," he replied. "She asked for maxi pads but there are so many different types I don't know which one to get her."
She looked at him sympathetically. "You're a newlywed, aren't you?" she asked.
"Is it that obvious?" he asked.
She smiled again, trying to put him at ease. "Okay, it's the first day of her period and some women are heavy the first day. If she asked for a maxi pad she probably fits into that category. This one should do the trick." She handed him a package then looked at him. "Was she crying in the shower?" He nodded yes to that. "Okay, she needs some chocolate and something with lavender in it, either lotion or bath salts. Do you have that?"
He shook his head no so she took him to the bath products, choosing some lavender bath salts and some lotion as well if that was her preference. Then they went to the chocolates section and she picked out a fair trade product with 70% chocolate.
"Does she get cramps during her period?" she asked and Bucky looked blank. "Chamomile tea is good but so is a heating pad and possibly some pain relievers."
"All I needed was the maxi pads," said Bucky. "Isn't this a lot for her period?"
"Sir, trust me," she said. "You are assembling a package that shows your wife you love her and that you care about her health. Some women go through hell with their periods and they don't complain because they've been raised to believe that no one likes a complainer. When I have my period my husband spoils me with a package just like this. I count my lucky stars that I have such an understanding husband. Wouldn't you like your wife to think that of you?"
Bucky looked meaningfully at her. "Okay, get me the other things and I'll take it all," he said. "I grew up in a house where it wasn't discussed openly so I had no clue. She was in the shower crying and didn't even want me in there. We've been trying for a baby as well."
"Well she needs some TLC," said the clerk kindly. "You look like just the man who can do that for her."
Bucky nodded and paid the bill. The clerk smiled encouragingly at him and he ran back to the hotel then up the elevator. He was gone 20 minutes. Gently he knocked on the bathroom door and went in.
"I'm sorry I was gone so long," he said. "The hotel shop wasn't open and I ran to a drug store. I got you a few other things you might need. I'll just unpack them and leave them on the counter for you. Some of it we'll use at home."
"Okay," replied Julia with a small voice.
Bucky left the bathroom and sat on an armchair feeling totally helpless. He heard the shower stop. Then he pulled out the room service menu and ordered some of Julia's favourites for breakfast, reasoning he could eat what she didn't want. He also asked for hot water so she could have the camomile tea. Moments after breakfast was delivered Julia came out of the bathroom dressed and looked at him. Her eyes were red and he could tell she was emotional. For the first time since they began living together he realized what she had hidden from him previously and he felt somewhat ashamed that he never noticed it before.
He stood up and opened his arms. "Come here, babe," he said. "I think you need a hug."
Enveloping her in his arms he just held her and kissed the top of her head. She said nothing for some time and he was aware of the deep breaths she was taking to calm herself. He said nothing, just experienced the moment with her. Then she pulled herself away and lifted up the cover on one of the dishes on the breakfast cart.
"Eggs Benedict!" she exclaimed. "One of my favourites." She lifted another. "Waffles and strawberries with whipped cream." She lifted the final cover. "Oh Bucky ... avocado toast. You ordered my favourites!"
"I'll eat what you don't," he said softly. "I wasn't sure what you wanted."
"I'm just impressed you remembered my favourites," she said smiling excitedly. "And what you brought from the drug store ... how did you know?"
"The clerk helped me," he said. "I couldn't figure out which pads you wanted and she talked me through it. Said it would show you what an understanding husband I was. I never thought or realized what you go through with your period. I'm ... I'm sorry. It was never discussed in my family."
She pulled his face down to hers and kissed him. "I don't care if you didn't think of it yourself," she said. "You know now and that's what's important, right?" She looked at all the breakfast dishes. "Would you be okay if I had something of everything?"
He smiled. "Of course," he replied, then he pulled a chair up for Julia. " Let's get started. I ordered hot water so you could have some of the camomile tea."
Her beaming face was all Bucky needed to know that listening to that drugstore clerk was the best thing he did that day. When they left the hotel and started the drive back home he could see Julia was feeling better but he remembered the words of the store clerk and was determined to continue looking after her. That evening he drew her a bath with the lavender bath salts and when she was done he smoothed some of the lavender lotion onto her back and shoulders. He held her throughout the night and got up before her to make breakfast in bed for both of them. When they finished Bucky put the tray aside and climbed back in bed with Julia.
"We can lay here all day if you want," he murmured into her ear.
"Weren't you going into work for Greg?" she asked.
"I can call in," he replied. "I want to look after you for a change."
She snuggled into him then looked up. "You have already," she noted. "Thank you. I'm feeling much more myself and really should get back to the cold case I'm working on."
"Are you sure?" he asked, looking at her with concern.
"I'm completely sure," she replied. "In fact, I'm going to get up and get dressed."
She started to get up but he pulled her back and kissed her sensuously first before letting her go. "Alright boss," he said, getting up himself. "I guess I'll go into work today."
The day passed quickly and Bucky stopped at the florists on the way home, picking up some flowers for Julia, as part of his resolve to be more attuned to her needs. When he returned she had everything from the cold case spread out and he could tell she was in the middle of something important. This case had really tested her; it was the one she began working on before he returned from his last mission. He said nothing, just put the flowers in a vase then stood watching as she went from one set of photographs to another repeatedly. She looked at him briefly, smiling at the flowers, then continued poring over the two sets of photographs. Then suddenly she thought of something and she turned on her laptop, opening a digital file from another ongoing case. She flipped through the photographs of that case until she came to a specific one and she looked at the photo then at the cold case ones. Looking up at Bucky he could see she had made a connection by the look on her face.
"I think we have a repeat killer," she said. "There are differences between the cold case and this ongoing case but the similarities are too alike not to be connected. They weren't made public either. I have to phone Rick Garcia because they have a suspect for this latest murder and if I can link this cold case to him ..."
"What do you need me to do?" asked Bucky.
"Can you order some pizza?" she asked. "I don't want to put these away in case I lose my train of thought."
"Loaded?" he asked and she smiled, nodding her head. "I'll take care of it. You phone Rick."
He phoned the pizza place in South Tahoe and made arrangements for it to be delivered. Then he sat back and watched Julia as she placed a video call to Rick Garcia. The detective was at home but when she told him she had made a link between a cold case and an ongoing case he was all business. While he brought up the current case on his computer she walked him through the similarities between the two cases, turning her phone to show him the cold case photos. Even Bucky could sense the growing excitement in Garcia as she made her case for him. When she pointed out the evidence from the ongoing case that had convinced her they were related she stopped talking and looked expectantly at the detective on her phone.
"Mason was an absolute idiot," he said. "You're a fucking genius. Bucky, are you there?" He came over to Julia so he could see Garcia's face. "You take good care of our girl. She's just cracked two cases in one shot. I'll make sure you get a commendation for these ones. You're awesome Julia, absolutely amazing work. I'll take it over from this end. Bucky, kiss her for me. I just can't ..."
He ended the call and Bucky did as he was asked, giving her a very long sensuous kiss. The doorbell rang and he took the pizza, tipping the driver generously. Julia cleared away the pictures from the cold case while Bucky pulled out plates and opened two beers. He lifted his bottle to her.
"Here's to being married to a genius who just solved two murder cases," he said in his toast.
They both took a drink and Julia took a bite of her pizza, rolling her eyes at how good it tasted. "I haven't eaten since breakfast," she declared. "I was so close to figuring it out but it wasn't until you walked in the door that I remembered where I had seen the common clue. There are other cases that I'll have to go through for the same clue now because there's no way this guy hasn't done this in the time between the cold case and the current one."
She finished her first piece of pizza with relish and grabbed a second piece. Then she leaned forward and gave Bucky a big kiss to thank him for letting her work it out. He was so proud of her and more than a little aroused by watching her process. When the time was right they would celebrate her accomplishment.