CHAPTER 4.
As hotels went, this was absolutely beautiful. The GRC and the countries leaders were sparing no expense for the group. She would have been happy in a hostel, but safety was the priority. Especially with so many people still angry about displacement and reunification.
All she could think about was climbing into the jet tub in her room, and then sleep. But they first had the welcome dinner at the State Capital. She only had a moment to run a comb through her hair, do her five minute makeup routine and change quickly into evening wear. The schedule was tighter than she imagined it would be. Luckily, she was used to performing quick changes into formal attire in her previous life. She wound her hair into a low chignon, slapped some lipstick on, and looked at herself in the mirror. She'd kept a few dresses from her former life, and this one was a favorite. Dusty blue floor length, with silver sparkly beads handsewn all over. She loved the way it caught the light from everywhere.
She stuck her room key and lipstick in her clutch and ran out the door. Outside waiting for her was him.
"Oh," she said.
The Winter Soldier's eyes seemed to strain upward, to keep their attention on her face. He was in an all leather outfit, sort of a uniform.
"I'm here to escort you to the banquet," he said, in a monotone.
She just stared at him. This had to happen sooner or later, her being alone with him, but she just didn't think it would be so soon.
He sighed when she didn't say anything. "It's my job. That's why they hired me. Protection."
She nodded.
"That won't be necessary," said a voice behind them. She turned to see Max heading toward them in a tux, and a wave of relief washed over her. "I've got it."
The Winter Soldier rolled his eyes. "Regardless of who's arm she's on, I'm coming with. That's the way it's going to be."
Max offered his arm to Jenny, and she took it gladly.
All the way down the hall, and through the elevator ride she could feel the Winter Soldier's presence, tense and coiled like a snake ready to strike. She focused on Max, who had cleaned up good. His tux was tailored just right. He smelled like expensive aftershave; too expensive to be bought on his type of salary. Maybe he had money and he'd chosen to work for the GRC for pennies because he believed in the cause. If he was truly altruistic, then maybe, just maybe she'd let herself be interested.
They got in the car and they were off toward the capital.
She was sitting next to Max on the seat, and the Winter Soldier was on the opposite side, riding backward, his metal arm holding the hand grip, staring intently out the window.
"Nervous?" asked Max.
She smiled at him. "A little."
"Don't worry, you'll be great. I feel like it's in your blood." Max also looked out the window. He didn't know how right he was. Everyone in her family were speech makers.
She turned to the front of the car to find the Winter Soldier looking at her curiously. She avoided his gaze, and they sat in silence the rest of the car ride.
When they got to the State dinner, Max helped her out of the car. It was a warm night, and the sun hadn't quite gone down.
He walked her up the steps, toward the President surrounded by security. The Winter Soldier was right behind her, she could feel him.
"Madam President," she said curtsying. She'd barely had time to practice her protocol, so she hoped she was doing everything correctly.
The countries new president smiled a big, surprisingly grateful smile and took her hand. "Thank you for coming to help us," she said. She led her up the steps and through the doors into a huge hall.
Jenny's breath whooshed out at the sight of the warmly lit ballroom. "You'll sit by me tonight. We have much to discuss," said the president. Jenny didn't know too much about her. She was newly elected and campaigned fiercely under the weight of the trouble they were having because of the Blip. Her name was Juula Tarkov and she was a lovely woman around 60. Jenny liked her already.
"Jennifer is it?" President Tarkov pronounced her name like 'Yennifer', but she didn't mind.
"Yes, you're correct," said Jenny.
"Thank you for coming. Shall we sit?"
President Tarkov led her to the head of a long table and sat her on her right. Jenny barely had time to take in the grandness of the room, the cream plaster walls, the gold trimmings. It was absolutely gorgeous.
"So, Yennifer. How do you find Estonia so far?
Jenny snapped her attention back the inquiring woman. "From what I've seen, it's breathtaking."
She smiled. "Good. Tomorrow I'll take you to town."
"But the press conference…"
"To see our people. To see what the repatriation act has done."
"I see. Madam President, I'm only here to act as a liaison. I have no decision making powers. But I can tell you the GRC would like to help."
President Tarkov looked at her closely. "I think you have more power than you think you do. With your help, we can change their minds."
Jenny, taken aback, sipped her water.
"I only mean that you have determination in your eyes. An independent spirit. I suppose that's the American in you."
Jenny set her water down. "You're very insightful Madam President."
"Forgive me, You're around my daughter's age. I forget myself."
"No, I… It's nice to have someone care. Especially the leader of a country."
President Tarkov patted her hand and lifted her wine glass as a waiter came around to fill it.
They were brought out the first course, wild mushroom soup with fresh herbs. Jenny had to slow herself, it tasted so good. She wanted to tip the bowl back and drink it down.
She had her hands full with questions about the GRC from President Tarkov. When they'd been given their third course, she glanced around the table. There was Max, a few seats down and across. He caught her eye and gave her a smile that lit his eyes. She smiled back. The attention was nice, but she couldn't allow any distractions.
She cleared her throat and continued her inspection down the rows. Women and men were dressed beautifully, and she sighed at the romance of the atmosphere. Suddenly her eyes landed on the Winter Soldier. He was halfway down the table, standing with his back to the wall, holding his hands in front of him. From that vantage point, he could see the whole room. She swiveled away as he noticed her staring. She looked away quickly.
As they were brought dessert, a jazz band started to play. President Tarkov's husband who was sitting on her left stood and held out his hand. She let out a little giggle and took it. He led her to the floor, and she gazed at him like he was the only person in the room.
Jennifer took a bite of the small chocolate torte in front of her. She didn't often miss Daniel, but in this moment, he was all she could think about.
After her family had been cleared of all charges, she'd hoped that her life would get back to normal. She started teaching second grade again. She found an apartment, started dating Daniel. Daniel, so sweet and nurturing. Old fashioned in his courtship and in his values. Something that she'd longed for after all the burns from the old money set and politicians she was forced to hang around. Daniel didn't care about the accusations and the drama surrounding her family. Finally she could find some semblance of peace. The best thing about him was… He was normal. Not some rich, frat boy, heir apparent. Just a normal teacher like her, living a simple life.
As they laid in bed at night, he would tell her about their future. Three children, a Summer Lake house. Getting away from her parents, who'd sunk all their money into clearing her grandfather's name. He would hold her close in the gathering dark and stroke her hair.
"There will never be another, Jenny. You're the only one for me." She would breathe in his scent, warm and clean like fresh laundry, and nuzzle into his neck.
Then the 'Blip' happened. The sensation of turning to ash was pain and peace. Her molecules both burning and releasing. It was like taking a breath, and then she was back. Returning from the dust she found herself with no home, no job. And Daniel, the love of her life, married to another woman with a child and another on the way. One moment, the happiest she'd been in years, only to awake seconds later to the deepest pain she'd felt yet.
The creases around Daniel's eyes were deeper after five years, as his brows knit together. "I can't leave her Jenny, I love you, but I can't. You don't know how this tears me up inside, you don't."
She'd walked away, gasping for air, her heart bleeding.
She wished those goddamn Avengers had left her gone.
Jenny returned from the horrible memory and wiped a tear from her eye. It wasn't just Daniel. It was missing the comfort of having family, her sisters. They'd all but disowned her. She didn't want to admit it to anyone, but despite the full life she'd managed to piece together for herself, she was terribly lonely.
She took a deep breath and centered herself. This was not the place for these kind of memories.
"May I?" asked a voice next to her. She looked up, and Max was holding out his hand.
She took a drink of water. As much as she loved dancing, she was trying to keep it professional. "No, that's ok."
"I didn't ask out of pity," he said with a smile.
She pursed her lips with a sigh and accepted and he led her out to the floor. Several dignitaries were dancing now, and they all seemed to be staring at them. The amount of attention made her nervous.
"So, Jennifer," said Max. "Tell me about yourself. All I know is that you work for the GRC, and you have a cute dog."
She looked up into his sparkly green eyes as he guided her expertly around the floor.
"There's not much to tell. I'm pretty boring," trying desperately to deflect.
"That can't be true. Anyone who reads as much as you has to have a lot to say."
He'd looked through her Kindle on the plane and been impressed with the amount of books in her library.
"Maybe I just don't get out much," she teased.
He spun her out and brought her back. "So our gloomy friend is making an impression," he said.
Her eyes landed on the Winter Soldier for the second time that night. He was surrounded by girls giggling and touching his metal arm.
His jaw was set, and his mouth was a tight line. She recognized that look. Like he wanted to kill. And he was staring straight at them. She glanced quickly away, her heart hammering in her chest, just like their first encounter so many years ago.
"He's such a mystery," said Max. "Do you think he was really cured in Wakanda?"
"No. People like that don't change."
"That was a quick opinion."
"I've been… I've known men like him."
Max bit his lip and moved them to a quieter part of the ballroom. "What happened? If you don't mind me asking."
She took a deep breath. She had to be careful if she was going to keep her secret. "I've loved two men in my life. My grandfather and my fiancé. In the end, both of them didn't love me enough." The pain of both their betrayals came into sharp focus. It poked at her heart like a fingernail against a deflated balloon.
He nodded slowly. "I can't know exactly how that feels, but I was engaged once too. When it ended, I didn't think I'd ever get up off the floor."
Jenny raised her eyes to his. "How did you?"
"I realized that there was life to live. I got inspiration from my great grandfather. He was somewhat of a visionary. He gave himself over to a cause. I decided to do the same. When you find your purpose, you can push forward. Make new goals. Take risks." He looked down at her, a fierceness in his eyes. Excited and determined.
"What's your purpose?" she asked. He was spinning them in circles now, but she wasn't dizzy.
"Right now, dancing with a girl."
"Max…"
"I like the way you say my name," he said.
A blush bloomed on her cheeks and she looked away at the floor as he smiled down at her. He pulled her a little closer.
Suddenly, there was a commotion outside. Gun shots and a scream. Everything happened so fast. The dignitaries and congress persons on the floor began pushing toward the back of the room. She was jostled back and forth, and Max was pulled away from her. She saw panic on faces, and the secret service whisking President Tarkov away. She was pulled into strong arms and guided to the exit.
She looked up to see the Winter Soldier's cheeks set in a tight clench. She tried to struggle out of his grip, but he didn't let go. "I need to get you out of here," he said without looking at her.
"Let go," she said.
He loosened his grip but didn't release her arms. He was whispering something into the watch on his wrist. "I was hired to keep you safe," he said, turning his attention away from his communication device. There was so much pushing and shoving from the people around them, but somehow they made it out of the building to the back. The car they'd come in pulled up. He opened the door and practically pushed her inside.
"Asshole!" she cried, as a piece of her dress ripped at the bottom. He shook his head as she gazed up at him angrily.
"Take her back to the hotel," he ordered the driver. Juan had come up beside him. "Make sure she gets in safely." Juan nodded and climbed in the car and the Winter Soldier closed the door. She turned to look out the back window. She watched his face stare after them as the car sped over the street.