Chapter sixteen
It was easy getting through the underground entrance. With only a few cameras set up in different corners that Bucky took out in a heartbeat the three made it into the base. So far they hadn't run into any men, but they still stayed on their toes. Nothing had happened until Bucky pressed against a corner wall, signaling Barry and Steve to do so as well. He peaked around a corner and saw three men walking out of a single room.
"There. That has to be where they are keeping Tracey," he said. "Come on."
Running down the hall once the men were out of sight they appeared in front of a metal door.
"You positive this is it?" Barry asked.
Bucky only nodded in response. He stared at the door a moment before opening it, praying he was right.
He froze when he saw what was in front of him. Tracey was tied to a chair. Her hair was matted to her head and half of her face was swollen and blood stained it. He rushed over.
"Tracey?" He gently moved some hair out of her face. He breathed when he saw her move.
"Bucky?" Tears welled up in her eyes as she saw the soldier in front of her.
He nodded, smiling lightly. "It's me, don't worry. You're safe."
"Tracey!" Barry exclaimed, rushing over to his twin as Bucky began to untie the restraints on her.
The tears flooded down her face when she saw her brother. She was beyond relieved. "I knew you'd come," she said to the three once Steve walked in.
"We wouldn't have left you," the blond soldier stated.
She smiled, but cried out in pain when her arms were released. "Th-they broke my arm," she choked out seeing Barry's concerned face.
"We'll get you fixed up. Don't worry, Trace," her brother said, helping her out of the chair.
Bucky stood, but froze once more. He saw it in the corner of his eye. The other chair in the room. The Winter Soldier's chair. He started to shake. He shook out of fear, but mostly out of anger. He saw red. In a matter of second he was across the room screaming as he tore apart the chair.
The other three looked on with worry. Steve was the one to approach him.
"Buck," he called out. He reached out, placing a hand on his best friend's shoulder.
Bucky whipped around. His face was contorted in rage and he was panting. His face slowly relaxed seeing Steve in front of him. It was his turn to have tears fall down his face.
"It's over, Bucky. You're safe. It's over," Steve reassured.
Bucky nodded and silently walked over to the twins. "We should go…"
"I don't think so."
The group turned around and saw the three men in the doorway. Barry held Tracey tighter when he felt her begin to shake.
The leader grinned. "Well well, Miss Madison. We asked for the helicarrier blue prints, but you bring us something even better. You brought the Winter Soldier back to HYDRA."
Bucky's hand wrapped tightly around the gun he was holding. He looked to Steve and Barry who nodded. In a split second Barry had shot down one of the men and Steve's shield took out the other man. That left the leader and before he could react, Bucky had a grip on his throat and began punching him, his metal hand leaving cuts and bruises already on his face.
"No!" he roared. "не более! вы не являетесь владельцем меня!"
He kept up the punches, anger flooding his body. He only stopped when he felt another hand on his shoulder. This one was a little gentler than Steve's. He turned and saw Tracey standing behind him, cradling her broken arm. She looked at him with concern and worry. His face fell as he stared at her. He looked down at the man in his hands. He was motionless. Unconscious? Dead? He didn't know. He dropped him quickly and looked back at Tracey then the other two men behind her.
"It's okay, Bucky," she spoke softly, her voice hoarse.
He looked down. He lost control again. Or was he really in control this time? He shook his head. He didn't know, didn't want to know. He stood up, looking to the three.
"We should go…"
"Right," Steve said. He turned to Tracey. "Can you walk?"
"I think?" she hesitated.
"Here," Bucky said. He gently picked her up, keeping careful watch of her broken arm. "Let's go," he said to Steve and Barry.
Steve nodded. He and Barry shared a short smirk between themselves only to quickly change to concern when they heard Tracey gasp in pain as her arm moved slightly once Bucky began to walk.
"Sorry," the dark haired man quickly said.
"It's fine," Tracey said. Her eyes drooped slightly and her head rolled, leaning against his chest.
"We'll be home soon, Trace," Barry reassured. "You're safe now."
ooOOoo
The minute Barry, Steve, and Bucky brought Tracey into the Avengers Tower she was met with a flustered Pepper. The ginger woman gasped when she saw her face, examining the blood and bruises that were on her face. The blonde forced a weak smile at the older woman, but grimaced as the cut on her lip opened up further. She looked down, her eyes drooping and her body going limp. She was tired and was using all of her energy to keep herself from breaking down.
Tracey leaned back against Bucky's arm. She just wanted to sleep, she wanted to get out of her blood stained clothes, and she wanted to cry. She was beyond glad to be back home where it was safe.
"Get Bruce, she needs to be treated," Steve said.
Pepper nodded and ordered JARVIS to get Tony and Bruce from the lab as she took Tracey from Bucky. She led her to the couch in the living room where Tracey fell sideways and just laid there starring at the wall across from her.
"Do you want anything, sweetie?" Pepper asked as she sat next to her, stroking her hair.
Tony rushed in with Bruce on his tail. The two men looked at the other three, who stood off to the side. Steve pointed over to the two women. Bruce nodded and rushed over to Tracey and began looking her over.
"Shit," Tony said, running a hand through his hair when he caught sight of the young woman's face. "She's been through hell."
"No shit, Stark," Barry snapped, walking into the kitchen where he filled a bag with ice and headed back over to his sister. He gently placed the bag on her face.
"She was barely conscious when we found her," Steve informed as he leaned against the wall, watching as Bruce ran to grab his medical kit.
"Well at least you guys found her," Tony sighed.
"Not fast enough," Steve sighed.
"I'm fine," Tracey piped up.
"Are you kidding, Trace?" Barry exclaimed. "You were kidnapped! Have you seen what they did to you?"
"I'm sorry I'm not a trained spy or superhero," she said, sitting up. "Well I guess I'm permanently living at the tower?"
"It's your call," Tony said as Sam walked off the elevator with Dexter running over to his master.
"Hey, girl," Sam said as he walked over to the living room. "I'm sorry you got involved like this."
"It's no problem," Tracey said, lifting Dexter onto her lap where he curled up and rested his head on her knee. "I should have seen this coming when I agreed to help Tony."
"No one saw this coming and we should have," Bruce said as he dabbed antiseptic on the cuts on her face.
"Like I said a few minutes ago," Tony said, leaning against the kitchen counter. "If you want to move back into the tower feel free. You already kinda moved back in after the last incident. No offense, Jack Frost," he said, nodding at Bucky.
Bucky brushed it off. He didn't care what quips or jokes or whatever nicknames Tony had at the moment. Right now he was focused on the woman in front of him who was being treated. He was hoping Tracey would move back into the tower. He'd be able to see her more and make sure nothing happened to her again. He could only guess that was exactly what was going through Barry's mind.
Tracey chewed her cheek, her habit whenever she was thinking about something. She nodded her head after a moment. "I think I'll move back into the tower. It beats driving back and forth every day. And hey, I get to see you guys more often," she said with a small smile, avoiding opening the cut on her lip again.
"And you didn't already?" Natasha said as she, Clint, Thor, and Sharon walked off the elevator. "Pepper, Sharon, and I can go get your things from you apartment," she said, sitting down next to her. "How are you feeling?"
"Like hell…"
Sharon frowned and lightly patted the blonde's back from behind the couch. "You'll feel better. You're not staying up late at night on that computer of yours until you're healed though."
"But what about the files?"
"You're limited to a few hours a day young lady," Clint smirked.
Tracey rolled her eyes. "Yes, Dad."
"You need your rest, Tracey," Thor said, a solemn look on his face.
"Her right arm is broken," Bucky pointed out to Bruce. The scientist immediately set to work on her arm where he mumbled something along the lines of needing to take her to a hospital for it.
"I'll make a makeshift sling for the time being," Bruce informed Tracey. "Just rest for now. We'll take you to the hospital to have it looked at later."
"Thank you, Bruce," Tracey said with a small smile before she laid back down. She closed her eyes, exhaustion enveloping her body. Dexter moved from her lap and licked her nose before curling up next to her.
Pepper got up and made her way to the hall closet where she grabbed a pillow and blanket. Carefully, she laid the woman's head onto the pillow and covered her with the blanket which the blonde subconsciously curled into. Barry stared at his sister with concern as she finally had a look of peace on her face. He ran a hand through his hair and turned to the remaining three women in the room.
"I'll drive you guys to her place," he offered.
Pepper nodded and headed to the kitchen where she grabbed a set of keys off the counter and led the group to the elevator. "We'll be back in a bit," she said as she walked with Tony to the elevator. "Please make sure she eats something when she wakes up. And if she does before we get back can one of you take her to the hospital?"
"Sure thing, Pep," Tony said with a smile, giving her a chaste kiss. "JARVIS, alert me when Tracey wakes up. I need to finish things up in the lab." He followed them onto the elevator with Bruce behind him, who had a tablet in hand, eyes scanning over whatever information was on it. "Hammer Time, why don't we give Picassa some space?" he said, eyeing Bucky and trying to hide a smirk when he caught the super soldier staring at the hacker.
Thor blinked and looked where the billionaire scientist was looking. He grinned. "Of course, Tony," he said, following the billionaire scientist.
Steve put a hand on Bucky's shoulder as he headed to an arm chair. "You can relax now," he said, squeezing his shoulder. "Tracey's safe now."
Bucky nodded. "I know…"
"When do you plan on asking her?" he asked with a light smile.
Bucky made his way to the living room. He looked at Tracey curled up on the couch. He smiled seeing her safe and curled up with the little golden retriever. He balled his hands, angry that HYDRA had done what they had to her. He was glad he was at least able to destroy a base of theirs at the same time rescuing Tracey. He recalled the look of relief that washed over her face when he ran into the room. His brow furrowed remembering the chair. Would they have put her in it and done the same they had done to him if they hadn't shown up when they did?
He shook his head. She's safe now, that's all that matters. He looked up and saw Steve smirking at him.
"You going to stop staring at her and answer me?"
Bucky ran a hand through his hair as he sat down in the other arm chair. "I'm not sure anymore man. She just went through hell. I'm pretty sure she's not going to want to go on a date."
Steve rolled his eyes and threw a pillow at his friend. "Buck, I can bet you anything that she'd be more than happy to go on a date with you. Just ask her."
"What? You want me to ask her when she wakes up?"
"Yes."
"You're being serious aren't you?"
"Yes."
"Are you just going to keep saying yes?"
"Yes," Steve said grinning. He ducked as Bucky threw the same pillow from earlier at him.
"Punk."
ooOOoo
Bucky stared down at the puppy that sat in front of him, looking up at him with its mouth open and tongue hanging out. He chuckled and scratched the puppy. Dexter immediately rolled over onto his back and his butt began to wag as Bucky rubbed his belly.
Barry had just gotten back from Tracey's apartment carrying bags. He stopped by the top floor where he had left Tracey, wanting to check up on his sister. The minute the elevator doors opened, the golden retriever jumped off the couch and ran around the man's legs. After the pup had his fill of running around he trotted over to where Bucky was sitting and sat down in front of him, wagging his tail as he stared up at the man.
Bucky looked over at Barry, who laughed as the dog barked his squeaky bark.
"I think he likes you," Barry said, taking the melted bag of ice from the couch. He picked up the bags and turned to the elevator. "Hey, Bucky. Thanks for helping me get Tracey back."
"Of course," the super soldier said with a small smile.
Barry smiled back. "You better ask Trace out. I think after everything that's happened, she'd like a night out."
Bucky pursed his lips, nodding. "Yeah…"
He watched as the male twin left and looked back down at the puppy. He scratched the dog's back. Dexter's tail began to wag even more and he licked his hand. He jumped onto his hind legs and put his little paws on Bucky's shins. The ex-assassin lightly smiled down at the golden retriever as he continued to pet the animal.
"I think you made a new friend."
Bucky looked up to see Tracey slowly sitting up. She winced and cradled her broken arm. Bucky frowned and walked over to her. He slowly helped her up, keeping note of her arm and side.
"I'll call Bruce. You're going to need to get your arm checked out," he said.
"Yeah," she said with a sigh.
It was silent for a minute, Tracey staring out the large window to her left and Bucky standing in front of her. It was an awkward moment to say the least.
"Do you want anything to eat?" he asked, remembering Pepper talking to Tony before they left.
Tracey looked over at him and blinked. "Oh uh sure," she said right as he stomach started to growl.
Bucky chuckled. "Come on," he said, walking her over to the kitchen.
Tracey walked over to the pantry and stood there staring at the food that was inside, contemplating what she wanted to eat as she leaned against the open door. After a few minutes she shrugged and grabbed a box of mac and cheese and set it on the counter. She grabbed and pot and began to fill it with water when Bucky took it from her. She looked up and gave him a questioning look.
"Just sit, you still need to rest. And I don't think you can do much with one arm," he chuckled, shrugging his metal arm a bit making her giggle. He smiled. He had to admit he loved to hear her laugh.
"I don't think making mac and cheese." She reached for the pot only to have him pull it above his head. She glared at him with a smirk.
"Sit. I'll fix it," he stated grinning when she tried to reach for it.
"You really don't have to do that for me."
"Its fine," he said, smiling lightly at her. "Just sit."
Tracey smiled. "Thank you," she said as she made her way to the counter. "So…" she started as he filled the pot with water. "Have you ever cooked before?"
He didn't say anything at first only staring at the running water before chuckling. "I remember cooking sometimes, back at my apartment. Steve was the one who really knew how to cook. I wasn't. I even burned spaghetti once." A memory of him burning pasta in a small kitchen and Steve making a comment along the lines of "Only you know how to burn pasta" flashed through his mind. He smirked at the memory.
Tracey laughed. "You burned pasta? I don't think I've ever heard anyone doing that. You win worst cook, sergeant."
"Hey, it was one time," he laughed.
"You still burned pasta."
He shook his head chuckling as he made his way to the stove. He stared at it puzzled. He only saw circles on a black surface, there were no knobs or grates. His face scrunched up slightly in confusion.
Tracey giggled as she made her way over to him. Leaning over, she tapped a finger on one of the tiny circles at the edge of the stove. It beeped and he looked from the stove to her, raising an eyebrow. She giggled again and took the pot out of his hand and placed it on one of the bigger circles.
"These are the buttons to turn on the stove," she pointed to the tiny circles then pointed to the larger circles. "And these are where you put the pots. Like everything else, stoves have changed."
He shook his head as he sighed. "I've got a long way to go to catch up with everything."
"Don't worry," she laughed. "I had to teach Steve a lot of things. We're all here to help." She smiled.
He smiled back. "Thanks." He paused, watching as she grabbed a wooden spoon from a drawer. He bit his cheek. He took a deep breath, his heart pounding. "Tracey?"
"Hmm?" she asked, looking up at him.
"I was won-"
He was interrupted by Dexter barking and running up to them. He looked up at them as they looked down at him. Tracey laughed when he jumped and put his paws on her legs, looking like the happy puppy that he always is.
"Are you hungry, Dexter?" she asked in her puppy voice.
Dexter barked and spun around in circles. Tracey smiled as she grabbed a bowl and found the dog food in the pantry.
Bucky sighed. He wanted to slam his head into the counter. Of course the dog would interrupt. He ran a hand through his hair before turning back to the pot and began stirring the pasta. He had to ask her. He was going to do it soon.
Hey everyone. So here's chapter sixteen. I hope the rescue wasn't too quick, but that's how I pictured it playing out. And sorry to any of you who wanted to see Bucky ask Tracey out. I didn't want it to happen in this chapter, but I do want your guys' thoughts on this. I'm not sure where to go from here for the next chapter. If anything it will be a filler and will probably take a lot longer to get out than these past chapters. Or the next chapter will be a filler, but will also have him asking her out. Would it be too soon after Tracey being rescued or do you guys want to see him ask her out now? Please let me know!
Translations! 1. No more! 2. You don't own me!
Again holy crap! Never in my life did I think I would get 87 reviews on a story. I never honestly thought I'm that good of a writer compared to other writers. But oh my god you guys are AMAZING! You always make my day with your reviews. So thank you so much for all the love! I love you guys!