Chapter seventeen
"Alright men!" Tony shouted as he walked onto the top floor. "Team meeting!" he finished just as a pillow flew across the room, smacking him in the face.
"Shut up, Tony!" Tracey moaned. "I'm trying to sleep."
"Why aren't you sleeping on your own floor?" he questioned, throwing the pillow on the arm chair where Barry sat receiving a "Hey" in complaint. "Sorry, Space Cadet."
"I never left his spot last night," Tracey said, stretching her good arm over her head. She winced, grabbing her side.
"You mean you slept up here on the couch all night?" Sam asked from where he sat in the kitchen. He took a bite from his sandwich. "Can't move I take it?"
"Yeah, I was too exhausted to even do anything. I spent my time watching TV. Yay…" She rolled her eyes. "It's not fun when there's nothing to watch."
"I hear that," the new Avenger laughed. "What's the plan for today then?"
"More T-"
"The plan is we're having a team meeting," Tony interrupted Tracey.
"And why do we need to do that?" Sharon asked as she and everyone else filed off the elevator.
"We need to discuss plans on tracking down HYDRA," he answered. "And are you even a member of this team, Lucky Thirteen?"
She smirked. "I am and I'm not."
Steve chuckled at Tony's puzzled look as he placed a hand on Sharon's back as he led her to the living room. "What's the plan then, Tony?" he asked.
Tracey moved over on the couch for the two as the rest of the team found spots of their own. She smiled at Bucky when he sat between her and Steve. He smiled back and quickly shot Natasha a glare when the red head smirked in his direction. She sat on an arm chair with Clint perched on one of the arms. Thor took up residence in the other arm chair while Bruce sat next to Sam at the kitchen counter.
"Okay so what did you call us in for, Stark?" Clint asked, tossing a paper ball from a magazine on the table at Barry as he stared at his phone in his hand. He didn't look up.
"Come on, Space Cadet," Tony sighed, shaking his head. Still nothing.
"Why do you call Barry Space Cadet?" Bucky asked, leaning back in his seat.
"He constantly plays Galaga. He's in love with it," Tony said just as beeping came from Barry's phone. "Holy shit, Tenderfoot! Stop playing Galaga! First the Chitauri attack and now this? We are trying to be serious here!"
Tracey turned to her brother as he finally looked up. "You were playing Galaga during the New York attack?"
"Not during the attack," he defended. "Just on the helicarrier before anything really happened."
"I told you he's obsessed. Anyways, I called you here because we need to discuss plans on finding HYDRA. After Kevin Flynn's kidnapping we know that there are more bases out there."
"Kevin Flynn?" Steve whispered to Sharon, a raised eyebrow in question.
Sharon giggled. "He's a movie character who was a hacker. Tony's talking about Tracey."
"Right," he nodded. "Tony's right. Reading through Tracey's files we found other locations where their bases are. HYDRA is still out there and at large. We need to think of some plans to track them down."
"Well the easiest thing is to go in teams," Sam said. "Take them out as we find a base. It's gonna be pointless sending everyone out at once."
Tracey listened for the first few minutes of the discussion but quickly zoned out. None of what they were saying was meant for her or directed to her. She knew that. So she settled on pulling out her phone and turned on a game.
Bucky caught a glimpse of movement and changing colors out of the corner of his eye. He chuckled when he saw Tracey on her phone completely out of the conversation.
"Are you not going to listen?" he whispered.
She looked up at him and laughed lightly, shaking her head. "No," she whispered back. "Nothing being said is meant for me." She continued when she saw him open his mouth. "I already know what I have to do. Find HYDRA's files and relay them to you guys."
He smiled. "Well at least you're not denying you're important."
She blushed lightly, laughing. "Well maybe I needed someone to tell me I was," she smiled.
His heart jumped at those words. He couldn't help but grin at her. He was gonna say something when Tony's loud voice broke through.
"Queen Elsa, Picassa. Are you listening?"
"No," Tracey blatantly said. The group snickered as Tony rolled his eyes.
"Funny."
"I know I am," she grinned. Chuckles filled the room again. "Look I know it's important that I listen, but honestly what you guys are talking about isn't for me. I only have to find the files and give them to you guys."
"She's got a point, Stark," Natasha stated. "Why don't you let her go rest?"
"Alright, Mona Lisa," Tony said. "You can go."
Tracey smiled as she started to stand up only to wince in the process. Tony pursed his lips as he looked at her. He smirked as he stared at Bucky next to her.
"Bucksicle," he said making Bucky look his way. "Why don't you help Mona Lisa to her room?" We'll summarize what you missed when you get back."
Bucky gave Tony an unamused look when he saw the glint in the billionaire's eyes. He knew exactly what he was trying to do. He opened his mouth to make a retort but quickly shut it when Tracey winced when she finally stood up.
"He doesn't have to, I'm fine."
"It's not a problem," he said, standing up as well. He ignored the smiles from the group. "Like Tony said, they can fill me in later."
Natasha and Clint high fived as Bucky helped Tracey over to the elevator. Once the doors shut the smiles grew even more.
"I don't think Bucky's going to be happy with you, Tony," Bruce said with an amused smile.
"He'll thank me later," Tony said with a smirk. "He needs some help with Mona Lisa. He just needs a little push from yours truly."
"They would make each other happy, I can tell," Thor said, smiling warmly at the elevator.
"They both deserve it, that's for sure," Steve said, putting an arm around Sharon. "They've been through too much."
ooOOoo
"You really didn't have to help me to my floor," Tracey said as she and Bucky exited the elevator.
"It's no trouble," he said with a smile. "You kinda need a little help since you couldn't get off the couch."
Tracey smacked his arm. "Sorry I can barely move."
"You just admitted you need help," he grinned.
"I didn't say that, I said I can barely move. There's a difference."
Bucky laughed. "It sounds the same to me." He led her to the couch and helped her ease onto it.
Tracey rolled her eyes. "Whatever." She smiled up at him and patted the seat next to him. "Wanna sit?"
He smiled and shook his head. "Thanks, but I should get back to the meeting."
She gave him a look as she raised an eyebrow. "Do you really want to sit through that? You even said they can fill you in when you get back. You deserve a break. You, Barry, and Steve do."
He chuckled, shaking his head. "You need the rest more than I do."
"Oh come on," she laughed. "You don't want to watch TV with me?"
He wanted to say yes, but he knew he had to get back to the meeting. But seeing Tracey's face smiling up at him made him want to stay. He inwardly cringed when he saw her wince again as she moved in her seat. He pursed his lips before finally walking over to the kitchen. There he grabbed a bag of peas from the freezer.
Tracey laughed when he handed it to her. "Peas? Very old fashioned."
"What can I say? I'm an old man," he said with a shrug.
"Very true," she teased. "Come on, just sit down and relax."
He rolled his eyes. "You're not gonna give up are you?"
"Nope." She grinned up at him.
He smiled, finally sitting down next to her. "So what are we watching today?"
"You can choose," Tracey said, flipping the TV on and handing him the remote.
He reached for it with his left and quickly retracted when he heard Tracey say "Ow". He looked at her panicked. "I'm sorry! Are you okay?" He raised a brow when Tracey began to laugh.
"I'm fine. I just got shocked is all," she giggled.
Bucky let out the breath he didn't realize he was holding when he started laughing with her. "Well that's a first with the arm." He took the remote and pressed the button he remembered Tracey said was the guide.
The two scanned the guide for a few minutes. Bucky would ask a question about a title of a movie or show, wondering what it was about. Tracey would summarize the ones she knew and would try her best to explain to him what some of the ones she didn't know that well to the best of her ability. Bucky would just nod and keep looking through the guide until a title caught his eye.
"What's Family Feud?" he asked, his face scrunched up in confusion.
Tracey laughed. "It's not what you think it is. No one's fighting if that's what you were wondering. It's a game show where two families compete against each other and answer questions the host gives them. The winner gets a car and money."
"You mean they just give away a car and money just for answering questions?" he asked incredulously.
"Yeah, a lot of game shows do that," she laughed. "I don't usually watch the other game shows. Family Feud is the only one I watch whenever it's on. The host, Steve Harvey, is hilarious."
Bucky smirked. "I want to see this. People just getting a car and money for answering questions." He shook his head. "Why didn't we have that back in the forties?"
Tracey giggled as she clicked on the title on the guide, changing the channel. The two watched the show contently, Tracey would call out some answers of her own with each question and would cheer lightly to herself whenever she got one right. The two laughed at Steve's expressions to some of the craziest answers. Bucky guffawed when it looked like Steve was about to collapse to the ground at a mom's answer to a question that seemed outrageous, only to be on the list.
He chuckled with Tracey at the game show on the television. He glanced sideways at the blonde woman next to him and smiled softly. He couldn't believe that they almost lost her. She was the light of the group. She was always there to brighten the day and cheer anyone up. She was there for everyone. She was a smart and talented girl. He sighed. He wanted to ask her out, but he was nervous.
Turning back to Family Feud, Bucky casually slid his arms over the top of the couch, his right arm nearly draped over her shoulders. He smirked when he saw Tracey's cheeks turn a slight shade of red, however, she didn't take her eyes off the screen. He watched as she fiddled with her hands. He chuckled lightly at how nervous she was.
Chill, Tracey. He's just putting his arms on the back of the couch. He's not putting his arm around you. Steve does the same thing all the time. And now I sound like a stupid cliché school girl. she berated herself.
Tracey lifted her head up slightly to look at the man next to her and quickly turned her attention back to her show after seeing that he was looking down at her. His face had a smirk on it as he stared at her which made her face heat up even more.
"You okay, Tracey?" he said, trying to mask the amusement in his voice.
"Yeah, why wouldn't I be?" she replied a little too quickly.
"You're looking a little red. Are you sure you're okay?" he pushed the question to her again.
"I am? Oh I guess I'm a little hot," she said and grabbed the remote off the table, turning the volume up a bit.
When she leaned back she tensed when she felt that his arm had lowered. It was now resting on her shoulders. She peaked a glance at Bucky and saw him watching the game show and laughing at something from it as if he didn't know he had his arm around her. Tracey eventually relaxed as she continued to watch the show.
An image of Linda flashed in his head. Tracey was similar to her aunt, but was completely different from her at the same time. She had her smile and warm heart, but she was outgoing compared to the quiet personality of Linda (from what he remembers). He liked that about Tracey. She was bold and spoke her mind a lot, but was also caring and could be soft spoken as well.
Staring at her next to him he smiled as she laughed at the show, her eyes crinkling and tears forming at the corners as she continued to laugh. She looked up at him with a smile that made him smile back. He stared at her brown eyes, enjoying the way they shined in the light of the room. His gaze lowered to her lips, which she was biting on her lower one as she turned back to the TV. He smiled when she glanced up at him again. God he wanted to ask her!
"Tracey," he started.
She turned to him and smiled and winced as her smile reached her ears. Her swollen eye throbbing. She placed the peas on it. "Yeah, Bucky?"
"I wanted to-"
"Oh sweet, Family Feud's on!"
The two turned to see Tony walking in. The billionaire walked over and plopped himself down on the other side of Tracey, who was still staring at the TV.
"So, who's winning?" Tony asked. He looked over Tracey's head and smirked over at the ex-assassin.
Bucky glared at him before turning his attention back to the TV. "Don't you have a meeting to go to, Stark?" he growled. Fucking hell, Stark!
"It's over. I came to see how you two were doing and to give you the rundown of the plans," Tony said, a grin growing at how irritated the super soldier was.
"Oh right! The meeting," Tracey said. "You can go talk with them," she said to Bucky. "I can handle myself from here." She grinned.
Bucky rubbed the back of his neck, sighing in irritation. "Yeah. I'll see you later then."
"Let's go Frosty," Tony said, getting up and patting Bucky's shoulder.
Bucky glared at Tony as he followed the scientist to the elevator. Once on and the doors closed the soldier punched the man in the arm.
"What the hell was that for?" Tony shouted.
"You're the one who made me go with Tracey to her floor!" Bucky yelled. "Why the hell did you show up like that?"
"Like I said, I was seeing how you were doing," he said, rubbing his arm. "Holy shit. You didn't have to punch me." He paused. "So did you ask her out? Ow! What the hell, Frosty!"
"I was about to ask her until you showed up," Bucky growled.
"Oh…sorry," Tony said, rubbing the back of his neck. "Want to go back up there?"
"What's the point now? I already told her that I'm going to hear what the plans were. What excuse could I come up with as to why I'm back?"
"You could go on your knees and confess your feelings like in those sappy romantic movies. Ow! Come on man!"
"Oh is it punch a Stark day?" Clint asked, grinning when the elevator opened up to the first floor.
"Apparently," Tony grumbled.
"What did you do?" Sharon asked.
"Nothing! Why would you think I did some-"
"I was about to ask Tracey out…" Bucky muttered.
Sharon groaned. "Please tell me Tony did show up right when you were going to?"
"What do you think?"
"Ow!" Tony shouted when Natasha punched him.
"Идиот," Natasha scoffed. "He was so close. Why would you just show up like that?"
"How was I supposed to know?" Tony defended.
"You were the one who ask Bucky to take her to her floor," Pepper said, sorting through some files at the kitchen table.
"I was seeing how things were going. Ow! Can we please stop? I'm going to lose feeling in this arm because of you guys."
"Good," Natasha said. "Some genius you are. You need to give people space."
Bucky glared as he sat down in a chair, staring out the window. He blocked out the arguing between the spy and billionaire. He wanted to strangle Tony for what he did. He was so close. He was so close to asking Tracey out and the idiot had to show up like that. It was a perfect time. They were alone and no one was around to interrupt (until Tony showed up that is). Now when was he going to find another chance to ask her?
"Bucky," Steve called out, breaking his best friend's train of thought. He smiled lightly at him. "Don't worry. You'll find your chance. Give it time. Maybe let her heal a bit and try again. You'll have a chance to ask her. She'll say yes," he said, smiling at the end.
Bucky huffed a small laugh, smiling lightly. "Thanks, Steve. Just keep Tony locked up somewhere."
"I think Natasha's got that covered," he laughed, the two friends looking over at the red haired woman yelling at the billionaire.
"Good then," Bucky laughed.
And yet another chapter is done and posted. I don't even know what I'm doing with my life, I don't think I have one if I'm posting these chapters this fast haha. Anyways, sorry another moment ruined for Bucky. Next chapter might be the one where he asks her out. I'm not sure. I'd like to know what you guys are thinking and what you'd like to see. Honestly, I would love to hear what you guys would like to see with Trucky.
Also hope you guys noticed the Galaga reference ;)
Translation for what Natasha said is "Idiot".
Want to ask Tracey, Barry, and the Avengers questions. Look me up under
winter-is-ending
Thank you all for all of your reviews and favorites and follows. Seeing all the reviews this story is getting still astounds me. I love you guys! You are all amazing!