This is being cross-posted from Ao3. It was originally posted on 30 September 2021.

Disclaimer: All non-original characters, plot points, quotes, and information belongs to Marvel and Marvel Studios, and anyone else that may own any part of it. The story plot and dialogue belongs to me. I do not write for profit.

Prompt: #31DaysOfWritingChallenge September 30th: September 30th
#ExcelsiorBingo21 Square B1: Bucky Barnes/Natasha Romanov

The sound of Natasha's books echoed off the walls as she ventured further underground. She had one thing on her mind right now, and she hoped that it was worth it. For months now, she'd been off the grid, essentially working on her own. Clint had warned her that it was dangerous, but she didn't care. All that mattered was finding James alive.

Hands clenched into fists, Nat kept her breath even as she made her way toward her prize. She knew without a shadow of a doubt that he was here. He had to be. If not, then the past year and a half were all for naught. So many bridges had been burned… Not to mention half a dozen aliases ruined. It was okay, though; those could be rebuilt.

As she neared the end of the hall, Nat tried to relax. There was a single door, and as she stood in front of his sealed surface, her heart fluttered nervously. This place used to belong to Hydra, and it could very well be filled with operatives, but it felt dead. That was what worried Natasha and made her reach for her sidearm.

The click of the safety coming undone nearly made her wince. Leveling the gun, Nat breathed in then out. "Ready or not," she muttered to herself, lip curling into a half-smile as her other hand reached for the doorknob. Surprisingly, the door made no sound as it swept inward, revealing a darkened lab.

Natasha strode forward; all fear and nervousness were forgotten as her training took over everything. It was dark in the room, but a quick slide of her hand against the wall found the switches. A second later, the hum of the fluorescents sounded, and Nat was able to see she was right. He was here. Her former smirk turned into a genuine smile as she hurried forward.

A few lines of code and the chamber that James "Bucky" Barnes was confined to began to change. The temperature inside rose, and fluids were returned to his body. Finished with the task, Natasha moved to the front of the chamber and waited for it to open correctly. As it hissed open, Bucky's eyes flew open, showing first fear and then understanding.

"Welcome back to the land of the living," Natasha said, smirking. "Did you have a nice nap?"

Bucky laughed and rubbed his good hand over his face. "I feel like shit, but it's better than the alternative." Struggling to stand, Bucky avoided Natasha's gaze, but he didn't have to worry.

She was already back to being the assassin. She checked the room and its side doors for anyone else but found none. "Steve is going to be mad I beat him to you," she quipped.

"That old man," Bucky said, breaking into a grin. "He's doing okay then?"

Nat wandered back over to Bucky now that he was out of the chamber and appeared no worse for wear. "He's fine. Worried about you more than anything. He and I split up a few weeks ago when Hydra was closing in. Thankfully, this place appears abandoned."

"What day is it?" Bucky said, swallowing thickly. He rolled his neck, the resounding crack nearly as loud as when Nat prepped her gun. His body was sluggish, but he could feel himself slowly returning to normal the longer he was awake.

"September thirtieth," Nat replied, pulling a bottle of water from her backpack and tossing it to Bucky. "Drink that, and be quick. I don't know if anyone was alerted when I woke you up. We may not have much time."

Nodding, Bucky did as he was told and then handed the empty bottle back. Then, after Nat had packed it away to refill later, he said, "I wasn't expecting it to be you. I wasn't expecting anyone to come, really." He struggled to stand, his bones stiff, but he managed.

Nat walked toward the door, gun still securely in hand. "I promised myself that I wouldn't let Hydra control anyone else ever again. So when they took you, I knew I had to get you back." She didn't turn toward Bucky as she said this, too afraid that he would see the truth in her eyes.

It didn't matter, though. Bucky knew… he always knew when it came to her. They were one and the same. Reaching out, he placed his normal hand on her shoulder and forced her to turn around. "Thank you, Nat. I owe you."

Natasha stared up into Bucky's eyes longer than she cared to admit before clearing her throat and looking back to the door. Now wasn't the time to act on her heart's wishes, but when this was all over, and everyone was able to rest easy again… Then, maybe, she and Bucky could

"You can buy me a drink after we kick some ass," she said, leading the way into the hallway. "How does that work?"

"I'd rather do this," Bucky said, and before Nat could object, he'd whirled her around and pressed her into the wall. His lips were on hers before she had a chance to breathe, and then they clinging desperately to one another as they melted into the embrace.

It wasn't a long kiss, but it definitely left them both wanting more. As sirens began to ring and pounding footsteps were heard, the pair broke apart and prepared for battle once more. Of course, there was always another obstacle in the way, but at least not knowing how they felt wasn't one of them. Tossing a spare gun to Bucky, Nat winked.

They'd figure the messy stuff out afterward. Right now, there were enemies to take out.