Chapter 4- Town Tavern DC
The flight from New York to DC was short but flying with Sam made it seem like they had traveled to another planet.
"Look all I'm saying is why can't there be a world-ending crisis in Las Vegas or Tahiti, you know somewhere fun where we can celebrate after we defeat whoever wants to take over the world" Sam cried as they stepped off the plane.
Bucky groaned, "There isn't a world-ending crisis, not according to Fury anyway," he said, hauling his bag over his shoulder.
At the end of the runway, Nick Fury stood tall in his signature black coat and eye patch, holding files waiting for the two men.
"Sir," Bucky said, nodding his head, Sam followed in suit.
"Barnes... Captain... " Fury addressed the two, Sam turned his attention to the ground as he felt he would never get used to being called Captain.
"Follow me" Fury escorted them to the black range rover waiting for them.
"Wanna tell us the reason why we're here?" Sam asked settling into the backseat,
"The world isn't ending if that's what you thought, we had a small breach in our security yesterday, they didn't get anything but I want to know who it was and what they were looking for. We were able to track where the breach was coming from... Georgetown University," Fury said, handing them files, "We ran through security cams but there wasn't a person there without a computer".
"I'm sorry but you're going to have to explain what a computer is to this one" Sam nudged Bucky and received an eye roll in return.
Fury gave Sam a stern look which caused Sam to clear his throat and adjust his position in his seat,
"There's a nationwide summit in Seattle in a few days and I've got government officials breathing down my neck to make sure that this breach isn't somehow linked to it, the timing is too perfect. I need someone good at hiding in the shadows and his trusty side-kick to go in and find out what is going on" said Fury,
"Hey! Out of me and Robo-cop, I feel like I would be better at staying in the shadows than him, you know with the arm and all" Sam called out feeling offended,
"Sorry to say Captain, but out of you and him only one has come close to killing me and that is an accomplishment in itself," he said, "We're counting on you two" he stated before getting out at his drop-off point.
They had rented separate motel rooms for the night, it was small and dingy but helped keep a low profile. Bucky spent what felt like an hour in the shower washing off the plane ride, he was back at it but at least this time he was on the right side of the law.
He had settled down for the night with some TV until he heard a knock at his door.
"Hey, we gotta go... I think I found a lead" Sam said busting into Bucky's motel room,
"What? Really?" Bucky asked as he started to gear up,
"Woah, Woah we're not going in guns blazing, this is just a scout it out kinda thing. Just grab your jacket and let's go" he said basically running out the door.
They walked a couple of blocks before Bucky started to get suspicious,
"Where is this lead then?" Bucky asked cautiously,
"Right here" Sam laughed as they both arrived outside of a building with a sign saying 'Town Tavern DC'.
"Why are we here, Sam?" Bucky asked defeated,
"To relax... talk to ladies... things normal people do but I guess you're not normal and don't know how to relax or talk to women" he laughed opening the door and making his way inside.
Bucky sighed as he followed Sam into the not-so-crowded sports bar and headed straight to order their drinks. Football played on all the TVs and the bartenders were mixing cocktails, much had changed from Bucky's drinking days.
"I'll have you know I was very good with the ladies back in the day," Bucky said truthfully,
"When was the last time you even talked to a woman huh?" Sam laughed, paying for the first round of drinks,
"70 years, give or take" Bucky mumbled, as the bartender placed their drinks in front of them,
"Not much time to socialize between being a zombie and an ice cube aye?" Sam teased,
Bucky rolled his eyes and took a long sip.
Sam noticed a girl had settled into a spot next to Bucky and smirked to himself,
"Well buddy, looks like it's time to introduce you to some 21st-century girls" Sam slapped his shoulder causing him to stumble back and bump into the girl behind him.
Bucky turned and looked at the girl with wide eyes, he could tell he had startled her as she too stared at him with wide eyes.
Bucky cleared his throat "Sorry about that my friend here is an idiot" he said, the girl gave him a small smile,
"It's okay, I'm sorry to hear about your friend" she replied with a laugh,
Sam looked between the two of them and muttered underneath his breath before turning back to watch the football game being played above the bar.
There was a short pause until Bucky found something to say,
"So, do you come here often?" he asked,
Bucky heard an audible smack from behind him, which he could assume was Sam disapproving with the lame question that just came out of his mouth.
"No this is my first time here actually, I'm just passing through for work" she replied,
"What do you do for work?" Bucky asked,
"Just boring business stuff" she smiled, "How about you let me buy you a drink and I can tell you all about it?" asked the girl,
"I'm all set, thank you" he replied, holding up his full glass.
"Next round then?" she asked,
"How about next round on me?" Bucky asked,
"Do you really think I should take a drink from a stranger at a bar?" she asked, hiding a smile behind her wine glass in her hand.
"And do you think I would take a drink from a strange woman at a bar?" he interrogated her with a smirk,
"Ah, he's not just a pretty face" she teased, "You have foiled my plan to drug and have my way with you tonight".
Sam kicked the back of Bucky's legs, he had completely forgotten Sam was behind him. Bucky smirked and took a sip out of his glass,
"You don't need to drug me to do that" he teased,
He stuck out his hand,
"Bucky" he introduced himself,
The girl took his hand in hers,
"Harlow," she replied.