Chapter 14

Eventually, the band started wrapping up and the bar tender announced last call. Everyone was done dancing and Tony declared the evening to be a total success. Lizzy said goodbye to Matt at the door, it didn't make sense for him to accompany her all the way back to the compound only to drive straight back to the city. She leaned in for a hug when he tried to kiss her goodbye and told him she'd talk to him soon. He left the group with a friendly smile.

They all rode back to the compound in a comfortable silence, drowsy from drinking and eating good food. Bucky sat next to Lizzy, wanting to pull her onto his lap and continue what happened earlier. Lizzy wanted that too, but she was nervous. What did just happen? Did she just become one of Bucky's one night stands? Did he have feelings for her? Did she have feelings for him? What about the team?

The car pulled up to the compound and everyone piled out. They walked to the residential area. When they reached their rooms Bucky turned to Lizzy as she opened her door.

"Should we talk?"

"Uh yeah, I think that would be a good idea," she opened her door and led him into her room.

"What happened tonight," he started, "well, how do you feel about it?"

"I don't know to be honest, it was...unexpected...and, well honestly...it was amazing. But don't get all smug about it," Lizzy replied.

Bucky did let out a small grin, "you were amazing too...I guess I was wondering how this affects the team...I mean, what are your expectations?"

"My expectations?"

"Yeah, I mean, what do you want this thing between us to be?"

"What do you want it to be?"

He paused, it could have been just one night; one amazing, unforgettable night. But somehow, he couldn't bear the thought of never having her in his arms again. But they were so incompatible, they fought all the time, they never agreed on anything and they seemed to piss each other off on purpose. Besides, he wasn't ready for a committed relationship and he didn't think Lizzy was looking for a fling.

"Honestly," he gulped, "there's definitely something between us, I mean tonight was...wow...but I'm not ready to commit to a relationship and I'm not sure that you would want to have something casual between us."

Lizzy deflated, she wasn't sure why she thought he might say something else. She was one of those girls, the girls that thought they were the one who were finally going to get Bucky Barnes to commit.

"You're right, I'm not interested in a fling. I don't think it would be a good idea given our work situation...maybe this should just be what it is. It was one night, it doesn't have to happen again."

Bucky was disappointed for some reason. He shouldn't be, this is exactly what he was asking for. Why did he wish she had told him she wanted something more?

"Are you going to keep seeing that Matt guy?"

"I don't know," she shrugged. Bucky dropped it, it wasn't his business.

"Okay well, I guess that's that. Tonight really was...special. I mean it," he added at Lizzy's skeptical look.

"Goodnight," she said, opening the door for him to leave her room.

"Goodnight."

She closed the door behind him, and she definitely did not shed a tear as she got into bed.