Frankie stumbled down the steps, yawning and eager for something warm to drink. There was a chill in the air that made her wish she would've stayed in bed longer. She walked into the kitchen to find Steve, Tony, and Bucky sitting around the table.

"Top secret meeting?" Frankie asked, raising her brows.

"We're thinking through jobs," Steve said. "I think Buck should get in with the local police department."

"I think they could be part of the problem," Tony replied.

"Oh no," Frankie shook her head. "I'm not gonna listen to y'all go back and forth. I'm here for tea, yogurt, and granola. I don't actually care."

"Three days of being a housewife and you're already getting used to it," Bucky said, shaking his head in mock disbelief.

"Hey just remember who has been putting a warm dinner on the table every night," Frankie winked.

"Enough of… whatever this is," Tony said. He waved his hands back and forth between the two.

Frankie rolled her eyes and walked outside and sat down at the garden table. It was a bright, sunny morning but cool enough to make Frankie think, again, she should've stayed in bed underneath the blankets.

In the three days they'd been there Frankie had been reading up about what they should plant, even consulting Camille about what herbs she was growing. Camille gave Frankie a few clippings that she had promptly come home and started propagating.

"They argue like an old married couple," Tony announced. He sat down in a chair beside Frankie and took a bite from a muffin. "You make this?"

"Mhmm," Frankie nodded. "I've been doing a lot of baking since we got here. It's been a good way to make friends with the neighbor's wife."

"I didn't send you and Barnes on vacation-"

"No shit. They're close to our age- well, technically my age. They're familiar with the town. It's smart to form a relationship with them, especially for me. Camille stays at home, does some kind of interior design consulting on the side occasionally. She's in the city today doing that. Hugo works with the police."

"Interesting," Tony nodded.

"Say it."

"Me? I think it's you that's holding back, Little Bird," Tony said, putting his head on his hands.

Frankie sighed. She'd avoided bringing it up to Bucky because she didn't want him to think that she was a paranoid idiot. "I just have a feeling. Something… is weird. I don't know what. Like, maybe they have a crazy adventurous sex life and they want me or Bucky to join. Or like, maybe they were homeschooled. Or I'm imagining it."

"Have you and Barnes talked about it?"

Frankie shook her head. "It's too early to bring it up, especially when it could totally just be that I'm not used to being around French people, ya know? The culture barrier is certainly a possibility and I'm just being paranoid because of…"

"You have good reason to be paranoid. You two need to talk about any feelings that you two get about anytone. It might be nothing, but it's easier to figure out if it's nothing if two people are thinking it through. You said he's in the police department?"

"Mhmm."

"That solves our little debate. I'm going in there to tell Barnes to work with the police."

"Wait, weren't you against that just, like, five minutes ago?"

"Hello, genius here. My thoughts can evolve." Frankie chuckled and watched Tony walk inside.

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"Made you lunch," Bucky said, walking outside and sitting a plate down in front of Frankie. Frankie put down her book and looked at the mixture of spinach, tomatoes, and avocado. "It's got lemon juice and olive oil."

"Thanks," Frankie smiled up at Bucky. He decided to sit down across from her and took a bite out of his sandwich.

"We decided that I will work at the police station. Tony is pulling some strings now. Kinda funny how he changed his mind after coming out here and talking to you."

"Pretty funny," Frankie agreed, taking a bite of her salad.

Bucky raised his eyebrows. "Just a coincidence?"

Rolling her eyes, Frankie swallowed her salad. "If you would like to ask me something I don't know why you don't just go right ahead and do it."

"Alright. When were you going to tell me about the feeling you have about Hugo and Camille."

"When were you going to tell me about the feeling you have about Hugo and Camille?" Frankie asked, raising her brow.

Bucky bit his lip and leaned back in his chair. "I guess once I was more sure of it."

"Same."

"You need to tell me anytime you have a feeling."

"You don't need to tell me anytime you have a feeling?"

"It's different."

"Oh I can't wait to hear you explain to me just how it's different."

"I need to know so I can investigate."

"What am I here for? To sit around and look nice?"

"No! You're very useful, Birdie. But you don't need to get too involved in the details and danger of it."

"Too late, maybe, who knows? We're just going off feelings, but I can guarantee you that I'm going to find a hell of a lot more out from Camille than you will from Hugo." Frankie felt her cheeks turning pink as she tried to calm down some. "I don't know if she's lonely or she's bored, but she wants companionship."

"Or she's checking us out to get information of her own."

"Well anyone in the neighborhood isn't gonna have too hard of a job at that since we're arguing outside!"

Bucky looked around like he suddenly realized that they were outside and their voices had been increasing in volume. He took a deep breath. "You're right, dear. We should go inside." Rolling her eyes, Frankie stood up and led the way inside.

"Were we done with that conversation?"

"I hope so," Bucky answered.

"I'm going to the market to get things for dinner, darling." Frankie grabbed a wicker basket and left the house, slamming the door behind her.

'Idiot. How dare he. I bet this is some leftover 40's chivalry based bullshit.'

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Frankie walked into the house and headed for the kitchen to unload the vegetables she got at the market. She had decided on the way home that when they got back home she would spend more time trying to find fresh vegetables and less time just going to the big grocery stores.

Bucky sat at the island, a glass and champagne bottle and a vase of flowers in front of him. He looked sheepishly at Frankie.

"What's this?"

"Our neighbor heard us arguing. Didn't understand any of it since we were speaking english, we got lucky there. She made me come over and she and her husband told me that marriage is tough but we're a beautiful couple and gave me tips on how to have a happy marriage. One of them being when there's a fight I come back with champagne and flowers. Courtesy of our neighbors, the Renauds."

Frankie stood in silent surprise for a few blinks, then began laughing. "That's amazing. Give me champagne and flowers any day, a happy gal I'll be!"

Bucky laughed. "I didn't mean for that to escalate like it did."

"Probably won't be the last time. Realistically."

Bucky chuckled. "What can I do to help for dinner? I can cut anything."

"Peel the carrots and potatoes. That's my least favorite." Bucky nodded and took the vegetables out of the basket, got a spoon, then sat down and began peeling.

"I'm starting at the police station tomorrow."

"That was fast."

"Stark," Bucky shrugged.

"He has an uncanny ability to make things he wants come to fruition, and quickly."

"I think it makes sense for you to not work. There's the language barrier. And, I don't like it, but I think you're right… you'll be able to find out if Camille and Hugo have any connections if you stay at home and build that relationship. But I want you to remember, what we're trying to find out is if this is just a sociopath of the normal variety or if this is an enhanced sociopath - like alien, super powers, whatever."

"What a weird fucking life we live," Frankie laughed.

"A weird life, indeed." Bucky winked and threw a carrot peel at Frankie.

"Find out if Tony and Steve are coming to dinner. When is Nat getting in?"

"Nat will be here sometime next week. I've spent all day with people, Birdie. I'd rather not call them over."

"Oh, why don't you go do whatever? I can deal with dinner."

"What? Why wouldn't I help you?"

"You're tired of being around people. You do know I'm a person, right?"

Bucky rolled his eyes. "You're not a person. You're a bird."

Now Frankie rolled her eyes. "Suit yourself, you had your out."