Thank you for the interest in the story so far! In this chapter Brooke and Bucky meet for the first time :)


Sex with Sam was nice, Brooke concludes as she looks around the room after waking up (a quick glance at her phone shows it's 6:30) and realising the Falcon is still in her bed. They had sex. And it was… nice. Not mind blowing, not unforgettable, surely, but nice.

Brooke enjoyed herself, Sam did too, so it was definitely a positive outcome. She doesn't really expect more of sex nowadays anyway.

She gets up and puts on sweatpants and a black tank top before walking out of the bedroom, finding Monna still fast asleep. She places two painkiller pills on the coffee table for her and leaves the apartment to get something for breakfast.

She returns with fresh bagels and a coffee because she is unable to wait until her machine brews it. She needs caffeine, now.

She fixes omelette, makes coffee and prepares vegetables, laying the table on the bar of the American-style kitchen.

"Coffee," she hears Monna murmur before she opens her eyes and sits up with a quick motion that makes her groan and swear. "Brooke, sweetheart, what happened yesterday?" She moans sighing in relief when she sees the painkillers and takes one before attempting to stand up again. This time with success.

"Well, you got drunk and asked Sam Wilson if Steve Rogers is gay."

"What did he say?" Monna asks as she walks up to the counter and serves herself coffee.

"Dodged the question."

"Obviously. Wait, when did I even get to talk to him?"

"When he helped me bring you up. After he brought us home with his car. Or with Tony's car, anyway, with a car."

Monna sighs. "I'm sorry."

Brooke shrugs. "How are you? Hungover?"

"Yes, and I'm having a meeting today with Miss Potts."

"Then you should have breakfast first," Brooke says motioning towards the food ready on the bar.

As they sit down on the stools to eat, Brooke realises she won't get away with what happened. Sam can wake up any moment now. Here it goes. "Mo, we hooked up."

Monna looks up from her bagel. "Did we?"

Brooke giggles. "No, I mean Sam and I, we shagged. Don't scream—" she adds but she's late. Monna squeals. "Shh, stop it," Brooke hisses. "He's still here."

"What? You fucked Sam Wilson, the Falcon himself, and he spent the night in your bed?"

"Yes, and I don't want him to wake up to your screeching. Tone it down. Adults have sex some time, okay?"

"Sex, yes. But sex with an Avenger, that's entirely different. Does he even know that you're…"

"No, and it is irrelevant. I'm Brooke Marlow, that's enough for him to know."

Monna smirks at her. Oh no. She wants details. "How was it?"

Brooke shrugs. "Nice," she says noncommittally sipping her coffee. She rolls his eyes at Monna's expression. "What? It was nice."

"You just had sex for the first time in ages with an Avenger. It was nice?"

"Yes. And don't yell, you'll wake him up."

"He deserves it if all he could give you was nice."

Brooke groans. "Stop it. Look, he was tipsy, I was tipsy, it was the first time, we don't know anything about each other, I don't really have much experience and even that is not the freshest, he is obviously used to porn star level girls. I don't see why nice is not enough."

"Because sex is never supposed to be nice. Going out for a drink, doing yoga, watching a movie, those should be nice experiences."

"I have no idea what sex is supposed to be like, Monna. But yesterday night you passed out piss drunk on my couch and I had an orgasm. So let's not pretend I had the worse time, okay?"

Monna shrugs and gives her a half knowing and half sympathetic smile. "Sure. So when is your interview?"

"At 9am," Brooke responds, grateful for the change of topic.

They chat about meaningless things for a while when they hear noises from the bedroom. "Remember, act normal," Brooke warns before Sam enters the living area in his clothes from yesterday and with a rather charming smile, at least as far as his intentions must go, Brooke muses.

Now that it's morning, she can see it was a mistake. It would be a bigger shock if she hadn't known it when they stumbled in her bedroom kissing yesterday night. They will be colleagues, probably, and they obviously don't have a lot in common. But Brooke firmly believes mistakes need to be made in order to help build character. So that's what she is going to do. Refrain from having sex with future colleagues and build character. Great.

"Morning ladies," Sam greets them but his confidence is crumbling as he stops in front of Brooke rubbing his nape.

"Coffee's in the pot and I got you a bagel too," Brooke says. "I promise I won't take it as a wedding proposal if you eat with us," she adds seeing the unease on his face.

Sam chuckles and goes to fill a mug with coffee. "Hope so. You're gorgeous, but I am not really good at commitment," he says sitting next to Monna, across Brooke.

"The best ones never are," Monna murmurs making Sam laugh.

"Let me know if you want me to sign that magazine cover you keep in your drawer," he winks.

Monna's cheeks turn red and she shoots a look at Brooke.

"You were so drunk," is all Brooke says with a chuckle before turning back to Sam. "Do I get some intel in exchange for the delicious breakfast?"

Sam looks up from buttering the bagel. "Depends on what you want to know," he shrugs.

"Who will be there?"

"Cap for sure. Tony, probably. Natasha and Clint," Sam replies.

Brooke gives a gentle kick at Monna's shin with her bare heel. "What about Barnes?" Monna asks helpfully.

"Bucky? He hates interviews."

Good. Brooke doesn't want to meet her grandfather for the first time during a SHIELD interview. Plus there is a smaller chance the others will recognise the similarity between their features if he is not present. Sure, eventually Brooke will have to deal with the kinship, but not now. Not right away.

They have a nice chat during breakfast after which Brooke walks Sam to the door so they can have a word without Monna watching them like a hawk.

"So, it was a fun time last night," Sam says.

"Yeah. Thanks for helping out again," Brooke nodded.

"Sure, no problem." Sam waits a little and clears his throat. Brooke can see he had this conversation a hundred times already. "Look, it was great, but I don't think—"

"We should ever do it again. Sure," Brooke finishes with a light smile. "I agree. I'm not looking for anything serious right now."

Sam smiles in relief. "Amazing. I mean… it's not that it's…"

Brooke chuckles. "Sam, it's okay. It's great. I had a great time." She rather had a nice time but she doesn't want to say that. If Monna was right, nice should not be the word to use here. "Let's just keep it this way. I'll be happy to be friends and colleagues with you."

Sam nods. "Alright. Alright, that's cool. Thanks." He smiles again. "Well, see you around."

"You too." After he leaves, Brooke leans against the door with a sigh. It definitely wasn't her worst one night stand, so she might as well call it a successful night.


"Could you look any more cliché than that?" Bucky asks stepping out of the bedroom of their floor (76th) at the Avengers Tower.

Steve looks up. "I'm literally just making scrambled eggs."

"It smells like freedom," Bucky teases. Steve throws a piece of eggshell at his head which he catches with his metal arm and a cocky smirk.

"You're not getting any. The most ungrateful boyfriend ever."

"Well, I would show you how grateful I am if you hadn't made me get out of bed at this ungodly hour."

"Like at 8?"

"7:56," Bucky corrects.

"You should come with me to the interviews. And then we could go out."

"Go out where? We should crawl back to bed right away." Steve smiles. They basically spent all of yesterday in bed but it never seems to be enough for Bucky. Steve loves it.

"Spoilsport."

Bucky grimaces. "Fine. Let's go out." He heads to the bathroom and Steve turns back to the eggs. "No interview though," he hears Bucky's voice before the shower starts running.

Steve finishes fixing breakfast before reaching for his smartphone and texting Sam.

Everything alright with you? I heard you didn't make it back yesterday.

The reply arrives in some minutes. Yeah sure. Got lucky. Spent the night at hers.

Spent the night? Someone special, is she?

It was just one time. We discussed it & agreed. Plus she weirdly reminds me of someone. She gave me breakfast though.

Bucky returns to the living area and helps Steve lay the table wearing only a towel around his waist.

"Are you serious?" Steve huffs.

"Hmm?"

"I have work today, Buck."

"I'm aware of that, Rogers."

"Then why don't you go and put something on?"

Bucky sits down and smirks at Steve. "I'm just trying to feel comfortable."

Before Steve could argue about Bucky's sneaky methods and distraction tactics they hear a ring and FRIDAY's voice. "Mr Barnes, Mr Stark requests that you appear at the interview at 9am today."

"What?" Bucky snarls. "Why?"

"He wants you to meet one of the future trainees."

"But I will meet every one of them eventually, won't I?"

"Yes sir."

"FRIDAY, tell Stark that I will absolutely—"

"Buck," Steve warns. "He'll barge in here."

The prospect of Tony in their quarters makes Bucky reconsider. "…that I'll be there," he finishes.

"Yes sir."

"Why did she say future trainee if it is supposed to be a serious interview?" Bucky asks once FRIDAY leaves them alone, or at least it feels she does. Steve knows the AI is always there.

"They already had interviews with Fury and Tony, combat tests and endurance tests. They are pretty much in already."

"I'm glad we get to spend the morning there then."

"Come on, sweetheart. You're an Avenger now. Act like it."

"I want to go back in cryo please."

"No."


Obviously when Brooke enters the meeting room in the Tower, there aren't only the ones Sam mentioned around the table. There's Stark, Steve Rogers, Barton and Romanoff, Bruce Banner with a rather bored expression and James Barnes. Goddamnit. At least Wilson himself is not there.

As she sits down, she chooses to look at Tony. She already talked to him and it is less suspicious than staring at Bucky Barnes who looks eerily similar to her. They have the same hair colour (she should have dyed it), eye colour and she can see the exact replica of her lips on his face too. This is something Rogers is bound to notice as well, she figures.

"Miss Marlow," Tony smiles. "Glad to have you back."

"It's good to be back sir."

"You performed well against agent Caldwell during the hand-to-hand combat and on the performance and endurance tests too. You got army training and was chosen for a special program that didn't launch in the end, correct?"

"Yes sir."

"However you did not feel the need to disclose some information that regards the Avengers."

He knows. Of course he knows. And he goes on unbothered by Brooke's glare.

"FRIDAY runs a DNA test on every applicant."

"Tony, we understand. Your younger years were wild. A kid here and there sometimes…" Barton says with a smirk. But Steve doesn't even smile. He must know it too by now.

"It's not me, Robin Hood. It's Barnes."

"What?" Bucky replies a little louder than necessary. "Check your robot lady's brains, Stark. This girl's around what, 20? I was frozen at that time."

"I'm 28 and I am right here," Brooke says indignantly. "And it is not me, it's my father. My grandmother's name is Bonnie Seward and she and her friend Connie went on a date with you guys. Stark Expo, in 1943. She got pregnant after."

"Bonnie and Connie?" Steve repeats. Then it dawns on him. "Oh god. You mean that embarrassing night before Buck left for the war?"

"Didn't leave right away, apparently," Brooke murmurs making Tony chuckle. Bucky has been staring at her in shock for a long time now.

"That makes me your granddaughter, Mr Barnes," Brooke helps him out. "Hi."

"I want her on the team," Natasha exclaims.

Brooke takes a deep breath. "Look, I didn't disclose this because I didn't think it was that important. Our family never had any relationship with Bucky Barnes, so this familiar bond is only a biological fact, really."

"It's not like he was in the state to have any relationship with your family," Steve says defensively. Brooke is pretty sure the gossip is true about him and Barnes.

"Surely not. That's why it is irrelevant. That's all I meant to say."

"Right. Miss Marlow, could you wait on the corridor for a second so we can have a chat with the guys here?" Tony asks. Barnes still stares at Brooke.

"Of course sir."

She waits less than five minutes before Bucky Barnes steps out of the room and makes his way to her. "Hey," he says with a rather tense jaw.

"Hi," Brooke responds with a small but polite smile. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean for you to find it out like this."

Bucky nods and clears his throat. "So your father is my…"

"Son," she nods. "When my grandmother got pregnant, she married a man named Marlow and he gave his name to my dad. And yours too. James Marlow."

"Is he alive?"

"No. He died eight years ago."

"I'm sorry."

"It's okay. We weren't super close. My mother is still alive though."

He smiles at that. "Great."

"Are you together with Steve Rogers?" Brooke asks.

"Yes," Bucky nods simply. "I hope it doesn't bother you," he adds hesitantly.

"Why would it? I'm happy if you guys are happy."

"Thanks. "He clears his throat. "So I was thinking that maybe we could grab a coffee some time?"

Brooke frowns. "Mr Barnes, I… what I said in there was true. I don't think we should take this too serious."

"You mean the fact that we're closely related?"

"Yes. I am here to learn new things, to work with you guys, yes, but I am not here to connect with you." It was blunt, but at least it is the truth, Brooke figures. It is better to tell him now than having weird fake family dinners with Grandpa Bucky and Uncle Stevie, right?

Bucky nods slowly. "Not here to connect with me."

Brooke wonders if he is offended. He looks offended.

"No."

Bucky nods again. "Okay. As you wish." Before Brooke could say anything, he stretches his hand out. "Bucky. Don't Mr Barnes me please."

She shakes his hand. "Brooke. Nice to meet you, Bucky."


Sam enters the 76th floor with six pack beer in the afternoon. Steve is on the couch watching baseball while Bucky cooks. It is his method to let off steam and as he didn't say anything to Steve about his grandchild yet, Steve figures it didn't go too well.

"What a cute domestic scene," Sam teases.

Bucky raises an eyebrow. "You should order takeaway already. You won't get a taste of the famous Barnes Spaghetti."

"How rude. You're making like three hundred portions of it."

Bucky only shrugs.

Bad mood, Steve mouthes to Sam who fortunately changes the topic.

"Done with the interviews?" He asks throwing a bottle to Bucky and dropping one on the couch next to Steve before slumping down next to him reaching for one for himself.

"Yeah. Five recruits."

"Girls?"

"Two girls and three guys."

"Did Brooke make it?"

Steve turns to him frowning. "You know Brooke?"

"Yeah. She said she would work in Plan B but I wasn't sure she wasn't just pulling my leg."

"She wasn't. And yes she made it on the team. But how do you— oh. Oh." Steve suddenly understands. Shit. He tries not to draw Bucky's attention to the conversation but he is sure he listens in already.

"How do you know Brooke Marlow, Wilson?" Bucky asks chopping up an onion. Great, Steve curses inwardly, he has a knife.

"But Barnes, I can't have friends besides Steve and you?" Sam teases. Steve kicks him in the shin but his friend doesn't seem to understand his hint as he just glares at him for a moment before turning back to Bucky.

"That's just Steve."

"Cruel."

Bucky keeps eyeing Sam. "So?"

"So what? A man can't have secrets?" The fingers of the metal arm curls into fist and Steve kicks Sam again wondering if Bucky did it or the arm. If the latter, they need to get it checked out by Tony and Bruce. Bucky opens the hand and reaches for his beer.

"Did you touch her?" Bucky asks bolder than he did so far. Steve stands up.

"Buck—"

"You can say that," Sam shrugs enjoying the power he thinks he holds. "Or you can say I fucked her."

The bottle breaks and beer pours everywhere. A shattered piece of glass cuts into Bucky's flesh palm. Shit.

"What the hell?!" Sam asks jumping up as well.

Steve is barefoot so he looks around for shoes to be able to approach Bucky who still stands there keeping eye contact with Sam, blood dripping from his wound.

"As it turns out," Steve says in slippers now stepping to Bucky and trying to pull him to the sink, "she is Bucky's grandkid."

The sound is similar as the bottle Sam holds slips and breaks on the floor.