Hello, hello, my beautiful readers! I know I promised my last update that I would be posting in 24 hours but I unfortunately got a little busy. I also wanted to allow you all some more time to let me know what you thought of the last chapter through your reviews!
This one is a little more exciting than the other one's I've posted. And I have to apologize ahead of time for its crazy length. I also have been writing a couple more chapters ahead and I think this will at least be going well past 35/40 chapters! Which is just crazy to me. But hey, I need a satisfying ending after all the work I put in.
Trigger Warning: Some violence. Extreme fluff ;)
Chapter XXVI
By the time Bucky and Dugan had finally managed to get into the castle a sickening feeling in his stomach began to rise. He wondered if Lucy had been discovered, and if she managed to somehow get into the ballroom without being detected. Worry coursed through him as he thought about the possibility of things going horribly wrong.
Bucky stood near Dugan in the ballroom with a glass of champagne in his hand, something he hadn't had in what seemed like eons. The bubbling, sickly sweet, French wine tasted sour on his tongue and he wondered if there was a stronger drink he could get.
Bucky tried to remain quiet as much as possible, knowing his poor German would likely be the reason as to why he would be caught. But thankfully, many people were there and he heard several other languages in the mix. Dugan stood beside him with a glass in his own hand, happily chatting away with some kind of duchess who had taken a fancy to him.
The longer they waited the more anxious Bucky became that Lucy was compromised. It was taking far too long for him to reconvene with her, and he wondered just what would happen if she got caught.
One thing he did know, was that he'd stop at nothing to make sure that that woman was safe. She meant more to him than she could possibly ever know, and if anything turned south Bucky would lose his mind. She was the woman he wanted to spend the rest of his life with; the woman he could see himself raising a family with.
And the more he thought of it, and the more he dwelt in his and Dugan's conversation they had outside, Bucky realized that it was the only thing he was sure of.
He didn't just want her with him at nighttime, in bed together as he moved inside of her. He wanted her mornings, and all the things in between. He wanted to see her sipping a cup of coffee as she read the paper. He wanted to see her stomach swell with the life he put inside of her and be there for her every day after that. Bucky wanted to grow old with her. Watching as their grandchildren would run through their halls and how Lucy would smile and be just as gorgeous as the day he first met her.
As he thought of that he realized how much he truly felt more for her than any other woman in his entire life. Bucky knew that he was a goner. To him, nothing ever made more sense than them being together. And if they made it out of that castle alive, he would make damn sure that she knew just how he felt.
The moment that Bucky was about to lift his glass to his lips and take another sip his eye caught on something. He stopped what he was doing mid-action and felt his jaw hit the ground ever so slightly as he tried to remain composed.
What stood before him was a vision in red, a goddess of a woman. An inhuman, undeniable beauty who resembled Aphrodite herself. She was dressed in the deepest shape of crimson, her lips matching it. The short sleeves and draping back revelled more of her body than he had seen since the night he had to undress her.
Bucky was speechless. His eye caught on her and he didn't think he could tear away his gaze even if he wanted to. The colour of red stood out amongst every other shade. It was sensuous, serious, angry, and violent. But it was also soft and calming. The woman's gentle frame that it rested on was something that should have been a museum. Each dip, curve, and angle was something he wanted to admire. She was an ethereal, unbelievable beauty that had no equal.
As Bucky looked at her, all he could softly mutter was a gentle "Holy shit," under his breath.
Dugan's eyes caught on her as well and he chuckled at seeing Bucky's floored reaction. He swallowed a lump in his throat, and wondered when exactly he died and if she was what heaven looks like.
Lucy then smiled at Bucky and his heart nearly stopped beating. Especially when the realization came toppling over him that wanting a future with her, a family, and grow old together only meant one thing...
He was undeniably, inexplicably, and uncontrollably in love with her.
And he was more than happy with the idea of that. Because she was the woman he would call his own, the woman he would marry. The woman who would mother his children. And the woman that he wanted to make smile every single day for the rest of his life.
Bucky couldn't stop himself as he moved forward through the crowd. He grabbed two champagne glasses from a server who walked around with them on a large tray.
It was like his feet had a mind of their own. He just kept walking, unable to keep himself away from her for even a second longer.
Lucy smiled at him as he approached, she said hello to him in German, acting as though they were strangers.
"You look," Bucky couldn't keep himself from telling her how gorgeous she was. He knew he should speak in German but he didn't know the words to properly convey how he felt. "Absolutely stunning," Was all he could say as he passed her a glass of champagne.
"Dankeschön," Thank you, Lucy said formally and gave him a pressingly look when he began speaking English. Luckily, no one paid any attention to them as they slipped away to the side. Because of her nerves, Lucy drank the champagne he got her in what seemed like seconds.
"Did you find anything out yet?" She whispered close to his ear, causing a shiver to roll down the base of his spine. He imagined just briefly what it would be like for her to trail her mouth up the skin of his neck, tenderly pressing kisses to it and sucking on it. He wondered what it would feel like to hold her flushed against him, their bodies conjoined as he felt her breath on him just as he did a few seconds ago. But instead, it was to whisper dirty things in his ear of what she wanted him to do to her before taking his earlobe in her mouth and biting it.
"Nothing so far," He whispered back and then gave her a look as to ask if she had.
"I haven't seen Schmidt yet," She finished the last little bit of champagne and disposed of her glass on a tray a server was walking around collecting empties with. She took another one eagerly, trying to calm her nerves. "But I keep hearing things how this auction is intended to fund something. A project. I recognize quite a few people here, scientists, archaeologists, philtrophists and weapons dealers."
Bucky had no idea that so many people would have been invited to this thing. Whatever Schmidt was planning, he clearly needed to money for it since it wasn't being funded by the German government.
"What do you think it is?" Bucky asked.
"I don't know, but it seems like they're hoping to do a demonstration later today." Was all she answered with before Bucky finished his glass and then grabbed her hand. He took her champagne glass away from her, although she heavily protested.
"Dance with me," Was all he said in a comment of confidence and pulled her out to the ballroom floor. He knew they were on a mission and they should be focusing, but he also knew they likely weren't going to make it out alive. The least he could do was hold her one last time.
Lucy protested while hissing his name but allowed herself to get pulled on the dance floor and into his arms anyway. A new song began, and Bucky twirled her around and her skirt billowed. He held her closer than he should have when Lucy came back in from the twirl.
Her breath hitched for only a moment as his hand rested lowly on the small of her back. It didn't dip any further though, as he remained a gentleman.
"I almost forget what we're doing here while we're dancing like this." She whispered against his ear again. Her fingers played with the small hairs on the back of his neck. Bucky felt a deep feeling settle in his stomach as he felt her touch him. It was funny how even the most innocent physical contact could build such a desperate need for her.
"Doll, you make me feel some kinda way." Was all he said, exasperated as Lucy quietly shushed him, worried people might hear his Yankee accent.
He only looked at her as he pulled her flush against him so they were even closer. "It's true." He told her again and couldn't help but take in all her beauty, "You look incredible."
She only smiled softly, but Bucky noticed how her face fell as her eyes caught of something behind him. Her mouth fell open slightly and she whispered to him with her eyes still on what caused her to react that way, "Schmidt is here now."
Bucky knew better than to turn around and gaze at their target. He swallowed a lump in his throat as Lucy looked over his shoulder. She then fixated her gaze back in Bucky, trying not to be too obvious.
"What should we do?" Bucky asked lowly.
"Wait," Was all she answered and then tried to look back at him. She sighed and gave him a small smile, "And try to enjoy dancing."
"Well, I don't know about you but I'm certainly enjoying myself." Bucky whispered back to her and gently kissed the top of her head.
Lucy revelled in the small touch of his lips. Her eyes fluttered closed at the contact of his mouth on her skin. She wanted to capture his lips in hers and kiss him hungrily, but she knew she couldn't. But God, she wanted to so badly.
"I am too," Lucy whispered back gripping his shoulder tightly. She didn't tell him that any time he held her like that she enjoyed it. She smiled as she rested her head against him.
"God, we better make it out of here alive." Bucky chuckled lowly. The feeling of her against him was something he felt like he would never get used to. "We still haven't had a proper kiss."
Lucy smirked and licked her lips as she looked up at him, "You planning on finally kissing me after this?" She blatantly flirted.
"Pige," He moved some hair out of her face and his hand graced her cheek ever so slightly. He put his mouth close to hers, gently pressing his lips to the corner or hers in a soft peck and whispered, "I'm gonna kiss you so good that you're not going to remember your own name after I'm finished."
Lucy shivered and a deep, burning ache settled in the pit of her lower belly. The man had so much sex appeal that she didn't know it was even possible to feel the way she did. How was it that she wanted him to whisper sweet nothings in her ear before kissing her gently, but also to pin her down on a bed and ravish her?
Lucy was lost in her own thoughts for only a moment until she noticed Schmidt slip out of the room. He was alone, and unfollowed by any of his staff or guests. Lucy quickly looked back at Bucky and said hasilty, "Schmidt just left the room. Do we follow him?"
"Yeah, where's Dugan?" Bucky separated from Lucy, grabbing her hand and pulling her off the dance floor. His mind went into overdrive as suddenly the mission was the only thing he cared about. He could flirt with Lucy all he wanted afterwards, but at that moment he had a job to do.
They spotted the man with red hair quite easily and walked over to him at a pace that looked a little rushed. But they couldn't waste time, and Lucy was worried she would miss the chance to get Schmidt alone.
When they approached Dugan the man had a smirk on his face and a glass of champagne in his hand. "You two love birds are looking awfully cozy over there," He teased them. Bucky noticed how Dugan was no longer even attempting to be sly about the matter or the two of them.
"Yeah, yeah," Lucy replied and rolled her eyes, "We just found Schmidt, we're gonna tail him."
"Right," Dugan straightened his jacket and his expression changed into something more serious, "The auction is just about to start. I'll stay here and scope it out, we rendezvous back at the car if things go sideways."
"Got it," Bucky nodded and grabbed Lucy by the hand as they began to head towards the exit that Schmidt took.
Lucy was so preoccupied with her tunnel vision on Schmidt that she hardly noticed when her shoulder collided with another lady. Lucy frantically apologized and tried her best to be as casual as possible so people wouldn't notice what was going on. The lady told her it was perfectly alright and to stop fussing since it was an accident. She fixed some of the creases in her skirt and then her eye caught on Lucy.
"I'm sorry, I don't believe we've met." The woman extended her hand to Lucy after just having accidently bumped into her. She had been watching Lucy and Bucky dance and was curious about them. The woman had a strong French accent, which Lucy was happy to hear. It meant she wouldn't have to converse in German any longer.
"Hanna Sauer" Lucy shook her hand and introduced herself. She didn't mean to be short but she had to get to Shmidt before their widow closed.
"Pleasure. And this is? I don't recall us meeting either." She raised her eyebrows at Bucky, turning her attention to him.
"This is my husband," Lucy answered in French and although Bucky didn't speak much of it he understood enough. She ran her hand up his arm intimately, a small gesture but one that made his stomach flip. He never knew that Lucy introducing him as her husband was something that he not only wanted, but needed to hear. For a moment, he caught a glimpse of the future that he wanted with her yet again.
The woman smiled as her suspicions were confirmed, "I thought so. I'm sorry to intrude but I was watching you on the dance floor and you looked very in love."
Lucy looked at Bucky and smiled fondly at him. Once again, the way she looked at him made him nearly want to jump for joy. "We're newlyweds," She gently grasped his hand, squeezing it tightly. And then winked before saying, "I can barely keep my hands off of him."
"I don't blame you," The lady smirked as she looked Bucky up and down. Lucy found herself getting twinge of jealousy in her stomach but also pride. She couldn't believe that a man so desirable wanted to be with her as much as she wanted to be with him.
"Pardon me as we head off to somewhere more private," Lucy implied lewdly and the woman blushed at the suggestive statement.
She hurried off without even saying goodbye. She knew they couldn't afford to lose their target, and it would soon turn into a disaster if Lucy wasted any more time.
Lucy kept holding Bucky's hand as they disappeared into the room that Schmidt had snuck into. They burst through the doors, only to see that the room was empty. Lucy looked around the grand room, taking in all the extraordinary designs and details.
Lucy turned to Bucky in confusion, after realizing that there was no other exit beyond the one they came from.
"Think he could have slipped out?" Lucy asked, wondering if that woman distracting them could have made them lose focus.
"Unlikely." Bucky answered skeptically.
Lucy immediately had an idea and she quickly ordered, "Look for anything that could open up a secret room!"
Bucky only nodded and they hasilty rushed to the fireplace mantel. In all of Lucy's previous experiences, the secret room was always by the fireplace. They started lifting objects and trying to find something that could trigger the door's mechanism.
"So, husband huh?" Bucky teased her, bringing up what she had told that woman. He looked over at Lucy with a smirk as he continued rifling around things in the room.
"Thought you couldn't speak French." Lucy quipped back smugly.
"Oh, I speak enough to understand what you were saying." He winked, "And I gotta say, you were a little too excited to be sayin' we were hitched."
"Well, can you blame me?" Lucy winked, "That woman couldn't keep her eyes off of you." She felt odd whenever she thought of how other women perceived Bucky. Lucy hadn't really seen how others interacted with him, considering at base camp they were always surrounded by men. Of course, she knew he was a ladies man. But she never noticed how much until their were other women around. She felt jealousy well inside her again.
"Too bad for her I only have my eyes set on one dame." He told her as he continued looking around, trying his hardest to figure out where the hell Schmidt could have disappeared to. He was quiet for a moment until he brought up, clearing his throat, "You told me once that you were scared of getting married. Back in Brooklyn you mentioned that…"
Lucy paused and then looked to Bucky. She had loved Daniel, yes. But something was always missing. Something she felt when she was with Bucky. "It does scare me. But for some reason with the right person it doesn't seem so terrifying."
Bucky wanted to say something. Anything, really. And anything would have been better than just standing there dumbfounded and speechless. He loved her, and the fact that she had just revealed so much to him left him a little in shock.
"Lucy, I umm…" Bucky cleared his throat and moved forward to her, "I think I should tell you something before we possibly die." He wanted to tell her he loved her. He had to, knowing it might be their last moments together.
"Okay, what is it?" She frowned and asked skeptically. She was worried he would tell her some big secret like he had a kid back in New York, or that he wasn't as available as he had implied.
"I just want you to know how I really feel about you. This isn't some stupid fling, or something I'm going to get over in a few weeks. You're the real deal. I don't know. I guess I'm just tryna say… And I know you've been out with Howard Stark, and I don't have much to offer you and you're clearly very out of my league, but I like you. A lot. Too much actually and it's terrifying. And staying away from you is getting harder and harder for me to do and I don't think it's something I want anymore." He swallowed a lump in his throat and said genuinely said, "I want you. Possibly more than anything in my entire life."
She was speechless, unable to process what he said. She couldn't believe that this was a conversation they were having at that moment. But like he said, they might not even make it out alive.
Lucy looked at him with soft eyes and he began speaking again, rambling nervously, "And I know the idea of marriage and spending the rest of your life with someone scares you. But I don't… uhh, what I'm trying to say…" he stuttered and scratched the back of his neck awkwardly, "I was always scared of it too. But in that moment where you introduced me as your husband it didn't terrify me that much. In fact, I even liked it. Probably because you're all I can think about and I feel like I can tell you things I've never told anyone. And I have this strange urge to protect you always even though I know you can take care of yourself since you're the toughest broad I know." He chuckled at the thought. "But I miss you when you're not around. And seeing you is the best part of my day." He sighed and then continued softly. His hands going into his pockets as he said almost shly, "What can I say, doll? You're my best friend."
It was the first time besides Steve that Bucky ever told someone they were his best friend. And obviously, Lucy wasn't as close to him as Steve was, given they had known each other for years and grown up together. But Bucky felt something with her that he didn't with anyone else. Not only did he love her, but he knew their connection was something not everyone got to experience in life. They had a relationship like no other, and he was positive the universe was driving them towards each other. They were meant to be together; destined and fated to be. And there wasn't a doubt in Bucky Barnes' mind that Lucy Heinrich was his soulmate.
"Bucky," Lucy said breathlessly and he turned to her, expecting her to rush over to him and slam her mouth onto his. It was the perfect moment for them to do so. He had just admitted his feelings, and they were all alone and surrounded by a bunch of Nazis.
She moved forward and his heart nearly stopped beating. He took her face in his hands and was about to lean down and capture her mouth in a hot, desperate, passionate kiss. It would have reflected every ounce of desire, yearning, longing, lust, and love. A kiss that would have rivaled every other kiss in existence. One that not even famous lovers could have achieved. Romeo and Juliet, Cleopatra and Marc Antony, Paris and Helen, and Lancelot and Geuinevere had nothing on them.
Bucky was finally moved downwards to take her in the most unbelievable kiss when Lucy reached forward and moved a book on the fireplace mantel.
He paused when he saw how the fireplace seemed to turn into itself and reveal a passageway. He looked at Lucy in shock and couldn't believe she had found it with such ease. Truly, she was the most incredible woman to ever walk the face of the earth.
She licked her lips before awkwardly saying with his hands still on her face, "I found the secret entrance." It was the only thing she could mutter and Lucy kicked herself for not waiting until after the kiss to reveal her find.
"God, you're so smart." Bucky breathed out in amazement, baffled by her. Once again, Bucky was realizing she was completely out of his league. He kissed her cheek lightly and with a smirk praised her, "Good job, sweetheart."
She smiled at his compliment and blushed ever so slightly. Lucy wanted to dwell and analyze everything he had just admitted to her but she knew she didn't have to time. So as they went into the secret passage way, Lucy noticed how they both drew their guns as they carefully walked in.
She whispered quietly back to Bucky with a grin , "Also," She licked her lips, "You're my best friend too." Lucy admitted without a doubt in her mind. She had never had a close friend before except Daniel, Charles, and Elsa. So the fact that she felt so close to Bucky after such a small amount of time was something new for her. She was oddly comfortable with him though, and trusted him more than anyone.
Bucky couldn't help but smile as Lucy admitted she felt the same. He didn't have much time to enjoy the feeling though, as immediately he was put on edge.
The contrast of Lucy having a gun in her hand while also in her beautiful gown was odd. Bucky also realized that besides the first night they met, he had never even seen her in a dress. He had become accustomed to seeing her in men's uniforms and jumpsuits.
Lucy's heart raced ever so slightly as they walked down the corridor. Her gun was at the ready and the safety was off. She suddenly felt as though it had been a very bad idea coming the the castle and snooping around for something they weren't even sure was there.
Her blood turned cold when they heard someone rounded the corner and immediately Bucky pulled Lucy into an alcove. He pressed his body against hers to keep her hidden and once the person passed by they immediately relaxed.
"I'm starting to think this was a bad idea." Was all Bucky said.
"Yeah," Lucy agreed, in complete disbelief she had allowed him to come along like this. If anything happened to Bucky she would never forgive herself.
They walked in silence for awhile, not seeing another person. It wasn't until they reached a fork in the cavern that Lucy suddenly was confused. She looked at Bucky, and he seemed to understand what she was about to say.
Immediately, he shot back, answering, "No. Not gonna happen. We're not splitting up."
She knew splitting up would have been the best thing to do, but also Bucky was right. Splitting up would be more dangerous. "We stick together," He insisted as Lucy nodded.
They took the tunnel on the right, descending into it as her heart raced faster and faster.
Going right turned out to be a very large mistake. A very, very, large mistake. Because it led exactly to what Lucy was hoping for. As it turned out, the demonstration that Shmidt was hoping to show was a little behind schedule.
They were trying to still find a way to make whatever evil they were cooking up work.
And as Lucy and Bucky stood above in an overhanging room, they watched in horror.
A man was strapped to a table, large bindings keeping his arms and legs pinned down. He was shirtless, and only wearing a pair of pants. It looked as though he was almost ready for an operation, only he was fully conscious and looking as though he wasn't even a tad nervous.
"What do you mean you haven't made it work yet?" Shmidt demanded of a stubby little man with glasses in a lab coat. "I have donors upstairs waiting to see what we've done!"
"I'm sorry, but we haven't figured out a way to successfully pass the consciousness over." The man said nervously, taking off his glasses and cleaning them on his pristine white coat.
"Must I do everything myself!? All you have to do is read from the bloody scrolls!" The man lost his temper. But as he spoke Lucy's ears picked up, her jaw dropped open and suddenly her worst fear was realized.
"Oh my God," She whispered under her breath and hasilty began looking around. Her eyes darted to several corners of the room, wondering and praying her suspicions on what they were doing was wrong.
"What?" Bucky asked quickly, worried about Lucy's tone.
"I think I know what—," Lucy was stopped short as her jaw dropped open. Fear raced through her body and she was immediately hit with the need to go down there guns blazing.
Being drug in at gunpoint was Dum Dum Dugan. His hands were up in surrender, and he had a bloody nose from where he was hit by a butt of a gun.
"Oh no," Bucky could only say, fear dripping from his voice. Seeing his friend taken prisoner made his blood boil. Suddenly, all he saw was red, and all he wanted was to help. But he knew he had a mission to do first, and his first priority was to keep Lucy safe.
The door behind them burst open and men were yelling in German. Lucy and Bucky both places their hands up in surrender, dropping their guns on the floor. Bucky's face was twisted in a scowl and his jaw was clenched. He wanted nothing more than to fight his way out of it but he knew the chances of them getting out alive were slim.
"Shit," Lucy whispered under her breath as the men's guns were trained on them. She flashed Bucky a look and suddenly he wished he had kissed her when he had the chance. They were going to die there, and he would never know what it felt like to really be with her.
He would never be able to tell her he loved her. That broke Bucky's heart more than anything. He would never be able to kiss her, to be with her, to have a family.
He flashed her a look as they began walking with the guards. Lucy looked back at him, her eyes wide with fear. He wanted to tell her everything would be okay. But Bucky already knew they were going to die.
"It'll be alright, Luce." He told her, trying to comfort her as they walked down. He wanted to grab her hand. To touch her, even just gently grazing her skin would have been enough. Bucky knew he was lying to her, and Lucy knew it too from the look that she gave him.
One of the German's yelled something at him that he didn't understand for speaking out of turn. He immediately tried to retort with a smart-ass comment which backfired instantly.
He was punched in the stomach, causing him to double over and groan in pain. Lucy yelled to stop, he heard the desperation in her voice as she screamed.
The man who punched him grabbed Lucy by the chin, and sneered at her. "Don't fucking touch her!" Bucky yelled before doubling over again and coughing. He was punched again, causing him to groan in pain once more.
"You would be wise to keep quite as well, Fräulein." He gripped her chin harshly, forcing her to look up at him as his fingers pressing hard enough to bruise her skin.
Lucy only spit in his face, getting it right in his eye. The man recoiled in disgust, and Bucky couldn't help but smile at her fiery temper.
"Go to hell!" Lucy hissed at him as he quickly wiped his eyes with his sleeve.
The man only sneered again before backhanding her harshly across the face. She gasped as her hand went to her stinging cheek. Her hair strewn about and falling out of the updo she had done. Meanwhile, the man had a sickening grin on his face. She said nothing though, only bit her cheek to keep herself from speaking again and getting hit once more.
"Oh, boy," Bucky could only cough more, trying to catch his breath from the heavy fist that had landed in his stomach, "I am so going to kill you for that." He looked at the man with despise. No one, and he meant no one, should ever hit a woman. Let alone his woman.
"Take them away," Was all the angry man commanded, looking at his two American prisoners in spite.
Lucy was grabbed by the tops of her arms. They pulled her away from Bucky despite his protests. She was so much smaller than them that it didn't take much to yank her around and force her to go anywhere. Especially since she was clumsy in her heels.
Bucky swallowed as he saw how she was manhandled and pulled down to where Dugan was. All he wanted to do was hold her tightly to him and kiss her forehead and tell her everything was going to be okay.
He wanted to go back to them lying in the grass a few nights ago. He wanted to kiss her and claim her as his. He wanted to take her lips in the most hungry, passionate kiss of all time and show her what exactly she meant to him.
And as he looked over to the woman he wanted to spend the rest of his life with, Bucky was speechless. Fire burned in her eyes, and her jaw was clenched from the anger that was coursing through her.
But he was trying to memorize what she looked like. To see the little freckles on her nose, and the little flecks of green in her hazel eyes. He wanted to remember the way she had one stubborn curl that would always fall in front of her face.
He wanted to remember her laugh, and what her hand felt like while his was wrapped around it. He wanted to remember how it felt as she breathed softly next to him as she slept and what her body felt like enveloped by his own.
They were pulled out to the floor of the experimentation room. A German guard explained to Schmidt that they were found snooping around. Dugan's face fell as he saw them get pushed forward.
"Shit," He only shook his head, "Not you two as well."
"Sorry, Dum Dum." Bucky apologized, wondering if this was going to be the last few minutes alive. The man only shrugged and promised it was alright, giving him a sympathetic look. He didn't look pissed or scared to die. All three of them knew it was a very real possibility.
Schmidt only chuckled as he saw the three of them, "Now, this is interesting." Even his voice was sinister. Everything about him oozed evil. He moved like a snake, fluid and light. "What an odd gang of misfits this is," He particularly looked at Lucy, stopping to stare down at her.
She remained tall, her chin jutting out and her posture rigid. She wouldn't allow him to know how scared she was.
"I must say Dr. Heinrich, your beauty precedes you. All the stories, for once, seem to be true." Bucky didn't miss the way he glanced down at her breasts. He wanted to tell the man to back off looking at his future wife, but instead he only scowled in anger.
"How do you know me?" She was surprised, wondering how he could have possibly recognized her from her face alone.
"I've been following your work for some time. You may recall I even attempted to recruit your fiancé, Dr. Rehal, to do some work for me. Pity he refused. I'm sure that something could have been arranged before he made the trip to Auschwitz." He lifted her silver Star of David pendant out from between her breasts. Bucky wanted nothing more than to punch him directly in the jaw.
Lucy only scowled and then sneered, "He would have rather died than work for scum like you!"
The man only smirked, "You have spirit. I will give you that." He walked away smugly, his hands clasped behind him. "And I must admit that without you," His hands gestured out he motioned to the entirety of the room, "None of this would have been possible."
Lucy frowned, her eyes darting to the man who was looking curiously down from where he was strapped to the table. She was confused and obviously more than perplexed, wondering how exactly she directly played a role in all this.
"I think all your crazy is going to your brain. Because I've never done anything like this." She scoffed and Bucky looked at the wheels turning in her head.
"Really? Are you so sure?" The man smiled evilly and gestured to a glass box. It stood in front of everything and to Bucky it looked like a weird vase with a dog head attached to it.
Lucy seemed to know what it was. He had never seen her so mad before, and all she could do while keeping her eyes glued to the artifact was growl.
"That's my goddamn canopic jar."
It had been the same one she had stolen in Egypt. The one she was trying to keep out of the hands of the Nazi's. Apparently, she risked her life and was shot for no reason. Since they ended up getting it anyway after she had secured it. That meant they either had a spy in the army who procured it for them, or they ambushed the transportation that was intended to take the jar and scrolls back to London.
"Very, very good." Schmidt did a slow, mocking clap. He watched as Lucy slowly began to piece it all together. Her eyes fell to the ancient scrolls she helped procured while on that trip. Her gaze flashed to the man who was strapped to the table and her mouth fell open.
"You son of a bitch," Was all she hissed once she realized what was happening.
He began to cackle as Dugan and Bucky looked around confused, still wondering what was going on long after Lucy had figured it out.
"Dr. Heinrich your brilliant comrades are looking a little lost. Perhaps you wish to educate them on what is happening? That way before they die they can at least have some clarity. But please make it fast, we have to get a move on so we can finally show all our generous donors upstairs what their money has bought."
At his words, Lucy realized what she had done. None of this would have happened if it weren't for her digging up that stupid jar. She looked to Bucky with tears welling in her eyes. A single one fell down her cheek and his heart broke. "I'm so sorry," Was all she could muster to him.
Bucky wasn't held back by any of the soldier's so he moved toward her on instinct. He took her face In his hands despite yelling at them to keep away. He kissed her forehead, pressing his lips against her skin as her eyes fluttered at the contact. His thumb brushed her tear away as he comforted her, "S'alright, sweetheart. It's not your fault." He wanted to tell her more. To comfort her, to admit his feelings. But he couldn't.
Bucky was suddenly yanked away from her and Lucy choked out out a sob. Bucky swallowed a lump in his throat as he looked at her, hoping to God that the last image he saw of Lucy didn't involve her in tears.
"Touching." Was all Schmidt cackled. He moved forward to Bucky and peered at him with harsh eyes. It was almost as though he was trying to see into his soul. "But useless. You're all going to die because of her."
"I'm so sorry," Lucy whispered again, closing her eyes to keep herself from crying more.
"Someone has five seconds to explain why a man is strapped to a table." Dugan snarled, "And what the hell that weird dog vase has to do with it."
Schmidt looked to Lucy and smiled at her, gesturing with his hand, "Would you like to do the honours, Doctor? Or shall I?"
"It's called a canopic jar. I found it in Egypt while I was over there. It belonged to the death priests of Anubis. They thought it had supernatural powers to immortalize someone's soul and give them inhuman powers." She explained simply, not wanting to waste her breath even more.
"Ahhh, and all because of you and your brilliant work I found a way to make it all happen! Using an energy source that we found here in Norway, I have discovered a way to transfer over a human soul into another realm and replace it. Because of you, we may have just found a way to make man God."
"Don't do this," She pleaded, closing her eyes and shaking her head, "You have no idea what you're doing."
"I know exactly what I'm doing. And one the transformation is complete, there will be a sacrifice. Something from each of you for the host body… Eyes, heart, brain… Any organ necessary."
"Wait, hold up," Dugan looked confused and held up his hands. His expression was more than perplexed and he was having a hard time keeping up. "So, you're telling me that this guy is going to be taking body parts from each of us for himself?"
No one answered. But Dugan seemed to catch on, and Bucky swallowed nervously as he thought about his eyes getting plucked out of his sockets.
"Holy crap," Dugan whispered, shocked. He looked to Bucky and Lucy, and lastly at his own hands and then the man who would inherit all their features, "He'll be gorgeous."
Shmidt only smirked, his evil sideways grin growing. His black HYDRA uniform made him look even more sinister and Lucy suddenly was trying to figure out a way to get out alive.
"May I just say something?" Dugan smirked as he looked between him and Bucky, "I don't know exactly what exact organs you're going to be taking. But on the topic of manhood, I would say that out of mine and Buck's here, you'd do much better to have his. It's HUGE." He faked, not wanting to have his member removed after his death.
"Hey!" Bucky yelled at Dugan and covered his groin area with his hands to protect it, "What the hell? No, it's not! It's so small, you're much better off taking his!"
Lucy snorted at their bickering. Bucky continued to defend himself and Dugan insisted on not it begin large as Bucky argued. However, after he insisted how small it was Bucky turned to Lucy who looked at him with a cocked eyebrow. Her eyes glanced to the front of his uniform slacks, trying to figure out for herself if he was being serious. Bucky turned to Lucy and with a reassuring shake of his head, assured her he was only lying to protect himself. She barked out a small chuckle and she blushed as she thought about it. Despite the tension in the room, she still found it appropriate to laugh at a penis joke.
"Enough!" Shmidt yelled clearly fed up. "I'll have him take both of yours as long as it gets you to shut up!"
"Wow, now he's going to be even more gorgeous! Great! Looking like the three of us with two massive schlongs? You're just trying to create the perfect specimen, aren't you?" Dugan was clearly trying to distract him and buy time. He was being funny because it was his last few moments of likely being alive.
Schmidt groaned and rolled his eyes, "Dear God, American's are so annoying," He was getting fed up with all that was happening, and clearly caught on that they were only bickering to buy a few more minutes, "I'm afraid we'll have to cut the rest of our interaction short." The man said as he suddenly nodded at one of the scientists who began to hit switches on a board and begin hitting buttons. "So sorry we have to part ways like this, Doctor."
A translator began to read the scroll that Lucy had found, translating the guttural ancient language. She and Bucky began to look for a way to get out. They searched everywhere, trying to figure out how to escape with their lives.
As the energy source began to build, the man started screaming as the canopic jar suddenly had black material come out of it in its glass case it was in, tube attached to it going into the man's body.
Things were going too fast, and Shmidt looked on his creation in satisfaction as Lucy looked at it in horror. She never believed people would be able to accomplish anything like this, and now she saw how wrong she was. She should have destroyed it when she had the chance. She was a fool for thinking that she could ever stop the artifacts from getting into the wrong hands.
Suddenly the power in the entire lab went out and there was darkness. It took only a few moments of yelling and confusion to get the lights back on. German yelling was sounded throughout the room, and when the light came back on Lucy gasped when she saw the man on the table.
His eyes were completely black voids and weeping what only can be described as a tar-like substance. He was writing in pain and Schmidt looked at his creation in wonder and awe.
"Behold," He gestured to the man and said with a raspy, gratified tone, "Immortality!" He was a complete madman, anyone with two eyes could see it.
Dugan only cocked his head as he looked at the scene in front of him, "Huh," He said, almost amused. "Woulda look at that."
Lucy wished there had only been silence. Because she was still struggling to process everything that was happening.
"Your sacrifices," Schmidt said with a little too much happiness. No doubt that this was only a test run, and he himself would take on immortality as well. "The ritual is almost complete. Now claim your victims."
With an inhuman voice, which sounded deep and guttural as though it had come from the depths of hell, "Is this intended to be an insult?"
He broke out of his restraints as though they were made of paper. He stepped down from the table and looked at his offerings as though they were nothing more than scum. "They reek of the sins they have committed."
"That's uncalled for," Bucky only retorted, not thinking that any of them really smelled that badly.
"I can feel their sadness, their heart ache, their lies and treachery. I can feel the selfishness and and the self absorbed notions. Their stench of rotting souls is disgusting. The blood on their hands is revolting, and you think that these are the most suitable for me? You bring me the world's greatest sinners instead of one who is pure of soul?"
"They're not perfect but are you sure they won't do?" Schmidt was taken back.
"They are so human that their very essence burns me! This one!" He points to Lucy accusingly, "Is so unbearably human it brings me disgust. The need for validation is almost sickly. The constant fear of not being good enough is almost too painful. And the sadness and heartbreak that courses through makes for weakness."
"And you!" The man turns to Bucky and he almost recoils back in fear. " So much death surrounds you. No doubt, the bodies will only pile up. And I can smell the way your blood boils for the female. The way your pheromones suggest you wish to mate with her causes more than disgust to well inside me."
Bucky only huffed as he looked down in defeated frustrations and blushed. Lucy looked over curiously at him after hearing how he wished to 'mate' with her. He only shook his head before looking over at the monster in disbelief. "Come on, pal." He gestured, confused. "Really?" Was it necessary to call him out like that?
"And the last one," He sneered. He looked Dugan up down but the man only smiled, not even looking scared for a moment. He only looked at him in revolt and then scoffed, not even bothering to reveal his biggest and darkest secret.
"Wait, none of me? Well, that's not fair!" Dugan complained, "I was hoping you'd point out all my daddy issues!" He joked.
Schmidt looked confused at the fact that he wanted none of his tributes. "Would someone better suit you? A child, perhaps?" He asked.
"Possibly. One who hasn't been tainted by the sad existence of being human. One more pure." Was all he replied and Lucy winced as he suggested how sad and pathetic they all were. Even if it was true, he didn't have to say it that way.
"Very well. We shall have these ones shot then," Was all Shmidt said before nodding at one of the soldiers who pulled a gun off their shoulder and readied it. The man aimed it at Bucky and immediately he put his hands up.
"Wait, hold up fellas let's talk about this." He insisted nervously.
"Any last words?" Schmidt granted them the final moments of their lives.
Bucky put his hands down in that moment and turned to Lucy. She was already looking at him with tears in her eyes once again. Bucky swallowed a lump in his throat as he stared at her for the final time.
He was so in love with her that it pained it. He wished that they only had more time together. He would never ask for anything again if he was given one last chance to hold her.
He looked at the beautiful woman he held so much affection for. It hurt to think that they would never have a family together and their story was once again over before it even started.
"Lucy," Bucky licked his lips as he said her name, he knew it was the last time he would ever say it. Bucky's heart raced. He wanted to picture her exactly how she was. If he was going to die, he was glad his last moments were with her. With her bloodshot, red eyes from crying. She was looking at him the same way he was looking at her. She had a small smile on her face, suggesting she was glad she was there with him. Bucky knew he wouldn't have changed the last few days they had for the world.
And as he was in his final moments he didn't think of anything. Not his home, or his family. His mom, dad, or sisters. Not of Steve. Not of any of his past lover's or their faces whom he couldn't even remember if he tried.
There was only her. Lucy Heinrich. She was a fire of a woman. A spark. A light in the darkness for him, and the love he had for her burned so brightly that it hurt. He took her in in her entirety. Wanting his last thing he saw to be her. He didn't care that he was going to die. There was only her…
"I love you." Was all he said; his final words.
Lucy's mouth dropped in that moment and she breathed out, confused, "What?"
It was then Bucky slammed his foot into one of the tubes. Hot steam came out of it rapidly, creating enough of a distraction for them to take cover as suddenly they were being shot at.
Bullets pinged off of the equipment behind them as all three of them scattered. Bucky had been hoping for a much better reaction than 'what?' from her but it would have to do for now.
Schmidt screamed at his men to stop shooting, worried they would destroy all the expensive equipment. Lucy, Bucky, and Dugan took it as an opportunity to run towards an exit.
Immediately Lucy dropped her shoes and was running barefoot through a corridor. The guys were hot on her trail, but she didn't check to see if they were still behind her completely. Her heart was pounding so hard in her chest she was sure it would jump out.
"You love me?!" Lucy yelled behind her, her voice carrying as she called back to Bucky. The shock was evident in her tone, confusion dripping from her words.
"I thought we were going to die, alright! Unless—?" Bucky remained hopeful. He knew it was a long shot she loved him back, but he could dream. Lucy cut him off before he could finish his sentence.
"We'll see!" She smirked as she kept running. Not bothering to look back in case it slowed her down.
"Can you two stop it! We're getting fucking shot at!" Dugan was forever the voice of reason.
Breathlessly, she went forward and tried not to dwell too much further on Bucky's admittance of being in love with her. There was no possible way he could have actually been, right ? He barely knew her, and it took Lucy forever to finally admit that she was in love with Daniel.
But perhaps after some time she could reciprocate his feelings back? Lucy wanted to, more than anything. There was no doubt that she was falling for him, but she just wasn't there yet. But what she did know was that if she could wake up with him beside her every day for the rest of her life she would be happy. All she needed was him, and that was good enough for her.
Her happy thoughts were quickly interrupted by more pressing matters at hand. Like the fact that they were being shot at by Nazis. Lucy continued running, not worrying about either Dugan and Bucky because she knew they could handle themselves. The fact she was in an evening gown didn't slow her down, and she continued on regardless.
It wasn't until she crashed into a large, muscular body and was sent flying back that she finally stopped. Her head hit the ground and she felt dizzy.
The man had also toppled over under the impact of her slamming into him at breakneck speed. She brought her hand to her head to keep it from pounding as both she and the large, intimidating, solid mass of man shuffled to get to their feet.
The man's hand was suddenly on his hip holster, getting ready to grab his gun to shoot her. When suddenly Lucy heard a maddening yell and Bucky came out of nowhere and tackled the man to the ground. The two men went flying, hitting the floor roughly.
"That's my girlfriend, you Nazi bastard!" Bucky yelled as he got to his feet and kicked him hard in the face. Blood poured from the man's nose as he yelled in pain under the impact.
Lucy looked at Bucky in shock, yet again with an open mouth. She would never understand why men believed women to be the complicated ones.
"I mean," Bucky looked at her, his chest heaving with his heavy breath and he shrugged, "Unless you don't want to? I did just tell you I loved you so—,"
"Yes! Okay! We can discuss this later! Let's just go!" She landed another kick to the man on the ground. That time to his groin where he then howled in pain. The man was on the floor writhing and Bucky watched Lucy in admiration, but also a little bit of fear.
"You're my dream girl," Was all Bucky said as he stared at her in awe after she landed a kick hard enough that the man's grandchildren would feel it.
"Really?" Her expression softened and she cooed, her insides melting just a little bit at his sweet confessions. She only wished they had enough time to revel in them.
"For fuck's sake you two!" Dugan yelled frustratedly before gunfire once again rang out. Lucy ducked as bullets ricocheted off the cement walls. She ran to the hall on the left, not realizing until too late that she had lost both Dugan and Bucky in the confusion and panic.
She had no choice but to keep running. Her feet barely touching the ground each time they hit it. She rolled her eyes, realizing the familiarity of the situation. It was almost exactly like Egypt. The chase, the gun shots, the keeping artifacts out of the hands on Nazis. And now, she had separated from Bucky and Dugan much like she did with Charles when they had been perused.
Exactly like Egypt, was all she thought. Piece of cake.
Oh boy, that was intense. I hope you all enjoyed reading that chapter. It was fun to write for sure. I absolutely adore writing Dugan. He's just the comic relief needed lol. And how much do you hate me for Bucky admitting he loved Lucy like that? Never fear though! There will be a much fluffier, less suspenseful scene later on!
And, you'll never guess what I did! I finally wrote their kissing scene! And ugh it is *chefs kiss* perfection! I gotta say it's some of my strongest writing. When it will be posted I will never tell you, but it's very, very close ;) Sorry about the slow burn. The wait is worth it, I promise.
Please review, if I get enough I might think to throw in a shirtless Bucky in the next chapter. I know you all love it. Also, I count on them to boost my ego and this is narcissism at its peak.
Follow and favourite for the next update!
I love you all dearly,
-A
