The weekend passed too quickly and before I knew it, I found myself back in the training room at SHIELD with Clint. Thankfully, I was more focused than I was the last time we had trained and I did not spend the entire time flat on my back. The first half of our session, I had gone toe to toe with him and he had a pleased expression plastered on his face.

"So what..."

PUNCH

"...did you..."

PUNCH

"...and Bucky do..."

PUNCH

"...this weekend?"

PUNCH, PUNCH, PUNCH

I thought about how great of weekend it had turned out to be and stopped throwing punches at him. I was about to respond to his question when he lunged at me. I tried to dodge out of the way but he already had his strong arms around me and promptly threw me to the mat.

Well so much for not being put on your ass today.

Clint stood over me and peered down with a stern look on his face, "Do you know why you ended up on your ass?"

I thought back to previous lessons when Clint had told me about letting myself get distracted while fighting. He kept telling me I needed to clear my mind and always concentrate on the enemy in front of me. I realized exactly why he had asked me about my weekend...he was purposely trying to distract me to test me – I had failed.

I scowled and glared up at him, "Your distracted me...purposely, I might add...that's cheating Barton"

"Distractions are going to happen Eden...you have to keep yourself focused so you can anticipate the other person's next move." he replied.

I narrowed my eyes and gritted my teeth, "I seriously doubt whoever I'm up against will be inquiring how my damn weekend went"

His serious look finally faltered...he chuckled and stuck his hand out to me. With a deep sigh, I took his outstretched arm and let him pull me up.

He looked me squarely in the eye and nodded at me, "You ready to go again?"

"Let's do this" I cracked my knuckles and gave him a hard look, "Don't hold back on me"

Clint thought about it carefully before he gave me a nod; I knew he wasn't going to be gentle with me this time. He knew how important it was for me to know what it felt like to really fight someone...if he didn't show me, I would be in for a rude awakening if or when I really did get hit.

I gave it everything I had. I could feel my heart racing and my breathing was labored but I pushed through and kept throwing punches at him. He was grinning as he dodged my hits and it was frustrating the hell out of me. The anger in me kept building up until it was the only thing fueling me to go on.

He's screwing with you Eden...take him DOWN!

I was completely in the zone, throwing punches left and right at him. I finally saw a chance and foolishly put all my strength into one single move. Clint was impossibly fast and blocked it before pushing me back hard with more strength than I think he really intended. I felt myself falling to the mat but I used the momentum of the fall to roll myself backwards and back up on my feet. I kept my body low and kicked my foot into his stomach. He doubled over and I used that as the opportunity I needed. With a growl, I launched myself onto his back and wrapped my arm around his throat...I squeezed hard to cut off his oxygen and choke him out. I wasn't leaning back far enough and I hissed in pain when he reached back and grabbed a hand full of my hair to yank me off of him. I rolled off his back and landed on my knees. I felt his hand on the back of my neck and he roughly lifted me to my feet before punching me in the side. I threw my elbow back, grinning to myself when I heard his sharp exhale of breath and a grunt of pain. I turned to face him and when he reached for me I punched him in the gut as hard as I could. I caught his arm and then twisted my body and used my weight to flip him over. He landed flat on his back and I stood over him, ready to pounce again...he threw up his hands in a stop motion.

You're a regular badass Eden. Where the hell did that come from? Apparently all those nights of watching action movies on TV finally paid off.

I was breathing heavily and still completely amped up...adrenaline coursing throughout my body. I heard the barest of noises behind me and I turned in that direction, ready to attack whoever had managed to sneak in. I let out soft sigh when I saw it was Bucky standing there. He had his fists clenched tightly at his sides and an expression on his face of complete and utter shock mixed with a hint of anger.

I caught sight of his knuckles turning white as he continued tightening his fist...I knew the anger in his face was probably from watching Clint man handle me but I wasn't sure about the surprise I saw there. I slowly looked down at Clint on the mat.

He was looking up at me with the same look of astonishment on his face that Bucky had. I had to admit it, when I thought about it, I was stunned myself at what had just happened. Clint had never showed me half of the moves I had just used against him...my body had just instinctually acted.

Bucky looked down at Clint and in a low voice said, "What the hell have you been teaching her Barton?"

Clint shook his head, "I didn't teach her all of that" He sat up from the mat, clutching his stomach where I had punched him, "I told you she was a natural"

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, trying to reel myself back in and calm down. I felt a hand on my shoulder and I opened my eyes...Bucky was now standing in front of me. It was like all I needed was that one touch from him, I felt my body completely relax.

He looked a little confused when I smiled up at him and said, "Hey...aren't you supposed to be training your recruits?"

He hesitated a second before answering, "They're taking a break...I came to see how you were doing"

My ponytail had come loose while I was sparring with Clint so I reached up to tighten it as I said, "Well as you can see, I'm doing just fine over here"

"Better than fine I would say" Clint said as he walked over to join us...he handed me my water bottle and I stepped back from him and Bucky to take a long swig. I walked over to where I had left my towel and picked it up to wipe my face. I watched as him and Bucky stood together talking quietly.

I sauntered back over to them, "Now you boys wouldn't be talking about me, would you?"

I stopped next to Bucky and smiled when he slid his arm around my waist and pulled me closer to him, laying a soft kiss on my cheek.

Clint shook his head at me, "Best damn student I've ever had...I think it's time to move onto something a little more interesting"

I felt Bucky's tense up next to me and I patted his hand reassuringly. I raised my eyebrows curiously and asked, "What would that be?"

He grinned at me, "Stick fighting"

Another exhilarating rush of adrenaline flowed through me and I felt the smile form on my face. I had a feeling Bucky was about to say something so I quickly turned to him before he could get a word out, "You should probably get back to your recruits babe. If it's okay, I'll come over there when I'm done and wait for you to finish up"

He looked between me and Clint for several moments before nodding his head.

"I'm going to go get set up Eden" Clint said, turning around and heading over to a storage locker.

I walked over with Bucky to the door leading out of the training room and turned to him. He was looking over to where Clint was pulling out the wooden fighting sticks.

He finally said what I knew he had wanted to say since he saw me and Clint sparring, "Is he always that rough with you?"

I remembered how Clint had snatched me up by the neck so roughly and his swift punch to my side. Clint had sparred with me the same way before but not very often...he didn't want to leave marks because he knew Bucky wouldn't like it. Looking up at his face at this moment, I knew Clint's caution had been warranted.

I ignored Bucky's question and pulled his face towards me so I could kiss him on the lips, "Clint's going to work with me a little longer today and tomorrow since we won't be training for the rest of the week because of Thanksgiving...so I should be over to you by 1:30"

He frowned, "I'll take that as a yes then"

I opened the door and even though he was 6 feet of solid muscle, he let me push him out the door, "Goodbye...love you" I pulled the door closed quickly and turned back to Clint with a smile on my face. He grinned up at me when I walked back over to the mat and picked up two of the wooden sticks now laying there.

I swung them in my hands, surprised at how light they were, and then looked up at him, "Let's do this"

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Bucky POV

I stared at the door that Eden had just pulled closed and frowned. When I had made my way over to her and Clint's training room I had expected to see them practicing some moves or maybe doing a little target practice. What I had walked in had stunned me to my core. Eden had been incredible to watch...her movements so fluid and swift, almost graceful. I had quietly entered the room without them noticing right as they had started and had watched the entire thing.

I had been content standing back and watching until the moment Clint reached up and yanked her by her hair causing her to let out a painful gasp.

Keep calm Bucky...he just pulled her hair a little...it's not like he punched her.

I saw her face scrunch up in pain when he grabbed the by the back of her neck and delivered a quick blow to her side.

Mother fucker!

At that point, I had started stalking over to them, ready to grab him by his own damn neck and show him how it felt to be punched in the side by my metal left arm.

I had stopped when I saw how Eden recovered from the blow. She had a grin on her face when she elbowed him and the punch she followed with was solid. She had grabbed his arm so quickly and had him flipped over, back flat on the mat within seconds.

I had asked Eden if Clint was always that rough with her...I knew I had my answer when she ignored the question and gave me a kiss.

The thought of Clint, or anyone for that matter, causing her physical pain made a very dangerous feeling, which I thought I had tucked away, start to resurface.

Fighting sticks!? If I saw one fucking bruise on her I would have very serious talk with Clint.

When I arrived back at the training room, my recruits had put their weapons away and were now dressed and ready to spar. I worked with each of them individually first.

Roland had made such a vast improvement since I had begun working with him. In a few weeks, I planned on letting Fury know that I thought he was ready. He had the right temperament and his fighting skills were getting better each and every day. He had already been a good shot and had only gotten better under my tutelage.

Christine was another story...she was a good fighter, that much was certain...her weapon skills were adequate. It was her attitude was going to be her downfall...she was too confident...too sure of herself. That kind of thinking would get not just HER killed in the field, but others as well. In fact, since I had begun working with her, I had noticed a decline in her performance...she seemed more and more distracted and it was noticeable in her fighting.

You know what's distracting her Bucky. Eden told you what she said on Friday to her.

I had bugged Eden all day Sunday to tell me what had been said between her and Christine on Friday. I was furious when she finally told me but Eden had insisted that I drop it and let it go.

The woman's relentless pursuit disturbed me...she just didn't seem to get the hint that it did not flatter me like it did most guys. I despised the way she looked at me and the constant feeling of someone watching me put me on edge.

I had told Eden that I didn't know why Christine was so dead set on sleeping with me...she had laughed at me and had a surprised look on her face.

"You're a hot piece of ass baby. Most girls that look at you want to sleep with you."

I had grinned when I heard her tell me that and I remembered what I had told her back.

"Well, unfortunately for them, this hot piece of ass belongs to you and only you"

She had laughed and then snuggled closer to me, allowing me to smell that wonderful floral aroma that always came from her hair.

As much as I was ready to get rid of Christine and her unwanted advances, I knew she wasn't ready. Honestly, I didn't know if she would ever be ready...maybe she just needed a different instructor. I was planning on talking to Fury about it to let him decide what course of action to take.

As I worked with Roland on the mat, I felt that eerie feeling of being watched and it made my skin crawl. I glanced over my shoulder and saw her watching me closely as she bent over and stretched, preparing for her turn with me.

I finished up with Roland just as Eden made her way into the training room. She was still in her training clothes and it didn't look like she had showered yet. She gave me a quick smile and snatched up a folding chair. She walked closer to the mat and then unfolded the chair and took a seat to watch.

"Christine, you're up" I said gruffly. I still had my eyes on Eden and she rolled her eyes, clearly unhappy that she had to watch me spar with the woman who was so adamantly trying to sleep with me.

Christine was so busy glaring at Eden that she didn't hear what I said. I walked over to her stepped in front of her line of sight...she jumped back in surprise.

"You're up" I said through gritted teeth.

She flashed me a wide smile and nodded her head before flouncing over to the mat. Because of the looks she kept giving me, I only gave her half the time I gave Roland. I finally stopped her and told her and Roland to spar together. She was not happy about it but said nothing...she simply threw Roland a dirty look and faced him.

Once they had started, I walked over to where Eden was sitting watching us. She looked up at me with a smile and I took a knee in front of her, resting my head in her lap. I sighed happily when I felt her hands smooth back my hair and her nails scratching my scalp gently.

"She's watching us" I heard her murmur softly.

I lifted my head and looked back at my students...Christine kept glancing over to where me and Eden were. Because she wasn't completely focusing on her opponent, Roland was able to get the upper hand on her and knock her to the mat. She slammed her hands down on the mat in frustration and stood up quickly, facing him again.

I heard Eden chuckle softly and I couldn't help but turn around and smile up at her when she whispered to herself, "Serves her right for trying to fuck my boyfriend"

I took her hand and kissed it softly, "Damn I love you woman"

She pulled her hand from mine and ran it down my cheek before nodding her head in my student's direction, "You should probably get back over there. I'm going to go tell Clint goodbye and grab my bag from the other training room. I think we both need a shower"

I grinned at her, "Meet me in the men's locker room in 20 minutes"

She winked at me, "It's a date"

I sighed and stood up and watched her leave the room before walking back to the mat. For the last 15 minutes, I watched and critiqued them...shouting instructions to them as they moved over the mat. Finally, our time was up and I dismissed them for the day. Roland shook my hand and gathered his things before leaving. Christine hung back until he left and then turned to me, "Your girlfriend left?" she asked.

I didn't bother answering. I just grabbed my bag and headed to the locker room. I stripped down and threw my sweaty clothes into my bag and pulled out the clean ones. I wrapped a towel around my waist and straddled the bench, my back to the locker room door, to wait on Eden.

I pulled out my phone while I waited for her. I was leaning down reading a news article on my phone when I heard her finally enter the locker room.

I was completely focused on what I was reading and without turning around I said, "About time. I've been waiting for you" I leaned down and threw my phone back in my bag.

She didn't say anything but I felt her straddle the bench behind me. I groaned when I felt her hands rest lightly on my back and trail down, scratching lightly as she went.

"That feels good babe" I said softly.

I closed my eyes when I felt her reach around and let her hands trail across my chest and down my stomach. It wasn't until I felt her hands making their way down to my thighs that I opened my eyes and looked down. I knew right away something wasn't right.

Those are not Eden's hands!

"What the hell?" I yelled as I turned around. Christine looked startled when I suddenly shot up and the sly smile on her face made me nauseous.

The next thing that happened nearly made me throw up. I looked up and saw Eden standing in the doorway with a very shocked and angry look on her face.

"What the fuck are you doing?" she said angrily, glancing back and forth between me to Christine.

I opened my mouth but nothing came out...I knew how it must look to her but I couldn't make the words leave my mouth.

She started stalking across the locker room towards us and I finally sputtered out, "Eden...it's not what you think..."

She didn't hear what I said though because she had her sights set on Christine.

Oh FUCK!

I saw Christine's body tense up and she took a fighting stance.

"Don't you fucking touch her Christine" I called out.

There was no fucking way I was going to let her touch Eden but I was frozen in place. I watched as Eden finally reached Christine and dodged the blow that the woman threw at her. Before Christine could throw another punch, Eden caught her with one in the stomach and then snatched her by the hair and started dragging her out of the locker room.

"Eden!" I called after her.

I started to follow them and then realized I was still wearing just a towel.

"Fuck" I yelled in frustration.

I ripped it off and reached for the clean jeans I had planned to put on after my shower. I didn't bother to button them, just pulled up the zipper and ran after them, following the sounds of the two of them fighting.

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EDEN POV

"I better get going before Bucky starts wondering where I ran off to and comes looking for me. Thanks for the lesson today...I really enjoyed the fighting sticks" I said, reaching out and giving Clint a tight hug.

I felt his hands wrap around me and he squeezed me back, "Your welcome. I'll see you the same time tomorrow, ok?"

"Ok" I said, pulling away and picking my gym bag up.

I made my way quickly back to Bucky's training room. When I had went back for my bag, I ended up talking to Clint longer than I planned and realized it had been longer than 20 minutes.

I was just coming around the corner when I saw Christine standing in front of the door to the training room. I stepped back where she couldn't see me and watched her...she looked around nervously before opening the door and walking in.

What's this bitch up to?

I waited a few seconds and then made my way to the door and opened it quietly. I saw that she had already made it across the room and was standing outside of the men's locker room...I looked around but didn't see Bucky anywhere and noticed that his gym bag was no longer where I had seen it before I left. When I looked back, Christine was no longer there...she must have gone inside.

Bucky!

I made my way across the room until I came to the locker room door. I took a deep breath and tried to calm myself before I walked in.

What I saw when I walked it was my worst nightmare.

I could see Bucky had gotten undressed while he was waiting for me and was just sitting there in a towel. He was straddling the bench and has his back to me. Christine was behind him, running her hands down his back.

"That feels good babe" I heard Bucky say quietly.

Oh my God! I'll kill her for touching him!

I was screaming in my head, picturing myself beating the shit out of the whore in front of me...but I was frozen in place...unable to look away...unable to stop it...unable to say anything.

Even when she wrapped her arms around his chest, I still couldn't move...but the anger was building up inside of me. I was going to explode!

I watched as her hands made their way to his thighs and I finally got control of my body. I took one step before I saw Bucky jump up from the bench and turn around to face Christine.

"What the hell?" he shouted at her.

The look on his face allowed me everything I needed to know...it was full of disgust and shock.

He didn't realize it was her! He thought it was you touching him Eden! Not his fault! It was HER!

It was then that he looked up to see me standing there in the doorway. I finally regained my ability to speak.

"What the fuck are you doing?" I said. It was completely directed at Christine but I couldn't help glancing at Bucky...back and forth my eyes went.

I wish he would put his fucking clothes on...I don't want this bitch looking at him for a second longer. He's MINE!

The smug look on her face was the end of any control I may have had over my emotions. I stalked over to her and I knew she was ready for a fight...she was going to get exactly what she wanted. I had warned her...not more than 3 days ago.

"You keep this shit up and I will end you bitch!"

I vaguely heard Bucky saying, "Eden...it's not what you think..."

I completely ignored him. I was only focused on one thing and that was the bitch in front of me who had just laid hands on what belonged to me.

I heard him yell out again, "Don't you fucking touch her Christine"

Oh Bucky, my love! It's not me you should be worried for!

She threw the punch the instant I was close enough to her and I dodged it easily...fueled on by that familiar rage I had recently come to rely on. I reared back and punched her as hard as I could in the stomach. As soon as she leaned down to clutch her belly, I snatched a handful of her hair and dragged her out of the training room. The only thoughts in my head were that I had to get her away from my half naked boyfriend and how damn good it felt to have my fingers twisted in her hair.

I heard Bucky calling my name but I was too busy dragging the bitch out of there and towards the mat. I released her hair and she fell to her knees.

"I warned you!" I told her, my voice sounding eerily calm even though inside I was screaming.

She suddenly stood up and twisted her body towards me, backhanding me right in the mouth. I staggered back and raised my hand to my mouth. I think that was exactly the push I needed. I pulled my arm back and slugged her right in the face. It took her so much by surprise that she didn't see the kick coming. She didn't fall on the mat but she did throw her arm protectively over the spot on her stomach where my foot had connected. She was breathing heavily and with a shrill yell, she lunged at me, throwing all her weight on me and pushing me back on the mat. Her fist didn't have a chance to punch me...I bucked my hips up suddenly and flipped her over. I reared my own fist back to punch her and the euphoric feeling I felt when it made contact with her face was pure satisfaction. I pulled back again for a second shot but I felt arms suddenly wrap around my waist and yank me off of her.

"Let me go...let...me...go...dammit!" I was struggling with whoever had pulled me off of Christine. I felt the arms around me loosen and let me go.

Damn, that worked! Ask and ye shall receive.

Before I could advance on the girl again, I was spun around to face Bucky. The towel was gone, replaced by jean that were zipped up but not buttoned...they hung low on his hips and he was still shirtless.

I smacked him hard in the chest, "Go put your fucking shirt on Bucky and for God sakes button your pants" I seethed angrily and tried to step around him.

He grabbed me again and leaned in closely... his eyes were locked on mine and I could feel his lips hovering over my own, "Stop Eden...ok? You have to stop now"

His voice was so calm...so reassuring. I swallowed hard and closed my eyes, willing myself to breathe. I let my hands rest on his bare chest and he wrapped his arms around me for a moment.

When he pulled away he said, "Stay...please"

I nodded and watched as he turned around and pulled Christine up off the mat. She didn't say a word...just glared at me. I smiled wickedly at her when I saw the small trail of blood coming from her nose.

He started dragging her towards the exit and I heard him tell her, "You will report to Director Fury's office at 9:00 am in the morning. He can decide what the fuck to do with you because I'm done training you"

When she tried to say something he cut her off, "Don't say a fucking word"

He was at the door now but he hadn't opened it up yet. He turned her to face him and then pointed in my direction, "That woman is my life. You could never be anything to me...ever! It will always be her. Now get the fuck out!"

He opened the door and shoved her through it...she stood in the hallway looking bewildered but he quickly slammed the door in her face and locked it before turning back to me.

I was sweaty and my hair was sticking to my face. I had the sudden desperate need to get in the shower and scrub myself down. Bucky was making his way towards me, looking like he was trying to figure out what to say. I knew he had done nothing wrong and he had just told Christine the only words that I needed to hear.

I'm his life!

Without a word, I turned away from him and walked into the locker room. My bag was still just inside the door where I had dropped it. I took a seat on the bench and placed my bag on the bench next to me. I slumped forward and lowered my head...finally feeling my heart return to a normal pace.

I heard Bucky rush in and I looked over at him...he walked towards me, seeming very unsure of himself.

"Eden...I swear to you...I didn't know...didn't know it was her that was touching me...I would never.." he stopped talking when I put my hand up.

"I know Bucky. I was standing right there...I saw enough to figure it out" I said, pointing towards the door.

He slumped down on the bench next to me and let out a sigh of relief, "Thank God...I thought you would assume..."

He took my hand in his and looked over at me, "Are you okay?"

I gave him a quick nod of my head, "Yeah I'm fine, surprisingly so actually. I'm sorry I freaked out. Seeing her touch you was too much. You're mine Bucky...no one else's"

He threw his arm around me, "...and you're mine...You have nothing to apologize for Eden"

He ran his fingers through his hair and chuckled lightly, "I'll have to check with Steve, but I'm pretty sure that's not the first time that's happened"

I looked at him in confusion, "What do you mean?"

He leaned in to kiss me softly on the lips, "I'm pretty sure that's not the first time I've had two women fighting over me"

I laughed loudly, "It probably won't be the last time either"