As always, comments are greatly appreciated. I did revise Chapter 1 and 2 a bit if you would like to check them out. Please let me know what you guys are thinking. Enjoy! I have created an email address strictly dedicated to answering any and all questions you have about the story...anything you ever wondered about or suggestions of your own. The yahoo email address ID is ecorleyfanfic

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Bucky POV

Since I was already late for my appointment with Dr. Peters and Eden was meeting Clint for training at 10:00am, we decided to ride to SHIELD together rather than her sit around a little longer before taking a cab. Over the last few weeks, I had actually begun to look forward to my designated time with the doctor, but I gladly gave it up today to stay with her. I didn't want to be away from her one second longer than was needed. Ever since we had finished our shower earlier, I had been watching her very carefully just to reassure myself that she really was okay.

While we got dressed and ready for the day, I had watched her. As we both hurriedly ate a bowl of cereal while standing at the kitchen counter, I had watched her. When we walked down the stairs to the parking lot, her fingers intertwined with my metal ones, I had watched her. And now, as I drove us to SHIELD headquarters, I watched her. Witnessing her break down this morning was one of the scariest things I had ever seen and I never wanted it to happen again.

"Stop staring at me Bucky, I'm fine" Eden said quietly as she stared out the car window.

How did she even know I was looking at her?

My unasked questioned was answered, "...because I know you Sergeant Barnes" Eden said, turning away from the window finally and giving me a small smile, "...maybe better than you know yourself sometimes"

The small lilt in her voice at the end made it sound almost like a question but the smirk on her face showed her amusement. She had caught me staring at her, confirming that she had been right. The obvious pleasure was there in her eyes, shining bright blue as she cocked one eyebrow at me.

"Maybe" I said, grinning at her before turning my eyes back to the road.

We lapsed into silence for several minutes and I could almost hear the wheels in her head turning...she was thinking hard about something. She finally let out a soft sigh and I glanced over to see her shifting in her seat to face me more. Her small smile had turned into a frown and she was looking down at her hands in her lap.

"How long should I expect this to last?" she questioned. Before I could ask what "this" was, she spoke up again, rolling her eyes and waving her hands towards me, "...you watching me. I can't stand seeing you look at me like that..."

I turned to her and before I could speak, she pointed at me, "...that look right there Bucky. It's the same look I expect I'll be seeing from everyone else today...Brooke, Steve, Clint...I don't need to see it from you too, okay?"

I knew she was right. While she was in the bathroom this morning drying her hair, I had snuck out of our bedroom and called Steve. I desperately needed to get his opinion on Eden's break down this morning and hear him tell me that I had done the right thing. As always, Steve reassured me that I had handled it just fine. I was also relieved to hear that he had called the detective this morning and was told that Sam seemed to be out of the woods and was expected to make a full recovery. I knew that would make Eden feel much better.

"How's Brooke?" I had finally asked. I knew Brooke had been upset last night and I had done my best to comfort her. Like Eden, she was strong and independent, so seeing her feeling so guilty last night and upset really bothered me.

"Much better. Thanks for talking to her last night...whatever you said...well, it really helped Buck" he replied, "She didn't even argue with me this morning when I told her to go to work and stop worrying about it"

I stuck my head back in our bedroom and when I heard the hair dryer still running I said, "She had no reason to feel guilty Steve...it wasn't her fault, just one of those things that happened. Eden should be ready to go soon, I should probably go"

"Hold on a sec Bucky, there's one more thing I wanted to talk to you about" he spoke up quickly.

"What is it?"

"It's about Clint" he said slowly, "...something happened last night that I think you should know about"

I had listened as he filled me on how Clint had reacted to hearing about Eden being in danger and what he had almost done. Most boyfriends may have been suspicious, maybe even jealous upon hearing how concerned another man was about his girlfriend's well-being but I wasn't...at least not when it came to Clint. I had realized weeks ago that he cared about Eden which is why he was the first person I went to for help when the girls had wanted to go home for Jill's bachelorette weekend. I trusted Clint to keep Eden safe because I knew he loved her...definitely not the same way I felt about her but more similar to what I felt for Brooke. I would do anything for the little red head, not just because she was important to Steve and Eden but because at some point, I had grown to care about her too. She was fiercely loyal to Eden, a trait I greatly admired and could appreciate. That was the same way Eden and Clint felt about each other. The last person I would ever have to worry about stealing my girl away from me was Clint Barton...and of course Steve.

I understood what had been running through Clint's head last night when he thought about killing that guy. The same thought had crossed my mind the second I had laid eyes on him. The only reason he wasn't carried out of that store in a body bag was because of Eden...my worry for her at that moment outweighed any desire to murder that man...that and the fact that I knew with so many witnesses around, I would never get away with it.

"He almost did it Bucky. If I hadn't seen him when I did..." he let his sentence trail off and there was silence for a few seconds before he spoke again, "I swear when it comes to Eden, you and him are exactly alike Bucky"

Realizing that what he said could be taken the wrong way, he quickly spoke again, "...I'm not saying that you have to worry about him Bucky...I just mean..."

I interrupted him, "...he loves her" I said softly.

"Bucky..." he said cautiously, hesitating slightly. I knew he was thinking that I was going to be angry at this revelation...that I would assume Clint was out to steal Eden away from me. But I knew it was the exact opposite. Clint would always keep her safe for me, even if and when I couldn't.

"No Steve, I get it. I know he doesn't love her the way I do. That's not what I'm saying. I understand what you meant. He feels protective of Eden, just like you do...the same way I feel about Brooke" I said quietly.

"You feel protective of Brooke?" Steve asked, seeming stunned by that confession.

"Of course" I said incredulously, slightly offended that my best friend would even ask that.

I heard Steve sigh, "No, no, no Bucky. I didn't...I mean...it's just...well knowing that you feel that way about Brooke is a big relief. If anything ever happens to me Bucky...if I don't make it back one day, I want you..."

Thinking about losing Steve made my heart begin pounding in my chest. An image of him as a kid, short and skinny Steve, popped into my head. All those times I stopped him from being bullied, all the fights I had rescued him from...even after he became Captain America and I had followed him into battle as one of his Howling Commando's...they all began to replay over and over again in my head. I could feel a small surge of panic in me as I thought about what would happen if I ever lost him. I swallowed the lump in my throat and willed that fear out of me. Steve was Captain America. Steve was my friend. Steve was my hero.

"Nothing is going to happen to you..." I started

Steve cut me off, "I'm just saying that if something ever did, I'm glad I know that I can rely on you to take care of her Bucky"

"That goes without saying...till the end of the line, remember?" I said.

I heard him chuckle lightly, "I remember"

I heard the hair dryer finally cut off and I quickly whispered into the phone, "I have to go Steve. We'll talk later"

I ended the call and scrolled through my phone until I found Clint's number and typed out a text message.

Bucky: Eden is still planning on training today. You and I need to talk later.

I had then pocketed the phone and made my way back in the bedroom to find Eden getting dressed.

"Okay Bucky?" I heard Eden ask again. I realized that I hadn't answered her question and quickly shook myself free of my thoughts from this morning.

"Okay Eden" I promised softly before reaching my hand out and giving hers a quick squeeze.

She nodded her head, taking my word and went back to staring out the car window again. When we pulled into the parking lot, we walked hand in hand into the building and made our way towards the training rooms. When we reached mine, I was reluctant to stop and instead wanted to walk her to her room first. She released my hand and turned towards me with a smile on her face that quickly disappeared when she saw my hesitation at letting her go alone.

"Bucky..." she started to say warningly.

I held up my hands to stop her and instead, leaned down to give her a quick kiss on the cheek, "I know, I know...but I will be by later to check on you, okay?"

She started to argue with me about it but when she saw my jaw muscle clench tightly, she gave me a sigh and nodded her head in defeat. She knew she could only push me so far...I would let the woman get away with a lot but even I had my limits. I WOULD check up on her and she would just have to deal with.

She crossed her arms over her chest defiantly and pouted, "Fine!" She turned on her heel quickly and began to stomp away angrily.

"I love you" I called out to her quickly retreating form.

She paused, turned in my direction and promptly stuck her tongue out at me, "Yeah, yeah, I love you too" she said before throwing her hair over her shoulder and continuing on her way.

I couldn't help but chuckle at her childish display and watched her until she was no longer visible. I made my way into the training room and worked with Roland for a good hour before I decided to take a break and check on her.

As I made my way to her location, I thought about how great Roland had been doing the last couple of weeks. With Christine gone, I had been able to give him my full and undivided attention and he had progressed more than I had ever thought possible. I had already informed Director Fury that my pupil was ready to begin field work. I had been instructed that after the start of the New Year, I would be given two new recruits to work with. I was pleased with Roland's dedication and I would miss working with him.

I reached Eden's training room but before I could enter, I heard my name called.

"Bucky", I heard a familiar voice.

I turned to see Clint exiting one of the weapon rooms located across the hall from his training area. As he walked towards me, I noticed how he looked at me warily. I figured it was because he knew Steve would inform me of what happened last night.

I looked towards the door to the training room and Clint spoke up quickly, "She's taking a break while I went to put some things away. You said earlier that we needed to talk..." He let his sentence trail off and I nodded my head at him.

"I heard about last night..." I started"

He let out a deep breath, "I know Bucky...it wasn't my place. I don't know what happened. If Steve hadn't stopped me when he did I would have...well, it wouldn't have ended well. When I heard what happened, I just got so angry..."

I nodded my head and watched him carefully, waiting for him to finish.

"I've been working with Eden for weeks now Bucky. She's my student...she's my friend...I mean...I..." he was stuttering now which is something I had never seen from Clint Barton. I knew he was struggling to get what he wanted to stay out, but I didn't know whether it was from fear of me taking it the wrong way or fear of actually admitting it out loud. Once you speak something, that makes it true and from that moment on, it can and often will be used against you. In our line of work, soldiers on a constant war front, having people know your weaknesses could often lead to tragic circumstances.

"...you love her" I finished, staring at him with what I hoped was a cold, hard gaze.

His eyes widened and he shook his head, holding his hands up to me as if he was fending me off. He opened his mouth several times to speak but was having trouble getting the words out.

"...I don't love, love her Bucky...but I do...I mean like a friend...not in a romantic way" he was blabbering again and I had to bite my tongue to keep a straight face.

I continued staring the man down as I watched him grow more and more uncomfortable. I lowered my face so he couldn't see the smile trying to creep slowly across my face. A small chuckle finally escaped my lips and the façade was broken. I raised my face back up and saw Clint's was bright red from embarrassment and his shock was evident in his eyes. When he saw me cracking a smile, his eyes narrowed and he glared at me.

He rubbed the back of his head with his hand and took a deep breath.

"You're an asshole, you know that Barnes?" he muttered, looking away suddenly embarrassed.

I nodded and watched him carefully. Clint Barton was a good man...a good friend...a good teacher. He looked at me with a dumbfounded expression on his face when I suddenly thrust my hand out towards him. He looked at it inquisitively for a moment before extending his own and giving me a firm handshake.

I pulled my hand from his, "I appreciate all the things that you have done for her Clint...all the things that you are willing to do for her" I said pointedly.

"If I had taken him out...if I had gone through with it...well, I know it's not what she would have wanted but it sure would have made me feel a hell of a lot better" he finished.

"You're right, it's not what she would have wanted" I said simply, "...and it would have made me feel a lot better too Clint" I added.

We looked at each other, knowing that deep down we both believed that man deserved to pay for what he had done...for what he had almost done to a woman we both loved. Even though we knew it was wrong, knew she wouldn't approve, we shared a moment of completely understanding and respect for each other.

With a final nod, I looked back towards the door, suddenly eager to see her. I took one step but felt a hand on my shoulder.

"Wait Bucky, there's something else I wanted to talk to you about...about Eden" he said, letting his hand drop back to his side.

He had my full attention now and I waited for him to continue.

He started, "She's different today..."

Well no shit Sherlock...of course she's different.

He rolled his eyes at me and I thought for a moment that I had spoken the words out loud rather than in my head.

"I know that look" he said when he saw me raise my eyes curiously.

"Sorry" I mumbled, "please elaborate"

He sighed before going on, "It's like she flipped a switch Bucky. Eden's always done very well, always shown so much potential but today..."

"...so she's having an off day, what's the big deal?" I grumbled, irritated that he would expect her to be in top shape after the night she had.

He quickly spoke up, "That's not it Bucky. She's not having an off day; it's the exact opposite actually"

I looked at him sharply, urging him without words to go on until finally he did, "I've never seen more focused, she's right on point. I've never seen her so..." he seemed be searching for the words and I was shocked with the one he finally chose, "...dangerous" he finished quietly.

I squinted my eyes at him, "Dangerous? Eden?"

"I know it sounds crazy, but Bucky it's true. She's moved on to an entirely new level. I've never seen anything as amazing as what I witnessed this morning from her" he said.

"What do you mean by a new level?" I asked.

He shook his head, "I don't know how to explain it. You just have to see it for yourself"

I looked at him skeptically. Eden was the least dangerous person I knew. She cared about people...too much most of the time, which is part of the reason why she was so broken up about what had happened during the robbery at the liquor store. Not being able to help those people last night had torn her up inside. No, the last thing Eden could ever be was dangerous.

He motioned to the door, "Shall we?"

"Lead the way" I said.

"You can spar with her this time. She's already kicked my ass enough for the day" he said as he reached the for the door handle.

I stopped him before he could open the door, "Wait, I have a better idea. Roland hasn't sparred with anyone besides me since Christine was booted out"

I was proud of how well Roland had been doing the last few weeks, I had taught him nearly everything I knew. I figured Eden would feel more comfortable sparring with him than she ever would be with someone like Marston.

Clint looked at me hesitantly, "Bucky I don't think that's a good idea. Things could get intense, one of them could get hurt..."

I shook my head, "Roland knows when enough is enough. Don't worry, he won't hurt her" I quickly turned around to head back to my training room to collect my recruit.

What he said next stopped me in my tracks, "It's not her I'm worried about Bucky"

I turned to see Clint looking at me with a very serious expression on his face.

He went on, "I told you Bucky...Eden is different. She isn't training like she just wants to learn a few defense moves...not anymore"

I swallowed hard, growing more concerned as I saw the look in his eyes, "Then what is she training like Clint?"

Clint looked at the door to the training room, the door that led to the room where my sweet Eden was waiting for him.

He finally glanced from the door back to me, "She's training like she's getting ready..."

He cut off his sentence when he saw two agents walking down the hallways together. We both nodded our heads at the two men and watched as they made their way out of the corridor.

The moment they were out of sight I spoke, "Getting ready for what Barton?" I said impatiently.

He sighed and then took a deep breath, "...for war"

I stood staring at him, blinking my eyes rapidly as I tried to comprehend what he had just said.

War?

"Last night, Eden stared death right in the eye and survived. It did something to her and I'm not saying it's necessarily a bad thing but now...now it's like she is preparing to do it again and she's ready to tell death to fuck off. She knows a battle is coming Bucky...Kaine is coming! You may want to keep her out of it, to protect her and believe me I understand that...I want her safe too. I'm just saying that I don't think Eden has any intention of sitting this one out Bucky"

As I stood there in shock, he stepped up to the training room door and reached for the handle.

Without turning around, he said, "Grab your recruit. You need to see with your own eyes what I mean"

With that, he opened the door and walked in, letting it close softly behind him. I stood there, still stunned by his words.

I'll never let her be a part of it. Kaine will never touch her, never get anywhere near her.

Milton Kaine was my enemy to fight, not hers. If it came down to it, I would give up everything for Eden...anything to keep her safe.