"Are you sure you want to stay here?" Shuri asked for the fourth time.

I smiled as I nodded. "He's comfortable here. I don't want to take him into an unfamiliar environment until we've built some trust. It'll be better all around if I stay here and work with him."

"But you hate being outdoors."

"No, I hated being outdoors in Brazil in the rain and mosquitoes. That's also why I'm counting on my favorite tech guru to hook me up with all the comforts of home." I patted her shoulder as the door of the ATV opened automatically. "And I'd love a bathtub too. You know, the big free-standing type with jets and stuff."

She rolled her eyes as she climbed in. "All right, but if you need anything."

"I'll call you." I held up the bracelet, which she'd explained was a holographic communicator. "Or whatever this thing does. Don't worry. I'll be just fine."

"I'll have your quarters delivered before nightfall." She grinned. "Thank you, my friend."

"No problem." I glanced over my shoulder to catch a glimpse of Bucky standing next to a pristine lake. "And make sure you get those things I asked for to me soon. I got a feeling their going to help with the trust issues."

She gave me one more grinning nod before turning and heading back to the capital. Once she was out of sight, I stared a Bucky before heading over. Pausing several feet from him, I waited to be acknowledged.

"You're staying here?" He asked, never looking away from the lake.

"You don't want me to?"

He shrugged. "It's fine. Just wondering where you're gonna sleep."

Before I could stop myself, I teasingly blurted out, "Hopefully, with you."

He jerked his head to stare at me with a look of horror that made me laugh.

"I'm just kidding, Bucky." I took a step closer. "Shuri's going to get some living quarters brought out before dark. Your man-cave is safe from the female invasion."

His shoulders relaxed. "So where do we start?"

"This is a good place." I took another step closer. "We can just talk and get to know each other."

"Why are you doing this?"

"Cause I want to help." Seeing his body stiffen to my canned response, I added, "Cause I couldn't help my dad from putting a bullet in his head."

Again, he relaxed. "I'm sorry."

"Me too," I mumbled, finally standing beside him. "I meant what I said. Where we go from here is up to you. I won't push or prod until you're ready. Whatever you tell or show me is because you want to. I'm just here to help."

"Like a friend." He sighed. "I'd like that."

"Me too. But first-" I sat down at the edge of the water. "Got any fishing poles? I'm dying to see if they're biting."

By the time a helicopter set down the circular building I'd call home during my stay, Bucky and I had been catching and releasing the brave little perch-like fish that took our bait for nearly two hours.

While we spoke on occasion, we mostly sat in a comfortable silence. I kept my promise and didn't use my empathic talents to sense his emotional state. Not that I needed to; his stiffness eased over time as we listened to the sounds of nature all around us.

"Home sweet home," I announced as I got up and went to the building once it was settled. The dark metal structure started to shift in color, blending into the surroundings while still being visible. The seven-foot door faced Bucky's hut, making it easy to access from his place if needed while still giving us privacy from one another.

As I passed the threshold, a female voice announced, "Good afternoon, Ms. Hunt. I'm Ruth, your virtual assistant."

I smiled. "Hi, Ruth. Can you turn on the lights, please?"

"With pleasure."

The bright LED's from the ceiling bathed the open floorplan flat in white light, revealing a fully functional kitchenette, table for dining, and living room with sectional sofa and round coffee table. There was also a large touchscreen interface with holographic projector mounted on top of a massive monitor.

"What? No bed? No toilet? No bathtub?" I teased.

A door at the far end of the living room slid open to a massive frameless bed only a few feet from a bathroom which included a massive freestanding bathtub.

"Shuri, you're amazing," I squealed as I rushed into my bedroom and dove into the tub still fully clothed. I relaxed back, imagining the hours I'd spending wasting time soaking in it.

"Are you sure you'd like to bath in your clothes, Ms. Hunt?" Ruth asked with a bit of what sounded like surprise.

I laughed as I got out. "No, Ruth. Not now, but later for sure."

"Yes, ma'am. By the way, your additional items have been put away for you. Will there be anything else?"

I smiled as I saw Bucky ease inside and quietly survey the building approvingly. "Send a message to Shuri thanking her and that's all for now."
"Not exactly roughing it, are you?' He grumbled, but there was a hint of amusement in his voice I latched onto.

"The Wi-Fi is super-crappy here so no online gaming." I shrugged. "That's roughing it, isn't it?"

He shook his head and smiled the first genuine smile since I'd arrived. I couldn't help but be pleased with the progress I'd already made with him.

"I should go," he said, slipping toward the door. "So you can settle in."

"If you want." I paused, allowing him a moment to overcome the obvious apprehension he felt. When his posture loosened, I added, "Or I could grab a couple of beers and we could watch a movie?"

"Okay."

I almost ran to the kitchenette but managed not to overreact. I knew what seemed like tiny gestures of acceptance where massive undertakings for him. I couldn't afford to make him feel uncomfortable with my elation over his willingness to work with me. Still, it was hard for me not to congratulate myself for making the right decision by staying.

"Oh!" I called as he settled onto the plush sectional. I pulled the carefully wrapped box out of the fridge along with two beers. "Shuri told me you were from New York, so I had something special sent over."

He eyed me cautiously as I set the box and beers down between us before I took a seat on the other end. Aware of how some veterans react to the unexpected, I slowly lifted the lid to reveal half a dozen fully dressed hotdogs.

His eyes widened in disbelief as I lifted one out and handed it over. "Are these…?"

"Nathan's hotdogs direct from the Coney Island store." I grinned as he took it. "Only the best."

He opened his mouth and took a massive bite, closing his eyes as he slowly chewed. I could hear a growling moan of intense pleasure rise in his chest as he leaned back in his seat to savor it. The look of complete satisfaction on his face as he swallowed then took a gulp of beer gave me goosebumps. I had to look away for fear he'd see me blushing.

"Delicious." He whispered, his already deep voice dropping an octave before he finally opened his eyes and smiled. "Thank you."

I reminded myself several times I was there to help him with his traumas before I trusted myself to speak. "So, you up for a really dumb comedy?"

Once again, he graced me with an honest smile that made my toes curl. "Sure."

We settled in and began watching a Laurel and Hardy movie while we nursed our beers and finished off the hotdogs. Every so often, I'd catch him glance in my direction, but the conversation was minimal. Still, I could tell he was relaxing and, by the time the second movie was half over, I noticed him taking long blinks for adjusting into a more comfortable position.

It'd be great if he got so comfortable he fell asleep, I thought as I began to clean up our mess. That'd show some serious trust.

"Let me help," he said when he noticed what I was doing.

"Sit down and relax, Bucky," I playfully scolded as I went into the kitchenette and washed up. "I got this."

"But," he started to argue.

"No but's." I smiled over at him. "You're going to miss the best part."

He looked unsure for only a moment before easing back down and continuing as he had before.

I studied him while I quietly worked, careful not to be obvious in my observation. Sitting there chuckling softly to the slapstick comedy, he looked so at peace. I knew this was the first time in a long time he wasn't fighting the internal war that raged within him.

When I rejoined him on the sofa, I could finally imagine what he'd been like before violence and hatred had stripped him of his innocence. Behind his stormy eyes, I could almost see the man whose heart was as gentle as his smile. I prayed I'd be able to help him find that man again but as I turned to watch the movie with him, I felt like I already had.

I don't know when I dozed off, but I opened my eyes to see Bucky slumped over fast asleep next to me. His hard face was relaxed as he rested it against his hand while his dark hair draped over his eyes like a curtain begging to be brushed aside.

Ohmigod! I gushed mentally. He actually fell asleep.

Against my better judgment, I let my fingertips glide over his forehead to move the rogue locks covering his face. His skin was warm and just slightly rough so that I couldn't help but trail my hand down to his cheek. I didn't notice his hand until it caught my wrist like a steel trap. Suddenly, he yanked me into his lap painfully.

"Bucky!" I yelled, realizing my mistake too late. His hand released my wrist only to dart to my throat and clamp down. "Bucky!"

His eyes burst open suddenly but were blank as he mumbled something that sounded like Russian. His fingers dug into my neck and slowly began to squeeze.

"Bucky, wake up!" I managed to force out as the lack of oxygen started to make me lightheaded.

When he finally woke just seconds later, there was a look of horror when he relaxed his was choking me. Releasing me and jumping to his feet at the same time, I hit the floor with a thud.

"Destiny, I…" He stuttered as he tried to acclimate himself to the realization of what'd happened. "I didn't mean… I was… God!"

I stood up and forced a smile, trying to calm him down. "It's okay. It was an accident. No harm done."

He shook his head and I thought I almost saw a tear in his eyes. "No. Don't. I need to go. You're not safe with me."

Bucky, wait." I caught his arm as he started to leave. "It's really okay. It was my fault anyway. I shouldn't have touched you when you were sleeping. I'm sorry."

He turned to me, confused. "You… You touched me?"

I nodded, the guilt cutting me to the core. "I'm sorry."

He scanned my face, searching for a reason. Finally, he yanked his arm away. "I have to go."

Before I could argue, he was already out the door. I flopped down on the sofa and cursed myself for being so stupid. All the progress from the day had disappeared and I was to blame. I'd violated his trust and ruined the foundation we'd been working to build.

"Ruth," I called as I made my way to the bedroom. "Pull up Sargent Barnes' file and read it aloud."

"Any specific section, Ms. Hunt?" she asked.

"The beginning," I answered as I stripped and got into the shower. "We're starting from scratch."