"Shit!" I said as soon as I opened my eyes to see the bright sunshine streaming into my bedroom. "Ruth, what time is it?"

"Ten-Thirty," the AI responded. "But Ms. Hunt-"

"Why didn't you wake me," I demanded, stripped out of my pajamas and getting into the shower.

"As I was saying, I was informed you would be sleeping in," she replied with an unmistakable note of annoyance in her tone.

I didn't even want to ask. "By who?"

"Mr. Barnes. He's currently in the kitchen."

"Shit."

I'd hoped the night before had been a wonderfully erotic dream, but with his scent still on me and Ruth's confirmation, I had to accept that I'd slept with Bucky.

"Shit."

I dressed in a comfortable pair of jeans and a tee-shirt, taking more time than was necessary to delay the confrontation I knew was coming. I wasn't ready to face him yet. I just knew that in the light of day he'd realize what we'd done was a huge mistake. I needed time to steel myself against the impending heartbreak I knew was coming. My plans to go to the capital would've given me a chance to avoid him for a few hours so I could come up with some witty response to keep him from feeling bad, but with him standing in my kitchen there was no avoiding it. I was going to have face last night first thing in the morning.

"Morning, doll," Bucky said happily as he stood over the mini-stove holding a pan of eggs. "Hungry?"

"Always," I joked as I joined him. I quickly busied myself setting out the plates for him and trying to make small talk. "I didn't know you cooked."

He shrugged, that tiny smile I loved seeing dancing in the corner of his lips. "I don't really. Ruth's been helping me."

"My pleasure, Mr. Barnes," she said smugly. "The toast is ready."

"Got it." I slid past him to the toaster oven. "So I talked to Shuri last night. I need to go to the capital to get supplies. She's coming to get me later."

"Sounds fun," he commented as he piled eggs onto each plate. "But I can take you if you want."

"Goat isn't my ideal form of transportation." As I placed the toast on the plate, I felt his arm around my waist. "Bucky?"

He turned me around to face him. His mischievous smile faded only slightly as he kissed me. "I've been waiting all morning to do that."

I blushed. "Thank you, but it's not necessary."

He laughed as we sat down to eat. "It is for me, baby doll."

"I just don't want you to feel obligated to me because of last night." I stared down at the plate in front of me. "You know, you don't have to feel like we're committed or anything. You can be completely honest if you have any regrets about what we did. I completely understand."

"You're cute, Des." He winked as he took a bite of toast and quickly swallowed it. "The only regret I have is not doing it sooner. And I'd regret it if we didn't do it again soon."

I picked at my food, not wanting to offend him but also not wanting to pretend there was something there if there wasn't. "Bucky, you don't have to, you know, pretend you're interested in a relationship or anything. I'm fine if you just wanted this to be a one-time thing."

"Hey." He laid his fork down and reached for my hand. "Come here."

I stood and inched over to him, keeping my eyes downcast so he wouldn't see the tears I forced away. I needed to be strong so he didn't feel guilty if he just wanted a one-night stand.

"Do you remember last night?"

I smirked. "How could I forget."

He chuckled softly. "Not that part. The other part when I brought you back here. Do you remember that?"

I glanced up at him then back down. "I was half-asleep."

He caught my chin between his fingers and lifted it, so I was forced to look directly into his eyes. "I told you you were my girl now."

"That's just pillow talk." I tried to pull away, but he held me in place.

"I don't do pillow talk, doll." He sighed. "I don't wanna rush you, Des, but I really think we got something special. I just wanna see where it goes. Is that okay?"

I felt my cheeks warm and managed a little grin. "All right, but I need to warn you: I'm a bed hog. And I snore. Bad."

He laughed. "I'll take my chances. C'mon. Let's eat."

After breakfast, he led me to a small hay pile behind his hut. Having never been to the opposite side and not one to venture too far from my quarters, I never noticed the hay was really a camouflage tarp. He gave it a quick pull and it fell away to reveal a classic military issue World War II Harley-Davidson complete with sidecar in pristine condition.

I tried to look unimpressed by the museum-quality work of American craftsmanship, but I couldn't help but smile. "'42, right?"

"I knew you were the girl for me." He climbed on and offered me his hand with a grin. "Wanna ride?"

I raised an eyebrow. "Does it even run?"

A quick crank and he brought the beast growling to life. "C'mon, gorgeous."

I considered climbing into the sidecar, but when I finally agreed he pulled me onto the seat behind him. Before I could ask for a helmet, we were barreling through the beautiful countryside toward the capital. Over the two-hour ride, I was keenly aware of the power and grace of both man and machine as he drove the bike with skill even men with two arms would've had trouble competing with. Even though I knew he was amazingly strong, holding on to him while he guided us with ease reminded me of just how powerful he was, and I wondered if he'd ever stop exceeding my expectations.

Don't you fall in love, I warned myself. You're just going to get hurt in the end.

I pushed all thought of the future out of my mind as we enter the capital headed directly for the home of the royal family. Instead, I worried that we might be committing a social faux pas by arriving unannounced. However, I quickly realized this was far from the case when King T'Challa and his royal guard were outside to greet us before the engine was even off.

"Welcome back, my friends." He said warmly. "I was worried we'd lost you both to the simpler life."

"Not yet," Bucky replied as he helped me off then embraced the king. "It's good to see you."

And you as well, White Wolf." T'Challa placed his arms around our shoulders and guided us inside. "The weeks with Ms. Hunt seem to have helped you find your smile again. I worried you'd forgotten how."

Bucky blushed a little. "Des has been good for me. Thank you again for sending her."

"No thanks are needed." T'Challa beamed. "I can see you compliment each other as well as we'd hoped."

I glanced up at him. "You hoped?"

"My brother sticks his foot in his mouth," Shuri called as she entered the room from a doorway opposite the one we entered. She hurried over and hugged me, using the opportunity to whisper, "Has he been good for you? Can we call you She-wolf yet?"

"Shut up, Shuri," I mumbled with a giggle before turning back to her brother. "Shuri probably told you I was coming to resupply, but I hope we're not disturbing you."

"Of course not. You're always welcome here. I'll have the supplies you need sent out at once."

I shook my head. "Your Highness, I couldn't impose on you again."

"Nonsense. You're still considered a guest here. It's our pleasure to take care of you." He playfully scowled. "However, if you refuse my offer to join us for dinner, I would consider it a declaration of war."

"Can't go getting into a war, can we?" I teased back. "It'd be an honor."

"Excellent. While preparations are being made, my sister would be overjoyed if you would allow her to show you the modifications to the prosthetic she'd made since last time, White Wolf." King T'Challa offered me his arm. "Ms. Hunt, I would enjoy a stroll through our gardens if you would honor me with your company."

I smiled as I took his arm and was led toward a massive glass archway while Bucky and Shuri went in the direction she'd come. We walked along in silence for a while, but I could feel his concern in the air as he waited for me to speak.

"He's shown a lot of improvement, your Highness," I began, pausing to smell a passion flower along the path. "But there's still some things he's not ready to face yet."

"And you sense his reservations?"

I shook my head. "I don't need to. It's written all over his face. He's happy, though. As happy as a person living with that many demons can be."

"Our struggles make us stronger. They teach us to cherish the joys in our lives." He rested his hand on my shoulder. "And the ones we care for."

I chuckled. "That obvious, huh?"

"For someone so in touch with the emotions of others, you seem unable to hide your own very well." He offered me a seat on a stone bench along the path. "I hope you won't be offended, but Shuri shared with me that you've needed to face demons of your own. Abandoned by your mother to an unstable father who took his own life. A husband who tried to break your spirit by breaking your body. It seems odd to me that you would choose a life of service to others after being hurt by so many you cared for."

"Guess I'm a glutton for punishment." I sighed. "It's not that. I just remember what it was like to feel alone and worthless. Nobody deserves to feel that way. If I can help one person, it'll all be worth it."

He smiled. "Your heart is childlike in its purity, Ms. Hunt. It's a rare trait to find in a person who's reached our level of maturity."

"Trust me. I'm the least mature person I know." I stood up. "You should see my Blu-Ray collection."

He laughed as we continued to walk. "Your charm is only surpassed by your sense of humor, Ms. Hunt. I'm happy I've had the pleasure of experiencing them both."

"If I may say so, your Highness, you're a silver-tongued devil."

Again, he laughed. "I find it helps in both diplomatic and personal matters."

"I can imagine." I stopped and looked up at him. "I haven't pushed him hard, but I will be soon if we're going to make sure he's really okay. There are some things I'm going to need help with. Things we need to be discreet about."

His deep chocolate eyes met mine, a look of profound assurance in them. "Whatever you need is yours, Ms. Hunt. My only request is that you take time to heal yourself as well. A pack is only as strong as its leadership and right now that role belongs to you."

I nodded, knowing he was right. I needed to be whole and strong for both of us.