Howdy all! I hope you enjoyed the last chapter! Please review and let me know what you think of this one ! You're all great!
Disclaimer: I don't own anything Marvel :( Just Charlie!
Chapter Six
"That was before I knew you were a girl," he replied grumpily, though he slowly edged toward the bed. His tired eyes drooped and I knew I had won; he might have been a super soldier, but he was still human. He toed off his shoes but stood uncertainly on the other side of the bed, glancing perplexedly at me.
"Dude, I was always a girl," I laughed, patting the mattress invitingly.
His lips pursed and he eyed me skeptically, as if to say 'not like this!' True; Frumuseţe didn't wear skintight catsuits; that would be awkward.
"Get in the bed, Bucky," I all but ordered.
And he did.
He was propped up against the headboard, staring determinedly at his socked feet, chin to his chest and hands interlaced atop his stomach. His brow was furrowed and the corners of his lips dipped in a frown.
Rolling my eyes slightly, I hopped to my feet and gestured toward his bag, "Can I borrow a shirt?"
"What?"
He sounded somewhat panicked, his bright eyes flying up to meet mine in surprise.
"May I borrow a shirt?" I teased, inching toward his bug out and kneeling, "you wouldn't believe how hard this is to actually function in, or get out-" ...of… but maybe you do; you saw me put it on, right? "Anyway, please?"
Tight-lipped, he nodded and shifted deeper into the mattress; with a triumphant grin, I snatched up his bag and made for the bathroom. I could probably honestly get lost in it. There was a shower, a tub, and a hot tub; you had to round a corner to get to the Jacuzzi. I hadn't seen a bathroom so fancy since visiting the Avengers Tower and being forced on a tour of Tony's rooms.
Hastily checking the door, I ensured Bucky wouldn't be bursting in anytime soon and shimmied out of my tight Spandex. Kicking it away, I rifled through Bucky's meager belongings and fished out one of his long-sleeved thermals. With a tug, I pulled it over my head and examined myself in the mirror. It nearly reached my knees, the sleeves falling well past my hands. It attempted a time or two to slip off of my shoulder, but I straightened it and did up every last button.
Couldn't have Bucky freaking out, now could we?
Though the bare legs might send him running, I thought, a snicker of amusement escaping me. Covering my mouth quickly, I glanced at the door and straightened my shoulders. It wasn't fair to find his discomfort so entertaining, but it was more endearing than anything. I mean, what guy in this day and age became distressed at the mere thought of sharing a bed with a woman?
It was goddamn adorable, was what it was.
Exiting the bathroom, I inhaled deeply and strode toward the bed. Bucky turned his head, but I felt the intensity of his gaze on me. My jaw clenched and I felt my skin warm suddenly; instead of dwelling on it, I perched at the end of the bed and exhaled slowly. Tipping my head back, I prepared myself for the shift, when Bucky announced suddenly, "You don't have to."
Casting a curious glance over my shoulder, I replied, "No, it's okay. I'll just sleep down here. It's just as comfy."
I must not have been as convincing as I imagined, because disbelief settled upon his features and he let out a huffing laugh through his nose, "This room is for you. Stark got it with you in mind, not me. My comfort isn't important."
"I forced you out of your home," I turned toward him, drawing a bare knee up onto the bed.
His eyes flew to it in alarm, inhaling sharply, before he rolled them to the ceiling, "It wasn't comfortable anyway. Just… you sleep under the sheets, I'll sleep on top, okay?"
"Deal."
I didn't need telling twice, clambering further up onto the mattress and flinging the covers back, nearly sending Bucky to the floor in my eagerness. He snorted as I buried myself beneath the gloriously soft blankets, cocooning myself in softness and beaming, "Night, Bucky."
/
Well.
This was awkward.
My mind immediately registered the position I was in before I even opened my eyes and my heart leapt to my throat.
Oh dear God.
I didn't move, didn't breathe, until I was certain that Bucky was still asleep. Mentally berating myself, I realized that we wouldn't be in the position we were now if he was awake. He probably would have thrown me across the room in terror if he was.
Cracking an eye open, I tilted my head atop his chest and peered up at his slumbering face. It was turned toward me, his lips parted just slightly, the stubble on his jaw thicker now. I stared at him for a moment, eyes wide, before dropping my gaze to his metal arm, which was currently stretched across his torso, his fingers curled loosely around the hand, my hand resting on his chest. His other arm was wrapped around me, keeping me tightly against his side. I was no better, one covered leg flung over his, my free hand hooked under his bicep.
Somehow, during the night, though he had pressed himself to the far edge of his side of the bed, we had met in the middle and snuggled.
I snuggled with Bucky Barnes.
In my human form.
Shit! Shit! Shit! Though I was panicking internally, I was frozen on the outside. How was I supposed to get out of his hold? He had a damn firm grip on me and I wasn't certain I'd be able to extricate myself without his knowledge.
But I had to try. I could face him after this, I knew, but if he woke up, saw the position we were in…
Easing my leg from his, I pulled my hand out from under his arm. So far, so good. Experimentally wiggling my fingers, I tensed, nearly biting the tip of my tongue off when his arm whirred in his sleep, fearing he might tear my arm from its socket without knowing. I needn't have worried, though; his fingers simply tightened around mine, but not painfully so. He shifted, murmuring incoherently, and drew me closer to his side.
Steadying myself with my free hand on his shoulder, I worked my fingers from his after a few moments. His own reached, curling around empty air, but he made no sign of waking up. Only the arm around my back and waist remained.
Maneuvering slightly, wriggling this way and that, I only managed to disturb him enough that he shifted his arm, his warm fingers curling around my bare waist.
My heart skidded across my chest, realizing that his hand was under my - his - shirt. He was touching my now blazing skin and I needed to move. Fast.
The best way was to just get up, like ripping off a bandaid or diving into icy water. He would hopefully be unaware of how we had positioned ourselves, even if I did startle him awake. So, with a mighty heave, I flung myself from his grasp, up onto my feet, and dashed into the bathroom, wild eyes never leaving the super soldier. He shot upright, reaching for my pillow with one hand, the other falling to his waistband, for a gun that wasn't on him.
Shutting the door hastily, I dropped myself onto the toilet, legs trembling and skin burning. Head in my hands, I screwed my eyes shut and fought back a moan; this was not happening. His touch, even as innocent as it was, shouldn't have lit a flame in me, but there I was, wishing I had laid in his arms a little longer. He was soft and warm, his near-unbreakable hold dangerously comfortable and far too tempting.
It couldn't happen again.
"Fuckin' shit," I breathed, digging roughly at my eyes and nearly jabbing them out as I jumped at the banging on the door.
"Charlie, are you alright?"
The fear and alarm in his voice had me stiffening, calming my racing thoughts and replying easily, "Fine, Buck. Just really had to pee."
He fell silent almost instantly, though I did hear the soft 'oh' through the wood and his steps move away from the door.
Okay, this is what you're going to do, Char, I practically hissed, you're gonna forget how good that felt and walk out there, figure out what the hell those guys wanted, how you're gonna keep Bucky a secret from every fucking person you know, and eat some damn breakfast.
Before I could do any of that, though, I really did have to pee.
/
Slipping from the bathroom, I noticed Bucky had perched himself at the desk across from the bed, the phones splayed out before him, twirling one absently between his fingers. I offered him a sheepish smile, adjusting the tight, long sleeves of my catsuit, "Sorry I woke you up. When ya gotta go…"
He shook his head, a ghost of a smirk flitting across his face before he pushed his hair back and gestured to the phones, "I marked them all; the ones we used yesterday have tallies on them. We can mark off every time we try one. Keep track."
"Perfect," I grinned, striding to his side and examining his handiwork. He had used the duct tape Mason and Martin had intended to rope me with, numbering each one and putting one tally on two of them. "Though I honestly have no idea what the passcodes might be. Mr W didn't work; not sure what else it could be."
A disgruntled, contemplative frown passed over Bucky's face, drumming his metal fingers on the table in thought.
I grabbed up one of the untested phones, bringing the screen to life and tapping in 2427. The phone buzzed, noting the incorrect passcode and I huffed, tossing it back onto the table and noting dryly, "My name obviously isn't important enough."
Bucky grinned and marked Phone #5 with one slash as I picked up the slim white phone hooked to the wall. Dialling down to the front desk, I perched myself on the end of the table, wiggling my brows down at Bucky as he glanced curiously up at me.
"If Stark's paying for the room, I'm sure he won't mind paying for room service."
The super soldier shrugged, as if to say he's your friend, not mine, and I ordered two full breakfasts, noting, "If we're going to figure this out, we might as well do it on a full stomach."
He nodded, rubbing his lower lip in thought, drawing my attention to the his pink mouth. My stomach jolted and I cursed, assuring myself that I was only hungry and in need of some bacon and eggs.
"Do you know anyone whose name starts with a W?"
Blinking rapidly, I cleared my throat, drawing my thoughts to safer ground, "A few, but no one who would want to kidnap me. They're all friends. Wade Wilson might be a jackass but he's a good guy most of the time. Occasionally. And, well, I wouldn't put kidnapping past him, but he wouldn't want to kidnap me."
Shock colored Bucky's features and I continued hastily, "Wade's an acquired taste. Steve still hasn't gotten used to him and they've done a few missions together. Don't worry, though; he's harmless to me. Uh, who else? Well, Wolverine; Logan Howlett. Sam's last name is Wilson, too, but it's neither of them."
"He was the one in Washington?" Bucky inquired, jaw clenching, though I couldn't tell if he was angry with himself or jealous of Sam's friendship with his former best friend, "with Steve?"
"Yup," I replied, offering him a warm smile, "he's a good friend to have. Steve could do much worse."
Bucky stared at his hands, twisting them slowly, his eyes glued to his metal one, "Like me."
"Uh, no, I was thinking more along the lines of Wade," I laughed, hopping to my feet and bumping his shoulder with my hip, "you're up there with Sam, Bucky, trust me."
That relieved him and he let out a tiny huffing laugh, so I continued, "Wade has a friend, Weasel, but it's definitely not him. He wouldn't have the brains to put together a scheme like this and I can't imagine why he'd want to. I can't think of anyone else with a W."
"What kind of missions did you do when you were with SHIELD?" Bucky inquired, a cheeky smirk on his face as he continued, "besides track me down."
"A lot of that, honestly," I replied, hopping from the desk and moving over to the bed, drawing my legs up and propping myself up on one arm. He turned in his chair, eyed my position, and offered me a wry glance, one brow quirked.
Hauling myself upright, I ruffled my hair, somewhat discomfited, and sat cross-legged instead. "Better?"
He didn't reply, but the brow lowered and the tension drained from his shoulders, so I assumed it was.
"I followed people mostly," I continued as though there was no awkward interruption at all, "wore a little wire in my collar, if I had one. If not, I just went off memory if they said anything important. Turned a lot of people in, arrested even more, but no one with the kind of pull this guy obviously has. They were small-time bad guys usually. I can fight, yeah, but they usually leave the big bads to the actual Avengers."
"Not me," he noted with a tilt of his head; out of all of the dangerous people SHIELD and the Avengers had gone up against, he was one of the top. Of course there was Loki, and Fury always leant Professor X a hand when the occasion called for it, so Magneto was up there, as well. But the Winter Soldier was most assuredly in the top three. Bucky didn't need to be a SHIELD agent to know that; he knew himself. What he had done.
"Well, there's been nothing from you since D.C.," I retorted easily, never once denying that the things he had done earned him a spot up there. He wouldn't believe me if I did, and I doubted he would appreciate the placating dishonesty. It didn't mean I didn't think he wasn't that man anymore; I had already told him as much. "There are others that have been a lot more visible… doing things, killing people; they're a bit more pressing at the moment. Plus, they had no idea where to find you. Why waste valuable resources like Tony Stark and Thor to follow up on seven thousand leads across the globe? Use the more expendable ones."
"You're not expendable," Bucky said sharply, bright eyes narrowed, fingers curling tightly around the back of his chair, "why would you say that?"
"To Nick Fury, that's the truth," I replied, shaking my head and laughing reassuringly, "and anyway, I always did recon first. I watched you for a while, didn't I? I never got into a situation I couldn't handle, don't worry. And if I did, the big guns came to help."
He still seemed uncomfortable with me referring to myself as easily disposable, but plowed along, "The want you alive. You're more valuable to them alive than dead."
"I should hope more people prefer me that way," I mused cheekily, "if-"
A knock sounded at the door and Bucky leapt to his feet, hastening to it before I could even begin to consider answering it. He peered through the peephole for a second longer than I was comfortable with, and I found myself rising to my feet, fingers curling into fists and shoulders tensing, ready for a fight.
He swung the door open and greeted politely, "Morning."
Surprised by his behavior, I watched as he stepped back, making room for someone to enter the suite. Quickly diving beneath the covers, I drew them to my chin, covering my catsuit and feigning sleep.
"Good morning, Mr. Jones. Ms. Lang- oh. I'm sorry!"
It was the girl from the night shift, now chagrined at having disturbed me in my sleep. She wheeled the meal cart into the room, whispering to Bucky, "Can you make sure she remembers about Mr. Stark? I really would appreciate it."
"I will," Bucky replied quietly, following her to the door and thanking her.
When she was gone, I flung myself onto my feet and dashed toward the food, uncovering the dishes and moaning delightedly at the sight. Dishing eggs, hashbrowns, and a few slices of bacon onto a plate, I beamed up at Bucky, who simply shook his eyes, eyes glinting in amusement, and muttered, "I'm glad I never tried to feed you dog food."
"Me, too," I laughed, snatching up a plum from the dish and calling his name. He caught it when I tossed it, looking over it in surprise. His gaze met mine, bemused but grateful and I shrugged innocently, "I might've made a special request last night."
"Charlie, I…," he worried his lip for a moment, his stare intense, "thank you."
"I got your back, Bucky," I grinned before dropping gracelessly onto the bed and digging into my breakfast, "God this is good… 'Kay, so I was trying to think of people I've tailed. And, I mean, obviously they're all gonna be pissed that I brought them in, but I don't remember anyone with a name starting with W, first or last."
"You remember all of them?" he inquired, his tone strained and eyes dark. His consternation wasn't toward my memory, I realized, but one of his own, and I wanted to draw him from that immediately.
"It was part of my mission," I shrugged innocently, "I was trying to make a list in my head; is there paper around here somewhere?"
He shook himself from his thoughts and I smiled softly behind his back as he moved toward the desk. Good; I hated when he was lost in his memories of his actions as the Winter Soldier. He might have been the one behind the trigger, knife, or metal fist, but they weren't willingly done.
He retrieved a small notepad provided by the hotel and tossed it to me, taking a bite of his plum and loading up his own plate. He shot me a glance and noted thoughtfully, "So maybe it was someone this guy knew. Someone you picked up had a partner, a connection, that's this Mr. W."
"It's possible," I conceded, "I'd thought of that, too. Maybe I helped arrest his girl or something. In that case, I really am at a loss. I have files and stuff back home, but I didn't memorize every last person's uncle's step-cousin's dog groomer. I've got no laptop; I don't even have a phone."
Bucky exhaled heavily, eyes darting across the floor as he chewed slowly on his breakfast. He didn't have anything, either; we were severely lacking in the resources department and were currently being hunted down for different crimes, real or imagined.
"Shit."
"Is there anyone you could have look into it who wouldn't ask too many questions?" Bucky inquired cautiously, "someone who wouldn't report back to Fury, or offer to come help? Just look at your documents, see if they can find a connection to Mr. W?"
Only one person came to mind, her flaming locks flashing before my eyes as I nodded, "One."
"Not Steve?" he inquired guardedly, his brows pinched upward in trepidation, shoulders hunched and head ducked over his plate.
"Not Steve," I assured him, watching as the anxiety seeped from his body and he slowly began eating once more, "not 'til you're ready. Besides, he doesn't have the access she does." At his inquisitive glance, I continued, "He may be Captain America, but this is Natasha Romanoff we're talking about. The best of the best. She knows when to keep her mouth shut and as long as I'm not in danger, she'll leave me to it. She'd keep tabs if I had a phone, but she's discreet; she'll keep my problems to herself until I say otherwise."
"Let's give her a call, then."
/
"Romanoff."
"Nat, it's me," I sat atop the desk, my feet on the seat of the chair, eyes trained on the bathroom door to ensure Bucky didn't come strolling out and drawing Nat's attention. I couldn't have him say something only for her to overhear and jump to conclusions. Or recognize his voice. "You talk to Tony?"
"I had to punch him in the balls, but yeah," the redhead replied, a smirk in her voice, "hotel's nice?"
"Hotel's great," I laughed, "free breakfast - courtesy of Tony, who put me up in the honeymoon suite, by the way. This is the nicest room I've ever stayed in. There's a fucking Jacuzzi, Nat!"
"I'd sleep in that," she snorted, "so what's up? What's going on? I assume you haven't found Bucky yet, or you would've called Steve instead of me."
Flicking at my nails, I didn't stop to think about the Winter Soldier currently taking a shower a few feet away and answered, "Yeah, I ran into some guys who decided to pick a fight with me."
"So they're in a gutter somewhere, then?"
"Something like that." I wasn't entirely sure what Bucky had done with the guys in the alley, but I doubted they would be resuming the hunt any time soon. "But they're working for some guy. Mr. W. They wanted me alive, so I got 'em talking. Just didn't get enough from them before I had to make a run for it. I don't remember any Mr. W's, but I could be drawing a blank."
"Or they work for someone you brought in," Natasha replied contemplatively.
"That was my thought exactly," and Bucky's, but you really don't need to know that, "think you could look through all my old files? Anything you can find on a Mr. W? First name, last name, anyone who might have a beef with me?"
"Well, that should only take a week or two."
Her tone was sarcastic but amused and I knew she would do as I asked. With a relieved sigh, I grinned, "Thanks, Natty. I owe you one."
"This would be a helluva lot easier if Bruce were here," she muttered, agitated, "he's such a nerd."
"C'mon, Nat, you and I both know you'd be entirely useless if he were there," I teased, snorting when she protested weakly, "nope! You'd be studying his bod, not my files, don't deny it."
"Charlie-"
Bucky's eyes widened when he realized I was on the phone, frozen like a deer in the headlights, his hand still resting on the doorknob. Nat fell silent on the other end and before she could accuse me of fooling around on the job, I blurted, "Gotta go, Nat, thanks; I'll call you later!"
"Did she hear me?" he inquired gravely, moving to the bed and settling himself on the edge and rubbing his rugged jaw, "would she recognize my voice?"
Though I knew she had a past with the Winter Soldier, Natasha was incredibly tight-lipped about her background. If it were anyone else, I would have said no, she wouldn't recognize him, but she wasn't SHIELD's greatest spy for no reason.
"Don't think so," I replied, rubbing my knees, "hopefully she'll lose her mind and think I'm just a slut that dragged some random hot Romanian guy back to my room last night."
One brow lifted in disbelief but he queried instead, "She'll do it?"
"Yep!"I grinned, "might take some time; her usual study buddy isn't there but that's actually good in our case. Can't let their sex life get in the way of our answers."
"Jesus, Charlie," he laughed suddenly, rolling his eyes skyward before glancing at me, amusement glittering in his gaze, "are you always this blunt?"
"Honestly, that's pretty tame for us ladies nowadays," I laughed before feigning sadness, placing a hand to my heart, "it's an unfortunate truth when dealing with me. I can be perfectly ladylike, but the tongue gets me into all sorts of trouble. Think you can handle it?"
A roguish smirk stretched across his face, his eyes glittering with a dangerous sort of playfulness and for the first time I was reminded of Steve's tales of the roguish, charming Sergeant James Buchanan Barnes. The one all the ladies swooned over, the one who could have you eating out of the palm of his hand with one look or word.
"I'd be happy to."
Oh.
Did he mean to sound like he'd enjoy nothing more than getting into trouble with me or was that still remnants of finding his body far too comfortable a pillow?
A smirk stretched across my face before I could stop it and I noted, "I'll have to keep that in mind, Sergeant Barnes."
The phone rang suddenly and Bucky rose to his feet, eyes never leaving me as he made for the desk. Lifting the phone, he didn't say a word. He didn't have to, his gaze turning stony, jaw clenching and nostrils flaring.
Without a sound, he extended the phone to me, his breathing becoming heavier and I stood and accepted it from him.
"Hello?"
Natasha's voice was calm in its fury as she queried sardonically, "Yeah, Ms. Lang, you wanna tell me why the fuck you're sharing a room with the Winter Soldier?"
"Shit."
/
Ah more intrigue! Any ideas on who Mr. W is? I'm curious to find out! And now Nat knows. Uh ohhh.
AvengersPrincess15: She's used a few false names last names in the story, but one of them that I've used is her real last name. And it's super important to the plot point hehe. Haha flustered Bucky is the best! I had to add a little more in this chapter; it's just adorable. I can't even tell you how much I appreciate that! It means so much to me!
Lara Barnes: Aw thank you! I hope you liked this chapter!
Verrokami: Thanks! I'm really glad you think so; I'm worried this chapter seems a bit rushed with the relationship progression. What do you think? Trouble is definitely coming!
KnowInsight: haha I couldn't help myself! I thought so too!
Aandm20: hehe thanks! I had to continue with it; I couldn't resist!
Gamerchic: I'm really glad you took a chance on it! I appreciate that a lot. I hope you continue to enjoy it!
When I Make It Shine: haha oh he's going to have a lot to say!
Rewqasd: haha yeah but she doesn't do all of the things a regular dog would do. No licking lol