I Know What You Did in the Dark Ch 12
Sam
Steve was being an goofy ass, "Seriously, the serum did that to me. That's why I can lap you silly, 'air man'" he laughed with that "happy boy" smile of his.
I gave him a sneer and replied," Well, I don't see them handing that voodoo magic out at basic training, grunt."
Steve put his key in the door and opened it just like usual. Expecting to walk in, I stepped forward and bumped into Steve's bigger frame. His hand was extended upward to stop me and instantly, I was on alert. "What's up?" I asked quietly and my gun was in my hand, ready for action.
"Something. It's not right." Steve said with that sixth sense every soldier develops when they've been in the field. I knew exactly what he meant. Signaling to me to cover him, he somersaulted into his living room. Sweeping the room with my gun held at the ready, I covered him. Every hair on my body stood on end and I was alert to any red laser dots of a sniper rifle. Bucky had been here, I could sense it. There was a window behind the couch that was open.
Steve signaled he was going to his bedroom and so I began to search behind the furniture, the kitchen, the open window and the fire escape. All clear. On the counter top was a half filled glass of milk, still cold. A banana with teeth marks was on the floor, freshly peeled. This guy has balls, I thought, comes in, eats a dudes food and then bolts? Well maybe he's not here to kill us. I decide not to tell Rogers about the milk and banana and quickly clean that up.
I moved to the window again and saw a dark lump just outside, sitting on the steel of the fire escape. I picked it up and saw the Amtrak patch. That was the nail in the coffin. Bucky was here. Just as I did, Steve returned, shield hanging on his arm. "What's that?" he asked me, looking half terrified and half like a boy at Christmas.
"Bucky's been here." I replied as serious as a heart attck.
The shocked/confused/scared look deepened on Cap's face. Was he thinking…?!
You… you aren't seriously happy about this?" I blurted with disbelief. I shook with anger.
"Well, I sure as hell ain't mad!" He flung back, his tone angry, "He came here. He reached out…"
I watched the dazed Cap looking out the window at the night, shield on his arm silhouetted in yellow alley lamplight. Not a very heroic but rather despondent looking picture. My conscience caught up with me and smacked the back of my head making me realize I was now being the ass.
"I checked already. Nothing else is there. He's long gone… maybe. He certainly helped himself to your wardrobe." I replied trying not to sound harsh. The air thickened between us and then I reached out to put a hand on Roger's shoulder. He turned around, " Hey, I'm sorry, man. I… I forget that you and he were close. I only know the business side of him and it was not pretty."
He glanced at the floor and then back up at me, a smirk forming, "It's ok. He's a real respectable guy once you get to know him. But I understand where you're coming from. I shouldn't be so rosy glasses."
"Then you know I'm already going to stay the night here, right?" I declared, holstering my weapon and throwing the Amtrak uniform in the kitchen trash.
"I thought you'd never ask." he responded slightly mocking, "Let me get you a pillow and a blanket. "We can strategize in the morning."
There have been many a couch I've slept on for various reasons in my lifetime. Some occasions were happy ones, others sad ones and of course there were the "dog house" moments. This time was none of these and I spent the rest of the night on Steve's very comfortable couch thinking of all the ways an ex-assassin could come and kill us in our sleep.
I wasn't afraid, but I was worried. What was Bucky's fractured mind up to? What was his purpose of coming here tonight, but only eating some food and taking some clothes? What was Steve thinking? A happy reunion? I certainly hope he didn't expect one because I doubt that was on the table.