AN: I really like the interaction between Gus and Bucky in this chapter. I hope y'all love it too! Keep the comments rolling, I've really appreciated the feedback.

Upon reflection, I realized that there was some sort of gravitational pull between Bucky and myself. It was those eyes. They pulled me in, made me curious, made me want more, made my finger tips itch to touch him. This sense of de ja vu just nagged and nagged in the back of my mind. I mean, I acknowledge and accepted that I was.. attracted to the guy. Part of dealing with my powers, was being honest and processing each emotion as it came. Maybe it was my desire to try and help? He had such a lost look about him. Although he was rough around the edges, it was nice seeing him laugh with Steve and joke with Sam.

The next morning, after pondering the Bucky situation, I decided I wanted more information. I hate the feeling of not knowing something. I've always been like this as long as I can remember. I won't do something unless I know about it. Even on my 21st birthday, I researched all of the bars I wanted to hit up, how to stay hydrated, general safety tips, the best directions; none of that stopped my ragging hangover the next day. With Bucky, my desire to know more, to understand was... overwhelming. Getting up, having I plan, I took the next logical step. I straightened my hair, did my make up, and donned a pair of high wasted floral shorts, a black midriff top and a white cardigan. Forgoing shoes, I waltzed into the kitchen and rummaged around for the ingredients that I needed whistling horribly off-tuned as I worked.

"Well good morning Betty Crocker!" I didn't need to turn around to know that Tony was behind me.

'Well hey Megatron!" I said in a cheerful tone mixing up my ingredients.

"Planning on making something delicious for me?" He leaned over my shoulder and snatched up a piece of sliced peach. I smacked his hand away from my cutting board giving him a mildly irritated huff. He seemed undeterred and tried to pilfer another piece.

"No siree. I am planning on getting intel." I stated frankly.

"Now, I am not following."

"Well. I want to get access to some files and I am going to get that access through my grandmother's recipe for peach cobbler," I heard a meow come from the end of the hall.

"Cilantro!" my voice rang in an obnoxious baby voice. My cat patted down the hall and then rubbed up against my legs.

"Look at you exploring this brave new world," I spoke to him.

"Tony, could you give him a good scratch behind the ears, my hands are a little full," I motioned towards my hands, wrist deep in peaches.

Tony hummed and then leaned down hesitantly petting my cat.

"You know Mrs. Butterworth, I can get you whatever intel you need…. This is my building."

"I realize this, Tony. However, I'd like to go about this the old fashioned way. It allows me to meet important people who can maybe help me in the future AND I get what I need. Plus, I don't want you snooping in my business either."

"I AM an important person that can help you in the future. Come on, kid. I'm boreeedddd," Tony whined picking up Cilantro and holding him in his arms. The black and white cat started to purr.

Right before I could reply, his phone started ringing. He answered and I put my cobbler in the oven.

"Scratch that, love. Gotta go hit the lab," He put my cat down and patted me on the top of my head. I shoved his hands away from me. I hated it when people did that.

"Smells delicious, don't get into trouble!" He sang as he started towards the door hurriedly.

After putting on my black heeled booties, I put on oven mitts, grabbed my piping hot cobbler, and attempted to find the administration area of this massive facility.

I should've researched the layout of this freakin' building.

After ten minutes of walking around aimlessly, I turned a corner and skidded to a stop right before me and my cobbler collided with the Winter Soldier. I yelped and barely kept my balance, pan sliding to the very tips of my oven mitts.

Bucky gave me an up-down look and the right corner of his frown flipped upward. That look did things to my body. I shook my head trying to act like a normal person not a horny teenager.

"You lost McKay?"

I looked at him with mild desperation and nodded. He stepped closer to me and I could feel the warmth of his chest. I looked up at him hoping he would point me in the right direction before I said or did something embarrassing.

"The administration offices?" I squeaked.

His bare pointer finger swept across my cheek. Heat rolled from my neck up. I pulled back a little surprised. I felt fascination coming off of him. I cocked my head and gave him a look that clearly showed my confusion.

"Flour."

"Huh?" I asked like an idiot still lost.

"You had flour on your cheek. It was hiding your freckles." He stated as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. I blushed lightly and looked down at my feet. He stepped a little closer. Did he feel it to? This pull, similar to an undertow in the ocean. Crashing waves of desire, curiosity, and calmness dragging me out to sea. I wanted to be dragged out.

Get a grip, girl!

"Oh. Well thanks. I've been baking up a storm. Um… so which way do I go?" I asked breaking the spell.

"Down the hall, take the first left, and then hop on the elevators on the right. 6th floor."

I repeated the directions twice and he nodded his hair shaking along with his handsome face.

Suddenly his hand grabbed the hem of my top and pulled. His metal arm brushed ever so lightly against the skin above my belly button. I almost died right there.

"You're missing half your shirt," I blushed harder and stepped back. I laughed nervously shifting the weight of the cobbler in my hands. He said it without any inflection, as if he was stating a general fact. His human arm reached out for me again. Panicking, unsure how to take his comment I spoke quickly.

"Okay, modesty patrol. Gotta go!" I danced around him and headed towards my destination. I could've sworn that before I turned down the hall that I heard him mutter, "I've always loved those freckles."

The elevator doors opened and I was greeted by a receptionist. Her name plate said Bethany Cabe. The woman was quickly typing away with a pen lying in between her perfectly white teeth. Her blonde hair was swept up in a tight bun and her eyes were laser focused on whatever task she was completing. I paused trying to assess the best approach. Having skin like mine made me overly aware of social situations. I always analyzed people's expressions, body language, and tone. When I was younger, I made a game of it. I would take a look at someone, consider all the factors, take a guess on what they were feeling, and then test my theory by touching them casually. It was fun and a good test of my skills. This woman didn't scream fun, but more like a challenge.

"Hello Miss Cabe. I was hopin' that you could point me in the direction of Ms. Maria Hill. Is she by any chance in right now?" I asked in my most polite voice.

Without even looking at me, she replied tersely, "Do you have an appointment?"

"Well no ma'am. I was hopin' to stop by and drop off this homemade peach cobbler."

I placed the cobbler on the edge of her desk. Her eyes finally looked at me and she also gave me a once over. I gave her my most enchanting smile sensing that she was a no-nonsense kind of lady.

"I'm not supposed to let anyone back without clearance and an appointment," she spoke as I gently reached forward and touched the top of her bare hand.

"Miss, I would really like to get back there and talk to Maria. I'll make sure she shares some of this cobbler with ya. I promise you can trust me." I pushed as much trust into her as I could, replacing her impatience and she immediately smiled.

"Oh of course! She has the office in back on the left. Her name is on the door. Make sure to knock dear!"

"Oh thank you so much! Bless your heart!"

Knocking on the door, I heard a stern "Enter!"

Opening the door with one mitted hand was difficult, but manageable.

I walked in seeing my target looking down at a file.

"Hello, are you Maria Hill?" I inquired.

"Yes. And you must be August McKay." I placed the peach cobbler on her desk and reached my hand out at her. She did not return the sentiment keeping her hands folded under her chin. I knew immediately that the jig was up.

"How'd ya know?"

"It's the only explanation I can think of for how you got past Bethany."

I laughed the corner of my eyes crinkling with mirth. I decided to explain.

"Natasha told me about you a couple years back. Said you were loyal, hard working, and worth getting to know. So I baked up my grandma's peach cobbler and brought it over!"

She laughed and looked me straight in the eye.

"What do you want Ms. McKay?" getting to the point.

I was a little a taken back. This lady knew her shit. I laughed again and plopped myself down in one of the plush, leather chairs in her office, it squelching under my weight as the bare skin of my thighs rubbed against the material. Explaining apparently needed to be truthful, lacking bullshit with this lady.

"You're as sharp as a tack, Ms. Hill. Well, you see, I am on a self-appointed mission to see if I can help one James Buchanan Barnes. As I am sure you know, I have certain abilities that I think can help me, help him. I am being blatantly honest with you because although I don't know you too well, I respect you. I don't want you to think I'm pulling one over on you." I pulled out a fork, taking off the tin foil. The mouth watering scent of melted butter and baked peaches wafted into the air. I placed the fork in front of her making a show of not touching her. I then held both of my palms in the air, wiggling my fingers.

She looked at me with a knowing glance. If I couldn't convince her with my fingertips, maybe I could with umptious, scrumptious desert.

"I can't be bribed with peach cobbler Ms. McKay." I felt almost like I was in the principal's office trying to maneuver my way out of a sticky situation.

"Oh I know that! It really is just my way of showing some southern hospitality around here. It's what I was raised to do. It's life changing, I swear! Now, please take a bite and let me know what you think!" I smiled encouragingly and moved the cobbler closer to her. She hesitated for a second, then grabbed the fork and scooped up a little bite. My grin grew wider. As she placed the warm goop in her mouth, she made a noise of pleasure. I clapped my hands together and flat out giggled.

"Pure sin, right?" I asked leaning in towards her, palms coming to the edge of her desk. She groaned again and scooped up another bite.

Finally, after swallowing her third bite, she put the fork down and smiled back at me.

"That was one of the most delicious things I have ever had the pleasure of eating."

"My grandmother would be beamin' to hear you say that ma'am!"

After a brief chat about the ingredients, she stood and excused herself to go to the filing room.

She returned with a rather thick folder that she dropped down with a thwack in front of me. It was filled with red post-its spilling out on the sides indicating that things had been marked or possibly redacted.

"I'll warn you Ms. McKay. It contains some heavy stuff. Mr. Barnes has been through hell and back. Once you read it… you can never go back.''I nodded, undeterred. I needed to help Bucky and Steve. It had been a long time since I was able to truly use my powers for good, to make a difference. I liked the idea of feeling useful, changing someone's life.

"Thank you so much Ms. Hill. I really do appreciate you getting this for me. And next time, I'll bring you some apple pie! And I won't even ask for a favor!" I exclaimed happy that I had gotten what I wanted.

"You can call me Maria. And thank you for this cobbler. It really is life changing."

I excused myself, totting my loot in my arms as if I had a precious gift. Although, I felt like maybe I was intruding, I still wanted to know the best approach in helping Bucky.

Maria Hill took another bite of the ooey gooey cobbler and dialed a phone number.

"Hey Cap. She came and asked for the file just like you predicted…. Yes I removed the section you asked me to… Uh hu… she is really sweet… okay, no problem. Anytime." She hung up the phone and debated whether not to share the cobbler or eat the whole damn thing by herself.

Two weeks had gone by since I had gone on my little mission to get Bucky's file. I still hadn't read it. I was so determined at first, but something was suddenly holding me back. I had stuck it between my mattress and my bed frame. I had been really busy with finishing and turning in my papers and some more training with Steve that I had almost intentionally used my schedule as an excuse for not checking out the file. I had this underlying feeling of it not being my place.

Currently I was laying in bed with my legs in the air looking at my feet. It was around 3 in the morning and my mind was buzzing like a hive that had been poked with a stick. I groaned and Cilantro meowed at my crazy attics. I pulled myself out of bed, turned on the night lamp and paced. Would it be a breach of trust to read Bucky's file?

Fuck. I need to get out of this room.

I walked down the hall towards the kitchen. Opening the fridge without turning on the light, I found a juicy piece of watermelon. Shoving it into my mouth, chomping away in joy, I was glad that I left my toxic room. Suddenly, I heard a muffled noise coming from further down the hall. Curious and alert, I looked around. Not seeing anyone in the living room area, I quietly ventured towards the source of the sound. As I slowly got closer to where I thought the noise was coming from, I realized like it sounded like someone in… agony. I abruptly stopped in front of a door. I quickly realized that this was in fact, Bucky's door. Curiosity got the better of me. Without thinking my hand grasped the cold metal of the door knob to find his door unlocked.

AN: Insert evil laugh here. Yay for cliff hangers! Stay tuned folks!