The three drove to the apartment Steve and Bucky occupied. It was a small two bedroom in Brooklyn. It was neat and tidy but definitely looked as if occupied by men.

"So, nice place. When are you dropping me off at mine? Or should I take a cab?" she asked sitting on their couch. The place looked like something out of the 1940's she thought.

"We will take you to pick up your things in a bit." said Steve.

"Why would I pick up my things?" she asked. "Wait," she said, " I'm not moving in here." she said as it hit her.

"That's the safest way for us to keep an eye on you." said Bucky. "You'll have your own bedroom. I can take the couch. "

Ella shook her head, "You guys, I can't. I can't shack up with two guys? I don't know you and I'm a bit traditional as things go. Even under protective custody or whatever you call it."

"Now you sound like Steve." joked Bucky. Steve shot him a look that told him now was not the time. "Look, we're both stand up guys with a moral compass. You're just sharing a room with two old fashioned gentleman. Literally."

Steve looked at him and smiled. "Literally." he mused.

"Am I wrong?" Bucky said smiling back.

"No, no." he laughed.

She had to admit they seemed harmless and their playful banter was rather cute. She didn't want to let on.

"Alright, when can I get my stuff?" she asked.

"Sorry, they took out the team." said Michaels.

Rumlow fumed. His face had been disfigured in the explosion. He's spent a year in rehabilitation and therapy. He was ready now to seek revenge. "Then send another team and another! Rogers can't keep her protected."

"Sargeant Barnes is with them," said Michaels.

Rumlow paused. "Barnes?"

"Yes." said Michaels.

"Then this should be easy." he said smiling. "Killing two birds with one stone."

They picked up Ella's things and returned to the apartment.

"Why me?" she asked after putting her things in Bucky's room since she was taking his bed. "I mean, why seek me out to help and how did you know I was being targeted. It's been five years since the experiments. I thought I was under their radar for good. I thought Hydra went down with S.H.I.E.L.D. I haven't sensed any danger in years except for the run of the mill New York mugger."

"Well you came highly reccomended by Tony Stark recommended. He is the one who gave us the intel that you were being targeted and that you may be able to help Bucky. And to answer your question of why now? I have no ansnwer." said Steve apologetically.

"That doesn't mean we can't keep you safe. Although I did want to ask how you managed the man in the alley." said Bucky.

"Did you need some pointers? " she teased. Steve smiled at her.

"I'm always looking to improve." he replied smiling back. He appreciated the humor.

"I don't know? Adrenaline?" she replied.

"Ella, you are like 100 pounds. " said Bucky. "He was easily two to three times your weight." he said.

"You sure know how to flatter a girl and you would be horrible as the weight guesser at the county fair. I am 130lbs and five feet six inches. I have my ways." she said feeling the need to defend herself.

"We're just glad you're ok." said Steve sensing her defensiveness.

Bucky looked at her and shook his head in agreement with Steve.

"I'm glad you two are also." she said looking at her two protectors. She was going to have to get used to this.

"So, how does this work? I never see the light of day?" she asked.

"Not without us." said Steve.

"Seriously?"she sighed.

"Yep." said Bucky. "Now, did you want to shower with Steve or me tonight?"

She looked at him mortified.

"Bucky, stop!" Steve scolded . "He's completely joking."

"I'm sorry. Yes, I'm joking. The look on your face was worth it though." he said smling at her.

She looked at him digusted.

"Would you like some tea or water?" asked Steve changing the subject to put the room at ease.

"I'm fine. I think I might have scraped my back in the alley." she said removing her jacket. Steve cringed as he saw blood staning the shirt.

"Yeah, looks like you have some bleeding. " he said as he walked behind the couch she sat on. Bucky joined him.

"Great, well, time to put your chivalry to the test. One of you is going to have to look at it." she said. As she turned to look at them she swore they were both blushing. Good, she thought.

"Ok, roomies, I'm just going to lift up my shirt in the back and tell me how it looks." she said feeling nervous. She lifted the shirt as the two men stood behind the couch. They were silent. "Well, how bad is it?" she asked.

"Uhm, there's nothing there?" said Steve confused.

"He's right, Nothing." said Bucky.

Ella jumped up. How can that be? You said my shirt was bloody?" She pulled her arms in her shirt and turned it on her body to see the back. She saw the blood pattern consistent with the scraping on the pavement. "I don't understand."

"Maybe it was part of the experiments? Have you noticed you heal faster?" asked Bucky.

She just stared at her shirt. "No." She snapped from her trance. "Uhm, I haven't noticed." she said looking at him. She could see in his face that he understood her confusion and pain. She never truly understood what they did to her or why. She had an anger about it but no target to thrust that anger at. "I think I want to shower." she said walking to the bathroom. She turned back smiling to break the serious mood and said, "Alone." They both chuckled. "I mean it." she said changing her joking tone to stern. Both smiled at her and threw their hands up in resignation. She did feel safer and it was a change of pace from her hermit living in New York, but she knew she couldn't stay. Now that she knew Bucky also had been experimented on she could be putting him in danger too by leading the guys right to him. Maybe that was the reason and maybe it was because she was scared she couldn't help Bucky.