Spoilers for Civil War
October 2015
"Are you alright?" asked Wanda as Alison fights back a yawn.
"Just a bit tired is all. I think I'm coming down with a cold. Happens every fall," said Alison.
Actually it started after her spleen at had removed. It seemed every fall she caught a cold and last year it nearly turned into a chest infection. She had gotten her flu shot for this year and Cho had advised her to starting taking a low dose antibiotic daily with flu season coming up and everyone living in such tight quarters. Alison was torn about this since sometimes her anxiety medication reacted badly to the antibiotics and her anxiety would run amok. Cho left the choice up to her, but she told Alison the second she started running a high fever she was going to give Alison the highest dose of antibiotics she could give someone.
"Maybe we should call it a day then?" asked Wanda and Alison gave her a small smile. She and Wanda were going over the math section of her GED and the girl was brilliant so sometimes the work was boring for her.
"I was going to ask you how you feel about taking some college courses after we get this done next month," said Alison and Wanda blushed a little.
"You really think I could?" asked Wanda.
"I don't see why not. We could see about something online. You can go for something in General Studies until you find something you liked and then focus on that," said Alison. Wanda gave her a small smile back.
"I never thought about college before. It just wasn't in the cards and well...I was too angry to even try before," said Wanda and Alison nodded.
"Well you had a lot to be angry about and you've made a lot of good progress in the last few months. I know it hasn't been easy, but you're doing a very good job,"said Alison. Wanda had been doing a good job since the summer. She was having fewer nightmares, she was working better with the rest of the team and she had even started having a few meals in the group lunchroom with everyone else. This is turn brought Vision out to the dining hall. He really didn't eat much or anything, but he enjoyed being around the others...well he enjoyed being near Wanda. Alison was tempted to ask if anything was going on, but she decided against it. Alison wanted people to mind their own business when it came to her and Bucky so she owed others the same. They seemed rather comfortable with each other, it didn't have to be romantic though. Alison had her friendship with David and Sam, both friendships which people had guessed to be romantic until Sam started dating Sharon and Alison had started openly being with Bucky.
"I owe Steve and Natasha for taking me in and you for helping me get over somethings. I don't know if I can ever make it up," said Wanda and Alison took her hand.
"You don't owe me anything. If you do want to pay me back, just be happy about your life now," said Alison.
Alison picked up the textbooks and headed back to her room. She knew Steve and Bucky were working on training stuff and dinner was a few hours off. Alison picked up the book she was reading about Whitney Frost and how she ended up in a mental hospital after the accidental death of her husband. Clearly the woman was brilliant, but depressed. A shame how some they didn't know to treat her and just ended up giving her lobotomy, thought Alison. She put Bailey on the bed next to her and the puppy curled up and dozed off. She got a page into the book before falling asleep herself.
…
Bucky headed right to dinner after the training session and didn't see Alison sitting with David and Jenny. He knew she had a morning class and an afternoon session with Wanda. Wanda was sitting with David and Jenny and she waved at Bucky. Maybe she was wrapped up with her homework again. If he didn't pull the book out of her hands some nights she would read until dawn. He had always been alright in school, but he never threw himself in the way Alison did with her work. Than again she's trying to learn how to save lives, thought Bucky. He had his dinner with the others before going to the private kitchen and making Alison a bowl of soup. He came back to the room to find Alison sound asleep on the bed with a book on her lap. Bailey got up and stretched before flopping back and looking at Alison. Bucky rubbed the dog's ears before sitting down next to Alison and shaking her shoulder.
"Hey. Hey….brainiac," said Bucky before kissing her forehead and frowning a bit. She felt warm to him, a little too warm for his liking. Alison yawned and blinked to get him into focus. "I brought you dinner," said Bucky and Alison groaned a bit before eying her clock.
"I didn't mean to doze off. I needed finish this for a paper," said Alison nodding at the book.
"You only have like a chapter left and your paper isn't due until next week," said Bucky eying her little calendar marked up with due dates and exams.
"Never hurts to get a head start," said Alison. Bucky nudged the bowl of soup towards her.
"Eat," said Bucky and she took the bowl and spoon to eat. Bailey came over and nosed her way into Bucky's lap. Bucky rubbed the dog's head while he studied Alison the way he would a target and he didn't like what he saw. She seemed a bit run down and there was a faint flush in her face. She seemed to only be eating the soup so he wouldn't nag her.
"Are you alright?" asked Bucky and Alison shrugged.
"Just a bit tired. I think it's a cold coming on. I really hope it's a cold, the flu would knock my ass out," said Alison. She finished the soup, fought back a yawn before giving him a small grin. "Than again I could just be tired because my boyfriend won't let me get a full eight hours of sleep," said Alison and Bucky raised an eyebrow.
It was true in the last few weeks he couldn't seem to keep his hands off Alison when they were alone. After shoving away all his wants for her for months he found he couldn't get enough of her. Alison seemed to enjoy it and damn her if she didn't egg him on some nights. He always tried to be careful with her, however there was a well formed bruise on her left hip and thigh from his gripping her there. She had stopped swimming to avoid any awkward questions
"Well maybe if you weren't such a damn tease he would let you sleep. I never thought I would want someone to call me James " said Bucky. She only called him James when they were fooling around and she was on the edge. Alison took Bailey on to her lap and started petting her.
"Didn't know I still had it to get someone that into me. It's a boost for my ego really," said Alison and she moved over so he could be on the bed next to her. He sat next to her and he started to tell her about the time he could remember seeing a Whitney Frost film when Alison's light snoring started. Bucky looked over and she was sound asleep again. He careful laid her down before covering her with a blanket from the foot of their bed. He shook his head at the thought of this being their bed, than again he really hadn't slept in his bed since they came back from their date. It actually felt wasteful to have still his own room when he was in here almost all the time. Actually a lot things felt weird and yet he was happy, which considering he hadn't felt happy in decades it was also weird to him at times.
Bailey started whining at the door so Bucky put her leash on took her outside. It was different now when he walked down the halls here. Before if he wasn't with Alison or Steve people stayed away from him or looked away. Now people nodded or gave a small wave. Others like Jenny or Adair would actually stop and chat with him a little bit. He somehow managed small talk with them before they headed off to class or to their workouts. He was accepted as just another person on the team now. They didn't know everything he had done, but they knew enough and yet they were warming up to him. I'm home here, thought Bucky. Sometimes it would twist his chest to know he had a place here and it scared him too. It also made him happy to have a home again.
Bucky stepped outside and shivered a bit as the fall air hit his face. He took Bailey down to the track and started a light jog that the puppy could keep pace with. He did three laps with her before Sam called out.
"Well don't you two look adorable." He was dressed in his running gear, but fell in step with Bucky.
"Alison passed out or else she would be walking the dog. I think she might be coming down with a cold," said Bucky and Sam's face got a little serious.
"You might have to drag her to see Cho if it gets bad. Taking her spleen out really messed up her system and she's stubborn about when she needs a break ," said Sam.
"She fell asleep studying," said Bucky and Sam grinned.
"Sounds like her. I'll keep an eye on her too just to make sure she's not being stupid," said Sam and Bucky nodded and Sam went on. "So Sharon finally got settled. I guess her aunt wanted to go back to London and the CIA had spot open so now she's in the land of tea and crumpets," said Sam and Bucky could vaguely sense Sam was upset by this. Bucky knew that Sharon had left to spend more time with Peggy. While they hadn't broken up the distance seemed to wear on Sam a bit.
"Is she alright?" asked Bucky.
"She likes the work since it was what she was doing for SHIELD and what she thought it would be here," said Sam. Sam shook his head and looked at Bucky with a grin. "So what are you getting Ally for her birthday? I'm stealing your girl for a couple days next month. I'm taking her to see U2. I'm pretty sure she's going to be torn about ditching school to see her favorite band," said Sam.
"I have no idea," admitted Bucky. David, Jenny and a few others had been teasing Alison about turning thirty this week. Alison simply rolled her eyes and muttered something about this being the last birthday where she admitted how old she was. Jenny had suggested a party and Alison waved her off saying she didn't want the fuss. Too bad for her since Sam had planned something and she was getting the fuss.
"You alright?" asked Sam and Bucky sort of shrugged. "Honestly you can get her anything and she would be happy with it. She's not picky," said Sam and Bucky rolled his eyes.
"We're going into the city to see some H.P. Lovecraft films this weekend so I could get her something than. We might actually get Steve to come out with us...if he can work up the nerve to ask Maria to come too," said Bucky and Sam gave Bucky a huge smile.
"Well damn had I known you coming back would egg him on to start dating I would have tried a little harder to find you," said Sam.
"He always was a bit slow when it came to the opposite sex. If you really want to piss him off just ask about fondue," said Bucky.
"I will make a note of that," said Sam. Bucky headed inside with Bailey so Sam could do his run. Alison was still asleep as he crawled under the covers and pulled her close. She rolled over and pressed herself against him. Damn tease, thought Bucky. Bucky dozed off and woke up around one when he felt Alison twitching and she was whining in her sleep.
"No….no. Please," she muttered.
"Ally. Ally wake up," said Bucky and he shook her carefully.
She jerked awake and was shaking and breathing like she had just run a marathon. Sweat was soaking her shirt and her hair and her face was too pale for his liking. Her pupils were wide and dark has she looked at him and she looked ready to cry. He hadn't seen her have a nightmare like this since the first week they met. Even then she pulled herself together rather quickly, now she seemed on the verge of an all out panic attack. Recalling what Alison had done for him on nights when the nightmares tore him awake. Bucky reached over and flipped on the light so she could see where they were.
"Hey. Hey. Look at me," said Bucky and he took her face in his hands so she would look at him. "It's alright. Just breath okay," said Bucky. She looked at him confused before wrapping her arms around him and she started to cry.
"You were in the car," she managed to get out in between sobs. Bucky rubbed her back and shushed her while she babbled about the Invasion and he was in the car with her. It was a memory and a nightmare blending into one giant mindscrew. Bucky had so many of those it was hard to keep track at first about what was memory and what was the nightmare. He used to dream he had killed Steve on the helicarrier. Alison had to get Steve up one night and bring him into the room to prove she wasn't lying about Steve being alive.
"I'm right here," said Bucky softly while she dug her fingers into his back. "Shush...это хорошо я здесь," said Bucky.
"What did you say?" asked Alison. He didn't slip back into Russian often anymore so his slip seemed to pull her back.
"I told you I was alright and that I'm right here," said Bucky pulling back a little to look at her. She was still pale, but the crying had stopped. "Maybe Nat could teach you some Russian so when I slip back you'll understand me," said Bucky lightly trying to get her to settle down some more.
"You only slip when you're stressed. I didn't mean to stress you out. It's was just really bad," said Alison.
"And here I thought someone else was finally getting our bad dreams," said Bucky and Alison let out a weak laugh recalling what she had told him that first week after waking up from a nightmare. He kissed her lightly on the mouth before he pulled her close again. "безопасно. это не больно." whispered Bucky as he pulled Alison close and started stroking her head to lull her back to sleep.
"You said that before," said Alison. He said the night he had woken up from a flashback of being attacked and she took care of him. He hugged her and muttered that sentence before she settled him back to bed. "What does it mean?" asked Alison.
"Safe...it doesn't hurt here. I know it's safe with you and nothing hurts when I'm with you. You're safe here, I love you," said Bucky. Alison gave him a smile before curling up next to him. He watched as she dozed off again, one hand had a tight grip on his shirt and her other hand held his left hand.
Bucky sighed and let his head rest on hers. She had changed soaps and now she sort of smelled like plums and clean laundry. Alison had only been in his life for six months and the effect she had on him still threw him. He was here because of her and while his life was far from normal he was getting some sort of peace now. He still had a small nagging guilt about Tony, but he wasn't sure how or if he should tell the younger Stark what had happened. How would Tony and Steve work together knowing what Bucky had done? He didn't want to screw up Steve's friendship with Tony. Bucky settled against Alison and kissed her forehead.
"I know you don't think about the house and picket fence anymore, but if I could give you that I would in a second," said Bucky softly pulling Alison closer as he felt himself get sleepy. I wish I could marry you, thought Bucky and that thought slammed into his head hard and had him wide awake.
He couldn't marry her, he was either a dead man or a live man who had a lot to answer for. What sort of life would that be for her? She already picked you stupid. I think she already knows some of what she signed up for, thought Bucky. Bucky studied her small hand wrapped in his larger metal one and swallowed a lump in his throat. It was the trust between them that he loved the most. He didn't think he could ever have this in his life again and here it was sleeping on his chest. Bucky closed his eyes and breathed in her scent. She had such small hands and he gripped her hand carefully in his before going to sleep.
…..
Bucky made it a point to call Becca once a week in addition to trying to visit her on the weekends. She seemed to be getting tired too easily lately and it worried him. Alison told him Becca was in good health for her age, but it didn't stop the nagging in his head that he needed to hear her voice or see her whenever he could. Alison was in class so Bucky decided to make his weekly call to Becca,
"The kids are going to come and get me next month and I'll be in California until January," said Becca and Bucky let out a small laugh.
"Can't handle the cold anymore?" asked Bucky teasing. He wondered if Alison would make the calls for him while Becca was away. It might be odd for her children to have a strange man calling her.
"My children can't. I spoiled them with all that warm weather and sunshine. I was sort of hoping it would be alright to tell them about you. To tell them you're alive," said Becca softly.
"Don't. No sense freaking them out," said Bucky and Becca sighed.
"It's your family too and I would like you to know them," said Becca. There was a part of Bucky that wanted to know his nieces and nephews too. Hell I got great nieces and nephews now, thought Bucky. He wasn't sure though how they would feel about him. They had never known him and finding out what he had been might freak them out.
"Actually they want to meet Alison," said Becca and Bucky nearly dropped the phone.
"Why?" asked Bucky panicked and Becca laughed.
"Well before I knew she was looking in on me for your sake, I just assumed she was a friend of Steve's looking in on me. So I talked about her and well they want to meet her. They weren't too happy with me coming back to New York and me being alone out here. I'm guessing her visiting me takes some worry off their shoulders," said Becca. "Honestly she takes some weight off my shoulders too. I like knowing you finally found someone who suits you. I'm not happy that it took so long or what you had to go through to find her, but she makes you happy now and that's the important thing," said Becca and Bucky felt that lump in his throat again.
"I really...I would give her anything she wanted if I could. Than again I'm not sure how the hell it would even be legal or if she would even say yes or…" Bucky cut himself realizing what he had just said and Becca's voice dropped a bit.
"James Buchanan Barnes. Did I just hear you imply that you want to marry her?" asked Becca and Bucky didn't say anything and he felt his face turn red. "Jimmy," said Becca and her voice was a bit teasing and it brought him back. Afterall she was still his little sister and teasing him was just habit for her despite not doing it for over seventy years. He knew despite her teasing he could talk to her about this. Afterall she had been married for sixty some years and knew how to make a relationship work.
"I just...I know it's different now and that you don't have to get married to be committed like that or at least it's what people say, but I love her," said Bucky.
"I know you do and well I guess we're just old fashioned when it comes to certain things. I liked being married. I liked knowing he was stuck with me and that he wanted to be stuck with me. From what I gathered about Alison she's not against marriage either, she just wanted things a certain way before she settled in. I don't see why she would say no to you. She loves you and you make her happy too," said Becca.
"I didn't think I would feel this way a year ago. It's still a little overwhelming to wrap my head around," admitted Bucky. He heard Becca sigh and he could almost see her giving him that look that was love and annoyance mixed.
"You've been through so much and you've been alone for a long time. Even when we were growing up you put so much on yourself. You were one of the cockiest boys in the neighborhood, but you were also one of the sweetest too. You took good care of me and of Steve and I hope you know how much that means to me now. I know that in your heart of hearts you're worried you can't take care of Alison the way you think she should be cared for. Old habits after all, but Jimmy she loves you. She can take care of herself if need be. What she wants is an equal, someone she can stand next to. Her granddaddy raised a good woman...well good enough to handle you," teased Becca.
"I am a lot to handle," said Bucky getting a good laugh out of Becca.
"I still have mom's ring. She should have it," said Becca.
"Don't your kids want it?" asked Bucky. Their mother's wedding ring had been sort of a sore spot for Bucky growing up. It was a plain gold band with a blue stone in it and it had been the only nice thing their father had ever given their mother. She refused to sell it no matter how bad things got for them. Bucky had debated selling it after she died to help ease some of the expenses, but Becca begged him not too and she started wearing it. Bucky caved, they didn't have a lot from their mother and Becca never asked for much.
"No. I've tried passing it on to all the kids and it just doesn't seem to be anyone style. I think she'll like it though. It's not too flashy and she isn't the showy type," said Becca.
Alison came into the room and gave him a small wave. She had her hair pulled back in a ponytail and she was wearing jeans and a oversized black sweater. The dog tags were back on their normal chain, she didn't wear a lot of jewelry and clearly what she did wear meant a lot to her. She sat down and started doing her homework.
"I'll think about it. We'll see you on Sunday. I love you Becky," said Bucky.
"I love you too," said Becca and he ended the call. Alison booted up her laptop and started typing. Bucky came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her before resting his head on top of hers.
"The methods for treating depression have advanced rapidly in the last twenty years. With advances in medication and therapy...wow this is boring. I should read this when I can't sleep," teased Bucky and Alison looked up at him.
"I feel that way when I try to read a tactical handbook," said Alison kissing his cheek and turning back to her computer. Bucky started toying with the ponytail and Alison sighed. "Yes darling…" teased Alison.
"Nothing. It's just fun," said Bucky kissing her neck. Alison shook her head and tried to go back to typing her paper. Bucky kept kissing her neck and tugging on her ponytail. She wants an equal, thought Bucky. He hoped he was good enough to be her equal. Alison sighed and turned to face him with a grin.
"You are a terrible distraction," said Alison. She took his face in her hands and kissed him. He pulled her out of the chair and tugged her over to the bed. Alison settled under him while he slid his hands under her sweater and she kissed his neck. Bucky felt Alison wrap a leg around his waist and Bucky grinned.
"Oh...I'm terribly sorry," said a slightly British and computerized voice. They both looked over to see Vision was standing next to the bed and the door was still shut.
"The door was shut," said Bucky a little annoyed as Alison eased him off her.
"Oh I...yes...terribly sorry. I was sent to fetch Alison. Wanda seems rather upset and she needs to be talked too," said Vision. Alison adjusted her sweater and pulled her hair back quickly.
"She's in the common room. I tried to get her back to her room, but she's very upset," said Vision. Alison got up and left the room and Bucky eyed the AI.
"When a door is shut you knock before coming in," said Bucky.
"Well Sam told me I had to get Alison to the common room. He said you might like to join us for Alison's surprise party," said Vision. Bucky shook his head.
"Sam didn't tell me it was today," said Bucky. "Still...knock first from now on," said Bucky.
"Yes of course," said Vision sounding very embarrassed. They went down to the common room where Alison was standing next to Sam and her two friends Sophia and Renee. Alison looked amused and annoyed with all of them. The room was decorated with purple streamers and balloons. There was a cake on the table with the number 30 written on it. The med staff was there along with Steve, Natasha, Rhoads, and Wanda.
"My birthday isn't until Sunday," said Alison and Sam shrugged.
"Well this is was more fun and gives people time to recover," said Sam. He nodded at Jenny who was double fisting her drinks and sitting on Shawn's lap giggling.
"We're not getting younger," cried Adair who have four empty shot glasses lined up.
"Come on you get to turn 30 twice now," said Sophia hugging Alison.
"Can we have the cake now?" asked Wanda. Alison went over to the cake table and shrugged.
"Come on. We all know the song," said Alison and the room started singing Happy Birthday. Steve came over to Bucky and shook his head.
"You know technically speaking we're psychically in our late twenties," said Steve. Bucky shrugged and looked at Alison has she blew out the candles on her cake.
"So does that mean I'm robbing the cradle or she's stealing from the grave?" asked Bucky and Steve laughed.
"You could split the difference. She's kind of an old soul anyway," said Steve.
"She just has good taste in music. Well most of her music anyway," said Bucky. Sam started passing out cake and Alison was talking with Sophia and Jenny. Adair handed Alison a drink and Alison looked at Bucky and shrugged helplessly.
"I got her a new set of drumsticks," said Steve.
"I haven't gotten her anything yet. I'm working on something though," said Bucky. Maybe she would like that ring, thought Bucky. Steve eyed his friend and grinned, his friend looked so damn happy. It's good to have you back, thought Steve.
"Anything you want help with?" asked Steve.
"I think I can handle this one. So are you coming with us this weekend?" asked Bucky.
"Well we're going out to dinner. Hill isn't a horror movie person. Actually I really didn't tell her it was date. I told her it was a work thing," said Steve and Bucky sighed.
"Well at least you got a date," said Bucky patting his shoulder. Alison came over to them with cake and a drink.
"I really don't like surprises," said Alison sipping her drink and handing Bucky the cake.
"It's not that bad. With Tony out town you were spared having a much bigger to do. He might have went with clowns," said Steve and Alison shuddered at the thought.
"Happy early birthday by the way," said Steve.
"Thanks," said Alison.
"Your boyfriend is a lazy slacker and he hasn't gotten you a birthday present yet. I offered to help," said Steve grinned as Bucky eyed him.
"You are still a punk," said Bucky. Adair laughed at something David said and fell off her stool still laughing.
"I should go check on her," said Alison handing Bucky her drink.
"Woot Dirty Thirty," cried Adair from the floor. Jim falling on the floor drunk and passing out, thought Bucky.
"Nice to see a new generation of idiots," said Steve grinning a bit sadly. They watched as Shawn declared Adair was having a seizure and they needed to get something under her head and David started pulling his shirt off as Jenny spit out a pink drink while laughing madly and Alison stood over the whole mess shaking her head while nudging Adair with her foot to get off the floor and telling David to keep his shirt on.
"Yep. A whole new group of idiots," said Bucky.
"I'm telling your girlfriend you called her an idiot," said Steve.
"Punk," retorted Bucky.
"Jerk," said Steve.
…...
Alison was nursing a slight hangover headache and she hated to admit that after this weekend she might have to go to Cho for some antibiotics. She was still feeling sort of tired and now there was a tickle in the back of her throat. If she was being honest with herself she really should simply stay in and start nursing herself through whatever she was coming down with. However Bucky had been the one to suggest going to the H.P Lovecraft marathon and considering how this was his first date idea in several decades she didn't have the heart to cancel.
She was in her office working on her paper so she could work undistracted. She loved Bucky, but he was very good at distracting her. Alison coughed and frowned as she looked over her notes to cite her source when she felt something by her and Vision spoke up.
"I'm sorry to bother you," said Vision and Alison looked up and saw the door was shut.
"Um. I'm sorry I didn't hear you knock," said Alison and Vision looked confused at the door before looking back to her.
"I didn't knock. I'm sorry. I need to remember that for all the rooms with shut doors," said Vision and Alison grinned a bit.
"Is there something you wanted to talk about?" asked Alison gesturing for him to sit down. He sat down and he fiddled with the cuff of one of his sleeves. Since she had been here Vision had changed his attire a great deal. He was wearing a pair of black dress and a dark blue sweater. It was almost too British for Alison at times, she honestly expected him to come bearing a tea tray one of these days.
"I feel like I owe you an apology for coming into your and Mr. Barnes's room last night. Sam asked me to come and get you for the surprise party and I was unaware that you and Barnes were...trying to procreate," said Vision and Alison tried to process what he was saying.
"Wait um...oh god," said Alison has it started sinking in and she felt her face turn red. She took a deep breath and tried to process what to say next. He was technically only six or seven months old and while he might have been the AI to Tony Stark, she could only imagine what understanding he did have about relationships.
"We weren't going for that. It's not always about trying to make a baby," said Alison. Now Vision seemed a bit puzzled.
"I was given the impression that sex between men and women was for the purpose of procreation," said Vision.
"It is some of the time," said Alison. "It's also happens for a lot different reasons with any couple gay or straight. You want to express affection for your partner and create a deeper bond. Sometimes it's an outlet for stress or trying to feel better about something. Sometimes it happens for really no reason all other than it just feels good between the couple," said Alison. Vision seemed to be thinking this through.
"Interesting. So it's not always for a biological purposes than." said Vision.
"Not all the time," said Alison.
"Do you mind me asking what reason you and he were aiming for?" asked Vision. Alison thought and she wondered how Bucky would feel knowing she was talking to the AI about their sex life.
"For us it's about the connection and affection. We haven't been in relationships for a long time and we're still trying to figure it out. We're learning to trust each other while in a very vulnerable position. Physically and emotionally vulnerable position" said Alison. Vision nodded and stood up.
"Well thank you for being honest and explaining it to me," said Vision went over to the window and looked outside. "Honestly trying to figure you humans out is fascinating and frustrating at the same time. I think I could live for several lifetimes and never truly understand everything there is to know. Would it be possible for us to talk more often? I have other questions that you might be more comfortable answering for me than the others would," said Vision.
"I would be fine with that. I might not have all the answers though," said Alison and Vision gave her a small smile.
"Well I don't have any answers so it's better than nothing," said Vision and Alison had to let out a small laugh. "I'll let you get back to your work," said Vision and he phased through the wall.
"Maybe I'll start with why we have walls and doors," said Alison.
… …..
"I sort of remember coming here a few times with Steve. They had some free art shows once in awhile," said Bucky as they walked across Washington Square, The films were going to be shown at NYU in the Cantor Film Center and Alison had gone to school at NYU so she was showing him around. Her face looked sort of flushed as they walked across the square, but she had the biggest smile on her face.
"During the first week of school there is this huge concert that happens right here on the square. My freshman year it was Bruce Springsteen. I couldn't hear anything the next day since it was so loud. It was one of the best live shows I've ever seen. I'm pretty sure Sophia ditched me that night to hook up with some girl from the Bronx. She came back to our apartment trashed and missing her bra the next morning," said Alison and Bucky had to laugh.
"I'm pretty sure I tried dating a girl from the Bronx only to have her boyfriend punch me in the face," said Bucky. Alison squeezed his hand and she pointed out various spots that had meaning to her. The building she took philosophy with Sam and she had to keep waking him up during class since it was at eight am. The campus clinic she worked at in between classes. A large grassy area that she and Sophia had to drag Matt across one night after a party and he threw up of Sophia leaving Alison to drag him up the stairs to his dorm.
"I had to leave him outside the door of his room since his roommate had a tie on the door and well I'm sure everyone on that floor heard what was going on and what?" asked Alison looking up at him while he smirked. She looked so happy and he liked listening to what her past had been like. She was just a girl from Brooklyn who had her own share of mishaps and fun along the way. Had they met in the 1940's or if had been born in the 80's like Alison they would have crossed paths sooner or later and well he might have been just as crazy for her.
"Nothing. I just feel bad for Matt being dumped like that and waking up the next morning on a cold floor," said Bucky.
"Well Sophia and I were staying off campus that year so we weren't taking him home with us on the train. Plus I told him those Long Island Ice Teas were bad for him and he didn't listen. Plus after he threw up nachos and shots on Sophia I was done for the night too," said Alison.
"So the moral of the story is if I don't listen to you and I get sick you aren't going to take care of me," said Bucky.
"I felt really bad the next day and I made him blueberry muffins. The good kind too, not from a box," said Alison and Bucky scoffed.
"Doesn't take much to get you over does it?" he teased and she leaned into him.
"I'm a soft touch really. I don't know where I get it from since grandpa was a hard ass," said Alison. I like that you're a soft touch. I just plain like you, thought Bucky. Alison started coughing and Bucky frowned listening to it. It reminded of him of when Steve had a cold and would cough up snot for about a week. Alison looked annoyed and hunched deeper into her jacket.
"Come on. It should be starting soon," said Alison. They went inside and found their seats. Her face still looked sort of flushed to him and she squeezed his hand.
"I'm going to see Cho the second we get back," said Alison. Bucky kissed her forehead and tried not to frown. She felt a little too warm to him considering how cool it had been outside, They played two Lovecraft movies back to back-The Colour out of Space and The Call of Cthulhu. Bucky kept looking over at Alison who was trying to keep her coughing muffled during the movie and he was tempted to drag her back to base now. Once the films were over Alison sighed.
"I know it's still early, but I'm sort of feeling blah. Do you mind if we head in?" asked Alison.
"No. I'll call Becca and tell her we can't make breakfast tomorrow. You're going to Cho first thing in the morning," scolded Bucky and Alison nodded.
"I thought I could kick it. Stupid really," said Alison. They headed out and Alison fished a knit cap out and pulled it on. Bucky wrapped an arm around her as they headed for the car.
"I guess this means you're going to get the Barnes's family treatment," said Bucky as Alison drove them back to the apartment.
"Is that a good thing?" asked Alison.
"I'm putting you to bed and then I'm making you chicken soup and hot toddies like my mom did when Steve was sick. You aren't allowed out of bed until the coughing stops" said Bucky and Alison grinned.
"A hot toddy is nothing but hot whiskey and tea. You might have to see if Cho will let you give them to me," said Alison.
"My mom put honey in hers too," said Bucky.
"Don't worry alright. I'm not running to high of a fever and I promise to go right to bed and do whatever Cho or David tell me to do," said Alison.
"I just worry about you. Can't help it. It's a very old habit," said Bucky. Alison grinned and the rest of the drive back was quiet. They headed upstairs and Alison fished out the keys. She paused and kissed him on the cheek.
"I haven't had anyone fuss over me in a long time," said Alison.
"Get used to it," said Bucky. Alison unlocked the door, Bucky followed behind her and he knew something was wrong the second the lamp wouldn't turn on. He went to grab Alison and get her out and was just a second too late
"Sputnik," said a voice and Bucky fell to floor before Alison could scream. Alison felt a hand clamp around her mouth and a huge arm wrap around her waist pinning her arms to her side. She kicked the the table over and tried going limp and her attacker just held her tighter.
"Don't be like that sweetheart. We don't want to hurt you, but we will," hissed the voice. As her eyes adjusted to the dark, Alison could make out three other men in the room. Two of them stood over Bucky with guns drawn while the third handcuffed Bucky and bound his feet.
"He should be out for hours. Sadly it's a one and done deal until we reset him," said the man cuffing Bucky. Alison tried slamming her foot into her attacker's leg when he moved his hand from her mouth to her throat and squeezed.
"Do we really need her? She's going to be trouble," he whispered and Alison could see spots. Bucky. Oh god please wake up. She was outnumbered and she couldn't think of what to do to help them.
"She's part of the test to see how much work he needs," said the man who had cuffed Bucky. He grabbed her arm quickly and jammed a needle in her arm and pressed the dispenser down. Alison felt weightless and her attacker let her fall to the floor in an unconscious heap. Bucky, was her last thought before she hit the floor.
…...
Alison woke up shivering and she started coughing. It was a harsh and hacking cough that hurt her chest and her head. Shit, thought Alison picking herself up off the cold slab of a floor. She was in a windowless room with a single light hanging down and the door looked to be metal and she couldn't tell if the door opened towards her or away from her. She hoped beyond hope that the door would open once she turned the knob. No such luck. Alison fought another cough and tried to stay calm. She needed something to defend herself if and when they came for her. The room was bare though and the walls and ceiling appeared to be thick concrete. Better to muffle the screaming, thought Alison and she tried thinking though her rising panic.
Clearly whoever had taken them planned it out. Stupid, thought Alison. They must have seen them coming and going from the apartment. Alison shuddered at the thought of being followed for god knows how long and not knowing it. They wanted Bucky, thought Alison and it filled her heart with dread. They wanted Bucky and they knew how to get him.
"Sputnik," muttered Alison. It was clearly a trigger word meant to subdue him. She had looked through countless notes and files and still hadn't been able to find all the trigger words or phrases. Clearly that was a word of mouth one. Damn them, thought Alison and she started to pace. Hydra. We've been kidnapped by Hydra and I have no clue where we are or how long we've been gone. They want Bucky though. They want their Asset back and oh god no. She knew what they could do to him to try to get him back and she wanted to scream. Alison felt her chest tighten and the hacking cough took over. She felt dizzy and had to sit down before she fell down. She saw a camera in the corner of the ceiling and she flipped it off out of some childish spiteful need. Alison pulled the coat around her tighter and fought the urge to cry. Are they looking for us? How long have we been gone? I have to try to get us out of here somehow, thought Alison. From somewhere above her she heard Bucky's muffled screaming and Alison swore she was going to make them pay. She didn't feel the tears running down her face as she listened to him scream.
… …..
Bucky woke up and found he couldn't move his arms or his legs. Four men were in the room. One tech and three others and Bucky felt a mind numbing panic take over as it dawned on him where he is and what is about to happen.
"No," mutters Bucky and he starts to struggle to free himself.
"I wouldn't do that," said a man and Bucky sort of remembers him as a handler from South America. The man turns on a screen and Bucky sees Alison curled up on the floor. "I have a man right outside her room. You might get out of here, but she's going to have a hole in head before you get to her. Understand?" he asked. Bucky didn't say anything and the handler backhanded him across the face. "Understand?" he asked.
"Yes," hissed Bucky and the man grinned.
"Good. I'm glad we have an understanding right now. And if you think your friends might come for you if you stall long enough, think again. We found the GPS unit in your arm and took it out. It's just us for right now. We might bring her in later to see how you're responding to your retraining," said the man and Bucky had to fight the rage. He couldn't risk Alison to these animals.
"You have me. You don't need her," said Bucky and the man grinned.
"But she's so pretty and we would let you watch," he said and Bucky had to fight to urge to break his restraints. The man turned off the screen just as Alison was getting up and he grinned. "It seems she couldn't get all your training out. It was a shame we had to waste the kill switch word. Hopefully once we reset you it will work again. Or else we'll find a new one. All that matters is getting you ready for when Rumlow gets here. He did miss you," said the man. He forced Bucky to open his mouth to put the guard in so he wouldn't bite his tongue. The tech flipped the switch and Bucky screamed helplessly. Alison. Don't forget Alison. Her green eyes, scars on her leg, she smells like plums...the way it feels when I kiss her.
"Longing," said the man and Bucky felt his heart stop. No..no...no. "Rusted." She has green eyes and you have to keep her safe. "Seventeen. Daybreak. Furnace." He could feel himself slipping away. Her name is Alison and she loves you and… "Nine. Benign. Homecoming." MY NAME IS BUCKY! "Homecoming. One." No.
"Freight car. Soldier?" He took the mouthpiece out and Bucky stared blankly ahead.
"Ready to comply," said the Soldier.
"Bring her in," said the man while the tech undid his restraints. The Soldier stood up and looked around puzzled. He wanted to ask how long he had been away, but knew better. A few minutes passed and soon the two men brought a young woman into the room. She glared as the men let her go. Her eyes turned to him and he could see she had been crying.
"What did you to him?" she demanded. His handler pulled her over to him and she looked up at him worried.
"Bucky?" she asked and she touched her his arm.
"Who is Bucky?" asked the Soldier. Why is touching me like that? The woman gasped and started coughing hard. She glared at his handler.
"You bastard," she cried and she went to throw herself at his handler. The handler caught her, threw her to the floor and kicked her in the ribs. Bucky...I've heard it before.
"Get up," said the handler and he grabbed her hair. The woman let out a strangled cry and she looked at him pleading.
"Bucky please?" she asked.
"Hit her," said the handler and the Soldier punched the woman in the face. He heard something snap in her face and she fell to the floor again. The handlers and tech seemed proud of him and the Asset felt hallow. It was odd, he couldn't recall feeling this way in a long time. She groaned and when she looked up her face was covered in blood and her eye was already starting to swell shut. She started trying to pick herself up when the handler pulled her up.
"Did you really think you could fix him if you loved him enough? He's Hydra," he said. The woman simply spat blood in his face and glared.
"You're going to pay for this. If it's the last thing I do," she said. The handler grinned and wiped the blood off his face.
"You know we have a few hours before Rumlow shows up. Why don't we play a little game? You like Hide and Seek. First one to find you gets to tell the Soldier what to do you. One...two...I'm only gonna count to twenty sweetheart," he laughed and so did the others. She looked horrified and she cast one finally pleading glance at him before stumbling out of the room and running down the hall. He heard a door to the stairwell slam shut. Did you think you could love him enough, thought the Soldier. Did she love him? Is that why she touched him, looked at him and pleaded. I'm Hydra...no one loves me.
"Twenty. Let's find her," said the Handler.
I'm planning two very long chapters after this to wrap it up. Thank you all for the reviews, adds and favoriting.
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