Marley heard voices when she came around. The light, antiseptic smells, and crisp bedding around her let her know that she was in a bed in medical. Keeping her eyes closed, Marley just listened. It was one of the few advantages of her gift –the ability to gather information on a situation before having to react to it.

"How is she?" Steve's voice was anxious.

"Everything is fine, normal," Dr. Cho's voice was calm. "I know the bouts on unconsciousness seem abnormal but I'm starting to think it's her body's way of recharging. According to Bruce and Tony, the amount of power she's producing is rapidly gaining strength."

"She's been out for two days," Bucky's tone was heavy with concern.

Two days?

"Her recovery periods seem to correspond with her use of power. So far, everything seems in balance," the doctor explained. "Based on the last couple of episodes, she should come around any soon. I'd like to think by tonight."

Hope so. Steve's thoughts were tinged with worry. Bucky's falling for her. He deserves some happiness after what he's been through.

"Thank you, doctor," Steve said finally.

"You're welcome, Cap. I'll be back to check on her later."

Someone blew out a long exhale.

"She's going to be okay, pal," Steve said. "Doc said so."

What if she's not? What if she doesn't wake up? Just something else fucking HYDRA took away…

"According to Tony and Bruce, she's gaining control of her power all on her own. With our help, she'll gain it faster. She can do this, Buck."

"Her powers are also growing stronger. Even the doc pointed that out. What if it ends up consuming her?"

And now HYDRA knows she's here and they've seen what she can do. They'll be back.

"We'll help her develop them," Steve's voice was steady. He's been so eager for each day since she came instead of struggling to get through. He needs her to be okay. "You saw her take that carrier down. She did that all on her own. We'll make her even stronger, Buck."

She saw an image of Bucky in Steve's mind, sitting in the chair by her side. He looked so… lost.

Marley had slowly been realizing why. Bucky wanted to help her, to protect her from HYDRA.

More than that, he wanted her. His mind had increasingly become a wild riot of thoughts about her that ranged from old-fashioned and romantic to downright pornographic. While some of his thoughts shocked her, made her blush, the rest made her heart squeeze in her chest. He even wanted to protect her from himself, the desires he thought she would find repulsive. Marley was attracted to him. Sex was something she was still on the fence about given her experience so far, but she'd be willing to trust him. To try.

Bucky was wounded and alone and thought he deserved to be so.

Just like her.

On the other hand, he was so busy enumerating the reasons he couldn't be with her that he wasn't paying attention to the fact that they were very much the same. His family, all except Steve, were gone. Marley never had a family to begin with. He carried the burden of crimes he didn't want to commit but couldn't take back. The same was true for her.

They were both victims of HYDRA and she knew he'd do anything to keep them from taking her. Marley knew he underestimated her, maybe she underestimated herself, but if she could learn to use the hell fire they'd given her, her life's mission would be to make sure they never ever hurt Bucky again.

Considering who they were and what they'd been through, they could be good for each other. Maybe they could help each other.

"She's stronger than you think, Buck," Steve kept his voice steady despite his worries. He couldn't bear the thought of watching fate take something else away from his friend.

Her mind made up, Marley dramatically stretched on the bed.

Since she knew where Bucky was, she made sure she was facing him when she opened her eyes.

"Marley?" There were dark smudges under his blue eyes.

Marley grinned at him. "Hi there."

Bucky's smile. God, he was beautiful.

Oh, thank God. Steve walked around to stand next to Bucky. "How are you feeling?"

Marley started to pull herself up into a sitting position, surprised to find she had little energy. Bucky jumped up from the chair to help her, his hands gentle as he held her up and arranged the pillows behind her back comfortably.

Forcing herself to meet his gaze with her own, Marley said," thank you."

"I slept through training again, huh?" This she said to Steve who grinned back at her.

"A couple of times."

"I know this is twice now but -"

"Doll, you've been out for two days," Bucky cut her off. "And I told you to stay with Natasha."

Marley would have thought he was actually fussing at her if relief hadn't been so evident in his face and mind.

Nodding, Marley considered her words carefully. "I'm sorry. They separated us and… I'll do better next time. I'll learn from you how to handle myself and… next time will be better."

Yes, you will do better next time. Bucky's thought almost had her smiling.

"You were shot." Marley remembered the wound to his calf. "Are you okay? How is Sam?"

"We're both fine, doll," Bucky said dismissively. "Bird-brain will be recovering for a couple more days like you, but he'll live."

"We had a few injuries but no losses," Steve told her, "thanks to your help."

Marley nodded, considering then those she'd killed. More people who'd died because of what she could do.

"Don't even think about feeling guilty over those HYDRA assholes," Bucky warned her.

It was like, for a moment, he had read her mind.

While she didn't want to kill anyone, she was okay with what happened.

"I don't," Marley said with feeling, looking at Bucky. "Not if doing so keeps the people I care about safe."

Me? How in the world can she care about someone like me?

"In case I forget to tell you later," Marley said to them both but kept her gaze on Bucky, "thank you both for everything you've done for me. I mean it."

Bucky covered her hand with his flesh one, gently squeezing it. "I'm just glad you're going to be okay."

"Me too." Steve walked to the door, relieved and happy with the direction things were looking to be headed in and wanting to give them some privacy. "I'll catch up with you later. Buck, I've got training covered today so…"

Stay with her. She likes you, you jerk.

Marley laced her fingers with his. "You look tired. I hope you didn't lose sleep because of me."

The rough pad of his thumb began rubbing trails along her index finger. He was thinking that he was surprised that she let him.

"It's not like I sleep a lot anyway, doll." Not sure what changed but she doesn't seem as afraid of me now. "Don't worry about me."

"When can I get out of here?" Marley wondered out loud. "Is everything okay?"

"Doc says you're just fine, doll." Bucky smiled. "Want me to see if I can spring you?"

Marley nodded. "Please."

Bucky went to rise from the chair, but Marley reached out for him, pulling him into her arms and he let her. Sinking onto the hospital bed next to her, he tucked her under his chin as she wrapped her arms about his waist. Marley snuggled against him, listening to the strong, steady cadence of his heart quicken. Slowly, his arms closed around her.

She feels so good.

Marley tightened her arms around him. "You're so warm," she whispered. "It's freezing in here."

His chuckle was a deep rumbling sound. "I'm warming you up, hot stuff?"

She smiled against his chest. He smelled good. "Maybe."

"Doll, you're going to have to let go if you want me to get you out of here. You know that, right?" His smile was in his voice.

"Just another minute," Marley pleaded. "I'm happy right now."

Bucky relaxed into her then, pressed a kiss into her hair. He seemed content to stay there so they did for a while. Marley couldn't remember the last time anyone just held her. Was the same true for him?

Marley's smile widened. Just maybe she could do this.

Maybe she could seduce this super soldier.

"Look who's awake," Wanda's voice took on a note of surprise at the end, finding her snuggled up to Bucky as she entered the room.

Bucky pulled away instantly even though Marley tried to hang onto him.

I'm sorry I interrupted, Marley.

Not at all, Marley assured her.

Wanda walked around the other side of the bed to give her a hug like they were old friends. Marley had heard she'd been sent on a mission right after they'd initially met. She was so glad to have another friend just now.

"Bucky, how are you?" Wanda asked politely, making it obvious that she approved of finding him there.

Bucky nodded. "How was the mission?"

"Tiring," Wanda said on a deep sigh. "And I missed some excitement I hear. Thank you for watching after my new friend."

Bucky's glance cut to Marley and he winked. "Not sure who was watching after who. Our girl took down one of their transports all by herself."

Wanda's grin widened, her brows rose. "I'd like to have seen that."

You've been busy, Wanda chided her.

Wasn't my intention but things seem to be heading in that direction.

Nice choice. He's fine.

"I'll uh… let you guys catch up and see about getting you out of here, doll." Bucky's grin was shy. "Be back."

Marley was still surprised that he'd winked at her.

Wanda waited until he was out of earshot before saying anything. "He doesn't know…" Wanda motioned from her head to Marley's, indicating the mind reading.

"No."

"Do you know he can hear a pin drop from five miles away?" Wanda warned her good-naturedly.

Marley nodded. "I thought so."

"I've never seen him so animated off the battle field," Wanda admitted. "He hasn't had an easy time of it since he came here. Especially with Tony. This is… good."

Marley could feel her face heat up.

"How far have things gotten?" Wanda teased.

"No more than what you've just seen, actually," Marley told her. "But it's a start."

Marley eased to the edge of the bed, meaning to jump down and find her clothes but the room seemed to move. Her energy level really seemed off.

"You okay?" Wanda looked concerned.

Marley nodded, waiting for the black patches floating around her to clear. "I'm weak."

Wanda searched through drawers until she found her clothes. "Here they are. I won't keep you. But we need to have lunch or dinner one night, okay? I can't wait for you to meet Viz."

Marley desperately wanted another friend and talking to Vision would likely prove fascinating. "Please."

Giving Marley a hug, Wanda headed back out, passing Bucky as he returned. "Take care of her for me," she bid him.

Bucky nodded, heading over to Marley as she tried again to jump off the bed. "They're working on paperwork now. You'll be out in just a few minutes."

Then he took a closer look.

"Doll, you look like you're about to faint," he warned. Crossing to the other side of the bed, he put a steadying hand on her back. His flesh palm was warm where the hospital gown gapped open on her back.

What the hell?

Bucky had noticed the scars on her back. There were so many.

What did that son of a bitch do to her?

That got Marley's attention. So, he and Natasha had talked.

Glancing back over her shoulder, Marley sighed. Pulling on the tie at the back of the gown, she let the back fall open while she held the front against her chest. Taking a deep breath, she let him take a look.

One of his fingers traced the worst scar on her left shoulder blade. Grant had done that with a belt buckle.

"I'm sorry," she whispered. Bucky's gentleness had her tearing up. "It's ugly I know… You were going to see it eventually any way."

That motherfucker is lucky he's dead.

"Hey," he wrapped a strong arm around her shoulders, pulling her against him. "Nothing about you is ugly. You hear me?"

Marley leaned into him, feeling exposed and trembling. He pressed a kiss into her hair.

"They go down the backs of my legs too…," she explained. "Not all the way down. He… didn't want them to show when I wore skirts."

"A guy did this to you?" The kindness in his blue eyes brought on more tears. He already knew the answer to his own question, but he was inviting her to tell him. To talk to him.

Nodding, Marley looked up to meet his gaze. She didn't know what to say.

"You don't have to explain anything to me," Bucky said gently. "Not right now. You're not the only one who has scars. I'll show you mine some time."

"Scars are cool on men," Marley said half-joking, trying to lighten the moment even though she felt dangerously close to breaking.

"Doll, those scars do nothing to take away from how beautiful you are." He meant it. "What matters is that we're still here, right?"

After a moment, Marley nodded. Steve thought she gave Bucky something to look forward to each day. Just maybe he did the same for her.

"We're going to train you. Before you know it, no one will ever be able to hurt you again."

Her heart squeezed in her chest at the quiet conviction of his words.

Marley pointed to the clothes on the chair next to the bed. "I'm sorry. Help me… help me cover them up."

Picking up her clothes, he gently handed them to her. Then without warning, he scooped her up easily and set her gently by the bathroom door. He closed the door to her room. "Go ahead doll. Get dressed. I'm not going anywhere."

It wasn't long after that she was released from medical and made it back to her apartment with his help.