His thrashing in the bed next to her is what first pulled Marley from a deep sleep. Bucky was struggling in his sleep, caught in the clutches of a nightmare. Gently placing a hand on his good shoulder, she tried to wake him.

"Bucky? Wake up, it's –"

Bucky rounded on her, his metal arm clutching her shoulder painfully. His eyes were open, but he wasn't awake. In his head was a cold winter landscape, and he was on a mission. For HYDRA.

"Bucky? Please - "

Marley's heart leaped in her chest as he flung her around him and off the bed like she was a rag doll. She screamed as she landed on the floor at the foot of the bed hard, biting her tongue. She tasted blood as she watched him rise from the bed, not a stitch on, and shoved his fist through the door before he flung it open so hard it came off its hinges, marching into the living room.

Crawling to the side of the bed, Marley scrambled through the drawers of the dresser, finding a long blue t-shirt to put on because she was naked too. Afraid he could come back into the room at any moment, she crawled over to the closet and hid in the darkness inside.

"Bucky?" Steve arrived, to Marley's relief, knowing Steve could keep him from hurting himself.

Marley stayed still, listening to the sounds of them struggling. Something, she hoped it wasn't one of them, hit the wall next to her and she jumped, covering her mouth with her hands in an effort to keep quiet.

Finally, it was quiet. She couldn't get anything with her mind, so she waited. It was all she could do.

Quietly opening the closet door, the sound of Bucky's sobs broke her heart.

Not wanting to make this worse for him, she dashed into the bathroom to do damage control. The mirror showed blood smeared across her lower lip. It stained her teeth, her hands where they'd covered her mouth. Her tongue smarted but she could live with that.

What she couldn't do was let him see any of it.

"Marley?" Steve's voice came softly as he entered Bucky's bedroom. He pushed open the bathroom door just in time to see her desperately scrubbing at her lips with a washcloth. "Marley?"

Shit. He hurt her. This will kill him.

Steve filled the bathroom as he gently took her chin and pulled her face up to take a look at her.

"Bit my tongue," she whispered. "I'm okay."

Shaking his head, Steve pointed to the blood on the shoulder of her shirt.

Marley nodded, reaching around him when she spotted Bucky's robe on the back of the door and wrapped it around her. It covered the blood. She'd gotten most of it off her mouth and hands.

"Steve?" Bucky's voice was a raw sound from the living room. "Where is she?"

"She's fine," Steve yelled in a tone that she didn't even believe, and she didn't know him that well. "Be right there."

"Marley?" Bucky had tears in his voice.

Steve headed back to the living room. Marley grabbed the mouthwash she found over the sink and used it quickly to get rid of any lingering blood. She hoped it was enough.

"Marley, where –"

She walked right into the wall of Bucky's chest, he was still completely naked, as she went to dash out of the bathroom. Tears streaked his face as he backed her into the light of the bathroom.

"You're trembling," he whispered, grasping her hands with his own. "Doll?"

Marley's heart thundered in her chest as he looked her over. Leaning in, he inhaled. She tried unsuccessfully to keep him from peeling the robe away from her shoulder. His blue eyes widened when he saw the drops of blood on the shirt, rubbing his fingers gently over them.

Her heart broke when his face crumbled, and he sank onto the floor, crying.

I hurt her. I finally have something fucking decent in my life and I draw her blood.

"I hurt you," he whispered harshly, burying his head in his hands and rocking back and forth as if out of habit to comfort himself.

Steve walked in, his stony expression unable to conceal the pain in his eyes.

Marley dropped to the floor, wrapping her arms around Bucky. "I'm okay. Please, stop. You didn't hurt me."

Bucky shook his head. "You're bleeding… I made you bleed."

Why won't this stop? Why can't I have this? Please let me have this.

"You have me. I'm not going anywhere. I promise." Tears stung the backs of her own eyes. "I bit my tongue. That's all. It's not bad. I promise. Please don't do this."

He muttered something, but she couldn't make out his words.

"What?"

Bucky's head shot up and he glared at her. "Don't. Lie. To. Me."

"I'm not lying," she promised. "Please."

He let her wrap her arms around him, his head pressed against her heart. Steve knelt behind them, wrapping his arms around his friend and they stayed like that for several long moments. Bucky quieted, his mind calmed.

Steve looked up, met her gaze.

Thank you. Thank you for caring about him so much.

Marley nodded as if he'd spoken aloud.

"Hey, why don't you get up and get back to bed pal?" Steve's voice was tired but full of warmth.

Bucky squeezed her gently, he didn't really want to move but pulled away to glance back at his best friend.

"Will do," he told him. "T-thanks, Stevie."

Come and get me if you need me. Okay?

Again, Steve was speaking to her, Marley nodded. She hoped he understood how much she appreciated him.

Steve made his way out, Bucky pulled himself up from the floor, pulling Marley with him.

"Let me see." He tried to sound calm, but he didn't quite hit that note.

Marley knew better than to argue. He'd only believe it was worse than it actually was. At least he cared. How many times had Grant quite liberally beaten the shit out of her without ever asking her about the aftermath?

Bucky's flesh hand gently gripped her chin, she dutifully opened her mouth to let him see.

Bucky was struggling to keep his composure. She knew all too well what that was like. Quickly she closed her mouth, brushing his hand away.

"I'm okay," Marley willed him to believe her. "I promise. Please, let's go back to bed."

He let her take his hand and lead him back into the bedroom, turning out the light as she went. She dropped the robe and laid it along the foot of the bed. She peeled off the shirt too, not wanting to remind him of the incident if she could help it.

Even in the dark, his vision was sharp. Gently he touched her shoulder, tracing a bruise forming there from where he'd grabbed her.

"What about this?" his voice sounded broken.

"Nat," Marley said in a lighter tone. No way she was explaining that. He'd never forgive himself.

Marley climbed into bed, pulling the covers around them. Searching his mind, she laid down on her back, motioning him to her. He wanted to hear her heart again, laying his head on her chest.

She held him close until they both finally drifted off to sleep.

Shuffling in the room woke her up, Bucky sat on the edge of the bed, dressed in his combat gear.

Was bucky being sent on a mission right now?

Wrapping herself around his back, she hugged him tightly. He stopped pulling on his boots, just relaxed into her.

"How are you feeling?" he whispered.

"Why don't you feel me and let me know?" Marley teased him. "You could just blow off this mission and stay here."

He smiled at that, that's what she wanted, and turned to pull her into his arms. He pressed her back into the bed, the feel of him fully dressed for fighting while she was naked beneath him was working on her.

Claiming her mouth for a heated kiss, he allowed his hands to roam over her gently. Over her breasts, her thighs. When his flesh fingers slid into her folds, he moaned at the wetness he found there.

"Someone likes this, don't they?" Bucky smirked down at her, the dark locks of his hair framing his face.

Marley rolled her hips up into his for an answer, grinning.

"We're making this happen when I get back," he promised.

Her face warmed up at the things he was imagining.

Marley smiled, pulling him down for another kiss, trying to hold him there.

With a deep sigh, he pulled back and his weight left her. Pulling the covers over her, he gazed into her eyes.

"Where's your phone?" Bucky asked. Pointing to the bedside table, Marley watched as he grabbed it and handed it to her. "You need a way to reach me. I may be gone for several days."

They made a contact for him on her phone, she was grateful for that.

"Most of us are going on this mission," he informed her. "Even Thor. His brother, however, is not. That son-of-a-bitch is staying here."

That wasn't good, but she'd handle it.

"Can't believe I'm saying this but Tony isn't going," Bucky explained. "If you need anything, get to Tony. Promise me."

Marley nodded. She'd do whatever she had to in order to avoid Loki.

"I love you." He leaned back in for a gentle kiss. "Try to get some more sleep."

"Love you," she told him, watching him walk out of the bedroom.

Marley woke up several hours later, almost noon, surprised. She needed the rest and it wasn't like Natasha was there to do training today. She could pretty much take the day off, binge some Netflix, and relax. Stretching, she reached for her phone.

[B] Text back when you wake up, k doll?

He'd texted her around ten o'clock.

[B] You okay?

That one at eleven thirty.

[B] Marley?

The last message from five minutes before.

[Marley] I'm sorry. Just woke up. I love you.

After showering and getting dressed, she saw he'd answered.

[B] Rest, baby. You'll need it when I get back.

[B] There might be times you don't hear from me. Try not to worry. Tony will know if something's up.

Like she wouldn't worry.

[Marley] I understand. Miss you.

[B] Not as much as I miss you, doll.

Realizing she was starving, she headed out to the cafeteria. Loki might be there, but she couldn't let him make her a prisoner in the compound without the others to protect her. Her confrontation with him the day before had shown her that just maybe she could hold her own with him. Everyone thought her powers were getting stronger.

Maybe.

Bucky would have been proud of the breakfast she'd ordered up. She stopped at the store across from the cafeteria, got a few things, and tried not to worry as she headed for the elevator.

"Good morning."

Marley blew out an exhale at that deceptively beautiful voice. She didn't even turn around.

"Loki," she acknowledged him.

She didn't bother to select a floor for the elevator. She wasn't about to get in it with him.

"What do you want?" she asked, trying to sound bored but missing it by a mile.

"Just exchanging pleasantries," Loki said with his trademark chuckle. "You don't seem to be in high spirits this morning."

"I was," she said pointedly. "And then you showed up. Please leave me alone. I don't know what you want with me, but the answer is no."

His smile faded, and she knew a moment of pride. That level of assertiveness was new for her.

"You haven't even heard my proposal," he explained, holding his hands behind his back.

"You planning to ask nicely now? Because last time all I saw were images of what you planned to do to Bucky unless I complied." Marley glared up at him. "I didn't appreciate that."

"Ah, but how easy would it be to bend a mind that broken," Loki taunted her. "How easy would it be?"

"He's stronger than you think," Marley warned, considering marching back up the haul to see if she could have her meal with Tony just to get rid of him.

"How did he sleep last night?" Loki asked.

"What?" Marley scanned his mind. "What did you do?"

Loki was struggling to keep her out of his head. She pressed harder, but he held her off.

"Such nightmares seem terribly inconvenient," Loki said casually. "Perhaps even dangerous."

Oh. My. God.

Loki grinned at her then.

Marley took a step towards him, dropping her bags. Then another. The rush of heat that pushed through her made her feel like she was about to explode, and she welcomed it. Sweat popped out across her brow, her fingers and toes tingled.

"Oh, I'm sorry." Again, that chuckle. "I hope I haven't said anything upsetting."

Loki dodged the first volley she sent hurtling at him, the second one he tried to shield with his own magic. The third and fourth overwhelmed him, breaking through the barrier he put up and she moved closer as he screamed in agony, engulfed in flames.

It was satisfying to watch him writhe there on the floor at her feet. The sprinkler system turned on full blast, putting out the flames, soaking her to the skin.

His blue eyes held something like fear as she came to a stop above him, wondering if she could finish him. Wanting to.

"Marley!" Tony came running at her, dressed in office wear and looking like he'd just survived a plane crash. "Hey, are you okay?"

Glancing back down at Loki, loving how some of his flesh was charred black and twisted from her efforts. He could heal himself, she saw it in his mind because he no longer had the strength to keep her out. It would take time because his injuries were substantial. A long time.

"Marley, it's okay," Tony's brown eyes were warm, pleading. He pointed to her bags, wet on the floor. "You ruined your breakfast. Come on. We'll get you more. And some towels. Towels would be good."

A rescue team came arrived behind Tony and he directed them to help the raven-haired demi-god she'd just burnt down.

She could end him. She could do it so easily.

"Or I could stay here and finish my Asgardian barbeque," she told Tony nonchalantly.

Tony looked alarmed, then he forced a smile.

"Nope. Sorry. I'm the head smartass here." He walked to her, wrapping a gentle arm around her. "Come on. I promised Cap and Heavy Metal that I'd keep an eye on you. You don't want to make me look bad, do you?"

Marley met Loki's gaze. Leave me alone. I mean it. I'll finish it next time.

Loki didn't move, kept his mind still, as Tony steered her back in the direction of the cafeteria. He shook his head at the destruction the first fireball made at one corner of the hallway.

"Well, hopefully, we can fix Clint's apartment before they get back," he teased.

Now that? That Marley felt bad about.