Hehehe. Things are getting good!

Tiphanie: Trust me, I don't think you could get more graphic than me. Rumlow is super creepy, and he's only going to get creepier. I may have unintentionally made him that way, but I'm kind of digging it, actually. In my messed up brain. They're all psychos and poor Libby is going to go through hell before this story is over. And I wouldn't speak too soon about Frosty. You don't know what I have planned.

Guest: Eventually is a while away. A long while. She's going to have a lot of issued when it's over. A lot. More than I've even planned out right now. And shit's going to hit the fan when TWS happens. Major shit.

DarylDixon'sLover: Rumlow is very sick. Very, very sick. Or at least I made him that way.

Estelle Lumene: Well, if I met a guy who had a metal arm who never showed his face and killed someone without even blinking in front of me, I'd think he was a robot as well. Especially in that universe, where billionaires fly around in metal suits and technology is far more advanced than we have. It would be entirely possible. But things are going to go down when she finds out he's actually human.

Azure83: Lol, don't worry. I love writing it a little more than I should. But I'm glad you're enjoying it!

Enjoy!

The week Rumlow was gone was the best week I'd had in a long time. I was able to sit up without having a splitting headache and nausea now. I was also getting used to having basically one eye, and most of my other minor injuries were healed. Now I just needed to work on my ankle and shoulder. But not too quickly. I didn't want to rush my impending doom.

It was nice, not having Rumlow there from the time I was awake, to the time I went to sleep, feeding me, holding my water for me. Making sure I was comfortable. Helping me to the bathroom. He at least let me be alone inside the bathroom, unlike someone else. His replacement "guard" left me pretty much on my own. He got me food and water when I needed them, but besides that, I never really saw him. I was actually starting to like him for that. Not having to hover over me like Rumlow. But I knew Rumlow did that just to make my life a living hell. He wanted to break me, and he'd do anything in his power to make it happen. And apparently he included humiliating me in that as well.

I regretted the day he was coming back. It was raining outside, the weather seeming to channel how I was feeling. I had been lucky enough to fall asleep, sleeping most of that day. I had tried to walk the day before, and that had gone downhill quickly, and I was tired. But when I woke up to Rumlow stroking my hair, leaning close to my face, I thought I was in a living nightmare.

"Wakey, wakey, princess." He said, stroking my cheek with his thumb. I jerked my head away, wincing as my neck cracked. "Someone's a little stiff." He said, straightening up. "Maybe we should stretch you out a little. Wouldn't want you having to relearn how to walk." The look on his face said he'd love that.

I sat up, swinging my legs off the side of the bed, wincing as my hip popped, the sound almost echoing in the room. My heart jumped in my chest as the bed dipped behind me. I swallowed nervously, my breath stuck in my lungs as I felt him kneel behind me. I flinched slightly as his fingers touched my right shoulder. They were feather light, barely there as they ran down the back of my right arm.

I exhaled shakily, which turned into a gasp when I felt his knees by my hips, his breath fanning over my ear.

"Breathe." He whispered, his fingers moving to my forearm, his thumb tracing the inside of my elbow. "You don't want me to resuscitate you, do you?" He asked, his fingers brushing my hair over my left shoulder. He hummed as his fingers traced the back of my neck, pressing a little harder to feel the indent of my spine. "Your skin is so soft." He whispered, leaning in closer to my ear, his hand running back up my arm. "So...delicate." His fingers traced my throat and I leaned back, winding up hitting his chest. "I could break you so easily." He said, his lips brushing the shell of my ear. "Right here. Right now." I felt him smirk, leaning up slightly. "But that would be too easy." He said, pressing a kiss to the side of my head.

"I have to use the bathroom." I said quietly, my heart still pounding in my ears, my chest constricting as I tried to breathe.

"Of course."

He helped me to the bathroom, and I locked the door behind me, not wanting any intrusions. I leaned against the counter, staring into the mirror. I was pale, paler than usual. My hair was limp, the normally shiny blonde strands were dull, hanging limply by my face. I ran the water, splashing some on my face, trying to get the feel of Rumlow's hands off my skin. He was doing a very good job of making me as uncomfortable as possible.

I waited a few more seconds, taking a moment to breathe before I opened the door. Rumlow was sitting back by my bed, flipping through another magazine.

"Can I go outside today?" I asked, leaning against the door frame.

"Why would you want to do that?" He asked, tossing the magazine aside.

"Well, it's nice out, and it's been days since I've been outside, and I think a little sun would be good for me. Get a little vitamin D to help speed up the healing process."

Rumlow thought for a moment, regarding me with a careful eye. "I think you're right. What would a little sun hurt?"

I changed my clothes before letting Rumlow help me out of my room, and out into the backyard. He sat me down in a lawn chair on the patio, making sure I was situated, before pulling his own chair over next to me. It really was nice outside, the early spring air not too warm, and the sun felt fantastic. I closed my eyes, breathing a sigh as I leaned back in the lawn chair. Rumlow eyed me for a moment before leaning back himself. It was silent between us, the only sound coming from the water feature across the yard, and the occasional bird.

I could feel Rumlow starting to twitch beside me. Apparently sitting still and enjoying nature wasn't his thing. Thankfully his phone beeped, offering him a distraction.

"I have to take this. Don't move." He said, getting up from his chair.

"Oh yes, because I'm going to run across the yard and hop the fence to escape while you're gone." I said, sarcastically.

He just gave me a look before going inside, answering his phone. I relaxed again, enjoying the silence even more without Rumlow. I did debate heading across the yard. There was a place where the fence opened around the side of the yard, but in this state, I don't think I could make it to the fence before he got back, much less go anywhere on foot. And I didn't have a key to any car here, since mine had been "totaled" in my accident. I wondered how long it took them to come up with that. Probably not very long since my dad had successfully lied to me for my entire life. It had me questioning everything. Did my sister know? Is that why she left so quickly? Why she obeyed him without question? Because she knew something like this would happen to her if she didn't? Was she a part of HYDRA as well? What about my mother? Did she know? Was she HYDRA too? Was HYDRA the reason she was dead? What if she found out and my dad had her killed because of it?

So many thoughts were flying through my head, I almost didn't notice when Rumlow came back.

"You have to go back inside. I have some things I need to take care of." He said, pulling me to my feet.

"Wait, will you leave me in the living room?" He gave me a look. "Rumlow, I can barely stand on my own. How do you think I'm going to run away with no car, no way to call anyone. You found me once, it's not like it would be that hard for you to find me again. For all I know, you implanted a tracker inside me, so you'll always know where I am." He smirked. "Oh god you did do that, didn't you."

"I suppose you can stay in the living room until I get back. Your dad's supposed to be coming back from his business trip tonight. Maybe we can sit around, have dinner like a normal family."

"You're not part of my family."

"Oh, come on. I already have my own room. I take care of you all day. I'm practically family."

"Yeah, the creepy uncle." I murmured, but I knew he'd heard me by the way his grip on my side tightened.

Maybe I should tread just a little lighter. Curse my stupid sassy brain with no filter.