Bucky's eyes were crinkled at the sides as he laughed. Everyone else joined in. He was nothing like the man they had portrayed on the news - this man was happy if not slightly cautious.

I leant on my crutch, watching Sam walk back to his seat. "Victory," I laughed.

"Oh darlin, you've just started a war," Sam laughed.

"Oh but dear, a war would mean that you would actually stand some chance of winning." I smiled at him, before swinging back to my seat. "Besides haven't you had enough wars to fight?"

"Don't say anything else Sam, she's just gonna have a good comeback," Tony laughed. "Where do you get them from, a book?"

I shrugged. "I just come up with them."

"Unfortunately," Sam mumbled.

"You started it, I just finished it," I said innocently.

"It's not over," Sam mumbled walking over to the bar. "I need a drink."

"You have no idea what you have started," I laughed. "Or if intoxicated Sharon had been here she would have said you should have seen her when she came to the station, she was renowned as the troublemaker, you shouldn't mess with her."

"Seriously?" Sam laughed, stopping pouring himself some Bourbon. "You were a criminal?"

"Still am," I laughed, taking his wallet out of my pocket. "Anything of any use in this thing?"

"Hey, give it back!" Sam was standing in front of me, hands on his hips.

I looked up at him, puppy dog eyes, slowly handing him his wallet. "Sorry."

"Sorry? You did it on purpose!" He stamped his foot.

I leant back in my chair. "Going to call the police? Hi, it's the Falcon, I've been robbed by a woman on crutches, please help me, help me! I think I might cr-"

The Falcon's hand on my mouth silenced me.

I bit him.

"Damn it gal! What is your problem?" He was waving his hand around in the air now, jumping up and down.

"You, amongst many of my other 'problems' as you so affectionately called them." I smirked before laughing, unable to hold my laughter in any longer.

Bucky was now looking at me, a bright smile on his face. No, please say he wasn't getting attached... Please.

I smirked back at Sam, ripping my gaze away from Bucky. "Don't worry Sam, I don't have any diseases, that I know of."

"Are you sure you don't have rabies?" Sam backed away from me.

I bit my lip, thinking. "Yes? I mean I've never been tested but I probably don't..."

"You're crazy." Sam smirked, wandering off in the direction, I guessed, that his room was in.

"All the best people are," I called after him.

He spun round at the doorway. "You know what, I'll buy you a special kind of onesie." An evil smile was now on his face. "That way you won't be able to move in and it'll be white-"

"Is it going to be a straight jacket?" I hugged myself. "Because I already have one of them."

More laughs erupted as the Falcon left. I had just ruined his insult. Boom.

"How did you get a straight jacket?" Steve asked, he'd just come back from putting Sharon to bed. Something told me he didn't approve of me being at the tower, probably because of the whole criminal thing.

"eBay," I yawned, checking my watch: it was midnight "Wow, is it that late already?"

"I'll show you to your room." Pepper smiled, standing up.

"Thank you." I stood up swinging on my crutches. "Thank you for a good time guys."

"Zoe?" I looked to Natasha, who had raised an eyebrow. "How are you not tipsy?"

"What can I say, us Brits can hold our drink," I laughed, following Pepper out of the door rather quickly. High metabolism, that was my excuse. Not the truth of me being a super soldier.

I slipped into my room, past Pepper. "Thank you again for letting me stay here."

"The pleasure's all mine. If you need anything, just let me know, Zoe." Pepper watched me for a few seconds before leaving me in my room, alone.

I pulled my suitcase onto my bed, rummaging through to find some pyjamas. I probably wouldn't get any sleep anyway, but hey ho I could try.

I put my crutches on my bed and walked to the bathroom. I shivered as the coolness of the zip touched my skin, the dress falling to the floor in a black silk pile. I unclipped my bra and pulled on a plain black tank top. I peeled my tights off and slid some pyjama bottoms on, glancing in the mirror. My bionic right leg, a foreign object to the rest of my body which glinted in the harsh bathroom light. It was a thing of structural and intellectual beauty but that beauty was overshadowed by the cruelty it could cause and the even crueller intentions behind it.

I put my full weight on the leg, bending my leg and flexing the bionic muscles. I could walk. I could run. I could do anything. But I couldn't bear to use it. I couldn't bear the fact that HYDRA had permanently left their mark on me, and I couldn't get rid of it. I was wrecked like Sharon had said.

A short, sharp knock sounded on my door. I quickly scrambled out of the bathroom and slipped on some slippers, grabbing a crutch. I opened the door.

Intense blue eyes met mine. Bucky of all people stood at my door.

"Oh hey, is everything alright?" I asked, immediately relaxing, hiding my leg behind the door.

"Yeah, I was just checking you were alright after the whole Sam incident." Bucky shrugged, scratching the back of his neck. His jacket had been discarded and he only wore a white collared shirt which was tight in the all right places. Again?! No, Zoe this man was not a piece of meat to be objectified. He was not someone you could have feelings for either so nip it in the bud before it starts going somewhere.

"I'm good, besides I think you should be checking if Sam's alright," I laughed, leaning on the door. "I think I injured his pride."

"Nah, you just took him down a peg or two," Bucky smiled. "He's had worse from me."

My heart was racing for some reason now. "Do you not like him?" I asked.

"No, he's a great guy - a friend, he helped to protect me in the civil war, if you can call it that..." Bucky shrugged. "I just... A lot of people aren't friends with me after the whole winter soldier thing, especially Stark because of his parents."

"I'll be friends with you." Wow, what are you saying Zoe?

Bucky laughed, my left knee was going to give way like that of a lovesick, gushing teenager's knees would. No, please no. "Thanks Zoe, it means a lot."

"Glad I could help sergeant." I saluted him, being careful this time to not fall over.

"Well, goodnight Zoe. It was a pleasure meeting you today." Bucky saluted back.

"And you, goodnight Bucky," I sighed.

"Don't let the bed bugs bite," I whispered as he walked away.

"Are you sure it won't be you?" I swear I heard him whisper back. Super soldier hearing and all.

I shook my head, shutting the bedroom door. Nah, the beer had gone to my head, finally.

The bed was too soft, the house too quiet. I turned and tossed and groaned. Sleep. Why is it when you want it, it never happens?

I turned, looking to the alarm clock: 2AM. Ugh. I closed my eyes, trying to relax - to fall asleep...

... "We're surrounded," our leader said. "It's only a matter of time before they get to us. Frost and Smith, stay here, the rest of you, let's go fight for our country."

All of the men left the armoured vehicle, leaving me and my sister's husband alone.

"It's going to be okay," I whispered.

"Yeah right," he sighed. "I'm never going to see Becky again."

"You will," I tried to comfort him.

"No, I won't." He stood and opened the door. "I'm going to die with honour, not stay here like a coward. I wouldn't expect a criminal like you to understand."

I grabbed his arm, trying to pull him back. "I do understand, now get away-"

"Zoe, get off!" Aaron yelled before he looked back outside. His face fell.

Hundreds of clicks sounded outside - bullets clicking into place.

"No!" I screamed as Aaron's body shivered from the array of bullets which hit him. I reached forward and dragged his body to the side, pressing desperately on the wounds, trying to stop the bleeding. "Aaron?" I whispered.

"Tell Becky I love her," he croaked his eyes fluttering closed. I don't even know how he stayed alive long enough to speak.

"Come out with your hands up!" Someone shouted.

I stepped out of the vehicle, hands in the air. "I-I surrender." The only thing I could do. Aaron's blood fell from my hands down my wrists making me shiver.

The enemies weren't who I expected to be, they were Americans, well most of them.

"What do you want?" I asked, as I was kicked to my knees. I had no choice but to stare at the dirt, as voices spoke in a foreign language - Russian.

"You." A man with a long jagged scar approached me. I stared at his shoes, trying to ignore him. "You shall be our new soldier, girl."

"What?" I squeaked, trying to lean away from him."You shall be the new face of HY-" there was a flash, before a loud bang. I couldn't see, I couldn't move. I was floating? Air was whipping my face. I was falling. I tried to scream, but nothing came out of my mouth. I crashed into a jutting rock. A sharp pain sprung up my leg, yet I still couldn't cry out. Then it was gone. I couldn't feel my leg. Pain was everywhere. Pain. Pain. Blackness. Wake up. Danger. Pain. Wake up. I screamed...

I bolted upright in bed, covering my mouth. It was three in the morning. I tried to slow my breathing. "It's okay," I whispered to myself. "Safe. You're safe. You're not there anymore."

I sat, trying to regulate my breathing. My clothes and hair clung to my body drenched in sweat. Please say no one heard me. My mind wasn't stable right now, part of me still thought I was in danger.

Someone knocked on the door. No.

I said nothing. They couldn't see me like this, whoever they were.

There was a sharp flash of light from the door opening and closing. Someone was approaching me. No. They couldn't take me back, I wouldn't let them.

"No!" I lashed out connecting with a nose, bringing my wrist back for another punch.

"Ow crazy," was muttered in the dark before two hands encircled my wrists. "You're safe, I promise."

The one on my right wrist was cold, almost metallic to the touch. What? Who?