The lift had been silent until Becky started singing. Until everyone (yes even Steve, Sam and Sharon) were singing apart from Bucky and me. "Bucky and Zoe sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G, first comes love, then comes marriage, then comes the-"
"Are you really that immature?" I snapped from behind them. It wasn't because the song annoyed me but because of the mention of children. I couldn't bear the thought of them - their innocence faces marred with horror as they screamed, a high pitched, haunting sound.
"Who are you racing with, frosty?" Sam asked from beside Becky.
"I'll choose when I get there." I reached for Bucky's metal hand, weaving my fingers between his. He seemed startled, his whole arm tensing before his hand gripped mine.
"Zoe?" Becky turned to look at me, her plait slipping over her shoulder.
"Yes dear sister?" I raised an eyebrow.
"Can I race with Sam?" She looked scared as she asked me. In all honesty I was glad she'd asked, I didn't want her in the car with me. Not after everything...
"Yes, but you'll have to prepare to lose." I smirked. Another wave of relief washed over me as she laughed, thank god she'd asked that.
"Really?" Sam looked back at me, brown eyes catching my gaze. "Do you still have a vendetta against me?"
"Watch your wing mirrors," I laughed. "I won't try to kill you if Becky's in the car though. So I guess you're safe. For now."
Electricity shot up my arm. I looked to my left to see Bucky, he was tracing patterns on my hand with his thumb. He smiled, giving me a wink. I smiled back.
"Okay so this is the plan," Tony announced as he stood at the front of the room. He wore a Black Sabbath t-shirt and some worn jeans. The lights of the city flooded through the window behind him, casting a large shadow of the iron man onto the floor. "I'll race in my Ferrari with Bruce... Okay not Bruce Bruce tells me, looks like I'll be going solo. Sam shall race with Becky in the Bugatti. Steve will race with Sharon in the Porsche. Darcy will race with Jane in the Lamborghini - you two seriously be careful, I'm contemplating letting Thor attempt to drive right now because Darcy, well you're crazy."
Darcy stuck out her tongue at Stark, shaking her head. "I prefer mentally hilarious, Tony, don't make me get my taser." Thor chuckled, looking to Darcy - there was definitely a story to go with the taser...
Tony rolled his eyes, looking over to the two assassins. "Natasha shall race with Clint in the Zonda. And last but not least Zoe is apparently racing alone in her Aston Martin DB9. No criminal activities please, you're surrounded by quite a few superheroes." Stark kept my gaze - he meant what he said.
"I'll try to be good." It's a shame I didn't.
Stark turned his attention the rest of the group. "Please can I remind you to not break any of the cars if you're borrowing them, I may be a billionaire but the way I stay a billionaire is by not spending my money on replacing my cars every few months. Yes, Bucky I'm looking at you - you broke my car after I let you practice driving in it. And no, the wall didn't move." Stark glared at Bucky, laughing.
Bucky shrugged, chuckling. The stool he sat on was dwarfed by him - the winter soldier was a wall of muscle himself I'm pretty sure if a car hit him right now it would come off worse.
"I'm not using that Aston, I'm using my Aston Martin One-77." I smirked from my seat beside Fury, of all people. "It's faster."
Fury looked to me, raising an eyebrow. He still didn't trust me. One of two of the smart people here - Steve and Fury didn't trust me - smart move.
"Cheat," Sam muttered from across the room.
"I'll give you a head start then." I leant back in my seat.
"I don't need a head start, all you're going to see is my boot as I speed away," he chuckled from beside Becky. She watched him, a smile in her eyes. I knew that look, she was falling for him.
"I don't even think you'll see my boot as I leave you to eat my dust." I hit back.
"We're racing in the dark on a race track. Please tell me how there will be dust." Sam stood up.
I stood up too. "It's a metaphor, dear Watson," I answered, sliding my crutches onto my arms.
"Go solve a case, Sherlock." Sam crossed his arms over his chest. I was pretty sure he spends his spare time in the gym seen as though he's friends with two beef-cake super soldiers.
"It would appear you are no longer in control of this situation. Due to you crossing your arms, isolating yourself from the situation at hand, in the hopes of no longer being involved." I laughed before swinging towards him. "And I'm solving the case because you haven't got the brains to."
"Ladies, are you finished?" Stark asked from the front.
"I think we were just taking this outside actually." I motioned to the door with my crutch. "Ladies first, Sam."
"You wouldn't stand a chance in a fight against me, gal." Sam motioned to himself as he walked over to me.
"Oh really?" I smiled sweetly, everyone watching.
"Yes really." He was inches from me.
I hit him in the back of the knee with my crutch causing him to kneel. I let my crutches hang on my arms as I leant on his shoulders spinning around so I was behind him, dropping one crutch and using the other to press against his neck. Each of my hands were at one end of the crutch, hovering above his shoulders. I pulled back slightly with the crutch, exposing Sam's throat. "You were saying what exactly?"
"You don't stand a chance," Sam laughed, standing. I was dangling in midair as he started shaking.
I tightened my grip on the crutches. Okay, what to do now? I used the crutch to swing around and hang from his front.
"You still hangin' on?" Sam laughed.
"Yes," I squeaked as he started to spin around, arms out by his sides. I was now horizontal with the motion.
All I could hear was people laughing. My only option right now: don't let go. Okay if this went wrong. It would hurt. If that wasn't fairly obvious. Okay... All I had to do was get my crutch hooked under his arm so I could spin and land on the floor. Then if that worked, hopefully, I would trip him and he would fall over. No, he might land on me. I would flip him instead. Easy right? Easier said then done more like. Oh well... Here goes.
"Gonna let to? 'Cause I can do this all day." Sam looked down at me, his smirk far too wide.
Okay, time to act. I twisted my crutch slightly. I let go, quickly grabbing it and hooking it under his arm. I spun round, coccyx roughly connecting with the floor, dropping my crutch. I planted my feet on his lower back and kicked. Sam sprawled forward. I placed my hands behind my head, flicking my legs towards my head, then kicking up I landed on one leg. Ninja style. "I think I do stand a chance." I wobbled slightly, grinning. "Which you know is funny, considering standing is an issue for me."
Everyone laughed.
"Will you stop!" I looked to see Becky picking up my crutches, her face crossed between laughter and anger.
"He started it." I pointed at Sam on the floor. "I was just finishing it. I'm innocent."
"Until proven guilty. Here." Becky handed me the crutches, rolls her eyes.
I took them, swinging away.
"Where are you going?" Becky asked.
I stopped, looking back over my shoulder. "To get my car, I'll meet you at the track."
The others were heading to the track whilst I had gone to collect "my" car. My beautiful baby. My beautiful red car which I had decided to borrow - meaning I would return it - therefore not stealing. It glinted in the streetlights outside of the hotel, stunningly bright in the darkness. Mine for the taking. I'd seen it on the drive back to the tower with Bucky.
The owner had gone inside, the valet's back was turned. I pulled up my hood, pushing my sunglasses further up my nose, and dashed into the car. My crutches had been abandoned a few streets ago. I closed my eyes as the sound of the engine flooded through me. The owner had left the keys in the ignition. It was really just a written invitation. I pushed it into first gear quickly hitting the accelerator and letting the clutch up as I raced away. The valet's face paled and the owner came running out - arms waving. Whoops...
I listened to the engine purr as I easily put it into fourth gear. This was a beautiful car. I let myself get lost in its noise, letting the roar fill my ears as I pushed the speedometer needle further to the right. That was until my phone began to ring.
I pulled it out of my pocket, hitting loud speaker and resting it onto my lap. "Hello?"
"Come on Zoe, we're waiting for you!" It was Becky.
"I'm on my way," I laughed before hanging up.
Time to drive. It took less than five minutes to get there, the engine growling at me the entire time.
I beeped as I parked up by the fan stand, which didn't really consist of very many fans, but still...Vision, Wanda, Fury and Rhodey. Bruce stood up, as I opened my window. "The racing line's over there." He pointed to the checkered line.
"Just picking up a fossil." I smirked through the open window. I revved the engine. "Are you getting in or not Bucky?"
"Funny, doll, real funny," Bucky laughed, sliding into the car.
"I know I'm hilarious," I chuckled, beeping again before pulling up at my starting position. Last. Oh well that would change soon enough.
"You know what you're doing, right?" Bucky was gripping the seat.
"Yes, and you might want to put your seatbelt on." I motioned to the belt before resting my hands back on the wheel.
"What about you?" Bucky asked, not moving to put on the belt.
"I'm a super soldier, I don't need one," I laughed.
"So am I." He raised his eyebrow.
"Fine." I clicked my belt into place. "Happy now?"
Bucky nodded and put his seatbelt on.
"About time, frosty." It was Becky's voice, but where from?
Bucky rummaged in his pocket, producing a radio.
"What do you want to say?" I grinned, taking the communication device. "Hi Becky, ready to lose?"
"Hell no gal, are you prepared to lose?" Sam.
"You shouldn't talk to yourself Sam," I laughed before handing the radio back.
"ON YOUR MARKS! GET SET!"
"Ready?" I asked Bucky looking away from the road ahead.
He nodded, hair falling into his eyes.
"GO!"
The engine roared as I floored it. Changing gear, I turned into the first bend. Third out of six. Not good enough.
"Shit," Bucky mumbled under his breath as I drifted around another corner.
"You alright?" I asked, spinning the wheel into the next bend and changing gear. Second place.
"Fine." Was that all I got? I rolled my eyes as we came onto the straight. I was in the lead and everyone else was long gone. 200mph.
"Where did you get this?" Bucky asked, eyes drinking in the interior of the car. It was mahogany and leather - a beautiful design.
"Borrowed it." Damn Sam, he was catching and fast.
"Hmmmm... Did you now?" Bucky raised his eyebrow.
I looked to him. "Yep."
Bucky shook his head. "Will you watch were you're driving, doll?"
"Calm down," I laughed, letting my eyes settle back onto the road.
"You know borrow means you'll give it back, princess." Looks like I was being a royal pain in the arse again.
"I have the wholesome intentions of giving it back." I smiled, batting my eyelashes.
"You better," Bucky warned. "Or I'll hand you to the cops myself."
I just laughed as cheers rose from the fan stand as I raced across the finish line and drifted to a stop.
I looked over to see a rather pale Bucky. "Don't be sick in my car. You're a super soldier, get a grip, Metallica."
"You mean in your not so yours, borrowed car," he corrected me whilst sitting up in his seat. "Which you have the wholesome intentions of returning."
I smirked, adrenaline igniting my veins. "Whatever, let's-"
A police siren cut me off before a yell sounded "COPS!" Damn it.
I looked out of the window. Fury was looking right at me as he waved his phone at me. The bastard. I glared at him, slipping my glasses up with just my middle finger. Hopefully he got the message.
"Hold on Bucky, this is going to get interesting," I smirked at him before quickly reversing and flooring it around a corner. "Adrenaline here we come!"
Bucky didn't look sick anymore instead he was frowning. "But we can explain-"
"I'm not supposed to be driving, I had my license taken away." I turned sharply out of the race track. "Fury told the cops I was driving which means I'm breaking the law."
"Oh dear," Bucky squeaked. "You're terrible."
"But you love me," I whispered.
"Zoe!" Made Bucky jump as Becky screamed into the radio. Shit.
"You don't know it's me that attracted them." Feign innocence, or at least try to, until proven guilty. So all I had to was not get caught.
"Believe me, I do." She didn't sound very happy...
The screeching of tires was getting closer and so was the sound of sirens. God the police in america were bad drivers.
"Wow, that Brit hasn't even been here a full week yet and she's going to get arrested," Tony commented on the radio as well.
I sighed, he was right.
"Hello? Bucky?" Steve.
"Hey Steve, urrrr... How do I say this?" Bucky glanced at me for help. I shrugged, screeching round a corner, bordering 99mph. Cars moved out of the way and beeped at me.
"It's not what it looks like," I said.
"Really?" Steve asked. "'Cause it looks like a hell of a lot of cop cars are chasing you."
I rolled my eyes. No shit Sherlock.
"Pass the radio to Zoe please Bucky." That was Becky.
"I'm driving and it's dangerous to be on a communications device whilst driving." I weaved between two taxis.
Bucky chuckled at my comment.
"Put the radio next to her ear, Bucky," Becky commanded. "Zoe?"
"Yes?" I answered as the radio was held near my ear. "What the hell do you think you're doing?"
"Driving."
"Oh really. How fast are you going?"
"I can't count that far," I replied innocently. Becky was most likely glowering right now. "Shit we got stingers! See you in a bit Becky! Turn the radio off Bucky, no not that button, the other one. Jesus Christ, give it here!" I took the radio chucking it out of the window. It was off now. "We need an escape plan." And we need it now, but I didn't mention that part.
"Go down an alley and we'll hide somewhere." Bucky was clinging on for dear life. Quite honestly I didn't blame him. This wouldn't look good for him if he got caught, I hadn't thought this through. Any of it. I was dragging him down with me. I couldn't do that.
"Right, get ready to get out," I told him as I took my seatbelt off. "And don't leave anything behind."
"Yes, ma'am." Bucky saluted me taking his seatbelt off. Oh dear... Please work, please.
"Okay..." I drove round the corner. Avenger tower. Shit.
"Wave Bucky!" I laughed, driving past. Man, I hadn't had this much fun in years. "Okay, we're going to get out soon." I turned sharply down an alley and hit the brake.
"NOW!" I started to run in one direction, dropping my hoody and sunglasses in a bin. Bucky was running the other way. I ran over to him and grabbed his left hand.
"Come on this way!" I yanked his hand only to be pulled the way he was going. Towards a door.
"In here," Bucky laughed as he opened the door and pulled us inside, shutting it behind him. Our chests touched, we were flush again each other in such a tight space. I couldn't move away from him. Damn. I could feel my heart racing against his own.
"We might be here for a while, doll." Bucky smirked down at me as he quietly shut the door so the police on the scene couldn't see us.
"Shit," I hissed, my phone was vibrating in my pocket. My right hand was pinned by my right side and my left still in Bucky's hand. Stuck, obviously.
"You gonna answer that?" Bucky asked me, raising an eyebrow.
"I can't."
"I'll get it." Bucky was now smirking.
"No, I'll try to get it. Besides it's in my back pocket," I said, leaning into him. His breath was now on my neck as I looked round to get my phone out of my pocket. "Come on, come on." I almost had it.
A hand was immediately on my waist, making me lean closer. "I've got it, you can let go now." I leant back against the wall again, we where still touching but not pressed against each other anymore. Not that I cared. However the immediate heat on my cheeks I felt right now proved otherwise.
"Yeah, but it's stopped ringing." Bucky smirked at me. God dammit with the smirking.
I had no signal bars. "No signal." I reached up on my tiptoes and held my phone above his shoulder. My face inches from his.
His startling, intense blue eyes stared into mine."Got any?" His breath blew onto my lips smelling of coffee. I ignored the butterflies, or possibly elephants, now starting in my stomach.
"No." I leant further forward. Our lips almost touched. I turned my head.
"Getting up close now are we?" Bucky breathed into my ear. "I don't blame you after the whole elevator thing."
"No." My phone began to ring again. " I'm getting a signal."
"I'll talk or you'll loose signal, or the cops will hear the speaker," Bucky told me as my phone began to ring.
"Okay," I said before pressing answer and holding it to his ear.
"Hi Sharon." Bucky smiled at me before winking. My heart got faster. Wait, what? No.
"The police haven't gone, okay... Yes... Uh huh. Just go to sleep, we'll get in by ourselves. Bye Sharon."
I took the phone from his ear and put it into my pocket.
"Uhhhh," I sighed, my belly grumbling.
"Someone's hungry." Bucky pressed himself to the wall. "Don't eat me!"
I kicked his shin. "Idiot, keep it down."
"Ow, I have feelings you know." Bucky pouted. Yes, I know and I'm going to have to hurt them... The guilt made me feel sick even now. But it was for the best, I was saving him.
"Naaar, you don't say." I rolled my eyes.
"Quick, I think I've found them!" A yell sounded from outside the door. Shit!
"Quick, kiss me now." Bucky kept my gaze, deadly serious.
No, I couldn't... I'd only told him I loved him because, because my walls had fallen down for the briefest of moments. Not now though. I couldn't let someone in, only to hurt them by betraying them because of HYDRA. I looked up at Bucky. He was innocent, a victim, I never would be. I knew as soon as I looked into his eyes that I couldn't drag him down with me. And because I loved him, I had to save him, I had to push him away. "Bucky, I-"
My harsh whisper was cut short by his lips. I finally freed my right hand. Using both of them to try to push him off of me. He only pushed me against the wall. His thighs pressed against mine. Electricity pulsed around me. This was like the second kiss in the elevator, this was far more steamy and desperate. And I... I liked it.
The door opened. I tilted my head to deepen the kiss. He had a point. I stopped trying to push him and put my hands round his neck. It felt... Good. This was the last time it would happen, I told myself, this was the last time.
"Excuse me."
I broke from the kiss, looking innocently at the cop who had spoken. But not before seeing Bucky's dilated pupils, drinking me in. What was I doing? I swore I'd never get attached to anyone since... Since getting hurt. Never again. Besides he didn't deserve my baggage, my problems, my sins. The police put his gun down. James Buchanan Barnes didn't deserve to be dragged down by me.
"Don't worry it's just two people that need a room. Out guys." The cop motioned us out of the tight space.
I gripped Bucky's gloved left hand as we walked out of the alley past the borrowed car. Which may or may not be returned in the same condition I found it...
My breath was fast and short, my heart racing. This was so wrong. I was a criminal, guilty, and Bucky was a victim, innocent.
"Why do you always grip my left hand?" Bucky asked as we turned the corner towards Avenger tower.
"Why not?" I shrugged.
"Because it's metal and not me." Bucky looked at the floor, slowing his walk.
"My leg's metal but it's still me." I shrugged, pulling him along.
"Wait." I felt my arm socket sting as he hauled us to a stop, letting go of my hand.
"I have a metal leg, like your arm. What's so surprising about that?" I asked him, trying to look into his eyes. "I already told you."
"Your crutches," Bucky whispered. "I'll carry you." I had no time to object as he lifted me from the floor, bridal style.
"Bucky?" I asked.
"Yes?" He smiled, sending a warm shiver down my spine as he looked into his eyes.
"Why me?" I looked away as I spoke. "I'm a monster."
"No, you are not. Look at me." I looked to see a deadly serious Bucky, trapped in his gaze. "I don't care about your past, okay? That's happened, it's what you do in the future."
"But I stole a car," I argued.
"We can work on that," Bucky chuckled. 'And besides you borrowed it. Now will you stop?"
I nodded. I knew not to press any further. I was practically in the same boat as him. I sighed, I knew what it felt like to push people away because you couldn't trust anyone. Heck, I was doing that now.
I watched the brunette as he looked where he was going, reminding me that my heart was still racing from the kiss. Which of course, meant nothing. At least that's what my brain was saying and not my heart, which was singing an entirely different tune that may have included the word l**e. That just only made it more complicated. I had to save him from myself, from HYDRA. I had to push him away some how.