Woohoo!

A/N: Hey everyone! So I'm back with another fabulous chapter! *chapter flies to unicorns*

Enjoy, it's for you guys!

I dragged myself into my new room which Tony had kindly given me. I couldn't believe that I had gotten through him with my stupid, sentimental speech. It was a miracle, really. That I could get Tony Stark, the man with the tough exterior, to think about a brainwashed, misunderstood ex-assassin who needed help. Wow. Just... wow.

The small duffel bag that Steve had lent me was thrown onto one side of the extremely luxurious room that I just couldn't stop and admire for now. I ran to the bathroom, trying to stop the tears that were flowing endlessly now. I shook with my weak sobs, my back sliding down the wooden bathroom door.

As I finally stopped weeping like a broken doll, I pulled myself to my feet, glancing in the mirror. My face was red and I'm sure I was more pissed than sad about that fact. Let's just say I can be fiery when needed... or sometimes not needed.

Eventually, I finished my shower and trudged to my extremely luxuries comfortable bed that I still couldn't take the time to admire. Then, considering it was around 10 PM, I dove into bed, hoping to find peace in my sleep.

I didn't.

Bucky's POV

It was around night when he noticed. It didn't really bother him, though, as he was wide awake as well.

But those screams were something that made his heart stop.

He hadn't heard her scream before, and he had already set his mind on that he probably didn't like it when she screamed. Because of his sensitive hearing and that her door was open, he picked up on her terrified sobs straight away.

Bucky had heard her yell at Tony before. He had been walking slowly on purpose, and also Tony sort of threw him into a concrete wall, and as tough as he was, he wasn't invincible.

She had revealed something about herself that he didn't know before.

He wasn't the only one with a metal arm. Well, partially.

The thought made his mind crawl, and he had wondered when on earth they managed to amputate her arm. Was it when he was frozen? The memory was blurry and he couldn't bring himself to think about it too long, or else he'd get a headache.

Either way, her scream threw him out of his bed where he'd been sitting before, and dash out to her doorway, his knife at hand. Was someone attacking her? Would Charlotte really let her guard down like that?

As he slowly pushed open the door, making sure it wouldn't creak, he quietly scanned the area. Most of the space was neat and vacant.

Except for Charlotte's bed, where Charlotte herself was writhing and screaming.

He didn't even want to think about what she was dreaming about as he quickly shut the door. He didn't want Steve or anyone else notice her screams. Then, he sheathed his knife and slithered up to her bed, her sheets already on the cool wooden floor. Then, he managed to get close enough to see Charlotte's face through her thrashes.

It was a horrible sight for his old self.

Tears and sweat fused together on her face, her hair a tangled mess matted with sweat. Her small body threw itself around on the large king-size bed, and her right forearm was now gleaming silver.

Just like his.

Well, that explains a lot.

He slowly sank into her mattress, carefully pinning her arms down. She didn't seem to like it as she started to scream again, yelling things along the lines of 'no no no' and 'please don't do this'. It sickened Bucky, and he immediately knew she was dreaming about HYDRA.

"Charlotte," he whispered softly. The screaming ceased.

"It's okay."

Truth be told, Bucky had no clue on how to comfort someone. Anyone. Whenever he had to, he got frustrated and wanted to punch a hole in the wall. But... she needed help right now, and he was her only shot.

The sobs turned into pained whimpers, before she whispered in her sleep.

"P- please don't hurt... S-Steve and... Bucky.. don't k-kill them..."

It broke his heart, to see her like this. Broken. Shattered. He knew he had a nightmare in Steve's house before, and someone came to comfort him. Was it Charlotte, Steve? He had no idea.

"Charlotte," Bucky repeated again. "Wake up."

Her eyes snapped open, grey-blue meeting electric blue. Her eyes were wide, tears stopping, chest heaving. She was struggling against him now, and before he knew it, she kicked one of his legs, immediately switching positions.

She gripped his arms down, still seething and crying.

"What did you do to them?"

She was delirious. Or so Bucky had thought at least. But then he realised she was hallucinating, and she probably had no idea what's happening.

It took all the strength in his cybernetic limb to free himself and pin her down again, securing himself on top of her. He usually wasn't one to comfort someone to this level, but his mind acted automatically.

"Shhh..."

He tried to shush her. Maybe it would help. Maybe it wouldn't.

She eventually stopped struggling, but no recognition was in her eyes. She looked like her mind was racing, which it most likely was, and he wanted to tell her that he had the same issues. He couldn't remember. He had the same demons hunting him in his sleep. But right now, she wasn't Charlotte Jaines. She was a broken doll and the Silver Asset, acting on instinct.

She began weeping again, trying to shimmy away from his grip. But he wouldn't budge, knowing that if he did, she'd most likely murder him in five different ways.

"B- Bucky?"

She finally clicked, it seemed. A flicker or recognition sparked across her face, and before he knew it, she stopped struggling. Bucky finally let go, rolling over to get out of her bed.

Before he could make it out, though, she grabbed his wrist, not even bothering with how agitated he seemed with it.

"How did you know I was having a nightmare?" Her voice was soft and raw, and he turned to see a puzzled look on her face.

"Um... the door was open..."

She gazed at him for a long time, looking like she was wondering whether to believe him or not. But finally, her grip loosened, and she fell slack onto her bed.

Then, she turned, her cold facade up again.

And he left feeling more confused than ever.

Charlotte's POV

When I woke up in the morning, I only slightly remembered what had happened at night. Bucky in my room, pinning me down, my fucking sore throat... it threw my usually collected and organised head for a loop.

Why did he help me? Was he trying to help me? I bet he was just sick of my screaming. Yay, my pessimistic mood is back. Along with my always fashionable dark shadows that seem to constantly haunt my eyes. And welp, I even have a matching bruise bracelet from Bucky pinning me!

I sighed as I trudged into the kitchen, not even caring what I looked like. I was tired and grumpy and goddammit Tony Stark was there.

"Hey, kiddo," his cocky voice called out to me. I didn't even bother glancing at him as I checked the cupboards for food.

"Well, you sound rather chipper," he continued, not even caring that I didn't bother to reply.

I glanced at him, giving him a deadpan look before pulling out some cornflakes.

"Okay, I'll get to the point," he said, putting his hands up in mock surrender.

I nodded, pulling out the milk as I beckoned him to continue on. What the hell was this guy's deal?!

He sighed dramatically, glancing around for god-knows-what, before lowering his voice a tad.

"I want to check your abilities in my lab."

Well, well, well... what shall happen next chapter? Sorry this is mainly a shitload of angst, but I need to get Charlotte and Bucky to interact with each other SOMEHOW! LOL

Either way, don't forget to follow, favourite and review, because life is hilarious and all those things make it even funnier... XD

Love you all!