Chapter 4. Provisions
This chapter contains sexual content that is not suitable for readers under the age of 18.
The following morning Bucky and Jade walked into the common room hand in hand while everyone was there. They seemed an odd couple, the tall, broad shouldered, dark-haired Bucky and the shorter, slender, blonde, fair skinned Jade.
"Does anyone have any condoms?" asked Bucky, outright.
Everyone looked at Sam and Maria, being the only couple there. Sam shook his head no. "I have an implant," said Maria. "We can put one on the provisions list."
"When's the next run?" asked Bucky.
"Two weeks," said Clint, smiling, "I could always go sooner in the quinjet."
"No," said Steve. "Quinjet is for missions only. No personal use."
"A provision run is organized just like a mission," said Peter, "just saying."
Steve glared at him. He was sympathetic but operating the quinjet was risky. They had already lost one quinjet and it's passengers, Fury and Rhodey, when the Others tracked them and blasted them out of the sky with a laser guided projectile. Bucky just looked at him when he vetoed using the quinjet then walked over to the list and added condoms and an implant to it.
"As you can see we're now a couple," he said. "If you have any comments say them now."
"Congratulations?" said Peter.
Bucky laughed and put his hand on Peter's shoulder.
"Thanks, kid," he said.
"Does this mean you're going to be less grumpy than before?" asked Sam.
"Doubtful," answered Bucky.
The greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return.
Eden Ahbez, "Nature Boy" (song, recorded by Nat King Cole)
The addition of Jade, Ma, and Ben to the group at the Bunker seemed to lift the spirits of everyone there. Peter, who had silently suffered wondering if his Aunt May was alive or dead, connected with 10 year old Ben like a big brother, introducing him to the huge Lego stash. Recognizing Ben's thirst for knowledge Peter tutored him in math and science, finding a useful outlet for his own excess energy that kept him from brooding on the state of the world. Ma, who told Bruce she had been a nurse prior to a brain aneurysm that caused her psychic powers, proved to be a big help to him in the medical room and in his lab. Even though she looked about ten years older than him due to her white hair they found she was actually two years younger. They shared an appreciation for similar literature and music. As she helped him in setting up experiments they had all sorts of animated conversations about a raft of different subjects. Jade had honoured Peggy's wish and sought out Steve in private, offering him access to the memory of the encounter with his wife. His eyes had teared up but when he released Jade's hand he had looked thoughtfully at her and thanked her for sharing it with him. Then he went to his room and didn't come out for hours. After that it was never spoken of again.
The biggest change, even though he told Sam it was doubtful, was in Bucky now that he and Jade were a couple. They were together most of the time, hand in hand. He was much less surly and more polite. Ma, at her insistence, moved out of the two bedroom suite so Bucky could move in. When he asked Jade if Ben would have a problem with him being there she said no. Calling her son in she told Ben that Bucky wanted to talk to him and then she left before Bucky could protest, leaving the two alone. It had thrown Bucky for a loop as the boy sat across from him expectantly.
"Is this like the sex talk?" Ben asked. "I already know where babies come from."
"No," stammered Bucky. "How do you feel about me living here with your mom?"
"You make her happy," the boy replied. "She loves you and I think you love her. The way you look at her looks like love to me."
"I'm not trying to replace your dad," said Bucky. "You don't have to call me Dad."
Ben smiled. "I didn't know my dad," he replied, "I was little when he was gone. I'll call you Bucky if that makes you feel better. Do you plan to have a baby with Mom?"
"No," replied Bucky. "Not for a while anyways. Sorry, this feels awkward to me."
Ben nodded. "I have that effect on people although most everyone here has been good," he said. "She's a good mom and I'm sure she'll be a good wife, Bucky. I'll try to be a good son."
"Ben, how old are you?" asked Bucky.
"Ten, I'll be eleven in a month," he said. "How old are you?"
"Officially, 109 years old," said Bucky. "I look much younger."
Ben nodded. "That's because of the Winter Soldier, isn't it?" He looked at Bucky, quizzically. "Did you have a wife during the war?"
"No, no wife," said Bucky. "Just my parents, a sister, and Steve. Steve is 108 years old."
"Really?" said Ben. "Wow, you guys have lived long. Do you feel old?"
"Some days," said Bucky, pointing to his head, "especially in here."
Ben stood up and walked closer to Bucky standing in front of him. "Can I look at your arm?"
Bucky pulled his shirt off and showed it to him. Ben touched it with no fear or hesitation, running his fingers down the articulations, tracing the design.
"Does it hurt?" he asked. "Did it hurt when you lost it?"
"It hurt a lot when I lost the original arm," he said. "Some bad people gave me another arm that was very painful to use. Then when Steve rescued me some good people made this arm for me. It doesn't hurt and it's much lighter than the other one. It looks better, too, more like a real arm. The other one was more dangerous as it was made just for killing."
"Peter showed me some video of when you had the other arm," said Ben, looking Bucky directly in the eyes. "You didn't look happy, not like you look now. I like you better this way."
Bucky almost wanted to cry at the simple directness this boy had.
"I like me better this way, too," he said. "Thank you, Ben. I like you a lot. I'll leave it up to you if you want to call me Dad. But if you do, you'll make me very happy."
Ben smiled and leaned into Bucky giving him a hug, which Bucky returned with emotion. Ben went to the suite door and said he was going to the Library. Bucky smiled at him.
"See you later, Ben," he said, then wept when the door completely closed.
He felt Jade's presence in his mind, asking permission to enter which he gave. "You okay?" she asked.
"Yeah, your son surprised me," he replied in his thoughts. "He's a good kid."
"I think so," she said. "Do you want me to come back to the room?"
"No," he smiled. "I'll be out shortly. I love you, Jade."
He felt a warmth envelope him like a warm blanket had been put on his shoulders. "I love you, Bucky. I'll be here in the common room. Ma, Wanda, and I are going to try to find a nest and see if we can lure one of the Others away from it."
He acknowledged her and sat back in the arm chair, letting the warmth of her love fill him. He had felt love before, with Lily but this mental manifestation of Jade's love was something else. It made him feel ... safe. He began to wonder what sex with her would feel like and wondered how hard it would be to wait until the provision run for it to happen.
After the coven tried to lure one of the Others out of its nest Steve called a meeting to plan how they would capture the creature when they tried for real. Bucky walked in, sitting near the front, beside Jade. She took his hand, and he immediately felt her presence in his mind.
"Jade, tell us how the practice round went," said Steve.
"We made contact and were able to single out an individual," said Jade. "Wanda thought we should implant the notion that one of their own needed help doing something. They took the bait and came out. It was in an exo-suit so we brought it out quite a way before we released it. It seemed confused at first then it answered the hive call and went back to the nest."
"Do you think you can jam it's connection long enough for us to bring one here and study it?" he asked.
Jade, Wanda, and Ma looked at each other. "About that," said Jade. "When we brought it out there were sentry Others that noticed it leaving. They kept calling it to return but they didn't follow it. We think they kept track of it visually. If that's the case we wouldn't be able to take it without them seeing."
Steve made a face at this bit of news but it was why they did a practice run. "Suggestions?" he put it out to everyone else.
"We can create a false view of the one we take and examine it on the spot," said Ma, "similar to how I kept the Sanctuary hidden. They would see it, but we would be invisible to them as we examined the suit and the creature."
"Who would go out there to do the examination?" asked Bucky.
"Bruce and me," said Ma. "Perhaps Peter for added security. This is a scientific study, and we can follow a procedure which we still have to establish to get the most information in the shortest period of time. Wanda and Jade can boost my ability to keep the veil over the site. I can multitask and still help in the examination."
"Okay, let's hear the pros and cons," said Steve.
"They're out in the open with no cover, other than the veil, and no one close enough to back them up quickly," said Bucky. "If the sentries see it happen again it may make them curious enough to come out and investigate."
"We can do a diversion," said Maria. "We can drop some explosives at the other end of the wash to draw them away from the veil. Sam, you could carry some IEDs with you, couldn't you?"
"Yeah, but they would have to be small enough that they don't weigh me down and easy enough to drop," he replied. "I'd want time to make them and try them out first."
"What's the insertion and extraction plan?" asked Clint. "Quinjet, car?"
"Good question," said Steve. "Both are going to attract attention."
"What about horses?" said Clint. "They've left the local fauna alone. They see horses coming they may think it's just some wild horses that wandered into the wash. There's an outfitter on the way to Albuquerque. We could talk to him on our next run."
"Bruce, Peter, Ma? Do you know how to ride?" asked Steve.
They all looked at each other and started laughing. "So, no," said Steve. "But it is a good idea. Clint, could you teach them in two weeks if we bumped up the provisions run to next week? We could trailer the horses back and they could learn in the two weeks before we execute the mission."
Clint nodded his head but grimaced and said it wouldn't be easy. Over the next week they planned the provision run. Jade was going on it so she could get the implant done in the clinic in town. Bucky insisted she be in his vehicle. He didn't want Jade to be out of his sight. It was a two and half hour ride at road speed but when they were on the road itself they went faster if conditions allowed it. The Others had been known to patrol for people travelling by themselves. They would send out two vehicles plus Sam would fly as eyes in the sky. There would be four people in one car, three in the other, all of them armed. One vehicle would pull a utility trailer that they would load their provisions in. The other would pull the horse trailer from the outfitters on the way back. They had already contacted the outfitter by radio, negotiated a barter price, and arranged a pick up time. If they left at 6 am their plan was to arrive back to the Bunker before sunset at 7 pm.
The night before the provision run Bucky and Jade laid in bed. She held him and stroked his long hair so softly that he felt himself being lulled into sleep.
"I did some research on the implants," she said quietly. "We'll have to use condoms for a couple of weeks until there's a high enough level of hormones in my system. I haven't been with anyone since Ben was little. You'll be gentle with me at first?"
"I'll try," he said. "It's only been a year for me but Lily and I had a very active sex life. When you had sex did you have a mind connection as well?"
"Yes," she said. "It intensifies it, at least for me but it's not good to do it too often. Seth never complained. He was normal like Ben. I would like to try without first. If that's okay."
"Why?"
"To experience you without any enhancements," she replied. "I noticed when you got out of bed that you're quite ... equipped. I want to see what you do with it. Plus it takes a lot out of me."
Bucky lifted his head up with a grin. "I knew you saw more than you let on," he said. "You just want me for my body. I'm hurt."
"You're a jerk," she smiled back. "The mind connection can be like a drug. I didn't use it all the time as it does take a toll on me. But we'll try it once tomorrow after we get back."
Bucky turned to her breasts and nuzzled them as he rubbed her pelvic area. "Now you're just teasing me," she said. "You're such a naughty boy for an old man."
"Just a preview, darling," he said, stopping and rolling over. "Get some sleep. It will be a long day tomorrow."
She spooned behind him but grabbed him and squeezed gently to repay the favour. He groaned a little but pulled her hand up to his chest and kept it there. When she woke up in the morning she had her hand down inside his boxers and he was erect. She started to pull her hand out but he interrupted.
"Don't stop now," he said. "I'm halfway there. You have very soft hands."
"Bucky," she said. "We agreed to wait until we had the condoms."
"You started it and we don't need them for this," he said over his shoulder. "Seems a shame to leave a man hanging like this."
With a sigh Jade kept stroking him. "Harder darling," he said with a slight groan. "Surely you did this for your husband once in a while."
Jade grasped him firmly and ran her hand up and down the shaft. Suddenly he pulled his T-shirt and boxers off without interrupting her rhythm. Then he threw the duvet off and switched to his back. His breathing was very ragged and he looked sideways at her deeply.
"Kiss me," he whispered then groaned. "Please."
She leaned over and as she did he put his larger right hand over her smaller one and really began stepping up the pace. His mouth was open and he ran his tongue over his teeth, begging her to put her tongue in his mouth. Firmly she pressed her mouth on his and thrust her tongue onto his. He groaned as she did so then tensed up considerably and she felt him come over himself, as he pumped it a few more times. Finally he released her hand and she flexed it, trying to get the blood flowing into it again. Pulling away from his lips she looked at him and he had a sly smile on his face.
"Thank you, darling," he said. "Could you get me some tissues to take care of this, please?"
She smiled and shook her head at the audacity of this man. Quickly he wiped himself off and dropped the tissues at the side of the bed, saying he would clean them up later. Then he kissed her deeply before turning her around and spooning behind her. He unbuttoned her pyjama top, caressing her breasts with one hand. She felt his lips on her neck, under her ear and it felt so good she leaned back into it. Then his artificial hand reached down inside her panties.
"Bucky," she said in an almost whining way. "No, we were going to wait."
"You did me, now I do you," he whispered. "Fair is fair. Think of it as me priming the pump."
"That's such a picture to feel sexy to," she said but she arched her back as he found the right spot inside.
He was whispering in her ear about how wet she was and all she needed was some stimulation. She lifted her upper leg slightly to give him more access and he whispered to go onto her back. As soon as she did, he pulled her panties off, put two fingers into her and started kissing her breasts and mouthing her nipples. Her breath came in little gasps as the sensation inside her increased. She looked at him and found she couldn't see anything except those perfect white teeth behind his full lips. His right hand was under her, and he pulled her closer to his lips, just gently brushing hers with his as he finger fucked her. She arched her back and moaned as he brought her closer by putting his thumb on her clitoris and circling it. Her hips were pushing into his hand, and she wanted his mouth on hers. Her hand grasped his arm as she pulled herself closer to him and her eyes closed in anticipation of the rush which was almost there. Then his mouth was on her, his tongue caressing her tongue and she came with a cry that escaped from her throat. He thrust his fingers hard into her for several more moments then pulled them out and massaged her pubic area sending little pulses through her body as he worked the remaining blood away from her core.
"You're such a bad man," she whispered. "Making me come when I was saving it all for tonight."
"Oh, wait until you've been with me later," he whispered back. "You're going to come several times tonight, I guarantee it."
Jade stretched and Bucky caressed her lithe body as she pushed herself outward. Their intercom buzzed and Steve's voice came through the speaker.
"Rise and shine lovebirds," he said. "Thirty minutes to provision run."
"Come on, quick shower," said Bucky. "I promise I won't molest you."
Bucky was as good as his word and in 15 minutes both were dressed and in the common room grabbing a quick bite to eat. On the table were boxes of electronics and 3D printed parts that they would use to barter for provisions and the horses. Scavenging as a way of life was necessary to find materials that others wanted. In a building full of inventive and creative people the flotsam that they picked up could be converted to many different uses, valuable to someone.
The lead car was comprised of Steve as driver, with Clint, Maria and Wanda while the second car was driven by Bucky, with Jade and Peter. Sam, as always, would be in the air. They had received word via Wanda that Scott Lang had arrived at the airport the day before and would be returning to the Bunker with them. Extra weapons were brought for him to use on the ride back. Steve had checked the weather station before they left and reported they would have a headwind going to Albuquerque with a chance of rain on the way back. Rain was never good as the Others loved water. It was speculated that was why they invaded Earth; to gain control of a planet that was three quarters water. They headed out and drove on the highway at 120 mph until the road got too rough, then they had to slow down to less than 60 mph. Eventually the guard turrets of Albuquerque became visible and Steve radioed in their code for safe passage through the minefield. Holding steady at 50 mph with Bucky following less than 10 feet behind him a track was elevated above the minefield and the two super soldiers drove onto it with pinpoint precision. Jade watched Bucky as he drove, his face was a mask of active concentration, his hands making slight adjustments on the steering wheel as they flew over the track to the other side of the minefield. As soon as they were clear the track lowered and both men gave a breath of relief as they now could slow down to a respectable 30 mph.
Jade looked excitedly out the window as Bucky drove behind the lead car. People waved at them and some ran to get their barter goods, knowing the Avengers always had good stuff to trade. She had never seen so many people in one place at one time. Her whole life had been spent first with Ma, then with Seth and Ben until Seth's death. But this was thousands of people and at first she was overwhelmed. Bucky took her hand and squeezed it.
"Stay close to me," he said smiling. "Don't want to lose you on your first shopping trip."
Once they stopped, he reached under the seat and brought out a weapon, checking to make sure it was loaded, even though he had checked before they left. She noticed everyone was double checking their weapon. Bucky put his hand out for hers and he double checked and handed it back to her.
"We don't use them, but we do show them," he said. "There are some people who think they can bully another to get a better deal. We wear the weapons openly to show them they aren't going to intimidate us. We get away with it because we're the Avengers and at one time or another we've saved their asses. Keep the safety on and lock your holster. Don't want an accidental discharge."
Then he went around to the trunk of the car and opened it, flipping open the boxes that were stored in there. The box of parts for the horse outfitter was kept in the back seat, under a blanket, with the doors locked. As soon as Bucky lifted the trunk hood a lineup formed and people came with all sorts of stuff. Both he and Peter handled the business, nodding yes or shaking their head no at the offers. Someone offered gold for Jade and both Bucky and Peter stared so hard the man stammered and backed away.
"Fucking traffickers," Bucky muttered. "I'd love to shut down his operation. You have a unique look that they're always wanting for their sick customers. Come here and keep your arm around me to keep them at bay. I'm surprised he even dared to offer us something. They know we don't do that."
When the amount of barter items had been reduced to just one box Bucky asked Peter if he was okay on his own. Peter nodded and Bucky reached into a secret compartment in the trunk taking out a package. Grasping Jade by the hand they walked past Steve and the lead vehicle. Jade was amazed to see they had almost a full trailer of food stuffs.
"Steve, we're going to the clinic for the implant," said Bucky. "Did you get any condoms? We're going to need them for the first couple of weeks."
"Some but you're going to need more, knowing you," smiled his friend. "What have you got for the clinic?"
"Wooden finger splints mostly," he said. "I machined some new scalpels as well."
"Woodworker and machinist?" Jade asked. "What else can you do that you haven't told me?"
"There's lot of things I can do," he looked at her directly. "We adapt and learn new skills all the time. There's always a market for well-made things."
There was a small lineup at what was once a utility trailer. They stood behind the last person in line and patiently waited. Finally, it was their turn and the receptionist, a woman with multiple piercings, shaved head, and garish makeup looked up.
"Bucky," she said. "Long time, no see. What do you need?"
"My woman needs a birth control implant," he said. "We'll need condoms as well for the first couple of weeks."
"You could push it to a week," she said. "But I've got enough for even you, you horny bastard. What have you got?"
He showed her the finger splints, and she turned them over in her hand, admiring the workmanship. She agreed they would pay for the condoms. He handed over the scalpels, explaining he had forged them himself from scrap metal, then had machined them to a high quality.
"You've outdone yourself," she said. "Six scalpels for the implant. If you want to sell me the rest of them, I might be able to get my hands on some sex toys for the new girlfriend. Want to keep her happy."
"The mind connection is much better than any sex toy," said Jade in his mind. "Say no."
"No," he shook his head. "We're good. Thanks anyway. Dr. Wells might be interested in them."
"Suit yourself," she said. "Bring more next time and maybe I'll have something to tempt you."
The woman jerked her head behind her and the doctor, who had overheard the bargaining, asked Jade to expose the inside of her arm. He had her lie down with her arm bent at a right angle to her head. Then he injected a small amount of freezing into her arm near where the implant would go. While he waited for the freezing to take effect he told her there would likely be bruising and a cold compress would help with any swelling. He explained all the side effects that could go with it. Then he poked her arm to see if she felt the poke. With a special applicator he inserted the implant into the space between the two muscles on the inside of her upper arm. Covering it with a small bandage, then wrapping a larger bandage around the site he told Jade it was all done. Bucky helped her up and they left, holding hands.
"She's a piece of work but he's a good doctor," said Bucky. "They are the oddest couple. Let's see what Dr. Wells has for the remaining scalpels."
The lineup for this doctor was longer and Bucky was more protective of her as they waited. They saw the man who had offered gold for Jade watching them. A second man approached him, and they spoke. Jade reached out and touched their minds. She touched Bucky's.
"That man that offered you gold for me is back with another," she thought. "They're not taking no for an answer. They're considering taking you on."
"Hmph," said Bucky, out loud. "They wouldn't if they knew exactly what I could do to them. Can you keep track of them while I do the barter? That would be the best time to try something."
"Yes," she said in a whisper. "They're broadcasting all over the place."
Finally, it was their turn and Bucky showed Dr. Wells' front person the scalpels. He had the six left and she was impressed with the quality.
"Could you make more?" she asked. "I can give you a box of penicillin for the six. Top grade."
"Deal," he said. "I can make more but it takes time to accumulate enough metal to forge."
Jade grabbed Bucky's hand. "They're making their move."
"Excuse me a moment," he said, leaning down into his boot and pulling out two knives.
In one swift movement he turned and threw both knives at the men, catching them both in their shoulder. Then he picked each one up by the neck.
"Touch her and you're dead. She's with me and you filthy pigs aren't getting your hands on her. Grunt if you understand."
Both made a sound that passed for a grunt. Bucky dropped them, then retrieved his knives from their shoulders, wiping the blades on the men's clothing as he stared them down.
"What do I get for giving you two customers?" he asked the receptionist, who smiled back at him.
"How about a vial of broad spectrum antibiotic?" she said sweetly. "Fucking traffickers."
With the antibiotics in hand they returned to the vehicles. Everyone was there including Scott who had hitched a ride from the airport. Jade felt good vibes from him right away when he offered his hand to her.
"Jade, I'm Scott," he said. "I've been on paternity leave. My wife Hope had a baby boy six months ago. You'll be sick of me by the end of my six month tour. These guys usually are."
"Hi Scott," replied Jade. "You're the Ant man, aren't you? Hank Pym is your father-in-law. Ma is going to love you."
Scott smiled his broad smile and nodded. "Wow, you really do read minds," he said. "Well, I'm an open book, no deep dark secrets to keep from you."
"Just first impressions, Scott," said Jade. "I'll stay out of your head unless it's an emergency."
Steve ordered everyone back in the cars as they still had to stop at the outfitters. Bucky put the antibiotics into a small cooler wired into the car to keep the drugs chilled. Scott transferred the box for the outfitter into the trunk and sat in back with Peter. They left Albuquerque noticing the headwind was now a tailwind and the forecasted rain hadn't yet happened.
