Chapter 6. Finding Jade
This chapter contains sexual content which may be unsuitable for readers under the age of 18.
—
It's so cold. The fall should have killed him but somehow he's still alive. His left arm hurts so much and he tries to lift it but it won't move. Painfully he turns his head to his side and sees a bloody mess where his arm used to be.
"No, no, no...," he whispers. "My arm, I've lost my arm."
He takes stock of where he is now, at the bottom of a chasm between the mountains. How did he get here? His arm hurts again and he screams at the pain. He fell, that's right, he fell from the train. Steve tried to reach him but he fell before they could touch hands.
"Steve...Steve...I'm sorry pal. This is the end of the line for me."
He looks to the other side and sees he's on a ridge. There is a sound of water past the ridge. If he can just get there he can end it. End the pain. End the certainty of freezing to death. He's tries to move but all he feels is pain. He's broken, too broken to end things on his terms.
"FUCK!" he screams, over and over again.
A few minutes later he is calmer, more accepting of how he will die, the slow descent into darkness. He thinks of his parents and his sister. He thinks of all the women he slept with starting at the beginning. He was 17, she was 19 and fast. Cora thought he was pretty, and he took advantage of it. But she taught him a lot so that the next one, a few months later, Jean was her name... she was so pretty and willing, he made her come first and discovered women liked that, made them feel he was taking care of them. He was sleepy and it was hard to remember the next one. Beatrice, that was it. Catholic, had gone to school in a convent. She was wild for him. They almost got caught by her dad as he fucked her in her parent's garage, in the back seat of her dad's car. He wasn't cold anymore, in fact he felt warm and using his right hand he slowly, painfully unbuttoned his jacket. The effort exhausted him, and he forgot where he was in remembering all the women. It didn't matter, there were so many, and they all mixed together into one image. A strange but compelling face, blonde, almost white hair. Who was she? He didn't remember her. He would have...
"Jade," Bucky whispered, stroking her hair. "Sweetheart, you're dreaming. Wake up."
She opened her eyes, confused at first that she wasn't on the snowy ridge anymore. Raising her left hand, she was surprised to see her arm was still there. Bucky stroked her hair again and she realized she had been in his memories, the ones she had stored during their mental connection. She touched his face, and he kissed her gently, asked if she was okay.
"I'm alright," she said. "Bad dream but I'm back here with you now. Can you hold me until I fall asleep again?"
She nestled her head into his arms, and he pulled her body closer to him. His hand found its way to her hair, her soft silky hair that he couldn't touch enough. Making her feel safe was good, good for him as well. It calmed him and made him feel needed.
—-
Now I look into your eyes
I can see forever
The search is over
You were with me all the while
The Search is Over by Survivor
—
The word was out about the gemstone finds on the brief search of the wash where the rain had stirred up the old waterway. A few days after finishing building up the roadway almost everyone wanted to try their hand at finding a treasure in the flotsam left behind in the wash. Both Jade and Ma instructed people on what to look for. The best moment was when Ma found gold, a small scattering in a pocket gouged out by the rain. The metal, being heavy, stayed at the bottom of the pocket in little flakes that most people would overlook. But Ma had noticed a glint and investigated further, finding the little bonanza. There wasn't a lot, but it was enough to melt into a tiny rough bar that could go a long way on the next provision trip. There were even some pieces of driftwood that must have floated on top of the water flow for miles to reach them. Ma had the guys drag them back to the Bunker, said they could be used for carving, burning in a bonfire or leaving as is for a rustic but meaningful piece of natural art.
Jade took Bucky out to a section where no one else was looking and they stopped to kiss and caress each other before searching. He watched her intently as she kept her eyes down to the ground looking for good candidates.
"Where did you learn all of this?" he asked.
"From Ma," she said. "I was homeschooled because Ma thought the authorities would come after me. She has her nursing degree, so she isn't unschooled herself. We used a home-schooling organization for most of it. Ma threw out the religious stuff saying I had already had enough of that. We went to the library, she bought books. Taught herself jewelry making by using YouTube, then taught me. We've done the same with Ben."
"It's really hit a chord with everyone," he said. "This wash is full of gemstones and we didn't know how valuable they were. It took you to show us."
"Fossil!" she exclaimed, running to the side of the wash.
There were bones sticking out and she dropped to her knees to dig out more of it. Bucky kneeled down with her to uncover it but they soon realized it was bigger than they thought. Digging into his pocket Bucky pulled out a small GPS unit.
"We use these in case we get lost," he said. "The Bunker coordinates are loaded in as home base. If we get lost, we just use this and hike back to the right coordinates. I can save the location of these bones so that when things get back to normal, we can let a university know for their palaeontology department."
"Good thinking," she said. "Oh look, a piece of jade."
She dug her finger into the soil below the fossil and pried up a small piece of jade. The top of it had been scoured by the action of the flood waters. She held it up.
"It's the same colour as your eyes," he said, smiling. "May I have it? I have an idea for a project I can use it in."
"A project?" she laughed. "Anything I should know about?"
"I'm an open book," he replied. "You know you could always look and find out." She kissed him. "No, I'll only go in if you allow me," she answered.
He pulled her close and kissed her passionately, both of them on their knees in the soft sandy dirt of the wash. His hand was in her soft hair, and he caressed her head through it as they kissed sensuously. When they finished, he kept his face near hers, feeling her breath on his face.
"I can't get enough of you," he said softly. "You mean everything to me."
"You know that I saw this before," she replied. "I saw us kissing, making love and I wanted to show you all of it but you weren't ready."
"I'm ready for a lot more," he said, kissing her again.
He pressed himself into her and she felt his arousal.
"Later," she whispered and pulled away to stand up.
He stayed on his knees a moment longer before reluctantly standing with her. She was already bending over peering around the ground. He fingered the jade in his hand before putting it in the small coin pocket in his jeans. He could start making the ring now.
As they got closer to the Bunker they could hear Buddy barking excitedly. A piece of wood flew through the air and the dog came flying near them to catch it before it hit the ground. It landed near some quartz and Jade went down on her knees to use her fingers to dig it out. Bucky kneeled down to help and they discovered it was a huge piece, only the tip of it showing above the ground.
"Hold on," he said. "I've got something that will pry it up."
Running to the workshop he came back with a pickaxe and a shovel. Jade moved back as he hit the dirt all around the quartz with the pickaxe. In all the directions it hit more rock. Using the shovel, he tested the ground to see how far away he had to go before he hit normal ground. It was over ten feet wide.
"This is a quartz vein," said Jade. "There's a good chance there's gold in it. It might be in powder form though. We can only extract it by crushing the quartz and putting the powder in a pan with water, swishing it around and watch for the gold to sink. Hit it with the pickaxe and see if you can chip a piece off."
She stepped back and Bucky took a swing at the quartz. He knocked off a piece and Jade took a close look at it but couldn't tell for sure.
"Ma has more experience with gold prospecting," she said. "You should mark this location so we can come back to it."
Buddy came flying back at a stick thrown in their way and they heard Peter and Ben laughing. They both shook their heads at the unlikely friendship between 20 year old Peter and 10 year old Ben. The next time the stick came out to them Bucky picked it up and threw it back at the boys, hitting Peter on the thigh.
"Ow, Bucky!" he yelled.
"You've almost hit us a few times, kid!" he yelled back. "Throw it somewhere else."
"Good arm," said Jade, as they walked slowly in. "Were you always this good or is it a super soldier thing?"
"A bit of both," he said. "Pitcher in baseball, quarterback in football. The serum enhances the abilities. Don't know how Steve got so good at it, he was literally the 98 pound weakling. He was always picking fights though. Didn't like bullies. Neither do I."
"We thought of putting Ben in regular school, but he marches to the beat of his own drum," said Jade. "I worry that he has doesn't have any peer friendships. Even Peter is too old for him, really."
"Peter's been where Ben is," said Bucky, tossing the quartz chunk up in the air as he walked. "Smart at a young age, socially awkward. He was 14 when he first kicked my ass. Then he was lost in the Snap. So was I, Sam, and Wanda."
They walked without talking for a few more minutes, eyes lowered to the ground searching for gemstones.
"You used the time travel machine that they used to get the stones to go back for Steve," said Jade. "You weren't even sure it would work."
"Bruce and I took the quinjet to what used to be the Avengers compound in upstate New York," he said. "We left the machine in storage there after Steve returned to the past. It was risky, because there was a lake nearby and you know how the Others are about water. We gambled there were still Pym particles in storage with it and there were. I went back with an extra suit and enough particles for Steve and Peggy to come back with me. We thought of going back for Tony, Vision and Natasha but their timelines ended and couldn't start up again in the future."
He stopped and looked at her squinting up at him in the bright sunlight. Never had he dated a woman who looked like her. Most of the blondes he had known were bottle blondes, but hers was the real thing.
"What?" she asked. "Do I remind you of someone?"
"No," he replied. "Most blondes I knew were bottle blondes. Your hair is natural and so much more beautiful. Were your parents this blonde?"
"I think my dad was," she said. "I have no memory of what my mother looked like. Ben looks more like his dad. Do you want kids?"
"Someday," he admitted. "I was pretty wild, chased a lot of girls, but I always thought I would end up with a nice wife and family after the war. HYDRA took care of that. I, um... never mind."
He started walking again, holding the shovel and pickaxe in one hand, and Jade smiled. He had broadcast his mind pretty openly in that little pause and she knew he was going to ask if she would have another. She jogged a little to catch up with him and put her arm around his waist. He smiled and put his free arm around her shoulder. They kept walking, stopping once in a while to pick up an interesting looking rock. The time they spent together was pretty tame by entertainment standards, but they were both content and happy to be in each other's company.
"Have you learned to ride yet?" she asked. "I've been out a few times and I like it. When Clint goes home I'm going to take over looking after the horses. Maria has been helping as well."
"I've been out a couple of times," he admitted. "It wasn't pretty. I am a city boy after all, Brooklyn. A motorcycle is more my taste. I rode one sometimes when I was the Soldier and I remember feeling free on it."
He heard his name being called and saw Ma waving to him. Jade either didn't hear or was ignoring her mother. Looking at his watch he realized he was a few minutes late for an appointment with Ma to teach him how to make jewelry.
"I just remembered I have a meeting," he said. "Can I catch you later, before supper?"
She nodded and he bent over, kissing her sweetly. He took the quartz from her and took it with him. Ma thought messaged him that Jade was watching so he went inside the Bunker instead and met Ma in the workshop by going through the interior door. Jade turned away and headed for Peter and Ben instead. They asked if she wanted a bonfire with some of the driftwood, in the interior courtyard.
"I'm pretty sure we have the fixings for s'mores," said Ben. "We would ask but us being kids Steve might say no."
"Let's go see if we have the fixings first," said Jade.
She went inside with the boys and sure enough there were marshmallows, graham crackers and chocolate chips. Next, they had to find Steve and they brought it up to him. He actually liked the idea but when Jade said she wanted to look in the workshop for something to use for toasting forks he said he was headed there and would look himself if the boys and her would bring the wood around. Peter was breaking the wood apart with his hands, thoroughly impressing Ben. Steve met them out there about ten minutes later with coat hangers twisted into toasting forks. The plan was made to start the bonfire just after sunset at 7 pm.
After such a beautiful day supper was just as good with everyone in the common room laughing, joking and eating. It was Sam and Maria's turn to cook, and Sam had made jambalaya. He made two pots of it, one spicy and one not so spicy. Jade had never had it before, so she had the not so spicy. Bucky, eating the spicy version, rolled his eyes after the first spoonful.
"Sam," he yelled. "God, I've missed your cooking. No one makes jambalaya like you."
"Thanks man," said Sam, genuinely pleased. "It's been a while, hasn't it?"
"Too long," said Bucky, standing up and coming to him. "I'm sorry. I'm truly sorry."
Sam looked at him for a moment, then nodded. "So am I, brother," he said. "I've missed you. It's all in the past, agreed?"
Bucky nodded and the two men became friends again, giving each other a pound hug. Steve looked at Jade and smiled, nodding his head. Bucky sat back down next to Jade, and she nudged him on the shoulder with her head. For dessert Maria had made banana chocolate cake using the overripe bananas no one had wanted to eat. Again, people were giving multiple thanks for it. By the time everyone else cleaned up the fire outside was started, the s'mores fixings brought out and an assortment of benches from the workout room were assembled around the fire. Jade got a little chilled despite the fire and Bucky ran into their room bringing out his jean jacket and placing it around her shoulders. It was much too big for her, but she rolled up the sleeves and said it was hers now. Ma told a ghost story. Peter and Ben talked people into playing charades. Clint was cajoled into singing after Jade said she heard him sing to the horses. He said he would only do it if she sang as well. They sang Friends in Low Places and got everyone clapping in time to it. Bucky mentioned Steve could sing, being in the church choir.
"That was supposed to help my asthma and it was before my voice changed, Bucky," said Steve. "I only know stuff from the 40s like you. Wait, I've got it, I have a good one."
He started belting out Singing in the Rain and everyone joined in. For the next two hours they sang, ate s'mores, joked and laughed. It turned out to be one of the most enjoyable evenings the Avengers had ever had as a group in the Bunker. Even Bruce stayed for the entire time sitting beside Ma. When the fire died down to embers the men brought buckets of dirt and sand to put out the fire. Bucky put his arm around Jade and Ben, herding them home.
"I heard you and Peter thought of this," said Bucky to Ben. "Nicely done, it was a lot of fun."
"Thanks, Bucky," he replied. "It was such a nice day and we both thought it would be a nice way to end it. Um, if you two want to have noisy sex Peter said I could sleep on his couch. I don't mind, really."
Bucky shook his head feeling affection for the boy. Ben was the most direct kid he had ever met. His honesty shone through.
"Sure Ben," he said. "That's very thoughtful of you."
"Take your toothbrush," said Jade, smiling, as he ran in to get a change of clothes. "How thoughtful, really, that's your take on it?"
"What else do you say to a ten year old who knows you're having sex with his mom?" asked Bucky. "We are having noisy sex, aren't we?"
"His birthday is next week," she suddenly said. "I don't have anything to give him."
"I've got you covered," said Bucky. "Ma alerted me and we've been making him something from all of us."
"Tell me what you did," she demanded.
"Nope," he said. "It's going to be a surprise."
She squeezed his waist. When they got inside the room they could smell woodsmoke so Bucky pulled Jade into the shower with him.
"We have ten minutes of water," he said, "before it automatically shuts off. As much as I would love to make love in here, I don't relish the thought of being covered in soap when the water stops."
Quickly they soaped each other down and rinsed off then enjoyed kissing and caressing under the water until it shut off suddenly. Jade wrapped her hair up in a towel then another around herself while Bucky did the same. Picking her up he carried her to the bed and got on it beside her.
"We smell so much better now," he said, kissing her neck and playfully pulling at her towel.
Putting his hand into her hair the head towel came off and he suddenly kissed her deeply and sensuously. This time he undid her towel and pulled it away from her body then pushed her down below him. Laying on top of her he stroked her hair while kissing her softly.
"This was one of the best days of my life," he said softly. "Because you were there with me for most of it."
He kissed her deeply again and she drew him in closer with her arms. "You're overdressed," she whispered, tugging at his towel.
Smiling, he reached under himself and pulled it off. "That better?" he asked.
She nodded and caressed his bottom, then ran her hands up his back. He raised himself so he was on all fours then kissed her body starting at her breasts and working his way down. When he got to her pubic area he slowed down nuzzling her lower abdomen and the top of her thighs before gently opening her and licking inside. Her back arched immediately and she gave a short sigh as he found the parts of her that aroused her. As she ran her hands through his hair she raised her hips into him and he went down harder on her, making her body twitch. He started to caress and squeeze her thighs before pressing down on them and trapping them under his arms.
"James," she panted. "I love your tongue."
"I love yours, baby," he purred, as he sucked lightly on her clitoris and she gasped. "Do you want to come now or when I'm in you?"
"Both," she whispered, as she squirmed under him.
Smiling he increased his pace on her and had her straining to come as he held her legs down.
When she suddenly tensed and cried out, he released her legs and gently squeezed them to move the blood through them. Wiping his face with the towel he laid between her legs nuzzling her breasts then moving up to her neck.
"Well, I'm half done," he whispered in her ear.
"Mmmm," she hummed. "I should have said yes that first night. Your tongue..."
As he stroked himself to become hard again, she leaned over and gently licked him before taking him into her mouth. He caressed her silky soft hair as she brought him to the edge before stopping and holding the tip of him.
"Why are you stopping?" he gasped.
"Just wait a little and let the sensation lessen," she said softly. "Then it will be more intense when you're in me."
They kissed and caressed until Bucky entered her again. Quickly the intensity increased for both of them and when they came together, they cried out loud at the intensity of it. Bucky laid in Jade for some time, kissing her face and neck still recovering from the emotion it had ignited in him.
"My beautiful Jade," he whispered emotionally, "I would die for you. If it ever came to that I would lay my life down to save yours."
"Shh, babe," she soothed him. "Just stay in me, stay with me. I love you being in me, being part of me."
Eventually he pulled out and lay his head in her arms, just as he had envisioned that day in the workout room. He never wanted to be anywhere else other than with her. When he finished the ring he would ask her, and he would commit his life to her, his gem, his Jade.
