For the next week, Sam and Ezri stayed low, and Sam was in awe when he realized how silent Ezri was. They were able to figure out his pattern well enough, but now they had to break into his apartment without detection.

Ezri and Sam were planning and brainstorming when there was knock on their door.

"That must be the pizza being delivered." Sam assured Ezri with a smirk, going to the door.

When he opened the door, he looks genuinely confused when he saw two familiar figures standing there; one of them smiling with two boxes of pizza in his hand with a bag and sodas on top of the box.

"Surprise!" Peter chimed, allowing himself in but Sam narrowed his eyes playfully towards the second figure.

"Nice to see you again, Buck."

"Don't call me that." Buck muttered as he walked in, immediately noticing the room itself.

The apartment was more like a studio. It was a small room for the kitchen and living room, with no dining area. There was only one window with a wall divider to separate the rooms, with a full, maybe a queen bed on the left side end corner of the room.

Ezri stood up when she heard familiar voices, smiling when she saw Peter but her smile dropped a little when she saw Bucky. He didn't show it but Ezri could feel his tiredness; physically, mentally, and even emotionally.

Bucky watched her as she slowly approached him, gazing down gently at her as she took his arm just as gently. Peter and Sam looked at each other with suspicious, cheeky looks when Bucky went with her without any complaints.

Bucky sat on the bed, looking up at her as she curled his medium hair strands behind his ears gently before she cradled his face in her hands. Her hands began to glow and Bucky immediately let out a breath of relief, his hands subconsciously resting on her waist.

Ezri didn't mind, but Bucky had endured so much this week; facing his worst memories head-on. He didn't want to rely on anyone but with Ezri, she endured a piece of him, and she wasn't afraid; welcoming and kind to him.

"Thanks." He said, smiling for the first time in a long while.

Ezri patted the top of his head, making him chuckle when he looked up to her goofy smile.

"You hungry?" Bucky asked and she nodded, rubbing her stomach with a fake pout.

"Let's go then before Peter it's everything." Bucky told her, guiding her back to the kitchen. The duo noticed their two companions flashing them suspicious looks but Ezri merely smiled with a blush on her cheeks.

Bucky wasn't oblivious to her blush, unsure how to proceed with this but he couldn't stop the small smile crack on his face, and Sam and Peter couldn't stop looking at the two of them with goofy looks on their faces.

"So, what have you and Ezri done so far?" Peter asked.

"We found out that he has a business meeting tonight; Ezri and I are going to break in and get the data; and get out. Should be a simple enough mission." Sam answered.

"Are you both doing it tonight?" Bucky asked, and Ezri nodded.

"We are; we hopefully can make it back to the compound tomorrow." Sam told them but Peter noticed the frown on her face.

"Hey Ezri?"

Ezri looked up to Peter.

"When you're done eating, do you want to listen to some music? Mr. Stark said you like music?" Peter asked.

Ezri smiled and nodded, signing excitedly. Peter and the others watched her, once she was done, Peter looked to Sam hesitantly.

Sam chuckled, Ezri flashing him an apologetic glance.

"She said that she loved to once you're done eating, she loves to sing and dance. It helps her calm down." Sam translated.

Bucky noticed her plate was still full though, and stared intensely at her; and was she quick to feel it. Ezri looked over to him with a huge smile on her face but he wasn't having any of her attempts.

"Eat your food first." Bucky told her and she sighed, nodding reluctantly as she ate her food silently.

Once they were done eating, Peter and Ezri were dancing, mimicking moves in the music videos pretty fluently. The team had to admit they were surprised with how fast she learned the moves, but were just glad to see her smiling and having fun with Peter.

Bucky watched her for a while before looking over to Sam, who was watching Ezri as well.

"How has she been, really?" Bucky asked, and Sam looked at him with a concerned look on his face.

"She hasn't been sleeping well, but I've seen my share of people who face their trauma daily. She won't share it, but something's been troubling her. I can't say I blame her though…" Sam said, and Bucky was confused.

"What do you mean?"

"She can hardly talk to anyone now without someone translating for her," Sam pointed out quickly, "remember how she was held back against the assault on Hydra? Or the way she was captured? What about the way that Steve grabbed her?"

Bucky's jaw clenched in annoyance, remembering how angry he was with Steve with the way he treated her that day. Part of him wished he learned sign language for her sake but he wouldn't know where to start.

"Can…you teach me sign language?"

Sam did a double take, looking at him in surprise, and Bucky regretted his decision.

"You want to learn for her, huh? Peter asked me too…" Sam confessed, "but I don't mind. We can work on some now until the mission starts."

"Thanks." Bucky said in a raspy voice, but was grateful to him.

Night had quickly come and gone, and Sam and Ezri were able to get in and out of the building, gathering the files from the computer before getting out undetected. When they arrived back, Sam was quick to lay down the plan for the night.

"Let's have Ezri sleep on the sofa while we sleep on the bed." Sam suggested, and Bucky immediately rejected the idea.

"What, why? She should have the bed, and we take the floor." Bucky told him, but Peter glanced over at Ezri.

Ezri had smiled, bringing her finger to her mouth to 'sshh' as she took a blanket ever so carefully from the bed. Peter held back his chuckle, watching her settle down on the sofa before she waved him over.

Peter sat her feet, smirking when she handed him the remote.

"You pick." Ezri whispered, and his smirk only grew when he heard her voice subtly.

"Okay, how about Twister?" Peter suggested, playing the movie for them.

The men looked over to the two on the sofa and sighed; it seems she made her choice.

"You have a new mission, Winter Soldier."

Bucky sat up, panting heavily as he took in surroundings; he was still in the apartment. Getting the new arm and being cleared of the trigger words didn't stop his nightmares, the memories still haunting him every night.

He saw Peter and Sam cling to each other, making him roll his eyes but he climbed out of the bed to give himself some space from them. Making his way into the kitchen, he poured himself a cup of water and chugged it down to calm himself but the flashes of his nightmares were still weighing him down.

Bucky felt a delicate hand on his forearm and looked over to see Ezri looking up at him with a concerned look on her face. Her hair was frazzled, but her bluish-green eyes pierced his blues ones. She didn't say anything, as she normally did but nodded her head at him to follow her.

Bucky didn't fight her, allowing her to do so as she pushed him gently to sit on the sofa. He didn't say anything as her hands did the same action earlier, cradling his jaw as she sponged all his fears, hearing him let out a deep breath.

He felt all his fears goes away, resting his head against her stomach, gripping gently her waist as he felt his body relax finally. Ezri knew he needed a moment, grateful that he found peace with her, and ran his hands through his hair as she comforted him as best she could.

He let out a soft moan, feeling light headed but loving the ministrations her delicate fingers gave him. Ezri stopped slowly, sitting beside him, and he smirked in embarrassment.

"Thanks…" he said, clasping his hands together, "I had a nightmare, they've been happening almost daily now."

Ezri frowned and he shook his head, "I'm fine, seriously."

She still frowned but nodded.

"Are you okay?" Buck asked, realizing he never asked her before.

Ezri raised her hand, to respond but froze when she realized he wouldn't understand. She looked hard into his eyes, contemplating with herself. Bucky was one of the few that she felt she could lower her guard a little, a bond that she never felt before other than with Loki and Thor.

Even Peter, Sam, and Tony grew on her, and she wanted to lower her guard to them, but she didn't want to live a life without opening herself to someone here on Earth. She let out a deep breath with a sad smile, and shook her head to him.

Bucky's jaw clenched, upset that she didn't tell him before but Ezri sat back on the sofa, placing a pillow over her stomach before patting on it. Bucky looked at her curiously, unsure what she wanted, but she rolled her eyes, pulling him forward to lay his head on her chest.

Laying over her, Bucky was ready to pull himself up but Ezri dived her fingers into his hair again, hearing him make a soft groan. Ezri giggled but waited until his body relaxed before she began to hum a song to him.

Bucky wanted to stay awake and savor this moment but sleep took him into a peaceful night's rest.

A month had come and gone, taking missions with Bucky and Sam constantly, with movie nights in-between with Peter and the others. Slowly, her and Steve came to a peaceful standing between one another but the struggle to work together had yet to be resolved.

She couldn't explain it but Steve had felt pent up emotion of tension and frustration that she couldn't exactly place. She noticed it more so when Bucky began interrupt their spars, wanting to spar with her instead.

Steve would always get frustrated with Bucky, and she couldn't help but feel like there was tension there that was unspoken between them.

Bucky would sometimes come to her room after a rough night and without saying anything, she'd help him fall asleep sometimes. She'd sleep at the foot of the bed to give him space and he'd leave in the morning before anyone would notice anything.

There was a meeting and there was no new update on what exactly Hydra was working on, their files heavily encrypted and the team was running out of leads. Once the meeting was over, Ezri approached Tony.

"Can I speak with you for a moment? Sam, Bucky, and Peter can stay if they want to. " Ezri asked Tony.

"Sure, Ariel, what is it?" Tony questioned, crossing his arms as he gave her the opportunity to speak.

"I have something to say." Ezri signed, taking a deep breath as Ariel spoke for her.

Ezri let out her breath, looking to Sam, Bucky, and Peter before she looked back to Tony.

"I'll do it; I'll try to gain the memory from the items, but I want to explain my side. Where my hesitation is coming from…to understand me better." Ezri told him.

"That's not necessary-"

"But it is!" Ezri signed, "I…come from a place where trust is not given or obtained, it's something I've learned in my life but still, I don't trust hardly anyone,"

"But, I'm slowly beginning to trust the people in this room. It's only fair you understand where I come from. Why I'm so afraid, why I fear the mating season…why battles are so easy on me…" Ezri explained.

The men remained silent, giving her this moment to explain herself.

"When it comes to reading items, the memories…I can feel everything. The pain, the emotions…the trauma," Ezri started, and could feel the dread in the air,

"I'll need to be tied down, but I can get conflicted with injuries if it's too much for me. When I first developed my ability, the man I once called Father made me read all our enemies, prisoners...nothing was off limits," Ezri continued in sign language,

"I was raised by mother to be kind, and I came from being heavily protected until my mother died. A female siren killed her so she may be the new Queen of our people. My father tried to marry me off but I refused…he decreed that I be a disowned heir until I was mated…"

"Ezri, I'm sorry." Peter stated, feeling emotional as his face reddened for her, but she smiled sadly at him.

"I lost all my protection, with only my bare hands to protect me. Luckily, I have my magic to keep me alive; a gift that is a rarity in it's own amongst our people. My father would…conscript me in each war against my will but I still stand," Ezri told them,

"I only pray that they don't find me here but mating season is worse. The hunt is relentless; food and rest is rare to have out there for that week…" Ezri said softly.

"What of your family? No brother or sister to help you? I assume you have some?" Sam asked.

A frown came over her face, and she shook her head.

"My…siblings will send there people my way. It's all political. They attempt to use me as a way to boost their claim over the throne when my father passes; women can't be Queens without a husband. In each clan, it's either one wife and many husbands, or one husband and many wives," Ezri told them,

"Star Wars reminded me of one of my half- brothers. He has no claim to the throne, but many years ago, he sought me out to make me his wife. In the ocean during mating season, I tried to spare him but he…he didn't."Ezri explained.

"Did anyone ever get close?" Bucky asked with hesitation, almost afraid to hear the answer.

She frowned, but nodded, "A few; it's a scary feeling."

"I've only been used and tried to be controlled, contained…that's why I chose to struggle to accept this request. When I am done helping, please, let me rest…I don't know what I'll encounter but my mind and body needs to rest." Ezri finished.

"We'll watch over you, should something happen. I promise." Sam swore.

"M-Me too, Ezri." Peter swore, glad that she had developed a small level of trust with him.

"You don't have to do this. We can find another lead." Tony assured her but Ezri shook her head.

"You don't have any leads for over a month though, I want to help." Ezri signed with a nervous smile.

"I'll prepare it for you, but please, let me know if you change your mind. You really don't need to do this kid, but…thank you for trusting us. We will all make sure you're safe under our care." Tony assured her, clasping a hand on her shoulder.

Ezri smiled appreciatively before he left the room with Sam, Peter following them out to allow Ezri to collect herself.

Ezri tried to calm her nerves, but nothing could prepare her for what was she was about to endure. A warm hand clasps her wrist, looking over her shoulder to see Bucky looking down at her with his intense blue eyes piercing hers with concern.

"Are you okay?"

Ezri smiled sadly, wishing Thor was here to comfort her but…

She rested her head against his arm, alarming Bucky for a moment but stayed still for her sake.

"I'm scared." Ezri whispered.

Bucky let out a breath from his nose, wrapping an arm around her as he allowed her this moment of vulnerability.

"I'll be there, doll. Just give the word and I'll pull you out." Bucky swore.

That was one thing they both shared; both knew of pain, of torture, having no control of what happens to them. Seeing her in such a way was concerning, her tale only wanted him to protect her; and he would do that.

Ezri allowed him to pull her close, wrapping her arms around him as she calmed herself, both not realizing that Steve Rogers was watching them.

Ezri walked in with Bucky behind her, smiling at everything but kept her cool when she saw the glass room that was made up for her. The doors were steel but in the center of the room was a metal table to fit just one person, with arm slabs with metallic wrist bands to restrain her.

"Are you ready?" Nat asked her but Ezri chuckled.

"Never, but let's get this over with." Ezri signed.

"Thank you for doing this, truly." Nat said, feeling regretful for even putting her in this position but Ezri made this choice.

"I think it's best if Peter wasn't here to see this." Clint suggested, but Peter crossed his arms.

"I want to be here if she needs me." Peter told him.

"But can you keep your composure, is the question." Clint said.

Peter looked at him confusion but Ezri was already walking in carefully into the room with Tony and Steve. She turned around and laid back on the titled table, allowing Tony to strap her legs, Steve focusing on her wrists.

"I know we've butted heads, but we appreciate this. We will never make you do this again; I promise." Steve told her but she nodded, flashing him a small smile.

"Okay, here we go." Steve said softly as Tony left the room, the team watching from the glass when Steve slowly slid the ring on her finger.

Ezri took a deep breath, her throw being thrown back with a grunt escaping her lips as the memories. She whimpered, closing her eyes as she felt pain up her arm as she focused on the memories; pushing past the pain as best she could.

The man was running through the halls, whipping out his pistol as he shot at Hydra agents, heading toward the vent that was in front of him, but was shot in his leg.

Ezri let out sudden gut-punching scream, her knees buckling as she felt the pain, but took in a deep breath through her teeth as she tried to contain herself.

"Wait, what's happening?" Bruce asked, the team looked concerned. Steve and the others noticed that Bucky, Sam, Peter, and Tony weren't surprised.

"She can see, hear, and feel everything the ring wearer experienced…" Tony told them, and everyone felt guilty; they didn't know.

The man was dragged into another room, fighting against his captors but was in vain as he was thrown on a table, strapped down and drugged into unconsciousness. He tried to stay awake as best he could, attempting to listen as best he could.

"Another subject…that's the 10th death this week…Pierce focused on wrong program."

"No shit…need more testing…Project Bane needs more…focus on homeless…"

The man was forced awake when they stuffed a cloth in his mouth, feeling an an injection in his throat and felt the unbearable pain course through his veins, tears escaping him as he thrashed on the table as he screamed.

Ezri started to cry, letting out an inhumane shriek as she thrashed against the table. The feeling of what felt like fire, lava, and something foreign course through her body. Peter clenched his jaw as his eyes reddened, Tony and Nat looking away painfully as they helplessly heard her.

Bruce could only document her reactions, it helped him focus on her trigger times as Clint closed his eys, looking at his feet as he crossed his arms; he wouldn't want this on anyone. Sam had to stomach the pain, closing his eyes as if he tried to mute the noise, but she new it was fruitless.

Steve and Bucky felt more hopeless than anyone. Steve wanted to get her the moment she was done, wanting to end her suffering; they needed this to save the lives of innocents but he didn't realize it would lead to this. If he knew she felt this…he never would've suggested this.

Bucky felt himself slipping, his anger and frustrations overloading him. Each time she cried, something in him pulled. HE wanted to storm in, pull her off the table, and protect her; take her anywhere but here. But he promised her he'd wait for her word.

The man had awoken, hearing chaos around him but struggled to stay focused when his two captor came back to him, injecting another serum in him.

"This is should activate Bane. Document what you can…Rumor is Avengers may be coming this way…"

The man screamed out in pain, struggling to keep consciousness as it became unbearable. His arms began to widen and grow, his right leg also unbearably painful as he cried through the pain.

"Deformity, damn. We need super soldier bodies! Scrap this one."

"Give it a moment."

Ezri whimpered, her body puffing in and out uncontrollably as she let out another inhuman shriek. The team was worried when cuts started to appear around her face and hands. They were unable to see her body through the pants and large hoodie she always wore, but they could see the blood stains appear through them.

"Send file…Agent Porter…pack up….end SHIELD and Avengers."

"We need to get her out!" Clint screamed but Bucky could contain himself, punching the glass as he barely containing himself; alarming the team of his behavior.

"Bucky!" Ezri whimpered, and he didn't waste a second to run through the door.

"Let us help-"

Bucky ignored them as he tore the bars off of Ezri's wrists and ankles, capturing Ezri in his arms. He ripped off the ring from her finger, but Ezri was nearly unconscious.

"Doll, can you hear me?" Bucky whispered, cupping her cheek, careful with the cut all over her face.

"Don't leave me." Ezri whispered, bringing a hand up to his chest, but she was too weak and it fell into his zipped hoodie.

"Never." He whispered, lifting her up as he stood up.

Bucky let her out of the room, but Ezri pulled on his hoodie, making him stop.

Ezri looked over to Steve, and he approached her closely.

"Project Bane…Agent Porter…" Ezri whispered before lost consciousness.

"She won't do this again." Bucky said, his glare made Steve and other's blood turn cold and alert. His glare was as cold and fierce from his days as the Winter Soldier, and that made Steve worry about his closeness with Ezri.

Bucky left to Ezri's room without another word, Peter and Sam following him as Tony held back to face the team.

"Now you know why she struggled to accept the request the first time. Use what she was able to gain from this, shall we Boy Scout? You both run point on this." Tony said, pointing to Nat and Steve.

The trio of unexpected friends stayed by Ezri's side, tucking her in as she rested.

"That was more intense than I expected." Sam expected.

"Poor Ms. Ezri, maybe we should do something for her when she wakes up?" Peter suggested.

"That'll be up to her kid, but that's not a bag thought." Sam said, encouraging the teenager.

Bucky didn't pay them any mind, holding onto Ezri's hand since he first laid her down. He didn't know how long she'd be asleep for but he wasn't leaving her until she woke up.

"WHERE IS SHE?!"

The door busted open and the trio looked over to see Thor standing there, his eyes wild with fury as he looked around the room to see Ezri passed out on the bed.

"Ezri…"

Thor marched over to her, taking in her appearance and his heart broke for watched him when Thor cupped her face briefly, his eye softening for her.

"What happened?" Thor asked to no one in particular.

"She helped us read the memory of an object." Bucky said simply, unclear if Thor knew or not.

"Foolish woman…" Thor said, putting his hammer down.

"I'll stay with her until she awakens." Thor declared, and Bucky narrowed his eyes.

"We promised her that we'd stay with her." Bucky told him, and Thor looked over to him with narrowed eyes.

"That's not necessary, Barnes."

"It is, for her sake," Bucky told him, "She told us she was beginning to trust us. We aren't leaving her now."

Thor looked to the others in consideration, but looked back to Ezri.

"Fine."