Chapter 1. Starting Over

This story is in first person point of view alternating chapters between Jane and Bucky. I do hope you enjoy this alternate universe non-MCU Bucky Barnes novel.

Jane

The receptionist glanced up with a questioning look on her face, trying to determine the source of the thumping sound. With a sudden awareness I put my hand on my knee and stopped my foot from tapping on the floor. It was a nervous tic that I thought I had dealt with many years before ... before my marriage, before my divorce, before my move to New York to try and start over, beginning with a job with Stark Technology. Now I was here, in the outer office of CEO Tony Stark, waiting to finalize the job offer, hopefully sign the contract and begin to put my life back together.

"Miss Peterson?" said the receptionist. "Mr. Stark will see you now."

I stood up and followed the dark haired woman through the richly panelled double doors that led into an office that spanned the entire length of the north side of the floor, showing a panoramic view of many of Manhattan's most iconic buildings. It was an incredible and intimidating view at the same time.

"Jane," said the handsome dark-haired man who came from behind the large desk with his hand outstretched. "Welcome to New York. It's good to finally meet you in person."

"Thank you, Mr. Stark," I replied, shaking his hand.

"Please, Tony," he said then walked over to a large white leather sofa set and gestured to me to sit. "Coffee?"

"Please, just cream," I answered as I felt myself sink into the luxuriously soft leather. "This is quite the view."

"Isn't it great?" he agreed. "When I first started this company, it was in a small warehouse in a shitty area of Queens. We've come a long way in 20 years."

He brought me a mug of coffee, along with one for himself and sat on the love seat at a 90-degree angle to me. We each took a drink of the hot liquid before he fixed his eyes on me.

"So, I've done my due diligence on you," he began. "I spoke to your former employer and Ben Harmon said he was very sorry to lose you, but he thought you would definitely be a good fit with Stark Technology. He let slip the circumstances of your departure. I'm very sorry about your marriage. I trust it won't interfere with your life here in New York."

It was almost said as a question which I couldn't blame him asking about. As much as I loved working for Ben Harmon, we both knew that as long as I stayed in Los Angeles my ex-husband John Walker would eventually find me and there would be trouble.

"Well, thank you," I replied, trying not to sound bothered by the comment. "It wasn't something I was prepared for, but it spurred me to search for a new beginning, including legally changing my name. There is a restraining order against my husband while he awaits trial. If he even shows his face here, he's supposed to be subject to arrest."

"Good," said Tony. "If there are any problems, please don't hesitate to let me know. We have our own security that can be called upon to ensure your safety. Now, you are staying in a hotel at the moment. How goes the search for an apartment?"

"I have an appointment later to sign a lease on a Brooklyn apartment in an area called Prospect Heights," I replied. "It's well within my budget, furnished and just a block away from the subway station. I can move in tomorrow if that's not a problem."

"It's a nice area," said Tony. "Take tomorrow to move and we'll make Monday your start date. New York is expensive to live in, but you won't need a car which cuts back on a lot of expenses and if you ever do I keep a small fleet here for employees to borrow on occasion. You will be probationary for 90 days but it's more of a formality than anything. I want you to do well in the company as I think we would benefit from your skills. Once you get through the probationary period, we can talk again about increasing your remuneration and benefits."

"Thank you for this second chance," I said sincerely. "After what I went through when I found out the truth about my husband, I wasn't sure anyone would take a chance on me."

Tony smiled sympathetically. "Well, it probably wasn't easy for you to turn him in. It shows that you have a strong sense of morality and that's something that seems to be missing in a lot of people. To me it said you want to do the right thing and I like to think I have a similar mindset. We run outreach programs in some of the poorer areas of the city and all of our employees are encouraged to take part. When you're feeling up to it, please choose one of our outreach offices and dive in."

With a smile I nodded my acquiescence to the request. "When do I meet the rest of the team?"

"Nearly everyone is out doing their outreach today and you need tomorrow to move," he asked. "How about tomorrow night? We have a social function at an eatery in Brooklyn Heights. I often have events there as they have an incredible view of Manhattan from across the East River. With lots of the staff living in Brooklyn it's just easier to get home from there."

We chatted for a few more minutes, finished our coffees then Tony escorted me to the receptionist's desk and asked her to provide directions to the staff function on Friday night. Once more we shook hands, this time Tony used both of his hands while shaking mine before returning to his office.

The receptionist, a dark-haired British woman looked up at me with a friendly smile.

"So, you're in," she stated. "It's obvious he has good feelings about you. It's a great company to work for. He's very progressive and strongly supports female empowerment. The HR director is doing outreach today, but I can ask her to see you first thing tomorrow to do all the formalities."

"I'm moving into my apartment tomorrow," I countered. "Monday morning?"

"Monday morning, 9:30 okay?" clarified the receptionist. "I'm Peggy, by the way. If you want, I can show you your office now. Then when you come in Monday you'll know where to hang your coat."

Keeping her headset on and grabbing a tablet Peggy got up from her desk and led me to an office on the east side of the building. As we walked, she received another call and set up an appointment for Stark with another CEO. Her multitasking skills were impressive as she never changed her pace while she led me through the large office. Although my office didn't even come close to the grandeur of Tony Stark's it was still pretty nice. There was a view of the East River, and I could see part of the Brooklyn Bridge. It was large enough for my desk, two chairs, a couch and armchair. Unlike his office with its solid walls mine were glass, although Peggy noted it was changeable glass and could be turned translucent for privacy at the flick of a switch.

"This is nice," I commented. "Much larger than my previous office. Would you mind showing me the rest of the layout, if it's not too much trouble?"

"No trouble at all," smiled Peggy. "Mr. Stark likes to keep the office very open feeling, so all executives have glass offices with a view of the East River. Even the bull pen has a view, although it's of the Hudson River and New Jersey."

With a little bit of a giggle, she led me through to the west side of the large office space. It was a very large, open and inviting space. There was a small crew of staff there, most were in a meeting in a glass walled conference room. Peggy waved as they walked by, and several waved their hands in return.

"Nearly everyone is out on their outreach today," she said. "But there is always a crew on for customer service and emergencies. They'll do their outreach tomorrow."

"That seems to be very important to Tony ... Mr. Stark."

"Oh yes," replied the dark-haired Peggy. "Even I go out once a month and work at the food bank. He has insisted on a social justice presence ever since the early days of the company. He lives large but he contributes to the larger community in many ways. Several of the younger staff are graduates of a keep in school program that he himself mentors. He agreed to pay for their college tuition if they maintained their grades. In return they work for him for two years then are free to pursue their dreams. Peter here is one of his best investments."

A very earnest looking young man, with a shock of hair that seemed to defy staying put, was surrounded by several computer terminals, and was working on a holographic visual interface, based on the special gloves he was wearing. When he heard his name, he turned his head to us and smiled a broad smile.

"Peggy, I think I got the lag bug fixed," he said, then he noticed me. "Oh, hi. I'm Peter."

"Jane Peterson," I replied. "I start Monday."

"Miss Peterson is the new assistant VP in charge of innovation," said Peggy. "Your new boss, in other words."

"OH!" His voice went up an octave. "Would you like me to explain what I'm doing?"

"No, I get it," I said. "Holographic visual interface. I'm guessing you're looking at eventual end users in gaming, medicine, possible simulation scenarios for flight training, driver training ... the possibilities are extensive."

I knew I hit the mark when his broad smile lit up the entire area. "Yeah, they are," he said. "I'm also trying to streamline the look and feel of the gloves but that's going to take some more research, and more trial and error. I'd love to go over the scope of my project with you sometime."

"So would I," I replied. "I'll be at the function tomorrow night. Otherwise, it will have to wait until I start next week. It was nice meeting you Peter."

"Same here, Miss Peterson." I gave him a look that I hoped said he could call me Jane. He ducked his head in embarrassment. "I'll meet up with you next week, Jane."

Peggy took me through a few more areas before returning to her desk. Almost immediately after she said her goodbye to me the phone rang, and she was on it for another caller. I waved and headed over to the elevator. On the way down I had to admit that I had a good feeling about working there.

Ben Harmon, my old boss, had known Tony Stark for many years, both of them graduates of MIT. He had returned to Los Angeles while Tony set up his business in the New York area. Both of them seemed to be fine doing their own thing in their own fishbowls. Even though they had similar products both men also branched off into areas that the other hadn't, almost as if they deliberately made their companies complementary in nature. I was surprised that Ben had released me from my non-compete clause in my contract but then the decision to leave his company hadn't really been mine.

It hadn't surprised me that Ben told Tony about my marriage. When it got bad the drama extended into the workplace, so much so that Ben also received death threats from my ex-husband, John Walker. How it got to that point was all so disheartening, at best.

My own background in computers began when I was a teenager in my hometown of Edmonton, Alberta. Unlike other girls in my circle of peers I was quite comfortable with computers, especially gaming, which led to me learning some things that maybe weren't completely legal. Not that I did anything bad with that knowledge. After getting my degree in computer science at the University of Alberta I went to work for a local gaming software company. My expertise took me all over the continent as a representative of the company, at gaming and computer conventions, or technology conferences.

Just two years after graduating I met Ben Harmon at the Consumer Technology Association CES convention in Las Vegas. He was headhunting and he must have liked what I had to offer because he offered me a position with pretty lucrative benefits before the conference ended. It helped that with an American grandparent the acquisition of a Green Card was pretty easy for me. Six months after meeting Ben I had my work permit and an office on the 34th floor of a pretty high-tech building, as the newest member of a team looking to create the best digital protection money could buy. John Walker was the leader of that team. A graduate of Stanford University he was the golden boy in Ben's company, on the fast track to becoming CEO when Ben stood down.

I didn't like him, but not for any particular reason. To clarify I should point out he didn't like me either, at first. I was younger, full of female empowerment ideas, trying to make sure my ideas weren't discarded just because I was a girl (John's words). If I was smart, I would have ignored his overtures to me because he just didn't seem to understand why I didn't succumb to his Southern California good looks and charm. They say opposites attract and it must be true to a degree because a few months after repeatedly turning his overtures down I suddenly saw him in a new light. We had been at a corporate retreat and in the middle of an exercise that paired people up randomly. I drew his name and we set off on our scavenger hunt, using a compass to find assorted items on a list. Why we couldn't use the GPS on our phones was unclear to me and I kept on about having to leave our phones in a bin at the starting line. I complained about the exercise, being out in the woods, having to do this lame activity with someone we didn't even like. While walking and talking I didn't see where I was going and I stumbled, rolling my ankle, feeling something break inside. Immediately John was at my side.

"Are you alright?" he asked, with genuine concern.

"No!" I snapped, then I started to cry. "I think I broke it. You'll have to go get help."

He looked up at the sky then checked his watch. "We've been out here for hours. Without a GPS I don't think I can find you in the dark. I'll carry you."

At first, he picked me up bridal style. That lasted about a mile. Then he piggybacked me which lasted another mile. He stood there out in the middle of this wilderness, scratching his scalp, and with a sigh picked me up fireman style, me over his shoulder, my ass out for all to see. It was ridiculous but I could see the humour and I began cracking jokes as he trudged towards the starting line, making both of us laugh. He carried me for an hour before arriving back at the start of the exercise where he gently laid me down on the bench then stood back and watched as those with first aid saw to me. On the way back on the chartered bus they stopped at a hospital, and he got off to sit with me in the ER, waiting while I got casted then called a taxi and made sure I got home okay. That first day at home recuperating brought flowers from him then he made a visit that evening. I couldn't really hate him after that. We dated and then we married. There was love for a while. The real hate came after.

The elevator doors opening interrupted my reverie, and I stepped out into the lobby then out to the street. Making my way through the busy street I arrived at the parking garage where I left the rental car and gave the attendant my receipt. The cashier presented me with the bill, 62. Tony was right, a car was too expensive to have in New York. Once I bought the necessities tomorrow, I was returning the rental and would begin to live like a real New Yorker and use the subway. Once in the car I brought up the address of the rental property and attached my phone to the in-car entertainment system. The address in the phone connected and I found the place easily. Ringing the building supervisor's suite number, I was met at the front door, and he escorted me to the suite. It was the second time I was viewing it and several things had been fixed since my initial visit. Happy with the changes I signed the lease, gave him the first and last month's rent cheques, got the keys and looked around my new apartment.

It was one bedroom, with a small kitchen that had a full-sized fridge, space for a table and chairs beside the fire escape window that looked out over a green space. The bathroom, with a real full sized claw foot tub had an overhead shower ... all the things one sees in a movie that's set in New York City. The bedroom had a queen-sized bed with a new mattress on it. The living room had a sectional couch, TV, coffee table and built in bookcases; everything I really needed although I brought a few pieces of furniture with me. There was even a washer and dryer set up. I had already arranged to have my books and personal possessions shipped to New York with delivery scheduled for the following morning. All I needed to buy was food, bedding, and towels. I stopped off and bought some linens on my way to the hotel then ordered in room service. After a hot bath I went to bed, and had an amazing sleep.

The following day went like clockwork. I met the moving company at the apartment and verified they had all of my things before signing off. I washed the new bedding I bought the day before and made the bed. From there I bought the rest of the linens and then groceries. I had time to put them away before starting to get ready for the party. Peggy said it would be pretty casual, so I wore a nice blouse with some designer jeans and high boots, with a blazer to wear after if it was cool. After inputting the address into the phone, I plugged the phone into the car and set out for the party. Checking in with the restaurant hostess I was led to the outdoor patio on top of the building. Tony wasn't kidding about the view. It was incredible and I soon found myself caught up in the grandeur. Peggy came around with her husband and introduced us. His name was Steve Rogers, and he was an NYPD lieutenant in the investigative division. He looked at me for a moment as if he knew me.

"You seem familiar," he said. "But Peggy says you're new to New York."

"I am," I replied then I lowered my voice. "I had to move from Los Angeles after I turned my husband, now my ex-husband, in for espionage."

He nodded his head in recognition. "I remember that case now," he said. "You've changed your name."

"Well, he has made death threats against me," I replied. "So once the divorce went through, I took my mother's maiden name."

"I'll give you my card," he said, pulling his wallet out and handing me one of his business cards. "If you notice anything give me a ring and I can expedite a visit to make sure you're okay. That's a 24-hour number. Now that I'm a lieutenant I'm pretty much on call."

"Thanks, I'll keep that in mind," I answered. "There's a restraining order against him, so if he removes his tracking device, which hasn't happened yet, and shows his face around here, he's just asking for more charges against him."

Tony brought a few of my team members over to meet me and I did my best to remember their names; Scott Lang, Hope Van Dyne, Ned Leeds, and of course, Peter Parker. They were a lot of fun, especially Peter and Ned, both coming across as typical teenage gaming types but with college degrees. Tony also brought his wife, Pepper, who turned out to be the director of HR.

"I started out as his personal assistant," she said. "That was definitely an experience I won't go through again."

"You loved it," he said, wrapping his arms around her proudly. "That's how I knew you were qualified to be the person responsible for hiring and firing. You could spot liars a mile away."

"Um, yet you didn't interview me," I interjected, puzzled.

"No, but I did observe the interview off screen," she explained. "I know Ben as well and he kind of filled me in on what happened. Women in technology need support so I just made sure all of your references and skill sets were up to date."

I thanked her for trusting in me, but she waved it aside as knowing when the best person for the job was staring at you in the face. The rest of the evening was a bit of a blur, and I decided it was time to leave. Saying my goodbyes I retrieved the rental car, entered the apartment address into my phone and plugged the phone into the car's entertainment system. As I followed the directions, I began to get puzzled when it sent me in a different direction than where I thought I started. That puzzlement switched to worry when I noticed I was in a very sketchy part of town, which turned to fear when I went over a bump in the road and experienced trouble driving, attributing it to a flat tire. Pulling over I sat in the dark of this seemingly empty street and wondered if I even should open my door. Pulling my phone close I groaned when I saw I had entered the address wrong.

"Great," I said out loud. "I have a flat, I'm in a bad part of town and I'm terrified to set foot out the door."

A knock on the window had me screaming from being startled. At the passenger side window was a scruffy man in dirty clothes, long hair and a beard. He came to my side and motioned for me to roll down the window.

"No," I said. "I'm not."

He looked frustrated for a moment, then quickly raised his hand to his shirt and flipped the top of the shirt backwards so I could see a police badge. With his eyebrows raised, then putting the badge back into its place he motioned for me to lower the window. I did it for just a couple of inches.

"Lady, you're in the wrong part of town," he said in a low voice, using what I thought was a typical Brooklyn accent.

"Tell me something I don't know Sherlock," I replied flippantly. "I entered the wrong address in the GPS, and I have a flat tire."

His mouth was set in a grim line. "There's no way the rental company will send a truck into this neighbourhood to change out the tire. Unlock your doors so I can get into the trunk and do it for you. As soon as it's open you can relock the doors and stay in the car. I can get it done in a few minutes."

I looked at him. He seemed sincere but he could also be a very clever carjacker. "Why are you dressed like that?" I asked.

"I'm undercover," he stated. "Now before I blow my cover would you please let me help you?"

With a huff I unlocked the doors, and he went to the back, popping the trunk open. As soon as I saw it come up, I relocked the doors and sat there as he jacked up the right rear end. Like he said, in a few minutes he had the tire off, and the spare loaded. Then I suddenly was aware another scruffy man was talking to him when it became an argument loud enough for me to hear them in the car. The first man finished putting the tire on and dropped everything in the trunk, closing the trunk lid. Then he came back to my window while closely watching the other guy.

"Big Bobby wants $20 to not put a knife into another one of your tires," he said. "Pay him. He's mean enough to do it." Shaking my head in disbelief I took $20 out and opened the window enough to slide it out. He looked at the single bill. "Where's mine? He's not going to believe I did this out of the goodness of my heart."

"Are you for fucking real?" I asked in disbelief.

"Are you?" he countered. "You're in one of the most dangerous areas of New York at midnight. I just changed your tire and talked ... Bobby, she's going to pay. Put the knife away." He looked at me, almost pleading. "Just pay already."

Angrily I pulled another $20 bill out and slid it through. He called to Bobby to give him his cut and waved me on to get the hell out of there. I pulled away and watched him in the rear-view mirror as he watched me drive away. I still think he was a conman.