Chapter 4: Safe
"Call Torres. Abuelita's in danger. I need a way to identify these guys if you have it, too." Bucky says as they walk along and wait for your next message. Sam hasn't seen Bucky this worried in ages, maybe ever. Sam calls Torres as requested.
"He's not answering. What's her schedule today? Where is she?"
"I don't know. But we need to find her."
"You're like, head over heals for her. How do you not know her schedule?"
"Can we not talk about that right now?! Duck into that alley. Let's see if we can lose him. Keep trying Torres. Can you call your bird thing to you?"
"Red wing? I left it at home. So, no. But I can call Torres again. Let's split up at the end here. I'll meet you at the next block. Check to see if that billboard has a street sign next to it in the pic in the meantime."
They split up at the fork in the alley. Bucky to the left. Sam to the right. Both acting casually buy gradually increasing their pace and strides. Bucky turns again with the alley. This sets off a series of events that happen in seconds. His phone goes off. Buzzing away in his pocket. As he pulls it out, he hears a loud slapping and cracking sound over his shoulder. Before he can look a woman saunters right up to him. Her hair is dark and she's far too made up to be in an alley. She looks like old money and he's not sure if he should be worried about her. Before he can look over his shoulder and just as his phone makes it out of his pocket she speaks.
"She's fine. You're welcome. Also, you can identify this thug. You're welcome for that too."
"Who are…."
"Oh, my apologies, La Contessa Valentina Allegra de la Fontaine. Val is fine though." As she hands him a business card. "And John here will have your stalker id." She gestures over Bucky's shoulder. She can't mean….John?
"Bucky. Long time." Yup, she does mean John Walker. He holds out a wallet to Bucky.
"James. Thanks John." Bucky says and makes no move to take the wallet. When they all realize Bucky isn't moving, Val takes the wallet into her gloved hands. She pulls out the driver's license.
"Hmm. We can run it. He seems like a low-level thug. What have you been involved in, Sargent?"
"Nothing. I just need a name and I'll be on my way."
"Look. I'd like you to manage a team for me." She gets to the point and again offers Bucky the business card, this time with the driver's license stacked under it. "But I need to know you're not involved in whatever this is. And it would be easier if you'd tell me the real name of that sweet little girlfriend of yours. It would save me time on a background check."
"What team is that?" Bucky's jaw ticks. He may grind off all his teeth if this conversation lasts much longer.
"Information for information, Sargent. Think about it." Val tucks the cards into Bucky's hand under his phone and she and John walk out of the alley. Bucky takes a moment to steady himself. How many people are following him? How many are following you? Who does Val work for? What do they want from him? There are so many unanswered questions. You. Where are you? His phone. His phone went off.
Abuelita: At the coffee shop with Torres. You?
So, you are ok.
Bucky: With Sam. We will be there soon. Caramel latte?
Abuelita: Gone.
Sam's voice breaks into his reading. "She's with Torres. He finally answered. He refused to hang up the phone with her until they were together. Her stalker's gone. You look like you just saw a ghost. You, ok?"
"Not sure. We gotta go. I wanna check on Abuelita and we need to figure this out." He spits out as he hands Sam Baldie's driver's license.
"Did you take that guy out? I thought you just wanted to lose him? …. Never mind. Torres can run this." Sam says of the driver's license. "Let's go."
"Stay on the phone with me, Abuelita. I'm almost to you." Torres says. "Keep walking like you haven't noticed you're being followed. You remember what you learned in that self-defense class?"
"Yeah. We are meeting at the coffee shop, right? I'm close. I think he's getting closer to me." You're voice cracks as you try not to look around too much. Nervous energy is building up inside you and it feels like your insides are a pot about to boil over on the stove. You need to run around the block or something when this is over. You hear it before you see it. And you barely see it. Whirling around after feeling a rush of wind and activity that all you see is a blur as someone takes out your stalker, kicking him right into the alley behind you like they came out of the sky. A wave of relief and even more panic washes over you and all you can do is whimper into the phone as you turn around bumping straight into Torres.
"I saw it, Abuelita. I've got you." You both hang up and he wraps his arms around you in a hug. He kisses the top of your head. "Let's go." He turns to continue with you to the coffee shop. A dark-haired young woman bumps into you as she runs past. Torres hugs you closer and looks around for anyone else and answer's Sam's latest phone call.
You've been sitting next to Torres, trying hard not to fidget. Neither of you is prepared to move just yet. You've only briefly texted Bucky to know his stalker left too. Torres is drawing shapes and patterns on your free forearm. The other is always occupied. When you don't have a death grip on the lid to your water bottle, its spinning in front of you. Occasional sips taken out of the now mostly empty bottle. Stress is pouring off you and Torres is doing his best, but he's worried about you.
"Did you apply to that school?" Torres breaks the silence.
"Yeah." The word barely comes out, light and breathy as you see him. He came for you. The light chat ends when Bucky storms into the coffee shop, attempting to show restraint. At least he didn't pull the door off the hinges. Sam dodges the door behind him as though this is normal behavior, his expression doesn't change. You stand. He's here. Silently making his way to you faster than seems possible. There's no greeting needed between you both. Torres opens his mouth to speak and before he even gets any sound out Bucky has you pressed against the wall in a passionate kiss. "Hi—oh!" is what comes out of Torres as he then turns to Sam, "So you guys are good."
"Some better than others. I need a favor, lets head to your place." Sam replies. "Before this gets more awkward." Gesturing to you and Bucky.
Bucky follows the conversation, but they are just background noise to you. Bucky is everything. You fist his jacket with one hand the other going to his bicep. His hands started on either side of your face ensuring he had your attention, but he's not going to be satisfied until he's touched all of you. Which is how he ends up with a hand in your hair and the other trailing down to your back. He desperately wants to continue, but realizes you are still in public. "Your place is closer." Is all he whispers as he breaks off the kiss.
It's an awkward elevator ride to your apartment. Torres practically runs to his door after a quick "See ya later." You're so nervous that you can't get the door unlocked. You hope Bucky can't feel your hands shaking. He's pressed against you so close. He can feel it. And he's seconds from breaking the knob with his left hand. Instead, he kisses just below your ear and takes your keys. The next few seconds pass as hours in your memory as he moves you both around your apartment. You don't make it far; he enjoyed the scene at the coffee shop and recreates it. Your back is against the wall again as he kisses down your neck. He grabs you to lift you up, to give himself a better angle when he feels something he didn't expect. He pulls away. Confusion plastered on both your faces.
"Did you forget to put away your id or credit card?" He asks.
"No, they are in my wallet." Well now you're back to nervous. Fight or flight is kicking in again, but your body has chosen to freeze instead. Bucky reacts, moving slowly and reaching into the back pocket of your jeans. Freeing an identification card. You both recognize Blondie.
"How did you get this? Did he hurt you?" He asks, mind racing.
"No. No, something happened to him. It was a blur, it happened so fast…" Your mind is replaying the events of the day. Bucky hears your heart quicken, pounding harder.
"I'm going to take this to Torres. You want to come, or stay here? I'll come right back if"
"Ok. Yeah. I think I….someone bumped into me. Could they have…?"
"Left you a gift? Looks like it. I'll be right back. Lock the door, ok?"