Bucky was actually surprised to hear her say that. I mean, sure, they were getting along much better after the air raid and that day, but to go so far as starting to fall for him, after pretty much she easily saw through his charm and pretty much called out much of his now regrettable actions in regard to his previous relationships the instant they met... "You...", he stammered for a moment. "Would you say that again?".
Audrey looked at him in the eyes, and in her Audrey style, "You deaf or what? I have feelings for you, and don't make me repeat it if you want your ears ringing. I'm falling in love with you, and yes, as in you, James Buchmann Barnes!", with a smirk and a raised eyebrow.
Bucky quickly regained his composure as he heard that, trying hard not to do something stupid at that moment she said that before taking a deep breath. "Well... truth be told... I think the same thing, Audrey Rocio Ramirez.", he told her as he leaned in for a kiss this time around.
Audrey felt his hand rest on her cheek with his other hand wrapping gently around her neck, caressing her curls thoroughly and she allowed him to come closer as she closed her eyes, and then the next moment she knew, he is kissing her expertly yet tenderly, but not crossing the line by being rough or passionate, for he wants this to be romantic and prefect for her as she enjoyed it more than she ever had imagined, her heart racing at the newfound emotions, and strangely enough, she felt even more complete as her hands moved upwards of his chest to his shoulders, lasting for 30 seconds, and it was the best 30 seconds of her life for her true and meaningful first kiss.
The two parted their lips before there was a moment of silence between them. "So...", Bucky was the first to speak up again. "As we said, slowly coming around to those words still or did we just say them with that kiss?".
Audrey smiled, "I vote both.", and Bucky chuckled, "Fair enough...Still, did I do alright there?", and Audrey blushed, "More than alright, Bucky...That was perfect...Now I see why Peggy's so addicted to Steve's kisses and all.", with a smirk.
Bucky laughed warmly, "I guess we do have our favorite people to compare about this, but we can pace ourselves, eh?", and Audrey nodded, "Indeed..", before realizing that she was feeling his chest through his shirt, and blushed even more as she can feel the muscles built from war and such, and stammered as she pulled back from his hold of his arms, almost missing the warmth and solid muscles already, "We better see what's up. You heard Peggy. They have some bad news, and if Mole's here, it must be something serious...".
"Yeah; I almost forgot about that... we better hurry.", Bucky said as they quickly moved to find Peggy and Steve again, both were confident that they didn't have much time to waste with whatever was going on.
Audrey regained her composure, grateful that anyone didn't see them in that wonderful, private moment as they headed to the hanger as it was obvious that the others were heading that direction when they passed them by.
They walked in as Audrey fixed her missing strap, tying it properly, and saw Steve inspecting the small planes in one section of the hanger, and Audrey raised an eyebrow, "What are you looking for in those planes, Steve?".
Steve replied, "We need a plane for stealth.", and Bucky replied, "Stealth? Okay, what's going on?", and Mole replied, "Audrey, Sweet's been captured.", not beating around the bush, knowing that Audrey sees Sweet as an uncle of sorts, as Sweet was a great friend to Manuel, Audrey's father, and had promised to look after Audrey on the Atlantis expedition and all.
"How?", Audrey asked as Steve sighed, "Seems like they were found out by the Luftwaffe or the Wehrmacht; Mole's not too sure on the details, but we need to get him out before the Luftwaffe finds out who he exactly is, and that word gets back to HYDRA. If that happens..."
"Atlantis would be in danger...", Bucky said. Audrey gasped, "We can't let that happen!", and Peggy nodded, "Agreed. We need a stealthy and fast plane to make it beyond the deep German lines.".
"What?! That far in?", Bucky asked in surprise, and Mole replied, "Oui. It's in forest, just of the Italian border, but before Alps. Many German patrols on ground. Barely escaped with life after tracking Sweet and other captives down in tunnels.".
Steve sighed, "I know it might sound like a high-risk mission, but we can't afford to put Atlantis in danger, and we can't leave a friend behind either, along with other prisoners who deserve to be free. Phillips said it'd be a suicide mission if we had squadrons and all on ground, and he was clear on the orders not to do that, but he didn't say anything about using a plane.".
"Well, there is enough stealthy planes here, but fast under several hours or strong to handle German patrols who could have tank shooters or something, zip...", Audrey frowned.
Bucky looked at her, and then looked thoughtful, and Steve replied, "You got an idea, Bucky?", and Bucky nodded, "I think so...If he's still around in Paris for his work-related venture, there's a favor he owes me, and he said that his plane is supposed to be strong, fast, and stealthy.".
Steve looked a bit confused for a minute before widening his eyes, "Oh, blimey, don't tell me...It's Howard Stark, isn't it?", as Steve and Bucky were on a mission near Paris, having finally emptied the last of the German troops out from Paris and the surroundings, and they spent a men's night at the pub, with Steve playing darts and Bucky doing his usual poker play with men who came to play including Howard Stark.
Bucky was making high-stakes and Stark was meeting him on that, and then the other two men around the rest of the poker table was upset, distraught by losing to Bucky and Stark, and caused a fight all around, and Bucky saved Stark from getting pummeled, hence now having Stark giving him his number while being in Paris, saying that he could do a favor that Bucky owes him in return for the save.
"How fast do you think we could get it?", Peggy asked. "And follow up question, does it work?", Audrey then questioned. "It must be something damn near amazing if it could get us in and out of Axis homelands without much of a fuss.".
Bucky replied, "He said that he tested it out a few times, so it works, and I got his number, so I'll call him. What choice do we have than this?", and the others were silent for a moment before Steve sighed, "Alright. Call him, Bucky.".
Bucky nodded, and headed to the hangar office where the master mechanic occupies, having a phone there for talking with colonels, the general and such for emergency fixing on a plane or something.
And so, after some minutes of picking up the call and such, it was planned for Howard to land in a covert field out from the base and Toulouse, and with an explanation/white lie that it was for Audrey's sake to decompress after everything earlier, the group made it to the field after grabbing the essentials for a convert rescue mission including suiting up and all, and boarded the plane only an hour later on after Howard fueled the plane from his private airfield near Paris to last plenty for hours.
Howard was a bit shocked and argumentative when Audrey took up the second pilot's seat but shut up after Audrey made short work of him at Bucky's amusement and pride. Mole had to be reassured every several minutes as he wasn't the best at riding a plane as he is practically down-to-earth and everything.
It was only a couple of hours or so before Howard called out, "We're approaching the front lines, folks!", and Bucky called out, "Thanks, Stark, and I owed you one!".
"Hey, it ain't every day I get to fly my plane into a challenging, scary, and exciting adventure, Barnes! You better get ready soon!", Howard called back, and Steve glanced at Peggy, "He's confident, eh?".
Peggy smirked, "He might be confident, but he ain't as tough as our Audrey. Now, don't forget to signal us for the return pick-up with this radio when you are done, Steve. It will be dangerous...".
Steve replied, "Hey, I, Bucky, and Mole got this, Peggy.", as he received the radio transmitter from Peggy, "After all, with friends to watch my back, we will come out unscathed.".
"Oh, I know, but you better damn stay alive.", Peggy looked at him, "We have too much to lose now...", squeezing his hand as her other hand touched her belly.
"Trust me... I'll make damn sure of it.", Steve leaned forward to give her a kiss, making sure neither of them would regret not doing that before parting their ways again.
Peggy returned the kiss, not caring about the atmosphere or the others noticing, and smiled at him, "I love you, Steve Rogers.", and Steve replied, "I love you too, Peggy Rogers.", squeezing her hand back.
Howard replied, "Damn, and I was hoping to go out for some fondue after this...How abou-", looking at Audrey who replied sharply, "First of all, don't ever talk about Captain America being in love. We got plenty of problems already. Secondly, I ain't going to do some fondue, whatever that is, and I'm taken, Stark. And oh, take over. I'm sure you'll handle it for a few minutes without me.", before unseating herself and left her seat.
Audrey replied, "Don't worry, Steve, I'll watch over her while we wait back in Toulouse, you can count on that.", and Steve nodded with a thankful smile as Audrey passed through them, and looked at Bucky, "You better get back, is that clear?", with a sharp eyebrow raise.
"Audrey, this ain't my first rodeo, and I will be alright with my friends around. I'll come back with our friends, Sweet, and any free prisoners we get out.", Bucky smiled reassuringly, and Audrey replied with a sigh, "I know, but doesn't make me worry less...I'd feel better if you have this...", taking off her crystal necklace, much to Bucky's shock.
"Wait, you're giving...", Bucky said as Audrey chuckled. "I think you'll need it right now more than me... besides, might be best for me not to have it for a little while, I still have a little more time to grow, if you know what I mean.", she teased as he nodded.
"True; I think it probably would be best if we do go forward with things; we don't have anyone really second guessing your age.", Bucky shook his head. "Exactly.", Audrey chuckled again.
Bucky smiled as Audrey prayed in Spanish Mexican to the crystal before gently placing over his neck, and she whispered, "You may not be Atlantean or a super soldier, but you are James Barnes to me...Don't be cocky or abuse the crystal, trust it when you need it...".
"I understand...And I'll damn come back to you, Audrey Ramirez.", Bucky replied firmly yet sincerely, and Audrey smiled before kissing him with more confidence now than her first attempt at kissing him, and luckily, Bucky taught her with his first kiss to her as she's a quick learner, not caring about the shock and discovery from the others, especially Mole.
The two of them shared that kiss for a few moments before parting ways while Bucky could see the smirk on Steve's face. "Looks like you two are getting along well now...", he teased as Audrey walked past Steve.
"What can I say? Turns out we had more in common than we originally thought.", Audrey said as Steve turned his attention back to Bucky.
"You think she's the one?", Steve asked him, under his breath to the point that only the two of them could hear each other. "Can't be certain yet, but... Lord help me, Steve, I think she might...", Bucky told him.
Steve gave him a slightly teasing, reassuring smile, "Never thought I'd see the day that my own brother would be in love with someone like Audrey.".
Mole was stunned yet poked Audrey's shoulder, and she looked over at Mole, "What?", with a determined, stubborn look, as she was getting back to her seat, and Mole replied, "Nothing...I just happy for you...Maybe surprised since you being tough and aggressive tomboy...".
Audrey looked surprised to hear him say that before giving him a smirk, "I ain't changing all of me, Mole. I just have someone to treat me like I'm something special, you hear?", and Mole nodded, "Good to hear. I be your friend always, eh?", with a chipper smile.
"Thanks, Mole. That means a lot.", Audrey replied. Suddenly, the plane quaked and tumbled, and Howard shouted, "We're high over deep German ground, folks! Hurry, ain't much time now! This plane may be tough, but not too tough to handle a real tank grenade! Ramirez, open up the Ramp Shute lever!".
"Plan is to jump, right?", Steve asked as Audrey looked back to him, "Unless you've already secured an airfield for us that we can land, 'fraid you're gonna have to hop out!".
Bucky replied, "You heard her, we got no choice but to jump, and we can't afford to land to risk our gals and Stark's lives if we can help it!".
Steve nodded as Audrey pulled the lever down, belting herself into her seat, holding up the controls to help Howard together with his own controls as well, with Peggy holding tight into the ceiling hookup ties, "You three be careful on the way down and the way to Sweet, clear?!", as the ramp opened up slowly, as the duo pilots tried to get as close to the trees without endangering themselves or being too low.
Steve saluted her, "Yes, ma'am!", with a smile at her, and looked at Bucky and Mole, "Let's go!", before running and then jumped out, with Bucky saluting Peggy and winking at Audrey, lugging Mole's jacket as he screamed, with them following Steve as they leaped, jumping out.
Audrey luckily pulled up the lever, to close the ramp, as they turned the plane around, back to safe skies and all from the German ground and the patrols, with Audrey glancing at Peggy as she came into the cockpit, "Think Phillips will be pissed when he finds out the truth, Peg?".
"Yeah, we'll be lucky to escape being court marshalled for this...", Peggy admitted. "Even if we're successful.", she admitted as Audrey nodded.
"We'll certainly catch hell if we make it out of this but if things go sideways...", Audrey said. "Don't try and think that way, Audrey...", Peggy told her.
Audrey chuckled, "That's the Peggy I know. It strangely feels weird, but even without it, I have hope.", halfway reaching for her crystal when it wasn't there.
Peggy nodded with a smile, "Agreed.", as she kept alert, yet slightly relaxed as Audrey and Howard successfully worked hard at getting out from the front lines of the German possession borders.
With some rough scrapes from catching their falls amongst the trees, the trio of the boys made it to the ground, and Mole instantly went into tunneling mode, to be able to sense where the German patrols are and alert the others as they went into stealth mode, not daring to speak too much, but only enough to be careful.
"You alright?", Steve asked Bucky, while keeping his voice down. "Yeah, I'm fine... where exactly are we again though?", Bucky glanced around the woods. "Doesn't look like you'd find a prisoner camp around here...".
Steve replied, "Stark and Audrey did their best to get us as close as possible to the camp, but we are still some ways from it.", keeping his voice low, "Now, we have to stay to Mole's signals while he's tunneling, to help us find our way, but stealthy and quiet.".
Bucky nodded, and so, they went on their way, and was lucky to not alert the Germans too much by taking care of a couple of random patrols quickly and swiftly, thanks to Mole's signals and such, and so, within a few hours, it was early morning, perhaps around 3 o'clock when they found the large prisoner camp which is a camouflaged yet greatly patrolled fortress, clearly Hydra in charge, with scarce amounts of Nazis here and there.
"HYDRA...", Steve growled as Bucky sighed, "So much for them not finding out your old buddy... if they haven't already learned of him yet, they probably will soon.".
"All the more reason we have to get him out of there... only issue is...", Steve frowned, trying to think. "Place is a goddamn fortress and we've only got an attacking force of 3 guys.", Bucky reminded. "I wish we had at least the force we had back when we did that base raid back in France...".
Steve narrowed his eyes, "But we do...", putting his shield down and with a quick, hard tap from his knuckle, sending vibrations underground, and Bucky knew that Steve is reaching to Mole in his tunnels.
After several minutes, Mole quietly resurfaced in a subtle, camouflaged spot, muttering, "Many, many Hydra...", and Steve replied, "Did you find the holding prison?".
Mole nodded, "Oui, but guarded good. Not many guards, less than outside the prison hold or outside the fortress on patrols...", and Steve smiled, looking at Bucky, "Double sneak attack?".