Chapter 23. The Family Business

As Bucky had suspected, once the movie was over, and the others began to party in earnest they moved down to Coulson's apartment and any chance of privacy with Natalie was dashed. Coulson had a fridge full of drinks and food. Almost like vultures the others had descended upon it and were soon spread throughout the apartment. People had congregated into different groups; the strangest one perplexed Bucky as it seemed Damien Vison had taken a shine to Maria Hill and her to him.

"When did he join?" Bucky asked Barton.

"About a week ago," said Barton. "He received a contract offer, looked at it and realized he didn't want to kill the wife and family of the political rival of a potential dictator. From there he went to deciding he didn't want to kill anymore, period. I got the call in the middle of the night and in the morning I woke him up in the parking lot outside of the warehouse. He's actually going to move into the warehouse."

"He's not going to kill anymore?" asked Bucky.

"That's what he says," said Barton. "Everyone deserves a second chance, I guess."

As the party got louder and Torres' girlfriend showed up with a couple of her girlfriends, Bucky could see by Natalie's face that it was becoming too much for her, as it was for him. He whispered in Natalie's ear and together they went down the elevator to the parking garage. Her eyes had opened wide at the sight of his SUV and she asked why he had bought such a vehicle.

"I wanted something better for the baby to ride in," he answered as he opened the door for her. "It will be yours and I'm sure it's big enough for twins. I'm happy driving my old car."

"I could have bought my own," she said. "I have the money."

"I know," he replied. "When my car bites the dust you can buy me a new one."

He drove out of the parking garage only to have Peter blocking his way to the road. He rolled down the window.

"I need the remote," said Peter. "Some of us are going to watch another movie up there. Well, Stacy and I are going to watch a movie. We went out before on a double date with Torres and his girlfriend. I guess she likes me."

"What are you going to watch?" asked Bucky, as he pulled it out of his jacket.

"An older chick flick," said Peter. "Mamma Mia. I haven't seen it but Stacy said it's fun. You know I think we should put that screen on top of the warehouse and watch movies up there on a regular basis. Tonight was fun and Casablanca is a good movie for an old one. I wouldn't mind seeing some others in your collection."

Bucky laughed and gave the remote to Peter who stepped back to let him pass. He could hear Natalie chuckling as they drove away.

"It is a fun movie," she said, "but he better like that Stacey a lot to watch it. It's not for every guy."

"Would I like it?" asked Bucky.

"Perhaps," she said. "It's campy and kitsch and the music is infectious. It's all ABBA music. Incredible scenery, too, as it was filmed in Greece. They used the locals to form a kind of Greek chorus. It was very effective."

Bucky started laughing. "Listen to you critique a film," he smiled. "Makes me want to see it."

He reached out for Natalie's hand and kissed it. They held hands the rest of the way home, only pulling apart when Bucky had to turn a corner. When he pulled into the ramp down to the parking garage the door didn't open. Bucky got out and stood in front of the SUV, facing the security camera.

"Majel?" he said. "I'm sorry I left. It was wrong and I knew it as soon as I left. I've made up with everyone except you, I guess. I'm asking your forgiveness. Let me come home."

"Tell Natalie to get out of the vehicle," replied Majel.

He motioned to her and she got out, then stood with him in front of the vehicle. It was almost as if the AI was scrutinizing them before she said anything.

"Don't you ever speak to each other like that again," said Majel. "It was heartbreaking listening to you fight like that. I'm warning you that I will intervene if I ever hear those words coming out of your lips again. I will lock all the doors and windows to your apartment until you two come to your senses. I'll do it, I swear. Now, go home and I'll give you total and complete privacy for the rest of the night. Welcome back."

The door at the bottom of the ramp opened and both of them got back into the SUV. Bucky pulled into the spot next to his car. Then he opened Natalie's door and together they went up the elevator to their apartment. Majel had already set the mood with soft lighting in their bedroom, an eclectic mix of romantic music, and the windows blackened out.

Even though they had spent the evening mostly alone it was different once they were in the apartment. Both suddenly felt a little shy and inhibited. Natalie undid Bucky's bow tie and his shirt buttons as he took the white jacket off. Then she turned around and asked Bucky to unzip her. Softly, he ran his fingers down her back as he did so.

"I really loved our date," she said quietly as he moved her hair to kiss her on the back of her neck. "It was very romantic."

"It was long overdue," he replied removing the dress from her shoulders. "We didn't take the traditional path of courtship, did we? Maybe that's what was missing. I promise more date nights."

"I love you," she whispered before turning and softly kissing him.

"Natalie," he whispered back before enclosing her in his arms and kissing her feverishly.

When the clothes were removed and they relocated into the bed it was if everything was right in their world once again. The loving touches, the soft words, and complete physical acceptance of each other was the final part of healing they needed in their relationship. By morning, when Majel gradually changed the blackout of their windows to the translucent option both knew that whatever had torn them apart before would never be allowed to tear them apart again. While Natalie showered Bucky went down to the common room kitchen for some milk and found Fury and Barton enjoying a cup of coffee.

"How was the party after we left?" he asked the two men.

"It got a little wild," said Fury. "When the other women found out Mamma Mia was playing on the roof they took the party back up there. A few noise complaints were made and the police made a visit."

"Noise?" said Bucky. "That building is blocks away from the nearest apartment building."

Fury and Barton both nodded their heads in agreement. "Let's just say that whoever ran out for some ouzo didn't do Coulson any favours," said Barton. "He's rethinking having that patio up there. You did the right thing leaving."

"It's all settled between you two?" asked Fury, looking at Bucky seriously.

"I think so," said Bucky. "Majel threatened us with a lockdown if we ever spoke to each other like that again."

"That sounds like a good idea," said Barton. "Do you think we could ask her to intervene like that if a party got out of hand here? I mean, we're trying to maintain a low profile, right?"

"I'll ask Peter and Tony to tinker with her intervention protocols a little," said Fury. "Now, old business. Pierce's trial is coming up. You have been subpoenaed to be a witness for the prosecution. There have been additional charges laid against him for the attack on Coulson and Hill, kidnapping of Natalie, the escape of Rumlow and contracting with the Red Scorpions to kill you both. Rumlow's trial will resume with him having a new attorney...public defender as no private attorney wanted to represent him. He'll undergo a separate trial for the escape, kidnapping, etc. That's assuming both men survive their time in lockup until their trials. Red Scorpions were not amused at being caught helping them. Word is they're looking to take both of them out on the inside. I don't think you're in any danger. The attorney for the Red Scorpion lieutenant you spoke to said he realizes you told him the truth and he wishes he had let you walk. Not that it would have changed anything."

"New business," said Barton. "You're going to need an extra bedroom, maybe a couple if you like being a dad so much that you want another. We haven't developed the fourth floor yet. We can put a three bedroom apartment up there, complete with laundry, soundproofing, play room, bigger kitchen, everything you need to raise a family. We'll even put a playground on the roof. We can do that if you plan to stay with the team."

"I can't kill," said Bucky emphatically. "I can't pretend to be a violent man either. Honestly, I don't know what else I could do. I'm not that savvy on computers, or with tech of any kind. I don't know how else I can be part of the team."

Barton and Fury looked at each other. "Have you decided about college yet?" asked Fury. "We will work around that."

"Not quite yet but what can I do?" asked Bucky. "I know private investigating and being a soldier. That's it."

"Morale," said Barton. "When everyone found out what you were planning for Natalie there was a lot of questions about why we couldn't have such occasions for ourselves. The movie was a hit. I hadn't seen it in years and I have to admit I still teared up at the end. We felt like a family up there...a crazy, weird family that got a bit dysfunctional before the night was over but a family nonetheless. I remember you and Natalie playing board games and doing jigsaw puzzles when you were hiding out at your parent's cabin. Do you think you could organize stuff like that for the team and go on a mission, in a support role, every once in a while?"

"Define support role," said Natalie, who had appeared in the common room. "You weren't in the apartment and Majel said you were here."

"Transport," said Fury, "leg work, tactics, no more undercover or infiltration if you think it will trigger you. You have good organizational skills and it would take some pressure off of myself and Barton, here."

"Is that enough?" asked Bucky. "It doesn't seem to be enough."

"You'll be going to school full time, being a father in six months and you're worried that what we will have you doing won't be enough?" exclaimed Barton. "Trust me, it will be."

Natalie looked at Bucky with a soft smile on her face, full of trust and faith in him. "Okay," he replied. "Morale and support as long as it doesn't involve me being violent. As for college, I was actually leaning to film studies at NYU. Watching movies gives me pleasure so I might as well dive deep into it. Maybe I'll learn how to direct the camera drones to give us better footage so it doesn't look all Blair Witch Project. By the way, we're having twins."

"I guess we need to amend those floor plans," said Fury, with what passed for a smile on his face.

Natalie poured some milk into a cup and took Bucky's hand in hers so they could go up to their apartment and get their coffees. From there they moved up to the roof enjoying the fresh air and morning sunshine.

"They're going to build us a three bedroom apartment on the fourth floor," said Bucky, "with built-in laundry and a playroom. Fully soundproofed. How do you feel about raising a family here?"

"We will always have baby sitters," she said, curling her legs up onto the outdoor sofa and putting her head on his shoulders. "Then we can make date night a regular thing."

He put his arm around her and pulled her close, then closed his eyes and felt the warmth of the sun on his face. He remembered the day before he met Natalie, waking up in the stark loneliness of his small apartment and not being able to sit out on the fire escape because it was too cold out. For nine years, ten if he counted his year in prison, he was alone with only Steve and Peggy, and his mom's phone calls to make him feel human. His life existed by a slender thread of emotional support. Now he had Natalie beside him, twins on the way, and a building full of a misfit bunch of do-gooders that liked him and went out of their way to help him. He felt a lump of emotion beginning to build up in his throat and Natalie turned to him.

"You're feeling it aren't you?" she said, her eyes glistening. "We are blessed you know. Both of us were suffering in a private hell and we went through some more suffering for a while. But we found each other and we found a bunch of crazy people that became our friends and our family. How lucky are we?"

They both put their coffee mugs down and kissed passionately. There was a whooping sound behind them and they turned to see the others coming out into the sunshine with their morning coffees. They were all in good spirits and they placed themselves on the other patio furniture pieces and began talking about their plans for the day. There was talk of moving the movie screen over to the warehouse roof that day and several guys volunteered to do it. They turned to Bucky and asked what the movie would be that night? He asked for suggestions, whether they wanted romance, film noir, World War II, horror, action... To a person they said he should decide since he had the movie collection. Sitting back he smiled and said it would be New York night. "On the Town" with Gene Kelly, "An Affair to Remember" with Cary Grant or "The French Connection" with Gene Hackman were their choices. Musical comedy, romance, or police drama. Then without waiting for an answer he took Natalie by the hand and left them there to vote on it. His plan for the day was to make breakfast for his wife, go back to his 3rd floor apartment and pack his things then take her out for dinner. He had a lot of date nights to make up.

Epilogue

Three and a half years later

There was a sizeable crowd on top of the warehouse. The movie screen, which had been replaced once after the original blew off when a vicious storm pounded New York the year before, was showing movie titles, interspersed with critical comments on them. The decorations, made up of old film reels, and tape resembling movie film was strung throughout the trees and shrubbery as well as the wall screens that were erected two years before so that the occupants of the warehouse lofts didn't bother people in the surrounding buildings with the sights of movies playing most nights. Someone had found a couple of tall Oscar replicas made of styrofoam and painted gold. There were two popcorn carts, both full of freshly popped popcorn. There were hot dogs for the kids, but also more grown up fare as it was a celebration after all.

The elder James Barnes and his wife Winnie came through the door to the roof first, holding Timothy Steven Barnes, their dark haired grandson, a three year old bundle of joy for them and his parents. They were followed by Bucky's younger sister Rebecca and her husband Thor, a match that no one saw coming. Steve and Peggy Rogers were next, with their kids Jimmy, Sarah, and the youngest, Natalie, still a toddler. Natalie Barnes' parents followed them, Ted and Rita Thompkins with Tim's twin sister, Amber Rebecca Barnes, her blonde hair in tight curls that everyone loved. Finally, Bucky and Natalie entered to the calls of "Congratulations!" Bucky carried his degree in Cinema Studies in his hand and waved it around in the air. Natalie, six months pregnant was ushered to a seat by Thor who asked her what she wanted to drink. He disappeared and returned quickly with her sparkling water. The kids, seeing the play set was still up ran to it and began playing happily on the set under the watchful eye of Peter and his wife Stacey, who were expecting their own child but hadn't told anyone yet. The sound of a champagne cork popping prompted everyone to grab a glass of champagne or sparkling water and Nick Fury stood next to Bucky and faced the large group.

"Almost five years ago myself, a disgruntled retired Army colonel, and Clint Barton, a jaded CIA agent, met in a bar with my lawyer, Phil Coulson, and talked about the perfect secret organization to have," he began. "We talked about the type of people we would recruit into our organization. We didn't want people who wanted power, or revenge, or were full of hate at their fellow man. We wanted people who were interested in justice, finding the truth, correcting the wrongs, and helping people restore their lives again. Our first case was a long, tricky one, to find out the truth about a general who set up a good sergeant as a killer, then formed a drug operation that brought heroin into our country and further, all while profiting from it and living the high life. At the start there were just four of us; me, Barton, Phil, and a former mercenary who didn't like where his career path was leading him, Thor. Barton started recruiting but ran into roadblocks even though he tried to convince Bucky and Joaquin that he was on the level. The trust wasn't there yet. He found a doctor in Bruce and his wife Natasha became our office manager. Bucky recruited our next two people, Peter and Tony, even though he didn't realize it at the time. But they and Joaquin signed on soon after. It took Bucky a bit longer to say yes and he brought Natalie, who has been a great help to the research side of our organization. Maria joined when she articled with Phil and found out he wasn't a typical get rich quick lawyer but a highly principled one with a razor sharp mind. Damien joined on when he began questioning his own decisions and decided he wanted to be of help instead of being a killer. We aren't killers. That is the basic tenet of our organization, we don't kill, unless it's totally unavoidable. We'll hurt the criminals, scare them, take their money, and destroy their criminal organizations in the process. But we let the law arrest them, prosecute them and imprison them. We are the no ones. No one is above the law, no one gets away with murder, and no one is more important than the common good."

He raised his glass and everyone took a sip of champagne. Then he turned to Bucky briefly before facing everyone again.

"We also celebrate the achievements of our team," he said. "Peter and Stacey getting married and soon to make an announcement. You know I find out these things. Damien and Maria getting engaged, finally. Thor and Rebecca getting married and Rebecca joining the team." There was a cheer from everyone and she blushed. "Finally, today, Bucky officially got his college degree, at the age of 42 years and some months. Which makes this next part a little sad and bittersweet. Bucky."

He stepped forward and looked at everyone with affection. "I was broken for a long time," he said. "My integrity had been destroyed by a false accusation and conviction that hung around my neck like a noose. It devastated me and I lost ten years of my life to it. Then I met this woman, my wife Natalie, and found someone worth living for who inspires me every day. I guess I did so well in my college studies that it caught the eye of some high profile people who sought me out to my great surprise, because they were interested in my life experiences. I've been offered the job of assistant programming director with the Sundance Institute. I'm going to be associated with the New York office, organizing film events, courses, workshops and the like. Every year I'll be in Utah for a few weeks with the film festival. It's going to mean I won't have time to be a no one anymore. My own personal integrity prevents me from taking advantage of the largesse of Nick and Clint to remain living here so Natalie has agreed to retire from being a no one to become a full time mom and we will be moving. We've bought a house in Greenwich, Connecticut and will be living there while I commute to the city. I want to thank you all for helping to clear my name. It's a debt that I will owe you all forever. Please come visit us once in a while. Don't be strangers."

Bucky's eyes were full of tears but he kept it together as everyone came around to hug or kiss him and Natalie. Even his parents were taken aback by his announcement as he and Natalie hadn't told anyone. For Natalie it was confirmation that Bucky was more than a former soldier with only a high school education. For Bucky it was the fulfillment of his dream to be involved in the business of film. He would be working with people who didn't find it cute that he loved movies but wanted his knowledge and expertise on the art of films. His final interview with the hiring committee had included the founder of the Sundance Institute, the actor Robert Redford, who had asked a pointed question about how Bucky's life experiences as an Afghan vet, disgraced soldier, PTSD sufferer, private investigator then vindicated survivor would influence his work if he joined the Institute. His answer must have impressed them all because they offered him the job at the end of the interview.

"I've been in the middle of a firefight in the desert with an enemy I couldn't see and yet I could still look up at the stars and see the beauty of the night sky in that desert," he told them. "When I was falsely imprisoned after my wrongful conviction they showed us black and white films from the 1940s and the 1950s, thinking that as young men we would be bored without our cell phones, video games, and high action blockbuster movies. Nothing was further from the truth. I learned more about well written characters and screenplays, lighting, directing, just about everything of what makes a good movie and a bad one from that year of watching movies. I loved it. It wasn't punishment. It was enlightenment. For the nine years I worked as a private investigator I was only ever allowed to have a probationary licence. It was hard. I struggled to put food on the table. But I refused to turn my back on who I knew I was ... an honest man trying to make an honest living. I didn't know if I would ever be vindicated but when I met my wife, who I was hired to protect from the man who set me up and who killed her sister, I knew there was something worth fighting for. The truth, always the truth. Now I live my life with no regrets, no looking back on the lost years of my life, and no hate towards the ones that framed me. I look forward and upwards, and I see the night sky in all of its beauty again."

They offered him the job on the spot and he accepted, having already told Natalie that he really wanted it. She encouraged him and told him whatever he needed to do to just do it. Now, here out on the rooftop of the warehouse, he sat next to her as the party went on, watching their twins play on the play set, and seeing his sister kiss the man of her dreams. They met when he recruited Thor to help Rebecca move to New York for a teaching position at a school for gifted athletes. Natalie told him later about the comment Thor had made to Rumlow about liking tall, athletic women. Thor's eyes literally lit up when he met Rebecca and the sparks flew between them from the beginning. Bucky was glad for them, knowing that Thor had a strong core of decency and integrity. Then he watched his dad reading the certificate granting James Buchanan Barnes, Jr. the degree of a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Cinema Studies, with Distinction and looking up at him, nodding his head proudly. His eyes caught Barton's who raised his glass to him and smiled. The man he didn't trust became the man who helped turn his life around. Bucky raised his in return, then turned to Natalie beside him. Pregnant with their third child she looked radiant and he leaned in close to kiss her on the neck. Surprised by his action she turned to him and when she saw his soft smile she returned it. The long nights of winter when they were in hiding were well behind them. Ahead were the happy days of a loving family, good friends, and a dream job. Ahead was the future and he was looking forward to it.

The End