Chapter 10. Hiding in Plain Sight

Content warning: Some sexual content which may not be suitable for readers under the age of 18. Character experiences PTSD event.

In reality, witness protection does not involve actually living with the officers on the protection detail. It does for the purposes of this story.

They spent much of the night at the Federal Marshals office. After they were debriefed and Gaba reunited with his wife and children, they wanted to split Bucky and Natalie up. She refused, saying she felt safer with him than anyone else. To be honest he didn't want to be separated from her either. When the one Marshal asked if they were a couple they looked at each other. Bucky turned back to him and said yes. Natalie squeezed his hand hard as he smiled back at her, feeling positive for the first time in a long time. Pictures were taken of them although they weren't told why. An hour later they were in the back of an unmarked vehicle and headed for the airport with two Marshals. A private jet awaited them and they were soon airborne with the two men.

"Where are we going?" asked Bucky.

"Can't tell you," said the one. "You'll know when we get there."

"Our families, will they know we're in protective custody?" asked Natalie.

"You can each write a letter, right now," said the other Marshal. "Say goodbye, tell them that you're in protective custody but you don't know where. You will be given new identities until such time as a trial takes place for the crimes committed against you and you testify in those trials. Seal them, address them and we will make sure they get to your families. We also want your wallets, purses, rings, anything that would identify you. They will be kept in secure storage until you come out of protection."

They both wrote their letters, signed and sealed them. They handed over their personal items and watched as they were put into rubberized zippered pouches like the banks used for deposits. The bags were tagged and sealed with a metal lock. For the whole flight Bucky and Natalie sat holding hands, occasionally kissing lightly while the marshals did paper work, occasionally getting up to walk around. Several hours later the pilot announced they were approaching the destination. Everyone was ordered back into their seats and to put their seatbelts on. It was mid-morning when they landed at a small airport near the ocean with mountains all around so they were somewhere on the west coast. The Marshals got off first and were gone for ten minutes before word was given to the pilots that the couple could leave the aircraft. When they got off two people were waiting, escorting them inside the small terminal and into an office where a customs official waited.

"Good afternoon, Mr. and Mrs. Ben and Hannah Freeman," said the man with a patch on his black uniform that said CBSA. "I hope you had a good time on your honeymoon in the United States. Passports please."

The first strange man took their passports out of his jacket and handed them to Bucky. He glanced at them before handing them to the customs agent, noting they were Canadian passports. They were asked if they had brought any cigarettes or alcohol with them. Bucky said no. The agent went over the customs form.

"You forgot to sign the form," said the agent. "Please sign here, Mr. Freeman."

Bucky signed it Ben Freeman and the agent stamped it, made his mark and looked up smiling. "Welcome home, your luggage is waiting just outside the office."

He left his position and exited the room leaving Bucky and Natalie with the two Federal Marshals and the other two individuals. The one who gave Bucky the passports extended a hand.

"I am Superintendent Brendan Matthews, this is Sergeant John Tierney, both with the RCMP. He is the lead on your protection unit. It is a plainclothes assignment. This is Tofino airport on the west coast of Vancouver Island in British Columbia and we are placing you here to work in the tourism industry as Ben and Hannah Freeman, Canadian citizens. Considering that you are witnesses to both a murder and a heroin distribution ring involving former military and current law enforcement it was felt that a placement outside of the United States would be best for you. I am going to sign the forms to formally receive you from the Federal Marshals who escorted you here. Sergeant Tierney will go through your new identities with you. I would suggest you learn the details and memorize them as soon as possible. There are people from across Canada and the world working here so you should fit right in. It's a beautiful place. Rainy season right now but I'm sure you'll get used to it. Welcome to Canada."

Superintendent Matthews took the two Marshals over to the desk where they had just checked in and signed the documents they pulled out of their inner jacket pockets. Sergeant Tierney looked at them and pulled a small box out of his pocket.

"We were given estimates of your sizes so we have purchased clothing for you," he said. "I have your wedding bands here. There are several sizes, try them on to get the right size."

They looked at the bands and Bucky picked out one that he thought would fit Natalie's ring finger. Taking her left hand in his he slid it on while looking into her eyes. She smiled and looked at the men's rings, picking one out for him. It didn't quite fit but the next one did as she put it on his ring finger.

"We don't provide engagement rings but once you accumulate some money you are more than welcome to purchase one," said Tierney. "Once the Superintendent has finished the paperwork I will take you to your residence, shared with myself and the team. It's common for working people to share houses here as housing is limited. You are not to discuss your previous life with us. The less we know about you the better. We do know who we are protecting you from and if any of those people appear in this community you will be evacuated."

Tierney received the signal that all the paperwork had been signed and he led them out to where another plainclothes officer was guarding their luggage. He was introduced as Paul Decore and escorted them out to a mini van. They sat in the back while the two officers sat in the front. They drove past a long beach that was right beside the highway. Tierney told them the name of it was actually Long Beach and the big rocky island out in the water was Incinerator Rock. They drove for some time until they stopped at an intersection. Driving straight through they soon came to a small seaside town called Ucluelet where they pulled up in front of a plain two story house. When they stepped out they could smell the ocean and hear the muted roar of it nearby. Decore pulled their luggage out while Tierney opened the door to the house. A woman and another man were in the kitchen preparing food. She came forward introducing herself as Erin Berenger, and the man, who was in the middle of making pizza, her husband Marty. Both were undercover constables.

"Come on, I'll show you your room and you can unpack," said Tierney. "We were told you were a couple so you will get the second master bedroom. It has its own bathroom so you'll have privacy. We're going to show you around here and Tofino, which is at the other end of the peninsula. The region gets over a million visitors a year even though it doesn't seem to be busy right now. It's also popular for surfing on Long Beach and further north at Cox Bay Beach. There is a hot springs that is a popular tourist destination and we'll take a trip out there, plus a whale watching trip. Ben, do you fish?"

Bucky didn't answer at first and Tierney repeated the question then stopped. "You need to start using the new names immediately," he said. "I know it's new and difficult but we only have a few days to acclimate you to your new identities and the community before we get you working. You need to get used to them quickly."

Bucky nodded. "Sorry, you're right," he said. "I have fished but not from a boat, which is what I assume takes place here."

Tierney smiled. "Well, you'll enjoy the fishing out here," he said. "It's pretty amazing. Hannah, they have all sorts of art galleries, clothing and jewelry shops here and in Tofino. You will join Erin working at a clothing store."

"What will I be doing?" asked Bucky.

"Working in the local general store stocking shelves, helping customers, etc." said Tierney. "You'll be paired with Paul. It's not rocket science but it pays the bills. Here's your room. When you get intimate just play your phone playlist loud so we don't interrupt, unless it's in the middle of the night. Keep the sex quiet then. I will give you your phones during your orientation after dinner."

He opened the door to an ordinary bedroom with a queen sized bed, a couple of night tables, dresser, closet, and an armchair. The bathroom had a double vanity, large soaker tub with a shower, and toilet. Tierney showed them the control for the in-floor heating in the bathroom, saying it was a nice touch to have. Then he left them and closed the door. They looked at each other without saying anything for a moment then Bucky stepped towards Natalie and took her hands in his, lifting them to his lips. Letting her hands go he placed his arms around her and kissed her softly and intimately then stopped and placed his forehead against hers.

"Natalie," he whispered. "This isn't where I imagined our first time together would take place but it's safe and we won't be looking over our shoulders. That is, if you still want me."

"I want you Bucky," she whispered back. "Here is just perfect because I'm with you. There's nowhere else I want to be."

They kissed again, then held each other. Bucky put her suitcase on one side of the bed while he put his on the other. They opened them to see what had been bought for them. Bucky took his shirt off to try on the shirts asking Natalie what looked good and what didn't. Surprisingly most of it fit and the ones that didn't would be good for hanging around the house. With a shrug he took his jeans off and tried on the purchased jeans, dress pants and casual pants they had for him. Again most of it fit, although the lounge pants were a little large. There were socks but only a couple of pairs of underwear. Natalie tried her bottoms on finding leggings, lounge pants, blue jeans and several pairs of dress pants. The length was an issue as she was tall and several were too short. She put those aside to see if they could be returned or exchanged. Then following Bucky's lead she took her top off and tried on all the tops, again finding some that were too short for her. Like Bucky's selection there were socks, a couple of pairs of panties but no bras. They put what they could away, placed the suitcases at the bottom of the closet and went downstairs. Lunch was served; the homemade pizza that was being prepared earlier. Before they could say anything about the clothing Tierney said to come with him to get the last of their clothing and to bring any that were too small or too large.

"We were given estimates of what you needed but there was no way we were going to get more underwear without you here," he said as he drove them to the main clothing store. "I'll get refunds for the pieces that don't fit. Pick out what you need. Ben, you'll need black shoes, pants and socks, and a white shirt for work. Hannah your store is more casual. You can wear pretty much anything. They do like the employees to wear what they sell so Erin will help you with that when you start working there. You'll both need a raincoat and some sweaters because it can get chilly here during the rainy season. We'll stop for some toiletries as well."

It took a few hours but they finally got everything they needed and Tierney drove them back to the house where dinner was just about ready. They gathered around the dining table with the others and were offered beer, wine, soft drinks or water to drink. When the conversation turned to the movies Natalie mentioned that Bucky loved old classic movies of the 40s and 50s. Marty Berenger threw out a couple of titles and Bucky told him the year they came out, the stars, director, screenplay writers and the plot. Erin, Marty's wife, looked at Bucky with a smile.

"You two are going to binge watch movies so much, I can tell," she said. "Marty works at the theatre and at the video rental store. He's always bringing movies home."

After dinner was done and everything cleaned up Tierney called a meeting in the living room to begin their new identities orientation. Because Bucky still had a strong New York accent they had kept his place of birth in New York but had him immigrating to Canada in 2013 after meeting and falling in love with Natalie in 2010 while she visited New York. Her accent could pass for southern Ontario. She had been there on holidays several times during her childhood and teen years so they encouraged her to refresh her memory of the highlights by checking out tourism websites. Toronto was big enough that she could probably get away with saying she grew up there. They were never to volunteer where they had lived on the chance that the tourist they were helping lived there. As a couple they had a long distance relationship for three years until marrying in 2013 after Ben was accepted as a landed immigrant. No children but not for lack of trying. Looking for a change of pace they decided to move to Ucluelet having been there once before and falling in love with the scenery. They kept Natalie's previous occupation as librarian while Bucky was a dockhand until an injury forced him to work in a supermarket. Bucky surprisingly had worked as a dockhand during summers in high school so knew enough to satisfy any inquiries. The protection team went over their identities several times, throwing questions at them until they were satisfied the couple had a good grasp of their new personas. Then Tierney issued them their cell phones, warning them to not contact friends or family under any circumstances as even the most innocent of comments to the wrong person could put their lives in jeopardy. They were advised to not even use their old email addresses, social media accounts (and not to create new ones either) or anything that could identify them to someone who would be looking for them. After several hours they finally called it quits and everyone prepared to go to bed. Bucky did have a question.

"If we're out and we do see someone who is from our past what do we do?" he asked.

Tierney took a breath. "If it is a friendly or family you text me and keep a visual on them until I get to you," he said. "We'll distract the friendly so you can slip away unseen. If it's a hostile you text 333, who it is, and your location to me. Then you hide in a bathroom, dressing room, wherever you can. Once you are in a safe location you text me that and I will contact the local RCMP detachment for backup. Under no circumstances, in either instance are you to make contact or confront them."

Bucky and Natalie nodded and they both went up to the bedroom. They locked the door and stood there looking at each other for a moment. Natalie went to the bathroom to brush her teeth where Bucky joined her. Then they both sat on the bed. She began to undress with her back turned to Bucky until she had taken everything off then she turned out her light and got into the bed. Bucky did the same and for a moment they laid side by side without talking or doing anything. Bucky turned onto his side and she did the same then they both laughed self-consciously at the same time. He reached out his hand and stroked her hair before moving closer.

"I'm actually nervous," she whispered.

"Me too," he replied. "I didn't ask but are you on birth control?"

"No," she said. "Did you buy condoms?"

"Oh yeah," he said, with a smile she could see in the dark. "A big box."

Natalie moved closer until she was in his arms like she used to be when they cuddled as they slept. Both of them kept their arms above the chest then Bucky hesitantly put his hand on her breast and kissed her tenderly as he massaged it. The only sound was the change in their breathing as they began touching each other and exploring each other's bodies while they kissed deeper and deeper. Gently Bucky pushed Natalie down on her back and began stroking her abdomen moving closer to the apex at the top of her thighs. Delicately he entered her folds with his fingers and began to draw her wetness out. She made soft whimpering sounds and pressed into him as his touch pleased her.

"You're warm," he commented. "So wet that I want to bury my face into you. May I?"

"Please," she whispered. "It's been a long time since anyone did that to me."

"I thought so," he said as he kissed her under her ear. "I love you."

He kissed her passionately, gently probing her mouth with his tongue before he shifted to between her legs as he pushed the bed clothes out of the way. Softly he kissed her lower abdomen before kissing where his fingers had just been. She breathed deeply suddenly and clasped her lips together, trying not to cry out. Her legs reacted as she felt his attentions on her. His hands smoothed themselves over her legs, relaxing her muscles as he gently licked and probed with his tongue. Again she stifled a groan and raised her hips into his face. He sat up so he was kneeling between her legs.

"Are you okay?" he asked. "You're very sensitive down there, so maybe I should enter you instead. I'll make you come with oral another time when you're more used to it."

He could see her head nodding in the dark then hearing a soft voice saying okay. Smiling he reached for the condom package, taking one out of the wrapper and putting it on. Then, laying on top of her he entered, slowly and gently. Supporting himself on his elbows he pushed in deeply and she moaned softly again.

"You feel so good," he said. "Are you okay?"

"Hmm mm," she hummed then she wiped her eyes with her hand and he realized she was crying.

"What's wrong," he said as he stopped. "Why the tears?"

She shook her head then looked at him. "It feels good to have you inside of me," she stammered. "I just feel a little overwhelmed right now."

"Okay, I can slow down," he said, wiping the tears from her face and kissing where the tears had been. As he caressed her from her shoulder down her side to her hips and thighs touching her lovingly she tensed instead of relaxing. The thought occurred to him that she might be experiencing PTSD.

"Do you want me to stop?" he asked gently. "I don't mind, really I don't. I can tell that you're really emotional right now and I want us to enjoy being together. I don't want to upset you."

"Would you?" she asked hesitantly. "I'm sorry. I thought I was ready."

"Baby, that's okay," he whispered, softly kissing her as he pulled out. "I understand. We can go back to just cuddling. I'm good with that and when you're ready we can try again. We have all the time in the world to please each other."

She got out of the bed immediately and ran into the bathroom. Quickly he pulled the condom off and put his underwear, T-shirt and sweatpants on. Then he went to the bathroom and knocked before entering. She was standing over the sink crying silently. He dropped the condom in the trash can and turned her around, encircling her in his arms and murmuring softly to her as he kissed her head gently. The door was closed and he turned on the shower to drown out her crying then told her to let it go and her silent cries erupted into a sad wail as he held her. He stroked her hair and back, and when she was finally cried out he held a facecloth under the warm water of the shower then turned it off, wrung the facecloth out over the tub and cleaned her face. Calmly he led her out to the bed and helped her put her nightgown on before tucking her into bed. Turning out the bathroom light he got into his side of the bed and placed his arm under her head so she could curl into him like she used to. Every so often she would breathe in and stifle a sob. He just held her tighter and whispered that she would be okay. As she fell asleep he envisioned the day he would beat Brock Rumlow to a bloody pulp for all the pain he had caused women, starting with the daughter of Ebrahim Gaba, continuing with Amber, and ending with Natalie.

The next morning Bucky woke up alone in the bed. Natalie's nightgown was on the hook of the bathroom door and he realized she probably got dressed in there so as not to disturb him. He washed up and went downstairs finding her in the kitchen. She kissed him good morning and went back to help Decore with the cooking. She didn't look rested and he could tell she slept poorly during the night. He could hear the sound of wood being chopped and went outside to where Tierney was chopping logs, motioning him to stop.

"Are you able to provide a counsellor for Nat...Hannah?" he asked. "She experienced an episode of PTSD in bed last night. I comforted her but I think she needs to talk to someone soon."

"Is it related to her case?" he asked, picking up some of the wood he had chopped and stacking it.

"Yes, something she witnessed," answered Bucky. "It never came up until we finally became intimate last night."

"Wait, I thought you said you were a couple?" said Tierney, puzzled.

"We are but we hadn't been intimate yet, just kissing and sleeping together without sex," replied Bucky. "It became pretty obvious as we got into it that she was experiencing PTSD. She didn't sleep well after either."

"I know that I said we wouldn't discuss what happened before you came here but was she a victim of sexual assault?" he asked.

"No, she witnessed the man who killed her sister have sex with her and asphyxiate her during the act," replied Bucky, looking away. "There was no evidence of PTSD in the time since it happened until last night. He did some other things to Hannah after that must have stayed with her until they reappeared last night."

Tierney took an angry breath and thought for a moment. "We have a crisis counsellor on retainer for the detachment," he said carefully. "I'll get one of the others to drive you around for your tour while I set something up. She'll be okay with me setting up a counsellor?"

Bucky shrugged. "I don't know," he admitted. "I'm going to keep my eye on her. I have some experience with PTSD myself so I kind of know what to say and not to say. I just feel out of my depth here because of my emotional attachment to her."

Tierney reached out and patted Bucky on his shoulder. Before he went back to the house Bucky said he would be happy to cut wood next time. He went back inside and helped set the table for breakfast. As Natalie and Decore put the food out the others wandered in with Tierney coming in with an armload of wood for the living room fireplace. He took his jacket off and washed his hands in the main floor powder room. They all sat down to eat and he announced he was being called into the detachment for a meeting. Could Marty Berenger drive Ben and Hannah around and show them both towns? Marty agreed and the decision was made to go about half an hour after breakfast.

"We can talk movies," said Marty, smiling. "Without my wife cringing about my love of them."

"As long as it's 40s and 50s movies," replied Bucky. "There's only a few newer ones I like, like Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, and the even numbered Star Treks."

The two men started a friendly argument about the different movie franchises that were worthy. There was good natured laughter as they poked fun at each other's preferences. Natalie sat silently then suddenly ran from the table up to the room. Bucky looked at Tierney, who nodded, in a resigned way. Bucky excused himself and followed her. She was on the bed, curled up and facing towards the door. When he laid on the bed next to her she changed direction and faced the other way. Bucky said nothing but put his hand on her arm and gently pulled her backwards into him.

"You know you can tell me anything," he said softly. "Even if it's Bucky you're a fucking asshole."

She made a sighing sound and she rolled back towards him. "Why aren't you angry at me?" she asked.

"Why would I be angry at you?" he asked. "You haven't done anything to make me angry."

"Because I told you to stop last night," she said looking down and not at him. "I kept seeing him and her..."

"I thought as much," he said, interrupting her. "Honey, that was PTSD. That's what it does, takes over your thoughts and emotions at the worst time possible. I couldn't be angry at you for that."

"I felt so overwhelmed last night even though what we were doing felt so good," she admitted. "I felt guilty for feeling good when what he did to Amber killed her. Then I was angry at you for being so understanding, and so kind to me. It made me feel more guilty. Then I was pissed for feeling guilty."

"It's a vicious circle," said Bucky. "I know because I've had it too. I talked to Tierney and he's going to try to get a counsellor for you. You need to talk to somebody objective that you can unload to in a guilt free environment. There's a lot bottled up inside of you and a professional will know how to pop that cork without you exploding."

Natalie drew in a shaky breath and nodded. "Do you still want to share the bed with me?" she asked plaintively.

"Of course, I love you," he replied. "You're my girl, officially my wife in this country. Whatever it takes, we'll figure this out, okay?"

He pulled her in close and kissed her head then kissed her on the lips. They lay there for some time, just being quiet until they heard a soft knock on the door.

"Hey guys, Marty here," said a voice. "I'm ready to go whenever you are. Come and see some beautiful country."

Bucky got out of the bed and held his hand to Natalie. She got up and they grabbed their jackets, opening the door to join Marty on their tour of the area.