Thank you to Harliquinn for beta reading and editing
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That week Jennifer went to the police station and tried to help Tucker. She found out exactly what the charges were. He was being charged with the distribution of methamphetamine and marijuana. Some of the marijuana he had been accused of selling had been laced with fentanyl, causing several people to end up overdosing and in the hospital. Tucker maintained that he was innocent and had not done what he had been accused of doing. Whoever gave his name must have had some vendetta against him. The tip had been given anonymously, and the police hadn't been able to figure out who it was. Tucker had listened to it, and the voice did sound familiar, but he couldn't put his finger on whose voice it was.
There was a preliminary hearing a few days after he was arrested to decide if there was enough evidence to proceed with the charges and whether he would be tried in juvenile court or if would be charged as an adult and tried as a juvenile offender in the state Supreme Court.
The prosecution wanted to change him as an adult. Jennifer tried to fight that but didn't have any luck. Although she believed Tucker, there was ample evidence that he was responsible. There was the anonymous recording that had accused him, and he had been found with some of the marijuana that he was being accused of selling. He admitted to buying it from a member of the gang he had hung out with in the past and was planning on using it. It was lucky he hadn't, because he could have been in the hospital if he had. And it also didn't help that one of the young people who ended up in the hospital was the daughter of a police officer. This was bad, and if Tucker was found guilty, he would not be getting off easy. He was facing a possible ten years behind bars.
The Judge did decide given the evidence that it would be going to trial, and, because of Tucker's record and the seriousness of the crimes, he would be tried as an adult. Tucker was going to be in custody pending trial. Jennifer was able to request a speedy trial. The date was set for three months away, which would give enough time for both sides to collect the evidence they needed for the case as well as time for a jury to be selected.
Because Skye had been named in the anonymous tip and had been investigated for alleged drug activity, she was called as a witness by the prosecution. Steve reluctantly agreed.
On the day of the case, Skye came out into the kitchen.
"Hi, Skye. How are you?" Pepper asked.
Skye shrugged, "tired." She had barely slept in the past month. She was terrified for her best friend. He was facing ten years behind bars. She knew he had trauma from the short time he had already spent in juvenile detention.
Pepper put a plate of food in front of her.
"Thanks," she said, but she only poked at it.
Steve came into the room. "Skye, you've got to eat something. It's going to be a long day, and you know it will be longer if you don't eat something."
Skye nodded and forced herself to eat a little. After she ate, she went to her room and put on a dress that had been picked out for today. She also tied her hair up in a simple ponytail. She put on a little concealer to cover up the dark circles under her eyes. When she was ready, she went out where her dad and Bucky were already ready.
Skye smiled a little at Bucky. "Thank you for coming with us."
Bucky nodded. "Of course."
The three left and headed to the courthouse. Skye had already been prepped the few days before. so she knew what to expect. But she was terrified of what the Prosecution's side would ask her. Skye also had been told the name of the judge presiding over the case, and she recognized it. She had been in front of him more than once in juvenile court. He had changed which court he was presiding over. From her experience with him, he was more reasonable than other judges.
When they got there Skye sat outside the courtroom. Steve and Bucky each sat on either side of her and waited. She was waiting outside the courtroom until it was her time to be on the witness stand.
Tucker was brought in. He had a black eye and a giant scratch on his face and looked completely broken.
"Your Honor, my sixteen-year-old client was supposed to be in protective custody. I'd like to know how he ended up hurt," Jennifer said, clearly annoyed.
Judge King looked at the police on the other side of the courtroom. "I'd like to know that as well."
"He fell," one of the officers said.
The judge shook his head. "There will be an investigation into that."
"Are you seriously hurt?" Jennifer asked Tucker quietly.
Tucker shook his head. "It's just bruises."
The court case started, and about an hour later Skye was called to the stand.
Skye made eye contact with Tucker. She saw the bruises on his face and could tell he was not okay. She hated seeing him like that, but she had to keep herself calm. She could not tear up now. She was sworn in and sat down in the witness box.
Steve and Bucky took their seats a couple of rows behind Tucker and Jennifer.
"How are you today, Skyler," Jennifer asked getting up.
"Anxious," Skye admitted.
Jennifer nodded. "You know what Tucker is being accused of doing?"
"Yes, possession and distribution of marijuana laced with Fentanyl, leading several teenagers to end up in the hospital, and possession and distribution of Methamphetamine," Skye said.
"And you are aware that you were also accused of these same crimes?" Jennifer asked.
"Yes," Skye said.
"And were you involved in any way?" Jennifer asked.
"No," Skye said.
"Have you ever sold any drugs?" Jennifer asked.
"No," Skye said.
"Do you have any knowledge of Tucker selling drugs?" Jennifer asked.
"No," Skye said.
"You are aware that there is a recording of the police call accusing both yourself and Tucker of these crimes?" Jennifer asked.
"Yes," Skye said.
"We are going to play it now, just let me know if you recognize the voice," Jennifer said before nodding to the person who pressed play.
Skye listened to the record she had already heard it and she knew who the voice was. And she looked at Tucker questioningly. She knew he had said he didn't recognize the voice. If that was true, she was surprised that she recognized it and he didn't.
Tucker had been watching Skye. He could tell she was nervous and was fidgeting with her hands in her lap. When the recording was played, he saw her eyes go wide and look at him almost questioningly. She knew who it was and was questioning if he knew. He did recognize it but wasn't sure why. But he was wondering if she thought he should know.
After the recording played Jennifer looked at Skye. "Do you know whose voice that is?"
"Yes," Skye said.
"Who is it?" Jennifer asked.
Skye took a breath. "Carly Nelson, she is Tucker's cousin."
Jennifer nodded, "How sure are you?"
Tucker thought about it as his heart sank. Skye was right. It was Carly. His own cousin had set him up for this.
"100% percent. It's hard to forget the voice of someone who has been harassing you for over a year," Skye said.
"Why would she set her cousin up?" Jennifer asked.
"I know that Tucker has had issues with his family for a while. I couldn't tell you the exact reason why she would do this," Skye said.
"You were accused too, and you say she has been harassing you for over a year. Can you explain why?" Jennifer asked.
"She and I go to the same school. She doesn't like me. She's made known that she thinks I am the reason that Tucker went to juvenile detention before," Skye said. "There has been more than one time when she has gone out of her way to make my life difficult, leading to her physically attacking me at school and being suspended," Skye said.
"Why would she think that you had anything to do with Tucker ending up in jail before?" Jennifer asked.
"Because the last time I was in legal trouble, I was the only one caught. I was given leniency if I gave up the names of the other people who were involved," Skye said. "And I gave the police a list of names."
"Including Tucker's?" Jennifer asked.
Skye took a breath. "No. I left his name out."
Jennifer nodded. "Okay. Thank you. I have no more questions," she walked back to the table.
The prosecution's lawyer stood up and took a couple of steps towards Skye.
"Miss Rogers, the last time you were picked up by the police you were high, correct?" He asked.
"Yes," Skye said.
"So, you have used drugs before," he said.
"Marijuana, yes," Skye said.
"Never anything else?" Skye was asked.
"No," Skye said.
"Have you used any marijuana since you were caught by the police?" the prosecutor asked.
Skye took a breath. "Yes."
"When was the last time?" Skye was asked.
Skye swallowed and gave the date.
The prosecution went back to the table and looked at the documents of the search warrant.
"So, the day before the search warrant was served?" the prosecutor asked.
"Yes," Skye said softly.
"And you had none hidden anywhere else in your home?"
"No," Skye said.
"So, you smoked everything you had before the police showed up?" Skye was asked.
"It wasn't my marijuana," Skye said.
"Whose was it?"
"Another teenager's," Skye said.
"Someone from the group you are known to have hung out with?" the lawyer asked.
"No," Skye said. "I have not had any interactions with them, except Tucker, since the last night I was picked up by the police."
"The last time you were picked up you were supposed to give the names of all those involved that night. You said you left Mr. Nelson's name off. Why?" the prosecutor asked.
"Objection, Your Honor, that is not pertinent to this case," Jennifer said. She knew why Skye had left his name off. She knew it was because he had done the same for her in the past. If Skye admitted that, she could be in a lot of trouble. Jennifer knew Skye could plead her Fifth Amendment rights, but she wasn't sure if Skye knew that.
"Well, if she had a reason to lie for him before, she could have the same reason now," the opposing counsel said.
"When she lied before she wasn't in a courtroom on the stand," Jennifer said.
"She is a teenager. They lie all the time," the prosecutor said.
"She has admitted to drug use the day before the search warrant. If she was going to lie, why would she admit that?" Jennifer asked.
"Sustained, next question," the judge said.
The lawyer looked back at Skye. "You were told that Mr. Nelson was the one to give your name. You didn't believe it, why?"
"Because I wasn't involved. He wouldn't lie and say I was," Skye said.
"Why not?" The lawyer asked.
"Because he is my friend. He wouldn't accuse me of something I didn't do," Skye said.
"Or is it because you were both involved and promised, no matter what, you wouldn't tell on each other?" the lawyer asked.
"Objection, your honor. It doesn't matter what way he phrases it, she will not admit to something she didn't do," Jennifer said.
"Sustained," Judge King said.
"No further questions," the lawyer said before sitting down.
Skye was excused from the bench, and she went and sat down in the row behind Tucker and Jennifer.
Steve squeezed her shoulder from behind. "You did good," he whispered.
Tucker was the next one up on the stand.
Jennifer got up.
"When you were arrested you had marijuana on you, correct?" Jennifer asked.
"Yes," Tucker said.
"Where did you get it?" Jennifer asked.
"I bought it off someone," Tucker said.
"Were you aware it was laced with fentanyl?" Jennifer asked.
"No," Tucker said.
"Did you sell or give any to anyone else?" Jennifer asked.
"No," Tucker said.
"You had heard the recording before today and couldn't identify the voice?" Jennifer asked.
"Yes," Tucker said.
"Was that true, or were you trying to protect a family member?" Jennifer asked.
"I recognized the voice, but I couldn't put my finger on who it was," Tucker said.
"Do you think Miss Rogers was correct when she identified the speaker as Carly Nelson?" Jennifer asked.
"Yes," Tucker said.
"Why would your cousin want to set you up?" Jennifer asked.
"She is angry with me. My relationship with my uncle and his wife has been strained for a long time because I do not make them look very good. Because of that, and because of the way my cousin has treated Skye since the day they met, I told Carly she needed to knock it off. And because she didn't and my relationship with her parents, I have gone no contact with them. Carly has not taken it well. She has called and texted me incessantly. She has sent me emails saying that I would be sorry I took Skye's side, and when I need her and her parents to remember that I had turned my back on them," Tucker said.
"Is this the first time she has done anything to try and get revenge on you?" Jennifer asked.
"There was a situation where my former employer had received an email from an anonymous source saying that I was regularly using drugs. My probation officer was informed. I was drug tested, and I was clean," Tucker said.
"Had you used any time around then?" Jennifer asked.
"No," Tucker said.
"No more questions," Jennifer said before going and sitting back down.
The prosecution's lawyer stood up.
"If you had issues with your family, why didn't you make that known before today?" The lawyer asked.
"Because it never crossed my mind that they would take it this far. I know I have made enemies with people I used to spend time with, so I assumed it was one of them," Tucker said.
"You claim the marijuana was for personal use. Yet, when you were found you had no drugs in your system, and based on the tests you, had not used in an extended period of time."
"This was going to be the first time I used since before being arrested and in juvenile detention," Tucker said.
"Something serious must have happened for you to want to use after being clean for so long."
"Yes," Tucker said.
"What would have been so bad that you would risk your probation by using?" the prosecutor asked.
Tucker took a breath. "I found out my daughter is seriously sick."
Skye's jaw dropped.
Steve reached out and squeezed her shoulder tight.
When he did that Skye knew he knew. She knew this was the big secret that Nat had found out when she did her background check, and her dad had been told.
She took a breath to steady her emotions. She was devastated. Not because he had a kid, but because he hadn't told her.
Tucker couldn't help but sneak a look at Skye. He saw her reaction and knew she was hurt.
"You have a daughter?" the prosecutor asked.
"Yes," Tucker said.
"Is this common knowledge?"
"No," Tucker said. "Her mother and I were far too young to be parents. She was adopted by a wonderful couple who has allowed her mother and me to be involved in her life to a degree."
"So, she is not legally your daughter," the prosecutor said, "So it's not your problem."
"Objection, legal or not, he has been in this little girl's life since she was born. He loves her the same as any parent would their child," Jennifer said.
"Sustained," Judge King said.
"So, you found out your daughter is seriously sick, and you thought the best way to handle that was to go buy drugs?" the prosecutor asked.
"In that moment, yes," Tucker said. "I know –" he was cut off.
"So, it's entirely possible you thought it would be a good idea to sell drugs to help pay for whatever medical treatments your biological daughter needs," he said before he sat down.
"Objection, where is the question in that?" Jennifer asked.
"Withdrawn," the prosecutor said. "No more questions."
"Counsel, any redirect?" the judge asked, looking at Jennifer.
"Yes, Your Honor," she said as she stood and approached the witness box.
"Having had time to think about it now, do you think going and buying drugs with the intent to use them was the right decision in that situation?" Jennifer asked.
"No," Tucker said.
"And your daughter's parents have the means to cover all her medical expenses?" Jennifer asked.
"More than enough. She is well cared for in all aspects," Tucker said.
"I have no further questions for this witness," Jennifer said before sitting down.
Tucker was told he could step down. He went and sat down in his seat.
The attorneys made their closing arguments, and the Judge sent the jury out to deliberate. Once the Jury was out of the courtroom Tucker turned around to Skye.
"I'm sorry I didn't tell you," he said quickly, knowing it would only be seconds before he was taken out of the courtroom and put in a holding cell.
Skye nodded and squeezed his hand. "Are you okay?" she asked nodding to his face.
Tucker squeezed her hand back. "I'm okay. It looks worse than it is."
He was taken away, and Skye turned around and looked at her dad.
"Is that the big secret that Nat found?" Skye asked.
"Yes," Steve said.
Skye nodded.
"Would you have preferred I told you?" Steve asked.
"No," Skye said. "I would have preferred him to tell me before today."
"I agree, he should have told you," Steve said.
Skye looked at Bucky. "Did you know?"
Bucky shook his head. "No."
"Sorry to interrupt, but, Skye, I want you to know you did really well up there," Jennifer said.
Skye smiled a little at her. "Thanks, do you think I helped or hurt his chances?"
"It's hard to know. But you told the truth. That's all that matters," Jennifer said.
Skye nodded. "You believe him, right?"
"I do. Do you?" Jennifer asked.
"Yes," Skye said. "I know when he's lying. Apparently, he can keep secrets from me, though."
"He agonized about whether someone should tell you before today, knowing it would likely come up," Jennifer said.
Skye nodded. "Well, he should have told me before. We don't keep secrets," she said. "I thought we didn't keep secrets…"
"What do you think his chances are given everything?" Steve asked.
"I think the fact that the caller was identified as someone who'd want to hurt him, and the fact that Skye was also named and not charged, will help," Jennifer said. "The jury could have a hard time justifying saying one way or another without definitive proof of who made the call. So maybe hung jury and released without prejudice," Jennifer said.
"What does that mean?" Skye asked.
"Means he would be released, but the prosecution could call for a retrial if more evidence is found," Jennifer said.
"But the evidence proves more that Carly knows who was involved," Skye said.
"And I have no doubt she will be arrested," Jennifer said.
"You know who her parents are?" Skye asked.
"I know her dad is a politician, yes. This will be a much higher profile case if she is charged," Jennifer said.
Skye nodded.
"And you could be called to testify again," Jennifer said.
"Wonderful," Skye said sarcastically.
"I have a feeling if it comes to that her father will pay to have it settled outside of court," Steve said.
"When a cop's daughter is lying in a hospital bed, fighting for her life?" Bucky asked.
"It's hard to know," Jennifer said.
"But right now, I'm only worried about Tucker. How did he end up with bruises? I thought he was in protective custody," Skye said.
"Yeah, that will be looked into. According to an officer, he fell," Jennifer said.
"That's bullshit," Skye said.
"Language," Steve said.
Skye let out a breath.
"I will make sure whatever or whoever did that to him will be held accountable," Jennifer said.
Skye nodded. "Thank you for doing this for him."
"I'm happy to, Skye. He deserves good representation," Jennifer said. "And it's your dad you should thank."
"I have already thanked him," Skye said with a smile.
"She has. Skye, are you hungry? We can go grab something to eat quickly," Steve said.
Skye shook her head. "I'm too nervous."
"The jury is going to make their decision. There is nothing more any of us can do. Being nervous isn't going to change anything," Jennifer said.
"Maybe not, but that doesn't mean I can control it," Skye said.
"Well, let's do something to distract us from this for a little," Bucky said.
"I don't want to miss the verdict," Skye said.
"You won't. I will call your dad when it's time," Jennifer said.
"We won't go far," Bucky promised.
Skye sighed but went with Bucky and her dad. They left the courthouse and went to grab something to eat at a nearby burger place.
Skye was pretty quiet as they ate.
"Skye, what are you thinking?" Steve asked.
"I just can't believe he managed to keep such a big secret," Skye said.
"Sometimes people feel like they have to keep things secret to protect themselves from being hurt," Bucky said.
"But it's me. How would telling me hurt him?" Skye asked.
"Okay, if he had told you, how would you have reacted?" Steve asked.
"I would be surprised. I'd have a lot of questions like I do now. But I wouldn't have judged him or anything," Skye said. "I'm pissed off because he didn't tell me."
"That's fair. And no matter what. you will get the chance to talk to him about it," Steve said.
"Yeah, but if he ends up in prison it will be years before I can," Skye said.
"You won't go visit him if he does?" Bucky asked.
"I don't think he," Skye said, nodding to her dad, "will let me. Meaning I will have to wait until I'm eighteen."
"Skye, I wouldn't stop you. I'd take you," Steve said.
Skye looked at him.
"I'd let you go by yourself, but you can't until you're sixteen," Steve said.
"I didn't think you'd be okay with it. A lot of people think it's not safe," Skye said.
"I know that they make sure everyone involved is safe," Steve said.
Skye nodded.
"Was there someone else you wanted to visit but didn't ask because you thought he'd say no?" Bucky asked.
Skye shrugged.
"Who?" Steve asked.
"Just people from my past," Skye said.
"Well, I'd need to know who exactly you have in mind, but I probably would let you," Steve said.
Skye nodded. "I'll let you know."
"So, no hints?" Steve asked.
"No," Skye said as she sipped her soda to hide her smirk.
Steve nodded. "Alright."
Bucky smirked. He knew it was killing Steve not to know.
They finished their food before they started back for the courthouse.
"Dad," Skye said.
"Yes?" Steve said.
"Has your opinion of him changed? Because of the choices he made?" Skye asked.
"We all make mistakes. You have made similar ones. Do you think my opinion of you has changed?" Steve asked.
Skye shrugged.
"Skye, It hasn't. I don't like some of the choices you have made, but that doesn't change that I know you are a good kid," Steve said. "And I know Tucker is a good young man, too. He hasn't had an easy childhood and hasn't had the family support he should have had. I don't like some of the choices he has made, but that doesn't mean I think less of him."
Skye nodded. "Not only do they not support him, they go out of their way to try and get him in trouble."
"I have a feeling that his uncle and aunt don't know that detail. The time I met them they genuinely seemed to care and were concerned about Tucker," Steve said.
"Then they were just acting that way in front of you. Maybe they don't know what Carly did, but they don't want him around ruining their perfect family image," Skye said.
Steve nodded.
They got back to the courthouse and went inside.
Jennifer saw them. "I was just about to call you. The jury has reached a verdict."
Once everyone was seated the judge asked for the verdict.
The only thing he was found guilty of was buying marijuana, which he had admitted to doing.
Because he had broken a stipulation of his probation, the judge decided to add six months to his probation.
Tucker was so relieved that he was found not guilty of the other charges, he didn't care about the six months. Six months was nothing.
Once the Judge banged his gavel to dismiss court everyone stood up.
Tucker looked at Jennifer. "Thank you. You have no idea how grateful I am."
Jennifer smiled. "I was happy to do it. But I think you should thank Mr. Rogers. He is the one who asked me to do this."
Tucker looked back at Steve. "Thank you. I would never have been proven innocent if I had a public defender."
Steve smiled and nodded. "You deserved a competent lawyer."
Tucker looked at Skye, who wrapped him in a hug.
Tucker hugged her tight. "Skye, I'm so sorry. I promise I will tell you everything as soon as I can come see you."
"I'm sure you will, because I will not let you get away with not telling me," Skye said.
Tucker chuckled and released the hug, "I have no doubt."
"He does have to go back to jail to be processed out," Jennifer said.
"Why?" Skye asked.
"It's just part of the process," Jennifer said.
"Where are you going after that?" Skye asked.
"Same group home I was in before," Tucker said.
"They are taking you back?" Skye asked.
"Yes, they are a good one," Tucker said with a smirk.
"Shut up. I was so fucked up when I stayed with them." Skye said.
"Language," Steve said. "You stayed in the group home he is in?"
"For about two weeks," Skye said.
"I will call you as soon as I can," Tucker said before he left with the officers who were waiting for him.
Skye hugged Jennifer. "I know I already thanked you, but thank you again."
Jennifer hugged her. "Of course."
Soon after Skye left with Steve and Bucky.
"So, what happened in that group home if you were only there for two weeks and Tucker seems to think they are a good group home," Steve said once they were in the car.
Skye let out a breath. "I gave the workers a really hard time. I did not follow any of the rules. I was put there after being in legal trouble for the first time, and I didn't care about anyone or anything. I was never violent. But I snuck out every night. It was probably the time in my life when I was smoking the most. I was taking advantage of the fact that I knew they had a good reputation, and I wouldn't be abused. And I wasn't, but I guess it didn't take them long to get fed up with me."
Steve nodded. "So, you would have been how old?"
"Eleven," Skye said.
"You were smoking at eleven?" Bucky asked surprised.
"I started smoking weed at nine," Skye admitted. "I didn't get busted until I was eleven."
Bucky was stunned to silence.
"I know," Skye said. "But I didn't have the best examples around me at the time."
"Well, you do now. And if you smoke weed again, I promise you won't be out of the site of an adult until you're eighteen," Steve said.
Skye sighed. "Got it."
"And I know Jennifer was able to keep you from having to answer the question. But when you were asked why you left Tucker's name off the list, how would you have answered that?" Steve asked.
"That he kept my name off lists in the past. I was returning the favor," Skye said.
"Okay, well that would be admitting that you were involved in crimes that you have never been proven to be part of, right?" Steve asked.
"Yes," Skye said. "But I wasn't about to lie."
"No. You don't lie. But if it ever comes up in the future, and you are asked in court about something and by answering it you will admit to a crime you committed, you answer it by pleading the Fifth. One of your constitutional rights is the right to not incriminate yourself in a crime. You say you plead the Fifth Amendment, and they can't ask you anymore about that," Steve said.
"Okay," Skye said.
When they got home, dinner was just being put on the table by Pepper and Nat.
"How did it go?" Pepper asked.
"He was found not guilty of the serious stuff and guilty of having weed. They are adding six months to his probation," Skye said.
"Well, it could have been so much worse," Pepper said.
Skye nodded. "Yeah."
"You don't seem too happy," Nat said.
Skye shrugged.
"Well, come sit and eat," Pepper said.
"I'm not hungry," Skye said before she went to her room.
Nat looked at Steve.
"His secret came out," Steve said. "Skye's pretty hurt he hadn't told her"
"Damn," Nat said.
"And the other lawyer didn't take it easy on her either," Bucky said.
"What secret?" Wanda asked.
"You probably should let Skye tell you if she wants to," Steve said.
"I only know because, when Skye reconnected with Tucker, she was very on guard after what happened with Kate. She asked me to make sure he didn't have any connections to Hydra," Nat said. "He didn't, but there was a pretty big thing in his record."
"I'm guessing it was nothing dangerous if you let her continue to spend time with him," Tony said looking at Steve.
"Yeah, it was nothing dangerous," Steve said as he stabbed a bean with his fork harder than necessary. "I'm not happy she found out the way she did and not from him, though."
Bucky reached under the table and squeezed his knee comfortingly.
Steve put his fork down as he took a breath, calming himself before he excused himself from the table and went to knock on Skye's bedroom door.
"Yeah?" Skye said.
Steve went in and saw her curled on her bed. "How are you doing?"
Skye shrugged. "Spiraling."
"Do you want to spiral?" Steve asked. He knew it wasn't the most productive way to handle things, but she was a teenager who had been through so much. So if she wanted to just spiral, he wasn't going to stop her.
Skye shook her head.
"Then get up, go take a shower, and change into your sweats. We can watch a movie, and I think there is some mint chocolate chip ice cream in the freezer," Steve said as he stood up.
Skye sighed.
"I'm giving you half an hour before I'm back in here," Steve said before he left the room.
Skye got up and showered and changed into her favorite sweatpants and baggy hoodie before going out to the kitchen, where dinner was just being cleaned up.
"You hungry for dinner before the movie?" Steve asked.
Skye nodded a little.
Pepper handed her an empty plate. Skye grabbed a bit of the food before sitting down to eat across from Bucky, who was sipping a cup of coffee.
Bucky watched her for a minute before Skye noticed.
"What?" She asked.
Bucky shook his head. "Nothing."
"So you're staring at me for no reason?" Skye asked.
"Yes," Bucky said.
"That's bullshit," Skye said.
"Skyler, watch the language," Steve said.
"Sorry," Skye said.
"You're cursing a lot lately," Bucky said.
"I didn't think you cared," Skye said.
Bucky shrugged. "You know your dad does."
Skye nodded. "You're right. Sorry. But I know you're staring at me for a reason."
"I'm just concerned about you," Bucky said.
"I'll be fine. I've been through worse," Skye said.
Bucky nodded. "Okay."
Skye finished her food before putting her dishes into the open dishwasher and going to get settled in the living room to watch a movie with her dad.