The D in Apartment 23

The sun had risen not that Harry knew thanks to the blackout curtains that protected Bucky's room from the outside. After she came in to his flat he offered his bed for her, being the gentleman he once was and grabbing the spare pillow, but she insisted that he stay in his bed. "Are you hurt?" She asked quietly into the darken room once they'd settled down, he even gave her a t-shirt to sleep in.
"No. Just some bruising. My healing factor will make sure I'm ok tomorrow." He turned his head to her direction.
"Ok." She whispered softly biting her lip. She knew some of Bucky's medical history from her research, but, she didn't know the extent of it.
"When I was injected, they enhanced my natural healing ability that's why I could survive the fall." He told her quietly, he never spoke about that time of his life but he felt with Harry he could be himself.
"That's impressive." She smiled to the empty room. "You'd put me out of a job though." She heard him chuckle.
"Do you ever get scared going on a mission?" She asked softly, rolling on to her side so she was facing him. He was lay on his back with his head turned to face her, he could see the tired look on her face, but, he could also see the concern in her eyes.
"I get scared that Winter Soldier will come out. He nearly did today that's why I didn't come over, I was scared if he were still in there he could hurt you." He whispered, watching her smile fall a little. "Can I tell you something Harry?" He asked her watching her nod with her eyes closed. "I feel like I've known you for as long as Steve. The Avengers know about my past and my problems but I could never imagine me telling them this. I guess what I'm trying to say is, thanks for coming into my life." He whispered, smiling when he saw her smile.
"Well thanks for letting me in Bucky. I'll be here for you as long as you need me." She smiled her hand feeling round for his and squeezing for a brief moment before letting go.


"I'm just saying she could be helpful on the team. Like she said we should get one and he seems comfortable around her so she's got to be... trustworthy." Sam weighed in his opinion to Tony, Bruce and Steve who were sat around the breakfast bar drinking coffee. There was a soft knock at the door as Natasha jumped up walking over to answer it stopping when she got there. Turning to look at her teammates unsure of what to do, it wasn't their house and they were kind of wanted.
"Can someone please let me in." They heard the now familiar voice from outside as the door swung open. "Wow never knocked to get in my own flat before." She laughed walking into the flat, Bucky quickly following.
"Buck." Steve nodded at him as he smiled sheepishly at him as he closed the door. "How's Clint?" He asked following Harry further in until she got to the kitchen to pour the coffee they had put on.
"Yeah he's still sleeping, but, with thanks to your friend he should be fine." Tony spoke watching the both of them carefully, deciding to see how far he could push it. "Your job at the hospital, how much do you like it? Round figure." He asked as she choked on the mouthful of coffee she'd just taken.
"Tony you can't ask things like that." Bruce told him, Tony doing what he does best and ignoring him. Harry wasn't sure how to answer and thankfully she didn't need to, her ringtone going off as she glanced at the caller ID.
"I'm sorry I gotta take this." She told them all hitting the answer button "Harriet speaking. Hey now's really not a good - what?" Bucky notice her change in body language as she tensed up, walking over to the larger window letting herself on to the fire escape balcony. She'd been out there for about ten minutes when she came back into the room.
"Is everything ok?" Bucky asked, who had casually made his way closer to the window for when she came back.
"Uh yeah." She looked over at him with surprise not expecting anyone to be waiting for her. "Sorry it was my best friend." She offered him a half-hearted smile that even Bucky knew was forced. He watched her for a moment wondering if he should say something to her, but deciding against it. "I need to go somewhere so do you guys want anything whilst I'm out?" She asked looking round the group as she grabbed her purse and keys.
"Want some company?" Bucky asked as she smiled over at him, mentally taking note of the requests the others had put in.
"You're supposed to be laying low." She laughed but he ignored her grabbing his hoodie that he'd taken off when he first came in here.
"I am." He smiled following her out of the door, the click of the lock filling the quiet corridor.


They drove the short distance to get to wherever the young doctor needed to be. They had spoken about Bucky's transition into modern society and he told her about the things he liked, didn't like and still couldn't figure out. Turns out the most feared assassin still couldn't work a mobile phone. "Stay here." Her now serious voice warned him once they'd pulled up at their destination. Bucky nodded slowly as she unclipped her seatbelt and threw her hood up hiding her long dark hair and exiting the car. Bucky felt he had every right to be on edge, he surveyed the area to notice they were at a secluded road beneath an underpass. She had been stood there for about two minutes when he noticed another figure walking towards her, hood up just like her, hands in the pockets and head down. Unclipping his seatbelt Bucky wanted to be ready should he need to get involved, settling down when he noticed Harry relax her tense shoulders. He noticed them exchange words and Harry tense back up again shaking her head, he looked away figuring it could be a boyfriend or anything, turning back in time to see them walking towards the car. He caught his first glimpse of the stranger and noticed he was nothing but a kid, relaxing a little he put his seatbelt back on not wanting Harry to know he panicked, the doors opening to let the two of them in. There was dead silence as Harry started the engine up and driving off pulling her hood down, the kid in the back doing the same Bucky saw through the rear view mirror, noticing the cuts and bruises that scattered along his face. "James this is Peter; Peter this is James." The only introduction Harry offered to the two strangers before she pulled up at the local shop that sat minutes away from their apartment block. Telling them to wait here again she rushed in grabbing everything she needed for the Avengers before getting back in the car with two bags full of groceries and driving the silent car back to the lot.

Notes