Come As You Are

Bucky hesitated on whether to answer the phone or not, he just went to grab it when the ringing cut off. Bucky only knew of one Rumlow and that prick had taken him to Pearce’s chair many times, he could feel his anger rising as his metal plates shifted for him to form a fist ready to punch something. He heard the bathroom door open and he saw red when he noticed she’d redone her lipstick. He quickly stalked over to her grabbing her phone on the way and shoved her against the wall, his flesh hand going around her neck tightly; something a lot more personal than before. “Oh Sergeant I can’t go for another round just yet.” She smirked finally looking up at him to notice the anger clouding his face, he held the phone up and she spotted the two missed calls and message of her next client. She wasn’t sure who would be angrier; who’s wrath she wanted to face.
“What the fuck is this?” Bucky’s overly calm voice sent chills down her spine as she knew that wasn’t control doing that, but, pure anger.
“My meeting.” She told him reaching forward for the phone but being slammed back into the wall.
“Brock?” He spat out as she squeezed her eyes shut. “Are you meeting Brock Rumlow?” He shouted out his grip getting tighter as she carefully nodded. “Why?”
“He has a job for me.” She breathed out, her voice scratchy after being caught between his hand and her throat.
“What kind of job?” He asked as she shrugged, she could feel his finger twitch to go tighter.
“I don’t know I really don’t. We go back a long time and he said he needed some help with something, please Bucky let go.” She tried and there was the fear, her hand shot up to his wrist stroking the vein on the inside of it trying to get him to calm down.

“You’re not going to that meeting.” He told her as she glared at once he released her throat.
“You’re not stopping me. A job is a job.” She told him with a glare.
“And what kind of job are we talking?” He started as she knew where this was going, she stared at him her eyebrow arched as though daring him to say it. “You said you could translate Russian that means you’ve read my book. Rumlow took me to that chair too many times, not a chance are you going to that meeting with my words in your head.” He spat out, letting go of her and shoving the phone in her hand. “Text him telling you can’t make it.” He instructed her, noticing her making no move to do so. “Now!” He shouted throwing his clothes on as he heard her familiar tapping.
“So what are you going to do? Lock me up in your compound? Have you little witch friend wipe my memories. That won’t be happening Sergeant Barnes. I don’t see you complaining of my little meetings with him to get your book back.” She spat out stalking her way over to him, “Yeah that’s right Brock Rumlow had your book, the old Russian wrote in there meant he couldn’t translate it. He was going to use you in ways worse than Alexander Pearce, I stopped that.” She spat out shoving him against the wall, it was his time to see her anger. “So I’m getting in Stark’s car and I’m going to my meeting and you’re going to do nada about it.” She told him bending down to scoop her torn panties up shoving them in his pocket next to the book. “Goodbye Bucky.” She whispered kissing the side of his lips before walking out of the door, quickly getting into Stark’s car just like she said.

Bucky didn’t know what to do, he quickly grabbed his phone and rang Natasha up.
“Barnes.” Her voice came through the speaker as he gathered his things up and walked outside for air.
“I need your help, are you busy?” He asked gruffly down the phone, waiting for her to say no “come get me from Apple Blossom motel, alone. Don’t tell Steve; I need your help.” He told her quickly not waiting for her response just cutting the call off. Natasha soon arrived much to the relief of Bucky, he jumped in the passenger seat quickly as Natasha eyed him from the side as she set off into town.
“Everyone’s back at the compound we’ll get coffee. I must say I’m surprised you didn’t ask Steve for help?” She asked speeding down the country lane.
“This is an issue of morality, we know Steve’s standing on things like that.” He mumbled looking out of the window and Natasha couldn’t help but feel like she was dealing with a moody teenager.
“So what happened?” Natasha asked when she realised he would have to be prompted. Bucky quickly started from the night at the auction through to the motel. “It’s not as though she’s a HYDRA operative, is it?” Natasha laughed, suddenly stopping when she noticed Bucky’s face.
“She’s translated my book and her meeting is with Rumlow.” Natasha’s faced matched Bucky’s almost identically, “I know we thought he was dead, but, she said Brock Rumlow.” He told her and Natasha could see the fear in his eyes, he was terrified that the old enemy was still after the soldier. She got out of the car once they’d pulled up in front of their usual coffee shop and that’s when she noticed Tony’s orange car.
“Buck I think they might be here.” She whispered motioning to the car. “You gotta keep cool, we could use this to our advantage okay? You go get the drinks I’ll find a seat close to them.” Natasha told him as Bucky nodded, opening the door for her as Natasha walked in recognising the girl Bucky had been talking about. Taking her seat behind their booth she sat so she could see this Nina clearly as she listened hard to their conversation.
“Brock listen its fine I got this, have I ever let you down before?” She asked him as he shook his hood covered head. “Leave Rodgers to me, you need to focus on laying low.” She told him her eyebrows raised as though she was urging him to listen.
“It’s just he’s strong and you’re not.” He whispered Natasha struggling to hear him.
“And you had two cracks at him before and failed. Besides you’ve taught me well I can now brake an arm.” She chuckled taking a sip of her coffee. “It’s better if I do it anyway, the surprise of you still being alive will probably kill the old man off anyway.” She winked and Brock could be forgiven thinking it was at him, but, her eyes were fixed firmly on Natasha’s behind him. She’d seen them walk in, she thought it wouldn’t be long until Tony’s car was trending.
“So have you managed to do the book?” Brock asked as Nina’s hands busied themselves with the cup in front of her. By this point, Bucky had sat down and was watching Natasha who in turn was watching Nina.
“Not yet. It seems they’ve wrote it in a code as well I’ve managed to get the first word.” She told him looking up at him with her poker face that she had perfected many years ago, “Loathing.” She bit her lip as Brock grabbed her busy hands into his.
“You’ll do it. I trust you.” He offered her as she smiled a simple smile.
“Oh my god your lip is bleeding here let me fix that for you.” Her smile grew as she leaned over the table a little too much dabbing his lip, quickly discarding the tissue in her pocket. “There all better.” She winked as he laughed standing up.
“I got a team talk I best get going.” Brock spoke leaning over to kiss her forehead. “I’m so glad I found you Nina.” He smiled down as she smirked.
“Oh I’m glad you found me too.” Laughing she offered him a wave as he headed out. Natasha watched closely how a young woman could be so friendly with a monster such as Rumlow, how different Rumlow was in her company. She wanted to shake Nina and tell her to open her eyes but it seemed the girl was love-struck with the stare she was giving him through the window as he passed. It wasn’t until Rumlow had fully disappeared that Natasha notice the façade fall off her face as she placed her phone to her ear finishing off her mocha.
“I’ve got it. Meet me 24th street.” She spoke in a soft voice hanging up quickly sliding out of the booth leaving Tony’s car keys on the table.
“That’s not in my list of words.” Bucky told Natasha as they watched the girl leave, “and she’s going to 42nd street. Peggy Carter taught us the technique of twisting the numbers so enemies couldn’t hear.” They quickly walked out of the coffee shop and sure enough Nina was heading in the direction of 42nd street.

Notes