Chapter 7
"Are you just gonna stand there, or are you gonna come here and kiss me?"
The dark of the night is enough to hide the massive blush dusting Thor's cheeks, so his pride can stay intact.
He moves the few short steps over to his girlfriend, kissing her softly and wrapping his arms around her waste for a moment, before lifting her off her feet and spinning her in the air, never once breaking contact with her lips.
They had been at Nat and Clint's reception for hours now, the time close to three in the morning. In the confines of his own head, Thor takes stock of the way that the purple bridesmaid dress Jane's wearing hugs her body in all the right places, and the way his little stunt has her laughing the kind of laugh that makes her eyes crinkle at the edges, her hair falling into her face as she covers her mouth with her open palm.
For the hundredth time that night, his mind wanders into thinking how beautiful she'd look in a wedding gown, walking down the aisle toward the rest of their life together.
He is hopelessly in love with this woman.
"You're a work of art, you know that?"
"And you're very desperately wanting to get some tonight."
It's enough to make them both dissolve into a fit of laughter once more, stealing a few kisses as they do.
Jane hasn't said a word to Thor since he'd lead the rest silently back out into the dark night, continuing their trek to the cruiser; and their ticket out of town.
If the others had witnessed the same absence of humanity in those brief seconds that the man was relentlessly pulling the trigger of the gun he now has holstered, they're not saying as much.
Now though, he's holding tight to her, every few minutes asking if her bandage is still holding, or if she needs to rest for a moment, genuine warmth and concern in his voice.
Watching the man with a weary gaze, Rhodey grabs Tony's shoulder, deliberately slowing their pace to fall far enough behind the group to carry on a conversation only the two of them will be able to hear.
"He's not right, Tony. Everyone saw it. It's only a matter of time before...."
"I don't know what you're talking about. He looks fine."
Rhodes just sighs; he had desperately hoped that Tony wouldn't pull this act, but isn't surprised by it in the slightest.
"I'm serious. If he is infected, and we let him regress any further, it's over. Especially since he's the only one still with a gun."
Tony stares straight ahead, gazing at the blond walking with Jane wrapped in his arms. He wasn't lying for his own sake, Thor truly does seem just as himself, concern for his girlfriend clearly etched in his features. Still though, the memories of Scott and Erik, completely mindless and lifeless is enough to make him truly consider Rhodey's words.
"Alright, uh. How about, once we make it to Clint's place, we find a way to get the gun away from him. If he continues on as he is now, then all is well. If he does start to show signs of infection, well....."
Taking one more hard look at the two, they look so young and vulnerable in that moment, weighing so heavily on one another; he can't help but see Pepper and himself in the two of them.
"We'll cross that bridge when we get there."
-
After walking the rest of the journey in silence, the gravel driveway leading up to the wrap around porch of the Barton farmhouse might as well be the gates of Heaven themselves.
Natasha immediately leads Bucky and Jane inside, wanting to redo their bandaging. Bobbi and Pepper follow behind them, offering their help in any way that they can.
Tony and Rhodey take the opportunity to block Thor's path into the house.
Before he can object, Tony grabs him by the shoulder, leading him to the barn.
"Hey big guy. You think you could give us a hand getting this junker started?"
Thor brushes the mayor's hand from his shoulder and stops in his tracks, his gaze already falling back to the house that Jane just disappeared into.
"Natasha said that the sheriff was already able to get the thing running. You shouldn't need my help."
Panicking, Tony grabs his shoulder once more, scrambling for any excuse to get the man to follow him.
"Well, just in case. Jane is in the best hands possible, she'll be fine for a moment without you."
Thor seems completely unaffected by Tony's words, turning and walking toward the house with not even one look back in the mayor's direction.
Tony's eyes follow him all the way up the porch steps and in through the front door, before turning around to his best friend behind him, looking absolutely defeated until Rhodes holds up the gun that had moments before been holstered to Thor's side.
"I've still got a few tricks."
"The cut wasn't all that deep, so scar tissue is already starting to form. Just try not to move it too much or put any strain on it."
"Thank you, Natasha."
Nat gives Jane a soft smile before turning to leave her and her boyfriend in peace, striding next into the kitchen to Bucky to check his wounds.
"How are you holding up, люблю?"
He smiles up at his friend, lifting up his sweatshirt in the process to give her a good look at his bandaging.
"You sewed me up real good, Natalia. I think I'll live."
She just pats him on the cheek before pulling herself up to sit next to him on the kitchen counter.
Her expression is very unreadable, and Bucky feels about ready to ask what is on her mind before he follows her line of sight to Thor and Jane still sitting together in the dining room.
"At least they have each other through all this."
The words imply far more than Nat supplies, and Bucky just sighs next to her, feeling the sentiment tenfold.
"All we have to do is make it to that depot. Clint and Steve will be waiting for us when we get there, I'm sure of it."
She just wraps her arm through his then, and rests her head on his shoulder, before piecing together the heavy thoughts that have been weighing on her mind for the past few days.
"Then what? What happens to the people that caused all this? What happens to Bruce's family when they find out about his murder? What about all of us and the lives we have here? This is home, Bucky. This is our God-damned home and they're taking it away from us."
He sighs, but not in defeat. His eyes scan the room before landing on the opposite wall, a beautiful sketch that his fiancé drew of Clint and Natasha kissing at the alter hanging next to a picture of all of them smiling, standing together in the finished nursery.
"If Clint just woke up one day, and decided to move somewhere crazy, would you do it?"
"Clint's always saying crazy shit, darling."
"I'm trying to be profound here, Natalia. Please humor me."
Nat goes quiet then, closing her eyes and truly thinking on her friend's words. As she reopens her eyes, she takes sight of the same pictures Bucky had been looking at just a moment before, and lets out a steady exhale.
"Of course I would."
"Because?"
"Because......"
Because the man has saved her life in more ways than she can ever fathom. Because he is going to make the best father to her child. Because sitting here now, she feels as if she'll never be able to feel safe and happy until he's with her once again.
"Because home is wherever he is."
They stay huddled together for a moment longer before Nat excuses herself, silently moving past the others to the stairwell.
Making her way up slowly, she's relieved beyond measure to find that her home hasn't succumbed to the same unbreakable darkness and dread that has consumed the rest of the town.
The door to the nursery is wide open, and Nat is surprised to find Bobbi standing alone in the room, hugging her arms to herself and smiling at the warmth the nursery exudes.
"I see you liked my design idea for the crib."
Natasha smiles brightly at the words, taking in the small wooden carriage wheels on each corner; remembering Bobbi making the suggestion while they had been out for coffee together right after Nat made her pregnancy announcement.
"It turned out so much better than I ever thought it would."
Bobbi smiles back at her, before dipping her head and laughing softly.
"Well, Clint made it, so it was bound to be perfect."
They stand in silence, the room somewhat of a haven; silencing the horror raging on outside.
"I'm honestly surprised he didn't immediately shoot down the idea as soon as he found out it was mine."
Nat actually snorts at that, stepping closer to Bobbi, and placing a soft hand on her shoulder.
"If it makes you feel any better, he was being a dork the other day, 'talking' to the baby, and pointing at pictures of everyone."
Nat moves until she is standing at the foot of the crib, laying both hands softly on the wooden bars.
"He introduced our child to Maria and Sam and Thor, saying a bunch of nice stuff about them, and then he moved on to Uncle Bucky and Uncle Steve, and Aunt Bobbi. I think that speaks for itself."
Bobbi doesn't try to will the wetness in her eyes away. A part of her would always love Clint, and the dynamic they have now is one in which they can be as close as ever. Not to mention the fact that Natasha literally makes him the happiest bastard alive.
"That's a high honor. How am I ever gonna compete with those two?"
Nat smiles fondly at the cascading white sheets and soft plush lions and tigers laying inside the small crib, rubbing at her stomach, before turning her gaze back to her friend.
"Well, Steve will be a little shit, I'm sure. Teaching them to punch first, ask questions later. Bucky will probably turn them into the sultriest little flirt of all time. So, just make sure they at least inherit your kindness, and things will be great in my book."
Bobbi does will away the tears this time, not wanting to turn into an ugly sobbing mess, before responding to her friend.
"Hopefully they won't be as clumsy as your husband."
That has both ladies snorting and wiping at their eyes, sitting in the middle of the carpeted floor, just sharing their company.
"Could you imagine. I'd have a full head of gray hair by the time this kid is three years old."
Bucky stretches after a few minutes, standing from his spot on the counter and moving through the kitchen, passing Pepper filling a few packs with bottled water, granola bars, gauze, the like. Jane and Thor are still sat next to one another in the living room, so he moves on into the back half of the house into the large parlor that connects to the solarium.
Even more frames holding happy memories sit on the mantle of the fireplace, and he finds a soft smile passing over his lips, taking one into his hands.
The picture was taken at the station, both he and Nat sitting on the hood of one of the department's SUVs; Steve with an arm wrapped around him, Bucky resting his head on his shoulder, and Clint and Nat mirroring their stance.
Bucky drifts into memories of the blond then, smiling as his eyes stay glued to the two of them in the picture.
-
"Golden retrievers are basically you if you were a canine. Just look at that face, Stevie. These things are too fucking cute for their own good."
The blond hardly looked up from the coffee he was nursing, his fiancé sweet enough to wake up early and make him a fresh pot along with some breakfast after a midnight patrol shift.
Bucky was scanning over the third internet article so far about the best types of dog breeds, absolutely elated a few days earlier when Steve had first mentioned adopting a puppy.
"I think I'd like a chocolate lab, just like I had when we were kids."
Bucky smiles over at the man, remembering the countless summer days running around with his childhood best friend and his trusty dog, Cap.
"We could always get a dalmatian. They're supposed to be excellent with children."
Steve winces at that, collecting his empty mug and plate and carrying them to the sink.
"I think I'd be breaking some type of policeman's code of honor. A German Shepard on the other hand..."
Bucky laughs as he shuts his laptop, and stands up from the kitchen table, stretching his arms in the air.
Steve just stands there and admires the beauty of the man in front of him. He smiles brightly, thinking he must be the luckiest son of a bitch in the world to get to spend the rest of his life with his best friend and first love.
As Bucky stretches out the kinks in his body, his shirt rides up the slightest bit, revealing a thin line of toned muscle. The early morning light is cascading in through the window, and hitting not only his gleaming metal prosthetic, but the perfect sharp lines of his cheeks and jaw; his long brown hair not up in it's usual bun.
As he falls out of the stretch, his sweater falls back down to rest as it was, and Steve holds back the urge to pout.
The brunet laughs over at him, as a loose strand of hair has fallen in his face. He tucks it behind his ear before turning away from his fiancé and making to grab for his dishes.
"It's not polite to stare, Steve."
Steve pushes away from the counter striding over to Bucky who still has his back turned to him, before winding back and slapping his ass.
"Come on, let me thank you for making breakfast."
Bucky huffs out a laugh before leaping onto Steve's retreating form.
"I'm still sore from all three times yesterday."
Steve gains better purchase on his fiancé, hoisting him higher onto his back. The brunet rests his head on Steve's shoulder, who takes the opportunity to press a sloppy kiss to his cheek.
"It's no big deal. It's been a while since I've been on the bottom bunk anyway."
"Well, when you put it that way..."
-
A shadowed figure moving through his periphery is enough to pull Bucky out of his reverie, and he has seconds to drop the picture he'd been holding, before the click of a gun's firing pin sounds in the room.
Using all his strength, he spins around and kicks the gun clean out of the man's hands. He's dressed in military-grade clothing, helmet and all, and Bucky knows he must be one of Rollin's thugs.
The man's lunging at him a second later, as Bucky desperately blocks blow after blow.
Ever thankful now for Steve taking those countless defense courses with him, he's actually able to hold his own against his attacker.
The guy makes the mistake of trying to throw his leg up and kick Bucky in the face, as the brunet catches his leg in both hands before planting both feet firm on the carpet beneath him and using all his strength to shove the guy through the glass window separating the two rooms.
The sound of glass shattering has Thor on his feet in seconds.
The sound came from the back of the house, where he watched Bucky make his way to a few minutes before.
"Bucky? You alright?"
His eyes cast down to Jane, who is looking through the adjoining arch between the dining room and the wide hallway leading to the back of the house, waiting for Bucky's response.
He takes a few steps forward, so that he is standing just in front of where Jane is seated at the table, when all of a sudden she takes notice of a single small red dot in the center of his back.
"Get down!"
He has no time to process what all is happening as Jane jumps up from her seat, and shoves him into the wall with enough force to knock the air out of him.
He stands there, dazed, just staring back at his girlfriend whose expression has become indecipherable.
Then, she staggers toward him, grasping him with both hands to keep herself upright; to no avail, as she slumps against him, and he is helpless but to cradle her fall as he slides down the wall and holds her to his chest.
That's when he notices the gunshot wound high up on her back, and the shattered window leading to the front porch, where the barrel of a gun is once again being raised.
"Did you hear that?"
Rhodey doesn't look up from where he's messing underneath the hood of the Bronco, checking the oil, transmission fluid, and the like.
"Hear what?"
Before Tony can respond, the rear door to the barn is being thrown open, revealing Clint and Maria looking completely worn down.
"Sheriff! Fancy meeting you here!"
Clint's expression goes from one of shock, to confusion, to elation when he sees Tony and Rhodey alive and well.
"Under any other circumstances, I'd be kicking your ass out of here, but, it's really good to see you, Tony."
The distinct sound of a gunshot rings out for miles, and they all go silent, as Tony turns to the colonel once more.
"DID YOU HEAR THAT!?"
They all run out of the barn at full speed, but stop in their tracks as their eyes fall upon a man in a uniform not unlike Rhodey's holding a raised rifle in his hands, sights set on someone inside the house.
Rhodey has the gun he swiped from Thor raised in a heartbeat, putting a bullet in the guys trigger hand, causing him to drop his weapon.
Howling in pain, he turns to have Tony punch him square in the teeth, and then falls to the ground unconscious.
"Nice swing."
Tony smiles back at his friend, before the facade falls, and he's making a pained expression and cupping his hand to his chest.
"NO! JANE, DON'T DO THIS. PLEASE!"
That has them sprinting up the steps and bursting in through the front door of the house, stopping dead in their tracks when they see Thor clutching Jane to him, a pool of her blood beneath them.
Grabbing the discarded gun, Bucky slowly makes his way into the solarium, where his attacker is laying amongst shards of broken glass.
A gunshot echoes from the front of the house, and he whips his head around, finding that he is still alone back here.
Suddenly caught off guard, the man kicks the gun away from Bucky, before swiping his legs out from underneath him.
Th guy then goes for his thigh, pulling a small blade from it's sheath, and lunging at Bucky.
He rolls out of the way before the guy can do any damage, then hops to his feet. The soldier follows him up, and starts his assault with the blade once more.
Bucky keeps his focus this time however, grabbing Natasha's favorite decorative charger from the side table beside him, and using it to defend himself from the blade.
Careful to shield himself from the knife, he goes completely on the defensive, realizing that his best option is to get the guy outside, away from everyone else in the house.
Thor's voice cries out in the now eerily silent house, and it causes the soldier to break concentration long enough for Bucky to kick him hard in the chest, sending him through the screen door into the backyard. The guys falls into a roll, over his shoulder, and stands to square up to Bucky once more.
He's being hit across the head with a baseball bat a moment later, falling to the ground out cold.
Bucky could cry with relief when he sees Sam standing over his attacker, throwing the bat somewhere off into the yard.
"I had him on the ropes."
His friend turns to address him, but Bucky has him in a tight embrace before he has the chance.
"What are you doing here? God dammit, Sam. You were safe. What the Hell did you come back here for?"
Sam just huffs in annoyance. Bucky is a professional mother hen; and his primary targets are always his fiancé, Natasha, Bobbi, and himself.
"Well, since you were stuck here, someone had to watch out for-"
"Buck!"
The brunet has seconds to pull away from Sam before he's being pulled into Steve's protective embrace.
"Oh God, Oh Thank God."
Sam turns from the two, giving them their much deserved privacy.
"Hi Stevie."
To their credit, neither is the sobbing mess that Sam predicted they'd be upon their reunion. They both do have tears in their eyes, though, and Steve seems as if he's never going to let Bucky free of his hold.
"Your boy has a mean kick. Hit this dude square in the chest."
Steve just smiles against his fiancé's lips, both their eyes bright and laughing.
"I told you the martial arts stuff wasn't bullshit, and look, I wasn't here and you were still able to protect yourself."
Bucky plants his lips firmly against Steve's then, before resting his face in the crook of his neck.
"But you're here now. And I really wanna keep it that way."
"Me too, Buck."
"BOYS! COME QUICK!"
The three turn to see Pepper's already retreating form heading back toward the front of the house, and they quickly follow suit.
Nat can't speak, can't even think. Thor has Jane cradled so closely to him, she couldn't even take a look at the gunshot wound even if she thought she had a chance of saving the woman beside her.
Slowly, she pushes herself up from the floor, and looks in horror as both of her palms are now covered in her friend's blood.
She turns, only to be wrapped in her husband's arms, and that's all it takes for the tears to start falling.
"Thor... Love."
The blond just clings to the dying woman, holding her close, hoping that she isn't feeling any pain.
"I've got you. I'm right here."
She reaches up and runs a hand down his cheek, before letting it sit against his chest.
"Tell me about our wedding."
He smiles through his tears, tucking a strand of loose hair behind her ear in the process.
By this point, Pepper has completely turned away from the scene, much like Nat; cradled to her husband.
Sam slowly moves over to take Maria's hand, and she turns to hide her face on his shoulder.
Bobbi and Rhodey both have distant looks on their faces, and Bucky is standing behind Steve, occasionally pressing his face into the crook of the blond's neck when the scene in front of him becomes to hard to watch.
"You want it to be outdoors. I was thinking the rose gardens in the village park. It'll be early spring, so all the flowers would be in bloom."
Jane continues smiling up at the man as he goes into further detail about the beauty of the ceremony that will never come to fruition.
"We'll have a live band and not a DJ, just like you said. We won't skimp on anything. I'll make sure to rent out the gazebo and everything."
Jane presses closer to him, holding as tight as she can.
"And we'll be together? For the rest of our lives?"
"For the rest of our lives."
She closes her eyes then, a single tear sliding down her cheek as she does.
"That's.... Good. That's good. I lo... Love..."
And she gives her final breath, leaving Thor to finish the thought for her.
"And I love you."