Guarded Heart

When Y/N's mother arrived at the townhouse, she was asleep. Her mother thanked Winnie for her kindness and got comfortable in a reading chair in Bucky's room.

Winnie spoke softly "We've made up the guest room for you, it would be more comfortable."

Her mother shook her head "Thank you for that but I need to be here with her in case she needs me. I'll be fine here."

Winnie nodded, understanding. She would do the same for hers. She only hoped they would all survive this mess.

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By the time Bucky arrived back at the warehouse the dust had settled and it wasn't pretty. Most of the police were gone except the forensics people and the medical examiners office, clearing out the dead. Seemed no point in gathering evidence since they already knew the whole story but protocols must be followed. Of course the official story would be mob related violence and written off because no one who saw any of it would dare speak out.

He was relieved to find his dad was alright while Steve and Sam only had minor scrapes and bruises. A number of their people had serious injuries and had already been taken for medical care. A few of them were killed. Bucky took note of the injuries and losses to ensure those employees and their families were well taken care of.

The Asgardians hadn't lost anyone here but Thor's death, especially followed so closely after Syf was taking a toll.

Steve told Bucky that Loki had been particularly vicious and noted that the blood on Loki wasn't his own.

Pierce and Dreykov were bound in metal chairs while the Barnes and the Asgardians decided what to do with them. Bucky and Loki were in agreement that whatever was done needed to be slow and painful. They were to be held at one of the Barnes offices and guarded by their most trusted men.

Loki looked to Bucky "Is she alright? I know Thor's death must be extraordinarily painful for her. They were quite close" he coughed.

Bucky shook his head "I don't know. Physically she's alright but she's blaming herself. She's been through so much recently."

Loki looked at him intently "Then you had better be sure you take good care of her. I'm not as close to her as Thor but she is quite dear to me.  You don't wish to make an enemy of me, Barnes. I hope that we will be able to work together once the smoke clears."

Bucky nodded "I'll do my best, I'm not exactly her favorite person right now but I'll do anything I can to protect her. I'm sure we'll be able to work something out."

Loki nodded "Right. I must leave and get started with the" he choked up a little "arrangements." He took a deep breath "I could use a bit of sleep as well. I'd like to meet tomorrow, or later today, to discuss what will be done with those two" he gestured towards the men who were bound.

Bucky nodded "We can meet at my parents for dinner tonight, if you want to see Y/N she is there for the foreseeable future."

Loki nodded and left with Heimdal.

Bucky looked around again "Where is Pietro?" He asked apprehensively.

Steve sighed "Taken to the hospital but stable, last I heard. I'm not sure what his injuries are but he may have been shot."

Bucky let out a breath he didn't realize he was holding. He didn't want Y/N to lose anyone else she cared for.

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At the Barnes home, Y/N was starting to wake and could see the start of the sunrise through the bedroom window. When she realized where she was everything came rushing back painfully. She remembered Thor's still body next to the SUV she was in and Val refusing to let her go to him. It felt like she was punched in the chest and the air was knocked out of her.

Her mother heard her gasping and started to stir "Y/N, honey? Are you ok?"

Y/N just stared at her mother, unable to breathe.

Her mother moved to sit on the bed next to her and started gently rubbing her back until the panic attack passed. Once Y/N was breathing steady again her mother pulled her into a tight hug and Y/N was able to relax. The feel and scent of her mother soothed her.

Y/N pulled back "When did you get here, Mama?'

Her mother smiled " Winnie called me after James brought you here and I can right away."

"Did you sleep in that chair? You must be sore, you should have asked Winnie for the guest room."

Her mom smiled softly "Winnie offered but I needed to be here. I get the impression we are expected to stay here for a couple of days, until everything settles."

Y/N nodded "Even if we stay here there's plenty of work to be done. I'm sure we lost people last night and we need to make sure their families are taken care of. Same with the injured.

Has anyone heard from them?"

Her mother shook her head "I don't know dear but you should get more rest before you worry about business."

"I know you're just worried about me Mama but I can't just lay around when so much needs to be figured out." She squeezed her mother's hand "I'm going to take a shower. You didn't happen to bring me any clean clothes did you?"

Her mother nodded "Of course dear, only comfortable clothes. If any of your business associates have a problem with you dressing casually you can just remind them.you are the boss" she winked at her daughter which pulled the tiniest smile from her.

Y/N went to take her shower and when she stepped out of the bathroom she could smell bacon and coffee so headed downstairs.

In the kitchen she found her mother and Winnie cooking enough to feed a small army.

Winnie heard her first and looked up with a smile "Good morning, Y/N. You look much better than when you got here last night. Hungry?"

Y/N nodded "I honestly don't really remember much from yesterday. Just flashes. It's probably for the best, I don't think it's a day I want to remember." She accepted a cup of coffee her mother offered, already how she likes it. "Besides, there's too much to be done. Without knowing details I'm sure that yesterday shifted the balance of power and we will need to step in before some crazy tries to come in and take over" she set the coffee on the table, grabbed a plate, filled it and sat down to eat.

Winnie and her mother looked on concerned until her mother spoke up. "Sweetheart, you don't need to deal with all that yet, you need to take some time to heal. I'm sure George, James and Pietro can manage for a couple of days without you."

Y/N took a deep breath, knowing her mother was only concerned for her, and tempered her response "Mama, I know you're worried about me but I'm the boss now and have to do my job. I don't even know if Pietro is still alive or able to work. Even if he is I can't just foist my business off on them because I'm grieving. You both know how things work and if I show weakness, someone will try to push me off of my mountain and I'm not having that."

After a moment a look of concern crossed her face "Where's Wanda?" When her mother and Winnie indicated they didn't know she shook her head and quickly resumed eating.

She finished her breakfast, rinsed the plate and put it in the dishwasher. "I need to make some calls" Refilled her coffee and went to get her phone.

Her first call was Pietro but it went to voicemail. She pushed back the bad feelings and called Wanda, also voicemail. Then she tried to call George who also didn't answer. Winnie confirmed she had heard from him earlier and he was fine.

Y/N took another breath to calm herself before she tried to call Steve who finally answered "Y/N? Is everything ok?"

"I was calling to ask you that. What's it look like there?"

Steve mumbled something she couldn't understand.

"What? Steve stop mumbling"

"I said you should talk to Bucky."

She growled softly "I don't want to talk to him right now. I need to know the status of my people. George, Pietro and Wanda didn't answer so here we are.

Is Pietro alright? Loki?"

Steve sighed and updated her on her peoples status. " You know, Bucky is fine in case you're interested."

"Yes, Winnie already told me but he's not my concern.

When you have a minute can you talk to George about meeting later today."

Steve nodded even though she couldn't see him "There will be a crowd at dinner tonite, Loki has already agreed to come."

Y/N was distracted by banging on the front door and saw Val pull out her gun and go to open it. When she opened the door and aimed at the person in front of her before actually looking to see who it was the shouting almost made Y/N laugh.

"Hey, Hey! Easy. I come in peace to check on my goddaughter."

Y/N contained her giggles "Val! It's ok, Tony is family"

Val lowered her gun and stepped aside so Tony, Pepper and Happy could come in. Tony straightened his suit, harumphing about it being too early to have a gun in his face.

He looked around and stopped when he saw Y/N then rushed to hug her "Jesus kid, you gotta stop scaring me like this. I'm too old for this shit."

"I'm alright Tony, just trying to get my bearings and figure out what's next."

Tony pulled back and looked at her. "Well you look like Hell" and smirked at her.

Pepper protested "Tony!"

"Very funny, Tones."

Steve who was sitting on the other end of the line "Y/N? Do you need anything else from me? I think we're done here, should be home in an hour or so."

"No, I'm good. We'll see you in a bit."

Tony looked at her seriously "Are you sure you're alright? We heard about Thor and-"

Y/N shook her head "I don't want to talk about him" and shut down emotionally, causing concern for her family.

"We need to focus on getting our family and her allies organized so we know who is what. There will be plenty of time to grieve but business first."

Winnie and her mother looked at each other, then Tony with concern. He shrugged and hoped Y/N would allow herself to work through it all. Without a word the three agreed to keep a close eye on her.

Winnie started making sandwiches for lunch, knowing that they would be hungry and tired when they made it home. She also put in an order with George's favorite Italian restaurant to deliver dinner. She didn't want to have to worry about cooking when her husband would need her.

When George, Steve and Bucky arrived they were all tired and messy from the fight. They sat down to eat and gave Y/N all the details then went to take showers and rest for awhile before the remaining families descended on the Barnes residence to work out what comes next.