Age of Errors

I’d managed to keep the ‘stylists’ out of my hair, letting it airdry into a coiled mane of golden bronze. I tucked the taser into the ankle holster, the dagger strapped onto my thigh and hidden a widow bite in each pocket. It was overkill I knew, but it soothed my anxiety a little to feel the edges pressed into my skin. I stepped out of my room to find someone waiting for me.

“You clean up nice.” I smiled at Barnes, admiring the leather jacket over a crisp grey shirt. “Shall we?”

“Uh, sure.” He followed at my elbow as we made our way down to the party.

My foot tapped relentlessly as I checked and rechecked my pockets. Everything was still there. Of course, it was. I was being stupid.

“You’re nervous.” It wasn’t a question.

“Yeah, I’m not really good at people-ing.” I forced my foot -still- on the floor of the elevator.

“You’re great with people, everyone loves you.”

“Thanks, but those are people I know. People I trust. The people out there, are strangers.” The door opened onto the balcony over the party.

“Yeah…” he rubbed the back of his neck, anxiety like smoke in the air between us.

“Hey, I’ve got your back, and we don’t have to stay for the whole thing, just tell me when you want to go.” I smiled a little. “Is it ok if I…” I moved my hand slowly, giving him time to pull away, before wrapping my hand into the leather over his metal arm.

“You can switch sides,” he shrugged his right shoulder.

“I don’t mind, but if it makes you uncomfortable.”

“No, I just thought…”

“Prosthetics don’t bother me.” I knew how some people felt self-conscious when they first got a new piece, ideally it would become an extension of themselves, but Barnes’s was wrapped up in Hydra and I guessed he’d never had an opportunity to adjust, or to choose. “Whatever makes you more comfortable James.”

“This is fine.”

We made our way down the stairs into the throng. I watched for familiar faces, using the sense to pick out people who were more likely to be problematic. No specific threats present, the most dangerous people in the room were my own friends. But I made note of several people that set me on edge.

“Drinks?”

“Sure.” I lead the way to the bar, keeping a hand on his arm.

He ordered a whiskey

“And for the lovely lady?”

“Sparkling water is fine.”

The bartender brought our drinks and I turned to face the room.

“You don’t drink?”

“Occasionally, but not a lot. I’m not really comfortable with dulling my senses.” The feeling of my senses fading into nothing had been petrifying the only time I’d tried to get drunk. “Besides, this way I can remember the stupid things other people do.” I took another sip, the fizzing liquid burning in my throat.

“I don’t get drunk. Can’t.” He swirled his glass.

“What an odd pair we make.” I said, watching the dancers, Thor and Tony appeared to be arguing a few yards away and there were a few dancers making use of the floor. More people were approaching the bar for refills, I felt compressed. Clutching my glass tightly, I felt the spark of fear creep into my mind.

“Here,” Barnes took my hand and tucked it back into his elbow, warm. He led me out of the crowd, to the wall of glass, turning us so my back was to the night sky. I relaxed a little, and releasing his arm, settled onto the deep sill of the window.

“Better?”

“Yeah, you?” I had felt his discomfort as we wove through the mass of people.

“Yeah.” He leaned against a frame, calm again.

-

Natasha sashayed over to where we sat. “Not dancing? You look fabulous.”

“I’d rather not, and ‘this’ is all you Nat.” I waved my hand over my outfit. She tsked at me, smiling.

“I didn’t get that dress so you could hide it in the corner.”

“One dance, that’s it.”

“Sure, but when you step on the dance floor, you’ll have every man in here asking for the next.”

“Well in that case, I’d better not.” I said laughing at the notion that anyone would be looking at me when She was in the room. “Perhaps you should find your partner Natasha.”

“And who might that be?” an eyebrow quirked at me.

“He’s making his way to the bar. Make the first move Sis, we both know he won’t.”

I smiled as I watched her make her way behind the counter, just in time to intercept Bruce.

My fingers tapped the rhythm of the music against the sheathed dagger on my thigh, watching people as they moved around the room. They reminded me of birds, flitting from place to place, chattering.

Steve walked towards us, purposeful, with just the hint of a blush to indicate his mission.

“Would you do me the honour?” he offered me his hand.

“It would be my pleasure.” I accepted it, letting him lift me to my feet.

We stepped onto the dance floor, moving slowly.

“Natasha put you up to this.” I wasn’t offended, just amused.

“She may have suggested it, but that doesn’t mean I was unwilling.”

“Anyone ever tell you -your too noble for your own good?”

“It may have come up, once or twice.” His blue eyes sparkled with laughter.

I enjoyed the dance, the music was easy, and I let myself get lost in the movement. Steve was maintaining a space around us, so I didn’t worry about the other people in the room. When the song ended, I saw Tony waving me over to where he and Thor stood with Rhodes and a woman I didn’t know.

“Well, if it isn’t the golden one, Midas herself. There’s a few people I want you to meet.” Tony put a hand on my shoulder and pulled me into the circle. “Wilder, I’d like you to meet Maria Hill. Hill, Sharice Wilder.”

“Lovely,”

“Pleasure.”

“And you already know Rhodey here,”

“Yes, Hello again Colonel Rhodes.” I inclined my head.

“Good to see you, it’s nice having ‘normal’ people around.” He glared at the two men either side of me.

“Shay!” I felt the movement of a large hand descending on my back. Flinching I anticipated the impact.

A sudden slap. Tony had intercepted, smacking away Thor’s wrist.

“As much as I’d like to see how the ‘touch’ works on Asgardians, I’d prefer to avoid a scene just now.” The words were light but Tony’s voice was hard. “Be gentle, Shay here is making me look good.” His arm wrapped around my shoulders for a moment, reassuring. Thor looked confused.

“Thor, not everyone here is made of steel. Try that again, and I’ll have to use my best defense.” I said, not unkindly, to the bewildered face.

An awkward silence fell, broken by Maria asking where Pepper and Jane were. The unnecessary competition broke up the group, leaving Tony and Thor to argue alone. I faced the room and scanned quickly, the party was starting to die down, everyone left was engaged in conversation or dancing. Everyone except.

“Enjoying the party?” I asked

“Not particularly.” James’s voice was gruff, his posture tense, leaning on the end of the bar.

“Then why don’t we get out of here.”

“Don’t you want to dance again? There’s at least 3 guys out there ready to ask you.”

“I’d rather not, even if that were true. Come on, let’s go.”

He offered his arm and I took it. The elevator doors closed in on us and the quiet made me realize just how loud the party had been. I sighed deeply, leaning on his arm.

“Tired?”

“Yeah.”

Eventually I slumped onto the couch in our suite. Removing his jacket Barnes walked behind me to the dinette and I heard the sound of the kettle starting up.

“You’re the real M.V.P. for making tea.” I said languidly, a grunt was all the response I got.

We drank the tea in blessed silence, I stayed on the couch with Casper, too lazy to go get changed. I was finally starting to feel relaxed when a sudden high-pitched ringing sound filled my ears.

“Do you hear that?” I asked, shaking my head. He nodded, alert, tense.

“Jarvis? What is happening?” I waited for a response. Non came. I locked the door, and half dragged Barnes into his room.

“On the bed.”

“What, why?”

“I’ve got to put you out, there’s been a breach.” I was urgent, pushing him back. He sat on the edge of the bed. Danger, fear pulsed in my skull. I didn’t know what or who, but I knew my duty.

“What if…”

“I’m sorry James,” I placed a hand on his shoulder *stop*, guiding his falling body so he didn’t end up on the floor, then activating the noise canceling earpieces he was wearing with a tap I surveyed the room.

“Casper, bliewe doa.” (Stay there) I pointed at the figure on the bed. He leapt up and sat on Barnes’s chest. I spun to the door hearing a distant crashing sound.

Closing the door behind me I moved down the hall. Listening, taser in hand. A metal suit floated in the lounge for a moment before zeroing in on me. The taser didn’t do much to slow it down.

-

Steve found me in the hallway, laying half under the broken legionnaire. A widow bite on either side of its mechanical head. My dagger in its neck. I gasped as he lifted it off of me.

“Shay”

“I’m fine, we’re fine.”

He lifted me to my feet. I leant on him heavily as he helped me down the hall, opening the door of Barnes room to check that he was still sleeping, Casper still standing guard.

“Just leave me here, in case he wakes up. You go to the team, figure out what the heck just happened.”

Pushing him out, I locked the door and leaning against it, slid to the floor. Darkness enveloped me.

-

James Buchanan Barnes – The Winter soldier, opened his eyes. He was looking at an unfamiliar ceiling and there was a purring mound of grey fur on his chest.