Wanted

The weather had cleared by the next day giving them a crisp, sunny winters day. It still wasn't quite warm enough to strip off any number of the many layers Anna had on - including Bucky's jacket that he'd offered her after an eye-roll and a playful jab about girls always being cold.
Clothes shopping hadn't been the hilarious musical montage with feather boas, leopard print, and oversized hats she'd laughed at in her mind, but more like a high stakes stealth mission. He'd navigated the aisles with their shopping cart like a precision driver, and they were in and out in minutes.
"Grab whatever you want - money's not a problem"
"I'll pay you back"
"Don't worry about it - our cash comes from the same place from here on out..."

Well, that sounds rather definite....

They loaded up on underwear, warm socks, shirts, sweatpants, boots, coats, sweaters, linen - everything they thought they'd need. Bucky had encouraged her to throw in a couple of tops that had caught her eye as they bolted past, reminding her that she was probably going to be wearing something from this batch to meet her Dad for the first time.
They'd gone straight into the cart before she could say no, and on the way to the register they'd grabbed toiletries, bathroom linen and he'd told her to grab whatever cosmetics or 'girl stuff' she might need, again encouraging her to spend up and treat herself. Anna politely declined the offer to treat herself, the notion of it completely awkward to her given their circumstances. Bucky had rolled his eyes, quickly throwing the few things he'd seen her eye off into the cart when her back was turned, and within minutes they were back on the road.

"I think we set a new speed record" She laughed when they pulled out of the car park, Bucky cracking a big smile and nodding in agreement.
"I've never known a girl to be such a quick shopper" He said, his tone complimentary and impressed.
"I hate shopping"
"Seriously? I thought chicks loved spending money"
"Yeah... Well I never had enough to splurge" She pointed out, "Then there's the whole 'avoiding being caught on camera' thing when you're constantly on the run..."
"I didn't think of that..." He admitted thoughtfully, offering a smile as he went up through the gears, pulling back out onto the freeway.
"It's all good" She smiled back, "That's why you got all that cash out a few towns back, so your card couldn't be traced?"
"You didn't wonder why we went half an hour in the wrong direction just to find an ATM?"
"Oh... I just thought you were lost?" She teased.
"HA!"

Bucky shook his head, laughing out loud as they pulled off the freeway at the next exit, finding themselves driving down a long country road that stretched out as far as the eye could see. Both of them let out a breath of relief at the lack of other cars or human life out there, each enjoying being 'off the grid' as much as the other. Anna reached behind her seat, pulling out the bag she knew contained 2 pairs of sunglasses, Bucky watching her as she pulled them out and put the bag back. She pulled the tags off them, handing him the black rimmed pair and sliding her dark brown ones on.
"They suit you" He said with a sideways smile that made her blush.
"Thanks - likewise!" She answered quickly, awkwardly feeling the need to return the compliment. She swallowed hard as she turned away, ignoring Bucky's chuckle.
Anna's mind wandered as she watched the landscape fly past her window, Bucky absent-mindedly fiddling with the stereo until white noise became music. They glanced at each other briefly, nodding with approval when a song they both liked came on, finding their taste in music something they finally had in common.

Her thoughts went to waking up together that morning; she'd rolled over during the night to face him, her head on his chest and wrapped in his arms. They'd woken up at the same time, and for a moment or two both were almost too stunned to move. Awkward apologies were exchanged as they quickly put distance between each other, Anna mortified at how comfortable she'd gotten throughout the night with her leg hooked over him - and Bucky with his hand on her butt-

Ugh, how embarrassing...

At least he'd been gracious about it and hadn't said anything... Anna decided he must've felt the same, judging the speed at which he removed his hand... All the same it was probably the soundest she'd slept in years - being in the warm strong arms of a very accomplished killer who'd sworn to protect her was certainly something different, but once she let herself relax it was kinda... Well, nice? It'd been a while since she'd snuggled into someone on a cold night, and she couldn't remember a time when someone else had held her as safe and tight as Bucky had... Certainly not ever someone as cute-

Oh my god, brain - stop!

She mentally scolded herself - now was not the time to suddenly get a crush on a murderer. Well, Ex murderer. Assassin. Whatever.

But he explained all that and it wasn't his fault... And he IS completely gorgeous and- UGH, STOP IT!
...Huh?

The car slowed down, tearing Anna from her thoughts as she sat herself up straight, looking over at Bucky apprehensively as he pulled down a side-road beside a plantation, following it along to a deserted dead end. He stopped the car and turned it off, pulling a very intimidating looking pistol out and turning to face her as she removed her sunglasses apprehensively.

"Don't look so worried" He chuckled at her as he took his glasses off, pushing them onto his head.
"No, I come here all the time alone with armed 'super-guys'... It's great..."
"If I was going to hurt you, I wouldn't have just spent all that money on you-"
"I told you, you didn't have to do that-" She started, somewhat defensive now.
"Anna, relax"
"Just so you know, I'm paying you back-"
"-Anna!" He repeated, laughing now, "It's taken care of, there's nothing to pay back, okay?"

 She cocked her head and unsuccessfully stifled a smile, despite her best efforts to remain mock-stern.
"Are you making fun of me?" She asked with an arched brow, Bucky raising his free hand innocently,
"Never" He assured her, his attention going back to the gun as he released the magazine, checked it and reloaded, Anna clenching her jaw as she watched him, that nervous feeling taking over again.

He got out of the car, gesturing for her to follow him as he headed toward the post and rail fence, turning to wait for her. Anna's heart took off at a million miles per hour again, the reality of following an armed gunman into the woods alone painting an ugly picture in her mind.

Dude, how is it any different to getting in a car with him and crossing two state lines?
I had no choice, it's not like I could have gotten away from him...
But he's been so nice to me...
Yeah, and so was Nester...
-Oh shit... He's coming back...

"You okay?" Bucky asked after pulling her passenger door open, his voice somewhat sympathetic.
"Yeah... Yeah It's fine... Sorry..." She stammered, giving him her best version of a smile which he saw straight through.
"You still don't completely trust me... Do you?" He asked, his expression sombre.

Anna sucked in a breath and looked down, suddenly feeling incredibly guilty, followed by an overwhelming sense of ungratefulness...
 
"Well, yeah of course I do, it's just that-"
"You don't have to lie to me"
"Sorry, It's just"
"You don't have to explain, I get it. Believe me..." He assured her, inadvertently making her feel even worse while trying to make her feel better...
"Here, this'll be fun. I promise" He said, holding his hand out to her reassuringly.

She looked up at it, her eyes then finding his - kind, non-threatening... Sparkling, blue and perfect...

STOP IT!

She swallowed her pride and put her hand in his, watching as his fingers enveloped it, supporting her gently as she rose to her feet. She found the courage to look him in the eyes again, feeling completely ashamed of herself for doubting him. She opened her mouth again to apologize, Bucky telling her not to worry about it before the words had the chance to leave her mouth.

He led her to the fence which he hopped, and then chivalrously helped her over, lifting her gently down on his side. She thanked him, following his lead into the trees until they came to a stop in small clearing. He looked around, Anna doing the same, realizing how still and quiet it was out here. There was snow on the ground, and not a sound except for the odd bird or rustle of leaves in the crisp breeze... Bucky pulled the gun from his waistband, Anna hugging herself against what could easily have been from the cold or the anxious, sick feeling rising up within her.

"Okay..." He started as he reached out and pulled her in front of him, her back against his chest. Anna balked at the sight of the gun when he held it up in front of them, the shakes setting in, despite trying to calm herself.
"Relax" He soothed, picking her hands up and wrapping them around the handle.
"No, Bucky I can't do this-" She said, yanking her hands away suddenly and trying to turn to duck under his arm, Bucky stopping her.
"-Yes you can" He said firmly, not taking no for an answer. "Take a deep breath and let it out, you're fine."

He turned her again so she was facing ahead, and pulled her against him, gripping her arm below the shoulder reassuringly and giving it a squeeze.
"Knowing how to do this might save your life one day, okay?" He said softly, feeling a little bad for her when he realized she was trembling.

Anna swallowed hard and nodded to placate him, wishing she was anywhere but here.
"Safety, magazine release, slide, trigger..." he said, pointing to each part, getting her to repeat them back to him.

He held it up on front of her, released the magazine and slid a bullet in, turning it enough to show her how he'd done it. He pushed it back in, the click making her jump a little, Bucky pretending he didn't notice.
He pointed at the safety, saying aloud what it was as he disengaged it, Anna nodding as she watched on. She let him pick her hands up and wrap them around the handle, showing her how to correctly grip it.
"Breathe, Anna..." He whispered to her, his lips almost brushing her skin, "That's better..."

His hand reached forward, his palm pulling back the slide and releasing it, Anna's heart racing in her chest.
"And we're armed..." He said, blocking the trigger with his finger, instructing her to take another breath, "See that tree straight ahead? We're gonna hit the trunk between the second and third branch from the bottom..."
"I can't see that far, is there even a gap?"
"Yep"
"How do you know?"
"Trust me"
"Oh my god..." She breathed, hardly believing she was about to really do this...

Bucky held the pistol up and aimed it, his hands still wrapped around Anna's on the handle. He tightened his grip to steady the trembling gun and glanced down at her, trying to keep a straight face when he caught a glimpse of how genuinely terrified she was.
"Okay, fire" He instructed, holding it firm.
"What?"
"Pull the trigger"

Anna sucked in a breath and held it, counting to three in her head before pulling the trigger. The bang was loud, scaring her enough to let out an involuntary shriek much to Bucky's amusement.
When she got her bearings back, she could feel his chest moving against her back as he laughed, Anna turning to face him. She was hardly able to contain her excitement as he congratulated her, shaking her head in disbelief.
"How was that?" He chuckled as he watched a grin form on her face.
"Exhilarating!" She exclaimed, looking back over her shoulder towards the tree, "Do you think we hit where you wanted to?"
"Well, let's go see"

The two of them made their way down there and sure enough, there was a shell wedged in the trunk between the two branches. Anna reached up to touch it, rubbing the shiny end with her fingertips as she turned to Bucky.
"That was only a two inch gap, if that... How the hell can you see that far...?" She asked, her face lit up in curiosity.
"I told you - super soldier. It's like having your senses dialed up to eleven."
"...No shit..." She breathed, amazed still, lost in thought, "So is that hearing, too?"
"Yeah"
"Anything else? ...Unless that's too personal..."
"No, not at all" He said, raising his brows thoughtfully, appreciating her consideration, "My reflexes are pretty fast I guess?"
"How fast is pretty fast?"
"...Pretty fast" He repeated with a wink.

Anna smiled, looking down as she let out a chuckle. When she looked back up she noticed he was grinning back at her, thoroughly amused by her naivety as always.

Remember - kidnapper. Murderer. Assassin... Not cute, not cute, not cute....

She shook off the butterflies and straightened up, clearing her throat as she peered back towards the car. Bucky had his hand out to her again when she looked back over towards him, her cheeks dusting pink, betraying her cool demeanor. She blew out a breath and took his hand again despite herself, Bucky pulling her back against him again and wrapping her hands around the handle of the gun.

"This time you're gonna do it yourself, and aim at... That tree" He instructed, turning her body and pointing out a particularly thick, easy target. She nodded in acknowledgement, her heart skipping a beat at the thought of firing a weapon on her own.

A loud bang interrupted their impromptu gun lesson, Bucky quickly stepping in to shield her when he realized the bang was a gunshot. A warning shot as it were, followed by another.
Before Anna could comprehend what was going on, Bucky had taken her hand and next thing they were running through trees and back to the car.  He kept her covered, even dragging her around to the driver's side of the car and getting her to crawl across to her seat.

He started the engine and threw it into first, the wheels spinning as he dropped the clutch.  Anna hung onto her door handle like her life depended on it, the engine roaring as the car spun 180 degrees and roared off down the road, Bucky changing gears aggressively to get them out of there as quick as he could.
He glanced in the rear view mirror a few times, navigating his way down a series of roads until one opened up in front of them that seemed to go on forever. Anna's heart pounded in her chest as she closed her eyes, trying not to think about the ridiculous speed they were traveling at, or the fact that they'd been shot at.

Bucky slowed down to a more reasonable speed after a few minutes - once he was absolutely sure they hadn't been followed. He glanced over at Anna who was shaking like a leaf, gripping the door handle and quite obviously trying to gather herself back up again.
"You okay?" He asked, Anna startling at the broken silence.
She nodded her head, looking away and clenching her jaw as she mentally ordered herself not to cry. Bucky picked up on her upset, not really sure what to do or say to comfort her, so instead he reached over and turned the heater on.

Anna let out an unsteady breath and whispered a thank you to him, appreciating the warmth when it came through. She held her trembling hands in front of the vent and gathered herself up again before turning back to Bucky.
"You really stuck your neck out for me back there..." She started, feeling awkward and obligated to say something.
"Well, that's my job" He answered with a nonchalant shrug.
"Your job isn't to get yourself shot for me"
"I promised to keep you safe... I always keep promises"

Oh god there's that smile again...

"Well, thank you. I appreciate it..." She said, pulling her ponytail out to let her hair fall long and loose, "But I'd rather you not get hurt or killed, especially because of me"

Bucky cocked his head and his face lit up as he smiled, Anna not sure whether she suddenly regretted her words or not.

"Well I appreciate the concern" He said with a shrug after a pause, "Does that mean you don't think I'm an asshole anymore?"
"Maybe... So long as you don't still think I'm a bitch?"

They both chuckled and nodded in agreement, Anna letting out a breath as she relaxed a little, rubbing her temples to ward off a headache that had suddenly come on.
"I picked up some Advil, it's in the back, I can pull over-"
"No it's cool, It's just a bit of tension I think. It's not every day you get shot at... Well, up until recently, anyway" She joked, Bucky cracking a smile.
"We're on the home stretch now..."



They arrived at their next destination right on dusk, a small house presenting itself at the end of a very long driveway. It was a cute cottage which backed up against another state forest, Bucky explaining that it made a potential getaway much easier, should a situation arise.
The two of them unpacked the car, Anna dropping a couple of pillows and a blanket on the couch for herself on realizing there was only one bed in the house - much to Bucky's objection.
She ended up playing the 'height' card, the only logical solution being that he take the bed and leave the couch for her based on their statures alone. There was also the argument that he was the one 'in charge' of this whole operation, and the fact that he was no good to her if he wasn't well rested. His offer to sleep on the floor wasn't well received, and much to her relief he didn't bring up the option of sharing.

"For the past 8 years I've slept wherever I could rest my head - lots of floors, a few sidewalks, cars, LOADS of couches... If I am who you say I am, then I dare say when we get to Shield I'll have a nice bunk or something to look forward to..."
"You're a Stark - you'll be in a king size bed surrounded in luxury"

Anna laughed and shook her head, "We don't know that for sure yet, Buck... I'll be happy just to have a roof over my head, and be somewhere where I don't have to worry about being chased or shot at"
"Easily pleased"
"Very much so"

With the car unpacked, the first thing Bucky did was get a fire going while Anna heated up some tinned soup on the stove and cut up a bread stick for them to share.
"You're never gonna want soup again after this" He laughed, stacking the wood he'd split beside the fireplace.
"Are you kidding? Fresh bread and soup is the best thing ever when it's cold out!" She said, earning a smile from him, "So what's the plan after tonight?" She asked, buttering the bread and stacking it on a plate.
"Well, I figure we shower, eat, and get as much rest as possible. Maybe hit the road again around midday - assuming your results arrive like they're supposed to"
"Sounds good"
"So all going well, we should be at Shield tomorrow night or the following morning"

Anna let out a breath, nodding, Bucky cracking a smile at her.
"What?" She asked defensively,
"You'll be fine"
"I'm fine now"
"You're playing with your rings"
"Huh?" She gasped, separating her hands and casually pulling her hair over her shoulder.
"You always do that when you're nervous - that or fiddle with your hair"

Anna rolled her eyes and put her hands up, "Anything else!?"
"Yeah, you get defensive" He chuckled, Anna opening her mouth to speak, only to quickly close it again. She smugly smiled at him through gritted teeth and pulled a couple of plastic bowls from their shopping bag and started washing them. She turned around, glaring at him mock-stern, Bucky biting his lip to try and keep a straight face. He failed miserably, a deep throaty laugh erupting from him - one that made Anna join in despite herself.
"Always making fun of me..." She muttered, shaking her head as she dried the bowls and poured the soup into them.
"Never"

They plonked themselves down on the rug in front of the fireplace to eat, light hearted conversation flowing easily between them. Bucky took the dishes back to the sink and washed them when they were done, locking the house up before heading off to the shower. Anna opened up the shopping bags to find herself a towel and a change of clothes, taking her time.

Bucky was in and out quickly, Anna gathering her things up when she heard the water shut off. She found the bag of toiletries and picked the whole thing up to take in so she could wash her hair, making sure she had everything she needed.
"Hey" Came Bucky's voice, sneaking up on her.
"Christ!" She gasped, startling at him
"Bucky" He corrected, making her roll her eyes which he laughed at, "I need clothes"

Anna closed her mouth, realizing she was gawking, and he was still wet and wearing only a towel around his hips... And he was completely comfortable and nonchalant about it as he reached around her to pick up his bag of things. She cleared her throat and looked away, utterly embarrassed and praying that her cheeks weren't half as red as they felt.
"Oh, I got you these" He casually mentioned, handing her a bulky looking bag which she took with a puzzled look on her face.
"What is it?" She asked, peering into it and finding a hair drier and straightening iron, "Bucky... You didn't have to do that"
"I thought you'd wanna look nice for when you meet your Dad" He said kindly, taking in her humbled expression.
"These are really expensive... I'm paying you back..."
"Shut up" he smiled, "Are they okay?"
"They're perfect"
"Then they're yours, no payback necessary. They're a gift."
"Really?"
"Really." He smiled, finding something completely endearing at how taken aback she was at his gesture.
"Thank you" She said, "that was really sweet of you..."
"Don't mention it..." He said, an awkward silence building between them, "Shower's free if you want to go take one?"
"That'd be great"
"Take your time - I'm just checking weapons and ammo, sooo..."
"Big scary guns? Right, I'll do my hair then" She chuckled, nodding at the bag under her arm.


Anna did as Bucky has said and took her time, finding all sorts of extra things thrown in her bag from shower gels, shampoo, conditioner, treatments and a few different body sprays. It looked like he'd just put the shopping basket against the shelf and swept all the goodies in with his arm. Anna smiled at the thought of it - he'd obviously done it when her back was turned, which was a sweet gesture in itself.
She exfoliated and shaved while a treatment soaked into her long locks, and then rinsed herself off with a scented body wash that complimented her hair conditioner.

She took her time in front of the mirror after dressing, blow drying her hair - impressed with the drier Bucky had picked out. She tweezed her brows and rubbed a face cream in, pulling the flat iron out and going over her lengths until they were sleek and shiny. Anna put everything back in the canvas bag from the store and pushed it against the wall, admiring her handiwork in the mirror once more, a smile crossing her lips.

So nice to not only feel good, but look good too. Not bad for someone who spent last night in a car...

She stifled a chuckle, stepping towards the door when there was a loud bang from outside, the room plunging into darkness. Her chest tightened in an instant as she backed away from the door as quickly as she could.

We're under attack... They've cut the power... They've found us... Shit, shit, shit...

Anna's breath picked up pace as she pressed herself into the corner of the room, desperately listening out for gunshots or fighting... The silence made her even more nervous as she clenched her jaw and waited, a million scenarios going through her head.

We were followed and Hydra sent troops? There's a quinjet hovering silently out front? Big guns or worse - abilities...

There was movement outside, another bang which she assumed was a door slamming shut, followed by heavy footprints coming up the hallway. Anna's blood ran cold, her mind picturing some thug coming for her, Bucky on the ground with a fatal gunshot wound...
"Anna!" came a voice that made her sharply suck in a breath.

She slapped a hand over her mouth to silence herself, worried that she's given her whereabouts away. The doorknob jiggled, the person on the other side of the door realizing it was locked. She trembled where she stood as the whole door rattled for a few seconds before the door knob moved again, this time twisting and snapping off with a loud crunch before landing on the tiles.
She held her breath as the door was shoved open, a tall, bulky figure stepping in, locking eyes with her instantly despite the darkness.

"You alright?" Came a familiar voice, Anna letting out the breath she was holding, "Jesus, Anna..." His voice now painted with worry as he approached her and peeled her away from the wall and into his arms. Much to his surprise she leaned into him, burying her face into his chest and holding onto him as if for life or death, a sob escaping her.
"Hey..." Hey soothed, holding her tightly and rubbing her back, the unfamiliar feeling of concern hitting him like a punch in the gut. It bothered him to see her so stressed, to feel her trembling and distraught.

Not sure what else to do, he scooped her up, surprised she let him carry her out to the couch where he sat her down in front of the fire place. He pulled the quilt from the arm rest and wrapped it around her shoulders, taking a moment to wipe her cheeks with his thumbs.
"It's just a blackout..." He said, his voice soft, Anna nodding, "I thought it was just a tripped fuse, but something in there went bang and took out the power - old house" He added with a shrug.

Anna let out a breath and made eye contact with him finally, her expression apologetic as she shook her head and bit her lip.
"I'm sorry" She whispered, Bucky  waving a hand and insisting that it was fine.

"You thought something bad had happened..." He suggested when she struggled to find the words to explain herself. She nodded, and let out a single chuckle at the stupidity of the whole thing, pulling the blanket tighter around herself.
"I thought we'd been found. I heard the bang, and then the lights went out and there was another bang... Then nothing... I thought they shot you..."

"You have a vivid imagination" He offered, cocking his head, "It'd take more than a gunshot to knock me over - believe me, I've been shot plenty of times" he joked, Anna looking over at him.
"That's comforting..."

Bucky smiled, reaching out to give her shoulder a reassuring squeeze, Anna managing a smile in return after mouthing a 'thank you'.

"I don't know what came over me back there" She said after a long pause, "I feel like such an idiot... I just froze and, well... Freaked out, I guess"
"You've had a big week - you got kidnapped by some big, horrible guy, remember?"

Anna let out a laugh, nodding in agreement.

"Not that horrible..."
"You found out people were after you, got attacked at work, had guns pointed at you -sorry about that..." He said with a shrug, "fell through a frozen lake, got shot at, spent the night in a car with a guy you hardly know, and now you might be related to a crazy billionaire superhero..."
"I suppose it's a lot, huh..."
"I didn't even mention the killer spider attack" He said, his eyes widening, making her laugh again.
"Thank god you were there to save my life... For all of the above - except the kidnapper - where were you on that one?"
"Yeah well..." He smiled with a shrug, "Sorry about that"
"Sorry for freaking out... After all the years of running I've never just frozen like that before... I'm usually out the window and long gone..."
"Don't worry about it - you've got a lot on your plate, it was just a reaction"
"A dangerous one"
"It's called cumulative stress - years of running and bad things happening, and then everything coming to a head this week. It's a wonder it didn't happen earlier." He explained, his expression soft, "no wonder you're so wired all the time"
"I slept through the night last night didn't I?"
"Yeah in the freezing cold in the back of a car, with someone you don't trust, and a gun under your pillow... Your body might have rested but your mind sure as hell didn't..."

"Bucky... I trust you" She said, holding eye contact with him, the corner of his lips curving into a smile.

"Well..." he started, taken aback a little, "Then it's just the other stuff we have to fix so you can relax..."
"The warm fire's a good start" She said, nodding towards the crackling flames, Bucky suddenly biting his lip like a kid with a secret... "What?"
"I saw half a bottle of whiskey in the overhead cabinet..."
"Are you gonna be right to fight baddies off if you have a drink?"
"Super-soldier... I'll metabolize it before I feel a thing... But I guess maybe you should take it easy just in case"
"Oh please... I'm a bartender, half a bottle's a nip for us"

Bucky let out a chuckle as he poured two cups out, passing one to Anna. She took a mouthful and let out a satisfied sigh, looking up at him after he'd taken his first sip.
"Thanks for all this - keeping me safe and looking out for me... Being a decent person..." She started, Bucky looking down as he smiled, quick to comment back at her, embarrassed at being referred to as 'decent'.
"No seriously, you're a good guy... Even if this whole venture turns out to be bullshit... Well, know that I appreciated everything you did for me"
"It's not bullshit, trust me"
"I guess we'll find out soon enough... But all the same - you're one of the good ones. Despite whatever opinion you or anyone else may have"

"I'm sure Tony will tell you otherwise"
"Well I guess we'll cross that bridge when we come to it, but I've got your back... Just like you had mine..."