Wanted

Anna sat on the edge of her bed, feeling much more human after a hot shower and having all her dressings changed over to fresh ones. She tucked her long hair behind her ear as she peered quizzically at the television remote, turning it over again before she was distracted by a noise at the door.
"Oh! Hi!" She said shyly as she rose to her feet as quickly as she could, one hand over the sore spot on her side, "Let me help you"
"You sit down, you're supposed to be resting" He scolded, "I can't believe I just 'parented' you" He added with a chuckle, looking rather proud of himself.
"Did it feel weird?" She smiled back at him, a chuckle escaping her as he gestured for her to sit at the small table in the corner, pulling a second chair up.
"...No, not at all..." He said with a shrug, "Yeah okay... Maybe just a little" he added with a cheeky grin.

He placed covered trays on the table, along with cutlery from the trolley he'd pushed in before sitting.
"Coffee's on its way - I assume you drink coffee?"
"By the gallon" She smiled.
"Starting to see a family resemblance..." He said, a half-smile crossing his face as he lifted the tray lids, pushing one over to her.

Anna's eyes almost popped out of her head at the fancy looking breakfast - as promised, waffles with fresh cream and an assortment of fruit and berries on the side. Tony handed her a knife and fork, instructing her to 'dig in', somewhat amused by her blown away expression.

"Oh my god..." She said with a smile after the very first bite, the blonde woman appearing in the doorway with coffee as promised. Tony and Anna both thanked her, Anna hardly surprised it was cappuccino, rather than the instant stuff she was used to.
"Everything okay?" He asked, trying to stifle a grin.
"Okay? It's... Amazing... Thank you so much" She half-stammered, shaking her head, "You probably eat like this every day, right?" She joked, Tony looking up at her inncoently before cracking a smile.
"Uhhh... Yep" He said, cocky as always with a wink, "And you're welcome... Did you try the berries, I had them brought over, fresh."
"Yeah - as it turns out I do like berries after all"
"Told you you would"

They both laughed, not talking a whole lot while they ate, Anna getting down what she could before sitting back and sipping on her coffee. She smiled, tucking her hair behind her ear again, looking up at Tony over the steam of her mug.
"You okay?" He asked, breaking the silence again
"Yeah, I feel fine. Bit sore and head-achy but better than yesterday"
"No, I mean 'okay' okay?"
"...Oh" She said, biting her lip for a moment as she pondered the question...

"Yeah I guess so... It's all just so surreal, I haven't really gotten my head wrapped around it yet..."
"Me either" He admitted, Anna feeling a pang of compassion for him suddenly.
"And how are you going with it? I suppose it can't be easy suddenly finding out you have an adult daughter"
"Yeah, it's certainly been, well, interesting" He chuckled, picking his coffee up and taking a sip.

"Tony?" She asked, straightening up in her seat with a wince, "I really appreciate all this... Even having somewhere to crash while I get better, and the food and doctors-"
"-Waaaaait a second" He started,
"-No, seriously" She said, stopping him as politely as she could, "I've been on my own for a while, and I don't want you to think I, well, expect all this... I just wanted you to know that - and not to sound awkward or unappreciative or anything, I mean it's cool that I even got to meet you and- ..." She paused to take a breath before starting again, "What I'm trying to say, is that this is already way more than I ever could have asked for, and I just don't want you to feel, well, obligated"
"Ooookay... Pause button." He said, raising his hands, "First thing about me - I never do anything out of obligation. I either wanna do something, or I don't. Black and white." He started, "Second thing, you're welcome, and I although I plan to ignore it at this stage... I appreciate your little disclaimer" He said, making inverted comers with his fingertips at the last word.

Anna blew out a breath, trying to ditch that horrible tense feeling in the pit of her stomach, Tony watching her for a moment.
"Anna... Relax, honey" He said, his voice gentle and reassuring. She nodded her head and smiled back, sipping at her coffee again, Tony doing the same.
"Sorry..." She said again, embarrassed.
"It's fine, really" He said, a genuinely kind, sympathetic smile crossing his lips which made Anna feel at ease. "So... Tell me about yourself. Start from the beginning..."


 
The following day found Anna stressing in front of the bathroom mirror, trying to convince herself she looked just fine... She pulled her blow dried hair over her shoulders, turning to inspect her handiwork.

Bangs out or tucked back? Out? Back? No... Ugh... Okay leave em out... Yeah... That looks okay...

She looked herself up and down in her new outfit, not sure how she felt about wearing something that cost more than her last car... She'd almost been sick at the sight of the price tag on the skinny jeans - but they were a gift, and she wasn't about to hurt anyone's feelings by rejecting them. It wasn't like she had much else to wear... She blew out a breath as she straightened her top - a lovely, but fairly basic looking cable knit sweater with a couture label.

Jesus Christ...

"Morning" Came a voice from the doorway, making her jump and step away from the mirror.
"Oh hey Bucky..." She smiled, Bucky noticing she was uncomfortable, but choosing not to bring it up in the moment.

Get it together, Pierce...

"Bought you a coffee" He said, happy when he saw relief in her expression.
"Oh my god, thank you"
"Sounds like you need it..." He chuckled, carefully handing her a cup of coffee in a 'to go' cup which she gently took from him.

Anna closed her eyes as she took a sip, letting out a sigh of satisfaction afterward.
"You have no idea... You're a life saver"
"Glad I could come to the rescue... What's got you all riled up?" He asked, casually making his way over to the bed and sitting on the end of it, sipping his own cup.
"Life?" She answered with a shrug, turning to face him, glancing up at the clock on the wall.
"That's very... Non-specific" He sassed, arching a brow and giving her a half-smile that she couldn't help smiling back at, "Get over here and sit down for a second"

She gave him a nod and slowly made her way over to him, her hand gently covering her ribs. She carefully sat beside him, getting comfortable before taking another sip from her cup.
"Still sore?"
"Yeah, it's not too bad but it's certainly there"
"Did you take anything for it?"
"No, but I'm alright"
"Clearly you're not"
"Well I don't plan on doing cartwheels today, but for a base-tour I can manage..." She started, Bucky unsatisfied with her answer, "I'm not being a hero about it, trust me... They made me feel really dizzy yesterday, and I wanna have a clear head today."

Bucky nodded, understanding where she was coming from, but still not entirely happy about it...

"...What if we spoke to Helen and got you something a bit weaker? Having a clear head is fine, but if you're in pain you won't have a good morning, either."
"I'll be alright - looks worse than it is. A bit of a headache and a sore side... I'll take something when I get back" She said, Bucky softening a little at her compromise.
"Make sure you do"

Anna chuckled, that shy feeling washing over her at his show of concern. She took a sip from her cup to distract herself, feeling her cheeks warming up as she scoured her mind for something to change the subject to.

"So did something happen?" he started,
"Not that I know of?" She answered, cocking her head in confusion.
"You looked stressed when I walked in..."
"Oh... That" She said, the penny dropping, "No... Well Nothing bad... I got new clothes?"
"Girls usually like that" He quipped, Anna not entirely sure if he was making fun of her or not...

"No - I do, they're beautiful... I would have been happy in Walmart, but this is what she picked out for me, and that's fine..."
"Anna, chill... You look great, trust me"
"This isn't about vanity, Bucky"
"I'm trying to give you a compliment, here..."

Anna let out a breath, reining herself in and finding a little amusement in his mock-offended expression.

"Sorry..." She started, her cheeks reddening again, "-And thank you... You didn't have to pay me a compliment-"
"-I know I didn't... That's the whole idea of one"
"Oh..."

They both chuckled, Anna suddenly feeling much more relaxed, albeit a little awkward.

"So who shopped for you?"
"Tony's assistant"
"That doesn't narrow it down" Bucky said with an eyeroll, making Anna giggle.

"...The one with the degree"
"-Still doesn't narrow it down"
"Psych degree?"
"Oh, Andie - the redhead?"
"Yeah... The redhead" Anna said rolling her eyes a little.
"You didn't like her?"
"No, she was lovely... Until she started asking questions..." Anna said, letting out an exasperated sigh.

Bucky shook his head, realization hitting him, followed by anger and the urge to go have it out with Stark. He swallowed hard before turning back to her, a sympathetic expression on his face.
"It seemed like friendly chit chat to start with, and then the psycho-babble started... I should have seen it coming"
"Anna... I'm sorry"
"I know he's trying to be careful - I know he wants to make sure I'm not going after his money, or his Avengers secrets, or whatever... But then he takes me in, brings me this amazing but completely over-the-top breakfast, spends crazy amounts of money buying me a whole damn wardrobe..." She started, pausing to clear her throat, "Which is great, and I appreciate it, but WHY do it? WHY take me in if you don't trust me? WHY spend money on me if you're worried I'm gonna go digging for gold? WHY sit with me over breakfast for TWO HOURS getting to know me - only to send a shrink in to see if there were any cracks in my story?" She said, bravely holding it together.

Bucky reached over and took her hand, giving it a squeeze and taking her by surprise, Anna resisting the sudden urge to yank it away...

"Not what you wanna hear... But that's just Tony" He said, watching Anna clench her jaw as he let go of her hand, slowly returning it to his cup.
"I'm sure he's already looked up my entire history, anyway" She said, taking a sip of her coffee.
"Yep..."
"Probably had truth-serum gas pumped into the room"
"Wouldn't surprise me" Bucky said, Anna catching him smirking.

She softened a little, letting out a breath and shaking her head as if to try and brush it all off.
"I didn't ask for any of this. Not a damn thing... Maybe I should just leave and try my luck out there with the gun-toting thugs again?"
"Yeah - don't do that" Bucky said, looking back over at her, the smug expression gone from his face, "Cuz then I'm gonna have to go out there again and bring you back... And last time I saved your ass I got myself shot"
"Well you can save yourself the trouble next time"
"I could... But then I'd be in breach of Shield protocol - Obligated to protect those who need it, and you just gave away your big plan to jump ship..."

Anna let out a chuckle, despite herself. Bucky was trying to cheer her up with his nonchalant banter, and as much as he acted like he didn't care, it was obvious to Anna that that wasn't the case.

"I guess I just thought there was some trust there, and we had a good thing going... I told him about my life, he told me about his... He even hugged me before he left" Anna said, going over the events in her head.
"There was a hug?" Bucky asked
"Yeah, there was a hug..."
"Hmm..." Bucky started, "Look, try not to let it bother you - from what I've heard, you're not the only one who's rolled in and claimed to be a relative"
"But I am a relative - there's DNA evidence-"
"-Yeah I know that... But -and I can't believe I'm sticking up for the guy- try to put yourself in his shoes."
"I'm not trying to get anything out of him... I'd seriously leave now with nothing but the clothes on I came in with, and I'd be grateful for the roof over my head for as long as it was-"
"Anna!" He cut her off, exasperated, "Just... Roll with it. Okay?"
"Roll with it?"
"Yes! Relax and let whatever's gonna happen, happen. Stop trying to make sense of it - many have tried to make sense of Stark, and few have succeeded" He joked, giving her a playful nudge.
"I'll try... I just wish it worked both ways." She started, "He doesn't know me or what I'm about... But I don't know him, either. I only know what I've seen in the tabloids, and everything else I have to take his word for, which I have done... Am I being crazy about this?" She chuckled, shaking her head.

"No... I think I get you" He assured her with a smile.
"Well that's a relief"
"Tony's not a bad guy... He's just got a few trust issues - something you can relate to... That and he's a complete control freak - something you can ALSO-"
"-Oh shut UP" She laughed, swatting at him, Bucky laughing at successfully baiting her.

"Seriously though, just chill. Nothing bad's gonna happen to you while you're here"
"You sure?"
"I promise"

Anna smiled, the butterflies in her stomach fluttering like crazy all over again.

"You're one of the good ones, Buck" She said, Bucky looking away shyly, the ghost of a smile crossing his lips.

"So" Bucky started, quickly changing the subject, "Were the magazines okay?"
"The magazines?" She questioned, having a moment of confusion before her brain snapped back into reality, "Oh, the magazines! Yes, they were great, were they from you?"
"Yeah, I thought you might need something to keep you occupied"
"That was really sweet of you, thank you"
"Well, I saw how much trouble you had with the TV remote... Couldn't have you sitting there bored all day, could I?" He teased.
"Oh ha-haaaah!" She said, her voice dripping with sarcasm "You're hilarious!"
"Well, glad I could make you laugh"
"Yeah... I am too" She smiled, "When did you drop those off?"
"Yesterday afternoon, but you were asleep. Thought I'd leave you to rest and come by today instead"
"Thanks Buck... Really"
"...Don't mention it" He said after a brief pause, trying his best to sound as casual as possible, even throwing a nonchalant shrug in for good measure.

"So what's on for the rest of the day? Who are you getting all gussied up for?" He asked, changing the subject again.
"Gussied up? What do you mean, I always look like this?"
"I think you're forgetting I lived with you for a week-"
"Tread carefully..." She warned playfully, "Or I'll sick my assassin/super-soldier/bodyguard onto you"
"I heard he's not so tough"

Anna laughed, shaking her head again as she tried to will away her pink cheeks.

"I'm moving out of the infirmary" She said, answering his question, "and into my own room apparently..."
"Oh?"
"Yeah - I'm sure it's being bugged as we speak"
"Then we'd better find somewhere else to have our little chats then" Bucky chuckled, Anna nodding in agreement.
"I'd like that" She smiled, "Tony wanted to take me for a tour of the base, I suppose to have another little 'get to know you' session... So that should be interesting"
"Grain of salt, Pierce"
"Yeah, I know..."
"Just... Take it for what it is, he's trying - in his own weird way... You need to try as well, okay?"
"Okay"
"Promise?"
"I promise..."



Anna stayed close to Tony as they made their way up the corridor, nerves kicking in as she realized everyone they passed was gawking at her. Tony spared a second to glance over at her, asking if she was alright, Anna mustering up a smile and a nod.
He ushered her through a doorway, the room on the other side being huge and impressive. Anna's lips parted as she took in what appeared to be a lounge/recreation room complete with couches, pool tables, flat-screens and a bar - easily three times the size of the one back in Ely.
She turned, looking at everything and taking in every last detail, catching Tony grinning at her in her peripheral vision.
"You can come here whenever you like, day or night" He started, interrupting her stare, "help yourself to drinks, snacks, watch the TV's, use the tables, laze on the couches... Treat it like home" He said, Anna nodding in awe.

"You can ask Friday how to use it all, you'll have full access to everything - 'Friday, hit the screens'" He said, looking up as the flat screens all lit up, a music video playing, "You can ask for volume up, volume down, ask for sports, your favorite TV show - doesn't matter what it is, we have everything..." He said, looking over at her, cocking his head, "...Aaaaand you're not saying anything..."

"Shit... Sorry" She said, snapping back into reality again, apologizing a second time when she realized she'd cursed.
"There's that family resemblance again..." He chucked, "Is this a lot to take in?" He asked, gesturing around the room.
"Yeah, you could say that" She admitted, Tony nodding, "But it's great, it's just... Wow" She chuckled, her eyes widening.

"This must be Princess Stark!" Came a confident voice, booming from the other side of the room. Anna groaned, cringing a little at the title the mystery guy had bestowed upon her, Tony actually coming to the rescue.
"Cool it on the princess stuff, Wilson"
"My bad" He chuckled, holding a hand out to Anna, "Girl, you won the genetic lottery, didn't you" He said as they shook, Anna chuckling as she gave a shrug, not sure what to say.

"So I hear you can mix a drink?" He said with a smile, "And it's Sam, by the way"
"Anna... And yeah, you name it, I can make it."
"Spin the bottles?"
"Light them on fire and juggle them..." She chuckled shyly.
"I'd like to see that"
"Any time" She said with a friendly smile.
"I think we're gonna get along great, lil Stark" He said, flashing a teethy smile.

"Shall we keep moving?" Tony asked politely, Anna sensing a little impatience in him.
"Sure... It was nice to meet you Sam"
"You too, kid" He smiled with a nod as he turned to find a couch to spread out on.

Tony gestured towards the door at the far side of the room before moving off again, Anna following him. He pointed out things as they went, occasionally stopping so he could explain something to her before moving off again...



"So that's the rec room, main kitchen, gym, and everything in between..." he started, "Your room should be ready, and there's a phone in there as well if you need anything"
"Thank you for all of this, Tony..."
"Don't mention it at all, seriously" He smiled, watching her for expression for a clue into her thoughts.
"What?" She asked awkwardly, feeling like she was being studied.
"Nothing... You're just kinda hard to get a read on"

You could always have me psycho-analysed again?

"Sure you're okay?" He asked again,
"Yeah, just tired and taking everything in"

Tony nodded, giving her a smile which she returned.

"Ready to see your room?"
"Sounds great"

The two of them slowly made their way down the corridor, friendly chit-chat flowing easily between them despite Anna's earlier annoyance towards him.
He was gentlemanly, holding doors open for her, and protectively keeping her between him and the wall as they walked to save passers-by bumping into her. He spoke politely, keeping her entertained with witty jokes, finding they had a similar sense of humor.

They came to a stop in front of an elevator, Tony hitting the button before turning back to Anna with a smile.
"Not far away now... I think you'll like your room, all your things have been brought over and put away, the bed's new and all the linen, too" He said excitedly.
"Sounds like you went to a lot of trouble..."
"No trouble at all, I swear" He smiled as the door opened.
"You do realize you don't have to go all-out for me, right?" She joked as they stepped into the elevator, Tony chuckling, a little embarrassed.
"It's all I know" He said after a pause, somewhat solemnly, "I was raised like this, the best of everything - clothes, food, accommodation, cars, tech... You name it - I had it."

Anna nodded, imagining the life of man before her, growing up privileged... Much like her early years were.

"My childhood was the same" She said, Tony letting out a chuckle as he nodded, "Until I got bored and went snooping... Oops" She added with a look of amusement on her face.

The doors opened after the sounding of a soft 'ding', Tony and Anna stepping out.

"We have that in common" He said
"The nannies or the snooping?"
"Bit of both" He admitted, "But Mom was always there if I needed her"

Anna smiled in acknowledgement, not wanting to dampen the mood with her own mothers 'under-performance' as a parent, instead looking forward down the corridor, trying to appear excited.

"I know Caroline was on the selfish side..." He said, Anna dying for a subject change as they slowed to a stop in front of a door, "And you don't even wanna know what I think of Alex..." He added, Anna letting out a single sarcastic chuckle, "I guess what I'm trying to say, is that I hate what you've been through... I hate that you've gone through everything I hated as a kid - and a million times worse..."

Anna opened her mouth to speak, Tony raising a hand to cut her off, his expression compassionate and vulnerable.

"...Anna I want to try to make it up to you. No matter what happens, you're safe here, and you've got a home with me for as long as you want, okay?"
"Tony..."
"No... Don't say a word..." He said, pulling a couple of key cards from his pocket, "After we work out what's going on out there, you're not obligated to stay if you don't want to... If you don't want to know me, you don't have to - but if you do, then that's great, and we'll get to know each other..." He said, Anna swallowing hard as she looked down at her feet.

"These are the only two access cards into this room, and they're both yours. You let in whoever you want, and come and go as you please... Everything in there is yours whether you stay or go, it's the absolute least I could do. There's a credit card, internal phones, internet access - still only partial until we can ensure your safety, but I'm working on that"
"This is too much..." She blurted out, feeling faint and completely overwhelmed.

Tony grabbed her shoulders to steady her as he swiped the card and opened the door. He led her into the room and sat her down on a very plush looking leather couch, Anna's breathing quickening as her eyes darted around the room.
"Here, drink this" Tony said, handing her a bottle of water and pulled his phone out. Anna took a long sip, fanning her face with her hand afterward as she got her bearings back.

"Helen's on her way-" He started, Anna putting up a hand to protest as the room started to spin.
"Oh god..."



"Barnes, get out, you've got no right to be in here!"
"Move over, Stark..."
"Okay, respectively, you both need to get out of the way... Now please!"

Anna's eyes creaked open amidst the sound of an argument over her head, her chest tightening all over again as three faces materialised above hers.
"Okay, back UP, you two!" Came Helen's frustrated voice as she removed Anna's sweater and attached a blood pressure band, "Pass me the thermometer please, it's in the side pocket" She asked without looking up, Bucky and Tony both reaching for the bag at the same time, Bucky swallowing his pride and backing off.
"Thank you" Helen said to Tony as she took it from him, before glancing up at Bucky and offering a quick smile, "her heart rate is slowly coming down, she just needs rest. Temperature is up and pupils are blown... How's your pain, Anna?"
"It's fine"
"Do I need to prescribe some truth serum?"
"That stuff's real?"
"Wanna find out?"

Anna blew out a breath, exasperated.

"My head hurts, and it's hard to breathe"
"That's better... Being brave won't do you any good"
"I'm not being brave, the other stuff made me sick"
"I can get you something else"
"You don't have to-"
"Anna... It's no trouble..."

Anna peered around the room, Bucky offering her a sympathetic smile while Tony seethed at him.
"I'm going to get some fluids back into you, okay Anna? I'll have the stand brought over, and some painkillers so we can get you a little more comfortable, and you can stay here in your own room... How's that?"
"Thank you" She answered, not bothering to argue.

Helen stood up, pulling a handheld device out and entering data into it before taking a step back and looking over at both Bucky and Tony.
"I'll go get the I.V and some painkillers for her, I think she'd probably be more comfortable in bed for the afternoon... As opposed to the couch."

Tony stepped over to scoop her up, Bucky giving him room despite his 'looks could kill' expression which Anna pretended not to notice. She let out a barely audible groan as he lifted her, Bucky shadowing them as Tony set her down on the bed, fluffing the pillows behind her to make her comfortable.
"You can leave now, Barnes" Tony suggested coldly without looking at him, Bucky raising his brows at Anna as if to ask if she was okay.

She gave him a nod, Bucky mouthing a 'talk to you later' to her before he turned to leave, Anna smiling back.


Helen was quick to return with the stand and fluids, Tony giving them privacy while she got Anna's jeans off and covered her back up with the quilt.
She slid the canella into place, covering it with a clear sticker before attaching the tube and starting the I.V. Tony watched over Helen's shoulder as she worked, giving Anna the painkillers with a glass of water as promised, marking the time and drug details in her handheld device.
"That should do it... These will make you a little drowsy, which I know you don't want, but you need the rest. Tomorrow we'll change it up and give you something non-drowsy but for now you have to heal... I'll be back in a couple of hours to check in, but call me if you need anything, okay?"

Anna nodded and said thank you, trying to stay positive despite everything, Helen giving her shoulder a squeeze before she stood to leave.

It took a few moments for Anna and Tony to make eye contact, Anna completely and utterly embarrassed.
"I'm so sorry-" she started, Tony offering a kind smile as he shook his head.
"Don't be"
"I feel like such an idiot..."
"It's my fault... I pushed you and I shouldn't have" he said, swallowing his pride, "you're stressed, overwhelmed, been in a horrific car accident... And here's me forcing this stupidly opulent lifestyle on you, to pacify my own guilt"
"...Tony"
"No, I spazzed you out, and it's on me... I'm sorry" He said, raising his hands, "I know I need to chill, but the control-freak in me is kinda having a hard time with that" he admitted, Anna feeling a pang of guilt for her earlier rant to Bucky...

"Same here" She said, giving him an understanding smile which he returned, "This is weird for both of us, huh..."
"Yeah... You could say that" He joked.
"Clean slate?" She offered
"Clean slate" He confirmed with a smile and grateful nod.

Tony stood up, peering around the room before turning back to Anna somewhat awkwardly.
"I was going to give you a tour of your room, but that might be a bit difficult..." He said, Anna chuckling at his goofy expression, "raincheck?" he suggested with a nod.
"Sounds good" She answered, feeling much brighter already.

"Okay, well I guess I'll leave you to it then? TV remote is here" He said, passing it over to her, "pretty self-explanatory, but if you need, just ask Friday and she'll fix you up... Got that, Friday?"
"Happy to assist Miss Pierce however I can" came to AI voice, Anna raising her brows, impressed.
"...There, see? You have the world at your fingertips... Here's a handset for you, my number is programmed in there and Helen's, just in case you need anything."
"Thanks so much Tony"

"Don't mention it, anything you need, just ask. I'm sorry about Barnes barging in here before too"
"Oh I don't mind, we're kinda 'friends' I guess" She said, watching the colour drain out of his face.

Tony swallowed hard, doing his best to push certain thoughts from his head...

"Is that all? Just friends?"
"Of course" Anna chuckled, not sure whether she was more amused at the question, or the fact Tony was so bothered about the concept itself...

He showed her how to work the phone and TV, topped up her glass of water and made sure she was comfortable before he left. Anna felt herself start to get drowsy, the drugs kicking in little by little.
She let out a breath and shut her eyes, enjoying the silence and warmth of the room, the crisp, fresh sheets that adorned the king-sized bed... Her kind-sized bed...

She snorted at the comment Sam had made earlier about the genetic lottery, and how her story really was very 'princess like'... Locked in a tall tower - the Triskellion, escaping from the villain - Alexander, being rescued by a handsome stranger - Bucky, and finding her happily ever after - family, riches and her own version of a castle... More like a fortress, but it all fit...

Her eyes closed as her thoughts became a dream, a handsome stranger riding in on a big black horse to seek a  princesses' hand, only for the King to reject him...
Anna tossed and turned in her sleep as a medieval war erupted in her head, a castle on fire and a royal showdown that would have been one for the ages. The princess ran up a spiral staircase made from stone to escape the inferno, only to find herself alone in the tower with nowhere to go. Below she could see the king in his battle armour and the stranger duking it out, both oblivious to the plight of the poor girl calling for help as the tower burned...

Anna's eyes snapped open, sweat beading on her forehead as she fought against the drugs to stay awake, suddenly very concerned about her dream and what it meant...

Don't be an idiot... You're not a princess, and nobody is fighting over you. Relax and get over yourself.

She swallowed hard, pushing the thought out of her head and rolling onto her side. She closed her eyes, willing her heart to stop thumping out of her chest as an unsettling feeling of dread hovered over her like a dark cloud...



Sleep now...