Wanted

A noise outside roused Anna from her already light sleep, fear of being hunted down still on the forefront of her mind. She dared let a single eye creak open, and just as she suspected, there was indeed movement outside.

Oh my god, oh my god...

Lights from a car, or perhaps a bright flashlight shone in through the blinds, as the sound of her thumping heart overtook her other senses for a moment. She jammed her eyes shut again, Bucky's words echoing in her ear - 'close your eyes and don't move a muscle'.

Damnit Bucky, where are you? This is the part when you step out from the shadows and do your gun-toting badass thing...
No, you're on your own now... They're here for you. They know who you are. They know where you live... You can't sit around and wait for someone to save you...
What's it gonna be, Anna?

She swallowed hard, letting her eyes creak open again, more noise and more light outside. Her chest tightened, knowing she had to make a move. Staying still was not an option, she was a sitting duck here, and they were getting closer.
She clenched her jaw, a rush of adrenaline hitting her, as she decided her next move.

She sat up quietly, jaw clenched as her eyes darted around the room, easily finding an escape route. She grasped the quilt to pull it back, noticing the shine on the fabric as the room got brighter.

What the hell!?

Her eyes darted up as noise built up out the window, along with a light that got brighter and brighter until it was blinding, much like looking into a train headlight as it got closer... Or a quinjet...

No... NOOO!

She barely had time to let out a scream and shield herself, before the deafening *BOOM*...


Anna woke up in a cold sweat and out of breath, still in a state of panic. The room was pitch black, and it took her a few moments to realize she was on the hard floor. She jerked away from the restriction of the quilt which she was thoroughly tangled in, taking a deep breath, and mentally ordering herself to calm down.
She sat herself up, a whimper escaping her as pain shot through her shoulder - the same one that was hurt in the car wreck with Bucky...

She caught her breath, leaning against the bedside table for a few moments.

It was a dream... It was just a dream...

Her hand went to her shoulder, holding it as she grit her teeth, feeling like an idiot for having fallen on it.

Of course it hurts like absolute hell... Shit!

She clenched her jaw, telling herself to get over it as she propped herself up enough to see over her bed. The sight of the bedroom window turned her stomach, fear gripping her like a vice around the throat.

No... Don't think about it... It was just a stupid dream... There's no quinjet or helicopter or missile or whatever the hell it was...

Her breathing became rapid again, her hands trembling as Anna jammed her eyes shut.

NO. You've got to get over this... It's ridiculous...

She let out a breath, going over the problem in her head and trying to convince herself that nobody was coming to get her.

Stupid, irrational fear... You literally live in a building full of superheroes.
Yeah, but name a better way to kill or kidnap someone than blasting a hole in the side of their bedroom while everyone's asleep?

"Jesus Christ..." she whispered, pushing her damp hair back from her face...

It'd be so easy - they know which room is mine, there was a photo of me sitting in the window, which is the whole reason we confirmed my existence to begin with...

She shook her head, not wanting to think about it for another minute. She stood, wincing with pain as she pulled herself upright, deciding she'd have to see Dr Cho in the morning at some point. She picked up a pillow, and dragging her quilt behind her, she made her way into the lounge room, deciding to spend the rest of the night on the sofa.

A glance up at the clock showed it was nearly 4am, Anna grateful that she could get up in a couple of hours and this whole stupid night would be over with.
She set a little bed up for herself, again feeling thankful that all the sofas in the building were these huge, L shaped things. She glanced up at the wall of windows, her heart sinking again when she realized she'd still be in full view of them, should any baddies decide to come back...

She rolled her eyes, and ignoring her stupid shoulder, she gave the sofa a push.

"Ugh!"

She turned around, putting her back against it, and with a few forceful shoves, she'd rotated it just far enough that the back was facing the window.
A quick glance of her handiwork showed a room in complete disarray, the sofa at a stupid angle, and cushions everywhere.

Whatever...

She plonked herself down, laying on her left side to save her sore shoulder a little, and pulled the quilt up. A smile crossed her face as she pressed herself into the backrest, suddenly feeling safe again.

Small spaces - that's the answer... Or is it the feeling of having a someone big and strong beside you when you're scared?



The phone ringing woke Anna up, the feeling of having no idea where she was sinking in, her stomach tightening...

You're in your room on the couch, idiot...

She sat herself up, sucking in a breath when pain shot up her arm again, her hand going to her shoulder as she jammed her eyes shut.

Yes... You had a nightmare and fell out of bed, remember? Right before you re-arranged your room in case terrorists came, or whatever it was?

She shook her head at herself, getting up and dashing to the bedroom to find her phone on the floor to answer it.

"Hello?" She said, her voice hoarse and raspy...
"I wake you?" Came Tony's voice, far too bubbly for this early in the morning.
"Oh, uh, yeah - but it's fine, I was about to get up anyway..." She lied, rubbing her eyes.
"You alright, you sound a little... Off?"
"I'm fine, just not quite 'with it' yet" She assured him.

"Well go get yourself woken up and dressed, Pepper needs to have a talk with you before she leaves again, and then we're all having breakfast"
"Sure... What time? ...I mean how long do I have, what time do I need to be down there?" She stammered, tripping on her words.
"Sure you're alright?"
"Yeah"
"Say, half an hour? It's not quite seven now, meet us down there at seven thirty, the others will get there after eight?"
"Sounds good"
"Okay, see you down there"

Anna hung the phone up, taking it with her into the bathroom and setting it down on the counter. She stepped into the shower, turning it on as she undressed, turning to check her side in the mirror.

"God damnit..." She whispered to herself with a frown, her fingertips tracing over the dark bruise that had come up.



Tony and Pepper were already waiting in the office above the rec room, Tony giving Anna a wave when she walked in. She waved back and gave a smile as she made her way up the stairs and wandered in.
He got up from his seat to give her a hug, Anna holding her breath and gritting her teeth when he gave her a squeeze.

"-You're hurt" He said suddenly, pulling away, "What happened?"
"It's just my shoulder... I went ass-up in the middle of the night, landed right on it-"
"-I'll get Cho in here immediately" he cut her off, Pepper wide eyed as she watched Tony fuss over Anna.

"-No it's fine, it's just a knock... Let's get this meeting sorted, and then she can check it after. Pepper's only here for a few hours."

Tony narrowed his eyes, not liking her nonchalance.

"Seriously" Anna insisted, "let's get this done, I'm not dying"

Tony let out a breath, Anna giving him a smile which he returned, despite himself.

"Hi" Pepper said warmly when Anna sat down, a chuckle escaping her at the little exchange she'd just witnessed.
"Morning, pepper" She smiled a little shyly.
"So since yesterdays press conference, my inbox has pretty much blown up, so I thought we'd organize the next step before I headed back to D.C this afternoon..." She started, Anna nodding, "It doesn't have to be in the next day or anything, but now that you've 'come out' so to speak, the press are gonna want a picture, and some sort of interview. I already have a bidding war going on - it's crazy..."
"Okay" Anna said bravely, sitting up in her seat, "so what's the plan?"

"Generally, the story goes to the highest bidder, and you'd have a photo shoot and an interview with your magazine of choice... You'd get a huge payout, and they'd earn that back in sales" She said, "BUT, I thought to ease into it, we find a reputable magazine, rather than a tabloid, and go from there - no matter what the financial bid was... What do you think about that?"
"If you think that's the way to go then I trust you" Anna smiled, "I'm not too concerned about money to be honest..."

"That's fine, well you won't have to worry about finances ever again anyway" Pepper joked, Anna cringing, much to Tony's amusement.

She glanced over at him with an awkward look on her face, completely embarrassed by the thought of being handed money.

"It is what it is, kiddo... Get used to it" he shrugged, "You should have been looked after years ago, and you weren't"
"-None of that was your fault"
"-Just the same" He interrupted, "whether you turn out to be my best friend or my worst enemy, you'll be looked after. Whether we love, hate, are completely neutral or dead to one and other, I can sleep soundly at night knowing that I have a kid out there who's gonna be okay. Kinda selfish, I know, but that's how it's gonna be" he said, raising his hands to signal there was to be nothing more said on the matter.

Anna let out a breath and tucked a loose strand of her long hair behind her ear.
"Okay... So how about we donate the fee. We pick a reputable magazine, and whatever financial payout they offer, we donate it to a worthy cause" She suggested, looking over at Pepper who's face had lit up with a bright smile.
"I like it..." Pepper said thoughtfully, "actually I love that... It shows a lot of integrity" She nodded, Tony agreeing.

"Any particular charity?" Tony asked, looking between Anna and Pepper.
"Maybe we pick a few that could do with a little help, and depending on how much money we get offered, we could divvy it up accordingly?" Anna suggested.
"Great idea" Pepper smiled, looking back down at her laptop screen as she began to type, "so this will probably need to happen within the week, are you okay with that, Anna?"
"Yep, let's do it" She smiled bravely, trying to cover up how incredibly nervous she was.

"Alright, well leave it with me, I'll pick a magazine - unless you'd like to?" Pepper offered
"No, you go right ahead, this is your area of expertise" Anna smiled back
"No problem... I'll keep in touch with you, but it'll probably take a couple of days to figure out, and then I'll need to set it all up - when, where and how it's going to all go ahead... I'll be back on the day to help you through it all, and we'll get a stylist, a hairdresser and a makeup artist in to have you looking your best-"
"-Oh... I don't need all of that do I?" Anna asked, hesitantly, embarrassed by the thought.
"First impressions... trust me"
"I don't want look like a barbie or anything-"
"You won't. You'll just look like a more 'polished' version of yourself for the cameras. Just helps with the lighting and all of that, and you can relax while someone pampers you" She smiled, Anna nodding agreeably, "I'll call you during the week to go over what you can and can't say, and then while you're getting styled we'll go back over it."

"Sounds good to me"
"All set?" Tony asked, glancing between them again.
"Yep, I think we're all sorted" Pepper smiled, "are you definitely happy with all of that, I can change anything if you'd like?" She asked, looking back over at Anna.
"No, that all sounds good"
"You nervous?" Tony asked, a grin forming on his face
"Terrified."



Bucky walked into the rec room, spotting Steve and Sam sitting on the sofa under the window drinking coffee. There was a table in the middle of the room which had placings set with plates, glasses and cutlery, and there were jugs filled with water or orange juice on the bar. The familiar food service lady approached him, asking if he'd like a coffee which he accepted with a polite smile before thanking her.

His eyes scanned the room, wondering where Anna was, his question answered when he heard commotion above him. He peered up, looking into the glass office to see Tony holding her steady while Dr Cho manipulated her arm. She was breathing heavily and seemed distressed, Bucky clenching his jaw as he decided whether to charge in there or not.

Dr Cho seemed to be telling her something, Anna nodding nervously as Tony braced her so she couldn't move. There was a shriek as her arm was raised, the colour draining from Anna's face as she wobbled on her feet, Tony setting her down on the couch.
The blinds were dropped, Tony stepping out of the room having been kicked out.

"What's going on?" Bucky asked firmly, meeting Tony halfway up the stairs, Tony rolling his eyes, exasperated.
"Not that it's any of your business, but Anna's shoulder was bothering her and it needed a little, uh, intervention"
"How'd she hurt it?"
"Apparently some idiot flipped a car she was in, or something?" Tony shrugged, Bucky suppressing the urge to throw him down the stairs, "She'll be out in a minute, she's just getting wrapped up... Go sit down, hovering isn't going to make anyone feel any better"



Anna made her way down the stairs, still looking a little pale and wobbly, Bucky watching from the other side of the room as Tony rushed over to help her down the last couple of steps. The two spoke for a moment, Tony asking if she was alright as Anna nodded, not wanting a big deal made of her.
He gestured towards the bar, Anna reassuring Tony again before he continued up the stairs to go back into the office.

Anna wandered over to the bar, picking up a glass and setting it down on the counter top before reaching for the jug of ice water.
"Need a hand with that?" Came Bucky's voice from behind her, catching her by surprise, "Here" He offered without waiting for an answer, reaching around her to pour her glass.
"Thanks" She smiled, turning to face him.
"What happened to your shoulder?"
"Fell on it" She smiled weakly, Bucky raising a brow, "I'm a klutz"

He frowned a little as he watched her sip her water, still a little pale and unsteady on her feet. She set the glass back down, looking up to realize he was watching her, Anna smiling weakly at him, feeling a little awkward.
"You alright?"
"Yeah"
"You sure?"
"I'll be fine... Just tired"
"Oh" Bucky nodded, "didn't sleep?"
"Not really" She answered, taking another sip from her glass, setting it down when she was hit with a wave of nausea.

Bucky's hand caught her around her good arm to steady her before she realized she'd faltered, Anna looking up into his two very concerned looking blue eyes as she got her bearings back.
"Actually... I don't feel so good" She mumbled
"Gonna be sick?"
"No"
"Faint?"
"Kinda..." She breathed, "like I'm gonna fall..."
"I won't let that happen" He assured her, her expression still a bit hazy. He peered around the room, noticing that the office blinds were down and that everyone else was too busy mingling to notice that Anna wasn't herself...

"You should probably lay down" He suggested, keeping his voice quiet.
"No I'll be fine, she said I might feel a bit crappy... I'll be alright"
"Okay... If you say so..." he said with a shrug, giving her a smirk which made her want to laugh.

They looked up to see Steve wandering over, the usual bright expression on his face.
"Hey" he beamed, almost as if he was announcing his arrival.
"Hey" Anna and Bucky answered simultaneously, before glancing at each other in amusement.

The three of them got chatting as usual, Steve excitedly asking all about Tony's press conference, and how she was handling everything. Anna smiled and nodded, giving short, polite answers for a while before she realized her ears were ringing, and sound was getting a little hazy.
She frowned as she tried to focus, still nodding, trying to stave off whatever was coming over her, squinting as things got a little blurry...

"You alright?"

She could see Bucky's lips moving, but no sound was coming out.

"Anna?"

The world spun as she broke into a sweat, wobbling on her feet again...



When things started to materialize around her again, Anna realized she was being carried, and for once, she didn't care one bit.

"There we go..." Came Bucky's voice as he gently laid her down on her very crooked sofa. He disappeared for a moment, coming back with a cool washcloth and a water bottle from the fridge, laying the cloth over her forehead.
"Lost ya for a few minutes there..." he teased her, Anna managing a small smile, "you alright?"
"Yeah" She choked out, her voice a little hoarse, "I'm so sorry..."
"What for?"
"For whatever just happened"

Bucky let out a chuckle, Anna smiling back at him as she propped herself up with a little help. She pulled her free arm out of her knit sweater, Bucky helping her get it off without lifting her shoulder, Anna gritting her teeth a little.

"Thanks" she breathed, suddenly feeling a little under-dressed in a little shoestring tank top.
"Wow, they strapped you up pretty good, huh" He said, examining Dr Cho's handiwork...
"Yeah, I can't move it a whole lot"
"That's a good thing..." He chuckled, Anna smiling back as she nodded in agreement.

"Thanks for bringing me back here" she said a little sheepishly.
"Don't mention it"
"You're always right there when I get myself into trouble" She said with a shrug, "I'm so embarrassed, I swear I'm not usually this needy!"

Bucky let out a laugh, shaking his head at her.
"Don't be, and you're not needy - trust me"

Anna let out a breath, looking down, pretending not to notice Bucky watching her like he always did, Bucky graciously breaking the awkwardness.
"So what's with the couch being crooked, is that how you hurt yourself?" He asked, leaning down to pick up the cushions from the floor and putting them back on the sofa.
"Oh... Uh, I just wanted it the other way" She said dismissively, not feeling right about lying to him, "and no, I hurt myself going ass-up in the bedroom.
"That explains the crooked bedside table, and sheets on the floor then, I guess?"
"You miss nothing..."

Anna reached over and pulled her quilt on her lap which was still there from the night before, and covered herself up. She gave Bucky a nervous smile, his eyes flicking between her, the quilt and the pillow.

"And sleeping on the couch now?" He observed, Anna looking down again and shrugging, not sure what to say, "Sleeping on the couch, rearranging the room and tripping up in the bedroom, huh?" He probed, trying to get an explanation out of her.
"It's not that big a deal, really"
"Bad night?"
"Something like that..." She admitted.

He nodded and let out a breath, deciding not to push the point any more. Part of him felt a little bad for her, remembering what his early days and nights were like when he first moved onto the base...

"Well" He started, standing up after a pause, "If you're gonna have it pointing this way, it may as well be straight" He said, changing the subject.
"I'll get up"
"Stay there, just hang on"
"It's heavy, don't hurt yoursel-"  she started, her mouth dropping open when he stood up and grabbed the arm rest, straightening it effortlessly in seconds.
"How's that?" he asked, stepping back before deciding to give it one more nudge.

Anna's lips were still parted, a look of shock still on her face which amused Bucky greatly. He smirked a little, trying not to laugh. He picked up her shoes from beside the coffee table while he was up, putting them by the door before coming back and sitting down beside her

"Feeling any better?" He asked, relieved to see a bit of color back in her cheeks.
"...You're... That was really heavy" She said, propping herself up, Bucky letting out a chuckle.
"It was nothing, really" he said, a little embarrassed with the attention on him,

"So..." he started, changing the subject, "What was the verdict on your shoulder?"
"Oh... Well Cho said it was a pinched nerve, but when I fell on it, the joint moved... So she had to kinda manipulate it" Anna explained, Bucky nodding as he listened, "It slid straight back in, and she seems to think it'll be better soon"
"It'll be sore, did she give you anything for it?"
"No, I didn't want anything" Anna said nonchalantly.
"Why, you'd rather be in pain?"
"No, I'd rather be... Conscious" She said, raising a brow as she let out a melancholy chuckle, "we all know what happened last time they gave me painkillers..."

Bucky let out a breath, shaking his head as he sat up.
"You know it wouldn't be like that again..."
"I know, I just don't feel comfortable I guess... It's hard to explain, it's not that I don't trust her, or Tony, or whatever... I just have a few things going on in my head, and-" She cut herself off, feeling like something out of a bad soap opera for a moment.

She let out a breath, shaking her head as she mentally told herself to toughen up.
"You know what? It doesn't matter" She smiled, looking back up at him, not sure what to make of his expression, "It's all good"

Bucky raised a brow, not buying it for a second.
"You know you can talk to me any time you need to, right?" He offered, choosing his words carefully.
"I know... I really appreciate it" She smiled, "honestly I can't thank you enough for everything..."
"You don't have to thank me for anything" He said, keeping his face friendly while he mentally picked her apart.

"Yeah I do, and apologize... You've been amazing since the second we met, and I've been a complete pain" She said, a little red faced, "And here you are again"

Bucky smiled, scooting up close to her, pausing for a moment before he opened his mouth to speak before they were interrupted by a knock on the door.
"Stay there, I'll get it" He said, putting his hand out to stop her.

He stood up, quickly heading over to Anna's bedroom, pulling the door shut to hide the chaos, his eyes peering around the lounge room.
"Open the blinds please, Friday"

The blinds rose, winter sunlight spilling into the room, Anna frowning as she wondered what the hell was going on. Bucky's hand was on the door handle by the time the second knock came, pulling it open to reveal Tony, hand still raised as the door was opened mid-knock.

"I thought 'super soldiers' were supposed to be fast?" He said, a look of exasperation on his face as he stepped around Bucky.

He made his way over to Anna who was still sitting on the sofa, a look of confusion on his face which he shook off for the moment.

"Are you alright? Steve said you just dropped, mid conversation..." He said, genuinely worried.
"Yeah I'm okay... Thanks to Bucky" She said, nodding over to him, Tony pursing his lips, "He literally caught me"
"Of course he did" Tony breathed
"I'm serious, we were talking, and everything was fine... If he hadn't have been as quick as he was, I would have hit the deck" She said, Tony nodding, begrudgingly turning to mutter a brief 'thankyou' to him.

"I called Cho on the way over, she said your blood sugar may have dropped or maybe a little shock, have you eaten anything?"
"Not yet, I was just getting my bearings back"
"Okay, well we'll order you something, and if you're still a little flat I can get Helen down here to check you over... Okay?"
"Okay"
"What do you feel like?"
"Literally anything, don't go to any trouble on my account" She smiled, looking up at Bucky who was standing behind Tony, arms crossed.
"I suppose you're staying with her?" Tony asked, turning to face Bucky who suddenly seemed a little taken aback.

He glanced back and forth between Tony and Anna, not really sure what to say, about to knock the offer back before she smiled at him.
"If you want me to?" He asked her, vulnerability and uncertainty shining through, Anna's chest tightening...
"I'd like that - unless you'd prefer to go back downstairs?" She answered, suddenly feeling a little nervous again.
"I'll stay" Bucky said, Tony rolling his eyes.

"Thank god we finally got there..." He said, shaking his head, scrolling away on his Smartphone screen, "Two mixed breakfasts, orange juice and coffee... Is that okay?"
"That sounds amazing, thank you" Anna smiled, Bucky pretty much echoing her words.

"Done. Fifteen minutes, and it'll be up." Tony said with the tap of the screen, "Oh, uhh... And what's with the room?" He added, realizing something was different as he tucked his phone in his pocket.
"That was me" Bucky offered before the words could leave Anna's lips, "I suggested letting some light in - it always makes me feel better when I'm not well..." He added with a shrug, Tony frowning.

"With the couch the way it was, the sun was in her face, so this way the room is nice and bright, and she can lay back and watch TV, nap, or whatever without the glare" He explained, "wasn't hard to move"
"Right..."
"Is that okay?" Anna interjected, playing along, "Bucky said he'd move it back if it wasn't"
"No that's fine" Tony smiled, waving his hand, "It's your room - you can have it how you like"
"Thanks so much" She smiled.
"Don't mention it... Oh, and apparently you need to wear this" He added, holding a sling up, "I was given strict instructions to pass it on... Wrist through the small hole, and head through the big one"
"Oh wow..." Anna said, a little unimpressed when she laid eyes on it.
"Sorry, you've gotta wear it"
"Can't wait" She smiled, her voice dripping with sarcasm, Tony letting out a chuckle.

"Make sure she puts it on after breakfast, please?" He asked, turning to Bucky who begrudgingly nodded.
"I will" He confirmed, part of him lapping up the fact that Tony not only was being nice to him, but had asked him for a favor.

Bucky gave Anna a shrug and a smile, Tony looking at his watch again like he always did.
"Crap... I've gotta go drop Pepper off, call me if there's anything you need, doesn't matter what it is" He said, quickly giving Anna a kiss of the forehead before bolting towards the door, "And sling ON after breakfast - Barnes, make sure"
"Yes sir!" He called back, touching two fingers to his forehead in a mock-salute, making the three of them laugh.
"Thank you!"



Anna smiled up at Bucky, who made his way to sit beside her on the sofa, sling in hand.
"You know I'm not wearing that thing..." She said, eyes narrowed in mock-intimidation.
"You know I'm gonna make you wear it... Like it or not?" He answered, keeping his voice low.

Anna chuckled, rolling her eyes.
"Fine, I'll wear it, but only to keep you in Tony's good graces... Not because you did the scary face"

Bucky nodded, biting his lip a little as he gave a thoughtful smile...

"Speaking of which... Thanks for the whole 'couch and sunlight' thing" She started, glancing up to make eye contact with him again, "And pulling the door shut, you didn't have to do that"

Bucky smiled and nodded, pushing his hair back from his face.
"I know I didn't... But it would have been better coming from me than you - especially when you can't even string a story together to me..." He said, raising his brows, Anna looking away, "I'm not going to hassle you about it right now, but I've got a pretty good idea what's going on... And although it wasn't a hundred percent honest, it's one less person you have to explain yourself to, and it was technically me that lied - not you"

Anna chuckled, nodding before looking up to give him a smile.

"Saving me from guilt?"
"Saving you from everything I can" He winked, Anna laughing again and rolling her eyes.
"Well you don't have to do that - but I appreciate it.
"Just like you didn't have to stand up for me, but did anyway?" He asked, sitting up and cocking his head.
"What?" She asked, frowning a little, Bucky biting his lips as he chose his words...

"I've been asked out by three different girls since the pizza night in the rec room..." He said after a pause.
"Oh..." She smiled, happy for him, but not entirely sure how relevant it was to the conversation, "That ought to keep you busy then..."
"Nooo" He chuckled, putting his hands up, "I'm not going out with any of them, my point is, that they were the girls you spoke to that night"
"Oh..." Anna said, a light-bulb lighting up in her head.
"Yeah" Bucky confirmed, nodding "Apparently you set them straight on a few assumptions? Maybe even talked me up a little?"
"Yeah, well they were talking shit about you... It wasn't right" She said with a shrug
"And from what I've heard, you've also corrected Tony whenever he's assumed something bad about me?"
"Of course I did... And he wasn't ragging on you - he's just been misinformed. And wrongfully sued"
"And even here just now - you emphasize the point that I was the one who caught you and got you safely back to your room?"
"That's because you did"

Bucky chuckled again, smiling over at her, Anna feeling a little embarrassed.

"You sure have a way of seeing the best in people, don't you?"
"Some people..." She said, "not all..."
"Not bad for someone who doesn't trust anyone"
"I trust you?"

They were both quiet for a moment, awkwardness building between them. Bucky let out a long breath he didn't realize he'd been holding before speaking up and breaking the silence...

"Look... Besides Steve, I've never had anyone stand up for me - much less someone I held at gunpoint, kidnapped, and physically hurt" He started, Anna holding up a hand to stop him.
"Oh my god, stop right there-" She said, feeling her cheeks redden.
"-No" He said, interrupting her right back, "I know what you're gonna say, that it's all fine - and I appreciate that... But it doesn't change the fact that I did it, nor does it change the fact that since you've been back, things have been better for me here" He admitted, Anna wide eyed and completely floored.

"I won't go into it all, but you've cleared my name on quite a few issues without even realizing it. Steve overheard Tony telling Pepper how 'respectful', 'understanding', and 'gentlemanly' you said I was while we were hiding out... Among other things..."
"That's because you were - and still are"
"-Thanks" He smiled, looking down, embarrassed, "but the point I'm trying to make, is that no matter what happens from here on out, I'll never forget what you've done for me, and I'll always have your back... Okay?"

Anna felt a lump form in her throat which she had to swallow down quickly, realizing Bucky was watching her. She covered her face for a moment, letting out a breath when she'd gathered herself together.

"Are you trying to make me cry?" She joked, Bucky's expression softening as she cleared her throat.
"Sorry about that..." He chuckled, leaning a little closer and lowering his voice, "But I mean it... And I want you to talk to me about all this when you're ready" He added, gesturing around the room with a metal finger, still looking into her eyes.

Anna nodded again, part of her a little nervous by how close he was, the other part wanting to be even closer...

*Knock knock*

The two of them jumped, hearts racing and sitting up straight as they listened for the voice on the other side of the door, "Breakfast!"

"I'll get it" Bucky smiled, getting up and heading over to the door.

Anna silently commanded herself to calm down, giving Bucky a smile as he peered back over his shoulder at her.

She watched as he politely thanked the lady, the two of them chatting briefly, their exchange friendly and light hearted. There was something about seeing him happy that really hit home with her, and she was suddenly mad at anyone who'd made his life here any harder than it needed to be.

Except Tony - he had his reasons...

Anna let out a breath, her mind running at a million miles per hour as she tried to imagine what the last year here at Shield had been like... Tony Vs Bucky, Steve Vs Tony... Tony's assistants Vs Tony... Everyone else Vs Bucky... No wonder he'd taken off at the first chance he'd had.

"Hope you're hungry" Came his excited voice, snapping her away from her thoughts, "Sharron gave us a little of everything"
"Can't wait" She beamed right back, Bucky shooting her a grin which she couldn't help but return.
"Coffee?"
"Please"

The two of them dug in, impressed at the selection as they filled their plates. Bucky enthusiastically loaded up on eggs and bacon, Anna preferring pancakes and fresh fruit.
There wasn't much talking, neither of them realizing how hungry they really were until they'd started eating...

"You know, I meant what I said before..." Bucky suddenly broke the silence, Anna looking up at him as she popped a blueberry into her mouth, "I want you to talk to me when you're ready, and I'm not buying any of this 'it's all good' stuff" He added.

"It's really no big deal"

"I'm not buying that either..." He said, keeping his tone friendly, "I'm not gonna hassle you, but you said you trusted me, and I said I'd look out for you, so that's what I'm trying to do..." He explained, Anna reluctantly nodding.

"Anything you say to me stays between us... So when you're ready, I'm here"

"...Thanks Buck" She said quietly with a smile, feeling a little under pressure, but kind of grateful that someone cared enough to push the subject.
"Don't mention it" He said gently, clearing his throat to shake the sudden awkwardness off, "what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas" He joked, Anna suddenly feeling relaxed again.

"I've never been to Vegas" She mused, Bucky raising his brows thoughtfully.
"You know what, either have I..."
"You wanna know something really sad?" She asked, reaching for another handful of blueberries, "I've never been on a vacation. Period"

Bucky's mouth dropped open, obviously surprised.
"I thought your parents were, uh..."
"Loaded?"
"Yeah"
"Alex was too busy, Mom had the Hampton's with her girlfriends, and I stayed at home with a nanny - why do you think I got bored and used to go snooping?"
"Makes sense" Bucky shrugged, Anna letting out a chuckle.

"Well lets make a pact" He announced excitedly, sitting up straight.
"I'm listening..."
"After all this magazine, photo shoot, and interview stuff is over, and we've got a handle on who was after you, lets go somewhere."

Anna pondered the idea in her mind, pausing for a moment before nodding.

"Deal..." She said, "but If I have to wait that long for a vaycay, I'm gonna need crystal blue oceans, sunshine, and overpriced cocktails..."
"I can work with that"
"Oh I'm not done yet"
"Uh oh..."
"I'm gonna need one of those grass-roofed villas that you see on T.V - you know the ones in the islands where the bottom floor is underwater and made of glass?"
"Oh, yeah, I like those, too" he agreed
"I'm gonna need full round the clock room service - " She said, watching worry take over his expression as she added anything she could think of to her list of requests.

"-Don't go cheap on me, Barnes" She sassed, pointing a spoon at him which he snatched away, narrowing his eyes making her laugh, "a promise is a promise"
"I never promised - I suggested"
"You offered, and you'd never lie to me - remember?"
"God damn it" he shook his head, "Girls - they remember everything" He said with a huge eye roll.

Anna laughed again, Bucky joining in, the two of them enjoying a moment of happiness.

"A girl can dream" She smiled, "It'll have to be next week though, because I've got my interview"
"That soon?"
"The interview, or the holiday?"
"The interview" He said
"Yeah, Pepper said it's best to get it over with as quickly as possible... Could be as early as Friday"
"Wow"
"I know" She said, cringing a little at the thought, "not looking forward to it at all..."

"Try not to stress about it... I'll be there to get you through it - if you need a bodyguard, or even someone to come pull faces at you through the window to make you laugh, I'm your guy"