Resilient

Chapter 14

Bucky couldn't remember the last time he had slept that well. His dreams were filled with images of Evelyn smiling, blushing, and laughing. He couldn't stop thinking about her and found himself smiling as he drank his coffee.

"A smiling Bucky who is ready for the morning run?" Steve said walking in with Sam who was stretching

"Wait, Bucky is smiling?" Sam said clutching his chest

"You have both seen me smile on multiple occasions," Bucky said, rolling his eyes and grabbing a leftover cinnamon roll from the microwave.

"You know now that you mention it, I do remember a rise in the smiling and laughing happening in the last week," Sam said putting his hand on his chin

"I think it's contagious because we've all been affected," Steve said grinning at his friend.

"Okay, guys, let's get going already," Bucky said, going toward the elevator. The other two men laughed as they followed behind him.

"Well at least I only have to compete with you for her attention tomorrow night Steve," Sam said walking onto the elevator and pushing the button for the ground floor.

"I think there will be plenty of men trying to get her attention tomorrow Sam," Steve said "She's the guest of honor. We have to make sure to look out for her."

"Don't worry with the three of us watching over her no one would try anything," Bucky said unconsciously flexing his fist.

"Three of us? You're actually coming to the party?" Steve asked looking at his friend in shock

"Damnit," Sam said, making all three men laugh.

-------

Evelyn was checking to make sure she hadn't missed anything in packing up her stuff. Apparently Tony was very serious about her moving out of the medical suite and into her own space. He had woken her up in the morning and let her know they'd be moving her stuff in the afternoon. All her clothes were put back in the bags and she had the cards from the flowers stuck in the back pocket of her jeans.

"Okay, Evelyn you ready?" Bruce said standing at the door with Natasha

"I am, thank you guys, for helping me. I think Tony had planned on it but he forgot he has a party to finish planning," Evelyn said laughing, "I don't have much so if we all grab a couple of bags it should only take us one trip!"

"It's no problem at all," Natasha said, grabbing some bags, "I'll help you get all unpacked and put together before the stylist comes this evening."

"Stylist?" Bruce asks as they go to the first apartment floor.

"Yes, I have to pick my gown tonight for the party. Also, you ARE going tomorrow so make sure to get your tux ready after you drop off this stuff," Evelyn said

"Um, I really don't," Bruce started but stopped quickly when he met the glare from Evelyn. He didn't think he'd met anyone as intimidating as Natasha before but she gave her a run for her money.

"Nope, not up for discussion. I already guilt-tripped Bucky and he's coming and no offense but I think I could break your resolve easier than I did his," Evelyn said as they stepped off the elevator.

"You got Bucky to agree to come?" Natasha said, leading Evelyn to her new room.

"Yeah, I just asked him how he'd feel if one of us was being harassed by some creep with all the guys preoccupied while he was up here in his pajamas," Evelyn said, turning slightly to look at Bruce.

"Fine, no need to go on," Bruce said, laying the bags on Evelyn's new bed.

"Good! You'll all soon learn I get my way" Evelyn said, giving him a hug and whispering in his ear while Natasha was walking towards the closet, "You better ask Nat for a dance or I will hurt you," releasing him with a smile.

Yep, more scary than Nat. Bruce thought to himself while he blushed slightly he nodded in agreement.

"Okay Bruce better head out - this could get messy," Natasha said laughing from the closet "Evie, you better come here."

As Bruce left the room Evelyn walked to the closet. "That sneaky bitch," Evelyn said mouth open. She looked around the walk-in closet to find all the clothes she had given back to Pepper. Natasha was smiling and holding out a note.

I seem to have lost the receipts for these.

-Pep

"Wait - have Pepper and Tony been planning on me moving in here the whole time," Evelyn asked looking at Natasha

"Knowing them probably. You're gold in Pepper's eyes and she has Tony wrapped around her finger whether he wants to admit it or not," Natasha said as she walked to get the bags Bruce had left on the bed. Turning around she saw Evelyn had sat on the couch.

"Nat, why are you all being so kind to me?" Evelyn asked her with tears in her eyes.

"Evie, I have never met anyone so kind in my life who puts everyone they meet ahead of themselves - well except maybe Steve but thankfully you cuss," Natasha said, gaining a small grin from Evelyn. "You have been nothing but a friend to a group of strangers and now you are family."

"I'm scared that Fury wants me to be an Avenger because of my powers but I don't even know what they are. What if I'm a danger to you guys? What if Hydra comes and looks for me? I couldn't stand it if anything happened to any of you," Evelyn said all her fears spitting out at once.

Natasha sat by her and put a hand on her hands that were nervously rubbing together. "Listen, Wanda will be able to help you. She will be here after the party and we can start training right away if you want. I don't for a second think you would hurt any of us - not even a little. I would trust you to watch my back and I am sure the rest of the team feels the same way. As for Hydra; we won't let them hurt you ever again."

Evelyn couldn't hold back her tears as she grabbed Natasha and hugged her. "I'm so glad you heard me that day."

"Me too Evie," Natasha said holding her friend as she cried