Frostbite |The Alternate Timeline

A Crack in The Glass

By the time we made our way upstairs, the party was already in full swing. No one noticed us as we slipped into the throng of people as the lights flashed across the dark space. The music pulsed through the room, dulling all noise unless it was literally right next to you. Zemo immediately darted for the bar, craving another drink already. There was no question that I'd probably be needing several to get through the rest of the night.

The guys glanced around, unsure how loose they should actually be. We wouldn't be able to do anything until morning even if Sharon found the information we needed long before. So why not enjoy what we could until then? I weaved through Sharon's various clients, trying to avoid bumping into anyone. I plopped into the seat next to Zemo and ordered a drink, avoiding his gaze as I waited.

"It didn't take you long to ditch your friends," he observed, taking a sip from his glass. I shot a disgruntled look his way, irked by the amusement there.

"You don't miss a thing do you?" I asked sarcastically, snatching the drink as it was placed in front of me. I gulped it down and tried to go back to ignoring him.

He leaned closer as if someone was eavesdropping, "You can admit that it has something to do with the tension between you and James. It's hardly unnoticeable."

"How is that any of your business?"

"It's not. You know, I bet he's a very jealous man. If you tried-"

I snorted, rolling my head to look at him again, "Are you trying to give me relationship advice? Seriously? I don't need to do anything to get his attention. Good lord, can't you go five whole minutes without hearing your own voice?"

He chuckled but shrugged and fell silent. We both remained quiet after that, having several drinks as I enjoyed his blissful silence. Neither Sam nor Bucky had reappeared since we'd first split up, but I'd seen Sharon floating around from client to client as the first hour or so passed by. 

I wondered what it would be like to live like this. Obviously not the money aspect; I had more than what I knew what to do with. When I had lived in Kathmandu, I had been a fugitive- in hiding. Part of me would love to leave everything behind and start fresh. To have freedom like this without the government waiting for me to fuck up... but I didn't think I could ever leave Morgan and Pepper for good.

I finally started to relax as a buzz set in, edging away any of the anxiety that had been there before. Someone tapped my shoulder from behind, and I turned curiously. A man smiled as I met his eyes, brushing his shaggy hair from his face. Zemo smirked from his seat as he watched unashamedly.

"Hey, there. I'm Daniel," he introduced confidently.

I smirked up at him as I twisted farther in my seat, "Of course you are. I'm Me- Melissa."

"Melissa, mind if I-?" he gestured toward the chair beside me, "Unless I'm intruding-"

His eyes had drifted to Zemo, unsure if we were together. My thoughts drifted to a similar memory of another bar where I had been approached in a similar manner, leaving an unpleasant taste in my mouth. My head shook involuntarily, and he held his hands up in understanding. He had only taken a few steps before I called after him.

"Hey- wait," I slid off my seat as he turned back around. I took a few steps forward and gestured behind him. "I just meant that I'm tired of sitting here. Wanna dance?"

The bright grin returned as he agreed happily, holding a hand out to me. As I took it, I couldn't help but notice the smug expression on Zemo's face. I narrowed my eyes at him, but continued to trail behind Daniel. We were quickly surrounded by people, laughing, dancing- not a care in the world. Their energy was contagious. The alcohol helped with that, too.