His Savior

Denial

Over the week it has been the same. I rarely saw James unless he went to find food to eat or worked out at the gym. How could anyone workout without music? I mean sure he didn't have much to listen to...and music was played on vinyl in his day.

At night I didn't sleep well being in a new environment with a man I barely knew doesn't make sleep easy. It's a quarter to five in the morning when I take Humphrey walking around Central Park so he can also used to his barrings. Being so close to this area I'm living in my happy place...at least until I make my way back to the tower. Around six a.m the sun is just rising when we make our way back to the apartment where I decide to make breakfast. I scramble some eggs and make toast with butter and jelly.

This time I didn't have to walk to James door to offer him food, for he walked his way from his bedroom to the kitchen. His long hair is slightly tangled from sleeping, and he's in a white tank top and black sweat pants. He walks to the breakfast bar and sits at one of the bar stools.

"Morning." I say softly as I pour myself a cup of coffee.

"Don't you ever sleep?" He mumbles with sleep as he settles in on the stool.

Ignoring his question I hand him a cup filled with hot coffee as well. He sips it slowly as if he's enjoying taking his time to enjoy the bitter liquid.

" I need a few weeks to get used to my bearings. I'm not used to living in a high rise, or a sleeping in a bed as large as my apartment." I admit and sip my coffee as well.

I serve him a plate of scrambled eggs and hand him a fork. I take a seat next to him and eat my breakfast next to him.
" What are you five? You eat your eggs with a spoon?" He mocked, watching me from the corner of his eye.

I nod. "It's just how I'm used to it."

Humphrey nudges my leg and I giggle and pretend to drop my egg. "Oops, Humphrey clean that up please."

On command he licks the eggs off the floor then licks the top of my hand as a thank you.

"Ok, What's with the dog? Is he your security guard or something?"
"Yes, He's also my service dog." I say dropping another piece of egg.

"Service to what?"

I hate that I have to go over this again to another person, especially one who hates my guts.

" I have Diabetes with Hypoglycemia . He warns me if my sugars dropping. I need him mainly at night or if I'm alone. When I live on my own it sometimes hits too fast that I wouldn't even know. Blood meters can't detect as fast as he can. He barks loud enough that the neighbors could call my superintendent, unlock the door and help me. While at the headquarters I have a partner who knows my symptoms to help me. I've been lucky to never need any assistance since I've been open about it."

After that story, I take his empty plate and mine and place them in the sink to wash along with the pan I used to make the eggs.

He suddenly grabs at my hand with his metal arm. It doesn't hurt but it shook me to see him pull at the bandage to my finger and examined my injury. The metal is cold, but the touch is gentle and firm.

"What happened here?" His voice deep in a whisper.
" From the other night. I cut my finger on the glass dish as I cleaned it up off the floor. No big deal." I yank it out of his grasp and proceed to washing the dishes.

"Why would Steve pick such a vulnerable woman to keep an eye on me?" He snarked and walked past me.
I watched him move swiftly back to his bedroom and I let out a sigh. How can a man so dangerous make me so...flustered?

I let some time pass by before ask JARVIS to send James a message, informing him to meet me into the gym.
I wear my usual workout gear of a baggy tshirt and compression leggings. Humphrey lays in the corner of the room with me still in his site.

I warm up by stretching my body with a few yoga poses. I stretch my back, then my legs,and finish with laying on my back with my eyes closed and wait for The Winter Soldier.

Starks words hit me hard about Jefferson. I couldn't do anything to help my own partner while undercover. I collapsed on the job and he took a bullet to protect me. Sometimes I wish I got hit instead of him so I wouldn't have to feel the guilt of everyone I've hurt cause of my stupidity and stubbornness.

I hear him enter but I keep quiet. He's moving around in a circle and I can feel him watching me closely. " Is this some sort of test?"

I smirk. "It could be."

His feet come at my sides, but I keep my eyes closed. I stay silent.
" I could kill you, right now."

"You could...a Vulnerable, unarmed woman is no match for you. Go ahead...Kill me." I taunt him.

Before I could finish my insult I hear the sound of his metal arm hit the ground next to my head making a ringing sound in my right ear. I open my eyes slowly and he is filled with so many emotions. Anger, frustration, fear, regret.

His breathing is heavy, and he's so close to my face that I can smell the minty toothpaste that he used this morning.

" Didn't even flinch." Bucky seemed surprised.

I shake my head. "I'm not afraid of you."
He lifted me up off the ground and put me in a choke hold. Enough to make my feet dangle off the ground but not enough to cut off my air.

"You should be!" He warns and drops me to the ground which I land perfectly on my feet.

He rushes for the nearest item to attack me, which happens to be a medicine ball. He chucks it at me with his metal arm and I jump out of the way just in time and rush for him.

He blocks several of my hits but I get a good hook on his eye which makes him shove me to the ground, but I recover by summersaulting backwards and getting back on my feet.

He avoids hitting me with his left hand, which was my first sign of assurance. I run toward him and jump over his head and bring him down in a neck hold with my thigh.

"Ready to tap out now?" I ask politely.
He unhooks my leg easy, but only cause I let him. He needs to see that I can take care of myself.

He gets one hit to my rib making me yelp in pain, but I quickly throw the heel of my foot to his face, causing blood to run from his nose.

I'm about to run towards him again when he holds his metal arm to wait.

We both breathe heavy. I see he's not going to attack me and I walk to the small refrigerator. I take out a bottle of water and dump it on a towel. I offer it to him and he places it on his nose, wiping as much blood as he could.

"You know I could kill you, I chose not to."

"  Proof that you are James Buchanan Barnes. The Winter Soldier wouldn't have let me live, you did. Remember who you are, and we will continue with everything in between."

I hold out my hand, hoping he will accept my guidance. He looks down at my hand and I expect him to shake it but instead he slaps it.
"Don't think this changes anything."

" I'm not gonna push you to like me. I just want you to know that there are decent people out there, and that you can be one of them if you just tried."

"I'm not a good person. I know Steve told you I was once upon a time... but not anymore. Even Stark sees who I really am. I should be locked up and never be released. You don't that soldier." He turns and throws the bloody towel on the floor and goes to leave...

I have to think fast.

" You're scared." I countered which made him stop in his tracks.

" Scared?" He replies but doesn't turn around.

"You're scared that when you finally get back some form of happiness it will get taken away. Either by Hydra or something that will use you as their weapon. It will just kill you in the end...and you're worth more then that. You're stronger then that. I just wish you could believe in yourself."

I hear him take a breath then I watch him continue to leave and I don't stop him. He needs my words to soak for a while...hopefully it will stick or we won't last a week.

YAY! Hope you are all enjoying the story! Please follow and give the chapter a vote!- LisaBGreen