Edge of Night

06

Bucky and Irina sat, enjoying each other's company.

After a moment of silence, Irina asked, "What do you think is happening to us?"

"What do you mean?" Bucky questioned.

"I mean, what's happening to us? First Dr. Zola did those tests on us, which were painful and strange. And now we heal quickly? Are we supposed to be some sort of superhero now?"

"No, I don't think so. But the fast healing is definitely weird."

"Do you think we'll be okay or will we have side effects in the future?"

Bucky took her hands. "Rina, you can't let these questions get to you. They'll weigh you down."

"But aren't you worried and scared about what might happen?"

"Of course I am, but rather than letting the fear consume me, I want to sit here and spend time with you. Can do you that, too?"

Irina nodded slowly. "I-I think so."

Bucky smiled and kissed her temple, raising his glass. "Here's to the future of you and me, doll."

Irina clicked his glass with hers. "Here's to our future."

He stared at her for a few moments longer, trying to memorize every detail in her face. Her green eyes with a golden tint that could entrance or kill with a single look. Her smile that never failed to make his day better. Her brown hair that perfectly rounded her face. Everything about her had captivated him and he wished he could gather the courage to speak three little, but incredibly bold words.

Steve watched his friends for a moment, then joined them as people sang There's a Tavern in Town.

"See, I told you," Bucky said. "They're all idiots."

"How about you two?" Steve asked. "You two ready to follow Captain America into the jaws of death?"

"Hell, no. That little guy from Brooklyn who was too dumb not to run away from a fight. I'm following him, and I'm guessing Rina's gonna say the same thing. But you're keeping the outfit, right?"

"You know what? It's kind of growing on me. Rina?"

Irina smiled. "Like he said, I'm following that kid from Brooklyn. The outfit could be worse."

The singing in the bar stopped as Peggy, in a tight-fitting, deep-red dress, walked in. "Captain."

"Agent Carter."

"Ma'am," Bucky and Irina greeted.

"Howard has some equipment for you to try," Peggy told Steve. "Tomorrow morning?"

"Sounds good," Steve replied.

"I see your top squad is prepping for duty."

"You don't like music?" Bucky asked, earning a swat from Irina. "Hey! Hitting's not nice."

"Don't care much," Irina said.

"I do, actually," Peggy answered, smirking lightly at the interaction between Bucky and Irina. "I might even, when all this is over, go dancing."

"Then what are we waiting for?" Bucky wondered.

"The right partner. 0800, Captain."

"Yes, ma'am," Steve said. "I'll be there."

Bucky, referring to the rejection he got from Peggy about going dancing with him, said, "I'm invisible. I'm... I'm turning into you. It's like some horrible dream."

"Don't take it so hard. I'm sure Rina would be happy to dance with you. We both know you've never been invisible to her."

Irina punched Steve's arm as he added, "Your cheeks are bright red."

"It's rather warm in here," she mumbled.

Both men chuckled and Bucky turned to Irina, wordlessly offering his hand.

Irina smiled and took his hand.

As they danced, Bucky asked, "How are you, Rina?"

"I'm all right. Are you?"

Bucky brushed her cheek. "I'm okay, doll. Rina, back in Azzano, I was so scared you'd be hurt or worse that I... I almost couldn't focus."

Irina pressed her thumbs gently to Bucky's cheeks. "But I'm okay. We both are."

"If Steve hadn't gotten us out of there... If you'd died-"

"Buck, let's not dwell on the past. We're here now, alive and well. Let's just dance and relish in each other's company, all right?"

A soft smile tugged at the corner of Bucky's lips. "That can certainly be arranged."

Bucky wrapped an arm around Irina's waist and took her hand with his free hand. He spun her, causing her to giggle and smile.

He returned her smile, continuing to dance with her.

The sparks between the reluctant lovers was obvious to all but the two dancers in their own little world.