Resilient

Chapter 32

Steve rushed back to the floor after giving Sam and Bruce their desserts. He wanted to make sure that Bucky got out of his funk and didn't continue to be cold to Evelyn. While he understood why Bucky was upset at not knowing Evelyn had been previously engaged - he knew that she didn't keep it a secret on purpose.

He walked off the elevator and heard the quiet murmurs of the tv in the living room area. He walked around the couch and saw Bucky spread out watching Fast and Loose.

"Been a while since I've seen this," Steve said leaning on the back of the couch.

"Yeah, I'm feeling a little nostalgic," Bucky said laughing and taking a sip of his beer.

"So did you make an ass of yourself with Evelyn or did you finally ask her out?" Steve asked, grabbing a beer from the fridge.

"A little of both I suppose. She could tell something was up and we talked," Bucky said, turning to talk to Steve.

"I'm glad you talked - did you get the answers you wanted?" Steve asked, sitting down.

"Yeah, the Jacob kid is an idiot that broke off their engagement in a letter," Bucky said, flexing his hand.

"He seemed a little jealous when I met him. Like he realized what he lost when he thought she was gone," Steve said thoughtfully. He knew how easy it was to realize feelings too late. He felt bad for the kid but he broke Evelyn's heart so he deserved the pain.

"Then he won't be happy seeing her with me," Bucky said laughing.

"With you? Did you ask her to be your girl?" Steve said, looking at his friend in shock.

"Not yet. We are going on a date tomorrow when she's done at the VA," Bucky explained, "but I have every intention of her being my girl."

Steve grinned at his friend. "Know what your plans are yet?"

"I've had plans for our first date since I caught her in the kitchen," Bucky said blushing slightly

"Oh you are hooked," Steve said, nudging his friend "you ready for a room full of men pining over her on Wednesday?"

Bucky took a big drink of his beer and sighed, "I'd feel better about it if she was my girl before then, but I don't want to rush her into anything."

"She may not be your girl in title yet Buck but you can tell that the two of you have serious feelings for one another," Steve said smiling at his friend.

"I just have to remember that when she is being flirted with at the party," Bucky said with a small smile.

"Yeah, I feel like we are going to be doing plenty of fighting during the mission," Steve said finishing his beer.

"Good point," Bucky said, leaning back on the couch. He wasn't ready to leave Evelyn but he was more than ready to get her some revenge and answers.

-----

"Okay ladies what are you thinking for your outfits?" Evelyn asked as she took a bite of her burger.

"I'm thinking something we can dance in but still look hot," Wanda said giggling

"Oh you know we'll be looking good no matter what we get," Nastasha said as she took a bite of her food. "Evie, you know you could've ordered something other than a burger and fries."

"You have no clue how much I missed having a simple burger and fry Nat," Evelyn said taking another bite and genuinely savoring the bite.

"Remember this is our treat Evie - you don't have to worry about paying us back," Wanda said sensing what Natasha was hinting at.

"I know - I still feel weird about it though," Evelyn said smiling, "After my talk with Fury I don't think I will be having a normal life anytime soon."

"What happened in the meeting?" Wanda asked looking between Natasha and Evelyn.

"Well, my serum was a perfect mixture of the serums used on Nat and Bucky, I will have an extended life span and age very slowly, it increased my healing-strength-and speed, and it woke up a dormant part of my DNA which is what I have to thank for my powers," Evelyn said taking an aggressive bite of her fry. "The plan is for me to train and be protected while you all go and take down Hydra."

"Why do I get the sense you aren't happy with the plan?" Natasha asked raising an eyebrow

"I'm not happy or unhappy - it just feels weird. Like I again have no control over my life. I want to figure out these powers and be an Avenger but at the same time its either become an Avenger or become a science experiment that is locked in her room."

Wanda took Evelyn's hand and waited for her to look up before she spoke, "Evie, you and I have more in common than you know. I was experimented on too - the experiments woke up a part of me which gave me these powers. I didn't have anyone to teach me how to control them or use them. My brother and I volunteered to be experimented on for revenge so all we knew was anger, revenge, and pain. This team took us in - they forgave our past and took me in when I was at my most lost and showed me love after Pietro died. I give you my word that no one is going to let anyone experiment on you or make you a prisoner."

Evelyn stared at the woman; her mouth open. "Your brother died?"

"He died on a mission - protecting Clint and a boy," Wanda said sadly. "A part of me died that day too. I know the pain you feel in your heart but we both must push through for the ones we lost."

Evelyn squeezed her hand and reached for Natasha's hand, "I'm so glad our stories led us to one another."

"I agree - our stories may not have had good beginnings but they led us here," Natasha said smiling at the women. "Now let's finish our food and get some cute ass outfits to make those men drool."

Evelyn and Wanda laughed and got back to eating. They all excitedly talked about outfit choices and what music they hoped played.