Hockey Rules (Bucky Barnes AU x NHL)

Self Defense... Kinda

*~* Emma *~*

March and April are a tense time in the hockey world. The push for the playoffs is the dominate conversation in the locker room and in the executive offices. One game is all we need to guarantee a spot in the playoffs, but the guys want that number one seed. It's the first time in a few years that we are in this great of shape to actually have a chance at the cup. The team is practicing more getting ready for the home stretch. Luckily, this leaves me busy so I'm not thinking of anything other than the new house and setting up the final road trips of the year.

The first road trip is to San Jose and Vegas, and I am able to travel with the team. While I don't actually stay with Bucky, I'm on the same floor. Four days of travel is rough but a learning experience for me. I come out of my room in Vegas on our day off, wearing some workout gear and headed to the hotel gym. Ryan found me there on the treadmill.

"Hey Em, ready for your lesson today?"

"What lesson?"

"Boxing." He says this with a big smile.

"Why do I need boxing lessons?"

"So, you can learn to throw a punch."

"Seriously, Ry, why?"

"Em, I know you won't be able to be with us on the next road trip and I would feel better if you knew how to defend yourself a little bit." He crossed his arms. "Just think that I'm your big brother and best friend and I need to know that you'll be ok.

"You've been talking to Bucky," I look at him with accusing eyes.

"C'mon Em. We all care about you and just want to make sure will be ok while we are gone."

I rolled my eyes. "Fine. But I will pout the entire time."

"Wouldn't expect anything else. C'mon." He pulled me towards a separate room in the conference center. The room had mats on the floor and a heavy bag. He walked me through basic punches and where to hit if I was grabbed. Suddenly there were arms around my neck and waist. I guess instinct took over at that point because I rammed my elbow back into what I think was a stomach and stomped my foot onto another, missing but distracting whom ever had a hold on me. They let go and I ran towards Ryan, gasping.

I turned around to find Bucky on his knees gasping for air and Steve on his knees, laughing his ass off. "Bucky, what the hell?" I yelled trying not to cry.

It took Bucky a minute to respond to me. "Ryan told me what he was doing, babe and we set this up to see what you would do. Did you have to hit me so hard?"

"I don't know, did you have to scare me so bad?" I had tears; I couldn't help it. The panic was real. I shoved Ryan and I ran out of the room. All the emotions I had of being taken, the real fear that it might happen, it was just too much. I hadn't told anyone about the nightmares. I didn't have them when I was with Bucky. I made it to the elevator before anyone else and went back to my room. I understood that they were right, I needed to be able to take care of myself and not just because of Alex. Right now, I was just mad that they didn't talk to me about it first.

*~* Bucky *~*

"Ok, maybe we took it too far," as I looked at Ryan and Steve. "How much trouble am I in?"

"Oh, you are dead where you stand," Ryan said with a chuckle, "but so am I. And she's going to tell Paige so even if she doesn't kill me, Paige will."

"I didn't do anything," Steve said.

"You didn't stop us, punk," I pointed out.

"Right. Crap, we are all screwed. Where do you think she went?"