Assistant

Part 34

**Nat's POV

I watch them leave the medical room. Feeling that little ping of jealousy wishing for a mom and dad like that, but I brush it aside because I'm more happy and relieved that we got Y/N back. I reach Bruce and run my hand up his arm. He smiles down at me and wraps his arm around me in a side hug. "How was the mission?"

I lean into him enjoying the contact. "It was good. I think Erin is going to fit in well here. She's going to need a lot of help though. Their father trained her to be an assassin. Apparently he also used some weird methods that included her seeing Bucky's memories from being the Winter Soldier. It's really screwed up."

Bruce looked down at me stunned. "That's...that's horrifying."

I nodded. "It's disgusting. But she can definitely handle herself. She was the one to kill her father and took out another guard. She made sure we escaped. But we'll need to find a therapist for her, but really is there a therapist in the world trained to help with the crap she went through?"

Bruce gave a humorless chuckle, "Probably not but I'm sure we can have Tony get someone highly recommended."

I've always been direct about everything but this conversation made me feel like I was underwater and disoriented. Bruce was watching me and pulled me into a full hug. "Nat, it's fine. We've always known that we were just friends with benefits. I love you as a friend and if you're finally ready to go after the man that you've always loved, I'm here to help you however I can."

I tilted my head back to look at him. "How did you..."

He laughed his chuckle a deep rumble in his chest, "I've always known that the two of you loved each other. Even if most people can't see it, it's always been obvious to me. Besides, I think I'm...I'm ready to do the same. We were each other's crutch to stay connected while working our own crap out and we're both ok now."

I smiled at him, "Thank you, Bruce. I love that you know me better than I know myself sometimes."

He shrugs, "Meh, that's what friends are for. Now, go grab some food and get some rest. I've got that weird feeling I get sometimes that tells me....it's not over."

"I know, I've got the same feeling. We have the project they wanted for years and an assassin they trained for years. This isn't over."

With one last squeeze and a kiss on my head he let me go. "Exactly, now get outta here. I need to review all this information and check all the testing stuff I did."

I squeezed him back and stood on my tip-toes to kiss his cheek. "Don't forget to get some sleep yourself." I leave the lab feeling happier and lighter than I had in years. Like usual, Bruce was right, we had been using each other as support while we both healed. I was finally in a good place and I hoped I wasn't too late to be with the man I'd loved for years.

**

**Y/N's POV

After parting with Fury and your mom, you and Bucky had walked in silence toward your rooms. Bucky hadn't stopped touching you since he'd found you in that cell. He was holding your hand right now and you could tell he didn't want to let go. Reaching your room you pause at the door and look at him. Not sure if he's going to leave you here or come inside. He opens the door and motions you inside, placing his hand on your back as he follows you.

Before the door is fully closed, Bucky pulls you into a kiss. He's slow and tender at first. You lean into the kiss pushing against him, needing to feel him. He walks you back against the wall deepening the kiss. When your back hits the wall you bump one of your bruises and you break the kiss with a gasp, wincing in pain. "Ow."

Bucky pulls back instantly, "Crap, I'm sorry sweetheart. I got caught up. I'm sorry. Are you ok?"

God this man was so sweet. You placed your hand on his chest. "Don't apologize! We both did. Bruce said I'd be better in a couple days. We'll just have to remember where we left off."

Bucky grins at you. "Mmmmm." He leans forward and gives you one more sweet kiss. "I like the way you think. Let's get you a warm shower before bed."

"I like that idea. A shower sounds amazing right now." Bucky starts the water while you undress.

Once you're in he grabs up your clothes, "I'll be right back. I'm going to change and be right back. Will you be ok?"

'I'll be fine. I'm just going to take it slow and enjoy the water."

I hear him chuckle as he heads out. I lean my head back to enjoy the feel of the water. I don't want to think yet. I know I'll need to deal with what happened, but not yet. It's too soon, too raw. I focus on how the warm water feels running down my back and take a few deep breaths. I jump when I hear the door open.

"It's just me, Sweetheart. I'm sorry I startled you." Bucky's holding a towel, waiting for me. I turned off the water and stepped out. He wrapped the towel around me and held me for a second before starting to dry me off. He stepped back, handing me my clothes. I finished getting dressed and ready for bed with Bucky always near but not being overbearing.

Bucky pulled the blankets down and laid down next to me. He pulled me into him spooning around me. I cuddled back into his large warm body. I knew he was afraid to stay the night because of nightmares. I "Bucky, thank you."

Bucky smiles and places a gentle kiss on my neck. "For you, Doll, anything."