Annabelle Rogers - James 'Bucky' Barnes

Chapter Seven

The night grew darker as the girls retired to the theatre room. Curling up on the large lounge Annabelle made her comfort snack. Warm buttery popcorn with Malteasers and jelly snakes. An unusual combination but the mixture of sweet and salty always seemed to comfort her.

Peeling themselves off of the lounge after making it half way through a movie the tired group headed to bed. Natasha met her bedroom door first, bidding her goodnights while Wanda escorted Annabelle to hers. Silence filled the hallway, to tired to attempt an sound.

Hugs where exchanged, with a kiss on the check Wanda left Annabelle standing out side of her bedroom door. It was a serial feeling, being back. The whole night was filled with uncomfortable dajavu.

Twisting on the door handle, a loud pair of laughs bellowed down the hallway. Whipping her head around to notice two large and weirdly cheerful figures stopped in their tracks.

Steve and James.

Both of them looked like they had seen a ghost, obviously not knowing Annabelle was in the building let alone staying the night. They must have just gotten back from a stack out and missed the memo.

Quickly stepping into her bedroom and closing the door before the boys had a chance to communicate with her Annabelle leant her heavy head back. Sliding down the wall, cradling her head on her knees.

Satisfied with the disappearing foot steps Annabelle put herself to bed. King size state of the art cloud mattress, it was the perfect mixture of firm and comfort. Every inch of her body melting at its touch.

Wrapping the thick covers around her, she formed a burrito of comfort. The only way she seemed to be able to sleep when alone. A long sighed breath left her plump lips before falling into a beautiful slumber.

Unfortunately the blissful sleep didn't last long. As she was thrown out of her slumber covered in drops of sweat and clammy hands. A nightmare.

Letting out an irritated grunt she through her head back into the pillow. A nightmare, really?. It had been months since she's had one and it was not a welcomed experience.

Heading down into the kitchen Annabelle dug around the cupboards trying to find some comfort sugar. Accepting defeat she resorted to some dried fruit and nuts. Jumping up onto the counter, swinging her legs in the darkness and she munched down on the treat.

"Nightmare?"A deep husky voice whispered from behind her.

Sliding off of the counter in a fright she turned around to see the handsome man she has been longing for all day. His gorgeous blue eyes glowing in the moon light.

All she could manage was a shy nodded, looking down at her bowl of nuts. A million thoughts running through that small head of hers, wanting nothing more then to jump into is arms.

Not realising James was having the same conflicting feelings. He didn't know where he stood with this girl. She ran off on him at the club and has been avoiding him since. But he knew he missed her touch.

"Me too, I haven't had one since -" His thoughts trailed off, feeling him self get venerable he through up a wall of protection. She hadn't even looked at him. "Well, Good night then"

With a weak smile he turned and walked away, disappearing into the darkness of the compound.

~

The sun began to rise and the warmth filled the room. The compound was quiet. The team either sleeping in or out on their morning runs. Sunday was always a day dedicated to rest unless they had an urgent assignment to attend to. Lucky for Annabelle the whole group was staying around.

A burst of air was thrown into the room as the door was thrown open. Before Annabelle could wake up enough to register what was happening she was squashed by a petite redhead.

Bouncing up and down while Natasha had Annabelle's body pinned between her legs. Grunting out of annoyance she tried and epically failed pushing her friend off.

"UP! Come on! - I booked the gym."

"You have GOT to be kidding me!"

It was like she never left. Woken up at the crack of dawn to train in the freezing cold shed. Didn't matter what time of year it was, it always felt like a fridge to Annabelle. A smelly, sweat covered fridge, designed for torture.

"I'll even let you have a coffee first."

Giving in Annabelle slipped into a pair of black sports tights with a matching bralette, throwing a fluffy jacket and Ugg boots on to keep in the warmth.

Heading straight for the coffee machine she began to make a large coffee, black. Curling up in the breakfast lounge placed in the corner of the kitchen. Eyes weak and head heavy Annabelle looked into her cup, praying that the coffee will kick in soon.

Growing inpatient and waisting precious training time Natasha latched onto Annabelle by the wrist pulling her out of the kitchen. Un-human noises escaped out of Annabelle's mouth at the harsh treatment causing the team to wish her good luck threw there badly hidden chuckles.

"Another"

"And again"

"Come on, don't be a girl" Natasha called out.

"I am a girl!"

"I trained you better then this. or would you prefer me get Bucky to train you"

Like an adrenaline shot was now pumping through her veins Annabelle swung her leg up placing a kick flat into Natasha's ribs knocking her to the ground.

A smile of pride spread across Natasha's face as she pushed herself up. Thats the girl she knew and loves. After months of training with Tony and Steve when Annabelle was younger Natasha stepped in taking over. Convincing the boys that she needs to learn how a females body moves around in a fight.

To their discretion Natasha took it a lot further then basic self defence classes. Covering everything from flying the quinjet to hacking into incepted files. It was one of their favourite pass times. Before Annabelle was legal to go out and get into real trouble.

It was coming to the end of their sparing match. By now Annabelle was well and truly warmed up, getting a few good hits in. Working on a more gymnastics approach the girls where flipping and swinging each other around trying to get either of them pinned.

To busy being their competitive selfs they didn't notice the audience that had accrued. Throwing their gym bags into the lockers, leaning up against the cold wall, taking in the impressive show.

Swinging her leg up Natasha caught it without a flinch. Kicking back against her Annabelle flicked up her free foot, connecting Natasha in the jaw before flipping backwards. Thankfully landing on her feet as she heard clapping from the side of the room.

"Haven't lost your touch, Chip!"

Steve leant down helping Natasha up from the ground, placing a kiss on her cheek before walking over to his sister.

"You here for long?"

"Just until tonight, I have to be back at work tomorrow."

They continued to have normal and very general convocation. It was a nice break from the tension. The only problem was the eyes she was locked on werent her brothers. A stone cold stare beamed at her from where Steve was standing a moment ago. Does he follow him everywhere?

Slipping into her Ugg boots and throwing on her fluff jacket she felt someone step up behind her.

"Never knew you could move like that"

"There's a lot you don't know about me, Bucky!"

Annabelle walked out of the training room, not ready to unravel that mess just yet.