The Veteran, The Soldier, and the Liaison || B. Barnes

Duffel

"Why are you on the ground?" Steve asked, his voice full of curiosity as he looked down at Allie who had decided to lay on the floor of the S.S.R. base one afternoon.

"I worked a full a shift yesterday," she said as her eyes remained closed.

"And we still have work to do today," Steve frowned down at her.

"Can't you let me lay down in peace?" she scowled.

"If it was the night, I would. But it's not, so I won't," he continued to frown down at his sister. "Besides, what are you going to say when Colonel Phillips or Agent Carter walks by?"

"I didn't realize we were taking naps now," Bucky's smirk could be heard in his voice, his amusement painted in his grin as he walked in and laid down beside Allie.

"Don't encourage her," Steve rolled his eyes, hiding his now growing amusement as he watched his sister and best friend lay against the ground.

"I'm tired," Allie frowned.

"Yeah Steve," Bucky frowned as well. "She's tired."

"Ass," Allie opened her eyes long enough to look over at her best friend who simply smirked. Seeing his smirk, her own grin grew just a smidge.

"We do have more training we need to do today," Bucky smiled. "And I'll even make sure to say right now that you've improved this week."

"I shot the head of the target three times the other day," Allie frowned at him.

"Well, at least that would take down a bad guy," he shrugged.

"You two really should stand before someone sees you," Steve sighed.

"You really are no fun," Bucky shook his head.

"I'd join the crowd on the ground, but Allie, I have some uniform pieces for you to try on," Howard Stark's voice was laced with the amusement he always seemed to have.

"And that is exactly the way to get me up and off of the floor," Allie laughed as she reached up to take Howard's hand. "Alright, lead the way."

Shaking their heads at her amusement, Bucky stood and walked beside Steve as they made their way down to the lab where Howard was placing pieces to a uniform in Allie's hands, pointing in the direction of a private side area where she could put the uniform on for measurements.

"You know, I wasn't lying," Bucky shrugged as he looked over to Steve. "She's been improving every time we work."

"Well, that's a good thing," Steve sighed. "Sooner or later we'll be out there and I'd prefer her being able to defend herself."

"You and I both know she'd find a way to defend herself one way or another," Bucky smirked.

As they waited, Allie could be heard fumbling with her first official tactical uniform. The two looked at one another, suppressing grins as Allie's frustration could be heard. Howard looked in concern before looking to both Steve and Bucky.

"Is she okay?" he asked in a hushed whisper.

"Trust us, she's fine," Bucky nodded. "Takes down men without an issue, can't figure out buckles and straps."

"I heard that you jerk," Allie's voice rang from behind the screen. "There's multiple pieces to this uniform, but I think I've got it."

Stepping out from behind the screen, Allie looked at the three. Grin spreading along her lips, she walked over and gave a small spin for them.