Miss Velvet

7

For the next 3 days Bucky stayed with Velvet and took care of her while her back slowly improved. She insisted that he didn't need to because this is a regular occurrence and the last time the team took turns checking on her when Mi wasn't available. That's why she has the walker for when it's really bad.

Bucky is as stubborn as she is and insists on staying. Velvet offered to share her cal king bed but he made himself a pallet on the floor and she was too tired to argue about it. He made sure she ate, he was a decent cook with basic dishes. He rubbed mineral ice into the muscles in her back that were spasming. They finished watching the Firefly series and movie Serenity. Bucky was just as offended as Velvet that it was cancelled after such a short time and a confirmed Browncoat. They also watched some original Star Trek because Sam seemed to believe that only the newer Kelvin timeline movies were necessary. Bucky enjoyed that too, even when it was cheesy, because the positive future for humanity was inspiring.

The 4th day, Velvet was able to move much better and felt like walking out to the barn and saying hi to her herd would be good physical and mental therapy. They walked around, Velvet's hand on Buckys arm just in case, greeting the horses and chatting with them and each other, Indy keeping a close eye on her. After about an hour, Velvet was starting to run out of energy and the pain started getting worse so Bucky escorted her back to the house and made breakfast.

When he came to the living room and set her plate up on a TV tray she speaks up 'I want to thank you again Bucky. You really went above and beyond so I guess I have no choice but to call you my friend. I don't know how the team will take this'

Bucky looks at her offended until he sees the grin on her face and she winks at him. They both laugh until she curses at her back acting up.

'Very funny, Miss Velvet, stop being a smart ass and eat your breakfast.'

'Well, Seargent Barnes, I'd rather be a smart ass than a dumb shit but you do you' Bucky grins.

The next week, when Velvet's back is has returned to its normal pain level she meets Bucky in the barn and when everyone is taken care of she heads towards the front of the house,

'C'mon Barnes, we're having a field trip today, I wanna show you something'. She lets Indy in the back seat and clips his seat belt, then gets in the drivers seat while Bucky gets in the passenger side.

'So, it's back to Barnes now? I thought we we're friends'

Velvet giggles, 'I didn't know you were so touchy Bucky. I'm so sorry for calling you Barnes, Bucky. I promise I'll only call you Bucky from now on, Bucky.'

They drive towards the city for 15 minutes and turn off at a property with a small mobile home in front, park to the side and she leads him thru a gate that says Serenity across the top, back to a small stable with 10 horses and a small arena. It's full of people and activity some in the arena others getting horses prepared for lessons.

'This is where Mi and I started in the therapeutic horsemanship business. After my accident and some issues related to the after effects, Mi decided we needed a change of scenery, packed up Duke and Laredo, sold his stable in CA and we moved here. Lived in that mobile home up front with Mi from 2016 until Tony bought my place last year and I started working with y'all. Come and see what we, well mostly Mi now, do here.'

Bucky followed her towards Mi whose face broke out into a huge from when he saw Velvet and gave her a big hug.

'I'm glad you're up and about yn and thank you to Sergeant Barnes for taking care of her. It's no easy task with one so stubborn' his eyes twinkled at Velvet

'Mi, dude, I'm right here.'

'Well, obviously I can see you're here and its been too long. The kids have missed you-'