Red

Part 26

Bucky

When Laura and Rollins offer their closing arguments after calling no other witnesses, it seems to me like this case is already won in our favor. The judge informs the attorneys and clients that he will have a verdict for everyone in two days and adjourns court for the day.

As we make our way out of the gallery to wait for Mallery and Laura, Nat takes a seat on a bench in the hall while Steve rubs her back. "You don't look so great," I say with a soft smile. I know this has been hard on all of us, but I feel like maybe Nat got the short end of the stick when it comes to John.

"Thanks, asshole." Her grimace turns into a smirk. "We actually have something to tell you—"

She's interrupted by John and his lawyer walking out through the courtroom doors into the hall. John makes eye contact with me before shifting his gaze to the couple next to me. "It doesn't matter what that judge says or does; Mallery will still come running back to me. She always does."

He sneers at us as Steve holds me back from tackling John in the hall and potentially getting arrested and charged for assault and ruining the chances of Mallery winning her case against him.

I shrug out of Steve's grip as John disappears down the hall, following his lawyer, who seems like he can't be bothered by anything happening today. When Mallery and Laura emerge a couple minutes later, my girl is smiling but wringing her hands together. They approach us, and Laura sighs deeply.

"I really hoped we'd get a short recess and the judge would come back with a quick verdict, but no such luck today." She turns to Mallery. "You did an excellent job today. I want you to go home, relax, and just wait. There's nothing else to do until we get the call."

"Is the protection order still in place?" I ask, and Laura's eyes whip to me.

"Yes. Is there a problem?"

The three of us explain what happened while we were waiting for them, and Laura curses under her breath. "He's just trying to intimidate you. He's an asshole, but he's not stupid. Everything he's done has been planned and calculated; go home. All of you. I'll call you when we hear something."

We watch as Laura exits the courthouse, and I turn to look at everyone. "Drinks?"

Later, as we sit in my apartment, sipping beers and trying not to go over every detail of what happened today, I notice that Nat is dozing off and not drinking. As her head lolls onto Steve's shoulder, I shoot him a questioning look, and he smiles.

"Babe? You're drooling," he says softly, making Nat jump and rub at her face.

"I'm sorry, you guys. I'm just so tired," Nat tells us, sighing as she looks at her husband. "Oh, fine."

Mallery looks over expectantly at her brother and sister-in-law while I'm still trying to catch up. Nat finally puts me out of my misery. "I'm pregnant. I'm only about eight weeks. I wanted to wait a few more weeks to tell you guys, but today feels like a good day for good things."

"Oh!" Mallery abandons my side and gets up to hug her brother and Nat. "Tash, how are you feeling? I'm so happy for you two! Does Grant know yet?"

The two sisters talk rapid fire as Steve walks to the kitchen to grab another beer. When he closes the fridge door, he's met with my face. "Congrats. I didn't know you guys were trying for number two."

He shrugs. "We weren't; not really. We never even had a definite conversation about having more kids, but I'm excited." He beams at me, and I can't help but be excited for him, if not slightly envious. I'd never given much thought to my future and whether I'd have my own family; but in this moment, standing with my best friend and watching the woman I love talk to my other best friend about becoming a mom for the second time, I can see it so clearly.

The Rogers make their excuses to leave, even though it's relatively early, and Mallery and I discuss dinner plans, but I can see how distracted she is. "What's going on, Red?"

She's wrapping her long ginger hair up into a messy bun, but she sends me a wan smile. "I'm just tired myself. It was so much preparation for today ... I just feel like I've finally come down from the adrenaline high."

"I could draw you a bath. I think I still have those salts you like," I offer as she leans against the island in the kitchen.

"I think ... don't be upset, but I think I want to go to my place." Her eyes sweep to my face, and I can see the trepidation she's feeling. I want nothing more than to keep her here with me all weekend, but I truly do understand that she needs her own space. After today, she needs to decompress without me hovering; I can deal with that and respect it.

"I'll drive you." I lean over the island to press a kiss to her lips, only pulling away when I feel her lips curve up into a smile.

"Thank you." She grabs her stuff and slips back into her shoes before we make the drive out to Brooklyn.

When we pull up in front of her building, I remind her to call me if she hears from Laura. "I promise you'll be the first to know." She leans across the center console, wrapping her arms around my neck, and sighing. "Thank you for everything and today ... and being you."

"I ... never mind. I'll talk to you tomorrow." She opens her door, but before she climbs out, she turns back to look at me. "I do love you. You told me last week when we were fighting, and I just ignored you." She dips her head before looking back up at me. "I'm done pretending this isn't real."

In my shock and utter amazement, I pull her back to me, crushing my lips to hers. Her hands fist into my hair as I trail kisses down her neck. "Say it again."

Pulling my head back so she can look directly at me, she smiles. "I love you, Bucky Barnes."

"I think I should maybe come up with you." I go back to nuzzling her neck, and she laughs—real and throaty. It's a beautiful sound that I haven't heard in weeks.

"That wasn't my intention, but maybe you could come over tomorrow after I've had some time to myself?" Mallery presses her forehead to mine, and I breathe her in. She isn't rejecting me; she's asking me to compromise.

"Is six too early?" We laugh, then she kisses me one last time before grabbing her bags and walking through the front door of the building.

Since I'm in Brooklyn and it's still early, I stop off at the gym to get a workout in before heading back to Manhattan. I text Mallery to tell her I'm leaving the gym in case she's changed her mind, but she tells me to go home. By the time I wolf down a sandwich and take a shower, it's almost eleven. I text Mallery to say good night, and she tells me that she'll see me tomorrow.

Somewhere in the middle of the night, I get an alert from our system that runs the security cameras that there's been motion detected on Mallery's floor. Checking the time, I read 2:17 AM and shoot off a quick text to Sam since I know he's on duty tonight. I don't get a response from him right away, and even though that should mean he's sweeping the floors, a sense of overwhelming dread washes over me.

I dial Mallery's number quickly, putting it on speaker as I get dressed. When she answers, she sounds wide awake. "Bucky, hi. Now isn't really a good time."

"Mal, listen to me. There was movement detected on your floor, and I can't get ahold of Sam." I slip my sneakers on and tie the laces as I give her instructions. "Grab your firearm, barricade yourself in your room, and do not answer the door until I get there. Do you hear me?"

I can hear something in the background, but I can't quite make out what it is. "Yeah, that's probably not going to work, Bucky. I'm pretty sure it's rusted."

Fuck.

"Okay, I'll be there as soon as I can, and I'll take care of it." Grabbing my phone, I rush to the elevator and grab my keys. "I'm calling 911 as soon as I get off the phone with you. Someone will be there as soon as possible."

I don't hear her response as our call disconnects, and I dial 911.

"911, what's your emergency?"

"I need to report a potential break-in at my girlfriend's apartment."