Winter is for Lovers (Bucky Barnes X OC) [Book 1]

12. Is You Is, Or Is You Ain't My Baby?

I quit my job at the hospital.

My hours between surgery, the Tuberculosis trial, and working with the SSR were taking up all of my time, which for me was welcome. It had kept my mind off thinking about my family and their deaths. The more I worked, the less I grieved, which I was grateful for, but the hours were taking a toll on me, mentally and physically, and I needed to choose which job to prioritize.

So I chose. After the Tuberculosis trial ended and the vaccine was approved to be distributed, I quit the hospital and began working for the SSR full time.

I didn't tell anyone why. Not even Rebecca knew.

On my last day, Rebecca confronted me, noticing my absence and taking it a little too personally.

"I thought you were getting better," she scoffed. "You're quitting?"

She propped herself on the nurse's station while I was reading a medical journal on vita-radiation.

"Hello to you, too, Rebecca," I said sarcastically, taking a bite of the apple I was eating. I looked up at her, chewing the fruit loudly, knowing it would annoy her. It was one of her biggest pet peeves.

"Stop that," she said, taking the apple from me.

"That was my lunch," I sighed as she threw the half-eaten apple into the garbage can next to us. "You owe me a new apple."

"Give me a logical explanation as to why you're quitting medicine, and I'll think about getting you a new one," she said, crossing her arms over her chest.

"I needed a change of scenery," I told her, closing the journal so she could have my full attention.

"What the hell are you doing?" She asked.

"I was reading a medical journal on vita-radiation," I said, holding up the book so she could see it. "What are you doing?"

She snatched the journal out of my hands and dragged me up from my seat, taking me into the hallway with her. She wanted me away from the other nurses and medical staff so they couldn't hear our conversation.

"What is really going on with?" She demanded.

"I'm leaving the hospital," I shrugged.

"We've established that, but I want to know why."

"I need a change of scenery?" I said, making an unconvincing face.

She sighed, frustrated that I wasn't cooperating. "I don't get it. You love medicine and surgery. Why a change all of a sudden?"

"Change is a good thing?"

"You hate change," she said, folding her arms over her chest.

"My whole life has changed. Why can't my career?" I asked.

"You have a new best friend, don't you?" Her face fell as her usually bright blue eyes darkened.

"I... wouldn't call Mister Stark a friend," I said, a mischievous grin on my face.

"Shut up," she said, her head snapping back up as she slapped my shoulder, "Howard Stark?!"

"Not so loud," I covered both of my hands over her mouth.

"You're friends with Howard Stark?" Her voice was muffled through my hands, but I still understood what she said.

"We're not friends," I said sternly. "We're... working together."

"You're working for Howard Stark?!" Her voice kept getting higher and higher, and it was starting to give me a headache.

"No," I said sternly, removing my hands from her mouth. "I am working with Mister Stark on a project."