Open Wounds - A Bucky Barnes Soulmate AU

Chapter Nine

You sat the box on the floor at your feet and contemplated your choices. You could bust the lock but then you'd have to fix it. The logical choice would be to pick the lock but you didn't have your tools on you. You glanced at the window at the end of the hall. It wasn't directly connected to the fire escape but it was close enough you could climb over. Shit.

You opened the window and leaned out to eye the distance you needed to travel. Eh. There was a ledge. You'd be fine. You climbed up to balance on the sill before transferring to the narrow ledge. You slid sideways a few feet before leaping the remaining distance. A clang reverberated from the impact of your feet against the metal of the fire escape.

It was unsurprising to find your window unlocked. Your dad was always on your case about locking the windows. You slid it up and climbed inside. Anger flared through you as you straightened. The apartment was empty. Completely and utterly vacant. You flipped open a few cabinets and checked a few drawers but you knew what you'd find. A quick survey of the rest of the apartment found it empty as well.

You left through the front door, leaving it open as you went. It wasn't as if there was anything to steal. You tapped your foot in irritation as you rode the elevator to the main floor. When you reached the front desk, you dropped the box on the counter with a thud. "Where's my stuff, Jerry?" you asked the guard/agent that was on duty.

"Oh, Miss Coulson, it's lovely to see you." Jerry was polite to a fault but you really weren't in the mood for it.

"My stuff?"

He cleared his throat. "Several men showed a few hours ago with orders from Director Fury. They packed everything up."

"And you didn't think to call me?" Your voice had more snap than you'd intended. This wasn't Jerry's fault.

"This is a SHIELD property. Orders from Fury," he answered with a shrug.

"I'll be back. Watch my box." You stepped outside and around the corner so you could make your calls.

Fury was first.

"What the fuck?" you said when he answered.

"Coulson. What can I do for you?" He sounded completely indifferent. Unbothered.

"You can tell me why you moved me out of my apartment with no warning."

"That apartment is SHIELD property. As you are no longer an employee of SHIELD, you are no longer entitled to the residence."

You pinched the bridge of your nose. "Standard is thirty days to relocate, Fury."

"It's a courtesy, not a requirement."

Angry tears pooled and you swiped them away. "That was my dad's home for over twenty years. You could have warned me." Your voice had taken on a softer edge. As much as you hated to admit it, this hurt. Him pitching a fit was one thing. This was another.

"Your dad is the reason I'm doing this. He would have wanted you to stay where I could keep an eye on you." He sounded so reasonable. So caring.

"Fuck you, eyepatch. And your little assistant, too." You knew none of this was directly Maria's doing, but she had your number. She could have called. Besides, you always liked to channel your inner wicked witch. "Where's my shit?"

"Basement. Now that you're aware, you have until the end of the day to remove it from SHIELD property. Anything left behind will be discarded." His voice had turned cold again. Sharp.

"You know what you never understood, Fury? I was part of SHIELD because of my dad. When I lost him I stayed because it my family was there. Then you all lied to me. Again. I'm over it, and I'm over you. All you've done is assure that I will never come back." You hung up without waiting for a response.