The Type You Save (Bucky Barnes)

F I F T E E N

Christian Grey has always appreciated the finer things in life.  Luxurious home, top of the range car, Cristal, 25-year-old scotch, the works. A man of his status and wealth should have a standard.  Including the right woman.

Alexandra Richards was that woman.

He stared at the woman next to him as Nate drove, Walker beside him.  He watched as she wiped an errant tear that fell to her cheek.  She kept her face to the window, studying the country side as they drove.  She didn't bother asking where they were going, they would never tell her.

"Pet, would you like some water?"

"No, thank you."

"Alexandra, you need to eat or drink something."

"Not if I want to die, Mr. Grey."  Her tone remained even, never looking away from the window.

Grey grounded his teeth, wanting to force her to drink.  But he waited, allowing her emotions.  She was different than his pet from before.  She was strong, independent before.  Now she was despondent, fragile.  A mother.  She was in mourning for the loss of her son.  He would try and change that soon but for now, he needed to break her and change her back to the woman she was.

His Alexandra.

*~**~*

James watched from the doorway of his sleeping son's room, observing his little body as it curled around his teddy bear.  He knew the sleep was from exhaustion, having to have explained to his son that his mother wasn't going to be here for a while. He was a momma's boy through and through.  He closed the door softly and back into the empty apartment. 

Steve was still tracking Alex.  He almost laughed to himself again.  He went to their bedroom and to his side table.  He lifted the necklace from its place.  The duplicate he had switched in Alex's jewelry box was damn near perfect.  Either she had noticed and didn't say anything or she was losing her touch.  Either way, the switch had allowed a tiny tracker to be embedded with her.  That's why Steve was on the hunt.

After searching for Zemo at his home and secondary office, it was painfully clear that he had been the mole for some time now.  It was too coincidental that Walker had found Alex so quickly. The APB was out for everyone. All he could do now was wait.  His phone went off.

Stark: He's still tracking.  They've almost made it to Tahoe

Barnes: ok

Stark: We'll find her

Barnes: I know.  Just bring my son's mother home to him.

Barnes: Bring her back to me

James laid down and clutched her pillow.  It still smelled like her.  Of strawberries and roses, of her. Finally, twelve hours after she disappeared, he cried.

~~

Alex jolted awake as the car slowed to a stop.  She looked around in the darkness, unsure of where she was. She could make out the outline of trees in the moonlight but after that, she had no clue.  Until she turned to see a house. It was out of a movie.  Stark white, wrap around porch with large windows.  Nate and Walker were already out of the car and walking up while Grey was studying her as she took in the home.  "What do you think?"

"It's a beautiful home."  She wouldn't lie.

"Good." Grey gave her a smile.  "I built it for you."

"For me?"

"You had a house, similar to this, in that notebook you used to have.  Your journal.  I found it after you left and wanted to have something ready for you when you came back."