Sharp Edges

Chapter Five

The airport was buzzing with activity, hordes of people coming and going. There was so much to look at in an airport that most people just put their heads down and walked, ignoring everyone else. That played to the advantage of Yelena and Bucky. They were already experts at blending in and aside from getting through security, they were essentially home free.

Yelena, dressed casually in jeans, tee shirt and a hoodie with combat boots. Her usual blonde hair was tucked beneath a brown wig. She reached into her carryon and pulled out their individual passports and other documents they'd need. "Oh, here's your card to avoid the metal detector," she murmured to Bucky, pulling out a credit card sized identification card. It read, The individual named below has metal implants in their body. Do not use metal detectors.

Glancing around, she took stock of where they were before she turned her eyes up to Bucky's and smiled. "I'll see you once I get through security. What accent should I do? American, British? Might play with it a bit," she said, still able to have a good time even in difficult situations. She wasn't fully back to normal yet, but she felt much better than she had a few days ago.

James chuckled as he held onto her hand while they walked. "You can do what you like, doll. But I better get a kiss before you go."

A charming grin slipped across her lips as she slowed to a stop, turning on the ball of her foot to move in front of him. "If you insist," she replied with a girlish glint in her eyes. Rising up onto her toes, she caught his lips. She allowed herself to take a moment with him, wrapping her arms around his shoulders. Her tongue gently prodded his lips for entry and kissed him once more a bit deeper before lowering herself onto her feet again. "How's that?"

"Perfect," he murmured. James readjusted the hat he wore, then his backpack before bending to peck her lips again. "I'll see you soon, doll."

She winked playfully and blew Bucky a kiss before she turned to mix into the security line. She kept her identification in hand, her passport identifying her as Penelope Nickols. Very funny, asshole, Penny Nickles. They always have to get cheeky, con artists. She made her way through without a hang-up and as she put her shoes back on, she glanced around for Bucky.

James had just gotten his backpack back from being checked when he glanced around himself, feeling nervous. "Hey, are you alright?" A security guard questioned. It almost made him freeze.

"I'm okay," he answered quietly. "Nervous flyer... and I'm looking for my girlfriend."

The guard narrowed his eyes on the man in the hat and just as he was about to step forward, a young woman came bounding across the floor.

"Baby, I'm right here," she said with a smile, taking his hand as she reached him. She saw the guard staring, which she'd seen from a distance and quickly made her way to his side. "He's nervous," she said with a shrug, reinforcing Bucky's story before she tugged him away.

"Are you okay?" she asked as they walked away, brows furrowing a bit as she looked up at him.

James clutched at Yelena's hand and nodded. "Better now. Crowds are a bit overwhelming. That's all."

She gave his hand a squeeze in return as they began to move towards their gate. "We don't have to separate again. I'll be right here," she assured him. "We're almost out of here."

"Good," he nodded, feeling the back of his neck become clammy with sweat. "Then I'll have to deal with being on a plane again."

"We just have to get through this part, Buck. Then we'll be home free," she reminded him. "There's a house with land waiting for us."

James smiled. "That's what I'm looking forward to."

As they made their way to their gate, she held him close to her side, perceptive eyes taking in everything around them. "You've been on jets and helicopters with Hydra. Never a plane like this?"