Fighting for You 🔞

Twelve

Lexi pulled in at a stop that had a food truck. She didn't care what they sold, she was starving. Her stomach felt so empty. Getting out, she grabbed her phone and keys, stuffing some cash in her pockets. Barnes got out the other side, and they both headed over. The smell of bacon and burgers had her salivating.

She grabbed his hand and dragged him over, he was walking way too slow. She could hear him chuckle, but she didn't care. She walked up to the window, smiling at the woman serving.

'Morning darlin, what can I get for you?'... The woman asks, giving her a smile.

'For me, I'll have 2 breakfast burritos, extra hash browns. A round of pancakes with extra bacon. 2 large coffees and a couple of bottles of water..'.. She turns to Barnes... 'What do you want?'

'You seriously going to eat all that?'... He suddenly remembered what she said last night, and took a step back, raising his hands in defeat... 'Sorry, but uh, I'll have the same as her'... He nods at the woman. Lexi pays for their order, taking the first two coffees, and he did the same. He went back and got the bottles of water, taking them to the truck, before returning to her.

The two of them sat at one of the tables that was set up. She had pulled on her shades, sitting back, her head tilted towards the sun... 'So, we going to have a real conversation now?'... He says, sitting down, and taking one of the coffees.

She turns her head to him, and shuffles her body so she leads om the table with her elbows, coffee in one hand... 'What else do you want to know?'

'Why New York? What makes you think I'll be safe there?'... She could understand his need to know. He had spent the last 7 decades under control.

'I have friends there, and so do you'... She saw him frown at her, as though he was thinking. It didn't take long for him to realise who she was talking about.

'Steve..'.. She saw him swallow, a look of guilt passes across his face.

'Yeah, he's there. Barnes, I can promise you, if I didn't think you wouldn't be safe with him and our mutual friends, I wouldn't take you there. But you've been found, and me alone, fighting against them, is not enough. I'm just a normal boring agent..'... She tilts her heard, bringing his focus back to her.

She saw the woman at the truck wave at her, so she got up, and headed over for their food. She thanked the woman, and gave her extra money as a tip. Walking back to the table, she could see how Barnes was sitting, as though he was guarded. She felt a stab of something in her, but she shook her head and sat down.

The two ate their breakfast, saving some for later, to eat on their journey... 'You're not boring..'.. Barnes said, not looking at her. She smirks, and finishes her second coffee... 'I may not remember a lot, but women back in my day were boring. The good, sweet innocent kind. You're not like them. You're fierce, brave, compassionate and have a mouth like a sailor'

She snorted in response, sitting back... 'I don't know whether that's a compliment or an insult there Barnes. Considering it's been a while since you've spent any time with a woman, I'll take it as the positive'

She saw him smirk as he looked up at her, shaking his head. She laughed, and stood, clearing their table. The two head back to the truck with their leftovers, and get in. She checks the fuel dial, seeing they still had half a tank.

'Want me to take over for a while?'... He asks from the passenger side, as she pulls back out onto the road.

'No, it's ok. Need you rested, just in case we get followed or something. We got about another 6 hours until we're there, but I have to make a call..'.. She switched her phone on, seeing that she had a missed call from Hill. Calling back, she put it on speaker, in her lap... 'Don't make a sound Barnes..'

He nodded at her, as the phone rang out. They heard the click, before a voice spoke... 'Adams... You made one hell of a mess'

L: 'What can I say, it was a rough party'...

H: 'You and your guy ok?'...

L: 'Yeah, we're good. We're heading home. Our road trip got cut short, but I thought we'd surprise the family'...

H: 'You got enough money, or would you like me to send you more?'...

L: 'We got about 150 left, but we'll be fine. Should be home in a few hours'...

H: 'Glad to hear it. Call if you need anything wired to you, I can send something in minutes'...

L: 'Will do, thanks Hill. See you soon..'..

Lexi hung up, and gave Barnes a quick look. She saw him with a little smirk... 'Whats that smile for?'

'I'm your guy, huh?'... He turns in his seat slightly, shuffling closer to her. Lexi ignored the heat rising in her, as she shook her head.

'Out of all that, thats what you're focused on? It was a coded call..'.. She sighed, looking out the window.

'I know. You gave away where we were. It's not money she would send, it's help, right?'... He asked and she nodded.

'Yep. She'd have a few trusted agents on a jet, ready to go they won't stand down until I'm safe. It may surprise you Barnes, but I'm the most sought after agent there is. There's nothing Hill won't do, to make sure I'm safe. And if Hydra get a hold of me, they're basically declaring war..'... She turned, giving him a look... 'And I mean, world war 3 would start. I have a document that gives me immunity, signed by over 90 countries'

Bucky was shocked at that part. She was that well protected, yet here she was, risking everything including her life, just to protect him... 'Why me? Why you?'

'Because Barnes, you deserve to be free. Everything that happened to you, was not by choice. We all know that. We want you to get the help you need, and work with us to bring down Hydra. If anyone deserves to set the match and throw it, it's you..'... She looks across at him, before turning back to the road... 'And as for me, well... Fury knows how dedicated I am, to always doing the right thing. He knows I will do whatever it takes, to protect you and complete the mission. Its in me, to protect those who have been used by the bad guys'

Bucky didn't know what to think, but deep down, he felt a need to protect her. The way she smiled at him, the way she made him feel calm and safe, he'd protect her, no matter what.

'You know, I could do with another distraction..'... He said to her, with a sly grin. He watched her burst out laughing, shaking her head at him.

'You know what Barnes, you're insatiable. It's not happening again..'.. She let out a breath, fighting a smile.

'And you're addictive..'.. He leaned into her, whispering in her ear, before sitting back. He noticed her shiver, and bite her lip. He sat back smugly, as he looked out the window. Maybe going back and joining Steve wasn't such a bad thing after all. Especially if he got to see her again.

😘