DEFYING GRAVITY || MARVEL (4)

NINE

CHAPTER NIE: MADRIPOOR

IT WASN'T EASY FOR MAGGIE TO WALK IN HIGH HEELS.

Ever since she could remember, her relationship with heels had been one of hatred. They were her greatest nemesis even though Natasha trained her in wearing them for undercover missions. She also had to wear them when she was a waitress in Bucharest. Maggie wasn't the most graceful person to begin with, and wearing heels made her even less graceful.

When the plane landed in Madripoor, Zemo had tossed Maggie a new outfit to change into. Bucky and Sam had to change as well, but Maggie's outfit was a lot different. Zemo had given her a strapless black lace dress that went to her thighs with black stockings, leather knee-high heel boots, fingerless black gloves, and a black leather jacket with a white fur trim around the collar.

Maggie had never been ashamed of the body she had. She knew she was an attractive woman and embraced that. Bucky especially knew. And Maggie knew because of the outfit Zemo gave her, her husband was going to make sure his territory was known.

"We have to do something about this. I'm the only one who looks like a pimp," Sam complained as the group walked the bridge.

"Easy for you to say. Do you see what I'm wearing?" Maggie asked, holding Bucky's hand. "This outfit reminds me of my stripping days."

"Wait a minute, you were a stripper?" Both Sam and Zemo looked at Maggie surprised.

"In Bucharest for awhile. Bucky made me return to normal waitressing after a customer got a little handsy."

"It's a shame I didn't get to see it," Sam smirked.

"Watch it," Bucky warned, glaring over at both men.

"You know, only and American would assume a fashion-forward black man looks like a pimp. You look exactly like the man you're supposed to be playing," Zemo told Sam, giving him hos phone. "The sophisticated, charming African rake named Conrad Mack, aka the Smiling Tiger. As for you, Mrs Barnes, you will be the Winter Soldier's date for the evening."

"So I guess that's why you handed me this dress?" Maggie asked with a raised brow.

"He even has a bad nickname," Sam's complaining continued, looking at the photo. "Hell, he does look like me though. "

"Alright," Bucky said, then holding out his hand to Maggie. "Give me your rings. He said you have to be my date, they don't know we're married."

Maggie only nodded, taking both her engagement ring and wedding band off. She placed them in Bucky's hand and he put them in his pocket. Her arm linked with his vibranium one as the four of them continued their walk to the cit.

"You smell this?" Zemo asked.

"Yeah. What is it? Acid?" Sam asked, turning to him.

"Madripoor. No matter what happens we have to stay in character. Our lives depend on it. There is no margin to error. High town's that way." A car slowed down to a stop in font of the group and Zemo led the group forward. "Not a bad place to visit, but Low town's the other way."

"Let me guess. You don't have any friends in High Town," Maggie said unimpressed.

"Your guess is correct," Zemo answered smugly.