Ice Princess

4

After the talking to she received from Fury on her way home, Mina preferred a hangover. Something, anything. It wasn't her fault, yet why did she feel like she was disappointing everyone involved. Mina did get up and go to the lab early the next morning to keep up the ruse and put in a full day of work simply for appearance sake. The lab was quiet and empty, Mina had headphones on listening to music as she worked knowing she was the safest at the compound. Stretching herself up and arching her back out before she left, Mina tidied up her workstation.

"What are you doing tonight for dinner?" Bucky asked her. She didn't make eye contact and gathered her things, putting her jacket on.

"Eating, like everyone else."

"Smart, cute, and funny. I like that." His eyes sparkled, whose eyes sparkle anyway?

"Trust me, Sergeant Barnes, I'm nothing special." I'm the biggest headache Nick Fury has ever had, she said to herself.

"See, that's where I think you're wrong." He said as he followed her out. "I think that's your superpower."

"My what?"

"Slide in underneath everyone's radar and be amazing." He smiled down at her as he got out he elevator to the garage.

"Sure. An amazing pain in the ass, perhaps." Oooh that came out harsher than she intended.

"I'm sure there is a story behind that and I would love to hear it." He said exiting the lavatory following her to her car. There was some oil not he pavement and she started to slip, but quickly righted herself before he was able to reach out for her. Mina kept walking unfazed by it. The movement struck him as odd, almost dancer like. Not the vibe she gave off regularly. Bucky's interest piqued more.

"Unfortunately, I'm not that interesting." She said getting into her car. "Thank you for walking me to my car, though."

"So, dinner?" He looked so hopeful it really bothered her to say no.

"Sorry, not tonight." Mina closed the door and as she drove off, he called after her.

"When?" Throwing his hands up into the air looking greatly disappointed.

Mina started driving away when her phone rang.

"First, it's not my fault." She said to both Bruce and Fury. "I am not pursuing him, he's pursuing me. I hope he gets bored soon."

"That's the problem, he's not." Bruce said. She sighed to his response.

"And it's just going to get worse." Fury added.

"Can't either one of you make a rule of no dating between staff or something like that?" She asked them.

"Oh, yeah like I could get him to listen to me." Bruce said.

"No, what you need is to actually be dating someone. Bucky is one thing and that is honorable. So get on it and get on it fast." Fury told her.

"So, after all this time, you want me to just find some random guy to date. Oh, yeah, that's safe." She complained.

"You know what I mean. Now get to it." Fury hung up.

"Sorry about this Mina." Bruce hung up as well.

Mina didn't feel like going home. She didn't feel like much of anything, what she did need was time to think and she knew just the place. Parking her car at her apartment garage, she grabbed a bag out of her trunk and headed towards the coffee shop down the block. A nice big cup of tea and some sketching would help clear her mind and with the next steps. Her mind was too full for enjoying dinner. At least she would have a day's repreeve from Bucky for Sunday. Customers came and sent as she sat and sketched sipping at her chai.