Lost in Time

Fifty-Eight

Even without opening her eyes, Elle knew she wasn't in her own room. The earthy smell from the pillow her face was buried in, told her she was in Barnes room, but before she could even think about what happened last night, her stomach rolled, letting her know she had move. She fell off the bed, the room spinning as she winced from the pounding in her head, stumbling towards the bathroom door and shoving it open, spotting the toilet and throwing up whatever it was that she had eaten and drank last night.

Resting her arms across the seat, her face in the toilet, she heard the shower turn off, not even thinking he would be in there, that was the last thing on her mind... 'You so much as even speak, I will drown you in that shower..'.. She muttered, then another bout hit her, the awful taste of churros mixed with bile was not what she wanted right now.

She didn't even hear him slide the shower door open, or move, but his hands pulled her hair up off her face, then one rubbed her back, the other holding her hair... 'Just leave me alone Barnes, go get dressed and do whatever..'

'Get all your snark out Elle, I can handle it..'... She hated how soft his voice was as he spoke.

'Go away Barnes, you're not wanted here..'... Her stomach now felt empty, and she shrugged him off, sitting back slightly, and flushing. She wobbled to her feet, ignoring him as she went to the sink and washed her mouth out. Not even with him close by, did she look, but grabbed the mouth wash to rinse away the awful taste. She winces again, shutting her eyes and rubbing her forehead as she spat it out in the sink.

'We need to talk..'..

'Clearly you're not hearing me..'.. She washed the sink out, and went to the door, but he pushed it shut, and stood in front of it, in nothing but a towel... 'Fuck off Barnes..'.. She shoved him away, making him stumble and slipped out the door. Heading to the bedroom door, he snagged her wrist, swinging her around... 'I said fuck off!..'.. She shoved him again, harder and he stumbled into his desk, losing his towel as he did. She rolled her eyes and headed out, slamming the door behind her.

Bucky just shook his head, and grabbed the towel off the floor. He hadn't slept at all, instead he had sat up all night, talking with Lark. Now knowing that he had some clearance to some information and files, she had sent him photos, videos and files that he could look through, and one thing he knew for certain, the Bucky that Elle knew, was clearly in love with her. It was obvious to the way his future self would look at her. Their friendship was right there for him to see, laughing and joking, dancing and playing piano together in the videos.

Lark had also sent him a file marked 'Jace', and in it, it was his sons whole life. At least a handful of videos per day since he had been born. Elle had made sure to record everything so he wouldn't miss it. In one, she was talking to Jace as she fed him, telling him about his father, showing photos of Bucky to Jace. Even the latest one, where Jace was sitting and trying to read a book to a photo of Bucky in what he could only assume was his sons room, about wolves. Elle had made sure that Jace knew of his father, and for that Bucky was thankful for her.

He knew he couldn't be angry at her, not for any of it. To be tricked into coming back, giving up everything and everyone she cared about, to be alone through it all, he had to admit, he admired her strength and determination, she was still sacrificing for them all, especially him. Lark had helped him to understand, and yes he did have questions, but right now he was concerned for her. It was still jarring to think that she's Bartons daughter, who right now was just still a kid, but he didn't see Elle like that. He saw her as a woman, strong, compassionate, selfless. He really didn't know what his otherself did to deserve her love and loyalty, but he made the decision, to not take it for granted. Maybe she felt something for him now, but he didn't want to push her to find out. Right now, she needed time to deal what what she was going through, so he'd start with being her friend again.