Labyrinth

Chapter 27: Ballroom Blitz

Chapter 27 Bucky Pov

It took us an hour to pack and then we spent another hour arguing with Cali, giving her every reason we had, on why she shouldn't go. In the end we lost. We decided that Nat and I will go in and try to find Kai and his associate. According to Tony, Kai is there to retrieve information to sell to the highest bidder and possibly get back in the Contessa good graces. I am to go in and retrieve that information before he does, while Nat distracts him.

We also spent an hour arguing with Cali about that. she thought she should be the one to do it. according to her, she has done it a million times. She's a pro. She says, "if push comes to shove, I could glamor my looks. No one would know."

A wave of her hand and she took on the appearance of Nat. it would've been more impressive if she could hold it for longer than a minutes. Nat faded and then in a mist of green magic, she was her old self again. Nat was thoroughly freaked out and calmly asked her never to do that again.

The plan for tonight was not airtight, since we had to fly out and get all of this together in less than 8 hours. we had no idea what security looked like or the layout of the mansion. We were going in blind and arguing with Cali every step of the way did not help.

Tony and Sam will be in the air doing surveillance, watching our backs from the sky. on the grounds Steve orders Kate, Clint, and Yelena to watch our back from the trees. Steve will keep Cali in the van as they work Communications. Cali fussed about the plan as well. whining about not needing to be babysat.

After I slip into my bowtie tuxedo and head into the connecting room where Nat is supposed to getting ready. I'm surprised to fine Cali there. I immediately put my guard up, ready for another fight. To my surprise she just smiles at me and offers me a drink. she says, "I come in peace. I promise."

I take the drink from her and ask, "where's Nat?"

Cali nods towards the bathroom and says, "she should be ready in a minute. I'm just here to help with hair and makeup."

I watch as she gathers up the makeup box and say, "sorry."

She shrugs, "I guess, I haven't made this easy for any of you. I just don't want you...any of you to get hurt."

"we'll be fine. We've done this a million times." I reassure her.

Were both quiet for a second before she says, "about what happened... with Loki and I... "

I cut her off, "it's none of my business. You don't have to explain anything to me."

She shrugs finally giving up, it seems and walks to the door. she stops and turns to face me, "Kai likes explosives and he good at it. watch out for that, okay?"

I can see the real worry in her eyes now. she feels like she should be in there because she knows him best. she knows what he's capable of. sometimes I forget, she played his girlfriend for 6 years. I nod, "don't worry. We'll get him."

"that is not what I'm worried about." And she is gone before I could try to reassure her again.

Nat and I step out of the van onto the snow-covered road. I take her hand as she is dressed in a long black dress with matching stilettos. Smoke billows from my mouth as Steve hands me tiny earpiece and then does a quick soundcheck. everyone lets us know that there in position and Steve reminds me not to be a hero. If things look to be going wrong, get out of there. If we don't catch him this time, well definitely catch him next time.

Nat adjusts her fur and Cali says, "good luck."

Clint says over the earpiece, "you're supposed to say, break a leg."