The Fall - Book 2

241. Unfortunately, I was vetoed.

OCTOBER 23, 2020 — AVENGERS COMPOUND — BUCKY

"Why are we meeting at lunchtime on a Friday?" Sam whines from his seat at the table in the mission room.

"Sam, it's eleven-thirty in the morning...you'll still have plenty of time for lunch," Nat replies.

"I'm just saying...and Tony's not even here! He called this meeting; he should be here, ready to go!" As if to further prove his point, his stomach growls loudly. "See? It's singing the song of its people...feed me, feeeeeeeeed meeeeeee!" he draws out the words.

Despite my efforts to the contrary, I let out a quiet chuckle at my friend's antics.

"Okay," Tony says as he enters the room, Peter right behind him, "here's the situation: we've been called for two separate missions."

"Two?" Clint furrows his brow.

"Yes. Two." Tony clears his throat. "The first is a recon op in the Ural Mountains. The team for this consists of me, Harris, Rhodes, Barton, Lang, and the kid. We're going wheels-up today at fourteen-hundred hours; if it goes according to plan, we'll be back here on Monday."

"As for the second...it involves taking out another ring of arms dealers, this time in Prague. The Czechian authorities have been having difficulty fully breaking up this ring, and have called us in, hoping we can completely dismantle it." He pauses. "And just like in every action movie ever, there's going to be a black-tie gala event. Intel points to there being a secret auction at the event; our job is to infiltrate that auction and incapacitate the members of that ring. That means everyone who's going is suiting up, literally: tuxedos and evening gowns. Barnes and Romanoff, you're taking point on this one."

"Wait, what?" Nat and I say in unison.

"Tony, we're, um," she trails off, waving her hand in front of her face.

"Yes...and that's why you'll each need a photostatic veil. Not just you two; all of you who are going will be wearing them."

"I hate those things," Nat mutters under her breath.

'Yeah, so do I,' I think.

"Who's going on this one?" Bruce asks.

"You, Barnes, Romanoff, Maximoff, Wilson, and Mitchell. You all are heading out at oh-six-hundred tomorrow. Depending on how it goes, you might be back on Sunday...or it might take a couple of days." He pauses again. "Anyone have questions?" When no one replies, he continues. "Alright. Get outta here."

We all stand and make our way out of the room; I've just reached the threshold when Tony stops me.

"Bucky? I tried to keep you here, I really did. Unfortunately, I was vetoed."

I nod. "Thanks for trying, Tony." I clear my throat. "I, um...I'm going to find Thor and Loki, and ask if they'll stay with Réa while I'm gone."

"That's a good idea."

I give him another nod, then make my way to the elevator, taking it to Thor and Loki's floor. I knock on Thor's door first; almost immediately, I hear his heavy footsteps and the door swings open.

"Barnes! Greetings!" he booms.

"Hi, Thor. I was wondering... actually, would you come with me to Loki's room? I have something I'd like to ask you both."

"Of course!" He strides across the hall and knocks—well, pounds is more accurate—on Loki's door. "Brother! Barnes wants to ask us something!"

After a few moments, I hear Loki approaching, just as Thor once again bangs on the door.

"What, you great buffoon? I was reading...peacefully, I might add."

"Barnes wants to ask us something," Thor shoves past his brother and settles on Loki's couch.

"Yes, I managed to hear that over your racket, you oaf," the dark-haired Asgardian replies, but there's no real bite in his tone. "James," he turns back to me, and gestures for me to enter his suite.

"I was wondering," I begin once he's closed the door, "if you both would be willing to stay at the house with Réa while I'm on this mission. I'd ask her to stay here, but she's just over thirty-four weeks pregnant, and I know she'll be more comfortable at home. I just...I can't...I don—"

"You don't want her to be alone," Loki finishes. "That is completely understandable, especially given the timing of this mission. And I would be more than willing to stay with her."

"As would I," Thor agrees.

"Thank you. I'll need to talk to her, just to make sure she wants to stay at home; who knows, she might surprise me and want to stay here. I'll text you and let you know firm details once I have them. I just didn't want to volunteer you for something that—"

"We love her, too, James," Loki interjects. "While our feelings for her are strictly platonic, we care very deeply for her. She is family...as are you, and your son. Rest assured, we will do everything we can to care for her—for both of them—while you are gone."

"It would be our honor. Truly," Thor adds.

I nod, then thank both Asgardians again before exiting Loki's suite and heading home to my wife.