Winter's Lost Gem - A BuckyBarnesxOC Story

Chapter 5

"How? When?" Bucky's voice was soft as he breathed his questions into the silence.

"Do you recall Hydra's Operation Birmingham by chance?" Emma asked, glancing at him briefly.

"Of course. I remember them all." He nodded, frowning. "I was charged to kill a woman. Someone who had been branded a threat and could take me down. I was told she could be found in a small Russian village. I knew when I got there that if she was as good as they said, she'd find me so I waited."

"That you did." Emma laughed softly. "I waited a few days before approaching you. You had a hard time fitting in the quiet village."

"You? Bucky was sent to kill you?" Steve cocked a brow, looking up from the file once more.

"Yes. Not that it mattered much. I won the fight." She grinned a bit, catching Bucky's eye. "I went dark so he wouldn't have to bother. I could see how much it pained him to do such things. I knew that if I never came around again there was no need for him to come after me."

"There's mentions of whisperings that you could have become an assassin for hire?" Steve questioned.

"Not all are rumors but I assure you the hits benefited the country." She shrugged.

"Now that you're back in SHIELD custody, we can complete the file and confirm which were yours." Haleigh suggested.

"True. I can sit down and look through them."

"A lot of sightings and whispers, it seems. You remember them?"

"Of course." She nodded. "Any good soldier remembers every kill." She sighed, agreeing with Bucky's previous sentiment. "Not all of the mentions of The Widowmaker are me."

"The Widowmaker?" Steve scoffed. "Is that what you called yourself or the public?"

"Public." Emma rolled her eyes. "Like I'd ever dignify being marketed with a name." She cleared her throat. "No offense, Captain."

"None taken." Steve sighed. "Wasn't entirely my choice either. Now it's normally the hero's choice but back then people just gave you one."

"They still do if you don't first. Apparently they have a thing for Widows." Haleigh laughed. "Nat's going to get a kick out of that one."

"I hear she enjoys her hand to hand and pistols. I prefer my rifle." Emma smirked, watching Bucky perk up a bit.

"Rifle? You're a sniper?" Bucky asked.

She nodded. "First female sniper contracted by the government. And I still hold the leading shot over the number two gal by over 50 feet."

Both Steve and Bucky whistled, impressed.

"So, Emma has returned to us because the threat to her life is over now that HYDRA has completely fallen. However we are still picking up the pieces of other events that happened two years ago involving Zemo and what we learned about the Winter Soldier project. She wanted to return to SHIELD to assist but there's a new team for that now, the Avengers, and it was suggested that she join us."

"And you want to do that, Emma?" Steve looked up at her, placing the file onto the table.

Emma nodded, catching Bucky's eye as she spoke. "I do. I've always said I'd return when it was safe."

"Another time." The corner of Bucky's lips upturned ever so slightly.

"Right." She smiled.

Haleigh glanced to Steve. The two shared a knowing smirk. "We've decided it'd be best for her to stay here at the facility. She would like to catch up on training and working on her skills with a team, since she's always worked alone before. We have a meeting this afternoon with the team to formally introduce her. Until then, I plan to help get her settled with everything she needs."

"Packed a little light in one bag." Emma mused.

Steve chuckled. "You know what's going to happen the moment Tony gets wind of this."

Haleigh nodded, groaning a bit. "Better call Laura and Clint. See if the kids can stay the night."

Emma cocked a brow. "Is that necessary?"

"Oh it will be. Tony has a, uh, flair for throwing alcohol drenched parties. While they won't affect you the same as it will most of the people that show up, it may be necessary." Haleigh sighed.

Steve nodded, rubbing his chin. "Haleigh and I usually stay to pick up the aftermath."

"I tend to help otherwise I'd stay with them." Bucky ran his fingers through his tousled hair.

"Sounds like fun." Emma grinned.

Steve cleared his throat. Offhandedly he touched Bucky's arm briefly before motioning to the door. "Why don't we let Emma get settled into her new room and home, eh? Lee, I'll call Clint and see if they don't mind Sarah and Matthew staying the night."

Bucky nodded, roughly pulling himself to his feet with Steve. "And I'll warn Pepper. Tony always calls when he's drunk."

"I'm sure she'll appreciate the warning this time. Thank you, gentlemen. See you at this afternoon's briefing. Let me know about the kids, babe. I can make other arrangements if necessary."

Steve nodded before ushering Bucky out of the room. He shut the door behind him.

Emma gave a sigh, leaning back in her seat in relief.

"Was it how you expected? Seeing him for the first time in so long?" Haleigh asked, picking up the file Steve had put down.

She chewed on her cheek. "Yes and no. We'll see what happens when the setting is different, I guess."

"Think you'll ever tell him the reason you came back and requested The Avengers is because of him?"

"Maybe, if he asks." Emma smiled softly. "I heard his mind had been fixed from those words. That was our deal. I'd return when it was safe for he and I to be together, should the time ever arise. Not only has that come to fruition but it's also the perfect time to help finish the job I started with Peggy."

"Think you two will be okay? I mean, he barely remembers it was actually you."

"We'll be just fine."

"How can you be so sure?"

"I can see it in his eyes. Just like the last night I saw him."

"What do you mean?" Haleigh cocked a brow as they stood from the table.

"So full of unspoken feeling, of want, of need. Of love."

"You're aware that what's happened to him might make him different?"

She shook her head. "I fell for him as the Winter Soldier. I just need time, if he's still interested."

"Well, I'm sure you'll find it, Emma. Tonight's a good opportunity to sneak away and talk. Especially if Tony is throwing a party." Haleigh laughed a bit, opening the door.

"I look forward to it." Emma smiled, following Haleigh to the start of her new life with the Avengers.