A story about a geek and the quest for her perfect man......... who just happens to be on pretty much everyone's Most Wanted list. Yikes!
Maggie Grace works at Stark Industries and has fallen in love with The Winter Soldier - Bucky Barnes. Unfor...
After I left that day, I headed home to the comfort of my apartment. Although it wasn't much, it was mine and I felt safe there. I'd lived there ever since I started working for Tony and I must admit, it had served me well. I changed into my fleecy pajamas and curled up on the couch with a mug of cocoa and contemplated stuff.
I don't think I'd ever felt so alone or miserable as I did right then, and I hated it. I'm usually the happy-go-lucky type, and so feeling down wasn't the norm for me, but I just couldn't shake it.
It was as if someone had pulled the proverbial rug out from under me and left me with a dirty door mat instead. Yeah, it was THAT bad.
More than anything though, what really troubled me were the feelings of jealousy that were running through my brain. I knew why this was of course.
I was jealous that I wasn't an Avenger, and jealous that they all were – envious that they'd be the ones to rescue the man of my dreams instead of me and worst of all, and this was the one that really got me – I was jealous of Steve, my friend. Jealous of the fact that he'd be the one who got to see Bucky first and show him that there were people who cared about him, when I wanted it to be ME..........why couldn't it be me......?
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I took my cocoa and sat by the window, looking out over the New York skyline that I loved so much. The moon was out and the lights of Manhattan were twinkling like electric stars. I could see the Stark Towers from where I lived, and I wondered if Steve was still awake too....thinking about his friend.
Eventually, I slept, but it was broken and I woke not feeling rested one bit.
And so, it was slightly heavy hearted that I went into work the next morning. When I got to the lab, Tony was already there, along with Steve and they both looked over as I walked in.
"Hey guys" I said, putting on a smile
"Magpie" said Steve, coming over to me. "You okay? You left so quickly last night, I was worried about you". He put his arm round me, like he always does when he knows I'm feeling vulnerable.
"Yeah, I'm fine, you know me, I just get stupid and emotional" I shrugged my shoulders and gave him a grin.
"Sorry, weird girl, what was that? Emotional? You should be well aware I don't allow emotions in the workplace" - cue Tony's dulcet and ever so slightly sarcastic tones from the corner of the room. He looked at me and winked.
It did the trick. I knew I could never stay downbeat whilst working with such a dweeb, even if he was my boss!
"Okay" I said, getting myself together "So...what's the plan then?"
"Well" said Tony "the siting is confirmed, 100% definite identification – its him alright. Our little news seller is petrified, so we've got him in protective custody as he thinks he's going to get assassinated at any moment." He rolled his eyes. "And we heard earlier this morning that they've got eyeball on Barnes apartment now too, so, the master plan is, we're gonna be shipping out soon".
Wow, this was all happening really fast. For some reason, I hadn't expected that. My heart was pounding.......I really hoped Steve had the ability to turn off his enhanced hearing at that moment or he'd be deafened.
"S...so....you're really going to be off then?" God, that sounded so pathetic. "Well, okay...um.....good luck I guess"
"There's no luck involved" called out Tony.
"Hey Magpie....listen, don't worry, you know we always come back in one piece". Steve grinned at me.
"I know, but you know me....I'm a worrier, always have been, always will be"
"Well okay" said Tony, walking over to me and Steve. "Not this time - see, here's the thing – you won't have time to worry"
"Why?" I asked.
"Because, weird girl.................you're coming with us".
