LIGHTNING ▷ BUCKY BARNES [UNDER EDITING]

21| PIERCE

"So Valerie, I have taken a big interest in you."

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"Care to explain?" she asked as she glanced around at the soldiers looking at the quiet city around them.

"Being a superhuman with familiar powers like Thor is really interesting, knowing you gained them because of Thor is extraordinary. But now that your best friend is a wanted man makes you so much more than the normal superhuman." "Normal?" she snorted which made Fury nod his head.

"Yes. Whatever normal is for an Avenger." He watched her carefully as he read her facial expression, she was happy to hear people knew her as one of the Avengers but... She was no Avenger, she wasn't even close to being one of Earth's protectors, she was just a simple photographer. A part of her just wanted to go back to the simple life she had before but the other part told her not to, she loved the drill and adventure she had with the Avengers. And although she didn't want to admit it, she started to like the team. Even Thor.

"Why are you here, miss Jones?" he asked after a moment of silence between the two of them. "I'm looking for a turned back HYDRA assassin." She mumbled as she clenched her jaw and fists in anger. She looked up to see the red suit of Iron man landing just next to Fury but the two chose to ignore him.

"James Buchanan Barnes?" Fury asked confusingly. Fury knew Bucky was turned back to his non-murderer self not so long ago but he didn't know he was now turned back to the Winter Soldier, not until now at least. "Bucky." She corrected him glancing down at her shoes just to see she was standing in ashes. Ashes that belonged to a person. She took a step aside in disgust before looking back at Fury when he started speaking up.

"It's dangerous out here, Jones, you should go back to the tower." Fury warned as his one eye looked besides him to Tony who was awfully quiet. "I shall not." She protested, "I'll find Bucky and Winn myself." she said eyeing Tony in annoyance, "Because it looks like Tony didn't succeed." Tony removed the metal that protected his face as he looked at Valerie in confusion, "Bucky?" He asked, also not knowing he changed back to what he was before. Valerie rolled her eyes in annoyance and quickly nod her head before walking away from the two men. She didn't know where to go yet but everywhere was better than being with Fury who underestimated her.

Valerie decided after a couple of minutes to go to her apartment. Her apartment was her place to free her mind.

By now her black shoes were a deep red as she walked into a puddle of blood for the hundredth time in the ten minutes she was walking. Finally she ended up at her slightly ruined apartment. Her rooftop was lying on the ground, she could even see the old tv she stored in the attic. It was still intact which surprised Valerie as the whole rooftop was blasted off. Her hands pushed the door slightly, seeing it was unlocked and once she stepped foot in her apartment she quickly grabbed her gun out of her holster and pointed it everywhere she looked.

She entered the living room and quickly jumped at the sight of three men sitting on her couch, looking intimidatingly at her. Her heart pounded fast while her breath hitched in her throat. She pointed her gun towards the familiar Winn Miller whilst grabbing another gun with her other hand and pointing it to the Winter Soldier.

Her eyes lingered on the Winter Soldier, the blackness hid the blue in his eyes and she took a deep breath before looking at the man she didn't recognize. He was neatly dressed and had a small grin playing on his lips.

"I don't think we haven't met yet." She said once her breathing was steadier and the man jumped off the couch in satisfaction to her finally talking after a minute of silence. Valerie kept standing on her spot and tightened her grip on her gun that was pointed at The Winter Soldier but now at the unnamed man.