The Other Stark

Chapter 2

After a while, Bucky really began saying something. Not really full conversation mode, that was Tory's job, he listened.

After she said her name, Buck just set beside her and took a plate, not really saying anything. He had the feeling he knew her last name.

"I have a proposition for you," Tory said to him, sitting straight on the couch. They had finished their meals a while ago but kept talking, not noticing the time. Now it was late and she sensed Bucky felt a little uncomfortable.

"Would you like to come back with me to the Tower, go back to seeing Steve again, fighting for the good side, helping us," she suggested.

"You wouldn't have to live in the shadows any longer, not alone every time. We could help you."

"See... I don't think that's a good idea," he muttered not looking at Tory in the eye.

"Buck, they haven't found you for a long time, maybe they gave up, started another project, just try."

He just looked at her. His face motionless, neutral.

"I won't force you if you don't wanna come, I won't even mention you to the team, but it would be good for you and Steve wouldn't feel so guilty about... you know... everything."

He said nothing. His blank expression staring at her. Buck got up, heading for the elevator.

"Okay then. Think about it, if you change your mind, come here tomorrow at 11 a.m, I'll be waiting."

He just nodded, entering the elevator and disappearing as the doors closed.

...

In the next morning, F.R.I.D.A.Y woke Tory up as usual. Opening the curtains from the bedroom, informing the weather, the temperature and all.

"Okay F.R.I.D.A.Y I get it, just some more minutes," Victoria said, hiding underneath the sheets.

"I'm afraid you don't have some minutes, Ms. Stark" the AI insisted.

"It's already 10 a.m and you have a flight in less than two hours."

"What!??" Tory yelled, sitting on her bad, suddenly feeling slightly dizzy.

"You should have woken me earlier."

Tory got out of her bed, rushing to the kitchen when something caught her attention on the corner of her eyes.

"Hum... F.R.I.D.A.Y why didn't you notified me Barnes was here?" she questioned, looking at the tall guy standing in the corner of her living room, following her steps with his eyes.

"I didn't notice he was there." the AI countered.

"You... didn't?" the woman asked surprised, looking at the man with an interest.

"Had breakfast yet?"

She was happy he was there. Even though he looked his same serious self, something about the way he looked at her was different.

"Yes." he simply said.

"Okay, we're about to stay on a plane for some several hours, can you please, give me answers more than just 'yes' or 'no'?"

"I'll try," he said with a smirk on his lips. That was new.

Tory poured herself some fruits and a mug of coffee. Eating uncomfortably with Bucky watching her.

"I'm taking a shower and we can head to the airport," Tory said putting her bowl on the sink, noticing just then, she wasn't wearing any shorts underneath the oversized shirt.

"F.R.Y... ask Daren if my things are on the car and I need to know if the plane is ready."

She ushered to her bedroom, slamming the door. Bucky had a grin on his face. He moved to one of the chairs in the living room, flopping on it. Things were about to give a twist.

...

Tory and Bucky had just spent 10 hours on a plane, not talking much, but on a comfortable silence. She just wanted a hot bath and her bedroom, on the other hand, Buck just wanted to know how all this was going to end.

"Happy, don't tell Tony we are arriving," Tory said, looking at the man who was driving.

"He doesn't know?" Happy asked, talking about the soldier that was by her side.

"No." she declared.

Happy parked the car on the underground garage of the Tower, opening the trunk and taking her suitcases out, another man helping him.

"If any of them attack, please don't do the same, just... just let me talk to them." Tory told him, already on the elevator to the last floor, where all of them would probably be.

"You sure it will end well? I'm not really someone people want around." Buck muttered, looking at her.

"They'll get used to you," she said looking at the numbers change, getting closer and closer to the penthouse.

"Wouldn't worry about this now though," she said quietly, putting the sensors of her nanobots on her ear to control them, ready to fight if something went south.

When the ding sounded and the doors opened, she spotted people on the kitchen, talking enthusiastically.

"Tory!?" she heard Tony calling her, from the other side of the room. In less than a minute Tony, Steve, Nat, and Sam were standing some feet away, looking at her with serious expressions. Wanda, Clint, and Bruce came from the kitchen, watching at the scene.

"What is he doing here?" Nat hissed in a serious tone. Tory saw her hand moving behind her. In a glimpse, Tony was dressed only with the hand of his armor. A second later, Tory, had her nanobots orbiting around her. The only one calm was Steve, who seemed to not believe his best friend was standing in front of him.

"Okay you three, weapons down. Wanda, please." Tory warned, sensing Bucky shifting behind her. The Witch put her hands down, the red glow disappearing from her eyes. "He's not here as the Winter Soldier or any of that and you people need to calm down."

"Buck!?" Steve exclaimed with a smile.

"Nice to see at least one of you have a warming welcome." Tory countered, still looking at the trio that was in a fighting posture.

"But you know... He..." Tony stuttered motioning with his hands.

"He's not triggered, that wasn't him and you know it... He's just like us, broke and needing a fresh start."

"So he's staying?" Sam asked, looking behind you. His gaze never leaving the metal arm.

"Yep and you all better get used to it."

Tory started walking to the corridor that headed to the rooms, her brother calling her before she could reach it.

"We need to talk, now, in my lab."

"Can this wait!? I need to sleep and shower and you are on my way right now" she answered him. Everybody in the room silence, watching the two of them.

"No, it can't wait," Tony said grabbing her arm and walking to the elevator.

"Steve, can you please show Buck one of the spare rooms on our floor?" she said before the metal doors closed.

...

"What were you thinking? He's an assassin! He's the assassin... you can't just invite him to live with us." Tony burst angrily.

"Ohhh... so rush downstairs and tell Nat she can't live here too, you know... she was an assassin and now here she is, one of the world's mightiest heroes. Stop the hypocrisy, Tony! You forgave her! She's one of my best friends now, and all of us trust her with our lives! Why not with Bucky? Go ahead... I wanna hear, why can't you forgive him too?"

Tony looked at her, speechless.

"Now you have nothing to say? You know, he was on the run for two years, and because of everything with HYDRA, he doesn't trust himself around people! If it was you, all of us would welcome you with open arms, helping to adapt and you're telling me you can't do the same?" Tory yelled angrily.

"I'm going to my room, see you tomorrow."

Tony stood there, going through the things his sister told him. Seeing her walk away angrily.