Dog Tags

Kiss and Tell

(Outside-Track, Ema/Natasha training)

"What's wrong with you today?" Natasha snapped. "You have been off all day. You can't have a bad day in the field Ema."

"I had an interesting night last night. No a dream that's all it was. No a nightmare that's it. No a good dream. Yep I'll go with that." I said trying to explain as we walked along the winding track leading up to the gun range.

"You are not making any sense, just tell me what got you like this!" She waved her hands for emphasis.

"I ugh, well y-ou see I" I took a deep breath before continuing, "kissed Bucky." I said the last part quietly then pressed my lips together hard. Natasha stoped and looked at me for a moment before she spoke again.

"You what?! Tell me what happen." She demanded. I couldn't tell if she was mad or elated so I gave her all the details.
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(Yesterday)

My day had been a rough one. No I take that back it had been unbelievable! You would think a simple task of gaining language information from new task force members would be an easy one. But no, of course not. Egotistical, pig headed, morons!! I had had it! So why not text a friend for a little pick me up. After twenty minutes of stalling and putting it down multiple times I finally picked up my phone and sent him a text. What harm could it do. We had been out once. Nothing serious WE WERE JUST GOOD FRIENDS. I had convinced myself completely of that. Yep friends.

Me: Hey you.
Buck: Hi Doll.
Me: Are you at home can I come over? It's just been a bad day. I mean I don't want to intrude.
Buck: Yes. get over here.
Me: If it helps I'll bring pizza for supper. It's just been a day and really want to be around someone that at least likes me.
Buck: I think like is a understatement. Come on. I have booze, and we can watch a movie. That should make it better.
Me: Thanks. I'll see you in about an hour. James?
Buck: Yell Doll.
Me: Thanks.
Buck: Just get over here

An hour a later I knocked on his door. Still in my dress from work, and two pizzas in my hands.

He open the door still dressed in his back task force shirt and dark jeans. He immediately took the pizzas from my hands. "Get in here." he said with a slight smile.

An hour  later there was leftover pizza on the bar I was in his dean walk-in around barefooted. He sat on his couch listening to me vent. "Those new recruits on task are impossible!" I groaned. "I actually had one of them try to tell me he spoke two languages both which don't exist!" Buck just laughed and shook his head.

"They are a handful doll. Usually stubborn and arrogant too."

"Oh Yes. I found that out with two of them especially."

"Why what happen?" He raised an eyebrow at me and gave a look that I took to mean tell me or I will make you tell me. I guess he used it with other task force members but it was very effective.

"Two of them make a pass at me and some of my team. I stopped that quickly."

"Whatcha do?" He question

"I politely told them that I had been here long enough to know at least nine ways to severely hurt them and to back the hell off! You know basically a good bluff. I only know maybe three." I laughed and James joined in with me.

"I want their names." He stated in an authoritative tone as his laughter broke. "I know over 50 ways and you won't have to worry about those jerks again," he growled.

"James!" My voice in a higher whole tone. He must be teasing right? He gave me a sideways glance.

"They reported to Clint. Their not on your team anyway."

"Did you tell Hawkeye?"

"Yep." He gave me another chuckle.

"Dude will be on KP probably for a month." I laughed.

"Since we don't have that probably worse."

"Thanks." I finally sat down on the couch. My day seemed better getting it off my chest.

"For what?" He sat beside me his hair still pulled up in a tie from today.

"This." I motion between us. "Just being here. Letting me intrude." I gave him a small smile.

"Your welcome Ema and your not intruding. I wouldn't have it anyother way." He flashed me a smile. His blue eyes shinning. For some reason I leaned toward him giving him a slow kiss that he didn't hesitate to receive. "Sorry I ugh." I whispered our faces still inches apart. I was now very nervous.

"Don't be." He whispered back. I slowed hard. What had I just done? I just managed to run a perfectly good friendship.

"We are good friends and I ugh don't want to mess this up." I said almost in a whisper.

"Who says I just want to be friends?" His voice soft as he stroked my face with his hand.

"I um just assumed." I stammered.

"Don't assume." He mumbled as he kissed me again slowly.

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"So ugh whatcha think? I mean did I screw up?" I said panicking. By now we had made it almost to the gun range. Natasha stood with her arms folded and took a deep breath.

"No you didn't mess up. Besides Buck even said you didn't mess up. Believe me Ema if you had he would Have told you." She placed a reissuing hand on my shoulder.

"I haven't heard from him maybe I did. I don't know I ugh..." I bit my lip trying to get my composure.

"Ema then why is he waiting for you at the range?" I looked up to see one James Barns with his eyes fixed upon us smiling standing beside the door.

I broke into a shy smile.

"Go on." Her voice full of reinsurance. "You got this. Trust me."