Winter's Immortal (CWAC Book One)

Chapter 2: Miss Northman

Natasha finds Steve trying to coax Bucky out if his room, he leans against the wall talking through the door.

"Buck, it's already healed...okay? I'm fine" he looks to Natasha and smiles a little as Bucky throws something at the door. "Okay, you are just being childish now" Steve scolds.

"I called her" Natasha tells him.

"And?"

"She's agreed to talk to you...." Natasha leans on the other side of the door frame across from Steve. "We're lucky she's already in the City"

"Who?" Bucky asks through the door.

"Someone willing to help you" Steve tells him.

"No, no more people, no one else I can hurt" he begs. "I just want to be left alone"

"Buck" Steve sighs softly.

"No, Steve!" Bucky snaps. "No more....I'm done....I'm soo done" Steve sighs and lets his shoulders droop, Natasha wraps an arm around his neck and pulls him closer.

.........................

Selene pulls up to the Avengers Facility gates, one lone security guard stands half asleep against the booth, Selene pulls her lip back in a silent snarl before she honks her horn, the guard jumps up and moves to her window which she lowers.

"Miss Northman?" Selene raises an eyebrow at the surname before nodding. "Agent Romanoff is expecting you" he moves to the booth and knocks on the glass, the gate ahead opening for Selene, her car kicking up dirt as she drives forward into the facility. Natasha stands waiting for her as she reaches a small garage, Selene stops for Natasha to climb in, the garage doors opening.

"Moy babushka"

"Moy malen'kiy pauk......" they share a smile as Selene pulls into the garage. "Miss Northman?" she asks the redhead who shrugs and smirks. "You gave the surname of a fictional blonde Nordic vampire?"

"I thought it fitting"

"Yeah, but True Blood?" Selene complains.

"I find it more hilarious that you actually know who I named you after" Natasha responds and points to an empty parking space ahead.

"Hey, just cause they are mostly way out on the details, doesn't mean I don't enjoy the vampire shows" Natasha laughs as they both climb out of the car.

"Oh I have missed you" the redhead smiles at the vampire as they walk towards the security doors ahead of them, Natasha moves to the keypad and types in the code.

"Who is that on you?" Selene asks sniffing at Natasha. "You have another scent on you....who is that?" Natasha looks to her feet and smiles. "Malen'kiy pauk" Selene coos.

"His name's Steve" Natasha tells her. "Captain America" Selene smirks at the human.

"Oh little spider....." she teases as they head through the facility. "The patriot?" Natasha nudges the vampire who then turns to her. "Natal'ya" Natasha looks to her. "As long as he looks after you....."

"He does...."

"Then I am happy for you" Natasha smiles at the older vampire.

"Hey, listen" Natasha stops Selene. "Steve's really desperate.....and Bucky..." she sighs. "He's kind of given up"

"Yeah, well, we both know how far gone we both have been at times.....but we've always come back....he just need the right push"

"And I'm hoping that it's you" Natasha tells her as they start walking again. Natasha pushing open another door and the pair stepping inside. Captain America himself sits on a couch in the centre of the room, that one and a few others scattered in front of a huge tv. He's nervous, Selene can smell that much. "Steve" Natasha calls to him softly. He looks up to the two women and then stands. "This is Selene" Selena offers Steve and small smile. "Selene this is Steve" Steve moves to Selena and offers her his hand.

"Thank you for coming"

"Captain Rogers" she greets taking his hand, Natasha relaxes at her side.

.....................................

Bucky pokes his head out of his bedroom door and looks about for Steve, he's not in the mood to talk....or be anywhere near people, but he is hungry. Seeing the coast is clear he shuffles along the hall scratching at his head, he is sure most of the other Avengers will be in bed or at least their own rooms, it's late, the sun having disappeared at least four hours ago, Bucky heads down the hall towards the kitchen. Pausing to glance into the common slash living area, Natasha and Steve sit with an unfamiliar dark haired woman. So they had brought in Natasha's friend anyway, even though he argued against it. He knows they are trying to help, they have been trying to help for months but he's not getting any better, he doubts he ever will, just Hydra's broken weapon. He looks away from the three of them and carries on walking.

...............................

Selene tilts her head slightly to the side listening to retreating soft quiet footsteps, footsteps of assassins, she assumes it's Bucky, down to the slightly slower heart rate, similar to Steve's. Natasha glances to her.

"Selene?" the redhead asks.

"I think Bucky just passed by the door" Steve stands and Selene places a hand on his shoulder. "Let me" he looks to her and then Natasha who nods, Steve sits down again and rests his hands on his knees nervously as Selene stands, pulls her long black coat off and looks to Natasha before handing over her guns. Selene turns and leaves the room, Steve watches her go.

"Steve" Natasha coos softly. "You aren't worried he'll hurt her are you?"

"He's been so unstable recently"

"Selene can take care of herself......." Natasha reassures him moving to sit at his side. "And she understands how important Bucky is to you"

................................

Selene moves silently into the kitchen, Bucky rummaging in the huge fridge, she leans against the wall and watches him, waiting for his assassin instincts to kick in. he stands from the fridge, arms full of bowls of chicken and rice, a chicken leg already caught between his teeth, he turns and pauses finally seeing Selena leaning against the wall, his eyes widen slightly and then he actually rakes them down over her figure before meeting her eyes and pulls the chicken from his mouth.

"Who are you?" he asks tensely.

"My name is Selene....."