The Fangirl that Saved the World

Chapter 5

Natalie's POV

"Bye Natalie."

I hung up the phone and walked out of the closet. I wasn't going to confront him yet. Things were okay. For the most part at least.

I turn around and see Bucky looking at me. It wasn't his normal look. This look was sad and sorry. I almost fell to the ground and cried because of how sorry I was.

He heard me. Every single word.

"I was going to tell you," he said.

"Bucky I - "

"No, I need to get this out," Bucky stopped me and I nodded.

I was expecting a speech and a rant so I wasn't at all surprised by his following outburst of feelings.

"I've never met someone like you. You're so confident and open. You're so incredibly caring. You messed up the timeline just so people could understand me. I can never pay you back for that. You're the perfect girl for Steve. You're what he needs and I don't want to get in the way of your relationship. You guys are happy. Even though it pains me to see you with someone who isn't me, he deserves it. You're the first girl since, well ever, to stop and want to know me. You don't want to sleep with me or use me or show me off to your friends. I don't like you, Natalie. I love you. I'm in love with you."

But I wasn't at all expecting that.

What the hell am I supposed to say to that? I felt nice. I feel guilty that I felt nice. I feel good. I feel wanted. I already did though. I feel that with Steve. I felt a little part of me wanting to say I love Bucky too.

I do, but I have Steve.

Steve is everything I ever wanted.

This is not good.

"I didn't expect you to be so quiet. Can you please say something?" Bucky asked with his eyes glued shut.

Today is full of expectations.

"Bucky, I wish I could just drop everything and love you. I would be lying if I said that I didn't feel anything for you. I dreamed about living my whole life with you and Steve. I have Steve though. I just got him. I can't leave him. I'm sorry," I say honestly, just like Steve said.

"I don't expect you to," Bucky said and took a step towards me and takes my hand.

"I just want, I don't know. I want you, but I know I can't have you. I want to have a chance. Even if it doesn't last long. Even if it lasts for just a day. I want us," Bucky says.

I take my hand away and shake my head. I want that too, but I can't risk it. I don't want to fall more. I have something amazing. I don't know if Bucky and I will ever happen, and I don't want to give him false hope.

"Bucky, we can't. I think I made the mistake when I kissed you. I gave you that hope. I can't keep giving you hope. I can't tell you that it could happen when I don't even know if it will. I can't risk what I have with Steve."

Bucky looks absolutely crushed. I feel terrible.

"You're right I'm sorry," Bucky says and turns away.

"Miss Carter, Sergeant Barnes, we are landing now. Please strap yourselves in," Friday announces.

"Thanks, Friday," I say and take a seat and fascine my seatbelt.

Bucky does the same and we don't talk. We don't make eye contact.

The plane lands and I unbuckle myself. I head to the ramp and open up the quinjet and grab a handgun just in case something goes wrong. Bucky walks behind me and we both look out. I recognize the area. We aren't in the city, we are just outside in the suburbs.

This is where I lived.

Bucky's POV

I follow Natalie through the streets and we stop at a house. I didn't know why though. This isn't the address Friday told us, but she walks up to the door and I follow.

"Natalie, where are we?" I ask breaking our silence.

She just looks at me and knocks on the door. Footsteps are heard on the other side of the door. The door handle turns and the door is swung open.

A woman smiles softly at Natalie. They know each other. I'm not sure how though. I thought no one knew Natalie. She's not from this earth.

"Natalie, right?" the woman asks.

"Hey, Nancy," Natalie says.

She looks like she's about to cry. Nancy opens her arms and Natalie break down in tears. She runs into the woman's arms and sobs.

"You've been through quite a bit of trouble. I saw you on the news. Is that why you're here?" Nancy asks.

Natalie breaks away from Nancy's grasp and wipes her tears.

"No, I'm on a mission. I just wanted some familiarity. Plus, I need to pay you back," Natalie smiles.

"Come in. Both of you," Nancy looks at me and allows us into her home.

"I'm not sure I know you," Nancy says to me.

"Oh right! This is Bucky. Best friends with Cap," Natalie introduces me.

"Nice to meet you," she says and holds out her right hand for me to shake.

I shake it softly, not wanting to hurt her.

"I'm sorry Nancy we can't stay long. I just needed to give you this," Natalie says and pulls out a large envelope from her jacket.

Nancy open it and pulls out a large stack of cash. She looks at Natalie with huge eyes and gives it back.

"I can't accept this," she says.

"You will though. I planned on giving it to you sooner, but I didn't have the chance. Now that I'm here, I took the stash from the quinjet."

It was quiet for awhile and they just stared at each other. I look at my watch and saw that we should probably get going.

"Natalie, we should probably go," I said even though I hated to interrupt their moment.

They share one last hug and we both walked out of the house.

"Who was that?" I ask.

"That was my mother. She was the one who helped me when I first got here. She knew I wasn't her daughter, but she believed that I knew she was my mother. I needed to thank her. I miss my mom a lot and needed a little bit of home."

"I know exactly what you mean," I looked down at her and smiled.

I wish I could just give her a hug, but I don't know if she would allow me to do so. I kept to myself. I gave her peace and quiet.

~~~

A few minutes later, we arrive at the house. I give her a worried look and she just shrugs it off.

For someone with little combat skills, she seems very confident.

She walks up to the door and knocks softly.

"Excuse me? Is anyone there? I could use some help! I lost my dog and I saw him run into your backyard. I was just wondering if you could let me go get him! He doesn't really like strangers!" she lied.

To my surprise, the door opened.

The Colonel saw me and tried to slam the door shut again. I threw it open in retaliation. Natalie charges into the house and searches for the stairs.

The man pulled a gun on me and I disarmed him with ease and with one swift punch to the jaw, he was out like a light.