The saddest girl to wear a yellow dress

"I know her" (8)

"You...don't look all that surprised to see me." Cautious eyes flutter around unyielding features - Bucky squints to find a trait that would tip him off.

A snap decision and he ushers her instinctively back inside the building, "You shouldn't be here." His voice a low warning.

Stressed eyes scout the lobby for anyone that could've potentially recognized her, but then he remembers only Tony and Sam knew about the infamous Polaroids.

"I didn't know where else to go," she pleads, arms flailing as she speaks. Bucky leads her to a blind corner in the corridor, where the surveillance camera reach is limited.

"Amber?" He recognizes after a more thorough inspection." It's night time, I don't understand..." he questions, maintaining eye contact.

"I 'surfaced' about two hours ago and, trust me, I was just as confused as you when I peeked outside and realized it was night time." Her eyes are moist and he has to keep his hands cemented to the wall as to not wrap them around her in order to hug her anxiety away.

Amber is rocking a little. Her very snug, red tank top makes him swallow.

"You didn't know you were in Washington, D.C.?" To his perplexed question, she shakes - despairingly - her head.

"I woke up in some warehouse. I was able to sneak away from the guards and grab a taxi. When I saw the taxi's dashboard screen...Bucky..." She struggles - a deep breath, and she continues, "... I've been away for three full days..." Her already trembling voice cracks at the edge of the last word she manages to pronounce, and a tear glides over her flushed cheek.

She narrows her eyes, but Bucky's cool hand raises her chin.

"We'll figure this out together," is all he is able to say. Doubts are creeping into his mind, they sink their claws inside his every passing thought.

Could she be capable of such impeccable deceit?

Why was he doubting her again after he had decided to trust her...

Amelia, she had to be the key.

"I don't know what is she up to. This has never happened before." She darkens. "Bucky I think...I think she has feelings for you and that's why she's acting more erratic than usual."

Amber's eyes shift for a second - Bucky follows her gaze to Tony, who now stands behind them - a mixture of bewilderment and unflinching focus reflected on his face.

"Nice of you to pay us a visit, Miss..?" He greets, eyes bursting with the utmost apprehension.

"Tony, this is more complicated than you can imagine..." Bucky explains, turning slowly, hands inching upwards.

"I'm always up for a new challenge, don't get me wrong, " he starts, and even though his demeanor is his usual one, Bucky can tell he is wearing that techy contraption on his wrist. One tap and he could be one swift motion away from suiting up.

"But it is almost midnight, and the fact that I had to upset Pepper just to get here, no fun - I can assure you, was unpleasant enough. So let's just all assume my patience is not at its best as you can see... " He takes a step forward -Bucky shoves Amber securely behind him. "I had her face uploaded to our security systems - before her picture magically vanished from my desk. I have to say I was quite shocked when I was alerted of her presence here of all places."