Winter's Sunshine

14. Morning Run

Bucky completed working on his arms when his phone alarm went off.

JEN  flashed on the screen. It was five in the morning and now was time for their morning run. Bucky quickly gathered his stuff and placed them in his gym bag. He fetched his bottle and made his way to the ground.

Fifteen minutes passed by, as Bucky ran thirty lap around the ground. He came across the compound entrance and looked for Jen, but she was no where to be found.

He decided to go back to the gym and complete his workout. She is not coming, he thought. He entered the compound and saw Jen walking towards him, with sleepy eyes and a beautiful but an annoyed face.

"Look who's here!", he greeted her opening his arms.

Jen just rolled her eyes walking past him.

"You are late.", he remarked, following her to the ground

"Only by fifteen minutes."

"Fifteen whole minutes!"

"Ya so?", Jen asked not appreciating their banter.

"My time is precious.", Bucky defended.

"You are on house arrest.", she pointed out

"Nevertheless, my time is precious."

"Whatever"

"Not a morning person, are we?"

Jen just groaned in response. "Can you shut up for a minute?"

"Wow, That's mean!", Bucky said faking offense. This is fun

"Please Bucky I am not in the mood, my legs are aching like crazy and I have sacrificed my precious sleep for this!"

"And you want to be a shield agent", Bucky snorted. "Not with this attitude young lady.", he said shaking his head.

"Let's get this over", Jen started warming up, stretching a bit.

"And when would you prefer waking up princess?", Bucky teased her a bit.

"I woke at five this morning, don't test me, Barnes.", she said warning him.

"Barnes huh? By the way, what is your last name?"

"Find it yourself.", Jen said as she started to run along the track.

Bucky followed her, catching up to her in no time.

"Why can't you tell me yourself?"

"I don't want to"

"Why not?", Bucky pressed, now running backwards, with the same speed as hers.

"Showoff", Jen muttered speeding up.

---------

Bucky was happy with their run, Jen had good stamina, way more than he had anticipated. It was nearly seven o'clock now which meant it was time for work.

"We can run in the morning, and weight train in the evening.", Bucky said wiping out the sweat from his face

"And you can also teach me how to fight."

"Sure. We can do that."

Bucky walked Jen inside the compound, up to the elevator.

"So work now?"

"Yes, I will take a nice shower and then straight to work."

"Don't skip your breakfast.", he reminded. "- And how are your legs feeling now?"

"A bit sore, but bearable."

"Good."

Ding!

The elevator opened and Sam and Cap walked out of it.

"Hey Buck", Cap greeted him "-and Jen.", he nodded at her smiling.

"Morning Cap" "-Sam.", she returned the gesture.

"We went for a run", Bucky said, sipping water from his bottle.

"Together?", Sam teased.

Jen gave a stern look to Sam and Bucky just shrugged. "I am training her for the test."

"Oh, that's nice", Sam said winking at Jen slyly.

Cap noticed that and was amused by it. He knew something was going on between those two.

"Even I can help you with it", Sam offered, looking back and forth between Jen and Bucky.

"Don't you have work to do?", Bucky blurted out.

"Hey man, you don't have to get all defensive, right Jen?"

"I am not being defensive!"

"Yes, you are!"

"Stop it both of you!", Cap interjected rolling his eyes. "Sam, time to go.", he said walking ahead.

"Yes and Jen you can call me anytime", Sam said eyeing Bucky teasingly. "-for anything you need."

"She won't need to, she has me!", Bucky exclaimed, gaining a chuckle from Sam.

"Later Jen!", Sam called out. "You too Starbucks!"

Bucky huffed in response and Jen laughed as they entered the elevator.

"See you later, Jen."

Jen nodded as she got out of the elevator.