Winter's Sunshine

26. Feels

"What is she doing here?", Bucky asked surprised to see Jen waiting by the Quinjet.

"She is coming with us.", Steve replied, walking ahead to greet her.

Bucky stopped in his tracks and wondered if this was a good idea. He was still not over her but was masking it like a pro. At least he thought that he was.

"Cap.", Jen nodded curtly at Steve while smiling at him.

"How have you been, Jen?"

"Busy as a bee."

"Welcome to our world. It sucks, but you will love it", he said patting her back. Captain America is quoting Friends? Jen just couldn't believe it. Steve laughed at her shocked face as he entered the Quinjet.

Jen then swirled around and stumbled into someone. "Oh, I am so sorry I- Bucky.", she said when those deep blue eyes captured her attention. Fuck these blue eyes. Why you bother me so much!

"Why the hell are you coming with us?", he asked with a straight face.

"Hill's order.", Jen replied calmly.

Bucky rolled his eyes at her and cursed Hill mentally. "Whatever.", he said walking past her. "Do me a favor and stay away from me."

Jen gulped hard as she watched him walk in Ouch, that hurt. She realized that the wound has not healed yet but she was done being guilty. If he wants to play the victim, then be it. I am done apologizing. She has her reason for what she did and also strongly stands by it.

Jen followed him in and took a seat opposite to him. Steve briefed the pilot about Wakanda's location and Natasha secured a seat beside Bucky.

"So Jen, got any boyfriend?". Natasha asked making all three's head turn in her direction. Tension between Jen and Bucky was crystal clear. Natasha would have easily noticed even if she didn't know before.

Jen caught off guard by her question replied saying, "No, don't have time for that. Quite busy nowadays."

"Oh, and what about the time before that?"

Jen sub-consciously looked at Bucky, and found that him already staring at her. He looked confused, so Jen was sure that he didn't tell her. "I would rather not answer that if you don't mind", she said, avoiding Bucky's gaze.

"I can understand.", Natasha said still eyeing at Jen. "So are you looking for one?", she asked, nudging Bucking with her arm.

Jen felt uncomfortable talking about her love life with a stranger. She sat there in silence thinking, Why is she asking me these questions?  Yes, Jen knew who she was, she even followed her, but she was still a stranger to her.

Steve noticed Jen's awkward silence and chose to step in and save her "Nat", he warned, shaking his head at her.

"Relax Steve, I was just asking for a friend"

Jen looked at Bucky instinctively with a confused expression. Bucky looked at Steve and mouthed She knows? and got nothing but a shrug in response. Of course, she knows. Can't hide anything from the Black Widow.

'Cap', a voice echoed from the intercom. Jen adjusted her earpiece while rest attentively listened to it.

'We need you at the headquarters right now. Please abort your visit to Wakanda.'

Steve looked over at Natasha before responding, 'Roger that.' to it

He then took a while to discuss over the phone and decided that it would be better to look into the emergency first. They had to attend a meeting with the secretary of the state. He had to be there. Just couldn't miss it.