𝐷𝑒𝑎𝑑 𝑡𝑜 𝑚𝑒~ 𝐵.𝐵𝑎𝑟𝑛𝑒𝑠

FOURTY FIVE

"Ok I'm going now but this should be quick so I will be back soon." Bucky nods already familiar with the drill, "see you soon." He says leaning forward to kiss my cheek, "see you soon." I echo. "And I'm gonna be cutting your hair once I get back." I say running a hand through it, " I do like it kinda long though." I think out loud, he cracks a smile, "whatever you want doll."

• • •

I get to the meet up point to see Sam, Steve and Nat, "where's Wanda?" I ask knowing that I should've been the last one to arrive, "she's not contacted us at all." I begin to worry, "she's ok though right?" Steve puts a hand on my shoulder "she should be fine, we know where she should be so let's go check on her." He suggests, why hadn't she checked in with us?

I follow them to the quinjet, "so how've you guys been?" I ask as I get comfortable in my seat, "as good as we could be." Nat shrugs as Sam scoffs, "it could be better." I nod, "yeah it certainly looks like it could be better." Sam looks at me in disbelief, "have you looked in the mirror recently?" He asks making me laugh, "yeah I look as good as always why?" He rolls his eyes with a small smile as Nat and Steve laugh.

"I missed you guys." I say making all three smile, "yeah we didn't miss your lame jokes." Sam says, "Steve tell Sam to leave me alone he's always attacking my jokes." Steve laughs, "Sam leave Rosalie alone." He says making me grin at Sam smugly, "yeah yeah at least I don't need cap to fight my battles." He says, "come on Sam you're just mad that Rosie's tons more fun than you are." Nat adds making Sam gape at the three of us. "Damn that's cold." I shrug with another smug smile, "the truth hurts sometimes.

We all settle down for a second Sam and I making faces at each other as until I listen in to the news playing on the small screen beside me and Steve gets a call. I turn the volume up as I spot Tony's picture flash up onto the screen. I feel the joy get sucked out of the atmosphere of the news we had just listened to. Tony was missing after an attack in the city. For the rest of the ride we sit in silence and think about what we had heard.

When we get to where Wanda was supposed to be with vision I am in shock to see them being chased by two aliens? I don't know what they were only that they were definitely not human and they were after our friends. Steve gives us a quick plan and then we're off on our rescue mission.

Steve distracts the two aliens by catching the staff the female alien throws at him before Sam and I drop down, well Sam flies down and attacks the male whilst I kick the female as she's distracted with Steve. Nat then fights the female as she gets her staff.

"Get up." The female hisses to her male companion, "I can't." He tells her, "we don't want to kill you." I tell the two attracting their attention, "But we will." Natasha finishes from beside me as the alien scowls at us, "You'll never get the chance again." She hisses before they're suddenly basked in a light as they begin to beamed up. The staff Steve had snatched from her joining them.

"Can you stand?" Sam says as we turn our attention back to Wanda and Vision, Electricity shimmers over his surface, and his voice distorts as he thanks Steve. "Let's get you on the jet." He says. "I thought we had a deal. Stay close, check in. Don't take any chances." I say to Wanda as we get back on the jet, She avoids my eye for a second, "I'm sorry. We just wanted time." I shake my head at her and pull her into a hug, "you had me worried." I tell her as I hold her tight. I know Wanda wasn't technically a child anymore but to me she would be and I felt the need to look out for her. "I'm sorry." She whispers holding me back just as tightly. "All that matters is that you're safe."

"Where to, Cap?" Sam asks after a second getting ready to take us away, "Home."

• • •

"Mr. Secretary." Steve greets as we enter the compound Sam and I supporting a still injured Vision. "You got some nerve. I'll give you that." Ross says as he looks at us, "You could use some of that right now." Natasha says making me smirk, "The world's on fire. And you think, all is forgiven?" I scoff, "with all the shit going on right now you're still focused on the past?" I ask making him glare at me, "I'm not looking for forgiveness. And I'm way past asking for permission. Earth just lost her best defender. So we're here to fight." Steve takes a step forward, looking right at Ross. "And if you wanna stand in our way... we'll fight you, too."

"Arrest them." Ross instructs Rhodey who nods, "All over it." He swipes off the hologram; the computer beeps twice. "That's a court-martial. It's great to see you, Cap." He says as they hug, "You too, Rhodey." He then hugs Natasha before me, "you're looking great." I tell him making him grin. "Well, you guys really look like crap. Must've been a rough couple of years."

"Yeah, well, the hotels weren't exactly five star." Sam murmurs, "Uh, I think you look great." Rhodes and Natasha turn round as we see Bruce walking in from the opposite end of the room. "Uh... heh... Yeah. I'm back." He says awkwardly as I give him a small wave. "Hi, Bruce." Nat says softly, "Nat." Sam and I catch each other's eye as we both look away. "This is awkward." He whispers over to me making me nod, "very."