A few days after you started training with Nat, you woke up, screwing your face up in disdain as the aches spiralled through your body. Fighting was hard. It was effort. Your powers didn't hurt this much.

You slowly stretched as you sat up in your bed, rolling your neck to the side as your bedroom door swung open.

Bucky was waltzing in for his morning perimeter check routine. You ignored his presence, just as you did every other morning, while he looked through your room, ran his hands over the windows, vents, anything where something could have gotten in, or a bug planted. You swung your duvet off, hopping out of bed and made your way to the bathroom when he stepped in your way.

"Haven't checked it."

"Well I need to pee, so if you don't move, it'll be all over your shoes in about 5 seconds." You quipped back. His eyes narrowed at you, and then he stepped to the side. You rolled your eyes and you walked into the bathroom, shutting the door behind you. You could see the shadows of his feet under the door, as he clearly waited right outside.

You sat on the toilet, going about your business, closing your eyes and just breathing in silence for a moment. Once you were done, you flushed the toilet and turned on the shower. Bucky knocked on the door.

"You didn't say you needed a shower too." Came his voice. "I need to check it."

"Well come and check." You spat, becoming more and more annoyed at his intrusion before you'd even had coffee.

The door opened, and you stood with your hands on your hips as he paused in front of you, then moved around the room checking everything.

"See, nothing. Same as every other morning." You said.

"It's my job."

"Of course."

You both stared at each other for a beat.

"I need to shower so..." You gestured to the door. He slowly stepped out of the bathroom, closing the door, but not all the way. He left it open just a slither. It was probably to make sure he could run in, in case you slipped or were murdered. But it annoyed you.

You stomped up and pushed it shut all the way.

You glared at the door, expecting him to open it, to fight you against it, but he didn't. So, you started getting undressed and had your shower.

The water washed over you, rolling over your skin, but you didn't feel clean. You didn't feel better.

Ever since your talk with Nat, you hadn't stopped thinking. About Bucky, his past, the things you said to him. You weren't sure how you felt anymore. And that uncertainty was making you more frustrated.

You felt like an idiot for not knowing the full story. Then you thought it was some kind of karma, because he didn't exactly know full story. You felt like you should be nicer to him. You felt like you needed to keep him at arm's length still.

If he went through all that torture under Hydra's hand, why put him through anymore? Your powers, your life, it wasn't something that anyone puts up with for a long period of time, except for Tony. But that was different. Your relationship with Tony was far different than the relationship you had with Bucky, or with anyone else. It was too dangerous. Hydra's attack showed you that.

You stepped out of the shower, wrapping a towel around yourself, and walked into your room, your mind on other things. You jumped when you heard him say your name.

"Jesus fuck!" You shouted, almost dropping your towel. You rushed to tighten it around your body. He noticed. "Forgot you were there."

He licked his bottom lip, before closing his mouth and tensing his jaw.

"I'll see you outside." He said, bluntly, before leaving the room. You let out a long breath you seemed to be holding in. You felt heavy.

You got dressed quickly, not being able to take the enclosed space of your bedroom anymore, and walked out, passing Bucky in the lab and heading for the door. He didn't stop you, but you heard him rush to catch up with you. He said nothing as he slipped in front of you, regaining the bodyguard position he'd kept up for the last week.

"Where are you going?" He asked gruffly.

"I don't know." You responded, but still walking. He glanced over his shoulder at you, then looked back ahead. After a few minutes of walking, you realised he had led you to the gym. You stopped, and he looked back at you.

"You need to punch it out." He said, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. Your muscles screamed at you, telling you to not train for just one goddamn day. But the thought enticed you. The thought of smashing your hand into the punching bag sounded really fucking good. You wondered how he knew what you needed.

You stormed up to the punching bag, not pausing, not wrapping your hands, and started punching.

You could feel him watching you. Your brain effortlessly reminded you that last time you were hitting this punching bag, Bucky pushed you against the wall and kissed you.

You punched harder, thoughts crashing in your head.

He wasn't allowed to do that anymore. You couldn't let him do that. Someone told Hydra you were here, and it was either someone on his team, or someone he spoke to. It had to be. There was no one else that knew you, knew your name, knew you'd been kept a secret. You were dangerous for him.

The punching bag suddenly stopped swinging back to you, and you frowned, looking up to see Steve was standing behind it, holding it still for you.

"Doesn't work as well when they swing." He said. His eyes were looking at you in a way you couldn't figure out. Like he was trying to be nice, but with something hidden beneath it. You nodded in thanks all the same.

As you punched, you did actually find it easier with Steve holding the bag. But then you started thinking - Bucky pushed Sam away the other day, why wasn't he pushing Steve away?

You didn't want to look to figure it out, so you kept punching. Steve didn't attempt to say anything to you, and you were happy about that. Maybe you had a bitch face on today, and everyone knew not to push you.

After one particularly hard punch, your hand felt like it was going to explode, so you decided to stop. You were panting, staring at the bag, shaking your hand to get rid of the pain, and Steve emerged from behind.

"Let me see." Was all he said, before taking your hand. You whipped it out of his grasp. "Let me see." He repeated, his golden boy voice dripping in genuineness. You held your hand back out for him to take. He looked over your skin, your red knuckles, gently kneading them before saying - "Not broken. But wrap your hands next time."

You nodded in embarrassment as he walked out of your sight. You could feel another presence behind you. You didn't need to look to know who it was.

"Oh thank GOD!" A voice suddenly shouted from across the room. You snapped round to see Nick running up to you, and suddenly you felt a huge wave of relief.

Finally, someone you could trust.

You wrapped your arms around him as he hugged you, your face burying into his neck as he held you tight.

"I heard what happened, what the hell?! Are you okay?" He asked in a panicked voice as he pulled back, his hands going to your face and his eyes looking you over. "Stark said you got hurt."

You smiled softly. "I'm fine. You didn't have to check on me." You replied. He hugged you again.

"As soon as I heard, I couldn't check on you. Had to beg the Admiral to give me some leave. Are you sure you're okay?" He asked again, making you laugh as you pulled out of his grasp. He put his arm over your shoulder instead as you both started walking to the door.

"Yes, fine. Not a single mark on me."

"There never is." He whispered as he grinned at you.

Just as you approached the door, Tony walked in, hands in his pockets, acting as if he didn't have a care in the world. Key word - acting.

"Ah, you found her." Tony said, nodding at you and Nick. "If you want to have a wander, she can show you where you're allowed. Bucky," he looked up at the soldier. "You've been awarded a break for now." You muttered a thanks to Tony and slipped past him.

Then Tony took a deep breath in as he saw the team walking up to him.

They'd filtered into the gym while you were busy punching the shit out of the sandbag, but you hadn't noticed. They had certainly noticed your interaction with Nick though, and now they had questions.

"So, how is everyone today?" Tony asked, trying to pretend he couldn't see their confused expressions.

"Suspicious Tony, that's how we are." Sam said. Tony breathed deeply. "Some of us have a few questions."

"Alright, shoot Birdboy."

"About Amy."

Tony sucked in a breath. He nodded, then turned around, walking to the doors. He checked the corridor, checking you were gone, then closed the doors, before turning back to the team.

"We know you've vouched for her, but some of us have been talking." Clint said. "And we get the feeling that you haven't told us the whole story."

"Why were Hydra here?" Nat asked, as Tony rubbed his forehead. "It's to do with her, isn't it?"

Tony didn't respond. But that was answer enough.

"Who is she, Tony?" Steve questioned, his Captain voice coming into play. Tony finally sighed, and rolled his shoulders.

"Alright, I'll tell you."