A/N ^^I will be referring to Bucky as James. Not Winter or The Soldier or anything. I figure since it's what Mal is calling him then I should call him that too. It might change later though. Enjoy!
Chapter Six
The two drove in silence for quite a while, till they came up to a farmhouse. They pulled into the dirt driveway, stepping out of the van. Malone was just glad to stretch her legs, but James was watching the surroundings intensely.
"James?" Malone called, he was still looking around the fields. "James," she tapped his shoulder. He turned quickly, almost settling into his fighting stance.
"What?" he snapped. She shrugged, "I was gonna go knock on the door and ask if they have a spare room." James just stared at her. "I'll pay them!" She replied defensively.
He nodded, "Yeah. Sure, Malone."
She blanched slightly. That was the first time he had said her name. Mal walked slowly up to the door, knocking loudly then stepping away. A good call if you don't want to get shot. The door rattled, then opened. An older woman wearing an old-timey apron smiled sweetly. "May I help you dear?" she asked.
Malone nodded, "Yes ma'am. I was wondering if you had a spare room? I'd be happy to pay anything you wanted."
The old woman squinted at the van, looking at James critically. "Are you two married?" She asked.
Malone glanced back at James, thinking of the modest dress the woman was wearing and the crucifix hanging around her neck. She seemed pretty conservative, which means she wouldn't be too happy to house an unmarried couple. "Yes ma'am!" She replied with a grin. "We were just married two days ago, but someone here got us lost."
James had came up beside her, this was his game now. Blending into the crowd, being someone else. This was spy's work. His eyebrows shot up, "I wasn't the one in charge of maps," He smiled faintly. Malone's eyes widened at his different behavior, but she quickly brushed it aside. He was a spy, he probably does this every day.
The old woman smiled, "You remind me of my husband Albert and I when we were young. I suppose you can stay tonight, but the room'll be thirty bucks."
Malone nodded, counting out thirty dollars and handing it to the woman. Thank God for nice old ladies.
Mal turned to James, "Can you get the bags, honey?" He glared at her for a second, turning and slinking towards the van silently.
The old woman ushered them inside, offering them lemonade. Malone smiled, "No thank you, I'd be grateful if you'd show us to the room, please."
When the duo got settled into the room, Malone looked quizzically and James. "What?" He said. She chuckled lightly, "I dunno. Earlier you were just so... different." He shrugged, "It's a spy's game, Malone. I can be whatever I need to be."
After about an hour of awkward silence, someone knocked on their door. James immediately tensed, expecting the worst. Mal calmly opened the door, the old woman was on the other side. "Dinners ready!" She chirped. Malone smiled warmly, "Thank you."
Mal turned around and grabbed James hand. His metal hand was cold in her grasp, but she didn't mind. She led him down the stairs, and they stopped in the dining room.
After a hearty dinner, James excused himself and went outside to the porch. Lighting flashed on the horizon, it was going to be a nasty storm.
The old woman turned to Malone. "He reminds me of Albert. Albert served in World War II, he always hated it when it would storm." The woman's eyes got misty, "Poor dear could never sleep."
Malone patted the woman -Mary's- hand. She wasn't exactly sure what to say, but something was nagging at the back of her mind... World War II... James Buchanan Barnes... Bucky... Barnes... It snapped together in her mind, of course! She turned to the old woman, "Do you have a pair of scissors?"
Three hours and a lot of coaxing later, James' hair was cut. Malone nodded, no doubt about it now. This was definitely Bucky Barnes, leader of the Howling Commandos.
"Better?" She asked James. He nodded, glad his hair was out of his eyes. They thanked Mary and headed back to their room.
They both stood uncomfortably in front of the single bed. "I'll sleep on the floor," James said roughly. Malone nodded. "Okay." She took a pillow and the extra blanket and handed it to him. "Uhm. Goodnight?" She asked awkwardly. He nodded, "Goodnight."
A/N (again) I know it's boring but I swear it will pick up soon!! Just give it maybe a chapter and a half, okay?
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The Kind You Save → Bucky Barnes / Winter Soldier
Fanfiction"Whoever he used to be, and the guy he is now, I don't think he's the kind you save. He's the kind you stop." Malone has never believed that people can be beyond redeeming. Her beliefs will be put to the test when she becomes the unlikely partner o...
