Fighting for You 🔞

Seven

*1 month later*

Lexi found herself changing slightly. She had gotten comfortable in her 'nice girl' persona and had relaxed more around people. She realised that she actually liked living in Abbot. She had gotten to know people, and even helped them with little things.

Cal and his friend John seemed to always be close by. Some times she had spotted them outside of her apartment, across the road in their vehicles. Though the sheriff had come by a few hours after the incident in the store, to apologise for his sons behaviour, Lexi knew it wasn't sincere, just a poor cover up.

She had smiled sweetly at the sheriff, letting him know that her 'father' was a government official, and she would hate to have to let him know, how guests in this town were treated. Since then, she saw the two assholes, but they had kept their distance. She knew they would come for her one day, but they wouldn't walk away without injury.

She had spent time, trying to integrate herself into Barnes life. Playing the good neighbour, and frequenting the bar where he worked. She didn't feel like she was getting very far, so she planned that while he was working the bar that evening, to break into his place, and check it out.

'You go on home dear, I can close up. Its gone quiet and I'm sure I'll only have one or two more in before closing'... Catherine gave her a warm smile, she had come to genuinely like this woman. The stories she had from her younger days, would make a nun blush.

'Are you sure? I don't mind staying'... She puts away the sweeping brush, and grabs her bottle of water, taking a drink.

'I'm sure. It's a Saturday, why don't you head to the bar. They have karaoke tonight. Not that anyone can really sing. They sound like a choir of cats'... Catherine made her laugh.

'I'm staying in tonight. Got a few new books calling for my attention'... Lexi chuckled.

'Oh I hope it's those dirty books. That last one you let me borrow, well... It tempted me to go out and try dating again. At my age, I don't want to shrivel up like a prune'... Catherine gives her a wink. Lexi burst out laughing, going to hug Catherine.

'Don ever change. I love that you speak your mind'... She stepped back, taking her empty bottle, and throwing it in the trash behind the counter.

'When you're this old, speaking your mind is one of the few joys you get. I don't care if I insult, embarrass or upset someone. I got one foot in the grave already, what does it matter'... Catherine was one hell of a woman. Lexi was thankful to have met her.

Heading to the back room for her bag, Lexi checked her phone. She still hadn't heard from Fury. She was hoping to have had some sort of communication from him by now. She was tempted to call Hill, but didn't know if she was still on their team or Hydras.

Sighing to herself, she went back out into the store... 'I'm off now, but I'll be by for lunch tomorrow. Want me to make anything?'

'Just bring yourself. Oh, and a new book for me to read. I do like them. In my day, we got up to all sort of things. It's good to know I'm not the only one'... Catherine winked to Lexi. She promised she would bring a book, and left the store, heading to back to her place. She rarely drove her truck now, as everything was in a walking distance.

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Bucky had spent the past month on edge, thinking he was still being hunted. His place now had more furniture, but what surprised him, was the little things he had picked up, making it into a home. He had plants, posters, little trinkets, that reminded him of his old life, before Hydra.

His neighbour had become increasingly annoying. Every morning she would knock his door with a coffee in hand for him, and in the evenings after work, he would find some sort of dish waiting outside his door.

They hadn't spoken to each other much, but he tried being polite as he could. He found that he did enjoy working at the bar. Benny had pulled him into the kitchen a few times, teaching him to cook some of the meals. Sandy seemed to have become a mother hen, checking in on him while he worked, fussing over him if he had eaten enough, as she thought he still looked too skinny.

He had seen the two idiots come in almost every day. They would stare at him, talk quietly when he was close by, but other times, they'd make some sort of backhanded comment about him, where he could hear.

He didn't let it get to him, as long as they didn't harass women, they'd remain alive for now.

Tonight was karaoke night, and the bar was busy. He didn't know why, but he was hoping she would come in. He had heard her singing from her place a few times, and her voice was really soothing.

'Hey James..'.. Bucky turns, seeing Sandy at the other end of the bar, beckoning him. He heads over, giving her a small smile.

'Everything ok?'... He asks, keeping his voice low.

'Keep an eye on tweedledum and tweedledee over there. Tonight's gonna be busy, and little Lexi ain't here. I gotta feeling they gonna be up to no good. If they disappear, you let me know straight away, alright?'... She tells him, her eyes on Cal and John.

Buckys body tenses at the thought. He didn't know why he felt so protective over her, but he glanced at the two men, seeing them glaring right back... 'Does anyone have her number, to call her at all, just to warn her to be safe'

Sandy nods at him... 'I do. I can give her a call. Though, considering she broke his nose a few weeks back, and ex army, I'm sure she'll be fine'

Bucky watches as Sandy heads to the office, to make the call. He looks over towards the kitchen, seeing Benny stood in the doorway, giving him a nod. Bucky turns, keeping an eye on the town at the end of the bar, while he served customers.

He really didn't want to fight them, mainly because he didn't think he'd leave them alive.

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Lexi stood, looking around Barnes living room. She was surprised at how homely it was. She couldn't help the smile that came to her. He was settling here for a good while, he didn't want to run again.

Taking her time, and being very careful, she checked through the living room first, finding nothing but trinkets. She headed to his bedroom, feeling a little nervous. She carefully opened his door, taking in the room. His room was spotless. She saw a desk, on the other side of the bed.

Making her way over, she was careful in moving the papers that were there. She frowned, spotting a drawing sticking out. She slowly pulled it free, seeing that it was a drawing of her.

The details were incredible. Smiling to herself, she slid it back in place, checking the papers. He had written about things, as though he was writing his memories down. She found he was taking about his past life, and snippets of Hydra. Using her camera, she took photos of them, making sure they were back in their place.

She checked under his bed, and his drawers, for any other things. Under his pillow, was a knife, and a little book.

Sitting on her knees, on the floor, she opens it, seeing that he had written about details of Hydra, and who he remembered. Taking a photo of each page, she set it back in its place, and left.

She had found some details, and she would go over them all, to see what she could find. It didn't surprise her at all that Rumlow was Hydra. He was a sleezy asshole, thst had hit on her often.

Heading back to her apartment she opened her door, flicking her light on. Heading to the kitchen to get a drink, she put her camera down on the side, opening the fridge.

Grabbing a beer, she twists the cap off, tossing it in the trash as she passes. Heading to her couch, she flops down, bringing her bottle to her lips, when she felt a wire come around her throat, pulling her head back.

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