The Fall - Book 1

65. Practically pouncing on the device.

OCTOBER 27, 2018 — AVENGERS COMPOUND — RÉA

I sleep in. After a shower and a quick breakfast, I grab the flash drive with the things F.R.I.D.A.Y. found, and head to the garage. I run my errands—picking up the last few things for my project—and am back at the compound a couple of hours later. Carrying all of my purchases into my suite, I begin putting together the project.

When I finish, I wrap the smaller item in tissue paper, put it into a gift box, and giftwrap it. I take it to Bucky's bedroom and place it in the centre of his bed, along with the card I wrote. I return to my suite and gather the large item along with the tools I need to hang it. I return to Bucky's suite, and get to work hanging the piece. Once I'm finished, I step back and admire my handiwork.

'I really hope he likes this,' I think.

The rest of the afternoon passes incredibly slowly. I try to read and to watch TV, but I can't concentrate on either...I know that Bucky probably won't be able to call until after the mission, but every time my phone buzzes, I'm hopeful that it's him. Finally, I decide to whip up several batches of cookies, hoping the process of baking will offer a better distraction. I head to the kitchen, and place my phone on the counter before washing my hands and gathering the ingredients and equipment I'll need to make the cookies. I prepare a triple-batch of cookie dough, scooping out the first two dozen and placing them on a giant baking sheet. I cover the remaining dough and place it into the fridge, before placing the baking sheet into the oven. I grab my phone and set a timer, and then head into the lounge and settle onto one of the couches, turning on The Great British Bake-Off while I wait for the cookies to be done.

About five minutes later, my phone buzzes. I look at it and see it's a FaceTime call from Bucky; I answer quickly, practically pouncing on the device.

"Hi," I say.

"Hi, doll."

"How did it go?"

"All wrapped up. It was one of the easiest missions we've ever had."

"Well that's good, right?"

"I guess. But it almost feels like it was too easy."

I hesitate briefly; his comment makes a small tendril of unease snake into my gut.

'That's what Nat and Wanda said about the recon mission, and look how that turned out,' I think, then brush the thought aside.

"Do you know when y'all will be home?" I ask.

"It's almost a four-hour return flight. I'd hoped we could leave now—it's just after midnight here, not like it's that late—but it started storming, and Tony and Nat say there's a large bank of storms on the radar. They're supposed to clear off by two P.M., so we'll leave then. That means, with the time difference, we'll get home around noon."

"Oh, good!" I pause. "Tell Thor and Sam there will be cookies. And, since I know that, between Thor and Sam, they'll go fast, I'm making you your own batch. They'll be in your hiding spot," I chuckle.

"Are you making them now?"

"Yeah. I was, um..." I trail off as a faint blush stains my cheeks. "I was getting antsy, waiting to hear from you."

His gaze immediately softens, and he grins. "God, you're adorable."

I blush deeper, and smile bashfully, biting my lip. Suddenly, my timer goes off.

"Well, um, that's my timer. I better go get the cookies out of the oven. And you'd better get some rest. Sleep sweet, Bucky," I say, then end the call.

I finish up the rest of the cookies, then fix myself a sandwich. I take it back to the couch and eat it while watching T.V.. Finally, it's bedtime. I head to my room, and get ready for bed. I plug my phone in then slip under the covers and try to sleep, but I'm too excited that Bucky's going to be back tomorrow. I end up having to count backwards from one thousand; I make it to six hundred fifty two before I fall asleep.

A buzzing sound wakes me. Through my sleep-induced haze, I realise it's my phone; sitting up, I grab it and answer.

"Bucky?" I answer, my tone still heavy with sleep.

"Hey, doll. Sorry to wake you...I could have texted but I just wanted to hear your voice."

"It's okay. My alarm was about to go off in a few minutes. Are you all heading home?"

"Yeah, we're about to get on the jet. We should be there around noon."

I hear muffled chatter on Bucky's end of the line.

"Nat said that we have a tailwind, so it might be eleven-thirty, or even a little before, if we're lucky."

"Well, y'all just be safe. I'll see you when you get here. Tell everyone 'hi' for me, please."

"Will do, doll."

There's a heavy pause.

'I love you,' I think.

"See you soon," he says, ending the quiet.

"Okay. Bye, Bucky."

"Bye, Réa."