Why Don't You Figure My Heart Out?

Brooke had no idea why she assigned 'to keep an eye' on The Winter Solider, Fury claimed it was her calming nature but they both knew that was a lie. Brooke often took a no bullshit approach to things in her life and now The Winter Solider happened to come under that. It was evident from their first meeting that they were not going to get along, she was basically his minder while Steve was away. Today just happened to be another one of them days as she found herself knocking on Steve's apartment door hoping that The Winter Solider (or James as she had been told to call him) would answer. "Please just open the damn door," groaned Brooke as gentle tapped once again on the door.

Sometimes Steve questioned if he was getting old to be saving the world as this was the second time since finding Bucky Steve had ended up in hospital. It was probably that he had a lot on his mind right now with trying to help Bucky and then worrying about Bucky. It wasn't a major injury, he just had a knock to the head but he was told to get it checked out at the hospital, so after plenty of oldie jokes from Natasha he finally made it to the hospital. Steve had been sent to a room with a bed and told that someone would come along and see him shortly. Sighing, Steve glanced at his watch he should have been back at his apartment by now.

Bucky was sitting in the living room of Steve's apartment, eating a bowl of cereal staring mindlessly at the television, not really watching just getting his mind off the past few months. He was waiting for Steve come back from his check up. Bucky was found by SHIELD while he was running away from the whole HYDRA mess a few months ago, he was guilt ridden after he beat up his childhood friend that for awhile he couldn't look at him in the eye without feeling shame. Of course Steve kept reminding him that it wasn't his fault, that Bucky was in deed a good person otherwise he wouldn't have snapped back after that. He heard knocking at the door and wondered who it could be, he stood up and set his bowl in the sink after finishing the rest of his food before walking to the door. He was cautious as always and peaked through the small hole that was on the door. He didn't recognize the girl, "who are you?" he asked suspiciously, "and better question what do you want?"

---

Ana had just finished patching up one of her patients, she handed him a lollypop afte she was done, "try not not to climb anymore trees okay, monkey?" she chuckled and turned to see the doctor in front of her. "Oh hi, Doctor Jacobs how can I help you?" she asked politely as she set all her paper work in her folder and closed it taking it back to the front as the doctor followed her, "we have one more patient for you to examine before you go home, you think you can handle it? He's a solider.. he's 'THE' solider and he's been recently injured in battle," he explained to her. Ana looked confused for a moment, "um the solider?" it oly hit her after Dr. Jacobs gave her a look, "Oh, Steve Rogers, yes of course, who else right?" she laughed nervously. She didn't know much about Steve except he fought to protect innocent people from danger. She nodded and headed to the room he was at, knocking gently on the door before coming in. "Hello, my name's nurse Ana and I'm here to do your check up, everyone else seems to be afraid of you" the doctor didn't want to do it so he pinned it on her. Ana didn't mind of course, "I'm not sure why, you seem like a very nice person, so do you mind explaining to me what happened?"

Brooke glanced up at the door, clearly he wasn't going to open the door, she knew he wouldn't recognize then again it was a five second meeting when they first met. "I'm Brooke, I work with Steve and we have met once but clearly it wasn't a lasting impression," answered Brooke, "Steve is going to be late getting back, delays and what not. So I kind of need you to open the door." Brooke was going to have words with Steve when she saw him, he was meant to keep James informed of things like this.

Steve looked up as the nurse came through the door, a upbeat nurse now that was a change, her light and friendly attitude quickly boost Steve's mood. "Erm thanks," replied Steve in response to him tell she was nice, "It's basically a knock to the head and protocol says I've got to check it out make sure it is nothing more, so here I am." Steve then rubbed the back of his neck, something he did when he was unsure. Steve was not a fan of hospitals, so he did not want to spend too much time in here, he knew SHIELD had already sent someone back to his apartment because of the traffic getting to the hospital and the waiting time when he got here. He just hoped Bucky would be okay with whoever SHIELD sent round.

Bucky stood in front of the door for a moment before remembering what Steve had mentioned to him earlier, "oh yeah, right. My apologies" he opened the door and there stood the unimpressed blonde in front of him. "Steve mentioned this but it must have slipped my mind, please don't be upset with him" from what he heard this girl was easily angered. He stepped aside to let her in, though he heard she was a very calm person but it didn't seem that way to him. He watched her step inside and Bucky closed the door behind him, "take a seat, did you want anything to drink?"

---

Ana smiled and nodded as she listened to Steve speak about what happened, "okay, well they just want to make sure that your hit didn't cause a concession or that it doesn't cause one, or a side affect" she walked over and stood in front of him. "I hope you don't mind.." she warned before cupping his face and turning it slightly looking for any bruises or bumps that he might have had, "we might have to do some x-rays if that's not a problem with you?" Ana smiled softly at him, "well, it looks like you don't really have any physical evidence of harm but we have to check you internally, x-rays are the best way to do that, I'm just a nurse so I don't do any of that" she laughed. She touched the top of his head, touching it gently, "any of this hurt you?"

Brooke frowned a little, she hadn't expected this polite side of The Winter Solider. "No, I'm good thank you," smiled Brooke, "I won't get mad with Steve, it's just been last minute for me." Brooke watched as James hovered by the door, she thought it would be best to address the name predicament she was having. "I am probably going to be around here more than you will like it so to avoid any problems, what am I meant to call you? SHIELD said James and Steve said Bucky." Brooke did not want to create any unwanted tension with this guy, it would reflect badly on her not doing her job properly.

Steve nodded and listened carefully to what Ana was saying and if he was honest he was a little sad that Ana wouldn't be doing the x-rays he brightened to room and probably much more upbeat then some doctor. "No, I just fell like I've got bruise coming on just above my forehead," Steve indicated to the right side of his head. "Really, I should just go home and put some frozen peas on it. There are people who need this bed much more than me." Steve couldn't help but think of other more needing, it was just his nature.

Bucky nodded, "all right," he walked over to pour himself some juice, maybe she wasn't as bad as everyone else said. Bucky shouldn't make assumptions of people when he didn't know them and so now he felt bad but he wasn't going to mention that. "Good, because Steve means well, he just still gets a little forgetful or tells me things and I get forgetful, old age really" he joked. He looked over at Brooke and smiled, "well it's nice to meet you" he nodded. Taking a seat in front of her he smiled, "you can just call me Bucky, James is too formal, of course it's SHIELD they always go for formal" he chuckled. "You're going to be here awhile? you sure you want to stay here with the two of us? Steve is bearable only half of the time" Bucky laughed.

Ana nodded as he talked and she listen, "it could simply just be a bruise, just how hard did you get hit?" she bit her lip as she watched him talk. She wasn't going to lie to herself the man was very attractive and he seemed to be really sweet. "I'd still would feel much better if you would just get some x-rays done, to make sure, if you want I could come along if that makes you feel more comfortable?" she asked crossing her arms. He didn't seem to like the hospital she didn't blame him, "please? I know most of the doctors here seem so cold, and unfeeling but I'm not like that way at all" she laughed.

Brooke watched as Bucky poured himself a glance of juice, she was glad they got the name thing covered. "Kind of," began Brooke, "I'm not going to be here everyday, I've got an apartment about a block away but if Steve is out of town on a mission, I'll probably be here." Brooke then pulled out a piece of paper and scribbled her name, address and mobile onto it before putting it on the counter. "I am basically a precaution." Brooke didn't want to use the wrong words but she also didn't want to say outright that she was his minder.

"Please, that would be great if you could," smiled Steve as she glanced at Ana, he actually got a chance to take her in. She was very pretty with brunette hair and dark eyes, at first glance you wouldn't think she was a nurse. "I've just not got a great association with hospitals and I've got a friend waiting on me back at my place." Steve explained as he rubbed his hands together.

(Just a heads up, will be heading to bed soon)

[thanks for the heads up! have a good night!]

Bucky smiled and nodded as he listened to her speak, he was seated right in front of her, taking the peace of paper from the counter and looked at it. "Oh, yeah I understand, me being alone right now it's not the best option for everyone, SHIELD is still trying to figure me out " he sighed softly. He knew exactly what she was doing here and he completely understood it was only when Steve wasn't around but it still felt a little weird for him.

Ana smiled brightly at him, "okay, so we can go do that now, the sooner we do this the sooner you can go home" she grinned. Ana watched him get up, "come on I'll lead the way" she opened the door and started for a hallway. "So you sure you're not having any migraines or headaches?"

[Night!]

Brooke watched as Bucky looked at the piece of paper she had written, she was glad that he understood why she was there. "Not to be an ass but I am not going to be like Steve," Brooke thought it was best to get this without the way, "If something doesn't seem right I will call it in. You will probably call me every name under the sun before the month is out but it's the way I work." Sometimes Brooke was considered a bull in a china shop but it got work done, however, Brooke hadn't always been like that she used be quiet placid when she was in her teens.

"Yeah sure thing," beamed Steve as he followed Ana's suit and made his way of the door and down the hallway. "Maybe the odd headache but it's a stressful job," joked Steve as he followed the signs of X-Ray. Everything in the past few weeks with Bucky had been stressful sometimes were good and others were bad but Steve was just happy to see glimpses of his friend again.

Bucky looked at Brooke as she talked and could see the seriousness on her face and in the tone of her voice, "I don't expect anyone to be like Steve, there's no one in the world like him,not even close and that sounds really weird for em to say." He laughed. "Okay, so I won't like you is that what you're saying?" Bucky hoped that she would at least not be so uptight all the time, he hated to be in that kind of environment, he was the laid back type of guy so that would only cause more friction.

Ana grinned as she looked over at him, "it's a dangerous one too, I have some family and friends in the army and I constantly worry about them they're doing okay right now but I just worry that I might lose them some day," she sighed softly. "I understand though, everyone has to do certain jobs, I chose to do this job because I like helping people, healing people that sorta thing" she nodded, leading him into the room. Introducing him to the technician and nodded, "it'd just be more comfortable for him that okay? good."

"At times you won't," answered Brooke, there was no point lying to the guy and pretending that she was going to be nice as pie, it just wasn't her. However, if you went to a bar with her she could sure have some fun. Brooke eventually took the seat Bucky originally offered her there was no point standing till Steve got back. "So what do you do when Steve is out?" She had a feeling that Bucky stayed in the apartment while Steve was out. Yes, Bucky had done some terrible things but that didn't mean he should be cooped up in the apartment everyday.

Steve nodded in agreement, it was a dangerous job but he chose to do it because he wanted to help his country. The fact that Ana had friends and family in the army did not surprise Steve, she was a nurse after all. Just after the serum, the nurses Steve met when doing the tour often had family in the army. They entered the room and Steve created the technician with a smile, "So where you do want me to be?" Asked Steve.

Bucky shrugged his shoulders and nodded, "well at least you're being honest with me," he did appreciate that she was being so honest with her. He looked at her for a moment before answering her question with a shrug of his shoulders, "sometimes I just stay in and play some video games," he laughed shaking his head, "or I'll take a walk around the block, though Steve doesn't really appreciate when I do that, he's paranoid, it's not fun just sitting here, I know he means well." Bucky knew his friend only meant well that's al but sometimes it was a little overwhelming.

Ana led the way to a table and patted it, "lie down here, this shouldn't take too long I promise, after this you can be on your way and I'll call and let you know how you did" she watched him walk over and take a seat before lying down. She smiled softly and walked back to the technician who was snickering, "hey, be nice. If he wasn't so polite he'd kick your ass" she laughed softly crossing her arms, that shut him up. "We're going to start now!" she warned, "try not to move"

Video games she didn't expect that. "There up is a gym, just a few blocks away that you could visit," suggested Brooke, she had read somewhere that exercise was a good way to keep stress levels down. "It will get you out if this apartment and well use to the world outside if these four walls." Brooke understood why Steve was paranoid but Bucky seemed stable enough to go to the gym by himself. Brooke quickly ran a hand through her hair and glanced at her watch, she wondered how long Steve would be.

Steve followed the instructions and lied down on the table and let the machine do it's work. He hoped it was just a bump on the head and that was all. After the machine finished Steve sat up and waited for any last words before he headed back home.

Bucky nodded, "I suppose working out all the time will help me from gaining any beer belly" he chuckled. It would also help with his boredom and stress level, or at least he hoped that it would. "Well thanks for the recommendation I really do need to get out more, I understand that my friend is worried about me, I use to worry about him all the time pre-serum and he's only returning the favor" he smiled softly. "He's as over protective as I was, so I don't get irritated with him or anything. He should be back soon so you can stop staring at your watch, I'm not as bad company as people make me seem you know"

After the machines stopped Steve had sat up, Ana walked over to him and smiled softly, "you're good to go, we'll call you when the x-rays are ready or you could give us a call" she smiled softly. She could hear snickering in the back she turned around "can you give us two minutes, since you're being, oh so polite?" she asked sarcastically. She turned back to Steve, "I'm sorry, most of the people I work with tend to be rude and inconsiderate, I apologize. I was saying maybe you should give me a call if you don't get word within the next couple of days" she handed him a card. Leading him the out the door, "it's a real pleasure meeting you."

Brooke frowned a little at Bucky's last sentence, Fury had told her be cautious of him no one had really said what his company was like. "I will reserve judgement on your company for the moment," Brooke replied with a small smile. This Bucky she had met today was more relaxed then the guy she met a few weeks back SHIELD, Bucky was not exactly willing to talk. It was only now that Brooke had noticed the metal arm, Brooke gave the arm a quick glance before pulling out her phone.

Steve smiled as Ana handed him her card. "It's okay, no need to apologise." Steve gentle fiddled with the card before putting it in his back pocket. "Thanks, I will probably give you call soon." Steve then hovered for a moment turning to Ana. "I can give you my number as well, you know just in case." A small blush creeped upon Steve's cheeks, Steve was never great talking to women even after the serum.

Bucky shrugged as he drank the last of his orange juice, "that's fine I guess everyone still sees me as some kind of monster. You know what I don't care what you or the rest of SHIELD thinks. I'm still adjusting to not being manipulated" he mumbled. "I understand be cautious he might revert to his hydra thinking ways." Bucky was only a little upset about the whole situation but he had Steve and he knew his friend didn't see him as a threat. "I'm just glad that my oldest friend doesn't seem me like the rest of you seem to se me, he has so much faith in me like I do in him, which is why I'm doing much better." He got up and walked to the kitchen putting the cup in the sink, "I don't mean to rant or sound preachy I'm just tired of people looking at me like some kind of monster., I'm not,"

Ana smiled politely "good, um that is my personal number so feel free to call anytime" a hint of pink reaching her cheeks. "Yeah sure" she took his number, and wrote it down on her phone. "I know it's a little strange but if you're ever free and you're bored you can always give me a call and we can I don't know take a stroll somewhere?" Her face was pink with embarrassment she didn't usually hit in her patients. Especially ones with this kind if attention but he was really cute and was just really polite,

Brooke could see where Bucky was coming from but she had a job to do. "That maybe the case but SHIELD's job is to protect people," responded Brooke. Brooke shifted in her seat before fiddling with her hands. After this SHIELD had requested her presence back at the base, it would be no surprise that they would be drilling her about the last minute call out to Steve's place, either way she wasn't looking forward to it.

Steve nodded, "I think I might just do that." Steve noticed the blush on her cheeks it was quiet adorable. "I know this jumping the gun a bit but have you got anything planned tonight?" It was a bold move for Steve but planning anything in advice with his job was somewhat difficult.

Bucky raised an eyebrow crossing his arms, "what exactly are you implying? That I might go back to my old ways? That only happened because they wiped me clean.. I'm pretty sure I'm not going to hurt anyone." Bucky sighed softly running his hands through his hair. Standing up he walked to the kitchen he was being treated like he needed to be guarded 24/7.

Ana smiled at Steve "well good I hope that you will" she placed some of her loose hair strands behind her ear. Ana shook her head "no I'm free actually, you were my last patient for today"she told him.

Brooke raised an eyebrow at Bucky, "To SHIELD you are unpredictable and it's understandable considering what only happened a few months back." Brooke was making a poor attempting at defusing any tension. It was all good Bucky saying that he wasn't going to hurt anyone he might have no intention to but it had only been a few months since broke free of Hydra. Brooke watched Bucky carefully as he walked to the kitchen, she got up from her seat hoping Steve would be back soon.

Steve smiled at her answer, "Suppose we meet up for late dinner?" suggested Steve, he had a few places in mind but her really need to go back and check on Bucky who was probably with Brooke. "I mean if you want, I've got to run home and sort a few things out first."