Waiting for Superman

Bucky rubbed his head gently as he made his way back to the bedroom and noticed the tiny brunette sitting in his bed. "Afternoon" he said softly as he grabbed some clothes from his dresser, "did you want something to eat? I don't have much but I can run.. Well, I have to get this fixed first but I can get you something" he rambled. Bucky laughed nervously, "Sorry don't mean to ramble.. I've got a lot on my mind.. Maybe you care to listen? Only if you have time.. And don't care to listen. I don't want to hold you up or anything.."

---

Iris could feel the wind blew through her hair as they walked around the park. "yeah, me either but I've always enjoyed watching soccer and vbaseball." Iris listened to Steve speak and tilted her head as he mentioned his friend. "Oh, is Bucky the friend you're looking for? Um Sam may have mentioned something. You don't have to tell me if you don't want to"

Annie looked over, a small smile gracing her lips, when Bucky walked back into the bedroom. "Hey." She said quietly. She listened as he rambled, honestly find his nervous ramblings to be rather cute. "You apologize too much, did you know that?" She let out a quiet laugh, shaking her head. "What's on your mind?" She patted the spot on the bed next to her. If he needed someone to talk to, she'd be there to willingly listen. And that was precisely what she planned on doing.

---

"Soccer, huh?" Steve asked, glancing over to her. "I never got into that, though I guess the big thing was always baseball in my time." He shrugged his shoulders slightly. He really hadn't realized that he mentioned Bucky until she mentioned his friend's name. He nodded. "Yeah, not really having the best of luck either...he's here in DC, or I hope he still is anyway. I just want to talk to him, make sure he's alright." He frowned.

Bucky walked over to Annie and took a seat on the bed trying to figure out how he would explain his situation. "I just I feel like I'm bothering you and I know you say that I'm not but I feel like that.." Bucky ran a hand through his hair and looked at Annie. "It's a really long story and I just hope you don't look at me different. I've done some horrible things and I just .. I really like you and I don't want you to leave because of my story... I'm a good man and I wouldn't hurt you ever. I promise."

---

Iris chuckled, "yup, well, maybe on our next date we can go to a baseball game or something?" Iris had heard about this Bucky from Sam, he pretty much filled her in, since everything was out in the open anyway. Steve seemed to really care about him too, she rubbed his hand gently "you'll find him don't worry. I can help I mean if you want. I'm not sure how I would but if I see him I'll let you know.."

Annie frowned. "Bucky, you're not bothering me, I can promise you that much. If you were bothering me, I wouldn't be here right now." She said. She was here because she cared. If she didn't care, she wouldn't have rushed over here at 3:30 in the morning. "I don't usually take too kindly to being woken up at 3:30 in the morning, so if that doesn't say something, I don't know what will." She offered him a small smile. "I trust you, but you need to tell me what's going on. I don't know what that was last night..."

---

Steve smiled. "We could do that." He said. He couldn't remember the last time he'd gone to a baseball game. Definitely not since the 40's, and that was over seventy years ago. He sighed. "I hope so. I'm just really worried about him, I guess." He just wanted to talk to his friend. He wanted him to know that he wasn't mad at him or anything like that. "I appreciate that, but I don't want you getting caught up in all of this."

Bucky nodded, that made sense to him still he couldn't help but feel that way. He let out a sigh before he looked at Annie, trying to figure out how to tell her. "Last night, I had a massive panic attack that's as best I can put it. I'm afraid I'll go back to the monster I was. Let me explain." Bucky breathed and rubbed his face gently, "okay. Well, I' was born in the 1920s and I grew up with Steve Rogers. Yes, Captain America himself. I went to war and I was captured and experimented on.." Bucky went on. "I've killed dozens of people or more and I fell off a plane losing my left arm. Which is why it's now completely metal. I was The Winter Soldier. I swear I'm not anymore.. I don't want to hurt people. I never wanted this. Hydra made me like this" he rambled on practically in tears. He couldn't help it, Bucky just knew he had to let it out. "This arm is a reminder that I was a monster that I killed people and that I hurt my best friend to the point of almost killing him.. He got through to me, just like he always would. I want to see him..I just don't want him to see me like this."

---

Iris smiled, "great, i can't wait" she was excited to spend more time with Steve. Iris wasn't the type to just rush into seeing a man again, most had here other motives with her. Not Steve he was just simply enjoying talking to her and that was refreshing. Iris nodded, "I would be worried too, i hope you find him soon ." Iris grabbed his hand "I know I don't have to but I want to, this is important to you. I know we hardly know each other but you left quite the impression on me. So I'm going to help you" she smiled.

Annie could tell that he had a lot on his mind, that was fairly obvious. She was honestly sort of worried. With how he was acting, she was kind of getting nervous about what he was going to tell her. She remained silent though, listening to everything that he said before she said anything. And, even when he finished, she was silent for a few moments. It was a lot more than she'd been expecting, and a lot for her to take in all at once. "I don't know what to say...it's a lot to take in..." She started, her lower lip catching between her teeth. "I'm not afraid of you though, I've never been afraid of you. And I don't think that I could ever see you as a monster either. I've gotten to know you pretty well over the course of the last couple of weeks, and you've given me no reason to think anything like that about you. I've always thought about how good of a person you are. And, even after knowing the truth, I don't really think I could ever see you as a bad person. It sounds to me like you've been through a lot, like you're someone who's been forced to do some bad and questionable things in the past, but I don't think that makes you a bad person, Bucky."

---

Steve smiled. "Me neither." He said. He was having a great time with Iris. She seemed like a really nice person, and he found that he got on with her really well too. He was glad that he'd asked her to get coffee with him today. He was glad that he'd finally gotten past the whole finding someone with shared life experience trip he'd been on for quite some time now. "I hope so too." He said, letting out a soft sigh. He was worried about Bucky. He hoped that he was alright. That was why he wanted to see him. He could never think badly about his friend. He'd always been there for him. Even when he had nothing, he had Bucky. "You don't get it, Iris. This is dangerous stuff. I'm not worried about Bucky hurting you or anyone else for that matter, he came through and saved my life even when I thought he wouldn't, it's the people he worked for. It's Hydra."

Bucky sighed and looked at Annie, "I know its a lot to take in..it just feels good yo talk to someone about this. I mean relieved. I know I apologize too much, but I'm sorry about all this." He didn't know what to do or what to say, "do you think I should do? I mean you don't have to say anything. I know ill have to talk to Steve sooner or later I just too ashamed to face him right now. Im really confused"

---

Iris was walking and looked up when he became serious, she blinked a
couple times. "Oh, sorry. I just wanted to offer my help. I guess it's not needed or wanted. Which is fine. I shouldn't assume anything. " She cleared her throat as she walked. Maybe this was a topic she shouldn't have brought up, after all it was really none of her business. Iris just wanted to help it was in her nature,.

Annie let out a quiet laugh, shaking her head. "You apologize way too much." She said quietly, a small smile gracing her lips. "You don't have to apologize for any of this, Bucky. I'm here because I want to be here, and I'm listening because I want to listen. If you need someone to talk to, I'm always here to talk, okay?" Reaching over, she took his hand in hers, giving it a light squeeze. "If you aren't ready, I would wait. Only talk to him when you're ready to do so."

---

Steve sighed, a frown coming to his face. "I appreciate the concern, and I'm glad that you're so willing to help, I just don't think that you should get involved. It's way too dangerous, and I really don't want to see you get hurt." He said. He really did appreciate the fact that she was concerned and that she wanted to help, but he didn't want to put any more lives at risk than were necessary.

Bucky knew that Annie was being sincere and honest with him otherwise she wouldn't be here. "Thank you, I appreciate you listening to me. I really do and thank you for advice. I'm not quite ready to see him so it will have to wait." Bucky looked at his arm "I have to reattach this though and I don't know anyone that can do this.. Which makes me wonder if I should reach out for Steve.. I don't know" he laughed nervously,

---

Iris spoke quietly, "okay." There was probably nothing she could help with any of this anyway. As she walked she twiddled with her fingers, she didn't know what to say now. Iris thought about planning some vacation time for herself something that she needed and to see her father.

Annie nodded her head in understanding. She could see why he wouldn't be ready to talk to his old friend just yet. It made perfect sense to her. "I think it should heal up on its own actually. You did more of a number on your shoulder than anything else." The real damage seemed to have been done near the scarring where his shoulder met his arm. He hadn't actually seemed to have detached it or anything like that. "So, as long as you take care of it and make sure nothing gets infected or anything, I think you'll live." She offered him a small smile.

---

Steve let out a soft sigh. Now things were awkward and kind of tense too. Way to go, Steve. And just when he'd thought things were going great. "Look, I'm really sorry, I just don't want to see you get hurt." He'd lost so many people he cared about in his life, and he just would hate for her to get mixed up in all of this for the right reasons only to end up paying for it in the end.

Bucky looked at Annie, "yeah, maybe I shouldn't scratch at home" he nodded. He smiled at her, "you make me feel more at ease thank you. Would you like to get something to eat? " Bucky asked grabbing a shirt and putting it on. "I need to get more furniture" he said to himself. He had brolen quite a few things. "Thanks for helping me with cleaning and everything actually, come on food is on me, I won't take no for an answer." line]

Iris looked up and nodded, she was used to this, people telling her not to get involved so she won't get hurt. Her father, her best friend, men she dated, so this wasn't any different. "It's fine, this isn't new to me. My father and best friend always tell me to be careful and stay out of things. I never listen, don't worry I won't do anything that will upset you." Iris took her water bottle from her small bag and took a long sip. This had turned awkward and it was her fault for being so pushy.

@ zima.

Annie was pretty relieved when she finally saw him smile. She was glad that she'd managed to cheer him up at least a little bit. That was what she'd been hoping to do. "I am pretty hungry..." She started. "You really need to stop thanking me so much." She laughed softly, getting to her feet. "I'll let you buy me food if you promise to stop thanking me for every little thing, deal?" She punctuated her words with a raised eyebrow.

---

Steve frowned. Her words didn't make him feel any better in this situation. "If it wasn't so dangerous, I wouldn't mind you helping at all. I just don't think it's a wise decision." He told her. He was only looking out for her, but he felt kind of bad for making her think that he didn't appreciate her off, because he did. Like a lot. "I don't want to see you get hurt." Hydra was still out there somewhere, probably looking for Bucky too, and he just didn't want her to get mixed in with the whole mess of things.

Bucky eas glad he called Annie she helped him calm down, "good because I'm starving and I have no food in the fridge. " Bucky looked at Annie and smiled sheepishly at her "I can't help it I was raised that way. Fine, I'll try not to thank you so much, no promises that I will though, I did you need to stop by your place? "

---

Iris sighed softly she was tired of people looking at her like a fragile girl. She knew that Steve just wanted to keep her out for her own good. "You don't have to explain anything to me. I understand and its fine I get it. We barely know each other I shouldn't have said anything. I just metal too much" Iris bit her lip, "let's just.. talk abiut something else"

Annie smiled. "I know that, but you honestly don't need to thank me or apologize as often as you do." She told him. It was actually kind of cute how much he felt he needed to thank her or apologize. Really cute actually. She nodded. "Yeah, just to get changed. I shouldn't be too long though." She just wanted to throw something else on, and it wasn't like her apartment was very far anyway.

---

Steve didn't know why, but he felt like he needed to give her some sort of an explanation. He knew that he hardly knew her, and vice versa, but he just felt like she deserved an explanation regardless of that fact. "You're not meddling, if you were meddling I wouldn't appreciate the offer." He told her. He nodded, trying to think of something else they could talk about. Anything really. He wasn't exactly good with this kind of thing though. He was a bit better at talking to women than he used to be, but not by much.

Bucky had certainly changed since the 40s. He's still a flirt well, with just Annie but he knew how to get her to smile. He watched Annie get up and walk over to him. "When you're ready, I'm dressed and look decent" Bucky chuckled. "So where would you like to go eat then?" Bucky grabbed his wallet and leather jackey along with his glove. "Come on let's go"

---

Iris nodded, "I feel like I'm being invasive so I apologize," she didn't want to make him feel bad. Awkward silence again. Iris tried to think of something else to talk about, "I know I'm not the most fun person or the prettiest but I mean... did you want to come over and have lunch with me? At my place.. I can make us something.."

Annie let out a quiet laugh. "I'm not so sure about decent." She teased, starting towards the door. "Anywhere but the diner. I worked a double yesterday. I've seen enough of that place in the last twenty-four hours." She laughed once more. She walked out of the apartment, waiting for him before heading to her car. She just needed to stop at her apartment and change real quick and then they could go get breakfast.

---

Steve shook his head. "It's not that, you're not being invasive at all. I just don't want you getting mixed up in this mess." He tried explaining to her again. He didn't want her to get hurt. "What makes you say that?" He asked, frowning slightly when she said she wasn't the most fun or prettiest person. He didn't know why she'd say something like that. "If I'm not keeping you from getting to the bakery or anything, I wouldn't mind." He smiled.

Bucky chuckled, "you're funny," as they walked out the door Bucky listened and nodded. "All right, we can go somewhere else, anywhere you want to go is fine with me" Bucky followed Annie to her car and waited til she opened it before getting in. Annie was beautiful, with or without make up and even in her tired state Bucky thought she was stunning. "Do you live far from here?" Bucky let out a yawn, "I should not be tired I just slept for nine hours yet I feel exhausted."

---

Iris nodded as they started walking a different direction, "i just don't feel like I am is all. I mean, I don't have a low self esteem or anything. I just feel like there's probably more fun and pretty girls out there. I just work and come home all my friends are in Baltimore with my dad so I never see them." Iris grabbed Steve's hand and led the way, "I have the day off , told them not to call me all day. Something tells me you're going to disagree with me about my beauty and "fun" personality."

Annie grinned. "I'm hilarious actually." She said, letting out a quiet laugh as she walked out the door. "Alright, great." She was glad that they weren't going to the diner. She really didn't want to see that place until she worked again on Tuesday. "Nah, my apartment's about fifteen minutes from here." She told him as she started the car and headed back towards her place. "Maybe you slept more than you should have. Some people say when you get too much sleep, you just want to sleep more."

---

Steve frowned. "Of course I'm going to disagree with you." He said. He didn't know why she didn't think she was that pretty or fun. "I've had a great time with you today, and I think your pretty, one of the prettiest dames I've ever seen." He told her. And he meant that too. He just didn't understand why she couldn't see that herself. "And, if I'm not keeping you from work, I'd love to go back to your place for lunch." He added with a small smile.

Bucky grinned, "yea, very, " as he watched her get into the car and pulled out he nodded every so often. "That's not too far. " Bucky looked out the window taking on the view, "I rarely get any sleep, with all this going on and the nightmares. This was the first time I've had decent sleep in years, my body isn't uaed to it I suppose." Having Annie helped him sleep and just in general. He was still damaged of course but Bucky was coming around and slowly feeling better.

---

Iris felt her cheeks grow pink, "you're quite charming aren't you? Are you always this sweet to girls? Or is it just me?" She chuckled. Iris nodded, "I'm having a good time too. Great because I'm hungry" she laughed. "I just stocked up a couple days ago so I'll figure out what to make" she thought for a moment.

"Thank you, thank you. I'll be here all day." Annie said, letting out another laugh, a wide grin on her face. "Nope, not at all." She'd never really noticed how close her apartment really was to is. Of course, it was fifteen or so minutes by car, walking would be doable, but it would take much longer. She nodded in response to his later words. "That makes sense." She said. "That's probably why you're still tired. You're body isn't used to getting more than few odd hours of sleep here and there."

---

Steve chuckled slightly, shaking his head. "I'm actually not really great with talking to women. I've never been good at it, so if I say something wrong, and I offend you or anything, I apologize in advance." He said sheepishly. He smiled in response to her later words. He was glad that they both seemed to be having a good time. That was a really good sign. "Alright, I'm not too picky. Like I said, all food's better today than it used to be."