Chapter 15:

Grace stepped out of her room when it was late, when it was quiet outside of her bedroom. She wore nothing but a tank top and sleep shorts, so she definitely decided to stay, for the night at the very least. Important decisions could be made the next day, after sleeping on it. However, sleeping was easier said than done. With such a heavy weight on her shoulders, it was hard for her to even relax, much less sleep.

She heard a light breathing from the couch, and she leaned over the back of it to find Bucky sprawled out on the sofa, hand covering his eyes as he slept. A small smile tried to escape, but she forced it down, not wanting to let her emotions cloud her judgement, although they were already making it hard to decide.

"Something troubling you, Grace?" A deep voice said from the kitchen, startling her momentarily. She turned around to see Thor standing there behind the counter in a loose fitting white top, something definitely not from the modern era, and brown pants. He was sipping on a cup of coffee, leaning against the island counter.

"Thor. I didn't think anyone would be up." She cleared her throat and made her way towards the counter, sitting on one of the stools across from him. "And no, I'm fine. I hope." Thor raised a blond eyebrow at her, setting down his coffee mug and leaning forwards on his elbows.

"Steve tells me you are a Winter Soldier," he told her, eyes narrowing. "Tony Stark seems to believe you are good, and that you were worth defying the government of the United States for. But you do not think so. Do you?" Her eyes lifted to his, and a cocky grin grew on his face. "Love, you wear your heart on your sleeve. Your face is far too readable."

"You don't know me," she shook her head. Thor shrugged his shoulders, sitting back far enough to rest his weight on his palms instead of his elbows, figuring that she didnt want him sitting so close to her at the moment.

"Maybe not," he sighed heavily, "but then again, from what I hear, you hardly know yourself." Grace rolled her eyes at him, then dropped her head onto the counter in frustration.

Steve was always a full disclosure kind of guy, and while it was nice sometimes, Grace partially wished Steve hadn't told Thor so much about her. Especially since she hardly knew anything about herself. It just made sure she didn't have a leg to stand on in this conversation. He already knew everything there was to know about her, without ever having to speak to her.

"Listen, Thor," she said quietly, not wanting to wake Bucky and have him all worried again. Let him sleep and be at peace for awhile. She lifted her head to look at him. "I appreciate you saving our asses back there, but I don't need you to tell me what Steve and Bucky already have. Okay? If I don't listen to them, I'm sure as hell not going to listen to you."

"Fiery, I like it," he chuckled, and his carefree demeanor was really starting to piss Grace off. "I see why Steve and his gloomy comrade have taken such an interest in you. You have a spirit in you that most people lack. A fight. You would make a good warrior."

"I don't want to be a warrior," she frowned. "I was built to be one, but I... I don't want to kill anyone. But I don't want to be responsible for anyone's death either. They aren't going to stop coming after me, after everyone standing beside me. I just... want to protect them."

"And they want the same for you," he told her, crossing his arms over his chest and leaning back against the counter behind him. "Steve could not stop talking about you. About how he would give anything for you, and how terrifying it was for him to feel that way. He believes in being a team, in taking care of everyone. But you, love, you made his priorities shift. So you must be pretty special."

"I'm not... I'm really not a good person, Thor."

"What makes you say that?"

"Because I love Steve and Bucky both. I'm probably going to end up sticking with them, even though I could get them and everyone else killed. And worst of all, I would rather let the government make me into a killing machine than be the reason they get hurt. It's all so selfish." Grace hugged her upper body, rubbing her arms with her hands.

Thor stared at her for a moment, thinking about what he would do in her shoes, and what he wanted to suggest to her. It was a tough situation, and the only experience he'd had with romantic feelings was with Jane, and he had not seen her in some time. But he tried to imagine that's what it was like for Grace, Steve, and the Winter Soldier.

"Your fate is not certain if you stick with Barnes and Steve. You do not know for sure that you will end up getting them killed, Grace. You can never be sure about something like that. But, if you love them as much as I think you do, and if you care about the team you are a part of now, then all you have to do is toughen up and fight harder to make sure nobody gets hurt."

Grace scoffed, "It's not that easy."

"Isn't it?" He asked her with an eyebrow raised. He stepped forwards and picked up his mug again, taking a sip of it, then walking away. He was probably staying in Bucky's room for the night, which Bucky probably volunteered so he could sleep on the couch and keep an eye on Grace's door.

Grace got up from her stool, then headed back to her room, her head swirling with thoughts. Her mind wasn't made up anymore, and there was no clear right or wrong decision to make, thanks to Thor. No, she found herself wanting entirely to be selfish, and to give in to the parts of her that wanted nothing more than to be with Bucky and Steve.

As soon as she stepped through her door, though, she lost the ability to choose. A hand wrapped around, covering her mouth, as a deep raspy voice read off some words in a language she didn't understand, and in a panic, didn't recognize. Before she could squirm away, Grace, as she came to be, vanished completely.

Thor stepped out of the shower, running a hand through his long, wet hair and wrapping a towel around himself. Bucky was kind enough to give up his room, so Thor decided to thoroughly enjoy his break from Asgard by indulging in some of the human luxuries. Like hot showers.

When he stepped back into the bedroom, the door creaked open ever so slightly. He looked up in confusion to see Grace step into the room, slowly closing the door behind her. Tears streamed down her cheeks, and Thor frowned.

"Grace. Is something the matter?" The answer was obvious on her face, but he hoped she'd elaborate somehow. He hadn't meant to upset her earlier, but he wanted to help convince her not to turn herself over. Thor knew how bad that would end for everyone, and Steve was still his friend, all things considered.

"I just need to get away," she sniffed, hugging her body tightly. "Please, Thor, I don't want to stay here anymore. You can take me somewhere else, right? Somewhere safe... far from all of this." Her wide eyes fixated on him. He sighed,

"Asgard is not meant for mortals, Grace. You do not belong there, I am sorry."

"Then take me anywhere else," she pleaded. "Bucky... He's too possessive. I want to get away from him, from all of it."

"Steve assured me his friend is a good person," Thor made a face, examining hers for some kind of explanation. "Why do you believe he is possessive?"

"He can't stand that I love Steve," she shook her head, hugging herself tighter. "Or loved... Steve is so blinded by him, I just... I don't think I can be around either of them anymore. Please Thor you have to help me. Bucky is... unstable. Im afraid he'll get worse, especially now that... you're around." She glanced up at him.

"Me? Why would I provoke him in any way? I am only here to assist Steve."

"Because you're... you know. You're a handsome guy, and Bucky is so jealous. He knows that.. I find you attractive."

Thor's eyebrows raised, "What?"

"It's just... I'm not used to all these things and these urges, and I can't really control myself very well. I don't know myself, or what my limits are yet. I'm still," she took a deep breath and a step closer to him, "figuring it all out. And im sure it's hard for you, too. To be away from your girl, never able to see her or be with her. To hold her against you and feel her in your arms."

"I do miss those things..." he trailed off. A small smirk tugged at her lips, but he was too deep in thought to see it. Grace, or whoever she was now, took another step forwards, drawing his attention to her. She took her bottom lip between her teeth.

"He knows how much I crave a... more gentle touch. Something soft anf sweet. Bucky isn't capable of either, and Steve... pretends not to notice." She walked up to him, closing the gap, and grabbed handfuls of his shirt, laying her head on his chest. "You have to get me away from here. Theres so many things I still want to experience. Like... a soft touch." She looked up at him.

"Grace..."

"Please," her voice begged, eyes wide and desperate, drawing him in, breaking him down. She was so small, so seemingly fragile. "You can pretend I'm... whoever you wish I was. I just... I need to know what it's like. Just a kiss. Just a soft, sweet kiss." She lifted herself on her toes, and a hand reached up to rest on his jaw. Thor's arms snaked around her waist, though the reasonable part of him shouted in protest. "Just one little kiss."

"Just one." He leaned down a little, just enough to let her close the gap between them. The Soldier lifted herself onto her toes, pressing her lips to his softly, gently, then a little harder. His grip on her tightened slightly as he fought the urge building low in his gut. Her hand slid down to the back of his neck, pulling him down closer, so she could deepen the kiss.

"Hey, Thor, have you seen-"

Thor jerked back, taking Grace by the shoulders and pushing her away from him carefully. He knew his strength, and he made sure not to shove her. However, the angry look on Bucky's face made him regret his momentary lapse of judgement instantly.

"Bucky," Grace cleared her throat. "You're supposed to be asleep." Bucky stalked forwards, taking her by the arm and pulling her towards the door. "Release me!" She shouted at him, struggling to free her arm from his cold metal hand. Thor stepped in, breaking Bucky's grip on her.

"That is enough," he said firmly. "You have to stop this petty jealousy. You are hurting her."

"What?" Bucky scoffed at him. "What the hell are you talking about?"

"Thor, please," Grace grabbed the bicep of the god beside her. "You cant leave me here. Hes going to hurt me." Bucky's attention shifted to her.

"Grace? What is going on?"

"I will not let you continue your abuse," Thor said, stepping in front of Grace protectively. "You have done enough, and the lady would like to leave. So I am going to take her away from here. She is not safe as long as you are near."

"You dont know what the hell you're talking about," Bucky seethed. "Shes lying. I don't know why she is, but she is." His eyes flicked to her. "Grace, if youre trying to get out of here so you can run away, back to Stark, this is going a little far don't you think?"

"Going too far would be killing you." Her voice went cold, causing a chill to run down his spine. Her face became stoic, and all hints of Grace disappeared. Bucky shook his head.

"Grace? You in there anymore?"

"What is going on?" Thor asked, looking down at Grace, noticing the change in her demeanor himself. Grace folded her arms over her chest.

"I have a mission. You will not get in my way."

"What is your mission, exactly?" Bucky asked.

"To return myself to where I belong so I can be contained and controlled. Then deactivated."

"They want you to turn yourself in to be killed? Why not use you for something more productive? Hm?" He questioned her, drawing Thors confused gaze to him for the moment. "You're a Winter Soldier. Why not use you for actual missions."

"My mind has been emotionally compromised. I am no longer of use." She shifted her stance, dropping her arms to her side. "Move or I will go through you."

"You can try."

"Then I will."