Hey guys! So welcome to the last chapter. I wanted to thank everyone one last time for sticking with this story. Your reviews, comments, follows, and favorites have meant so much to me. I will be continuing this story, so keep a look out for more of Georgiana Barton Barnes.
Twenty-Five
"We got a runner."
Through the thick crowd at the outdoor market it seemed difficult to turn around, let along spot a single person. Even if they were running.
"On it." That was Natasha's voice coming for the earpiece.
Sure enough, only seconds later Georgiana spotted Natasha's redhead racing through the crowd, her cap flying off of her head as she picked up speed. Georgiana reminded herself to stay focused. The crowd was difficult for her without her suit, because every time she bumped into someone who was injured she ended up healing them, but it was too hot and it would have been too obvious for this mission for her to wear the suit under her clothes. The crowd might have made it frustrating, but she needed to stay on task.
It wasn't just the crowd. She hadn't seen Bucky for a few weeks. Which was also distracting. The faster this mission ended, the sooner she would see Bucky.
"Second runner is heading towards the train station," Sharon reported, her voice also coming in through the earpiece.
"I'm a little tied up at the moment," said Wanda. Her voice sounded strained.
"On my way," replied Georgiana, and she started making her way through the mass of people, running hard. The sun beat hot down into the African desert.
It had been three months since McCaffrey had gone to jail. Two months since the Spring Children had been released from the hospital and reunited with their families. One month since Georgiana had signed a temporary employment form for the Avenger Accords under the name Georgiana Barton Barnes. Her contract with the Avengers would last a year, and then she would either renew it, or not. Steve, Wanda, Sam, and Clint had also all signed a temporary contract form. Bucky had not, although he still usually went with Steve on missions, just without the knowledge of the common people of the world.
"Are you sure you don't just want to stay here?" Bucky had asked the night before she signed the Avenger Accords. "I can think of plenty of other activities to keep you busy," he had added, his lips trailing up from Georgiana's shoulder to her neck as he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her back to his chest.
Georgiana tried again to force Bucky out of her mind as she pushed her way through the crowd. She needed to focus. Bucky often came on missions with her. In fact, there had been many missions where she and Bucky had teamed up with Natasha and Steve. But recently it was becoming more common for Georgiana to go on missions with Clint and or Wanda. Her current mission consisted of an all-girl party of Natasha, Wanda, and Sharon.
"I see the train station," Georgiana said.
"Okay, bank left and go around the building," said Sharon. "He is heading south. Towards the train that is boarding."
Georgiana pushed her way through the last of the crowd and hit the open space where the only people were those waiting in line to get a train ticket. Jumping a fence, Georgiana jumped down into the pit of the train station, rolling over her shoulder when she landed and rolling back onto her feet, still running. She hit the multiple train tracks and readjusted where she was going so that she cut through the stationary trains towards the boarding one.
Behind her she heard someone say "Reviver," and suddenly the crowd behind her became louder. She was starting to become recognizable in crowds as she spent more time on missions.
"The train is taking off," Sharon's voice said. Georgiana wondered why Sharon was still in the same lookout spot, when really she should have left to go help Wanda, who was likely still tied up at the moment with five other targets. She had never liked Sharon.
"It won't," replied Georgiana.
Running right in front of the train that was just starting to pick up speed and head out of the station, Georgiana planted herself into the ground and raised her hands, concentrating. She took a moment to close her eyes and imagine the image that would happen if she didn't stop the train. The target inside had a stolen explosive in his backpack, there was a possibility that the train could explode and kill all the people inside. With that image clear in her head, Georgiana opened her eyes and let the energy pulse from her arms. Misting smoke formed around her arms, her fingers, and then also appeared at the front of the train. Georgiana imagined it growing, felt her nose start to bleed, and then the force-shield started to inch its way down the train to pool around the train wheels.
With a groaning sound the train bumped to a stop. Moments before the train came to a complete stop, a figure jumped off the side of the train, running in the opposite direction of Georgiana. That, then, must be her target. Forcing the train to a safe stop, Georgiana's force shields disappeared, and she took off after the runner.
"Alright," came Wanda's voice. "I'm free, where is everyone?"
"My runner was a distraction," said Natasha. "Georgiana, you have the last target, he must have the explosive."
Georgiana was already gaining on her target. He was taller than her by a long shot, but his size made it harder for him to get through the thick crowd that he had ran into, while Georgiana was able to slip past people with ease. He also seemed to be a sprinter, and with the weight of his backpack, he was already slowing down.
With only a few people between them now, Georgiana threw her arm out as she ran. A force-shield flashed in and out of existence right in front of the running man, and he slammed into it, knocking himself onto the ground. He scrambled back onto his feet just as Georgiana reached him and threw a punch in her direction. With well practice movements and an easy flow, Georgiana twisted his arms, wrapped her calves around his neck, and twisted in the air. They flew to the ground, Georgiana landed on top of him, her knee on his chest and her hand gently on his neck, acting only as a reminder for him that he was messing with an Avenger.
"Hello," she said cheerfully down to her target. His face fell.
A moment later Wanda appeared by Georgiana's side. "Good job," Wanda said, panting slightly.
X-X-X
Bucky was waiting on the ground when the jet landed. Georgiana brushed past Natasha, Wanda, and Sharon to leap down the steps of the jet exit and bounded towards him. He had that lazy, knowing smile on his face when he saw her, and was already chuckling when she slammed into him, clucking him in a hug. He placed a kiss on the top of her head.
"Hey, Love," He said quietly to her. She smiled into his chest. He called her that often these days, switching from Love to Doll whenever he wanted to use an endearing term.
Georgiana briefly lifted her head to smile up at him and kiss his scratching chin before placing her head back on his chest, her ear pressed on top of his heart.
From her warm and safe spot in Bucky's arms, she watched as Sharon casually met with Steve, who had also been waiting for the girls' jet to land. There was something friendly and comfortable between Sharon and Steve, but Georgiana had never seen any affection between the two of them, and she found that odd, considering how affection Steve was towards his friends. Behind Sharon, Natasha nodded once towards Steve happily, but Georgiana frowned. Bucky must have followed her trail of sight to see where she was looking, because he ran his arms comforting up and down Georgiana's back. Georgiana had told Bucky about Natasha's feelings for Steve, after making Bucky promise to never say anything.
Bucky kissed the top of her head again, and then they separated from their hug so that everyone else could say their hellos. Natasha playfully punched Bucky's arm, while Wanda gave a side hug to both Bucky and Steve.
"How is T'Challa?" asked Natasha.
While Georgiana had been on a mission with the girls, Steve, Bucky, and Sam had been working on another mission with the King.
"Better, now," said Steve, and Bucky chuckled. Georgiana knew she would hear all about it later.
"Clint has invited us to dinner at his farm tonight," said Bucky. "He said his kids are missing their Aunt Nat."
"They always are." Natasha grinned.
X-X-X
Laughing, Georgiana hung up her cellphone and slipped outside onto the porch of the cabin, where she and Bucky where still living when they weren't on missions.
"Who was that?" Bucky asked.
It took a moment for Georgiana to answer because she was briefly distracted at just how handsome and relaxed he looked, leaning on the porch rails.
"Just Tony," said Georgiana, moving to stand beside him.
Bucky pulled her into his chest. "What were you laughing at?"
"Tony was just making fun of my list."
"Your list?"
Georgiana's face turned red, and Bucky smiled gently down at her. She still loved how he was a full head taller than her. He tugged on her hair playfully.
"I use to make a list, back when I woke up without memories, of things that I liked."
"Am I on it?" Bucky smirked.
Georgiana shrugged. "Maybe."
She turned to lean on the porch rails and let the cool night breeze kiss her face. The night sky was slightly cloudy, and because of the light of the full moon the clouds seemed to glow white in the black sky. Stars colored the dark spaces between the clouds.
Friends. Running. Helping. Holding Hands. Wind. Clint. Hugs. Laughing. Learning. Almost. Bucky. Cabin. Flying. Tony. Healing. Stars. Natasha. Wanda. Steve. Sam. Reading. Grizzle Bear. James Buchanan Barnes.
Beside her, Bucky's cold metal arm brushed hers as he too looked up at the stars. His eyes reflecting their light.
"Stars are made of memories, you know," said Georgiana. And so was Bucky.
Bucky's forehead crinkled. "Good memories or bad memories?"
Georgiana kissed his metal arm and then looked back towards the sky.
"Both," she said.
And both was good.