All that? That was a year ago... Now I know what you're thinking, It's been a whole year and you haven't got your bad guy yet?' Well genius, it hasn't been easy.

The Avengers have kept a tight leash on me since I joined. It took two whole months just for them to give me my swords back, which sucked. I felt naked without them. They even took my knives. Well not all of them. They aren't particularly thorough.

But now, they trust me. And honestly, I trust them. They're not the stuck up, fame seeking, idiots in tacky costumes that I thought they were. It's strange but I actually kinda... care about them?

I know, gross right? But still, just because I trust them doesn't mean I want them getting wrapped up in my business with Novikov. Cap would just say something along the lines of 'We can't kill him Jade. That's not who we are.' Well sorry to burst your bubble Cap, but that fucker? He's gotta die.

"Yo, Earth to Jade?" Sam waved a spatula in front of her face.

"Hmm, sorry? What?" Jade broke from her thoughts. She was leaning her elbow on the kitchen island, with her head resting on her hand.

"Do you want some eggs?" He gestured to the pan.

"Yeah, sure." Jade shrugged. Sam scooped some eggs onto the plate next to some toast and handed it to her.

"Thanks." She took the plate from him and eyed the apron he was wearing. "You know if we gave you a wig and pair of glasses, you'd look exactly like Mrs Doubtfire."

Bucky choked on his coffee from the table next to them.

"Just because we have the same last name doesn't mean I won't beat you with this spatula." Sam held the utensil up towards her.

"Ooo I'm so scared." Jade teased and she took a seat facing Bucky.

"He loves that apron." Bucky said quietly, so that Sam didn't hear him. "Says it makes him feel like a real chef."

"I heard that."

"So Barnes, you going to this stupid party Stark's having tonight?" Jade asked as she took a bite of her toast.

"Definitely not. Party's aren't really my thing anymore." Bucky took a sip of his coffee. "What about you?"

"God no, are you kidding me?" Jade scoffed. "I'd rather be made to watch Green Lantern over and over again than attend any sort of party."

"You know, I've never actually seen that movie."

"Good, keep it that way."

"Can I ask you something?" Bucky asked. Jade nodded at him as she took a sip of coffee. "Back when we.. recruited you, what was that? Who were those men?"

"Those perverts? Just some low life weapons dealers, nobody worth crying over." She shrugged, taking another sip.

"So what was your beef with them? I mean, why kill them?"

"They were bad guys Barnes, isn't that our job? To stop the bad guys?"

"You weren't one of us then."

"Does that matter? They were criminals and now they're dead. Case closed." Jade stood up from the table and walked over to the counter, setting her plate down. "Thanks for the eggs, chef."

"You didn't even eat them!" Sam called as she walked towards the door. Jade just finger gunned the air as she left the room.

"There's something she's not telling us." Bucky said, turning to Sam.

"There's a lot she hasn't told us Buck, she's not exactly the most open person in the world."

"Yeah but, I mean, why would she kill those guys? They were just weapons dealers."

"I don't know. But stay out of her business, Buck. It took literally a year for her to finally trust us. Don't go giving her a reason to change her mind."

"Fine, but there's definitely something going on."

Barnes was right. There was something going on.

You really thought I spent the last year just sitting on my ass doing nothing? Well you thought wrong. And it kinda hurts that you'd think that, totally not cool.

Living here in the compound has its perks. The technology these people have is incredible. Sooo I spent the last year digging up anything I could on that bastard Novikov. I've tracked his weapons, his men. But nothing. Until this morning.

I got intel that his men are gonna be moving a shipment of weapons. Tonight. The same night as the party. Which gives me ample opportunity to slip out,  infiltrate the operation, beat Novikov's location out of his men and be back in time before Stark begins his second round of karaoke. 

What could go wrong?

Everything was in place and ready to go. All Jade had to do now was wait for the party to start.

— 5 years ago —

"Ah there you are." Matthew approached the red haired women, wrapping his arm around her waist and placing a kiss on her cheek. "Jade, this is my boss."

"It is a pleasure to finally meet you, Jade." The man took her hand and kissed it. "My name is Viktor Novikov."

"Pleasure to meet you Mr Novikov. This is such a great party." Jade smiled politely at the man.

"Thank you, I am glad you're enjoying yourself. And please, call me Viktor."

"Of course, Viktor."

"So Jade, Matthew here tells me you were a mercenary?" Jade choked slightly on her drink. "Please, don't be ashamed. I don't care what you've done, I'm more interested in what you can do. For me."

"For you?"

"Yes. I have a, let's say, a business proposal for you."

"Oh?"

"I wanted to ask if you'd consider working for me, as a sort of bodyguard. You see, in my line of work I deal with some unpleasant people and I could use someone with your skills to make sure our business deals go down smoothly. Without any trouble." Viktor sipped his drink.

"Matthew says you are quite the fighter." Viktor gestured to the man who smiled sheepishly at his girlfriend. "We can provide you with extra training, of course. But if this is not something you'd be interested in, feel free to say no. I won't be offended."

"Oh she'd definitely be interested, right babe?" Matthew nudged Jade who just shot him a look.

"Can I think about it?" She questioned.

"Of course. Take all the time you need. Just get Matthew here to call me when you've come to a decision." He took her hand again, placing a kiss on her knuckles. "I do hope you agree, I think we'd get along wonderfully."

                —— present day ——

The party was in full swing. Jade could hear the music playing from her room as she shut the door behind her. She made her way through the compound, sneaking towards the garage. She had stolen keys to one of the bikes earlier that week.

Jade quickly moved behind a pillar as two guests exited the elevator. Once they joined the party she darted towards the stairwell and made her way downstairs. She slowly opened the door to the garage and looked around. Coast was clear.

She un-clipped the keys from her belt loop and swung them around on her finger as she walked towards her chosen bike.

"Where do you think you're going?" Jade spun around but saw no one.

Then out of the darkness, came Bucky.

"Jesus, Barnes. Don't sneak up on me like that. And don't hide in the dark either, it's creepy."

"You're up to something. And I plan to figure out what."

"Relax, Columbo. I'm just going to the store."

"You normally take your swords to the store?" He nodded to handles of her swords that were sticking up behind her shoulders.

"Stores can be dangerous." She raised an eyebrow at him. "You never had to fight someone over the last pack of Doritos?" Jade clipped the keys back on to her belt loop. "People can get pretty feisty."

"Cut the crap, Wilson. I know you're sneaking off somewhere. And I'm coming with you."

"Ah see, I can't allow that."

"Oh yeah? You gonna stop me?" Bucky stepped towards her.

Jade pulled her sword from her back and placed it under his chin.

"You gonna make me?"

"I just want to help you, that's all." Bucky gulped as the cold steel pushed against his skin.

"Sweet." She smiled. "But I don't need your help."

"Look, you may have got lucky that day in the warehouse. But what happens when there's more guys? What happens when there's more guns? You think your luck will last?"

"My luck always lasts." Jade dropped her sword from his chin and returned it to its sheathe. She turned away and began making her way to the bike only to find the keys missing from her jeans.

"Looking for these?" She turned to Bucky who was holding up the keys.

"Give me the keys, Barnes." She stepped towards him and went to grab them but Bucky quickly closed his fist around them.

"Not until you tell me what's going on."

"It's none of your business." She said with her teeth clenched. "Why do you care? It doesn't affect you in any way."

"Because I don't want you to get hurt." His voice was sincere. "I... care about you."

Not what I was expecting. Shit. Maybe I care about him too, which is exactly why I don't want to tell him what's going on. It's dangerous. Too dangerous. Me? I can handle dangerous, I literally can't die. But him? One bullet to the chest and he's toast.

"I-I care about you too, okay? Which is exactly why I can't tell you what's going on. It's too dangerous."

"It's dangerous for me but not for you? Jade, I'm literally a super soldier. With a vibranium arm." He held up his arm. "I think I can handle a little dangerous."

"Ugh, fine." She groaned. "You can come with me. But you do as I say. When I say it. Got it?"

"Yes ma'am."

"Now give me the keys." Bucky threw the keys at her and she caught them with ease.

"I'll grab one of the other bikes, follow you there." Bucky started to walk towards the key rack.

"No. You won't. They're more likely to see us if we bring two bikes. Either you ride with me or you don't ride at all." Bucky raised his eyebrow at her and opened his mouth as if he was about to say something. "Don't." Jade held up her finger. "Don't say anything."

Bucky motioned zipping his lips as he moved towards her.

"Can I at least drive?" He asked, hopeful.

"No."

"You're no fun." He went to one of the boxes along the wall and grabbed a gun, some extra ammo and a few knives. He had a feeling he'd need them. His eyes found a kevlar vest sitting next to some grenades, which he also grabbed. "Here." He thrust the vest towards her. "Put this on."

"I don't need that." Jade said, trying to hand it back to him.

"If you're not taking a gun, which is stupid by the way, then you need to wear the vest."

"How come you're not wearing one?"

"Vibranium, remember?" He held up his arm again. "Stop arguing and put it on."

"Fine. If it'll make you stop being so annoying I'll wear the vest." She slipped it over her leather jacket. "Happy?"

"Yes. Thank you."

"Now hurry up." Jade motioned to the space behind her on the bike. Bucky climbed on and debated whether he should hold her, or hold the side of the seat.

"I don't bite Barnes."

"Right." Bucky blushed slightly and placed his hands on her waist.

"Better hold on tight, I drive fast."