"Bucky? I'm back," I call as I walk into the apartment. It's been another week now and my mum still hasn't woken up yet, but she's showing signs of recovery. Her charts are a lot better. I just got back from running some errands for Bucky, mostly food shopping. I set everything away, then spot a note on the coffee table.

Went for a run, be back soon

Bucky

Just as I finish reading, the door opens and Bucky walks in. "Hey," I greet. "Just put everything away for you."

"Good, thanks," he nods, then sits down. He doesn't look out of breath at all, despite his 'run'. "So where'd you really go?" I question. "Because you sure weren't running like you said."

"What do you mean? Where else would I be?" Bucky shrugs. "I don't know, that's why I'm asking," I reply casually, though I'm now growing a little suspicious. "You can tell me, you know."

I sit beside him and turn slightly so he can braid my hair again. We've grown into a cycle now; instead of braiding his own hair, he'll often braid mine. But when he doesn't touch my hair, only looks at me in confusion, I start to wonder what's really going on. He should at least realise what I'm getting at now... right?

"Oh, by the way, I think I finally worked out that Star Wars movie we watched last night. C3PO is the gold one, right?"

This is a lie. We didn't watch a movie at all last night. I'm just applying the knowledge Peter supplied me with when trying to explain his favourite franchise to me. Let's see if this guy's genuine.

"Yeah, that's the one. The movie wasn't bad, was it?"

Instantly I leap at the imposter, pinning him to the wall by his neck. "You're not Bucky!" I yell. "Who the hell are you?!"

After a few moments of gaping in shock, 'Bucky' smirks and transforms into someone I recognise from my little Avenger mission.

"Loki, was it?" I raise a brow at the pale, raven-haired man in my grasp. He wheezes for air, so I reluctantly release him, instead webbing him to the wall. "Talk. What the hell did you do to Bucky?"

Before I can answer, I hear someone behind me. "He didn't do anything, Carmen. Mr Barnes is talking to Captain America."

I freeze at his voice. It can't be... I'm about to turn, but he reaches me first, taking my hand and gently spinning me to face him. Brown clashes with blue as our eyes meet.

"Peter... what are you doing here?" I ask quietly. "What's going on?"

"We're here to get you back, Carmen," Peter replies. He looks tired, as though he hadn't slept properly in ages. The dark bags under his eyes and his dishevelled hair is enough to give away that he hasn't been taking care of himself properly.

"Peter, I can't come back yet," I sigh, shaking my head. "Not until mum's able to come home. I don't have anywhere to stay."

"What about your grandad?" Peter suggested. "No, I can't put him in any danger," I shake my head instantly. "But Bucky knows what this stuff's like. He's all set to keep hiding, he has contingencies set up in case he's found... this is the safest place for me right now. Don't you get it?"

"I get that being on the run isn't going to help you," Peter replied. "You can't run from your problems forever. Don't you see that?"

"It's not forever, just until she gets better," I point out, fighting the urge to just give in and come home. I just want everything to just go back to normal where my past never caught up to me. It's not going to happen, or at least not for a while, but I can't help what I feel.

"Carmen..." Peter's pleading face says it all; he's worried for me. He wants me to come home so he can stop worrying. I sigh.

"You can't make me go back, Peter. You know that, right?" He looks nervous when I say this. "You thought you could make me?" I raise a brow.

"No... but I know that they can."

Thor, Captain America, Black Widow and Bucky then walk into the room. Thor tries to free Loki, but only ends up trapping his hand. "Hm... Lady Carmen, do you mind, um...?"

Sighing, I reach into my shadow, pulling a spray bottle of web dissolvent out. I spray it over the web, freeing the pair. "There, now leave me alone. I don't need to be dragged back, I can make my own choices."

"Carmen, you don't have to do this," Bucky says, coming over. "Am I actually talking to you, or another fake?" I raise a brow. "Prove yourself."

"Hm... turn around."

Trusting that he won't try anything with everyone so close, I obediently turn. I feel him take my hair in his hands, then quickly but efficiently braid it. Yup, that's the Bucky I know.

Once he finishes I sigh in relief, turning back to him, but the moment is short lived. "Bucky... did you tell them I was here?"

Bucky sighs, shaking his head. "Steve found me. Then he realised you were with me. I wouldn't sell you out."

I sigh slightly, inclined to believe him. Bucky wouldn't betray me. Not like this, anyway.

"But Carmen... I have to agree with your friend on this one. You should go back. I don't mean go somewhere where you could put innocent civilians at risk, don't worry. I've talked things out with Steve, you get to stay at Avengers Tower for a while. Just until your mother gets better."

"Uh... What?" I look at the captain, who nods, smiling slightly. "We've got plenty of room and we have enough security measures to keep us all safe, so you'll be no problem at all."

I just stare at him in disbelief for a moment, considering. "Uh... you know that last time I was there I caused a bunch of assassins to shoot down your window, right?"

"We know. But that's hardly even a drop in the bucket for Tony and it's not like you're the only one of us who has people out to get them."

I bite my lip when Peter looks at me pleasingly, giving me his infamous puppy dog eyes. That little shit knows I can't resist his cute faces.

Instead of answering clearly, I turn back to Bucky and pull him into a hug. This surprised him, but he gently hugs back.

"Спасибо за все, Баки. Я надеюсь, что однажды мы снова сможем пересечь пути."

'Thank you for everything, Bucky. I hope one day we may cross paths again'

Bucky chuckled and patted my shoulder.

"Нет проблем, Кармен. Но вам не нужно надеяться. Я тоже иду."

I look up at him in shock, unable to believe what he said, but Bucky's smirk proves what he said is no lie. I can't help but smile at this.

'No problem, Carmen. But you don't need to hope. I'm coming, too'

(AN - Sorry if the Russian isn't perfect, I'm using Google Translate)