Fields of Bone // TFATWS

11

Sharon drove herself and the others to her High Town apartment.

Once they arrived and entered, the four looked around and saw numerous pieces of art.

Sam chuckled and said, "Looks like breaking all those laws is treating you well."

Sharon shrugged. "At some point, I thought if I had to hustle, I might as well enjoy the life of a real hustler. You know how much I'll get for a real Monet?"

Irina spun around and said, "You've got a nice place."

Sam scoffed as he turned to Sharon. "Easy. Deactivate your hustle mode. You sell fake Monets."

"No," Zemo said. "She means real. This gallery is specialized in stolen artwork. Monet. Van Gogh. Classics."

Bucky nodded, taking Irina's hand as he said, "It's true. You know, half the artwork in museums like the Louvre is fake."

Irina nodded and added, "Real stuff sets in places like this."

Sam chuckled as he pulled out his phone. "Okay, guys, I see what you're doing. You're more world than good old Sam."

Irina raised a mocking brow as she and Bucky said in a condescending tone, "Yeah. What's Google say?"

"No shit."

"Come on," Sharon said. "You guys need to change." She stopped a door, waiting for Sam to join. "I'm hosting clients in an hour."

She led them upstairs to where she lived. There was a large living room, a couple bedrooms, and numerous bathrooms.

Sharon glanced to Irina and said, "Feel free to wear anything in the closet."

Irina nodded. "Thanks."

---

She made her way to the closet and rifled through, finding a 40s style black dress.

She slipped it on and began brushing her hair.

A knock sounded on the door and Irina said, "It's open."

Bucky entered and smiled. "You look beautiful, doll."

"Thanks."

"Rina, are you okay? I remember how hard it was for you to distance yourself from your moniker."

"I'm okay. Really. Are you?"

"Yeah, I'm okay." He moved her hair back and leaned around, kissing her cheek.

She held up a necklace. "You mind helping me with this?"

Bucky put the necklace on around her neck and smiled. "You look beautiful, Rina."

"Let's join the others."

"Not just yet." He kissed her softly and smiled. "Shall we?"

Irina smiled and nodded. "Let's."

---

The two made their way back to the main living area to see that Sharon and Sam were already there.

Sharon smiled as she looked at the three before saying, "Much better."

Sam, who was still looking at jackets, glanced over to Sharon and asked, "What's going on, Sharon? You don't ever wanna come back home?"

"They'll lock me up if I ever step foot back in the States. Madripoor doesn't allow extradition."

"I'm sorry I didn't call, but after the Blip and the chaos, I just..."

"Look, you know the whole hero thing is a joke, right?" She moved a strand of hair from her face. "I mean, the way you gave up that shield, deep down, you must know it's all hypocrisy."