Saving Steve (Steve Rogers x Reader)

Chapter 38 - Trailhead Nine

"We should go. If I know Maria she's already waiting on us."

Casting one last, longing glance out over the valley below you allow Steve to pull you from the rocky plateau and across the road, past the car and through the forest several hundred meters until a small clearing comes into view up ahead. Within it, a small cabin curiously out of place in the middle of nowhere.

"Hmm. Didn't expect that," you mumble as Steve walks up to the front door, knocking in a strange, alternated pattern of long and short knocks before throwing the door open and leading you inside.

"Woah," you gasp, equally surprised by just how nice the interior of the cabin is with walls made of dark-stained oak planks and plush rugs covering the floors. Through the archway to the left you can see the flicker of what must be a fireplace. And the entire space smells comfortingly like sawdust and honey.

"About time."

To your right Bucky leans against the other arch leading into another room.

"Let's go," he says, pushing off the frame and leading you and Steve around the corner into what looks like an office. A large window at the far end lets in the natural daylight to illuminate the space. But it's not the ancient bookshelves or the antique sconces on the wall that catch your attention first. But rather the beautiful, fierce looking woman with dark hair and sharp cheeks that stands with her arms crossed as she leans against the desk across the room.

"Maria," Steve says from behind you. "Thanks for meeting with us."

Your eyes are locked on Maria, whose presence is nearly as overwhelming as Natasha's. In fact, the menacing wit in her eyes reminds you eerily of the red-haired assassin.

"Who's this?" Maria asks, her eyes never leaving you as her gaze rakes over your body - her suspicion ripe.

"She's...uh, well she's-"

"She's his dame," Bucky grunts, interrupting Steve's awkward rambling.

"His dame?" Maria scoffs incredulously. "Rogers, you pulled a civilian into this?" she hisses, finally breaking her gaze from you and staring daggers at Steve.

Steve steps around you, putting himself between you and Maria as he holds up two hands. "Maria, listen I-,"

"No you listen, Steve. This is highly sensitive. Do you know how much danger you've put her in?" Maria scolds, nostrils flaring.

"Hill, please, she's not-,"

"You're right! She's not! She's not an agent, she's not a spy. Hell, she's not even trained!" Maria scowls, her voice rising as she uncrosses her arms and takes an aggressive step forward.

"She's my responsibility, Maria," Steve growls, stepping forward.

"She's going to get us caught, Steve. She -!"

"That's enough."

All three heads turn to look at Bucky, who has taken up residence against one of the bookshelves in a shadowed corner of the room. But the moment he speaks he steps forward into the light, his entire posture commanding attention and respect. Bucky takes a few steps forward, placing himself between Maria and Steve. He looks at them both before glancing at you.

"She's smart and she's resourceful," he growls, turning to direct that last part of his statement to Hill. "Steve has it under control. She's a part of this now. You have a problem with her, then you can leave. Otherwise let's just do what we came here to do."

Your lips part gently in surprise. You've never heard so many words come from Bucky. Even more surprising is that they're uttered in your defense.