"Who's sneaking?" Bucky muttered. It wasn't like he made a secret of going to the coffee place. He just never outright mentioned that he'd met anyone there. "And it's none of your business, Stark, so get your nose back out of it."

Tony heaved a dramatic sigh. "Well, I suppose if I don't, you'll cut off my nose, and I rather like it where it is," he said. "Bring her to the tower sometime if she passes muster, Barnes, anyone who catches your interest is worth meeting."

Bucky snorted softly, but didn't argue. He still wasn't sure how things would turn out, yet, but he was hopeful.

Tony left him alone after that, already planning to find out who this person was and why they would send Bucky after information on Extremis. Because it could turn out to be a bad reason, and he really disliked dealing with Extremis flunkies. They refused to stay down.

The next day, once he was sure he had all the information he was going to get his mismatched hands on, Bucky texted Liz.

So, a techie, huh?

Liz saw the text and swallowed.

Yup. Techie. That's me. Anything I can get my hands on I fix and improve.

I hear it could have been worse. and Bucky considered Stark to be a reliable source on the matter.

Yeah. It could have been. Lots of the other subjects didn't get anything special. They were the peons of the group. Liz bit her lip when she realized how much she'd let slip.

There was a wealth of information in those simple messages, and Bucky mentally catalogued it all, but he didn't touch on it just yet. It would be safer to let her do it when she felt comfortable enough to.

Now I understand what you meant when you mentioned running.

Yeah, I bet you do. You probably understand too much now. Liz sighed. Honestly, she was a little surprised he'd texted her at all, after finding all that out.

Still not scared off. Bucky paused, trying to figure out how to lighten the mood. It wasn't something he was really good at anymore. If I thought I'd get it back, I've got a bit of tech that might need looking at.

Yeah? Why are you worried you wouldn't give it back? I am excellent at giving things back, I do it all the time. Despite herself, Liz was rather curious.

Stark tried to keep it. And really, that should explain everything right there.

Okay. Well, it's your choice. Doesn't make a difference to me. Liz paused. Although you apparently can't run away if I have whatever it is, so you probably shouldn't let me at it.

Who says I can't? Bucky asked. Hey, if he had to leave in a hurry, he could technically leave the arm behind. It wouldn't be pleasant, but he could do it.

Sounds like you'd like it back before that, Liz pointed out. It's up to you. I promise I'll give it back if you do decide to let me look at it.

Bucky turned that over in his mind a bit.

We'll see. He wasn't sure he wanted to give his arm to her just yet, but something in the back of his mind told him that maybe it would be okay.

No problem. You brought it up. Liz felt that she should point that out, after all. She was fine with letting him go do his own thing.

Well, okay, maybe not. Maybe she did want him around. But she wasn't ready to admit that.

Didn't say otherwise. Bucky smirked a bit. He didn't send anything else for several minutes. Guess we're pretty well matched when it comes to being messed up, huh?

That startled a snort out of Liz.

Guess so. Let's not get into a contest, though, and leave it at messed up. I still tend to go a little sideways trying to figure out what all they did.

I stopped trying. And wasn't that the truth. It was just better all around if Bucky didn't try to figure out exactly what had been done to him.

Sounds about right. Liz sighed. Well, what now? You know my little secret. I can't even guarantee I'll be staying in the city, you know.

Bucky thought about that for a moment.

Dinner or something?

You still want to? Liz almost didn't send that text, but she had to be sure. There could be no mistakes or pity dates, not with this.

If I didn't, I wouldn't have said it. And that was the truth. No matter what Bucky did, he did it completely of his own choice, now that he had that luxury again.