Chapter 16: Trixie

Trixie didn't realize how different being Bucky's person would be versus being James's person.

After one city block, more than a dozen people pointed in his direction, and therefore hers. Some of the glances were in awe, but many more were in disgust. Too many people didn't believe that he wasn't guilty of King T'Chaka's death and none of them knew the person he is, they only knew the arm he has and the baggage that it comes with. She thought back to what he said about Steve, and everyone knowing the mantle, but no one knowing the man. She held his hand tighter and he pulled her closer, and they kept walking. That's when someone raised their phone and pointed the camera at them.

"No," James said a little too strongly. The person he spoke to lowered his phone, but Trixie heard digital clicking on the other side. James turned to them and they jumped back in fear. He squeezed her hand tighter. He took a visible breath, and stepped to the side pulling her behind. "Delete it," he snapped, and the tourist nodded. He stepped into shadows between two buildings, Trixie on his heels.

James looked down at her hand and how hard he was squeezing it. He let go and turned from her, walking further down the alley and stepped towards the shop exterior wall, fists balled, wanting to punch the brick of the building, but stopping himself. Trixie walked up to him and gently touched his shoulders. "It's ok," she said gently. He stiffened at her touch, but she didn't pull away.

"No," he countered, still raging, "it's not. None of this is ok. I didn't sign up for this. You surely didn't. It's ridiculous that we can't even walk downtown without..." James trailed off as he turned to see Trixie open her oversized purse. She produced the leather coat he tried to leave behind. James sighed, a mixture of relief and annoyance, "Thank you."

"I now fully understand what you mean by privacy," she said holding it open for him.

He pushed his arms through the sleeves and turned to take her hands. "Are you ok?" he asked, looking over her palms and fingers.

"I'll be fine," she said, "You never hurt me. Not really. It's not in you."

He raised her hands to his face and kissed each of them. "What did I do to deserve you?" he asked, leaning in to kiss her.

A side door opened and a shop employee made his way to the dumpster. "As romantic as this setting is," Trixie quipped, "we should keep moving."

Stepping back onto the city street, no one seemed to notice the couple. Trixie stole glances at James every few blocks. He seemed mostly back to his normal demeanor. After one more light, they were suddenly in the shadow of Avengers Tower. Trixie was aghast at the size of the crowd gathering in the closed city street. She looked to her right and saw the crowds of people filling into what reminded her of high school bleachers. To her left, a temporary stage, set up so the tower lobby functioned as the backstage.

"There's Sam," James said, gently pulling Trixie with him as they walked closer to the tower. She followed him into the lobby, where Sam had disappeared into. "Sam!" James called.

Sam turned around and smiled. "Bu...James," Sam said warmly. "I was starting to get worried you wouldn't make it."

"I forgot how ravenous New York foot traffic could be," James said, taking off his coat. Trixie took it off his arms and shoved it back in her bag. "This is Trixie," James said, joy radiating from his eyes and voice. "Trixie, meet Sam Wilson."

"Is that James?" a voice boomed.

Trixie squeezed James's hand. "He's here!" she whispered. James laughed at her enamoration.

"James!" Bruce said warmly. "How are you?"

"I'm...thank you," he said. "I took your advice. Thank you."

Bruce smiled and looked over at Trixie. "Hello again, science teacher. I'm sorry for any dishonesty the last time we met."

Trixie blinked at Bruce and gushed, "Dr. Banner, you could do no wrong."

"Dr. Banner?" Sam asked, "So formal."

"She's a science teacher," James said, as if that clarified everything.

"Bucky!" another voice called. Everyone turned to see Rhodey heading for them. "We didn't put you on the program but, if you're up for it...you should speak. To Steve. For Steve."

"Yeah," he said, "Stubborn, sickly kid from Brooklyn. Not Cap, but Steve. Oh, and it's James, please."

"What's James?" Rhodey asked, confused.

"His name," Bruce offered, "it suits him." After a moment of silence, Bruce turned to Trixie and asked, "Would you like to meet Dr. Pym?"

Trixie's eyes grew wide. "Dr. Banner is going to introduce me to Dr. Pym!" James lifted her hand to his lips and gently kissed it before releasing her.

"I missed a whole lot," Rhodey said.

"We all did," Sam answered.