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sjsmith56 · 8 months

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We Danced - Part 2

Summary: An Avengers mission in France finishes early and the team takes a couple of days to enjoy Paris. Bucky calls Quinn to join them so she takes a train from The Hague that arrives that evening. Continuing on from when they last saw each other in Washington, the couple find more magic together, realizing they have something special. Part 2 of three part story.

Length: 2.9K

Characters: Bucky Barnes, original female character Quinn Olman, Sam Wilson, other Avenger team members as mentioned.

Warnings: Concerns about going public with their relationship, Bucky not wanting to see an attraction because of PTSD, increasing intensity of emotions, concern over where the relationship heading, Bucky feeling inadequate.

Author notes: This is new ground for Bucky, falling for this international lawyer who seems to love him just as much. I think he’s initially surprised when Quinn agrees to come to Paris on short notice. He’s surprised again when she offers to be public with their relationship, especially after the precautions they took in Washington. Her recognition of his PTSD, and the need for a safe space is meant to show that she gets him, on many levels. Bucky’s worst enemy is sometimes himself and there’s a danger he will go to a dark place, thinking he’s not worthy of Quinn. Something may happen to exacerbate that in Part 3.

Mon cœur - My heart

Mon trésor - My treasure

Je t’aime, ma beauté - I love you, my beautiful [lady]

Je t’aime, mon beau - I love you, my handsome [man]

<<Part 1

🇫🇷 📚

Paris, October, 2024

Looking up at the board for the arrival time of the train from The Hague, Bucky tried not to get too excited at the prospect of seeing Quinn in person again. After saying goodbye in Washington, they had kept in contact with texts and the occasional phone or video call, becoming more involved in the relationship that was definitely forming. Her calm exterior, probably a benefit in Quinn’s career, was something that appealed to Bucky as she gave the impression of being measured and precise in her public persona, much like he tried to be. Her more intense side, revealed when they made love for hours that night in Washington, brought out the same qualities in Bucky, making him feel young again, like the man he was before the war. The changes in him had been noticeable to Sam who managed to get more information from his friend over this incredible woman he was definitely falling in love with.

The Avengers most recent mission saw them called in to deal with a French criminal gang who kidnapped an American diplomat’s wife, part of an effort to force him to intervene in the arrest of one their members in New York. They successfully rescued the wife and arrested the entire gang within a couple of days of arriving. Asked by the French police to stay as their guests for the weekend, Bucky called Quinn on the Friday morning and she immediately booked the earliest train she could catch to Paris, with a stopover in Rotterdam, arriving just after 10 pm.

“The train is still on time, isn’t it?” asked Sam, who had insisted on coming to Gare du Nord, wanting to meet Quinn.

“It’s still on time,” grumbled Bucky. “I don’t know why I said you could come to meet her.”

“It was either meet her now, or meet her tomorrow at breakfast, when everyone else is there,” replied his partner. “How many languages does she speak again?”

“Five, including English,” answered Bucky. “Russian, French, Spanish, and German. She’s also learning Arabic as there is a chance she may be assigned to work with a new judge.”

“What are the chances you meeting someone who can argue with you in a foreign language that you speak?” teased Sam.

“You see, this is why I didn’t want you here. We’re still working this relationship out and I don’t need any help from the peanut gallery.”

Bucky crossed his arms in front of his body, already feeling defensive. “Fair enough,” said his friend, feeling slightly guilty. “I’ll behave.”

The arrival of the train from Rotterdam was announced, and the two men drew closer to the exit from the train level. When she came up the final step and looked for Bucky he waved then strode confidently to her, looking at her with affection.

“Can I kiss you in public?” he asked.

“Yes,” she smiled, “I’m on personal time now, not on a paid work assignment. We can be public.”

Enclosing her in his arms while she wrapped her arms around his waist they kissed for what seemed like a long time to Sam. When they pulled apart Bucky murmured something to her, in Russian by the sounds of it and she placed her hand on his cheek. At that point, Sam stepped forward.

“Hey, Sam Wilson,” he said, offering her his hand.

“Captain America,” she exclaimed, taking his hand and shaking it. “A pleasure. I’m Quinn Olman. You couldn’t wait to meet me, right?”

“Not when it involves Buck,” he replied, grinning at his blushing friend. “He wasn’t kidding. You’re beautiful.”

She beamed but took Bucky’s hand, making it obvious that she was there for him. Sam offered to take her luggage and they walked outside to where a car with a driver awaited them. After settling in between the two well built men Quinn held Bucky’s hand once again, resting their joined hands on her lap.

“Where are we staying?” she asked.

“A hotel near the Latin Quarter,” replied Bucky. “The whole team is there, courtesy of the French police as thanks for helping find the diplomat’s wife quickly and taking the gang down. I thought we could stay in tonight or go dancing at one of the clubs nearby if you want.”

“I’ll consider both but let me get settled at the hotel before I decide,” said Quinn, taking a deep breath. “The Avengers must have solved the case in record time. Bucky only texted me about being in France a few days ago, then called me this morning to say you all had a couple of free days.”

“I think he was motivated to finish it up quick,” smiled Sam. “Not complaining. It’s not every day we get to enjoy the amenities after a mission.” He turned slightly to Quinn. “So, how long have you been with the International Court of Justice?”

“Since I graduated from Yale Law School 9 years ago,” she replied. “In my final year I was encouraged to apply to the Judicial Fellowship Programme, basically a ten-month internship. I really liked it and was able to apply to be part of the pool of legal researchers that are assigned to the various judges. It meant I had to learn some languages, but I already spoke French and it wasn’t too hard to pick up the others. The Court does provide instruction in foreign languages for employees.”

“I’m impressed,” said Sam.

“Good,” stated Bucky. “She’s way out of your league and mine.”

“Nonsense,” replied Quinn. “I’m a normal woman in an extraordinary job, just like you are a normal man in an extraordinary job, Sam.” He looked at Bucky with raised eyebrows, making Quinn blush. “He’s extraordinary all the way through, a diamond in the rough.”

Grinning, Bucky kissed the side of Quinn’s head, making Sam even more pleased that his friend had seemed to find the right woman to be involved with. When they pulled up to the hotel they were surprised to see a welcoming party of sorts in the lobby. Bucky grimaced at Sam who shrugged, as he had kept Bucky’s relationship secret. The other members of the Avengers, Joaquin, Peter, Yelena and Kate, stood up, approaching them. Bucky introduced them to Quinn, then left to tell the front desk that the second person sharing his room had arrived and received a key card for her. When he came back, she was engaging in an enthusiastic conversation with the four younger Avengers.

“Bucky, they want to go to a nightclub but most won’t open until 11 at the earliest,” she said. “I think that’s a little too late for me. I’ve been on the go since 5 this morning.”

“Let’s stay in,” he suggested, putting his arm around her. “You young ones can go out and party hard. Just remember we’re going sightseeing tomorrow, special access just for us but we have to be ready to eat breakfast at 9 am.”

Based on how Bucky was looking at Quinn it was obvious he needed alone time with her, and the others said their good night, heading out into the night. Sam went with them, saying he wouldn’t mind cutting loose a bit. That left the couple standing in the lobby gazing at each other until Bucky picked her bag up and carried it over to the elevator. They said nothing in the small space until they got to their floor, where Bucky opened the door to their room and let Quinn enter first.

She took in the huge bed, covered in crisp white linens; the duvet already pulled back with a single rose laid between the two king sized pillows, a bottle of champagne chilling in an ice bucket, two glass flutes on the night stand, and some chocolate bonbons on a small plate beside the rose. Turning to Bucky she reached out her arms and wrapped them around him as he lifted her up, easily holding her close.

“God, I missed you,” he whispered. “I don’t know how many times I’ve dreamed of you in my arms.”

“Probably, as often as I’ve dreamed of you,” she replied softly. “I’ve never fallen so quickly for a man as I have with you. My heart almost jumped out of my chest when you called me this morning and asked me to come here.”

“When do you have to be back?”

“Sunday night. I’ve already booked the 7:15 train. I told my boss I’m seeing you as I didn’t want it to be a surprise to him if there were any social media pictures of us from this weekend.” She looked at Bucky’s eyes as she spoke then looked at his lips, wanting to feel them on her. “As far as he’s concerned all your debts to society have been paid.”

“So, we’re going to be completely public about our relationship?” he asked.

She nodded her head slowly, then kissed him, running her hands up into his hair, as his hands found their way under her top and onto the skin of her back. Within minutes they were on the bed, the bonbons and rose quickly relocated to the nightstand, picking up from where they left off in Washington. Feverishly they pulled their clothes off, kissing intently, eager to touch and taste the other’s skin. After their first coupling, marked by a shared cry of ecstasy, they lay together under the crumpled sheets, with their legs intertwined. The soft glow of the bedside lamps enveloped them in a golden hue as they whispered quietly to each other.

“The things you make me feel ….” Quinn let her words trail off as she caressed his face.

“Are hopefully the same things that I feel,” he continued, hesitantly. “It’s all new for me as I never felt like this for anyone before.”

“Never?” She looked at him, longingly.

“You’re the first woman I’ve ever wanted to say I love you to,” he admitted, taking in her entire face with a burning intensity. “My heart is pounding right now, hoping that you ….”

“I love you, too.” She interrupted him, her eyes focused on his. “That’s why I told my boss. I don’t want to hide what we have. Mon cœur.”

“Mon trésor,” he replied, gathering her tightly into his arms, kissing her lips, face and neck, while whispering endearments to her in every language he knew, with Quinn responding in the same manner.

They made love several times again, drinking the champagne in between the episodes of passion. Feeding each other the bonbons, then relishing the kisses after that tasted of chocolate they finished the evening, now early morning, by sharing a relaxing bath together. While Quinn washed her face and applied moisturizer, Bucky made the bed, tucking the messy sheets back under the mattress and shaking out the duvet. Wearing only his boxer briefs he opened the Juliette balcony doors and looked out over the Parisian skyline, the Eiffel Tower glowing in the distance, while Notre Dame Cathedral, scheduled to open in a couple of months, was visible if he looked out past the doors to the side. He felt Quinn’s warm arms surrounding him from behind and turned slightly, bringing her under his arm. She was wearing a man’s style cotton nightshirt, that smelled faintly of lavender.

“We’re going dancing tonight,” he said quietly. “I found a jazz club nearby.”

“I have a backless dress,” she replied. “You did say we danced all night in Paris when we were in Washington.”

“I did, didn’t I?” He looked down at the play of shadow and light on her face, feeling the emotion swelling inside of him. “Je t’aime, ma beauté.”

“Je t’aime, mon beau.”

Kissing once more, Bucky closed the doors, knowing the sounds of the city would wake them well before they needed to get up, then he lifted the edge of the duvet so Quinn could get into bed before him. Sliding next to her he raised his arm so she could rest her head on his shoulder. It was one of the best sleeps he ever had.

When they joined the others in the breakfast room just before 9 am, it was obvious to the Avengers that something beautiful was happening between the couple. The little touches, and soft smiles between them were all evidence of a full-blown love affair. The almost constant tenseness previously evident in Bucky was gone, replaced by a genial manner that saw him smiling more than any of them had seen before.

As they plotted out their sightseeing plan for the day, Quinn made suggestions, having been to Paris several times, while Bucky sat back after declaring he was good with whatever the group decided. In the transport van that was provided to them along with a driver, he sat with Quinn, holding hands constantly. They made the decision to leave the art museums for another visit as they required more than a few hours to appreciate them properly. That left the major tourist spots, the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Montmartre, the Catacombs, and Les Invalides. Sunday was to be spent at Versailles, returning early enough for Quinn to catch her train.

It was a whirlwind tour of the city that gave them the highlights before they were driven to their final stop, the Catacombs, as the exit from that experience brought them close to their hotel. Bucky begged off going underground, admitting it might trigger his PTSD to see all of the skulls, not to mention being in a confined underground space. Quinn spoke to the driver, then came close to Bucky, sliding her hand into his.

“There’s a great bookstore near the hotel,” she whispered. “He’ll drop us off there. We can browse the shelves then have a coffee while we wait for this bunch to finish the Catacombs. I’ve seen them before; I don’t have to see them now.”

He looked softly at her then accepted her offer and shortly after they stepped out of the van in front of Shakespeare and Company, an English language bookstore. There were a couple of people already waiting to go in, so they stood in place and waited for about ten minutes before being allowed inside. Bucky breathed deeply, enjoying the familiar smell of a bookstore, and the memories it evoked for him.

“I try to come here every time I’m in Paris,” said Quinn in a low voice. “They even have first editions here for sale.”

“Where are they?” asked Bucky and she pulled him over to the locked cabinet where several first editions were on display, each of them with a price in Euros. He pointed at a blue leather volume. “Winnie the Pooh. My mother bought me a copy when it came out. I was 8 years old and when my sister was born I would read it to her. 1500 Euros, that’s a lot.”

“It’s a first edition, in excellent condition,” noted Quinn. “It’s not for reading, just for impressing people with what’s in your bookcase.”

Bucky smiled at her, his eyes crinkling at the truth of what she said. That feeling of intense emotion hit him again and he kissed her hand.

“Thank you for bringing me here. Bookstores are kind of my safe space. Them and libraries.”

“Mine, too,” she replied, feeling the same swell of emotion as his blue eyes gazed at her.

When they left an hour later they each had a small bag of books, mostly second-hand. Leisurely, they walked back to the hotel, having a coffee and pastry in the lobby, until the others returned, full of comments about the Catacombs. Many of them were of the dark humour variety but it was obvious they were impressed with the place of rest that lay below the streets of Paris.

As promised, Bucky and Quinn dressed up for dinner at an upscale jazz club that offered dancing, him in his black-on-black suit combination, her in a dress with a plunging back line. Surprisingly, Sam asked to come with them, explaining that as fun as the night club had been the night before he needed something a little quieter and more adult in nature. As they danced, drank red wine, then brandy, and mellowed out to the jazz quintet, there was conversation between the three, some of it deep and intense. All throughout the evening, Sam noticed the depth of the relationship between the other two, as the body language alone was sensual and romantic. There was no doubt in his mind that what he was witnessing would have one of two outcomes and he desperately hoped it would be the happy one.

His hopes were just as desperate the following evening when he accompanied Bucky to the train station to see Quinn off. Feeling almost voyeuristic at their emotional goodbye he looked away, giving them privacy for such an intimate moment between the two lovers. In the drive back to the hotel he glanced several times at his friend, who was already showing signs of returning to his brooding nature. Bucky must have sensed it because he looked at Sam with an almost tortured expression.

“I want her Sam; I want her in my life forever. But how can I ask her to leave her life’s work? I can’t leave the Avengers as I have nothing else to replace it. What do I do?”

Part 3>>

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