14667/Away from the office

Away from the office
Date of Scene:	19 January 2023
Location:	Cabin in the woods, Appalachian mountains, New York
Synopsis:	Friends assemble for dinner at a remote cabin, where Bucky introduces Steve to Sarah, the wanted fugitive.
Cast of Characters:	Captain America, Sarah Connor, Phantasm (Drago), Winter Soldier
Tinyplot:	Fortunate Son

---

James Barnes has posed:
At this time of year, the evergreen woods of the Appalachians are bereft of most color aside from white. Snow, frost, ice... a shimmering winter wonderland that is beautiful to behold and simultaneously deadly to the unprepared. This far into the foothills, where the hill threaten to become proper mountain, it would be rare to see a living soul. Forest sprawls out for miles around, surrounding a half frozen lake on the shore of which sits a quaint log cabin built in a previous age. Or, at least, built by someone who had preferred a previous age. The roads up to this lonesome cabin are rutted and in poor repair, seemingly abandoned. Indeed, one could easily mistake the cabin for just another abandoned holiday home, save for two incongruous things...

The first is well maintained shooting range at the back of the cabin, hidden from the road. The other is the lights in the windows and the smoke rising from the chimney. At that point the cars outside might also give a bit of a clue.

Inside the cabin, Bucky is busy in the kitchen. Warm air from the stove has started to fog up the windows, and the smell of fresh fish and delicious sides has been permeating the ground floor of the cabin for a while. It's almost like a Christmas scene, albeit nearly a month late, and with a very non traditional family in attendance. He is, of course, wearing his 'Shoot the cook, I dare you' apron.

The kitchen, much like the rest of the cabin, is decorated in the style of the late 1930's. While it does have electricity, it is lacking in practically anything modern. Even the phone is rotary. It is, in short, the refuge of a man who sometimes does not want to be found, and has fond memories of a time long past.

The kind of place you need to be told about if you ever want to see it.

From the sizzling pots and pans, Bucky calls out to the dining room and living room "Ready in five."

Nick Drago has posed:
Nick does not have an apron with veiled threats on the fabric. His attire is not at all chosen to state that he is engaged in such an activity. But as the musician uses a pot holder to tilt a freshly retrieved pan of roasted potatoes to pour the contents into a serving dish, it is apparent Nick's helping out. With the pan freshly emptied, the musician moves over to rest the hot pan in one of the sink basins, not on the side for washing but to indicate it's ready for it. They can find out who draws the short straw after dinner.

Nick pauses, looking to the cabinets before he remembers where he got the last serving dish, and sets to grab another for one of the pans.

It should not be a surprise that Nick accepted the invite to the cabin. The Trisk gets old after awhile and unlike the last cabin, he figures this stay might be a bit more pleasant.

Thank you HYDRA for setting the bar so low.

Steve Rogers has posed:
Poor roads.

But hardly impassable. Steve had made a promise to Bucky: He'd be there. He's been offworld for awhile and it's clear there are things that need discussing between them. There is surely no surprise when knuckles rap against the door in a steady rhythm that Bucky would recognize: an old army tune that would be sung during regiment travel.

If the door was opened (or just unlocked), Steve walks in wearing a heavy coat to protect against the cold, his beard neatly shaven and his dirty blonde hair properly styled.

"Freezing out there." A winning smile on his face. "What'd I miss?"

Sarah Connor has posed:
Sarah drove into the woods as usual, pulled into the cabin's space. But she wasn't expecting such a crowd. Sure she could make out Bucky's vehicle - but the rest? Maybe this wasn't a good idea. Still she turned off the engine and debated: should she, or shouldn't she?

She could just practice her guns? Just go out to the woods and fire a few.. dozen.. hundred.. rounds off. She really almost did that.

Except Bucky did invite her, even if he didn't tell her the whole truth.

Okay. She would show up at the cabin, make her hello's and be done with it. And taking a pistol out of her glove box, and slipped it into her back holster, and then and only then, approached the cabin. And knocked.

James Barnes has posed:
On the rug in front of the roaring fireplace, Lilli lifts up her head and traipses to the door. Possibly she heard Bucky shout 'five minutes' and expect a certain visitor, or possibly she knows Steve's footsteps by now, even through the snow. Whatever the mysterious canine sense that compelled her, she's waiting by the door to greet him, her second most favorite human being.

Inside, the table is set for four... not three. Either Bucky forgot how to count, or he's expecting more company.

"Make yourself at home, Steve." the man himself shouts from the kitchen, fairly certain that there will be no great difficulty to achieve this.

Cookery happens in the kitchen, the arcane and alchemical magic of creating food from raw ingredients on a wood stove in cast iron skillets and pots. It's all very low tech, and only one step above cooking over a camp fire... but then again, he had his best meals around a camp fire, so possibly this is just another form of tangible nostalgia. He catches sight of something out the window, a subtle flash of light as something reflects off a polished surface in the back garden, occasioned by the setting sun glinting off a car, and so he nudges Nick. "Would you mind getting the door? Our last guest is arriving."

Nick Drago has posed:
Hearing the door open, Nick turns his head briefly to the newcomer. Hearing Steve's voice, the musician gives a slight smile and turns back to set the next serving dish down. Potholder still in hand, he moves over to the stovetop to grab another pan, this time around for a batch of candied sweet potatoes.

As the last of the orange tinted root vegetable lands in the dish, Bucky's request is heard. "Sure." He replies, shifting over to set the second pan with the other one. Potholder set on the counter, he shuffles off to the door.

As he opens it up, he nods in greeting to Sarah. "Just in time. Dinner's almost ready." He steps aside, waving her in.

Steve Rogers has posed:
"10-4, Buck." Steve remarks as he takes off his coat, revealing a white V-neck T-shirt and blue jeans. He turns his attention towards the set table, and he takes into account Bucky, Nick, and himself. "Who's our number four?" Steve asks the room, just as a knock echoes from the door.

Nick was asked, not him, and he watches the man go towards the door. "Good to see ya." he remarks to Phantasm, before he sees Sarah through the open door, his arms crossed over his chest. "Hi there." Quick greeting delivered, he looks Bucky's way. "Need any help Buck?"

Even if he's looking at Sarah somewhat skeptically, Bucky must trust her to tell her about this place. Friend of his is a friend of Steve's.

Sarah Connor has posed:
Nick Sarah knew. Maybe this wouldn't be too bad. He at least knew her and the stories that she was giving herself. He knew, and she knew, that they were a bunch of bull, but he also knew that he wasn't going to get more out of her, and left it at that.

She nodded as she stepped over the doorstep. "Dinner? Smells gre.."

And there she froze. "Who's that?" With a jerk of her chin she points to Steve. Unlike Steve she has a suspicious frown upon her lips. Still this is Bucky's place, he couldn't be that bad - could he?

She will hold her opinion until she has had a little bit of time to review him on her own.

James Barnes has posed:
"Could use some help with the potatoes." Bucky calls from the kitchen to Steve's offer of help. True, he has in the past gone undercover as a waiter or maitre d'hotel so many times that he could stack plates like a professional, but it's always best not to reveal all of your tricks. Besides, it does give him the chance to speak privately with Steve in the kitchen.

Which he does while finishing up the main fish course. "Sarah is one of those people I wanted to introduce you to, Steve. She's got reasons to be suspicious of practically everyone, so... " Cloak, meet dagger. Surreptition and tact. The word, in fact, is mum. Diplomatic mode, engaged.

"Right, who's hungry?" he calls into the dining room and starts to carry plates to the table. Freshly caught fish in a white sauce seems to be on offer, and given that the lake is close by, those fish are likely to be very fresh indeed.

Nick Drago has posed:
Nick looks over to Steve as Sarah asks about him. "Oh that's Steve Rogers." He answers, looking over to Sarah, expression not at all concerned with the man going into the kitchen to help Bucky. "Friend of Bucky's." He pauses to see if any recognition has set at the mention of the name before he adds on. "You know...Captain America. Good guy."

As Bucky makes the final call for dinner, Nick smiles to Sarah and gestures towards the table. "And I'm sure you remember Lilli. Pick a seat, get comfortable. I'll be right back with some of the food."

Quasi introductions made, Nick scurries off to the kitchen to grab the roasted potatoes and the (not really a potato) candied sweet potatoes. The youngest person in the cabin moves quick, not leaving Sarah alone for too long. Just in case there's more questions.

"Do you want beer, water, or soda?" He asks Sarah as he sets the serving dishes down at the table.

Probably beer. But she could surprise him.

Steve Rogers has posed:
Bucky needs a hand on potatoes! Steve grew up during the Great Depression. If he knows how to cook /anything/, it's potatoes. "Heard, chef." Steve playfully remarks to Bucky as he uncrosses his arms and moves for the kitchen to help as necessary.

"She seems nice." He mutters approvingly to Bucky, before he turns his eyes to Sarah. "Good to meet you Sarah. I'm Steve. Thanks for being here." He gives her the kindest smile in the world. Captain America.

"Thanks Nick, I appreciate the compliment." He grins at the fellow. "Can I have a water?"

Sarah Connor has posed:
Surely Bucky didn't cross her?

~Paranoid aren't you?~ Sarah told her brain to quit arguing with herself. After all she had good reasons to be paranoid. He had promised to look the other way with SHIELD (and truthfully, she didn't trust him entirely on that). But he never promised to tell anybody else..

Steve Roger rang a bell. But it took Nick to say 'Captain America' to click. Sure he was Bucky's friend, but why was he here? Unless that Clint fellow wanted another person to bug Sarah for a chip to be given over to be tested.

Low blow, Bucky - if that was your plan.

"Water." She could accept beer or wine, but she never really drank them. Every minute of every day was dangerous. She had to keep her wits about her. Of course, Lilli she remembered, with a fond smile. "Of course I remembered her." Lilli was the safest one of the crowd.. sort of.

Sarah picked the seat with a beeline to the door. Not that she announced it. But Bucky most certainly notices. Perhaps Steve.

Nodding to Steve, "I guess the water is popular around here." And she almost smiled. *Almost*

James Barnes has posed:
It's the small touches that make the meal. Fresh fish, freshly made sauce, several fresh side dishes, each made by a different person... Steve could do things to a potato that would make it proud to have been roused out of its barrel in the root cellar and chopped up. The whole meal would not have gone amiss during a particularly important occassion during the Great Depression, when a family would eat together because there was only so much food to go around, and everything had to be locally sourced, caught, or stolen from within a one mile radius.

But it's also the unlocked front door, the reflective surfaces so people can check behind them if they so wish, the very clear and open space between table and door to make it clear that nobody needs to stay any longer than they're comfortable with. Some thought has gone into this meal.

"Beer for me, thank you." After all, getting drunk wasn't something Bucky had to worry about, and beer would go well with the fish.

"Have a seat everyone, c'mon. Don't let it get cold. Help yourselves, there's plenty."

Whatever the reason for this gathering, it seems Bucky won't let it spoil dinner.

Nick Drago has posed:
Nick lifts a brow. Okay. Surprise it is. Bucky's request for a beer gets a smile. "Alright two waters and a beer it is." With some general drink orders in, the musician moves back into the kitchen and heads over to the fridge, pulling out the respective bottles. Unlike Steve and Sarah, Nick grabs himself a beer. As far as he can tell, his life is pretty much F***ed up already anyways and dammit, he's going to at least enjoy a beer when he has an opportunity to.

Just not Asgardian Ale.

Never again.

Hands full, Nick makes his way back to the table, setting the sealed water and beer bottles down in front of their respective requestors. Nick's beer is already opened, saving him the task of bringing out the Church Key.

He helps himself to the food, taking care to enjoy each bite before business is gotten to. With such a guest list, there's likely something amiss.

Steve Rogers has posed:
Steve brings the potatoes to the table, setting it down and plating it decently as he collects his serving when Bucky calls for dinner to begin. Steve half-expected to say Grace, but they're going straight to it, so he just mutters one under his breath before he starts taking bites of his food. Nick coming with his water is met with a kind smile.

"Thanks Nick." Surely Steve has no intention to get anything from Sarah. "H2O's always popular. I can't get drunk, so I don't drink too often unless it's vintage bourbon." Remember Dum Dum Dugan. Long May he reign.

"So what have you been up to lately Nick? Been doing okay?" Cue small talk! Bucky hasn't brought up the reason they have assembled here, so Cap is going to indulge in idle chat.

Sarah Connor has posed:
The food smelled delicious . "It sure beats the diner leftovers." As though Sarah ate that often. To keep her physique she didn't eat there very often. And at one point in her life she could cook over a fire.

That was new.. Sarah frowned. "You can't get drunk, Steve?" The way he said it it didn't sound like he shouldn't, but it was physically impossible. She piled a portion of food upon her plate.

James Barnes has posed:
"Some people would call that a blessing, some people would call that a curse." Bucky interjects, when Sarah asks about Steve's inability to get drunk. "Personally, I don't miss it much. And I get to enjoy the beer more." With a nod to his dinner companions, Bucky lifts his bottle and pops the cap off with his left thumb, then has a good slug. It might be at this very moment that some of his friends start to realise he's not wearing gloves. The black and gold vibranium hand is perfectly visible.

He's grateful that Steve is taking charge of the small talk, because that is by no means his strong point.

Nick Drago has posed:
Nick glances up from his Fish and potato potato potatoes. Taking the bottle to his lips, he sips, washing down the bite of food before he sets the bottle back. A glance is given to Bucky, uncertain to what he's to-

It's Steve. Bucky probably told him everything.

But maybe not Sarah.

"Well, considering things I'm still breathing." Nick replies, "About the beer thing. Have you ever tried Asgardian Ale? That stuff is strong. A shot of it would probably do it."

Steve Rogers has posed:
"Physically can't." Steve remarks to Sarah, a small frown on his face. "Life took me down strange roads." he yields, taking a fork-full of potatoes and down the hatch it goes.

"I'm a bit of both, Buck. I don't enjoy the taste of too much of if so I feel left out at parties."

"I have. Thor gave me a small drink of it. I managed not to be paralyzed."

Sarah Connor has posed:
Sarah grits her teeth. "I swear, if I didn't know you as well as I do.." Meaning Bucky's hand. "Or is that the reason, Bucky? And while we're the topic of me and verboten subjects, tell Clint that this is not going to get him the data chip. I still don't think it's a good idea."

With her fork she punctuates the sentence to make her point, before taking a bite of potatoes and fish.

Nick gets guffaw. "Never trust anything you can't pronounce. Actually, I never trust anyone's ale." Beer. Wine. Liquor. Gone were the days when Sarah went to a rave and let loose. It was a lifetime ago.

"Actually, it must be nice to not suffer the consequences of alcohol." Looking between Bucky and Steve. She nods to Steve. "So now that that is out of the way, Bucky wanted us to meet, so.. now what? What do you want to know about me?"

When she isn't pretending to be another person, she can be blunt.

James Barnes has posed:
"Noted." Bucky nods, but just continues eating. "And Clint doesn't know anything about this. Clint doesn't even know this place exists." Point made, perhaps? Whatever this is about, it's not about any data chip... but the message will probably end up getting passed on anyway.

Lilli lifts her head as she detects heightened tension in the air, but an affectionate ruffle of her ears from her number one human settles her down again. Of course she's laying loyally next to Bucky's seat, not even begging for scraps. Possibly she knows that there will be a feast for her later on.

But that still leaves the mystery of why Bucky has invited this inner circle to this secret place. Surely it's not just for a shared meal? With Bucky, however, it's always hard to tell what he's planning.

Cue the non-sequitur "So, Nick, when's your next concert?"

Nick Drago has posed:
Nick tilts his head to the comment. "Paralyzed?" He repeats. He knows for certain that there is no way he handled that ale better than a super soldier who can't get drunk. "Just how much is Thor's idea of a 'small' drink?"

Bucky's question ends up drawing the musician's attention away. Nick frowns. "I don't know. We tried to start back up and then there was that incident at the shelter. Wade's held off on bookings since then, so it probably depends on what got found last month wouldn't it?"

Nick pauses. "...also when the back gets cleared." He adds in with a grumble.

Steve Rogers has posed:
Steve was eating his food, casually enjoying himself. But he looks up from his meal when Sarah wants to know what's going on. She asks an extremely blunt question: what did they want to know about her? Steve was silent, since he knew *nothing* about Sarah, only that she had habits relating to paranoia. Though he shrugs. "Well, where are you from Sarah?" Just keeping it casual.

Hell, he doesn't even know if anything Bucky has them here for is related to Sarah. So he's just going to keep up the casual talk until Bucky wants to talk about it. He turns his attention then to Nick. "Well, it's about the size of a full mug, believe it or not. Thor's palate and tastes are...extensive. A small drink to him could probably clear an entire table of 'mortals'." He lifts up his silverware to cover for the missing airquotes.

"But Don't let that scare you. Is Wade your talent agent?" Steve asks with a smile. "But, well, I'm sure Buck wouldn't mind maybe a small taste of your music." He teases the pair of them, before he nods at Nick. "Yeah. He once gave a sip of it to some veterans and we had to carry them out. It was...kind of bad. Made them all cupcakes as an apology."

Sarah Connor has posed:
"Sorry Lilli."

Sarah lets go of a big breath. "~They are on the move again, Bucky. It seems that now that John has hit adulthood, they are trying everything they can to shut down the beginnings of the rebels before it can grow.~" She drops her voice as she tells Bucky in Spanish. There are holes in her story even so. "~They attacked Clint the other day, trying to get his location from him.~"

To Steve, "I was born on the West Coast. Though I have travelled around since then." Eating her fish in between statements. It seems reasonable? But is she from there?

James Barnes has posed:
"~We'll discuss that in a bit~" It seems Bucky's grasp of languages is still excellent, because that was faultless Spanish with a distinct Columbian accent as he replies to Sarah, and finishes off his potatoes a la Steve.

That gives him time to nod over to Nick. "Right. Well, you might want to tell him to get a move on before all the good venues are booked. We did a full check of the Kentucky site and started the inventory of the library... best we can tell, all the files they had on you were in there. You can keep them when you pack up your stuff from the Triskellion..." a short pause. "If you want to move out, that is. You've got the makings of a good agent, Fury would try to kill me if I didn't at least ask."

Then to Steve "Nick's one of those artists we'll never understand, except he makes an effort to be understood. You should check out his music, but I've heard his acting work got some pretty unfair critique lately."

He lets Sarah answer the question that he's sure Steve meant innocently, unaware of the background, smiling at the answer and returning to apply fork and knife to fish.

Nick Drago has posed:
Nick's brows rise as Steve mentions the quantity. "Geez, yeah- that is, probably way too much." He nods in agreement to the taking out mortals comment. "That's definitely more of a shot glass type of serving- When you're not planning to drive afterwards." Or walk far. He looks over to Sarah, "Or listen to loud jarring sounds later." His glance lingers on Sarah for a few moments afterwards while she's speaking in tongues. Eavesdropping or making a point about her noise making? Who knows.

Would it be eavesdropping though? She's sitting right there.

He glances to his plate as she starts talking about Clint.

When Bucky brings the topic back over towards his situation, he glances up, listening to the findings. "...So- As far as we can tell, they're done with me?" Nick gives a blank look, processing it for a moment before the side of his lip tilts up to a small smile.

He could get back to his music.

Probably have to put some added security in place but-

The other side of his lip starts to join the other in the expression.

Until the agent option's brought up on the table.

"No agent." Nick responds quickly. "I'm fine with helping from time to time. But you're ignoring a LOT of things that would make that a BAD idea. In the spirit of what I told Clint and what I was oh so politely reminded of by Hunter.... Are you crazy?! I'm still on Netflix!"

Steve Rogers has posed:
The 'talking' in another language would normally maybe be met with some skepticism, but Steve doesn't really mind it. He understands that sometimes you don't trust everyone else at the table. He gives a glance between James and Sarah, as if pondering if he should stick his head into their business while understanding the language, but instead he just keeps his eyes on the table in front of him, though hearing that people attacked Clint makes one of his brows raise.

But he says nothing. Not his secret to keep.

Bucky talking to him make him smile then. "Interesting. I'll add it to the list." The infamous 'list' of Steve catching up on things he's missed in the past 80 some-odd years. He's been able to listen and do some of the things on the list, but he's a workaholic. He'll find time.

Someday.

He looks at Nick. "Yep." Steve laughs. "But don't worry, he's a nice guy." He teases him then. "You're on Netflix?"

Steve sets down his silverware and actually /pulls out/ his notebook. A quick little jot right quick. "They should stay away from you if they got the memo. Though if you've got the talent and the skill, you should really consider joining SHIELD."

Sarah Connor has posed:
Sarah nods at Bucky, and apologizes to the others. "I should have brought it up today. It was just.." She spreadsheet hands wide, and shrugs. Then frowns.

"Are you in trouble Nick?" Other than her resident problem. Which it has been as she had warned them: get closer to Sarah, and all bets are off.

Then Stevve speaks up, and suddenly something went off in her brain. Steve Rodgers was /also/ an Agent of SHIELD. Underneath her breath she cursed. "Figures. Look, I really do not know why Bucky wanted you to meet me, but as far as I can tell, in the upper echelons of Agents I'm beginning to bet I have met a good three quarters of you. What's up with that?"

Sarah scowled at Bucky.

James Barnes has posed:
"Because you're one of the few people alive that knows why we have an exo-temporal threat knocking on our door." Bucky answers, finishing his fish this time. Food first, then revelations it seems. He glances around the table for his use of the term 'exo-temporal' "What? One of the eggheads used that term, I thought it sounded intelligent enough to remember."

Putting his cutlery the right way around to show that he's finished eating (because manners maketh man), Bucky glances from Steve, to Nick, to Sarah. "You have my word that you can trust everyone around this table, Sarah. But you tell them only what you want to share."

Finally, to Steve. "It's something you need to hear, because unless my guess is way off, this is going to involve the Avengers sooner or later. Best you know about it before it all hits the fan."

Nick Drago has posed:
"Yeah... The most recent one was A Call of the Wild miniseries. " Nick answers, either not registering if the joking is at his expense or Bucky's or not caring. When Steve also makes a general endorsement for considering, the musician grabs his beer and starts to sip it.

And then Sarah asks about his own trouble.

The bottle lowers, setting back on to the table. "For the past year or so I've had a LOT of time to myself to consider the not so subtle hints." He looks over to Bucky, "I've found that most of my life has been manipulated and quite possibly the only thing I have had any control over is music and performance. Something I haven't really been able to truly do for awhile and now that I can..."

Nick pauses, shaking his head. "You guys have my number and so does Tony. I have yet to say 'No' to any of you when asked for help. But damn it. I'm going to say 'No' to the agent thing."

Steve Rogers has posed:
"No apologies necessary, Sarah. You're a nice girl, so no harm done." Steve makes no remark on knowing what they had said in their chat, and he is quick to move on from it. "Though I wouldn't worry about the Agents of SHIELD thing. We're remarkably easy to find, apparently." He teases her, before he looks at Bucky.

A long, lingering look. Then he sets his cutlery down and clasps his hands in front of him. "Alright then." He turns his head to Nick as he wraps up speaking. "Thank you for reminding me I need to chat with Tony. He's going to be upset I put it off so long." Then he chuckles. "That's alright. Maybe one day you'll change your mind."

He turns his eyes towards Sarah then. "Don't feel pressured. We're here."

Sarah Connor has posed:
"Fuck." Grumble-mutters. "Fair enough. But I would have preferred to skip this portion of my life, and get on with living. Nice fish, by the way. Did you catch them by yourself?" Sarah sighs then. "You know you are bringing it on yourself Bucky. But I guess you are right. You can't put the ills of the world in Pandora's box back in once you have opened it."

She doesn't finish the myth with the part that makes it bearable: Hope. In Pandora's Box, the myth also has hope.

She looks around the table. "It seems, Steve, you're the only one who hasn't met my exo-temporal problem face to face. It's becoming more of a problem despite my doing everything possible to keep it under wraps."

Not surprising, with the aging of John. Of course the terminators were more active! They wanted their own future as opposed to the one that Sarah, and ultimately her son John, were fighting for.

But Sarah grinned to herself over Nick's statement. "Sure, and I have kept my secret." She shakes her head.

James Barnes has posed:
As the explanations begin, Bucky starts to clear the table for those who are done eating and retreats into the kitchen for a moment. Possibly there may be dessert. "She's talking about human looking killer robots from the future." He calls from somewhere in the kitchen, although judging by the echoes he's probably somewhere in or near the fridge. "Bad ones. Imagine me on a bad day, and you're nearly there."

The dessert turns out to be strawberry icecream, served in metal bowls. "It was going to be chocolate if Nick said yes to the agent thing, strawberry if no. So with the strawberry, consider the topic closed as far as I'm concerned."

Because he respects choices like this, given that few people ever get to make them.

"For what it's worth, these killers have already come after me, and at least once they've gone for Nick. Not knowing about them doesn't help."

Nick Drago has posed:
Nick looks to the ice cream being doled out and then blinks to Bucky as he explains how the flavor was decided on. He shrugs, "I like strawberry." No regrets for the loss of the other option, Nick takes the spoon, accepting that the topic is closed.

For now.

When Bucky mentions the Terminators going after them, he does give a nod of confirmation before getting another spoonful.

Steve Rogers has posed:
"Exo-temporal?"

That's Steve's first question. But he listens to the rest first before he starts talking. "Why are we keeping it under wraps instead of telling people to be ready? Are they just after you?" Steve asks, before he turns his attention to Bucky. Bad robots from the future? "Okay." Steve learned to stop asking questions when alien invaders attacked the first time. Then there were killer robots.

Then there's aliens helping them. It's a long story.

They've come after Bucky and Nick. "Should I watch my back?" Steve asks, notably a given, but he wants to know if he should watch steps for the next while.

"What specs are we dealing with these machines?"

Sarah Connor has posed:
"Add Clint to your numbers." Sarah sighs at Bucky, then turns to Steve. "Look, you probably are in trouble anyways, but you should back out now." Like she believes he would.. Not!

Sarah waits for a moment, and then shrugs and carries on. "These ..things.. are terminators. Or that's what we call them. From the future. In the future they have taken over the world, or at least tried to. My ..son ..is the patient zero who will take them out if nothing stops him. They've seen it in myriads of futures. He is the one who will stop them."

"So, because of that, they have been sent back to this time to eliminate him. And by extension, me. I've kept him alive this whole time, under the radar. Last year he became an adult, and because of that, they have tried harder to kill him. What I can't figure out is why are they attacking you? You aren't part of the Human Resistance. I've tried my best to keep you at bay."

(Sorry Bucky!)

"I can't figure it out. They seem to have dropped me in favour of you."

James Barnes has posed:
Taking a moment to hand Lilli a treat for being a good girl and not begging for scraps, Bucky sits back down and applies himself to the dessert. It's the one concession to having a kitchen rather than a campfire, and probably only included because you can only impersonate a high class chef or waiter so often before something elementary rubs off on you. That, and Howard's serious question of 'but how do you keep the ice cream cold?' when told about how the Howling Commandos cooked in the field became a running joke. Thus, ice cream.

"The problem seems to be that, once you know about them, you become their enemy, Steve. And as for why they're attacking me and would attack you, that's simple..." he looks over to Sarah, actually pausing in his eating while he does "... we're the kind of people who don't quit until the job is done." Then a shrug and he continues to eat "And we're somewhat experienced when it comes to resistance fighting."

HYDRA, Nazi Germany, Aliens, Killer Robots From The Far Future... it's all one and the same to the Winter Soldier.

Nick Drago has posed:
Nick shrugs, "The one in the diner didn't seem to like it when I tapped into my abilities. It was like he suddenly couldn't see me or something of that nature." He gets another spoonful of ice cream, "Or it could have been distracted by Bucky fighting it. The parts that ran it were in the head so once I swept them out it was a matter of Bucky stomping the shit out of them."

Basic summary of his incident given, he puts the icecream into his mouth. A brow raises as he looks to Sarah. A free hand raises, lifting up a finger to indicate he forgot to say something which is rectified once the bite of ice cream is consumed. "Oh and fire. Burn the parts afterwards so the other ones can't use the spare parts." He pauses for a moment, playing through the possible notes to give before he nods, getting another scoop of ice cream into the mouth.

Steve Rogers has posed:
"No thank you."

Steve was brought into this, he's not going to back out easily. If the Nazi's couldn't do it, or any of the numerous kinds of enemies that have been deemed 'too much' for the world to be able to handle, he's not going to shy away at the thought of futuristic machines. 'Terminators...and they're after your son because he'll eventually be the reason why they lose?" Steve is just making sure that he has everything down pat.

"Okay....how old is your son? When is he supposed to defeat them?"

Not only that, Sarah is making it sound like efforts to stop them fail in the future and they all lose. Or so that's the implication.

He nods once at Bucky. "Then I'm their enemy." Well, that was easy. "Which means-" He smiles at Sarah. "You and I are bound to be great friends."

He turns to look at Nick. "So it relies on scanning to see." Steve remarks. "We can play with that. And make sure none of them can use the scrap metals of the others. I'm good with that."

Sarah Connor has posed:
"They're machines. The CPU is hidden in the brain, behind the ear. You need to disconnect from the rest. They can rebuild from the tiniest pieces." So far, Sarah has not touched her ice cream. "You have a minute and thirty second to disengage the CPU before it reboots. And because they are machines, they can be stripped of all their parts, essentially, and still kill you."

"Frankly, under normal circumstances, you would not be able to tell apart from a human. They are incredibly adept at being anyone - it could be your best friend, and you would be aware of it. There's a reason I keep myself away from other people. I can't trust anybody. And most of all, if you know me, you are victims at some point."

To this day she can't forgive herself for putting Charlie in danger.. and leaving him the way she did to protect him.

"We thought we had defeated them at one time. We were wrong." And how. "They somehow made it. They want to have dominion over the world. Someone said they were like Sentinels? Not quite. They are sentient, and have a main frame.. somewhere. Until we learn *where* we are at a disadvantage. . The most we have learned is as one point was it was, or is, under the name SkyNet."

As Steve says they are destined to be great friends, she looks to Bucky first, then back to Steve with a frown "Have you not heard what I have been telling you? Not only have I got an assassins mark on my forehead.. But I am wanted by the FBI. Really you don't want to know me."

So far she still avoided talking about John - other than he was crucial for the future of the world.

James Barnes has posed:
"Wanted by SHIELD to, actually." Bucky helpfully clarifies for Steve. "She's on the main board, by the watercooler. Y'know, the one we walk past every day. That's the reason for the cloak and dagger meeting. I had a good idea where you stood on this, but I still thought it was best we had you two talking somewhere... neutral." And out of the way, so the resulting property damage would have been minimal.

"And I figured, if they can be anyone, how can I be sure it's the real people showing up?" Mhmmm, ice cream... and fish. And potatoes... In short, a lot of food, and Bucky was pretty sure robots didn't need to eat and probably never mastered the habit. "And I was going to come out here for some ice fishing anyway."

Having said his piece, he leans back in his chair, watching each of them, one after the other. Maybe Sarah's son is the one that's destined to defeat the Terminators, but he'll soon find help from the people around this table. Just like in the old days, when the resistance cells in France needed a bit of backup, or military advice. It was always in a place pretty much like this, around a table laden with what food was available. Maybe he's yearning for the old days, and has finally found another war worth fighting?

"You find friends in the most unlikely places."

Nick Drago has posed:
Nick nods to Bucky, giving a slight smirk "Picking up art supplies. And there was that paparazzo right outside."

He chuckles, "You were NOT happy with that guy. He was lucky his camera stayed in one piece."

Steve Rogers has posed:
"Yep."

Steve has great ears. "But clearly you haven't been listening to us." Steve remarks to Sarah as he fully sets his silverware down, his food ignored for the moment. "Everyone at this table is willing to help you in some capacity. Regardless of which wanted board your on or who is after you. If we were after you, surely you would know you would've been detained already."

He smiles at her warmly. "I wouldn't worry about it, honestly. Not from us. I've seen the posters at the Triskelion." He then hums. "How do you defeat this SkyNet? Sounds like you've already done quite a bit of homework. How /exactly/ does your son manage to beat them?"

He turns to look at Bucky. "We've all been anted by SHIELD at one point or another. At this point, that's how they do their recruiting." He teases his best friend, before looking back at Sarah.

"You're not alone anymore. That means something."

Sarah Connor has posed:
Sarah was following Bucky's thoughtline. "The newer ones do eat. It helps them pass for humans more readily.. Really? SHIELD too? Fuck." She shakes her head. "In other words you probably knew about me before I told you." Like her last name - her *real* last name. Amongst other choice bits of her history.

Bucky was a weird man to say the least.

And for whatever the reason was, SHIELD was looking the other way (for now) about her. Which made her a little bit worried..

But Steve kept on talking, regardless of her protests. "All of you?" She looks around the table. "Come on Steve, I can't imagine you as a criminal." Nick? Possibly. Bucky? For sure. But Steve?

She took a deep breath. "As far as I know, it has to do with the mainframe at some point. Which, unfortunately, we have no clue anymore where it is. We thought we had gotten before. I guess we were wrong."

James Barnes has posed:
"Hey, that guy had his camera in your face." And Bucky in frame as well, but he's not saying that bit out loud. "By the way, those sketch pads you recommended were just what I was looking for. They're the only brand I buy now."

There's always more than one side to James Buchanan Barnes, and few people would peg him for someone who got his art degree rather than, say, a postgraduate degree in applied violence. But there you have it.

Spoon scrapes metal bowl as Bucky finishes his ice cream, not looking up as he answers Steve "Best way to recruit if you ask me. And you gave them a good chase, they had to call me in at the end. Ended up working out alright as I seem to recall." Yup, there's a wink there at the end. Some things would need too much explaining.

Lastly though, he has a smile for Sarah. "Haven't you heard? When we do it, it's not criminal, it's ... how do we usually phrase it? A preliminary strike, or an asset recovery mission. Strategically Transporting Equipment to Another Location. A fact finding mission. Fury has hundreds of these, and once we find that mainframe, you can bet it'll be nuked from orbit..." slight pause "... figuratively speaking."

Further pause, and then, because Bucky is essentially an honest man, he is compelled to add...

"Probably."

Nick Drago has posed:
"That he did." Nick confirms of Bucky's defense regarding the camera. "And good. I still use that brand too when I can find them. Right price point but not cheaped out."

Nick looks over to Steve to the mention of each of them being wanted by SHIELD. "Well, wanted by one of the acronyms at least." He pauses, looking to Bucky, "The only list of SHIELD's I'm on is the one I voluntarily went on, right?"

Yep. Someone here is not privy to the AARs.

Sarah Connor has posed:
"I don't think it's that simple. Remember, if it were, the terminators would be up to the eyeballs in SHIELD business.." And they still might be. "..trying to undermine things from there. Not to mention, you guys would be sent on missions that would be considered worse than dangerous with only a minute chance of survival. It all comes down to my son. As far as I know, either it is protected from nukes, or he needs to rewrite some code to finish all of them at one time. And frankly, I am betting on the code."

Still, for some reason Sarah felt more secure than less with them being.. oh she hate's this term.. friends of hers.

It would take some getting used to though!

"Come to think of it, they might be in SHIELD proper. Don't mention me. At all." Back to her paranoid demeanour.. It will tke some time. Baby steps.

James Barnes has posed:
"You have my word on that." Bucky smiles at Nick, and stands up. There was a meal, which he hopes was a good one, for his friends. There had been dessert. There is, when you get right down to it, quite a bit of mess in the kitchen.

So, it was time for the most dangerous gambit of the entire evening. But before that, he gives a solemn nod to Sarah.

"Noted. But honestly, we're used to that kind of thing." Another wink at Steve. Wouldn't be the first time someone or something infiltrated SHIELD. And missions with only a minute chance of survival? That was SHIELD taco night.

But, it is time... "Right, who wants to help me with the dishes?"