Natasha was just about to throw her last knife when the training room door flew open. She whirled around in surprise, sending the knife straight into the doorframe, barely an inch from Ivan's face. She froze in shock for a moment, then quickly went and yanked the knife from the wood. Ivan glared at her, but didn't say anything. Coming into the room behind him was Madame Anya, and two men Natasha had never seen in the Academy before.

"They're both good, but they need to be challenged" Anya was saying " They can do that for each other". She gestured to Natasha and one of the men behind Ivan.

While they were discussing this, Natasha studied the man Anya had motioned to. He was standing quietly off to one side, staring at the floor, apparently not paying attention to the conversation. His dark hair was neatly trimmed and combed back, just barely covering his bright blue eyes. His clothes were clean, but worn and some what plain. His left arm was entirely made of silver metal, with a red star painted on the shoulder. He suddenly turned and looked Natasha in the eye. His fierce gaze was rather disconcerting, and made her feel fluttery and strange. She was relieved when Anya called her over and introduced the two men.

"Natasha, this is esteemed scientist Dr. Zola". She said. Dr. Zola was a short, mostly bald hobgoblin, with small wire rimmed glasses, and a white coat. He had a squinty expression like he'd been staring into the sun for most of his life. Anya turned to the man beside him.

" And this is Sergeant Barnes, who you'll be training with ".

" Yes ma'am ". Natasha said quickly.

Ivan said something to Sergeant Barnes, who said " Yes sir", and went to stand beside Natasha. Anya gave her a stern look, and then escorted Ivan and Dr. Zola from the room.

Once they were gone, Natasha turned, "Sergeant Barnes-"

He interrupted her. "Call me Bucky". " Is that your name?" His face grew dark, and he shook his head violently. "Just call me Bucky". He seemed upset, so she didn't press it.

" How do you want to start?" He glanced around the room, taking in the cases of weapons placed everywhere, and settled on a nearby rack of knives. He strode over to it, grabbed a knife, and was back before she could blink, the point leveled at her face. Natasha's eyes crossed trying to keep it in sight.

Bucky gave her a small smile, and mistakenly lowered his arm at the same time, prompting her to kick it out of his hands. Having anticipated the move, he grabbed her foot in mid air and twisted it, flinging her to the floor. She caught hold of his shirt to keep from falling, pulling him off balance so he fell on top of her. She ended up underneath him, but now she had the knife.

"Nice job Natasha" He said, and pulled her to her feet. She was slightly breathless, and not from the fight. The light in his blue eyes, and the smile tugging at his lips were distracting her, and making her blush.

After knife throwing, they moved on to hand-to-hand combat. When Bucky moved to grab her, she dropped to the ground and swept her leg out trying to knock him over. Instead, he grabbed her from behind and put his metal arm around her neck in a choke hold. She'd been in this hold before, and could get out easily, but she was having trouble this time. She was distracted by the feel of his warm breath on her neck, and his soft voice in her ear. What was wrong with her? She was a hardened killer, she didn't get all silly and girly over a hot guy! She probably would have made a fool of herself if Anya and Ivan hadn't come in just then.

"Let's go Sergeant Barnes" Ivan said.

"Yes sir". Bucky released Natasha and stepped back, his face blank.

Ivan nodded to Anya, then turned and strode from the room.

Bucky didn't even look at Natasha when he passed, just followed him out of the room.