Bucky Barnes' Heartsong

Unexpected Company

I always thought myself nothing special. I work hard to provide for myself and my son and I keep my family and friends close but I really don't have much of a social life. Luke, my husband, he was the outgoing one. He was always the life of the party. He loved talking to people and telling them all these wonderful stories of the Avengers and their adventures. He was especially fascinated with the first Avenger. Captain America: Steve Rogers. 

He would read so much about his time in World War 2 and his fight with Red Skull. I remember the day that he returned Luke wanted to throw a welcome back Cap party at our house he was so excited. Those were the best of times. He tried to talk me into naming our son Steve but I just couldn't. We settled for Erik Steven. That appeased him. Luke was my best friend and being without him the last year has been a hell of an uphill battle. Erik was very young and barely remembers him. It breaks my heart but I manage to get us through. Everything in our lives was pretty average. Erik went to school and daycare. My sis helped with him some but it was mostly the two of us. I worked long hours at a medical care facility as a front desk girl. It paid enough along with Luke's life insurance to maintain us. Nothing fancy just a simple life. 

I was at work the day my life changed completely,

A simple blue sedan pulls into the parking lot.. Lyra walks to the front door and unlocks it she rushes to the alarm pad to shut it off and begins her daily morning routine of switching all the lights on and getting everything ready for the day. Soon enough the other girls arrive and the back medical staff begin getting everything prepared for patients to arrive. At 8 am sharp several patients with various minor medical needs come shuffling up to the front desk and Lyra and the other girls get them checked in, verify their insurance and prepare everything paper wise until the back calls them to a room. Her day went as it always did until about 7 pm. An hour till closing she hears a lot of loud noises in the distance. 

Chastity (coworker): "Was that gunfire? Oh my god someone turn the tv to the news. NOW!"

Lyra: "Alright, nobody jump to conclusions. I'll check."

She walks over to the TV and changes to the news: "News 9 on the scene of this crazy Avengers citing. Captain America Sam Wilson and Sargent James Barnes have two suspects cornered and are trying to apprehend them safely.  Shots have been fired and everyone in the immediate vicinity have been asked to remain inside and away from the action. We will continue to update...Wait is that... oh yes!  folks we can safely say that the suspects are now in police custody. Thank you Captain and Sargent Barnes." 

"See all clear, but wait why are they in Texas?" Lyra wonders aloud. 

Just then Lyra sees a blur of blue and black running in the direction of the clinic. Just before a person in a black hoodie opens the door and slowly walks to the counter. It's a man about 6 ft tall and breathing heavily like he just ran a marathon. 

"Whoa, you look like you could use a seat." She points him to a chair. 

He sits and begins to breath slower. She walks around the counter to him and hands him a bottle of water. 

"Here ya go sir. Now if I could get your id and insurance card I'll get you checked in quick so they can help you out in the back." 

The stranger has his hood up and a black mask covers his mouth and nose as per the center's protocol. He raises it from the bottom slightly to take a drink then puts it safely back into place. He looks up at Lyra's face and pauses for just a moment. 

"Yes, I'm gonna be a self pay. " He hands her his license and then puts his finger up to his face in a shh sign. 

Lyra wonders to herself: Well he's an odd duck... Then she looks at the id.