My Little Soldier

Chapter 9

It's been five weeks. Five whole weeks since Bucky came into Sam's home and made himself at home. Sam loved the little boy, he always made sure the boy was within eye sight. He made sure he had what he wanted. Call it spoiling, but after these few harsh days of Bucky coming off of the sleep medicine and going on to the anxiety medication, he deserved it.

But there was progress. Major progress. Bucky could walk, with some help and at his pace but he had enough strength to walk. Sam felt like a first time dad watching their kid walk for the first time. He could walk wherever there was something to hold to. Such as the ledge of the couch or a chair. But he was walking.

Another improvement was Bucky's speech. He got the pronunciation of all letters up to T. And it seemed to unlock the vocabulary he already knew, which was surprisingly a lot. Along came with the achievement of Bucky saying dada. It also made Sam very happy.

But there was a downside to all this progress, Bucky's mental state was coming out full force now. He woke up at least twice every night from a nightmare. Sam didn't know what to do for him. Also because Bucky was getting stronger, he was beginning to hurt himself whenever these memories assaulted him. He hit his legs or hit his arm against whatever was next to him, he didn't seem to know he was doing it but those bruises bothered Sam to his core.

"Dada?" Bucky asked from the dining table.

"Yes?"

"Go, go."

"Where do you want to go?" Sam asked. Bucky stared at him, obviously his mind hadn't thought of that part yet. "How about this? Let's stop by my work so I can pick up my check then we can go out to eat. Good?"

"Good." Bucky said, climbing down from his chair. He got Sam's finger and they walked slowly to his room. Sam got his clothes and got him dressed.

"And maybe we can invite uncle Steve and auntie Nat to join us?" Sam said. Bucky nodded. Sam got himself dressed then they left home.

The first stop was the police department. He just needed to collect his check and a few reports. Bucky has never been in the police department. Hopefully this will be his only visit to this police department. Sam sat Bucky down on his chair while he printed out a few reports.

"Detective Wilson," said a new voice. He turned to see an old white man. "Alexander Pierce, Chief of Police." Oh, this was Fury's boss. The boss's boss.

"I'm sorry, sir, I don't usually see you around."

"It's alright, who is this little boy?"

"This is James, I'm watching him for a while."

"Nice to meet you, James." He held his hand out for a shake, Bucky was more focused on scribbling on the sticky notes on Sam's desk.

"He's not good with social skills yet."

"So I see, I will see you two around." He probably didn't think Sam noticed him staring at Bucky but he did.

"Hey Sam, hey Bucky." Nat said. "What brings you here?"

"I came to get my check and some reports and then we are going out to an early dinner."

"Oh nice."

"Would you and Steve like to come with us?"

"Yeah, I do need to shower though. I had to chase an idiot today a whole block for a simple possession. I swear sometimes I miss looking through a scope. But give Steve and I about an hour to clean up and we'll meet at the Maximoff's restaurant."

"Okay."

"Go, go?" Bucky asked.

"You talk?" Nat gasped.