Help Me To Heal

Chip

Lexie had been sat on the bench by the lake for the last hour, listening to the guys set up and get ready behind her. Her mind was blank as she stared out at the water, not daring to let any thoughts in, fearing she would end up in an overthinking spiral of despair.
It had been a strange day, her morning talk with Bucky had been the only time she had felt at ease, things with Steve were a little awkward, neither of them knowing how to act around each other. After all, last night both of them had felt something in the atmosphere, like it was going to be their last night together, like it was a final goodbye.
She looked up as she felt someone stood beside her, it was Steve in his Captain America uniform.

"Hi Lex"

"Hi" she smiled sadly up at him "You still look as good in that suit as you did the first day we met"

He chuckled softly "I hope you don't regret saving my life that day"

"Of course not, it was possibly the most bad ass thing I've ever done"

"You did look hot wielding that shotgun"

They laughed fondly together, the awkwardness melting away slightly as Steve sat down next to her. Taking her hand in his Steve's facial expression fell to a more solemn one.

"Lexie, I need to make sure you know that no matter what happens, I love you, I always will and I will never regret a single second of the time we have spent together. Can you promise me you'll try and remember that?"

"I promise" a tear fell down her cheek and Steve wiped it away with his thumb.

He stood up from the bench and kissed her lightly on the head. "It's time Lex"

She stood and after a moment she threw her arms around Steve and they held each other tightly for a few minutes "I love you Steve, no matter what."

They walked hand in hand over to where Bucky was stood, Steve let go of her and pulled Bucky in for a hug, whispering to him "take care of her Buck"

"I'm gonna miss you pal" Bucky said as they pulled back

"It's going to be OK Buck. Don't do anything stupid until I get back"

"How can I, you're taking all the stupid with you"

"How long is this going to take?" Questioned Sam as Steve climbed up on the the podium of the machine

"For us it will be 5 seconds, for Steve it will be as long as he needs" Bruce explained while fiddling with buttons and dials on the control panel in front of him. "You ready Cap?"

"I'm ready"

With one last smile at Lexie, Steve pressed the control on his wrist and his suit switched to his white quantum suit and the helmet came over his head.
With a buzz the machine kicked in to life and Steve vanished before their very eyes. Lexie could barely hear Bruce counting down over the sound of her own heartbeat.

"3.. 2.. 1.."

Nothing.

"Where is he? Bruce get him back" Sam sounded panicked, while Bruce desperately smashed at the control panel trying to figure out what could have gone wrong.

Lexie and Bucky turned to look at the lake and saw a figure sat at the bench "Sam, look" Bucky said pointing to the figure.
"Alexandria, you should go and talk to him first"

Lexie looked up at Bucky, tears and fear evident in her eyes "B-buck, I don't know if I c-can"

Buck placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder "you can do this doll, I'll be right here if you need me"