Annabelle Rogers - James 'Bucky' Barnes

Chapter Thirty - Six

Parking his motorbike in front of the run down apartment building Steve made his way over to the elevator. Not knowing if James even still lived there but knew it was the best place to start looking. As he walked in though it was empty, the air stale and everything so neat and clean with a mattress on the floor.

Looking for any indication as the where he could be Steve noticed the Chinese menu sitting on the counter. The same place Annabelle said they used to visit often, if anyone would know where he is that would be a great place to start.

Steve ran out of the building jumping on his bike heading down the road. Looking through the window he couldn't see anything. The restaurant was closed. Realising that it wouldn't be open until lunch time he headed over to the cafe across the road.

Sitting down outside he nursed his coffee, hiding behind his sunglasses and hat. Watching the restaurant and everything surrounding it. Not much was happening, people on their way to work, dog walkers and the occasional person out for a morning stroll.

Bringing his phone to his ear he tried to reach James again, and like every other time, it went to voicemail. He was struggling to wrap his head around what was going on, it wasn't like James to leave the ones he loves. He was worried for him.

"You know, that shield doesn't exactly blend in" A deep voice spoke from behind him.

"Buck?"

"Why are you here, Steve?"

James pulled out the chair, siting down across from Steve.

"It's Chip, ah umm A.B."

"Is she okay? What happened?" Panic grew in James voice as he leant closer to Steve.

"Her nightmares have gotten worse, she knocked both Thor and I unconscious this morning during one"

James leant back in his chair, processing this information.

"Her powers getting out of control?"

"Not out of control" Steve stated, thinking of another term. "Just -More intense. -She needs you Buck and I can see it in your eyes, you miss her too."

"I can't go back Steve, not until I finish up here"

"What, what are you doing here that is so important."

James let out a deep sigh before telling Steve everything that was going on. When James first left the compound he settled down at the apartment for the night, he was alone and hurt, emotionally drained so he fell asleep with no issues.

Since then though, since he left Annabelle. He keeps having nightmares of becoming the winter soldier again. They start out like any other nightmare, flash backs almost from his hydra set missions but now, they all ended in him killing Annabelle.

After countless therapy sessions and evaluations, they all came to the same conclusion. He still felt the guilt and being with Annabelle helped put a bandaid on it.

Though now he isn't with Annabelle 12 months worth of guilt has flooded back, along with the guilt from leaving Annabelle. Causing him to come up with a list of people to amend.

"I made a promised to myself that I wouldn't got back... to her..until I sort this out. It's a burden I don't want her to have."

"I don't think thats your choice to make, Buck." Steve's concern for his friend was growing the more he sat there with him, he seemed so lost.

"Look, I've got to go." James pushed away from the table, turning around to Steve one last time. "Call me if anything happens to her"

---

Focusing all of her power while mediating Annabelle focused on James. She had been using their connection for weeks to check up on him, make sure he was okay.

Eventually catching onto it James some how blocked her out of his head, which frustrated her more.

Today though, today she needed his comfort. Focusing on him she was met with his minds famous darkness, she hated knowing he goes through it everyday.

She could feel herself being pushed out of his subconscious but she wasn't giving up. Letting out a burst of power she forced her way through, being able to read his mind and see through his eyes.

He was crouched over leaning on a rundown basin, the bathroom had cracked tiles and an awful fluorescent light flickering behind him.

"Was wondering when you'd try again" He spoke to her through the mirror. "You need to move on Annabelle, I'm not good for you"

'Isn't it my job to make that decision?"

"Ha. That what Steve said"

"Just come back James, stop running away. Let yourself be happy!"

"As long as you're safe, I'm happy. Good bye, Doll."