Finding Love in France

Part 26: On The Road

They had piled into the back of the open vehicle with the Brits. Bucky had been able to convince their escorts to stop by the farm so they could pick up their few belongings, and Mila had promised them a proper pot of tea in return. He grabbed his sniper rifle and a few items for travel. Mila also wanted to leave a thank you note for her absent benefactors in the bunker ledger. They fed the animals one last time and said goodbye to their cozy little home.

After driving for about 2 hours, the Brits stopped at a celebration in a larger town. This was a more raucous party than the gathering in their village. The music was louder, the alcohol flowing freely, the crowd less reserved. The excitement of the day was contagious. As the Brits went directly to a crowded bar, Mila and Bucky walked around the town square, just taking it all in. They were holding hands and talking about the news of the day.

"How far do you think we are from Paris?" He asked her, assuming she would know. She seemed to know most things, he chuckled.

"Maybe another hour or two? Depends on how many more parties our British friends want to stop into..." she stopped to kiss him.

"Let them have their fun, Mils. They probably haven't gotten to spend the last few months on a farm with their dream girl" he smiled at her. "Besides, the longer it takes to get to Paris, the longer we get to pretend the rest of the world doesn't exist." He kissed her head. "So, when we do get back, what's the first thing you want to do?"

"I'm not sure. I suppose it would be practical for me to do something like try and contact Abraham or see if there is a way to get some papers? But honestly, I just want a hot bath with lots of bubbles, that I don't have to boil pots of water for." She laughed. "A bit silly, but it sounds divine."

"Not silly at all, as long as I'm invited." He winked at her.

They were coming up on the bar they left the Brits at. The crowd of partygoers was spilling out into the square. The Brits were a little worse for wear when they found them sidled up to the bar itself. When the Brits saw them, they waved them over. The commanding British officer yelled out "Over here, Yank! There's someone you should know!"

"BUCKY?!" Steve ran over and threw his arms around his friend.

"Steve! What the hell?! What are you doing here?! Hey, easy on the arm!" He was so excited to see his friend he almost forgot he wasn't alone. "Steve! This is Dr. Mila Abrams! She's the doctor that saved my ass!"

Mila stuck out her hand to the one they call Captain America, though he was in military dress uniform tonight. She was trying not to stare, he was even bigger than James had described.

"Pleasure to meet you, Doctor. Thanks for saving this guy!" He had his arm around Bucky as he shook her hand.

"So good to meet you, Captain Rogers. James has told me so much about you." She loved seeing him so happy.

Taken aback by her accent and Bucky's given name, Steve blinked "You're German?"

Bucky interjected "Not that kind of German, pal. So what are you doing here?"

"Me? Just on my way back from a mission with Stark, he's around here somewhere, unless he's snuck off with some French beauty queen already." He ruffled Bucky's hair. "Where the hell have you been, Buck? I thought you were dead!"

"Well, when you left me for dead in the German woods, I got picked up by the French Resistance and nursed back to health by this lady." He nodded at Mila. "How'd you get outta there?"

"I ran." It was the truth, Steve was not able to lie convincingly, even in the new body. "And I kept running until I could send a signal for help. Guess that's how they found your bag of bones, huh?"

"What about the other guys? We lose anyone else?" Bucky wasn't sure he was ready to hear if they had.

"Just you, pal. We sent a search and rescue team, but you were already gone." He looked down at his feet. "I'm just glad Hydra didn't get you again."

She saw James go a little dark at the mention of Hydra, so she decided to change the subject. "Captain Rogers, did you mean Howard Stark?"

"You know him?" He laughed. "What am I talking about, of course you know him. All pretty girls know Howard Stark."

She blushed a little "Not exactly."

"Take it easy, there. The lady is spoken for." He beamed. "Steve, Mila worked with your buddy Erskine, on the stuff that made you a giant!" He was so proud of her, and couldn't wait to tell him their big news, too, but was cut off by his friend.

"Wait, you knew Dr. Erskine?" Steve was suddenly very interested in whatever this small German woman had to say next.

"Yes, Captain Rogers. He was my mentor in medical school. I worked as his assistant on the preliminary versions of the Super Soldier project." She could not read him at all, which was troubling. How much should she tell him, and why did he say knew, as in, past tense? "How is Abraham?"

"Sorry to have to tell you this, miss, but Dr. Erskine died. Assassinated. He was killed the day I got the serum." He wondered why she didn't know, if they had been so close. He was a little weary of this doctor, whatever kind of German she was.

"Oh god...Uh, will you gentlemen excuse me for a moment?" The color drained from her face as she tried not to cry. She ran to the restroom and listened for James' voice in the crowd.

She heard him explain to his friend where Mila had been, what she had been through, and how she may have done a bit more than just work on the serum. What was he saying? She heard him start to tell his friend that he suspected that part of the serum was based on abilities closer to home. At this, she made her way out of the loo and shoved her way back to where she left the guys at the bar. She shot James a look that told him to stop talking immediately.

"Hey, Doc. You okay?" He put his arm around her. Then he noticed the Brits getting ready to leave.

"James, do we need to catch our ride?" She was concerned about whatever he was about to tell Steve.

"Shit! Hang on! Steve, we have to go! Our ride looks like they're making moves." He was craning his neck looking for them.

His taller friend put a hand on his shoulder "Skip it! I'm sure there's enough room for you two on the plane. Need me to go help grab your stuff?"

"That would be great, actually. Thanks. We can say goodbye to the guys. Mils, you coming?" Bucky turned to look at her.

"Yes, I could definitely use some air." and followed the men outside.