A New York Secret

Chapter Sixty-Eight

Mary was waiting on the roof for the quinjet to arrive a week later. She had tried to drag Emily with her to no avail, so she stood on the snow-covered roof by herself to greet the team when they returned.

It had taken some time, but Steve, Tony, and Nat had talked Bucky down and at least got him to remember who Steve was on a vague level. They'd found him squatting in an old apartment, living off what food he could afford.

The quinjet landed as the dock door opened to reveal them standing around, battered and bruised. Steve turned to Bucky and put his hand on his shoulder before they all walked out onto the snow-covered roof. It was then that he saw Mary, standing by the doors in a winter coat. "Mar! I told you to wait for us inside!"

"I couldn't. I had to know that you are alright." Mary told Steve. She wanted to go to him, but waited as she wasn't sure of Bucky's mindset.

Steve waited until they reached her before opening his free arm to take her into a half embrace, keeping a grounding hand on Bucky's shoulder with the other. "I'm fine. Bruised, but fine," he assured her. "How's the peanut?"

"With my stress level, who knows." Mary sighed. "How are the others? My med bag is right inside the door if anyone needs any patching up." She said as she curled into his side.

He furrowed his brow at her as they all walked inside. "We're bruised mostly. Tony has a cut on his head. What do you mean who knows? You haven't checked in a week?"

"My first appointment was after you left. I don't go again until tomorrow." Mary answered. "I saw part of the fight on the news and ended up with another panic attack." She admitted, feeling tears sting her eyes.

Steve sighed softly and kissed the side of her head. "I'm sorry Mar. We had to fight Hydra to even get to him."

"Appointment?" James questioned; his brows furrowed as they walked. "Is this Mary?" He asked.

"Yes it is," Steve turned and smiled. "You'll like her Buck. She's great."

"It's alright, it was just hard to watch." Mary said softly. "The couch pulls out into a bed, if you want to stay with us for a bit." She told Bucky, feeling like it would be best to keep him closer to Steve.

"He needs to warm up to others slowly, but he should be okay," Steve told her. They all got into the elevator and Tony pressed the button for the med floor.

"I'm right here," Bucky grumbled.

Steve patted Bucky's shoulder. "I know pal. I'm just informing her."

"He needs to stay with you more than anything. Em won't bug him, and she will make sure Loki doesn't either." Mary promised.

"That's good to hear," Steve replied as the elevator dinged and they got off on the med floor. "Buck here has a few lacerations on him, but we need to get him out of this gear first. Do you still have the sweatpants and shirts in the back cabinet?"

Tony and Nat walked forward and checked in with Bruce, letting him take care of them.

"I'll get them. Do you think a large will fit?" Mary asked as she walked over to the cabinet. "I only have grey, but we will get him some new clothes." She said, finding a t-shirt and pants, then bringing them over.

"He's a little broader than me, but they should fit," Steve answered, watching Mary sit the clothes on one of the tables in front of Bucky.

James began to undress, not caring that there were others around, an empty look in his eyes. He peeled off his shirt after unbuckling his vest, showing a neat row of stitches along one side of his ribs. Then he unbuckled his belt, kicked off his boots, and dropped his pants.