Finding Love in France (Alternate Version)

Part 6: Sorrow

While Steve tried to maintain his composure, Mila and the French officer went back upstairs. "This is what I was afraid of..." she thought to herself as she saw her friend out. She was extremely concerned that the large man downstairs would, at best, be very upset, at worst, try to run before he had healed up enough to do so.

As she sat down in the kitchen to give the American some privacy, she heard him crying softly. She was wondering what the best approach would be, when she thought she heard him start talking. Except it wasn't out loud. She was hearing the thoughts of this man as if he was sitting next to her.

"I never told her...I thought we'd have more time..." he thought over and over.

Mila decided to check on him. When she stood at the bottom of the stairs, she saw a completely heartbroken man. She couldn't help herself. She walked over to the side of the bed and put her arms around him. He held onto her and sobbed into her shoulder while she tried to gently rub his back. While she was trying to comfort him, she heard him think another name. Without thinking, she asked him "Who is Bucky?"

His head snapped up, just missing hitting her face. "How the hell do you know about Bucky? Who are you, really? Are you Hydra?" He was wild-eyed and gripping her arms tight enough to hurt.

Sensing his terror, Mila did not try to get out of his grip. She was more aware than most about his enhanced strength, and knew he could break her bones without trying. "Captain Rogers, first, let me assure you that I am not Hydra. Please know that." She took a deep breath. "You said the name Bucky while you were unconscious." She was not good at lying and hoped he bought it.

"But why did you ask about him just now? Like you knew I was thinking about him?" He squeezed her arms tighter. "Don't lie to me! Are. You. Hydra?!"

She was trying not to tremble at his aggression and looked him squarely in the eyes. "No, sir. I am not." She tried to gauge his reaction and read his thoughts, but was coming up blank. "Hydra wants me almost as much as they want you, Captain Rogers." Was she really doing this now? "We have a mutual friend, Dr. Abraham Erskine."

Hearing Erskine's name made Steve let go of the small woman. "You knew Dr. Erskine?" Then he saw the dark red marks he left on the woman's arms and looked away in shame.

She decided today was not the day to go into her personal information, instead, opting to ask the man about the names he had thought. "Peggy, is she your wife? And is this Bucky your child? Are you concerned for their well-being because you are away?"

Steve weakly smiled at what she said. "Peggy isn't my wife...though I was hoping she might want the job someday...she's a British agent who coordinates our mission logistics." then he actually let out a chuckle. "Bucky is definitely not my kid. He's my best friend and the lead sniper on my team. He was with me in the forest..." He teared up again. "I don't know what's happened to either of them..."

She started to rub his back again. "Captain Rogers, we are trying our best to contact the Allies. Hopefully we will know more in a day or two." She noticed the untouched food on the bedside table. "Let me warm this up for you. You need to try and eat to help you heal."

As she got up, he noticed something on her left arm. It looked like writing, but Steve was too upset to ask. "Thank you, Doctor...sorry about all this."

"Nothing to be sorry about. I know what it is like to lose everything." She hurried up the stairs.