Till the End of Time-

Chapter 20: Please Don't Stay

After the toast, we all head back to the drawing room for drinks.

Shuri introduces me to the Queen and a few other members of the council. I try to be as charming and polite as I can and overcome the nervousness I feel by talking with them.

Once I can, I leave the conversation and head back to the others who are sitting on some couches nearby and talking.

"Well if it isn't the girl of the hour", Tony says raising his glass to me, "See Cap aren't you glad that I brought her along anyways?".

Steve rolls his eyes at him, "She did good. But next time I would appreciate it if you'd let me make the decisions when it comes to her".

"Well that's not very neighborly of you Mr. Rogers", Tony teases him making everyone snicker.

"Okay boys we can fight at home, but we're out in public now", Nat chimes in before Steve could say something.

The rest of the evening flows by in a happy blur, as we all drink, laugh and talk with one another. As I look around at everyone, I dread the morning when we will have to leave and go home. Things have just felt so peaceful here.

Once the party starts to dwindle I notice a balcony in the back of the room with two large doors leading out.

I decide to go out for some fresh air to settle all the alcohol I just consumed. When I walk to the ledge, a warm breeze sweeps across my form carrying the scent of lavender and wet moss from the nearby jungle.

In the distance I can see scattered lights from villages down below making them look like fireflies in the night sky.

I close my eyes for a while soaking in the warm temperature and the sounds of talking and laughter in the background mixed with far off noises of the jungle.

"It's beautiful isn't it?", I hear a voice behind me say. As I turn to look I'm surprised to find Bucky there.

"Everything here is", I reply still trying to get over my surprise.

Bucky stands beside me looking at the lights in the distance. "Ever since I first arrived here one of my favorite things has been to look at the lights from the villages each night".

As he speaks I turn to look at him trying to figure him out, but as my eyes glaze over his face I'm taken in by his appearance.

He's gorgeous. I mean I knew he was attractive from the pictures and visions I've seen of him, but as he's standing in front of me now... he's just as wonderful to look at as Stevie.

"I don't blame you, at night I've gotten into the habit of leaving my window open just so that I can listen to the sounds of the jungle as I sleep", I admit.

He turns to look at me fully giving me a shadow of a smile. There's a hint of sadness behind his eyes, probably due to everything he's been through.

"Are you planning on coming back with us when we leave tomorrow?", I ask.

He looks away and plays with his glass of whiskey before responding, "I thought I was, but I'm not too sure anymore".

"Why not? I know Steve is really hoping that you will", I ask letting my curiosity get the better of me.

He pauses for a moment, "You and Steve seem to be close".

"Um yes... he's been a great trainer and friend", I say unsure how much he actually knows about Steve and I.

He nods his head and takes a drink of whiskey, "He told me about your premonitions and other powers that you have. They're pretty impressive".

"Thanks. I'm pretty happy with them, but sometimes I just wish I could remember how I got some of them", I tell him giving him a small smile.

His eyes bore into mine as he looks at me and I wish that mind reading was one of the powers that I had, just so I could know what he's thinking.

"Yeah, Steve mentioned that you were missing for a couple of years. You still can't remember anything from that time?", he asks me.

I look back at the villages before answering, "No, I don't remember a thing. It bugs me though, not knowing. I feel like there's a big part of me that is missing, and I just wish that I could open those doors in my brain and let all those memories come flooding back. I don't think I can truly be myself without them, ya know?".

Bucky stares at me for a moment before he says something low and quiet to me, but I can't understand what he said. "Sorry what was that?", I ask him.

His face falls a little before he gives me a pained smile, "Nothing. It was nothing... But we should go in, everyone's probably starting to leave".

I place my hand on his arm stopping him, "Wait. Before we do, can you tell me why you aren't coming with us tomorrow? I know it's not my place to ask but I just know that Steve really wants you to".

He pauses for a moment not looking at me before he answers, "Yeah I know he does, but certain things from my past have come up and I'm not sure I want to face it right now".

"I can understand that. But Bucky... Please don't stay", as soon as the words leave my mouth his eyes lock on mine.

"I can't help but feel like you shouldn't stay here. I don't know why and its not a premonition or anything but its just a feeling I can't seem to shake... please just think about it", I say before realizing that my hand is still on his arm and I let go.

"We should go in", is all he replies as he starts to walk inside. I nod and follow him back into the room and we make our way to the group.

"There you are Lady Rosaleen! We were all wondering where you made off to", Thor says. "Well everyone was here so we knew you didn't get too far", Nat suggestively says side eyeing Steve.

"I just needed some air. But I'm surprised you guys are still here, the rest of the party seems to be mostly gone", I say looking around at a few other scattered members of council that remained.

"It's almost 3am, I'm ready for bed", Wanda says yawning and laying her head on Visions shoulder.

We all start to get up to leave, "I thought we were pulling an all nighter?", Tony jokes downing his drink before walking out with us, "No? No takers? Hey is someone going to wake Bruce up over there or are we all just going to leave him?".

"I'll go wake him", Nat says much to my surprise.
I look over to Wanda to see if she's surprised too but she's walking half asleep with Vision.

At different points we start to break off and head to our rooms. My room is down a different one than Steve's so I say goodnight to everyone as I go to my room. He gives me a wink letting me know that he'll come back to my room when he gets the chance.

I get ready for bed and as soon as my head hits the pillow I'm asleep. I wake up when I hear Steve sneak into my room. I feel the bed dip down as he gets in behind me and spoons me.

"Are you asleep sweetheart?", he asks kissing my cheek.

I moan softly and turn on my back. "I was, you took so long", I mumble.

"I'm sorry. I got talking to Buck", he says. "What about?", I sleepily ask him.

He chuckles, "We'll talk tomorrow baby, just get some sleep". Steve wraps his arms tighter around me and we drift off.