Finding Love in France (Alternate Version)

Part 55: Who Is She?

It was Steve's turn to sit and monitor the unconscious Bucky. He had been out for the better part of the day, and Mila had asked for a quick break to change her clothes. Steve was reading a book when he heard Bucky try to move in bed.

"What the hell happened?" Bucky muttered. He had a raging headache and was questioning why there was so much light in the room. "Is it always this damn bright in here?"

"Hey, pal! Welcome back!" Steve quipped. "You're in the infirmary."

"Yeah, I figured that part out, jerk...how the hell did I get here?" Bucky grumbled. "I feel like someone dropped a freight car on my head..."

"Is that so?" Steve smirked. "What do you remember?"

"Not much, actually. Did the mission go sideways?" Bucky honestly couldn't remember how he ended up in the infirmary. Looking at the cast on his left arm, he asked "Did I get shot?"

"Nope, no bullets involved...Buck, we got back from the mission over a week ago." Steve was concerned. "You've been awake most of that time. What's the last thing you remember?"

"A week? Shit..." Bucky was getting anxious. "Uh, I remember getting off the plane? Then going to debrief?...what am I missing?"

Before Steve could answer, the door opened, and Mila was about to enter, when one of the nurses grabbed her to discuss something just outside.

"Who is that?" Bucky gasped. She was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. Her green eyes the most obvious thing, but as soon as she turned and smiled at him, he felt like his heart stopped. "Who is she?...Steve, who's the dame?" He grabbed his friend's arm to steady himself, trying not to stare.

"Are you serious, Buck? That's Mila..." Steve laughed. "...she's kinda your best girl."

"WHAT?!" Bucky clutched at Steve tighter. "I know her?"

"Hang on, you really don't remember her?" Steve worried how much to press him. "You've known her for months. She's the reason we are both sitting here..."

"I don't understand." Bucky interrupted. "I've never seen her before in my life. And I would definitely remember a face like that, punk."

"You don't remember her at all? Not even a little?" Steve's concern growing. "Wow...uh, should I get her in here to talk to you?"

"No!" Bucky snapped. "If she's my girl, I don't want to make her feel bad that I can't remember her. Tell me what I'm supposed to know...how'd we meet? Where's she from? What do I call her?"

"Hang on, let me tell her to come back in a little bit, we're gonna need a minute to bring you up to speed..." the big guy sighed.

Steve got up and spoke to the woman in the hallway. She looked upset, but nodded in agreement with whatever he told her. She smiled sadly at Bucky before walking away.

"Was she mad?" Bucky asked tentatively. "I don't want to hurt her."

"I know, pal...but it's a little late for that." Steve ran his hands over his face. "How much of this are you ready to hear?"