History - Bucky Barnes

Settled

~ Vivian
I make it to the gas station and go in to buy some more food.

I get what I want and walk up to the cash register. I'm the only one In there besides the man that works there.

He gives me a sour look. I'm not sure if it's due to my outfit not being of the modern lady (pictured above), me being dirty and a mess from the hell I've been through, or my lack of a vehicle in this area.

"What are you doing round here with no car, ma'am" he asks while ringing up my items.

"Hiking" i say.

"By yourself, miss" he says nodding at me. I can either be truthful and attract attention or I can lie. I choose the latter.

"No, with a couple friends." He gives me a look like he doesn't believe me so I continue.

"They're at the motel not too far from here." I smile and pull out three dollars. It's better not to let anyone see how much money I have.

"How much do I owe you" i say getting uncomfortable.

"Two dollar's and seven cents"

I hand him the money "Keep the change" I say quickly walking out towards the motel.

It takes about 20 minutes to get to the motel.

I walk in and don't see anyone at the front counter. I see a bell so I ring it twice. I look around the space, it seems cozy. Cozy seems too good to be true after everything.

"May i help you" a woman says from behind the counter.

"How much is a room for a week"
I ask.

"Three dollars a night twelve dollars for a week, what's the name" she says giving me a smile.

I don't want to give her my real name and risk someone meaning hydra seeing it in the guest book.

"Uhm r- Ruth Barnes" i say. It was the first thing that came to mind. My mothers name and...well anyway.

I get out the money and hand it to her.

"Do you know where a lady could find a place to get clothes around here" i say.

"Towns not too far from here, it's getting late though and I can't allow a young woman such as yourself out alone this time of night" she says worried.

"Oh no ma'am, that's tomorrows problem I assure you" i say grabbing my room key from her.

"Good now, breakfast at 9am, lunch at 12, and dinner at 5 if you want a warm meal. We don't have many guests here around this time so don't be shy. We have a public phone down here in the lobby if need be you may use it any time. And what else am I forgetting." She puts her hand to her chin trying to remember.

"Oh yes! Your room is number 3"

"Thank you. It all sounds lovely, if you don't mind I think I'm going to have a shower and use the telephone" i say walking towards my room.

"Of course just please keep it under a low volume as we do have other guest sleeping."

I nod and unlock my room door.
Talking to people after being locked up and frozen for 3 years is more draining than you'd think.

I'm constantly worried people will see right through me. See what I am now.

After spacing out for a bit I go to the bathroom and turn on the shower.

I open up my duffel bag and sort through the other few pieces of clothing I have.

The only comfortable thing in here is a white slip (pictured above). Robert couldn't have swung for another pair of shoes but no worries I have a lacy slip.

I take a bit in the shower. It's nice to be able to actually shower. No one else doing it for me, being with myself safe and content. I've missed this feeling of peace.

I dry off putting on the slip and grab a robe from the rack. It's white and has the motels symbol engraved

I walk out of my room and make my way towards the phone.

I pick it up and after a few seconds the telephone operator says "who'd you like to place a call to"

I take a deep breath. "Peggy Carter".

It feels like my hearts going to explode. Suspense is building with every second the woman doesn't talk. It's like she can't find her. What if she's gone.

"Patching you through now"

I let out a laugh that turns into a gentle sob. I listen to the phone ring and continue to cry. Once again I get that bittersweet feeling. I can't imagine how scary it's going to be for Peggy to find out I'm alive.

It's like if I got a call that Steve or Bucky were still alive.

"Hello"

There's that accent I've missed.

"Peggy?" I say just bellow a whisper I'm surprised she can hear me.

"This is?" She says tired and confused.

I can hardly keep it together. I don't even know what to say to her after all this time.

"It's Vivian" I finally say.

"This isn't funny" she says clearly upset.

"Peggy! Peggy it's me!" I say.

"Prove it tell me something only she'd know or stop wasting my bloody time."

I can tell she says this through gritted teeth. I'm confused though, who would pretend to be me?

"While Steve was touring around the states. We were in Denver, you and i had a few drinks. Just the two of us for the first time without Steve following us like a lovesick puppy. You had asked me why Bucky and I didn't get married after 4 years together. I lied. I said he never asked. He did. He asked me a year prior and I wanted to say yes but I was so scared. I knew Bucky would never leave me but I was scared if we got married the spark would die. My mom always told me how in love her and my father were until they got married. Bucky understood and we planned on talking about it again but with the war we both knew he would enlist. Knowing what I do now I should've said yes. I wish I could go back and say yes one thousand times over but I can't."

"Vivian, How are you alive".

I can tell she's crying. Peggy and I had gotten so close during the war. She lost one of her closest friends and the love of her life. Coming from someone who went through the same thing. I hate that she went through it alone. 

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