In Another Universe

TWELEVE

Thick snow flurries blow past the exposed skin of Steve's face as he musters all his strength to stroll inside The Tower, Fear and anxiety battle his determination to find Sam and finally receive the answers he not only needs but deserves.

As he enters the glass walled Lobby, A young man no older than twenty five stands from his seat behind the glass desk.

"Good evening, Sir. How can I help you?" The security guard asks.

Steve darts his gaze between the man and the elevator across the lobby floor, He could ignore him and charge straight up to Sam's old floor — However if he entered the elevator to find his thumb print has been erased from the system — Is that really another gut punch he needs to take tonight?

"Yes, You can. I'm looking for Sam Wilson, Is floor 89th still his suite?"

"No, Sir. Mr Wilson hasn't lived here for a number of years, Would you like his new address?"

Steve breezes up to the counter hesitantly, "You would just give me, A complete stranger off the street — his address?"

"Sir, Happy Hogan debriefed the entire tower staff yesterday about your return. We're here to help with anything you may need."

"Oh... Thank you... Yes I would like Sam's new address, Thanks, Henry."

The security guard nods, A slight smile gracing his clean shaven face as he clicks through various tabs on his computer monitor before jotting down Sam's Manhattan address.

"Here you are... And thank you."

Steve's eyebrows furrow together as he takes the yellow sticky note from Henry, "I'm sorry?"

"I uh- I want to thank you, Sir." Henry begins to ramble, "I know coming back here and finding out the world kept turning while you were... Well... Gone... Sucks... But if it weren't for your sacrifice I wouldn't be alive now... And being back... It gets easier."

"You don't need to thank me, It's what we do." Steve extends his hand across the desk for Henry to shake, the young man's smile growing as he shakes the hand of his hero. "I'm glad you're alive, Kid."

"I'm glad you're alive to."

Steve nods his head, His chest feeling a tad bit lighter than it had when he entered the tower.

He glances down at the red sticky note resting in his palm as he pushes through the double glass doors, Sam's new address is only a few blocks away from the tower.

Why bother moving at all? Steve wondered, Climbing back into the driver seat of his truck and roaring the engine to life.

Please be home, Sam.

~

Bucky rides the elevator from the underground parking garage of the tower, straight up to the floor of his families suite.

Frustration consumes him as he charges off the elevator and hastily unlocks the front door, Immediately being greeted by Rosie squealing as she runs from the kitchen after hearing the jingle of his key in the lock.

"DADDY!"

"Hey Sweetpea, I'm sorry I'm late." He says, Scooping her up into his arms.

"Mommy tried to tuck me in without you again." Rosie grumbles, scrunching her face up as her eyes narrow.

An expression leaving her to appear as if she's an exact clone of her beautiful mother.

"That's my fault, I lost track of time. But let's get you and Riley up to bed, It's way past your bedtimes."