Rumors and Ghosts

xiii. reunion

Anastasia went to find Bucky and found him sitting outside a cafe with a nervous expression.

"May I sit here?" she asked softly.

Bucky looked up and nodded. "Sure. You're... Anya?"

She sat and smiled. "Anastasia, but you met me as Anya."

"Why did your name change?"

"I had amnesia and they called me Anya at the hospital."

"Oh." He frowned as though he was remembering something. "Anastasia. You're not the last Grand Duchess of Russia?"

She nodded. "I am, but that's a detail I try to keep quiet and luckily S.H.I.E.L.D. has kept it quiet as well. Bucky, there's a place you can stay to recuperate if you'd like."

He shook his head. "No, I need to try to figure out who I am."

"You'll tell me where you go though, right?"

Bucky considered her question and nodded. "Sure, I'll tell you. You're... There's something here, isn't there."

Anastasia nodded as she took his hands. "Yes, there's something here. You take all the time you need to figure out who you are and I'll be waiting for you."

"I... I think I... I love you, Anastasia."

She smiled and tucked his hair back. "I love you too, Bucky."

"Thank you."

"For what?"

"For finding me and treating me like I'm human."

"Oh, darling, I will always find you. You're the kindest person I know and it's been an honor getting to know and love you. And I can't wait for our life together, whenever that may be."

"After all I've done, you still want to be with me?"

"Even after all you've done."

"I don't deserve you, Anastasia."

"Yes, Bucky, you do. And I'll spend as long as I live helping you believe that."

The two shared a smile and Anastasia kissed his cheek. "I'll see you soon, darling. I promised I'd help the Avengers with their next mission, whenever that may be."

"Best of luck, not that you need it."

She laughed and replied, "Thank you."

Bucky packed his stuff up and picked up his bag. "I'll see you, Anastasia."

"See you, Bucky."

Bucky walked away and Anastasia stared after him with a lightly solemn expression as she said softly, "I already miss you, my dear."

She turned away and walked in the opposite direction. Bucky turned and stared after the woman he was reasonably sure he loved. As much as he wanted to be with her, he knew he needed to have some time to remember who he was to himself. And if he felt he needed her assist, he'd call her. But he'd try it alone first.