Final Lap - Sambucky AU

68

"My arms busted... I can barely move it." Bucky said quietly.

Oliver looked up and sighed. "Oh Sam... hey." Oliver said tiredly. Sam looked at him. "What happens if both your racers are out?"

"We simply won't have a racer. Unless somehow he can make his arm go from sprain to sore,  we won't be racing." Oliver said as he took his glasses off.

Bucky sat up and held his head. He thought back to when his old coach told him people were counting on him. Sam and Oliver kept talking as he slipped deeper into thought.

He had to race...

He looked up. He knew Steve did this.... He knew Steve didn't want him to race. This was one of those attempts, and they were getting more desperate.

Bucky looked at Sam. Sam met his gaze. "Bucky?"

"I have to race."

Sam looked at him confused. "Bucky... your arm is in a sling. You can't race!" Sam said.

"I'm going to Sam..." Bucky sighed and looked down. "I know who did this to me... and I know what they're trying to do. I can't let them win."

Sam caught on to what he was saying. He sighed and sat back down. "Still... Bucky you... you're hurt."

"I know. But I've raced in worse." He said as he pulled his legs over the side of the bed and stood up slowly.

"I can't give Steve the satisfaction of possibly winning." Sam watched Bucky stand. It broke his heart seeing him force himself... then he thought to the times whne he was a kid he probably had to do the same.

Oliver was about to protest when Sam sighed. "Fine. I support you. But you better not crash." Sam said as he looked at Bucky chuckled softly and adjusted his arm.

"I won't."

Sam simply walked over to him and took his hand into his. "We do this together." Bucky said. Sam nodded and walked out with Bucky . Oliver watched in awe.

This wasn't the same Bucky he met all those years ago.

Bucky limped slightly as they made their way through the paparazzi. The sounds to camera flashes and questions made his head hurt, but he ignored it.

Sam squeezed his hand tightly and continued through. They got through with Oliver in tow.  The trio rushed to Sam's car, got in, and sped down the road.

Bucky fell asleep in the passengers seat.

Oliver watched Bucky slightly. "You have been good for him..." Sam chuckled and shook  hi head. "All I've done is bring drama."

"It's funny... he says the same thing." Oliver said. Sam gripped the wheel.

"He used to be so closed off, kinda like a lone wolf. And now I hear him saying you two will get through this together... he has grown."

Sam remembered that lone wolf. He remembered him. He was quiet, serious all the time, and didn't talk to anyone besides Steve. Now...

Now he has friends, talks to everyone, engages with with everyone, and is in love. "I didn't do much..."

"You did a lot Sam... you did a lot."

Steve turned on the news and saw that Bucky was hospitalized after an alleged mugging. His phone rang and he answered it.

"Good job... that should clear it up." He said as he glanced at the screen. Peggy walked down the hall and stepped into the doorway. She was in her pajamas.

Steve looked at her. "Yeah... I'll take care of it. Bye." He hung up.

"Hello beautiful." He said as he walked over to her and kissed her. Peggy kissed him back. He sensed the smallest bit of resistance. "Hun?" He said.

"Hm?" She said.

"You okay?" He said as he pulled her close to him. She just smiled softly and wrapped arms around his neck.

"Of course..." she said. He smiled softly and put his forehead against hers. She then kissed him and ran her fingers through his hair. She was fishing for information.

He kissed her back and gripped her waist. She broke the kiss slightly as he picked her up. "You... you aren't keeping secrets from me... right?" She said as he put her on his desk and kissed her neck.

He paused. She knew it from that moment. He then looked at her. "Why?"

"Cause... it just feels like you've been distant my dear." She said as she looked at him. He sighed and pulled away.

"I don't want you to worry about it." He said as she looked at the TV and then him. He knew she was putting it together... she was his wife.

She noticed cuts and bruises on his hand. She noticed the details....

Even the incriminating ones. She got off the desk and kissed his cheek and then started to walk out. "I'm not a bad man, Peggy." He said as she paused at the door.

She looked at him. "Im doing what is needed to stay relevant. Don't you want that?" He said as he met her gaze.

She simply smiled and nodded. "Of course." She walked out and teared up. She covered her mouth as she went to her daughters room and sat by her bed. She teared up and looked at her little girl.

"I'm sorry sweetheart you're father is this monster..." she said quietly. She then looked up as she heard Steve get into the shower.

She frowned and walked into his office, picked his desk lock and grabbed some papers.

She's had enough.

The next day, Sam was up with Bucky working on his arm. Darlene was helping as well. She was a nurse, so she knew a thing or two.

Bucky clenched his fist as the two helped him stretch it. Sam watched as his mom helped him. He saw the pure determination on Buckys face.

"Sam, get Bucky some water please." Darlene said as she released the stretch. "Just be thankful they didn't break it... you have a chance." She said.

Bucky nodded as Sam walked out. She motioned for him to try and hold himself up in a plank. Bucky tried to but hit the ground.

As he hit the ground, his mind flashed back to getting hit. He snapped out of it but got back up and took a deep breath.

He had to do this.

As he stopped he saw his phone ringing. He saw a name on his screen.

Peggy Carter