Final Lap - Sambucky AU

95

Sam was racing down the straightaway. He was so proud of Natasha catching up to him. He smiled softly to himself as he kept pushing.

Suddenly he got a warning of overheating. The moment he started to slow down, his engine caught fire. He felt his legs getting hot.

Suddenly he saw Natasha starting to overtake him. He knew the moment she passed him, he would hit her and she's would hit the wall not the barricades.

"Sam!" His team principal said.

"Let her overtake-"

Sam tapped her before she could, he spun and hit Bucky's back car and rolled as he slammed into the wall. He cried out as the fire started to engulf his car.

Natasha hit the barricades and turned off her car. Sam tried to get out, but was struggling.

"Shit- I NEED HELP!" He Said to his team. He heard his team scrambling to get emergency services.

Sam cried out as the flames covered his car. He tried to unbuckle but couldn't. He suddenly saw Natasha reach in to help him.

She grabbed his hand. He held her tightly. He was so scared... he didn't want to die here in front of her. He couldn't do that to her.

He lost grip and fell into his seat. He struggled to breathe and then everything went black.

Sam sat up quickly and looked around. He realized he was still in the hospital and not the car. He sighed and held his head as he teared up.

He saw Natasha asleep next to his bed. He looked at her and kissed her head. "I love you so much sweetheart..." he said as his voice broke.

He was thankful he made the decision he made. His daughter was alive because he gave up his mobility. Now... she would have a long career like him.

He wouldn't want to live as a racer without his daughter. She was his pride and joy. He would give up everything to make her happy...

And this was what he was willing to give up. He couldn't happily be a racer without her on the podium with him.

Sadly he never will get to share a podium with her, but at least she gets to be here with him and her father, experience love, become a champion, and have a family one day.

Just like him.

Sam pulled out his phone and saw an F1 live press conference. Sam sent Bucky to speak for him.

He pressed the video and listened.

"Thank you for coming to the Ferrari press conference. I am speaking on behalf of my husband." Bucky said as he stands in front of them all.

"Sam expresses his thanks for all of the love and support he has received during this hard time for our family. He has told me to inform the FIA, and the team that he will be retiring from racing. He is unable to walk, or drive." Bucky said.

"He thanks Ferrari for making him a champion, F1 for giving him a drive and motivation to do something not everyone can, and he also thanks F1 for letting us meet and become a love story no one expected." Bucky said as he teared up.

"Thank you. I also want to say to my husband, I am proud of him. He is a legend who will be remembered for generations to come as one of the greatest racers of all time, and my only competition." Bucky nodded and stepped down as questions were being asked.

"Sir! The racing data shows that Sam could've avoided the accident if he let his daughter overtake. Any comment?" Bucky ignored her and continued back into the building.

Sam sighed and turned off his phone.

"Is that true?"

Sam quickly turned his head and met his daughters gaze. Sam knew he couldn't hide this from her. As much as he didn't want to tell her he sighed and held her hand gently and looked at her teary eyed.

"Yes."

Her eyes widened as she felt guilt. "Don't you dare feel guilty my beautiful girl." He said as he moved her hair out of her face. He smiled sadly.

"If I didn't... you would've died." He said as a tear went down his face. She squeezed his hand.

"D-do you regret it?" She asked.

"No. I Never will. I would rather lose my mobility than my daughter. Hell... taking that hit was the greatest decision I've ever made. You are the most wonderful thing in my life... I would give up my titles just for you. My baby girl." He said with a sad chuckle.

Natasha hugged him tightly and hid her head in his shoulder. He held her close and teared as she started to cry.

"Keep racing for me... okay?" He said. "Win for me..."

Natasha nodded and kissed his cheek as she pulled from the hug. "I dedicate my wins to you papa." She said as she kept wiping her tears.

Sam wiped the rest and held her face. "Show everyone who you are. Make sure they know that when you're on the track, you are going to blow them away. And I'll be cheering for you from my wheelchair in your pits." He said.

Natasha just lowered her head and nodded.

"I will."

Sam finally got Natasha to leave the hospital room. Natasha headed to headquarters as Bucky arrived back.

He saw her. "Natasha?"

She walked over to him. "Hey dad. I'm heading to the track."

"Oh? Did Sam convince you?" Bucky said. She chuckled and sighed.

"Yes. He also convinced me to keep going... and dethrone someone." She said confidently.

Bucky sensed a drive and confidence in her voice. He chuckled and patted her shoulder. "I'd like to see you try."

"Oh don't worry." She started to walk past him. "You will!" She said with a smile as she waved and ran off to Kylos car since he was there to pick her up.

Bucky chuckled and smiled softly.

"You got it kid."