It's Been A Long, Long Time // Steve Rogers

Chapter 31

Steve's POV

I couldn't shake the feeling of dread as I thought about Bucky's words from last night. 'She dies'. She just couldn't die. Not yet. It's too soon. I wanted to spend the rest of our lives together...not just the next two years.

I watched Bucky, Sam, and Becca walk ahead laughing and talking on the way back to our apartment. This could be our life if I took her to the future. She would be safe, she could be with Bucky, we could live out our lives in peace...start a family. I wouldn't have to worry about the threat of her being taken from me.

But then on the flip side, I would be taking her away from everything she knew and everyone she loved. Lois and John, Riley and Maddy, even Howard...but I would also be taking her away from Zola who clearly threatened her. I didn't know what he said, but I needed to find out. Maybe it would change things. "Becca?" I called out. She paused and turned around to look at me. "Yea?"

"Can I talk to you for a minute?" I asked her. She nodded and walked towards me. "You guys go on ahead." I said, motioning to Bucky and Sam.

"What's wrong?" Becca asked, running her hands down my arms. "When you came home the other day upset...what were you going to say?" I asked her. Her eyebrows furrowed for a moment and realization crossed her face. "Zola..." She whispered, her face dropping. "He threatened me the other day." As those words left her lips, my jaw clenched. That son of a bitch.

"He was pissed that I talked Howard out of the weapons and then he..." She looked over her shoulder at Bucky and Sam who were far ahead of the two of us. "He told me Bucky was alive. He told me that because of his experiments Bucky survived the fall from the train. He gave me details...and said I'd be reunited with him soon..." Her eyes welled with tears and she took a deep breath before continuing, "And then he said if I told anyone, he would kill Bucky for good."

I pulled her into my arms tightly, "he's not gonna hurt you or Bucky..." At least I hoped. How could I fix this? "And he's not going to take you either, okay?" She gave me a small nod. "Okay, sweetheart, I need you to tell Howard." I said. She pulled away and quickly shook her head, "no, Steve...I can't." "Becca, you have too. Howard will keep you away from him."

"Steve, he'll hurt Bucky!"

I sighed and pulled her back into me. If she wouldn't tell Howard and I couldn't save her without revealing that Captain America is alive and well at this time...though I would if it really came down to it...then I needed to find another way to ensure her safety. I wouldn't lose Becca. Over my dead body would I lose Becca. I held her tightly, my chin resting on her forehead as I thought back to last night. Specifically to Sam's suggestion of taking her to the future. Would it be that bad?

"I have an idea sweetheart, but I don't think you're gonna like it." Taking her into the future seemed like the only option at this point. I didn't want to risk her life, I didn't want to risk Bucky's life in Zola's hands...

"What is it?" She asked softly.

"We can go with Bucky and Sam." I said. "What?" Her teary eyes met mine. "It's the only way I can keep you safe from Zola. I can't exactly bust out my old Captain America uniform and shield." I explained. She shook her head back and forth, "I can't just leave Steve...my life is here...my friends..."

"Becca, sweetheart, if he's threatening you...how am I supposed to keep you safe? What if I can't save you?" I said, looking into her deep brown eyes. "Zola won't hurt me, you promised." She whispered. "But what if I can't keep that promise Bex...and I...I can't...I can't lose you." I tightened my arms around her and dropped my head on her shoulder. "I can't lose you, Becca..." I kept whispering over and over.

She soon pulled away from me and started pacing in front of me before holding my face in her dainty hands. "You won't lose me Steve...we'll figure it out. I'll be fine...I can quit...and...I don't know, we could move far away." I shook my head and I ran my hands through my hair as I looked at her. She would never understand my urgency of needing to save her from Zola. I had to tell her.

"Remember when I told you I couldn't find you in the future?" She nodded slowly. I took a deep breath, it was now or never, "I couldn't find you because...because at some point soon,  you are captured by Hydra. And Bex...you don't make it..." Her eyes widened and she took a few steps away from me. "What?"

"You die, sweetheart...and I" My voice shook as I looked into her eyes, "I can't lose you. I love you so fucking much Becca...and I don't know if I can save you so I can't...won't... take a chance on losing you. This is the only way I can make sure you're safe." She shook her head, struggling to process the information I just spewed at her. She was in shock. I can't blame her, I just told her that she dies. "Steve...I don't-" Her voice trembled and I took a few steps towards her and pulled her into my chest.

"I won't let it happen, Becca. I won't. But I just need you to trust me okay?" I could feel her tears soaking my shirt as she cried while my own tears fell onto her brown hair. "Becca, do you trust me?" I asked. She nodded against my chest. "Come on, let's go talk to Bucky." I said, lifting her up and letting her legs wrap around my waist. I carried her all the way back to the apartment and walked inside to find Bucky and Sam on the couch. Bucky's eyes immediately landed on Becca and he stood up quickly, "what happened??"

"I told her." I said, looking at him. He nodded in understanding and looked at Becca. "Bex?" He said softly. She turned her head to look at him. "Hey...how are you feeling?" He asked her. "Not great..." She mumbled. Her voice sounded so broken. "Did you know?" She asked him quietly. "I didn't know until recently..." He replied. I carefully carried her into our bedroom and set her down on the bed and she wrapped herself in blankets.

Bucky kneeled down next to the bed and pushed some hair off of her damp cheeks. "I don't wanna die, Buck." Her voice cracked as more tears fell down her cheeks. Bucky reached towards her and wiped the cascading tears, "You're gonna be okay, Bex. I promise. Steve and I, we won't let anything happen to you."

He kissed her forehead and then stood up so I could do the same. "I'll be back, Bex...I'm gonna talk to Bucky and Sam." She nodded slowly and I followed Bucky back out into the living room.

"Well?" Sam asked, looking between us.

"We're taking her to the future."