Till the End of the Line Vol. 5

Chapter 7 - Uncovering Hidden Secrets

A few hours later, Bucky, Sam, and Becca quietly think on the plane, and Sofia is asleep. Sam notices a particular expression on Bucky's face. He turns his face to him and asks, "You all right?"

Bucky doesn't look at Sam. However, he angrily suggests, "Let's take the shield, Sam. Let's take the shield and do this ourselves."

"We can't just run up on the man, beat him up, and take it." He sits up and scoots closer to Bucky. "Do you remember what happened the last time we stole it?"

"Maybe."

"I'll help you in case you forgot. Sharon was branded enemy of the state, and Steve and I were on the run for two years. You and Becca went to Wakanda to hide. Even Sofia had to hide after the U.S. found out that she attacked several countries." Bucky glances at Sofia and sighs as he knows that Sam is right. "I don't know about you, but I don't wanna live the rest of my life la Vida Loca. We just got our ass handed to us by Super Soldiers, and we got nothing."

"Not entirely true." Bucky gets up, walks to Sam, and sits next to him. "There is someone that you should meet." Sam is curious about what is going on. "But until then, we should all get some sleep."

"Yeah, you're right," said Sam. He and Becca lie down and try to get some sleep.

Bucky stands up and walks to Sofia but notices something is wrong. He sees her muttering silently and sweating. Bucky realizes that she's having one of her nightmares but worse. He kneels to her, gently touches her shoulder, and whispers, "Doll." He gently shakes her. "Hey, hey, sweetie, wake up." Sofia gasps as she wakes up. She sees Bucky looking down at her and groans. "You okay?"

Sofia sits up as Bucky sits down next to her. She looks away from him and replies, "Yeah. It... it's nothing—just one of my nightmares."

"Are you sure? It seems like they've been getting worse."

"Yeah, no I... I'm fine, really."

They sigh. Bucky places his hand on her cheek. "Look, I know we've both been having nightmares, and it's been making some of our days not the best. But you know you can talk to me about anything."

"I know." Sofia places her hand on top of his as she looks at his hand and then back at him. "Look, I'm exhausted, and I just want to get some sleep."

"Well, if you want to go back home -"

"No. I want to help. Okay?"

Bucky sees the look in her eyes and nods. "Okay." He kisses her. She then lies back down. Before she puts her head down, Bucky sits next to her and has her head on his lap. Once she is in a comfortable position, she falls fast asleep. Bucky looks down, and as he watches her sleep, he wonders what she is hiding from him or if what he's going through is causing something between them.

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND

The following day, at the Air Force base in Baltimore, Maryland, Becca, Bucky, Sam, and Sofia are leaving the airport. Bucky stops as Sam continues, turns to Becca and Sofia, and says, "Girls, I want you two to meet us at Patterson Park in a few hours."

"Are you sure you don't want us to come?" asks Becca.

"No, I don't want to overwhelm Sam when I take him. You know what happened last time when I took you both."

"Okay." Becca leaves.

Bucky looks at Sofia as he pulls her in and asks, "You okay?"

"Yeah," she replied. "Just call me when you're coming back."

"I will." He kisses her. "Love you."

"Love you too." They depart their ways.

Outside the Air Force Base, Becca and Sofia are walking to the parking lot. "Do you think Sam will act out on Bucky for not telling him about Isaiah?" asks Becca.