Till the End of the Line Vol. 5

Chapter 8 - Change in Game Plan

Sam, Becca, and Loki stand around Sofia and comfort her. Becca gently places her hand on Sofia's shoulder and asks, "You sure you're okay?"

Sofia crossed her arms and replied, "Yeah. Yeah. I'm fine."

They look up, and they see Bucky standing a few feet away. Bucky and Sofia lock eyes with each other. "Take your time, okay," says Becca.

"We'll meet you outside," says Sam.

"Okay," Sofia replied. Becca, Sam, and Loki walk away. Sofia takes a deep breath before she and Bucky walk up. They stop at least inches away and hesitate as they have difficulty figuring out what they should say. "Hi."

"Hi," Bucky says with a guilty look on his face. They look at each other in silence for a moment.

"Doll, I'm sorry. I know that seeing me turn to dust was difficult and painful. I know I will never understand. And I wish that you didn't have to go through that pain because you shouldn't have to. You've been trying to help me after I returned, the government pardoned me, and...after Steve retired. When I lost myself and I saw you struggling, I should have let you help me instead of pushing you away."

"I shouldn't have pushed you away either."

They have tears in their eyes. Bucky gently grabs Sofia and whispers, "Come here." He pulls her in a hug. As they hug, Sofia sniffles a little. Bucky then kisses her on the head and then has her face him as he wipes the tears off her face. "Let's make a promise to each other. From now on, no matter what. If something is wrong in our minds or anything...we tell each other the truth. No more secrets. Okay?"

Sofia nods with a smile. "Okay."

"Okay." Bucky smiles.

"I love you."

"I love you too." Bucky then leans in and kisses her. "Listen, I'm sorry if the Doc made you uncomfortable in there."

"It's okay; I'd figure it wouldn't be a pleasant talk. But you were right...she's a terrible shrink." Bucky laughs. "I mean, I thought my shrink was decent...yours pushes boundaries."

They then laugh together. Bucky wraps his arm around her waist, then heads to the exits. "Come on; I don't want to stay here another minute. This place is making me feel like shit."

"Hey!" Sofia looks at him.

"What?" Bucky looks at her with raised eyebrows.

"Language." Bucky looks at her with a strange face as they leave. She laughs, which makes him smile.

Outside, Sam, Becca, and Loki turn around to see Bucky and Sofia walking hand in hand. "Better?" asks Becca.

"Um...sure," Sofia replied. "I guess you can say that."

Sam smiles and suggests, "You sure? Cause it looks like you two just made up for whatever happened in there."

Bucky interrupts, "Yeah. Yeah. Okay. Look. Let's get out of here before something else goes wrong." Bucky and Sofia leave. Sam follows. Then Loki and Becca turn to each other and chuckle as they follow.

"I feel better," said Sam.

"I feel awful," said Bucky.

"I feel worse," said Sofia.

"Well, it could be worse," Loki hinted and shrugged.

"Loki, please don't jinx it," Becca turns to him and snaps.

They turn as they see sirens whooping and see Walker and Lemar at the police cars. Sofia groans, "Too late."

Walker turned on and off the sirens. He then waves to them. They then walk towards Walker as he says, "Gentlemen. Ladies. Good to see you again."