Beyond Saving Bucky

Speakers

2 weeks later

Steve's POV:

It's 4am, and I can't sleep. My mind still playing over what Fury and Dr. Strange said 2 weeks ago. Something big is coming. We have fought our fair share of battles, always for the greater good. But I've never had something like this to fight for....my reason for coming home. She's my life line.

But what if it's too big...what if I...I can't. I can't think about this right now. I can't think about not coming home to her. I look over at her, lightly running my fingers through her hair. I need to get my mind off of this. I get up quietly, and throw on some sweats and go for a run.

Normally I don't have music playing, but she made me this playlist and something is telling me to play it today. I put my ear buds in, hit play, and take off. I can't help but smile at some of her song choices. God this girl....is an eclectic weird little soul. The playlist is all over the place. Capturing every piece of who she is. How she feels. What she wants me to see....

The next song comes on, I'm only 4 miles into my run, but I slow as I'm listening to the lyrics. Flashbacks of our first night together. I stop, closing my eyes and reliving the moments....

"I'm tuned in to you, something's on your mind ain't it?
Go on and tell me baby, don't act like you can't say it
I know your body language, you ain't gotta translate it
So let it talk to me, till I can't take it
Your lips, your hair, your smile, your touch, your kiss, your stare
Your vibes too much
It lights me up, you got me set
I'm way too gone, so baby let your eyes close
Say my name and watch me goin' up in flames"

I feel the tears start to fall. What if this is one of the last times I get to be with her... to hear her laugh... to watch her face light up when she smiles... to hold her, kiss her... to tell her I love her... What if...

Just then, an idea strikes me. I need to make this feeling I'm having right now, with this song, come alive. In person. I need her to feel what I just felt. If this might be the last time, I have to make it perfect.

I run back to the compound, my heart racing as I ride the elevator up. I get to Wanda's room and lightly knock on the door, desperately trying not to wake the whole floor.

Wanda opens the door, half asleep. "Steve? What time is it?"

"Wanda, I'm sorry. But... I need your help."

She steps aside and lets me into her room.

A little while later...

"Steve... that's perfect," she says, a soft smile forming on her lips. "But why not ask Nat? You know she loves to hijack plans," she grins.

"Yeah, but I need... I need a soft touch with this."

Wanda nods, understanding. "Do you have an idea in mind... what you want it to be?"

I nod. "Can I?" she asks. I give her the go-ahead and she takes a peek at the image in my mind.

"Steve... it's so sweet, it's very you," she laughs. "She'll love it."

"Think you can set it up?"

"Yes, I'd love to. When do you want it?"

"Tonight?"

"Wow... fast. Yeah, I can do it," she smiles.

"Thank you, Wanda," I say, giving her a hug, and head down to talk to Tony. On the way, I run into Pepper in the kitchen.

"Hey Cap, you're up early!"

"Couldn't sleep... I was looking for Tony... but actually, you might be the perfect person to help me..."