Lost in Time

Thirty-Four

To say she was nervous, was a complete understatement, Elle was terrified that something would go wrong, but Tony had assured her, as had Jarvis and Lark, this would work. Blowing out a breath, she chewed her thumbnail, watching Bucky sleeping in the bed. They had gotten him out of cryo, and he was in bed, in his own room, on her floor, that had been decorated to be his place. She'd happily give it up for him, she didn't hesitate to say so. Though no one could see her, she glanced out the bedroom door to Tony and Bruce, who were sat out in the living room, talking quietly at the breakfast table. They were just waiting for him to wake up now.

Rogers had all but demanded, well, he did demand that he should be up here, but Tony stood his ground, telling the asshole no. That just him and Bruce for now, until they decided Bucky was ready for visitors.

Hearing the sheets shift, she turned back, watching his face pinch slightly, hearing a low groan leave him as he began to wake up. Elle moved to the end of the bed, out of the mirror dimension, and waited. His hand moved, to rub his face, and with his metal hand, pushed himself up to sit. She held her breath, waiting for him to notice her, she didn't want to crowd him. He was looking at his hands, and began to look around the room, until his eyes stopped on her.

Elle felt her chest tighten, seeing nothing but confusion in his eyes. There was nothing there to suggest the soldier, but she didn't want to hold out hope, that he had his memories back... 'Who are you? Where am I?..'.. His voice came out scratchy.

'Do you know who you are?..'.. She asked softly, keeping her hands clasped in front of her, in a bid to stop herself from jumping at him, and hugging him tight.

'I-I..'.. He frowned, his eyes drifting off as if thinking... 'I think so..'.. He went quiet for a moment... 'James. Is that my name? I got these..'.. His right hand went to his head... 'Flashes in my head..'

'Yes, your name is James. You have experienced some memory loss, and we cannot tell you much, we have to allow your memories to return in their own time..'.. She tells him, staying where she was.

'Where am I?..'.. He looked around the room again.

'You are at the Avengers tower, where you are safe. This team, they are here to help you, protect you. You have your own floor here, where you will stay until you remember more..'.. She said, and carefully moved to sit on the edge of the bed. His eyes snapped back to her, and he was staring at her, as if trying to figure her out.

'Who are you?..'..

'My name is Elle Grey..'... She gave him a smile.

'Like the tea?..'.. He titled his head slightly and she chuckled.

'Elle Grey, not Earl Grey. But I'm sure the team here, especially Tony, won't let me live that down if they heard that..'.. She shook her head smiling.

'You're beautiful..'..

Elles breath hitched, under his assessing gaze, his compliment making her pulse race that she couldn't help but feel herself blush... 'Thank you..'.. She cleared her throat and stood... 'There are two here, out in the living room. They have been helping you, making sure you are alright. They would like to ask you a few questions, and I promise nothing invasive. Is that ok?..'

'Uh, yeah, sure. I don't know how much I could answer though..'.. He flipped the blankets off, his eyes trailing along his metal arm... 'What happened to me?..'

'You fell from a train, and got injured. Mr Stark, Tony, he created that arm..'.. She gestured to it, it was black and dark blue with gold in the creases... 'Something that would suit you. How does it feel?..'