Winter Heat (A Bucky Barnes love story)

Lily James comes home

Lily James Pov

There it is, Avengers tower. I have traveled across the country to get here. New York really has changed since my time.

*flashback*

The year is 1942, I just got done with work and was set to meet my brother Steve and our friend Bucky at the bar. I was running a little late. Quickly checking the mirror that hung in my apartment bathroom I dash out the door. When I get to the bar a very kind gentleman holds the door open for me.

"Thank you sir," I nod at him as I walk through the door. Scanning the room I canst seem to locate Steve, that is until someone taps me on the shoulder.

"Looking for someone special?" I hear a deep voice ask. I spin around in lsurprise.

"Bucky!" I throw my arms around him in a tight hug. Then I notice the uniform. "You got in." I blink back the tears that are threatening to spill.

"Don't be sad flower," Bucky wipes a tear away from my eye with his thumb, "I promise to come back for you."

"Promise?"

"I promise," Bucky puts an arm around my waist.

"Where's Steve?" I stand on my toes to look over Bucky's shoulder.

"Bathroom."

*End of Flashback*

Walking into the lobby of the Avengers tower I brush some of the rain off my coat and hair. As I step onto the elevator I feel a sudden jump of nerves. This will be the first time I have seen Steve since he left to become the world's first Super soldier. I start to play with the engagement ring that Bucky gave me before he left. I don't doubt that Steve will be able to recognize me, since I look the exact same as I did in 1942. Steve became the first Super soldier and I became the second thanks to Howard.

"What floor Miss James?" an automated voice asks.

"Whatever floor Steve Rogers in on," I reply after taking a few deep breaths.

"Top floor then Miss James," the voice responds.

"Is he alone?" I ask.

"No Miss James, he is with the rest of the Avengers and Miss Hill." the voice answers my question. The rest if the ride I am trying to calm my nerves.

Stepping off the elevator I am greeted to silence, everyone is staring at me.

"Uh hi," I walk over awkwardly.

"Lily?" Steve's eyes are huge like he just can't believe I am here. He sets down his drink and walks over to me.

"Agent James, what are you doing her?" Maria asks, "I thought you were in Montana?"

"James? Her last name is Rogers." Steve looks at Maria confused.

"I think it is story time, "I clear my throat.

"Please take a seat," Howard's son motions for me to take a seat.

"thanks, now where to start?" I sit down on the couch next to a buff man with long blonde hair.

"How about how the hell are you alive!?!" Steve demands.

"Language." a red head teases. The rest of the Avengers laugh as if they are in on some kind of joke.

"Alright then. It all started after you died Steve. HYDRA was getting strong again. SHIELD was just starting up and Howard suggested another Super Soldier to fight the big battles with HYDRA. All we needed was a test subject, since I felt like I had nothing to live for at the time I volunteered just in case something went wrong. Howard had found some ofErskine's notes and has made another serum." I take a deep breath before continuing. "Thankfully the serum worked. But the serum stopped me from aging. Anyways as the years went by I fought more and more battles with HYDRA, and created more enemies. Howard thought it might be a good idea fore me to disappear for a while, and lay low until it was safe for me to come out of hiding. So we faked my death, and I changed my name to Lily James. I took Bucky's first name in a way to honor his memory.

"He's not dead  you know," Steve sets his drink down. "Bucky's alive."

"What? How? How is that possible? I thought he fell to his death." I feel a glimmer of hope light up inside me.

"He tried to kill us a few years ago," the read head pipes up, "He has no memory of his past life."

"What do you mean?" I look to Steve for answers.

"When I found Bucky at Red Skull's lair, Dr. Zola had experimented on him. Whatever he did to him helped Bucky survive his fall. HYDRA found him and turned him into the Winter Soldier. I am heading out on a mission again to go find him." Steve gives my hand a squeeze.

"I'm in," I smile with hope, "I want to help you find Bucky. I want my Bucky back."