Only 70 Years

Lost in Thought

Lost in Thought

    Steve set his hand on Bucky's shoulder, "I'm so sorry, Bucky."

    "I'm going to kill them all. Every last one of them. Steve! They- they killed her! They almost killed my daughter!"

    "JAMES! Listen to yourself. You need to take a breath!" Grace began to cry at the sudden outbursts of both men.

    "I'm sorry, Grace, it's alright." Bucky took her into his arms and kissed her forehead, "It'll be alright, dear."

    Steve looked over his shoulder at the door, "Bucky, they'll be coming back with more people. We have to go."

    "I'm not leaving her." He looks at Adeline.

    "James! She's dead! I'm sorry, but she's dead! You still have your daughter however. A daughter you need to keep safe. You need to protect  her." Bucky looks up and then back down, "She's dead!" Bucky starts to cry again, and reluctantly stands.

    "Say goodbye to Mommy, Grace." She looks up over Bucky's shoulder and waves as he closes the door silently. "Steve, where are we going?"

    "Peggy's."

    "Peggy's? Why Peggy's? I- How am I supposed to keep her safe when I'm at war? She needs her mom."

    "James. Before you do something stupid can you please sit down." He sits after a moment, "We're taking Grace to Peggy's. She'll take care of her. Bucky, Hydra wants your head. Trust me, they want Grace too. Love can be used as a weapon."

    "You want me to give my daughter up to Peggy!? My year old daughter?- No.. I won't do it."

    "You can see her but hydra won't stop at Adeline! Hydra wants to hurt you. They'll go to the first person I love. They already killed Adeline!"

    "Steve... I don't know if I can do this. If she doesn't know me. Then she'll feel like I abandoned her."

    Steve looks at him, "Bucky, this is the only way that Grace will be safe, that's all that matters."

    "I know that's the only way I can keep her safe...:" They keep walking until they reach Peggy's house. Bucky stops just before the steps, "I can't do this. I love her too much."

    "James, she'll be fine... I promise."

    He nods and steps inside. Peggy looks up, "Aren't you getting ready for the party? Why are you here? I got the cake if that's what you're worried about." Bucky breaks down onto the floor still holding Grace.

    "Peggy, Hydra showed up at the house shortly after you left... they killed Adeline." Steve can barely say the last words. Peggy looks down, silently crying although she tried not to show it.

    "I'm sorry Barn- Bucky."

    "Peg-gy? Can I ask you something?" Bucky chokes out.

    "Go ahead."
    "Can you- can you keep Gra- I can't! Steve I can't do this!"

    "Peggy we need to you to protect Grace. She can't stay with Bucky, she'll be hurt. Or killed..." Peggy looked up and nodded slowly.

    "Bucky, let me have Grace." Steve put his arms out to take her. Bucky looked at Grace and tightened his grip. He shook his head.

    "Bucky, I'll take care of her. I'll keep her safe." Bucky pulled Grace back a bit and smiled at her.

    She giggled and grabbed his ears, "Dada!" she squealed. He laughs behind his tears, standing up. "Take good care of her. I'll be home after the war. I promise, Grace. When I get home we'll do all sorts of fun things together. We'll go to the theatre. Your mother loved that place so much... and maybe you become an actress. If your mother hadn't come to war, I say she would've made one fine actress. Maybe you can do that for her. Grace, I love you. Okay? Don't you ever think that I left you because I love you... that's why I'm doing this. Don't let her forget me," Bucky acknowledges Peggy.

    Peggy nods and takes her into her arms. Bouncing her slightly. Bucky opens the door and looks back. He smiles and walks out, Steve behind him.

    "Steve... She's my daughter. I can't just leave her here!"
    "It's for her own good."

* * *

    "Come on... James! It's been four hours, we need to leave. You can't just sit on this porch until the war's over!"

    "I can't leave her."

    "Bucky! She's happy! She's sleeping right now... We need to go."

    "She is? Can I see her one last time? Please?"

    Reluctantly Steve nodded, "But that's it. Every moment you spend here is Hydra's proof."

    Bucky spun up and opened the door. Grace laid in the small makeshift crib. He walked over to her and lightly touched her forehead. He tried to fight the urge to cry. Grace slept soundly and peacefully. Peggy stepped forward and looked concerned towards Steve. Steve just smiled at her and then at Bucky. He then walked over to her.

    "It's the last time he'll ever see his daughter, potentially. I think he needed this."

    Peggy looked at Steve, "He needs to understand that Grace is facing almost certain death if she stays with him, I mean, sometimes we have to sacrifice relationships in the name of love. Steve, He's protecting her. That's a father's job and if he can't do that... he's not a good father! He has to put her needs over his. I-I don't think he should be here right now. For all we know, Hydra could be outside right now listening to this conversation. It's what they need to get to Barnes, Grace."

    Steve sighed and looked over to Bucky who was now holding Grace's delicate hand, "but I feel like I'll be breaking his heart if I tell him to go."

    "He won't leave if you don't tell him." Peggy said simply, but not harshly, in a sort of compassionate way.

    Steve made his way over to Bucky and sets his hand on his shoulder, "Bucky, you should go. It's not safe for you to be here... with her."

    Bucky stood up faster than Steve expected. He walked over to Peggy and hugged her, "I'll be home after the war... just say that I am at war and can't be here. Don't you dare let her forget my name..." Peggy nodded.