Letters

We Regret To Inform You...

Willow was tapping away at the keys of her typewriter busily. She was trying to write up a good report for a burglary on fifth and ninth but her mind was elsewhere, as it always was. Part of her mind was with Steve and Bucky and how they were holding up. The other part, was with these murder cases.

She hadn't wanted to worry Steve but she had been getting more messages. Five more, when before in the past seven to nine months, there had been nothing. It worried Willow. Why were they targeting her? Why did they want her on this case? She was no police officer but a reporter. And while she knew she was a good one, she didn't think she was particularly worthwhile.

The messages also became more and more ominous.

Help is never given to those who don't ask for it.

You'll find out about us soon enough

Don't forget to look both ways before crossing a street

Remember Old Man Allen? Don't forget what you saw.

A game of chess is never won until the Queen falls.

What did any of it mean? Some of them were literal sayings but Willow liked looking into the deeper meaning of it all. Why were they targeting her? Was she the Queen? Were they coming for her? Sometimes she felt almost giddy thinking about it, other times it down right frightened her. What would happen to her if they kidnapped her? Willow wasn't much of a fighter, she could hold her own but she was a passive person at heart.

When she wasn't worried about this case though, she was worried about Bucky and Steve. How were they doing? What were they doing? Where were they? She knew she couldn't ask for many details beyond the reports from the Colonel. She was still surprised the army had allowed them to run stories on Captain America and the Howling Commandoes. It had shot business through the roof, which Wallace was happy about. He seemed to always be congratulating her on a job well done when she really hadn't done anything. They were the ones overseas fighting the good fight, she was just typing up their stories.

Sighing, Willow tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear as it escaped her braid. She needed to finish this story before lunch. It had to be in tomorrow mornings paper. As she typed though, she became awfully aware that a growing silence was filling the office. When Willow looked up, she understood why.

At the front desk was a man in uniform. Willow's stomach churned as she watched the man take off his hat and solemnly speak to Jenny at the front desk. Everyone was holding their breath. Jenny nodded her head sadly and motioned towards the office. Everyone was still. Who had died? Who had lost someone they loved?

Please, not them. Anyone but them. Willow begged. She knew it wasn't right to wish for someone else to be dead but Willow couldn't hep it. If Bucky or Steve was gone.. It would feel like the end of the world.

Without putting his hat back on, the soldier continued through the office. Willow could have sworn he was looking right at her. Glancing over at Jenny, her suspicions were almost confirmed. "No." Willow whispered. The man continued towards her, looking like he wished he was anywhere else. "No." Willow said louder. Pushing her chair back, she stood up. The man was nearly in front of her now. "It can't.." Willow stopped.

"Ms. Peterson?" He asked her.

"No. No please don't." Willow begged, she could already feel her heart breaking.

"Willow Peterson?" He asked again.

"Who? Which one.. Bucky? Steve?" Willow demanded, her chest tightening. The man didn't answer right away.

"James Buchanan Barns ma'am." He said slowly, pulling an envelope out of his pocket.

"No.. No." Willow said firmly, refusing to accept the letter. "He's not gone."

"Ma'am, I'm sorry but he is." Willow shook her head back and forth in disbelief. Not Bucky.. Please. Don't take him from me. "Ma'am, please." He was still holding out the letter and still, Willow refused to take it from him. Setting the envelope down on Willow's desk lightly, the man began to put his hat back on his head. "I'm deeply sorry for your loss ma'am. I'm told you're the only family he has." He bowed to Willow and turned to walk away.

Willow stared at his retreating form. If she didn't look away from him, it wouldn't be real. If she didn't pick up the letter, it wouldn't be real. If she didn't look at it, it wouldn't be real. Bucky wasn't dead. He couldn't be dead. Willow's hands were shaking and tears threatened to spill from her eyes.

"Willow?" A voice called out. Willow turned to the sound. It was Betty. She was wringing her hands staring up at  her friend. "Willow are you okay?" 

"I'm fine. He's not dead." Willow said, blinking away her tears, wiping the wetness from her eyes away. "This has happened before." Willow said firmly. "They scare me half to death.. Bucky is fine."

"Willow, he might not be." Betty said calmly.

"But you don't know that!" Willow shouted. "You don't know anything!" Betty stared up at Willow with a hurt expression on her face.

"What's the commotion?" Wallace asked, appearing from his office.

"Willow has just.. Received some bad news." Anne spoke up.

"No I haven't." Willow snapped at her. "Bucky is fine. He can't be dead he's fine." Nobody said anything. Wallace pursed his lips, walking forward.

"Willow, why don't you take the rest of the day off."

"Why? Bucky is fine. I don't need to.." She stopped, her voice will betray her. She was going to cry. "Bucky is fine." Willow repeated as her eyes welled with tears again.

"Oh Willow." Betty said walking forward and wrapping her arms around Willow. Willow didn't argue with her and she didn't hug her back.

"Bucky is.. Bucky.." Willow couldn't help it. It had happened before.. Bucky was presumed dead along with Steve but a letter from them a week later proved otherwise. Would she be so lucky twice? Beginning to cry, Willow wrapped her arms tightly around Betty. "He has to be fine!" She cried out. "He's my best friend!"

"I know, I know." Betty murmured as Willow cried into her shoulder. She didn't want to get Willow's hopes up saying he might be alright because what if the latter was true? Bucky could be dead.. They would just have to wait and see.

----

Willow had enough vacation days stacked up that she could take an entire week off, an entire month if she wanted to. Willow knew she wouldn't though. She was going stir crazy just sitting at home with barely anything to do. Listen to the radio, read the paper, read a book, make sure to eat some food.. Sometimes, she would forget to eat. And always, always she waited for word from Steve.

When word finally came, Willow wished it hadn't.

January 29th, 1945

Dear Willow,
Bucky.. He's gone. You must have the formal letter by now. I'm.. I'm so sorry. I couldn't keep him alive. My best friend, your best friend. He was right there. I couldn't reach out to him though... He died and it's all my fault. I'm sorry I'm not there with you. I wish I was home with you. God, I miss you everyday.

Love,
Steven Rogers

A/N:
Did you all see the secret message? 😶😉😏 and umm.. Sorry about.. Bucky... But it happened a while ago you know? And he's fine obviously but yeah...