| The Amelie Chronicles | (MCU)

Part Three: Chapter One

ONE YEAR LATER...

"Did you finish your homework yet?"

"....ja...?"

"Amie."

"Maybe?"

"Yes or no?"

"Math is not easy."

Amelie sat at the kitchen table, staring down at a workbook like it had grown three eyes. She hated math. She hated science. They were like two complex and completely boring languages that Steve insisted she should know. She already knew enough languages to give her a headache.

Steve sat across from her, taking a look at the workbook with a pencil tucked behind his ear.

"It can't be that bad."

There was a pause. Steve just stared at the page.

"They didn't teach this to us when I was in school."

Amelie made a pointed "huff" and sat back in her chair, "Why does Tony send these?"

"Because you need to know this kind of stuff. We agreed, remember?" Steve pushed the workbook back towards her, "Maybe if you read the examples again?"

The teen shook her head. She needed serious tutoring in order to understand this stuff. Amie was just beginning to fully understand English. She loved to read. All of her English and Lit work Steve gave to her was easy- and she loved to do it. Why not just stop there? What was so important about science and math?

"I don't get it." Amie sighed, "Do I have to do it?"

Steve sighed, "Not tonight. I suppose we could message Tony in the morning. We can pick this up tomorrow."

Amie smiled, "Really?"

"Don't push your luck, kiddo." Steve got up from the kitchen table, "You still have to do it, one way or another."

The girl shrugged, "I know."

The captain walked into the living room and sat down, hunched over the coffee table. He was going through some files, a laptop sat open in front of him. Amelie sighed, closing the math workbook, her eyes still studying Steve curiously.

He was still looking for Bucky. It had been months. The guy could be out of the country by now, halfway to Switzerland, but Steve wouldn't stop until he found his friend. Amie knew that it was the right thing to do- reaching out to help family. Sometimes though she didn't understand why Steve would put himself through this.

After the fall of Hydra and SHIELD, Amie was able heal. Her speech got better. She no longer stuttered unless she was upset. Her arm barely spasmed. Steve? His injuries may have healed, but he still was hurt about Bucky.

It resulted in a lot of odd behaviors for the captain.

There'd be late nights, early mornings (earlier than usual). Times where Amie had to stay at Sam's for a few days, or where she would be alone in the apartment for a night. One time Steve even asked Natasha to come around and keep an eye on Amelie.

The late afternoon sun shone in through the window of their apartment, causing Amie to glumly stare outside. She was rarely allowed to go outside on her own anymore. Even to the library or coffee shop, which was only two blocks away. She didn't know if it was because Steve was gone so often, or if he was afraid something would happen.

Either way, she missed taking walks around the city.

"Still nothing?" Amie asked from across the room. She was putting some hot water on to boil for some tea- standing on her tip-toes to reach the mugs on a top shelf.

"No." Steve sat back into the couch, running a hand down his face, "Nothing."

"I can help you." She offered, "I can-"

"No. It's too dangerous. The last time you did that, Ames, you needed a hospital."

The girl's heart sank. Steve didn't really like her to use her powers anymore either. He was afraid she'd hurt herself again. Amie just wanted to help!

"That was last year." Amelie argued, "I can still-"

"I found something." Steve said suddenly, looking at the computer screen. He typed frantically and then wrote down an address.

"What is it?" Amelie asked, turning off the burner as the kettle began to hiss.

"CCTV footage... I..." Steve's eyes were wide open, rarely blinking as he typed and clicked away on the computer, "I think I-"

After pouring the hot water in a mug, Amelie set her tea down and walked briskly to Steve, peeking over his shoulder.

"Is that him?" The footage was terrible. Amie had to squint one eye in order to make out the former Winter Soldier. Even then... it could have been anybody.

"I think so... look at his left hand." Steve pointed to the screen. The man's left hand was gloved, and his left shoulder was slightly lower than the right one- as if it were heavier.

"Where is this?"

"I.... I don't know." Steve typed again, but Amelie already was looking closer at the screen- looking for the serial number of the CCTV in the bottom right corner.

Carefully, she closed her eyes, taking in a deep breath as she began her search. She'd been secretly practicing in her room when she was alone. As much as she hated how she got her powers... they were a part of her. She wanted to do some good with them.

"Amelie, what are you doing? Are you insane?!" Steve's hands gripped Amie's shoulders and was shaking her, "You know you'll hurt yourself by doing this."

Amie's right nostril dotted with blood when she opened her eyes, but otherwise she was fine, "106 West Avenue, Alexandria. It's an abandoned Datacom building. Third floor."

Her arm gave a twitch, causing her brows to furrow and her other hand to grip it tightly. Her complexion was paler, but Amelie hardly felt different. Just a little dizzy.

"Amie." Steve had his arms folded across his chest, "What did we talk about?"

"I wanted to help." Amie said softly, "You've been looking for months."

"You can help me by not doing that anymore." Steve scolded, "Amie, you can hurt yourself."

"No, I've been practicing." Amelie explained, "I know how to-"

"You've been practicing?"

"You're not home a lot."

"That's not the point. It's dangerous- you could hurt some...." immediately Steve stopped talking. Amie's eyes were wide as she backed away from Steve.

"You think I am dangerous." Amie said quietly, "You do not think I have control?"

Her hazel eyes watered. Steve was supposed to be her parent! Her person! She trusted him more than anyone else in the world... and he was calling her dangerous.

"That's not what I meant." Steve said quietly, "You know that."

Steve tried to comfort her, but Amelie retreated to her room.

"G-good luck finding B-Bucky."

The door slammed by itself in a small wave of purple aura. Both Amie and Steve were silent for sometime until she heard the quiet shuffle of his feet towards the door and the jingle of keys.

As upset as she was, Amelie prayed Steve would comeback safe.