Saving Winter {A Bucky Barnes/Winter Soldier Story}

Time Keeps Passing

3 Weeks Later:
My arms became so sore, the most sore they've ever been as I kept throwing punches at the bag, my mind going all over the place from my frustration getting the better of me, when someone grabbed the bag, stopping me mid hit, sighing.

"Steve. I'm okay. Really. I just need a work out. It's time for it." Steve sent me an assessing look as he shook his head, finally getting me to move as I sat down, putting my head between my hands in a frustrated manner.

Ever since I was released from the hospital, I've been trying my hardest to find Bucky and his whereabouts, only to get nothing.

He's just vanished into the ghost Hydra worked years to make him. He's so used to that, that it's not hard for him. But it still gets to me, knowing he's out there somewhere, where there are still people loyal to Hydra, just waiting to snatch him up and return him to what he was before. But I can't let that happen! I can't...

"Allie, you've got to take it easy. Only for a couple days more. Then we can both work to get you back up. I know it's been rough the past few weeks. We've been searching.... But he's gone again. He's hiding himself good. But believe me, I've been looking for Bucky." I looked up at Steve as I saw that familiar sad look wash across his face, gently patting his back as I sighed once more, looking up at the board of Bucky, as I like to call it.

Possible leads and such are on there. But nothing. Nothing leading us exactly to where he is. God we need help. Avenger help. All the help. But I'll hand it to them. They're the coolest people. They help each other out as much as they can. They actually work as a team to fight against the evil of the world. And they don't give up. Hell, I'm not even an Avenger and they still help me, make me feel like I am one.

"I know Steve. Trust me I know. We've all been working at it. We just got to think good thoughts and hopefully, everything will work out." He smiled at me as he side hugged me, making me chuckle as we both just sat there, lost in our own minds.

Now with S.H.I.E.L.D. no longer a thing, we all just kind of do our own thing. And so far, it's going okay. So let's keep working at that. Being okay.
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Home felt like the safest place in the world to me anymore. Life was complicated and things just didn't seem to be panning out on the Bucky front. All I kept hoping was that he was okay. I don't understand why he ran. Why he wouldn't come to me or Steve! We would never turn him away. Never.....

"Allie?" I about jumped out my skin upon a sudden voice calling my name out in the darkness of my apartment, not in the mood for any kind of games tonight. I kept expecting some stray Hydra scum to off me whenever the chance arose for them. But the voice.....

"Bucky.....?" I finally flipped on a light and lowered my gun I pulled without even fully realizing it. And my eyes instantly watered. He's here. In my apartment. Safe. All I could do was throw my arms around him, feeling the pure relief washing over me.

"You have no idea just how much you had me worried damn it! Why did you run?" I finally pulled back to see his eyes scanning my face, slowly wiping away my stray tears.

"Hydra will never stop looking for me. As long as they're around, I'm a target. I was there biggest asset." I shook my head in anger from just the mere thought of those people. And just what they've done to us all.

"Well don't worry about that anymore. We will never let anything happen to you again. They will not get you! If it means war, then so be it." He suddenly placed his cold metal hand upon my warm cheek, sending shivers down my back. I've never felt this way for any one person before. In this line of work, it's not amazing to have relationships because anything could possibly happen. But Bucky isn't just some random person. He's apart of this as well. And there's no way I could see my self with anyone else. Just him....

"I just.... I couldn't stay away from you Allie. And you've been looking for me. Steve, Sam.... you've all been trying so hard. I couldn't keep hurting you. Not anymore." I simply smiled, feeling warm all over. And I did the most logical thing possible. I kissed him. His lips against mine felt so right, like they were meant for mine. I was meant to be here, with him. We've been through so much. And this is only the beginning.

"I couldn't either Buck.... never." I knew we had many more battles ahead of us. But at least I knew that the biggest mission of my life was complete. Saving winter.