The Girl Out of Time

Chapter 17

A few weeks after everything had happened with Shield, Hydra, and Bucky I found myself back at Gracie's. She had excitedly let me in. Turns out her children and grandchildren were there. She had introduced me to everyone then sent the kids upstairs to play while Gracie, Greg, Lucas, Anna, and I sat together in the living room.

"What have you been up to since returning?" Anna asked me.

"A lot of things. I use to work for Shield with my friend Steve but then I helped him take that down. Now I've been helping him search for a friend we thought was dead." I told them.

"James?" Gracie asked.

"Yea, turns out he's still alive. It's been an insane past few months." I told her.

"Sounds like it." Greg chuckled.

After the kids and grandkids left I sat alone on the couch with Grace.

"I've been seeing someone." I told her softly.

"Really?" She asked excitedly.

"Yea, his name is Sam. He's been in the middle of all this with me. It's rough sometimes though because I know we are eventually going to find James. What happens if I remember him and all those old feelings everyone says I had come back? I really do like Sam and I don't want to loose him or hurt him." I confided.

Grace chuckled softly then turn in her seat to face me. She grabbed my hand holding it gently between both of her's.

"Does Sam know about James?" She asked.

I nodded.

"Is he aware of your memory loss and your history with James?" She asked.

I nodded again.

"He still chooses to he with you even though he knows all this. I'm sure he knows there's a possibility of loosing you to James. The thing is, even if you won't be together forever, the time you have with Sam now is precious and full of memories you will cherish forever. I can't tell you what to decide when the time comes. All I can say is follow your heart. The right choice is not always the easiet." She spoke softly.

I just stared at her for a minute.

"How did you get to be the wise one?" I asked her quietly.

Grace chuckled then patted my leg.

"It comes with years and years of mistakes." She smiled at me.

"I hate that I didn't get to experience life with you. To be there for you when you needed me." I told her feeling the sudden need to apologize.

"Things were hard after you disappeared. Mom was an absolute mess and dad seemed to get even worse than he was before. I hadn't realized how much you had protected me and Amy from him. Things were rough but Amy and I kept pushing on because we knew that's what you would have done." Grace's voice was shaky.

I hugged her feeling even more sorry that I had been taken away from her and Amelia. I never wanted them to suffer at our father's hand. That's why I always took the beatings. I wanted them to be free and happy. I could handle the pain plus I had Steve to get me threw. I had James too but I couldn't remeber what impact he had made on me.

A few months later I woke up in bed cuddled next to Sam. I had ended up staying with him in his apartment in DC. He was already awake typing away on his phone. I wrapped my arm around his torso then moved closer to him. He chuckled then started running his fingers threw my hair.

"Steve sent me another lead for us to follow. Said he and the others are going after another Hydra base." Sam said quietly.

I groaned then rolled over on my back. Ever since we found out Bucky was still alive we've been chasing down leads. It's been months with no result. Each time the trail ends cold.