Normally Bucky wouldn't stay in one place for long. He'd walk as far as he could,sometimes getting a ride. He'd eat from the garbage or grab what he could from a hot dog cart,sleep and repeat the next doesn't know where he's going or even what he's looking for but he knows that if he's found by the wrong people, it could turn into a big mess. He slept on a park bench the night before and woke up with the sun. Counting the cash in his pocket he set off to find breakfast. He was tired, tired of not knowing who he was or anything about his past, tired of people being scared of him, tired of being scared of himself. He never knew when his rage was going to get the the better of him. It doesn't feel natural, like its not his own. He doesn't know how to be like any of these other people, they act like they know what they're doing, like they have a purpose. He had walked a couple block before he realized when he was, in front of the office building where he met that woman the other night. He stared up at the glass skyscaper, wondering if he would see her again. He decided to keep moving, he came upon a food truck a few minutes later. After eating an omelet and toast he ask a passerby where the V.A. was. He soon was walking up the front steps of the Main St. V.A. office. Inquiring inside he found there was nothing they could do for him, he didn't know his name or where he served, he had no family to contact and the office was already swamped. The elderly lady at the front desk apologize and suggested checking the newspaper for job openings then went back to answering phones. He stepped out and found a news paper stand, one that took coins. Giving the machine a confusing look, he inserted the necessary amount of coins and received a newspaper. For several hours he looked through the newspaper and walked to the locations listed but found that no one was willing to give a homeless, amnesiac man a job. He was walking back towards the food truck when he heard someone laughing. Images of himself and another man, one who looked similar to the man on the were walking together, joking about something. The man was smaller than him, but he put his arm around him and they heaved over laughing. The memories changed and he saw explosions and heard gun fire. There were men in uniform running with rifles in hand. He fell but someone grabbed his arm and pulled him up. He looked up and saw the same clear blue eyes that belonged to the man on the bridge, his friend in the other memory. The man looked him and smiled " Just liked old times, Buck." The memory cut short and he was staring at the sidewalk. He looked up and again found himself in front of the glass he always he always ended up here. He saw a coffee cart and standing in front of it, reaching out for a cup of coffee, was the woman he met the other night. She wearing a black dress with white and black flats. She was talking and laughing with a man in a business suit who also had a cup of coffee. They walked through the busy courtyard and sat down at a table. Bucky walk to the coffee cart, bought a black coffee and sat down. He drank his coffee in silence occasionally glancing towards the pretty woman. Ten minutes later his patience wore thin and he gulped down the last of his drink. As he stood he knocked over his chair,it made a loud clatter on the concrete. He scowled at the metal chair, noticing that everyone was looking at him now. He quickly set the chair back up,threw his cup in the closest trash can, shoved his hands in his pockets and strode out of the court. A couple of tables away, the woman looked up at the sound a crash and saw Bucky walking walking away. "I have to go, sorry." She politely told her co-worker and started towards Bucky."Hey!" she ran and grabbed Bucky's arm. He jerked his arm away from her grasp and she took a startled step back. His face softened when he recognized her. "What do you want?" he asked, shoving his hand in his pocket but looking her dead in the eye. She hesitated "I,um, saw you at back there and I wanted to check on you. Did you go to the V.A. ?" She looked compassionate which made Bucky break eye contact, compassion wasn't something he received often. " Uh, they couldn't do anything." His husky voice was hushed as he looked around uncomfortably.
"Well um, did you go to the police department or the hospital? Someone might have placed a missing persons report about you. They could help you find out where you're from." He shook his head and inhaled deeply, shifting his weight and looking at the ground. "Oh,okay. I'm Erin by the way." She put out her left hand. Bucky looked at her hand and awkwardly put out his right. " Oh right! Sorry, I'm a lefty." She quickly changed hands and shook his. "Have,have you eaten today?" She was hesitant. "Um yeah, I did this morning." He said surprised at her question. " I was gonna eat but," His voice trailed off and he looked towards to coffee cart and clenched his jaw. She followed his gaze but didn't say anything. She bit he lip and winced. " Would you like to have lunch with me?" she rushed over her words, already regretting her decision. " Um,I, don't know. You probably don't want to-" She cut him. "Oh come on! I threaten you with a taser, you show up at my workplace. We're practically friends all ready." She smile and put her arm out leading the way. "Come. My treat." She didn't look like she'd take no for an answer so Bucky nodded and walked with her. She took him down a couple blocks to an Italian restaurant that looked pretty high didn't know much but he knew that he didn't belong in a place like that. She held the door for him when he hesitated outside the steps; she smiled reassuringly and he walked in. The waiter, an old, thin man who looked like a butler seated them,giving Bucky several disapproving glances. Bucky looked down at his clothes, he was wearing black pants, a gray t-shirt and a blue hoodie that was pretty ratty. Erin was dressed for this sort of environment, with her classic black dress and her hair in a bun, "She looks like a lady." Thought Bucky. They ordered, with Erin recommending her favorite dishes and Bucky accepting. He twisted the cloth napkin under the table trying to control the stress that laid upon him. Erin tried to make polite conversation but found it to no avail. They ate silently and when it came time for dessert Erin asked him where he would stay. "I don't know," he grunted "I don't stay in one place for long." His breathing became shaky as the restaurant filled up with the lunch rush. The building became louder with delightful conversation. Erin noticed his stiffness and wandering eyes. She spoke calmly " I could probably find you a place, with a friend or someone I know." Bucky could hardly hear her as the laughter and talking triggered more disruptive memories. He tried to hold them back, to stay in this world but they were rushing in and flashes of people and places were everywhere. He looked up at the waiter that brought his cheesecake,the man's face morphed into one that looked like the man on the bridge. He squirmed in his seat and started breathing heavily. Erin leaned forward and asked him if he was all right. Bucky looked at her but her face was gone, instead he saw a woman with red lipstick and curled brown hair in a military uniform. He banged his fist on the table, making Erin jump and everyone around look at him. He stood up and started out but ran into a waiter carrying a tray of drinks. The waiter fell over and the drinks went everywhere, Bucky stopped for a second but then continued to rush out. The restaurant was silent as Erin helped the waiter up and paid for their check. She ran outside and looked down the sidewalk, she saw Bucky turn the corner and went after him. At the corner she called his name. He acted like he didn't here her, but she caught up with him. Stepping in front of him, " Hey, Hey." She said softly, putting her hand out in front of him. "Don't you know it rude to leave a girl alone after a meal." He stopped walking and sighed heavily,tossing his head. "I, I'm sorry, But I have to go." He whispered horsely and tried to walk around her but she stepped in front of him again. "You don't have anywhere to go, remember?" She tilted her head to look him in the eyes. He tried not to look at her but the pavement wasn't very interesting. He grunted and shook his head, "I don't now what to do!" He said looking into her eyes. "He's like a lost puppy." She sighed " Why don't you stay with me? I've got a spare room and I can help you, with whatever you want. Finding your family, friends or just another place to stay." Bucky shook his head softly " No,I can't. You're to nice and,"
" Yes I can." She said defiantly. "I can decided who stays with me and if it comes to it, I'm not afraid to kick you call the police." Her small smile showed that she wasn't kidding. After several moments of silence Bucky nodded. He broke the whisper and said." Maybe just for a while."