Chapter Four

The Avengers were nervous.

Pepper's call for a non-emergency assemble was the first one in a long time, really since they became the Avengers. All she said was Darcy's request and that's all the information she had. She was just as concerned as the rest of them. So with that in mind, they sat around the common room dinner table (extra sturdy because, duh, Thor and Steve) absent-mindedly waiting for Darcy's arrival.

"She's pregnant."

"Tony!" Pepper swapped him upside his head, while he shrugged his shoulders. "First of all…when would she have the time? Secondly, if she is. We embrace it. As we should, we're a family." If Darcy was the glue that held them all together, Pepper was the reason Darcy was still sane.

"No, my lightening sister is not in the family way, but if this her agreeing to move into the Tower I will be most joyous." Thor, was quite protective of Darcy and even the All-Father had to accept Darcy as Thor's little sister.

"She did tell Pepper and I yesterday she was seriously considering," Jane touched a finger to her chin, glancing at Natasha, "She said you'd talked to her too, right?" Natasha nodded her head, keeping her verbal confirmation silence.

Before the Avengers could continue their speculation, Jarvis alerted them to her arrival.

"Sir, Miss Lewis has arrived." Natasha had an inkling about what was sure to be going down and prepared herself for the questions and logically noted who she would have calm down in order to allow Darcy to speak. Jane and Thor would be the most hurt, they were closer to her than most of the Avengers. They knew her first before the Avengers were even a thought. Jane especially, the scientist and her wrangler were closer than most sisters.

The elevator doors pinged and slide open; out walked Darcy…with a young kid behind her.

"Darcy, you babysitting for someone?" Jane questioned. Darcy shook her head and held her hand up for silence. She'd need them to give her time to explain. Getting Jamie settled was priority before could address the odd looks from her friends. She'd debated on leaving Jamie at home with Jenny while she explained everything but then thought maybe just thrusting everything at once would be better, like ripping off a Band-Aid. Right? Right. Well that's what she hoped anyway.

"Jarvis, please direct Jamie to the living room," The AI complied without compliant and Darcy was extremely grateful for distraction. "Wait for me there okay, I'll call you when I'm done." His mother had briefly explained on the way over and asked him to be a big boy and wait for her to call him before getting too excited.

"Of course Miss, Mr. Lewis, this way." The lights along the walls directed Jamie and with Darcy's nodding he eagerly followed excited by all the new technology. Jamie was extremely interested in technology and Darcy always found STEM programs either at his school or within their neighborhood for him to participate in. Darcy was immensely proud of him, she hated the hard sciences. She just never had a knack for it, but people? Darcy was good with people.

"Darcy?" Pepper glanced between the direction Jamie had gone and back to her. The feeling of disappointing her mother flooded her, but she shoved the thoughts aside, Pepper wasn't Elizabeth, and even though she might be…upset, Pepper would hear her out. She sighed and plastered a smile on her face. Let's do this. She sat down at the table and took a quick drink of water.

"I'm going to explain everything, but I need you to listen before you start questioning me. It's a very complicated story and it's something I've kept very close to my heart because…well you'll understand once I explain."

"You whore, who did you sleep with? Do you understand what this will do for me?" Elizabeth Lewis was screaming at her daughter, as she threw her guts up into the toilet. Her gagging only further infuriating her. She had a reputation to uphold. It seem like her life was a walking disaster, first her husband is killed in action, by a senseless war, then her wayward daughter starts rebelling and failing in school, and even looking her at hurts. Now she's pregnant will some boy's baby. A boy she refused to name. Elizabeth had an image to maintain and Darcy fought to dash that every chance she got. Grating her teeth Elizabeth hurled every honest she had at her daughter.

Darcy remained silent. Her mother could rage all she wanted. She refused to James up, refused to…to. She couldn't bring herself to even say the ugly word. If she never saw James again she would at least have a piece of him, and her son would love her without conditions attached.

"You will have an abortion Darcy Marie, I will not have you and some bastard child in my house!" Her mother screeched as Darcy used the sleeve of her sweater to wipe the spit from her mouth. She would happily suffer all day morning sickness if her mother would stay away. An abortion was completely utterly out of the question, her mother could disown her for all she cared. With all the coldest she could muster Darcy stalked away from her mother and into her room.

"You won't have to. We are leaving. Trust me, I don't want my child around you!" With as much speed and efficiency as she could she packed everything she cherished and with her little stash of money; Darcy Lewis walked out her childhood home leaving her mother screaming at her fading frame.

"Oh Darcy," Ann Marie Lewis gathered her only granddaughter into a warm motherly hug, one Darcy desperately needed and she clung to. "Don't you worry dear, Grandma Ann is here now." Darcy had spent a good chunk of her money on a one-way ticket to her Grandmother's house, the only family she knew she could truly rely on. She hadn't had any contact from her father's side and really, if they hadn't reached out by now, she was sure they didn't want anything to do with her. She did miss them from time to time, the last time she saw them was the day they buried her father.

"I love him, Grandma." Darcy wailed. Her hands protectively around her little bump as her grandmother ushered in her foyer. In retrospect, when Ann heard Darcy cried out her love; she thought it was motherly love for her unborn child, she should have known it was for baby's father. She cursed herself for not doing more to make sure her daughter and granddaughter were faring well after Henry's death. Henry was a good man and she treasured him as a son-in-law, he tamed Lizzy's temperament and Ann was relieved to see Lizzy become such a wonderful mother and wife. After his passing, Elizabeth shut down and shut out, everyone. She thought she needed time, space to heal after having her heart so destroyed. Never did she think Darcy would be neglected because of it.

"I know baby, it's gonna be alright, you'll see, fate has a way of turning things around."

The months went by and Darcy graduated high school via online education. Despite the baby bump she was sporting she began college the following fall, bound and determined to be a better mother and provide a better life for her son than she had. She had her plans and her goals and with the support of her grandmother, Darcy actually felt confident in herself that she hadn't had since James inspired her at 13.

Some nights she hated James for not coming back, other nights she begged any god who would listen for his return and a tiny hope they could be family. Sadly reality usually shook those thoughts from her head, for all she knew he had gone back for her at the park and hadn't know she left. That thought just left her even more pitiful, she'd left out of fear without thinking of the future. She wouldn't repeat that mistake again; she had no way to leave messages for James but she swore to herself that if fate would be so kind to reunite them she wouldn't waste their next encounter.

Just as she took her last final and was making her way to her grandmother's old Ford to go to work, did her contractions start. Darcy had thought her day of back pain was just normal pregnancy, not the onset of labor. Little James Henry Lewis was born 10 hours later, on December 10 at 7 lbs., 2 oz., and 18 inches long. Darcy demanded skin to skin right after he was born, delaying his bath and any procedures that weren't absolutely necessary. Darcy had done a great deal of research and she found common ground with the doctor she had as well as the hospital staff. She was ecstatic that Jamie was such an easy baby, latching to her breast immediately. Darcy delighted in the bond they struck within the first few moments. Grandma Lewis was a tremendous help to Darcy and Jamie while she juggled a newborn and the start of the spring semester just a few weeks later.

That's the way they lived for a time, Darcy did everything she could, work-studies, part time diner shifts and homework all while tending to her son and Grandma Lewis manned the house. It was good life and Darcy was all set for graduation until she realized she had miscalculated her credits for graduation by one class, specifically 6 credits. Grandma Lewis, ever the rescuer, offered the only logically solution.

"It's in New Mexico. I can't believe I didn't take a science course, this is my only option!" Darcy paced restlessly while Jamie slept nestled in his toddler bed. Grandma Lewis ever patient waited for Darcy to calm herself down.

"It's very simple dear, Jamie is older now, he's just about 4, he can stay here with me while you finish this last thing. Once you graduate you'll have options. I know its hard dear, but you've come so far."

It was a difficult decision, but once Grandma Lewis made her mind up it was decided, Darcy did bully her way into hiring a housekeeper because chasing after Jamie was more work than her grandmother should be doing.

Upon meeting Jane and going through everything in New Mexico with Thor. Darcy did in fact receive her credits and graduate. That happiness was overshadowed the next week, when Ann Marie Lewis, passed away. Darcy was numb, with Jamie at her side while her "family" surrounded them as they lowered the casket into the ground. Rain pelted the sides of Darcy's face, piercing her skin like needles.

"I can't believe she did all that for her."

"She's always been her favorite."

"It was for pity. I'm sure we'll be fine, the will reading is a few hours"

The whispers and harsh words didn't hurt nearly as much as the thought that she'd been using her grandmother for money. They weren't well off, Darcy fought for every dollar she had, making sure Jamie and her grandmother had everything they needed, refusing to dip into her Grandmother's retirement. Even paying her own way through school.

"Momma, where did Nana go?" She bent down, wiping away the tears from his face. He understood that she was gone, but how did she explain death to a four year old? Darcy didn't explain, she just held him close while keeping him dry.

Surrounded by cousins and other family members Darcy and Jamie sat in the back of the lawyer's office, waiting for her grandmother's last wishes to be read. Darcy only hoped that she would inherit her Grandmother's perfume bottles. She loved the petite antique bottles and as a girl playing dress up with her Grandmother, pretending to be old 1940 Hollywood movie stars.

"Mrs. Lewis donated a portion of her estate to charity in the name of Wounded Warriors, a sum of 2,100 dollars to be equally split among her five nieces, nephews and her only daughter; the rest she has placed into a trust for her granddaughter, Darcy Marie Lewis and her great-grandson, James Henry Lewis, for educational and living expenses, outlined here." Before the lawyer could continue her family's menacing gaze turned on her and her son. Darcy pushed Jamie behind her, full mama bear waiting, daring them to attack her son.

"I should let you know, if anyone contest the will or attempts to overturn the decision, they will forfeit their share and it will be donated to the aforementioned charity."

That stopped them real quick. Spinning on their heels to face the lawyer. He ignored them and caught Darcy's eyes. She saw them to, too clear, but honest. Darcy knows she can trust him.

"You may leave Miss Lewis, my office will get into contact with you within the next few days while we sort out the rest of your grandmother's estate."

"C'mon Darcy it's gotta be hard being all alone raising a kid all by yourself." One of her distant cousins (gross) was attempting to get her to go out with him. He came by often, would run into her while she shopping with Jamie. Darcy hoped he'd back off after her repeated rejections. Ignoring the fact that they were distant cousins the man was too much. Brand name suits, fancy, expensive cars, and designer sunglasses that probably cost more than most of Jane's lab equipment.

"If you don't stop harassing me, I will go to the police." The icy venom in her tone left no room for argument and while she caught a glimpse of fear in his eyes she also saw his promise of retribution.

The next day her car was vandalized. The day after that, Jane needed Darcy to go to London.

"It hasn't been easy, Jamie's 8 now, and before I…I kept him secret because of my crazy family, trying to use us for my grandmother's money. Which I don't even use now. It's all in a trust for Jamie's college expenses." Darcy had tears in her eyes but she refused to let them fall. Would they still understand? It was a seriously betrayal. The secret she kept from them. All of them had immense loyalty and any sort of breech of that trust…? She shuttered. "I love you all, you're my family and realizing that, I've denied Jamie the only thing I ever really wanted for him. I hope you all will forgive me. I let my fear control me when I should have trusted you." She took a chance and looked up at Tony and Pepper. The strawberry blonde had her hand over her mouth and when she caught Darcy's eye, darted out of her chair so fast that it fell backwards with a crash.

"Oh Darcy," Darcy buried her face in Pepper's blouse, clinging to her. Having Pepper and Tony act as surrogates parents rubbed off on her and she allowed herself to be comforted by their closeness. Tony may have had his issues and Darcy's pulled him back from more than one science bender, usually with Pepper in tow, but he was the next best thing to having her dad back.

"Darcy…I should have known." Jane talking more to herself than to Darcy. Her brown eyes caught Thor's and she frowned. He wore a scowl and his arms folded over his chest. "I remember when you went home after graduation, I told you I'd contact you when we left, I remember leaving a message but must have been when your grandmother passed. I was so glad you came with me to London." She gasped. Like Heimdall had opened the Bifrost before her. "That's why you fought for your space. Because you brought Jamie with you." Darcy nodded, still clinging to Pepper while Tony paced anxiously behind them.

"I had to. I didn't have anyone else, I was lucky there were plenty of nannies in London," She tried to infuse sass in her tone but it came more like a quiet response. C'mon Darcy, make everyone laugh, Cap looks like he's been punched in the gut and Bruce looks a little green. A quick survey proved to be Darcy's downfall, she strived to make those around her happy and being the cause of their pain wasn't something she enjoyed.

"Who's Jamie's father? You didn't really elaborate on him? I'm curious as to why a "veteran" would up and leave his girl like that," Steve, ever the hero and gentleman, gazed at her with soft kind eyes. Cap would pick up on James, she hadn't deliberately left him out, it was just that she truly didn't know much else about him.

"I don't know his last name, our story is a little harder to explain, and I met him when I was just-"

"MOM! MOM Come quick!" Jamie's voice rang out over the Avengers' talking and all of them bolted from the dining room to living room, Steve and Thor jumping over the sofa, arms at the ready while Tony was already locking down the floor. Natasha and Clint had both draw up their weapons, and poor Bruce was counting his breathing, the Other Guy definitely didn't need to make an appearance just yet. Jane and Pepper were at Darcy's side quickly surveying for the enemy.

"Jamie?" 8 years of mothering had granted Darcy the ability to asses a situation and make split second judgment calls. A quick survey of her son, excitedly pointing at the TV and she called off the Avengers. "Stand down guys," Before Jamie could turn around the group quickly composed themselves, sans weapons. She approached him quickly checking to make sure he hadn't broke something or hurt himself. Which of course would be unlikely but Darcy still checked.

"It's dad!" Darcy wasn't quite sure she'd heard him right. Wait, what?

"What?" Jamie merely pointed at the screen again. The news was on. Doing an update on the events in DC. Specifically the Winter Solider, the man who'd gone toe to toe with Captain America and walked away. Darcy hadn't seen his picture only what Natasha had told her about him. The color drained out of Darcy's face as she got an up close and personal look at the Winter Solider, AKA her James, AKA Jamie's father.

You see me in hindsight

Tangled up with you all night

Burnin' it down

Some day when you leave me

I bet these memories follow you around

"I'm sorry Miss Lewis, Mr. Lewis informed me he'd prefer to watch the world news and today's new feed didn't have anything deemed violence by the ratings." Jarvis's voice chimed in.

"Son, what do you mean, it's your dad?" Steve bent down to meet Jamie's level, he'd had enough time with kids to know how to interact with them. Between the publicity stunts and his own time among other orphans after his mother died while he waited for Bucky's mother legal stuff to go through. Subconsciously maybe it was his way of replacing what he wouldn't have. Jamie, seemed to forget who all was in the room with him before he launched into the stories Darcy told him as a baby.

"I knew it was him when I saw his arm." Quickly darting around Steve to Darcy he hugged her close, a smile on his face. "I knew he'd find us again."

Say you'll remember me

Standing in a nice dress, staring at the sunset, babe

Red lips and rosy cheeks

Say you'll see me again even if it's just pretend

Everyone turned to Darcy who didn't even try to hide the tears as she used Jane for support to keep standing.

"I met James when I was 12. I didn't know."

James took his time. Working his way back to Darcy's hometown. Realistically he knew it'd been 8 years, she might not even be there. Or worse, she was there, but with someone else. Maybe she'd move on without him. Would she have a family? A home? A husband who was there all the time? He growled to himself.

Realistically he knew he shouldn't be upset if she had. He'd only appeared a handful of times while she was growing up. He knew it was wrong, she was on the cusp of becoming a proper lady and he'd taken her virtue from her.

You act like she wasn't an all too willing participant. He really couldn't find it in himself to feel guilty though, perhaps it was the way she stayed in his mind when everything else was forgotten. Lost to the memory wipes. Focus on the good things. He shoved the annoying voices from his mind and wandered into a diner to eat.

Halfway there he picked up some under the table work, cash only at a construction plant. Place was seedy enough and no asked questions except if he could do the work. It was easy enough to hide his arm, and if someone happen to see a little bit of metal, he made sure to tell them it was a side effect of war, no one wanted to insult a veteran.

James scoffed, he wasn't a veteran he was a monster of war. A weapon Hydra created. What if they had created safeguards? Would he inadvertently hurt Darcy if he found her again? No. He'd do whatever he had to, to keep Darcy safe, even from himself.

He only stayed around long enough to build up a decent cash flow, rationalized that if he found Darcy and on the off chance she still wanted him, he'd have to provide for her. Prove he could.

Always had a way with the dames. Steve's voice popped into his mind. He pushed it aside. He wasn't ready to look at those memories yet. Compartmentalization at its best it gave him time to sort through what were his memories and the Asset's. He did recognized the difference. Coming to terms with it was different though.

Once he made it to Darcy's hometown he checked the archives first. It was a small town and it seemed like the place where everyone knew everything about their neighbors. But James wasn't a people person and he had a hard conversing with normal humans, he hoped to find the information he need quickly. Of course it wouldn't be that easy.

"Can I help you with something dearie?" An older woman, probably in her 70s, came up to him while he was scanning through folders and files. "Looking for something in particular, I've been here a long time. Happy to help." James wasn't having any luck since he didn't know Darcy's last name, just where lived.

"Um, yea. I'm looking for a friend, she used to live on Dennings Drive, number 23." The woman's eyes lit up and quickly fell again.

"Oh you mean Darcy, Darcy Lewis. Poor thing. She left town when she was 17, almost 18. Oh yes, quite the scandal. She and her mother had a terrible fight, no one is quite sure what it was about, but Darcy left the next day. Most people assume to her Grandmother's. Those two were close as thieves." A simple question and James had access to Darcy's life since he left. James absently wondered why he didn't utilize it when he first came here to gather information his lady. "Unfortunately Elizabeth informed me that her mother died about 4 years ago and hasn't heard a word from Darcy." James felt his heart sink. What had he done? The last he saw Darcy she'd just turned 17. If she was almost 18 when she left? He temporarily forgot about the elderly woman chatting at his side as he racked his brain for a reason for her sudden departure.

"Actually it was one of the science students who noticed her. Let me find it…oh yes here it is."

James turned his attention back to the woman who pulled out an article on some bridge, after scanning the first few sentences he realized why it was in the archives, Darcy Lewis was named as sole intern/assistant to one Jane Foster who'd made a breakthrough recently. Finally, a lead he could follow.

"Thank you." He was gone before she could turn around.

Tony and Pepper were a godsend. Before Darcy could get any more words out, action sprung. Tony had Jarvis ordering furniture and supplies while Pepper sent out movers to her place in Brooklyn.

"Darcy why don't you and Jamie come up to our place? I'm sure Thor would be more than happy to entertain Jamie with stories from Asgard. Wouldn't you?" Jane was taking guiding Darcy to the elevators while Thor had swept up Jamie and was eagerly recounting his sparring match with Hulk. Darcy mumbled an agreement, wanting, needing time to process what she'd just seen.

James. Her James was the Winter Solider, Captain America's lost friend, Bucky Barnes, Hydra's greatest asset. The man she was still in love with.

Steve Grant Rogers was hardly ever at a loss for words. The discovery they had all just made left him speechless. When Darcy had walked in with, who he now knew was, her son. He felt like he'd been punched in the gut, they boy looked just like Bucky did when he was that age.

He brushed it off as maybe a coincidence, Darcy was entitled to live her own life, maybe the man she'd met just had those same characteristics. Until he heard Jamie's shouting from the living room and saw the news feed of the Winter Solider. Darcy didn't know. He saw that in her eyes, he saw he wanting to fall to her knees but kept standing for her son. Darcy was stronger than he ever was.

Bucky saved him. Could have let him drown but didn't. He'd gone off with Sam searching only to come back empty handed. Sam, he thought, would have field day picking is brain apart with this new information.