Chapter Four: Father and Daughters

Late September 1953

Charlie stood in the doorway watching as her mother packed her small bag. Natasha was being sent out on a three-day mission and would return home just before James had to be sent out for his own two day mission. Charlie wrapped her right arm around her bringing her left thumb into her mouth. Sucking her thumb wasn't something she did on a daily basis it was more of a nervous habit. Natasha feeling eyes on her back turned, her own orbs landing on her daughter who stood shyly in the shadow cast by the dimness of the light in the hallway. Kneeling Natasha held out her arms, watching as Charlie shook her head

"Agent Monroe says fighters have to be brave, have to be strong and have to understand the mission comes first"

Natasha lowered her arms her eyes narrowing for half a second "well Agent Monroe isn't here, now is she"

Charlie looked down the hallway as if the woman in question was going to magically appear. Charlie shook her head once more before running into her mother's body. Natasha wrapped her arms around Charlie and kissed the top of her head

"daddy will be here"

Charlie nodded her head. In reality Natasha was relieved that her mission came first and was slightly longer then James; Charlie had started in the past few weeks experiencing mini panic attacks when she was unable to locate her father, it had gotten so bad that the young child had started to refuse to be away from the man; at night she would sleep perched at his side or draped out on his chest. Natasha was actually shocked Charlie was here, the last she knew Charlie was watching her father train

"where is daddy by the way"

Charlie pulled away her eyes going towards the door that led to the bathroom it was only then that Natasha did here the light sound of running water. A small smirk played at her lips; James wouldn't let it slide that he had been able to walk by her and into their bathroom without her knowledge, she could already hear the jokes and digs as the tap shut off. Charlie had also heard the water stop and pushed away from her mother, going to stand in front of the door her arms once again wrapping around her as her eyes drifted from the door her father was behind to the hallway. Natasha's eyes filled with worry and concern as she watched her daughter's eyes slowly start to fill with tears

"Charlie" she whispered just as the door opened and a fully dressed James emerged only for him to stumble back a step as Charlie glued herself to his legs. James placed a hand on the top of her head, his eyes finding Natasha's green orbs. He watched as she mouthed the word 'nap'. Understanding that the two of them needed to talk privately but knowing Charlie wouldn't venture off to find Agent Frost like she normally would, having her take a nap seemed like the next logical course of action

"hey Chuck" James began reaching down and scooping her up, she immediately wrapped her legs around his waist and laid her head on his shoulder, her arms circling around his neck

"daddy's feeling a little tired" slowly he walked towards the bed "want to take a rest with me"

Charlie nodded her head "you'll stay with me" she asked quietly her fingers playing with the ends of his hair

"you bet" he answered sitting on the bed and leaning back on a few pillows so that he was not fully laying down but enough that Charlie could lay comfortably on top of him

"promise" she mumbled as her eyes closed

James kissed her head "I'm with you kid" he whispered as her breathing evened out and her grip on him loosened

The couple waited a few minutes to ensure she was truly asleep before

James broke the stillness "what's going on Nat" he mumbled as he rubbed Charlie's back softly. Natasha zipped up her bag and turned to face him, shaking her head as her eyes fell onto Charlie's for now peaceful body "wish I knew…. she won't tell me about the dream, just that it involves you, something bad happening to you and you never coming back" Natasha sat on the bed her back leaning against the footboard as her legs curled underneath herself James nodded and looked away from Natasha and down at his sleeping daughter "what happens when I leave in a few days…"

"distract and deflect"

James smirked looking back at her "mama bear already has a plan"

Pushing herself up so that she could lay by him she smiled "bet your ass…I'm the one that's going to have to deal with the breakdown…of course I have a plan"

Slowly without warning she leaned in and gently kissed his lips "so much for a proper farewell" she mumbled against his jaw kissing him once more

She watched as James bit his lip "she's out cold, pretty sure I can move her"

Natasha looked at him amused "well Solider that's your call but the timer starts the minute she's off your chest"

Natasha was just pulling back on her last boot, from the mirror she watched as James fastened his belt. Looking at her through the reflection he smiled "love you"

Feeling heat flash across her cheeks she smiled "love you" she replied just as a blood curdling scream erupted from the bedroom. James was the first to react and was back within the room in three steps, he watched as his daughter thrashed against the bed, her cheeks red and wet as tears streamed down her face.

"no…no…stop you're hurting him…stop it…stop it…daddy…daddy wake up…daddy"

James ran to the bed and watched as Charlie pushed herself up so she was standing, her eyes were open but unseeing, the blue, brighter and wilder then he had ever seen

"baby" James spoke his voice wavering for a moment, "Charlotte baby wake up…daddy's right here"

Charlie stopped screaming but the silent tears continued to spill, slowly her eyes started to focus, as they glanced from her mother to her father

"daddy" she asked her voice horse and dry

"hey monks…I'm right here…see everything is okay, I'm fine, no one's hurting me" he spoke gently walking slowly towards the bed. Charlie watched with watery eyes as her father came closer. Once close enough he reached out not yet touching her but allowing her to make the first move. Her eyes traveled from his face to his metal arm

"you're arm…they hurt you" she spoke quietly as if lost in another world

James quickly looked over to Natasha whose eyes were wide and glossy as she watched Charlie try to regain her breathing and her alertness

"come here monkey.."

Charlie nodded her head and fell into her father, his arms enclosing around her. Her shirt and body were coated in sweat and as he placed a hand under her to scoop her up he felt the wetness of her pants, looking over he saw that the sheets too were covered in a layer of sweat, tears and urine.

"Nat…can you run the bath"

James sat leaning against the wall his human hand dangling over the edge of the tub grazing the line of water and bubbles. He watched quietly as Charlie sat her hands gripping a small rubber duck that once again Agent Frost had picked up for her. James had already washed Charlie but wanted to give her a moment to sit and realized that she and he were both okay

"Charlie…" he spoke gently noticing how her eyes were glued to the surface of the water but how her hold on the duck tightened

"Chuck….look at me"

Slowly she shook her head tears filling her eyes making the blue look like marble, without hesitating James snatched her out of the water and cradled her against his body uncaring of the water and mess he had created.

"listen to me baby okay…I'm not going anywhere…and if I do I will always come back to you, come back for you, you understand me…"

Natasha had just finished cleaning and remaking their bed and had softly walked over towards the adjoining bathroom, standing in the doorway she watched as James tried to coax Charlie to talk, watched as she shook her head, her wet hair swaying, watched as tears filled her beautiful blue eyes; eyes like her father she thought, and watched as James took her out of the water, splashing it both on the floor and himself. She listened as he softly spoke to their daughter, listened as his voice gave into the fear and hopelessness he felt. She knew James was tough, he was after all the Winter Solider and he was one of the most feared and deadly assassins out there, but when it came to his child he was just… daddy

Charlie held onto her father and listened to the words he spoke, she felt herself nod and then felt him place a kiss on top of her head before pushing himself up and off the ground, he readjusted his hands and she adjusted with him wrapping her legs around his waist and circling his neck with her arms. Slowly they left the bathroom and entered the bedroom where James placed Charlie on the now freshly made bed; looking over at Natasha who walked over with a pair of pajamas, together they helped dress their daughter.

James scooped Charlie back up and pulled the covers back, he allowed Natasha to crawl in first then he followed laying Charlie back on his chest, he then wrapped one arm around his little girl and one arm around his wife before placing a soft kiss to both of their heads. It was quiet for a moment, James could feel Natasha place a hand over the one that lay on Charlie's back, he was sure that both girls were asleep when a small voice broke the stillness

"daddy…"

James looked down and even in the darkness he could see Charlie staring blankly ahead for eyes drifting open and close

"yeah monks"

Through a stifled yawn came her tired reply "I love you"

"love you too" James answered without a moment of space. It was quiet again and James slowly closed his eyes "I got you kid" was the last thing he said before sleep overtook him

Agent Fox stood awkwardly in the middle of the office, his eyes going from the man behind the desk to the large HYDRA flag that sat on the back wall

"what it is Agent"

Agent Fox bit his lip, it had been a consist battle of should he or shouldn't he his whole journey to the office where he now stood

"I don't have all day Agent Fox, either say what you need to or be gone"

Placing his hands behind his back, Agent Fox took a deep breath

"it's the girl…. Charlotte"

At the mention of the girl Strucker placed his pen down and raised his eyes from the many papers and maps that lined his desk

"and what of her" he spoke his eyes boring into the younger man

'Agent Fox walked slowly down the hallway, he had just gotten through debriefing Agent Frost on what would and should happen when the Black Widow would leave for her mission tomorrow; they needed to make sure that Charlotte was distracted either by her own training or other lessons so that her father could deal with his own meetings and trainings. He was very aware of the fact that the young girl had as of late started to refuse to leave her father's side or general area even for her mother, but he knew that couldn't get in the way of what the Winter Soldier needed to achieve on a daily basis. As he looked over schedules for the next coming days a heart stopping scream erupted from the room a few yards down the hall. Taking off he realized he was heading towards the room where the small first family of HYDRA resided. Slowing his pace, he stopped short of the door when he heard the Soldiers voice softly speak; he listened as the screaming stopped and quietness took over the room, he was just about to turn and leave allowing the family to deal with the child's night terror when he heard her mumble to her father "your arm…. they hurt you". He turned back to the door, his eyes taking on a look of confusion, fear and worry. He listened as the Soldier responded unaware and unknowing to the comment his child just uttered. It was then he struggled with whether or not to report the statement made by a three-year-old child who obviously was just waking from a nightmare, he couldn't however shake the feeling that the words the child hazily spoke were somehow related to what had transpired with her father many years ago.'

Strucker looked at the Agent, a smirk playing at his lips as he picked his pen back up and pulled a few maps closer to him

"Agent it's nothing to worry about…it's simply a young child's nightmare about their parents being taken away from them" he began before turning in his chair and pulling a few files from the cabinet "and with her now experiencing her own training she; even in her small child mind is starting to understand what her parents actually do and the price they can pay for it"

Agent Fox clenched his jaw, he knew that was a lie, he knew Strucker believed it be more than that, that it couldn't possibly be that simple but he also knew he couldn't question the decision made by his supervisor

"yes sir"

With that Agent Fox left the office in a desperate need to find Agent Frost

The following morning found the small family standing out in the crisp fall air as Natasha placed her bag into the trunk of the car that would drop her off at her at her first landmark. James stood a few feet away holding Charlie's hand the young girl's eyes flashing from her mother to her father, it wasn't until the slam of the truck did Charlie squeeze her father's hand and press against his leg.

Natasha turned and walked back towards her whole life, she stopped in front of James and after quickly looking behind him pressed her lips to his in a soft and gentle embrace, he smiled at her which she returned. It was then she kneeled and watched as Charlie's blue orbs searched her green

"bye mommy" she spoke leaning into her mother's body, all the while still gripping her father's hand. Natasha hugged her little girl as her eyes glanced up at James, Natasha placed a kissed onto Charlie's temple, before pulling away and placing her hands on the young girl's waist

"mommy loves you so much cricket…and I'll be back in three days okay"

Charlie nodded her head "love you too mommy" Charlie then reached out and placed a small object into Natasha's hand "to keep you safe…Agent Frost helped me do it he called it a Jerusalem cricket…"

Natasha smiled at her child and looked down to see a small black and orangey red cricket held within a small circular casing of resin. Natasha felt her heart stop and her throat tighten "I love it Charlie" she spoke with a smile "now I always have my cricket with me" she softly continued pulling Charlie back into a hug "three days" she mumbled into the child's hair "three days"

Strucker watched as the Black Widow said her final goodbyes to her family and got into the car, he watched as the Soldier scooped up the child and turned walking back inside. It was then he looked back at the three files sitting on his desk

"Agent Fox and Frost" he spoke flipping the files closed and clasping his hands behind his back "thank you for coming…it turns out we have a hitch in our plans, the Soldier is going to have to leave tomorrow rather than date we originally thought"

"but sir" Agent Frost spoke "what about Charlotte…if we send him early she will be without both of her parents for at least two days"

Agent Fox looked from Agent Frost back to Strucker, he knew that the Soldier didn't have to go two days earlier, there was more to play here then the Director was letting on

"well Agent" Strucker began walking from behind his desk "that is what you are for if I'm correct"

Agent Fox watched as Agent Frost clenched his jaw "yes sir" he curtly responded. It was then Strucker looked over at him

"Agent Fox…please inform the Solider to prepare himself for departure at sunrise tomorrow"

Agent Fox looked over at the man biting his tongue and quietly nodded his head

James took a deep breath, Charlie was currently in her training session with Agent Monroe so he took this chance to get some things squared away before he left in a few days, which was code for finding things that would keep Charlie's mind off the fact that he would no longer be here

"Soldier…"

Stopping mid step James turned and watched as both Agent Fox and Frost came walking down the hallway.

"I'm not going to beat around the bush…you're being sent out earlier then expected"

James clenched his hands looking over at Agent Frost the man's eyes filled with sorrow

"how much earlier"

"you're leaving tomorrow" Agent Frost replied glancing down at his watch, he knew Charlotte's schedule better than anyone so James knew he was most likely gagging how much time they had to come up with a plan

"there's no other way" James spoke Agent Fox shook his head "orders from up top…pack your gear, we leave tomorrow at dawn" and with that he turned and returned from the way he came

"we'll make it work…it will be two days without Nat, it will be fine Soldier…I assure you"

James looked down the hall and nodded his head "it's not going to go over well"

In reality it went worse than James thought possible. Charlotte had cried, punched and kicked at her father and then bit Agent Frost when the man tried to lend a hand. Eventually Charlie had cried herself to sleep on top of her father who was currently sitting on the floor leaning against the wall. Agent Frost stood against the other wall watching the child

"I'll leave you with her, call if you need me"

James nodded looking over at the Agent "thank you for this afternoon"

Agent Frost backed away towards the door "don't mention it" he smirked as he disappeared around the bend

The night went by faster than James had hopped and he knew he had to bite the bullet, slowly he rubbed Charlie's back "hey monks….time to get up…" shifting his body he turned Charlie around and sat her on his lap facing the room

Charlie rubbed her eyes her head falling back against her father

"you're leaving me" she mumbled

James froze "I'm going on a mission Chuck, but I'll be back, mommy will be home first but then I'll be back the next day"

Charlie pushed herself off of his body and walked over to her bed getting down onto her knees and crawling under it. James watched as the top half of her body vanished only for her to reappear a moment later. She turned back toward her father and walked over to him, taking her place back on his lap only this time sitting so she was facing him

"to keep you safe"

James smirked at his kid and looked down to watch her place her small yellow plastic knife into his hands. He watched as Charlie raised her eyes locking her blue orbs onto his, slowly he pulled her into his body placing a kiss to the top of her head

"I got you kid"

An hour later and James was standing in front of the truck that was sent to drop him off at his location, placing his bag in the truck he turned and watched as Agent Frost and Charlie stood a few feet away, Charlie was holding Agent Frost hand and biting her lip. James knew she was trying to be brave. James walked towards the pair, Agent Frost released Charlie's hand and stepped back towards the building, allowing the father and daughter to have their moment to say goodbye

"hey monkey…"

Charlie crashed into her father's body wrapping her arms around his neck her head facing the inside of his neck. James picked her up letting her wrap her legs around his waist

"I love you kiddo"

Charlie nodded her head picking it up and looking her father in the eyes "love you to daddy" she answered softly kissing his lips quickly before her eyes filled with worry "do you still have it" James smiled and patted his chest pocket over his heart "right here" he replied watching as some of the worry and fear left her blue orbs

Slowly Agent Frost walked back towards them as the driver appeared and got into the car

"remember…I'll be back the day after mommy"

Charlie nodded as her father kissed her temple one more time before handing her over to Agent Frost. James watched as Charlie laid her head on Agent Frost shoulder her eyes shining bright with tears he knew she wouldn't let fall until he was gone. Opening the car door, he waved

"I got you kid"

Strucker watched as the Soldier said his goodbyes and drove away, he watched as Agent Frost carried her back inside. He picked up the phone and sat tapping his fingers on the open folder that sat on his desk Agent Frost was confused, he looked over the schedule that both Agent Fox, the Soldier and himself had created to help Charlotte keep busy, have routine and be able to make it till her mother returned. He studied the card that had be delivered by Agent Evans that told him to bring Charlotte to Struckers office at five o'clock for dinner.

Leaving Charlie to finish her training with Agent Monroe he went off to find Agent Fox. Once conversing with the other Agent, it was confirmed that this was Strucker's plan all along. He wanted both parents gone in order to question the child about the nightmares she's been having. Both Agents knew they couldn't question the reason behind the dinner and couldn't not bring her to the office at five o'clock so they did what they needed to; they also made the call that one if not both of them would be present at this dinner.

An hour and a half later Agent Frost found himself standing outside the door to Struckers office, Agent Fox was inside and would report back later with what was discussed, placing his hands into his pocket he smiled as he felt the smooth resin that enclosed the tree cricket that Charlie had collected while playing in the woods, she decided that he should have the tree cricket because it was a cricket that blended into their environment and did whatever needed to stay hidden within their arena. He pulled it out and rolled it around in his hands before the door was pulled open and Agent Fox emerged.

Charlie sat crisscrossed on the chair opposite Strucker, she knew little of this man expect that he ran the HYDRA base and was the man that would send her mother and father away on missions. Her blue eyes scanned the office before landing on the man, his own brown eyes staring back at her.

"hello Charlotte" he spoke uncovering the plate of food he had prepared for her; a simple hamburger, mashed potatoes and carrots

"I figured since both your parents are away it would give us a chance to chat; you know little about me expect that I'm the mean man who sends mommy and daddy away"

Charlie eyed the food before looking at him "Agent Monroe says we have to understand the mission comes first"

Strucker laughed and nodded his head "sounds like something Agent Monroe would say but I can still understand the fact that it's your mother and father out there and that must be scary"

Slowly he sat down and gestured for her to eat, he wanted to get her comfortable enough and then hopefully transition the conversation to her nightmares

Charlie picked up a carrot "I don't want them to get hurt" she mumbled as she took a small bite

"we don't either" he replied looking over at Agent Fox who stood with his eyes drifting from him to the girl ready to intervene when and if needed

"I still get sad"

Strucker took his chance "I heard you were quite sad the other day…Agent Fox and Frost informed me you experience a nightmare"

He watched as she placed the carrot back down her eyes going distant and stormy; Agent Fox could also see and sense the child getting upset

"sir…maybe"

Strucker held up a hand, his eyes darkening, he watched as Charlie nodded her head "I like having my daddy with me" she answered looking up. It was then Strucker noticed how much she did in fact look like the Soldier, he wondered what she inherited from the Widow

"do you want to talk about your dream…sometimes that helps" he softly spoke hoping that taking a gentle approach would allow her to open up

Charlie shook her head, her eyes going to her hands "daddy…he goes away, and gets hurt and…and…never comes back to me" she spoke her voice getting softer with each word spoken

"sir, really I think we…"

"Agent Fox if you can't be quiet then leave", Agent Fox took a step back and turned his eyes towards the wall

Strucker looked away from the Agent and back at the young girl in front of him "tell me…how does daddy get hurt…"

Charlie bit her lip looking at the man before shrugging her shoulders

"come on Charlotte it will help I promise"

Licking her lips and looking at the plate in front of her she spoke

"all I see is him falling, it's snowy and he falls far, he hurts his arm really bad, there's blood and then he's in this room where people are floating over him and then he's gone…" Charlie ended eruptible; Strucker knew she was either leaving pieces out or truly didn't want to talk about it

Clenching his jaw Strucker stood "maybe your seeing when we helped repair your daddy's arm after a mission…you were young but sometimes we repair and update the metal"

Agent Fox looked at the Director narrowing his eyes, the Soldier never had his arm repaired since Charlie was born. He watched as Strucker stood and looked out the window

"no" Charlie answered shaking her head "in my dream my daddy has short hair and he's angry, he kills people in white coats"

Strucker lowered his gaze, turning he smiled at the young girl "what a scary dream…"

He stopped and walked towards Agent Fox "prepare the machine"

"what sir…she's only three and it's a dream she doesn't know…"

Strucker walked back to his desk "we can't take the chance of it, she may talk and something will flash in him…."

Agent Fox narrowed his eyes "sir…"

"eat darling…" Strucker cut off Agent Fox smiling when Charlie picked up the hamburger "after you finish I have something I want to show you…something that will help you forget that pesky dream"

Agent Frost ran after Agent Fox as the man ventured down the hallway

"Fox…Fox what happened"

Agent Fox turned his eyes filled with panic and a look Frost had never seen before; it looked as if the man wanted to cry

"he's going to wipe her"