Chapter four!

A lot of name dropping at the end of the chapter...yaay!

Let's do this!

Disclaimer: Bucky Barnes, and everyone depicted in this chapter and all that will follow, do not belong to me. Marvel Cinematic Universe holds all authority and owner-ness, and I'm just borrowing them because I love them!


If Charlie had been asked, she would've catalogued her first three weeks with James, the last three weeks of the year, ironically enough, as The Recovery. It would take much longer than three weeks for a full recovery, of course, but those three weeks he improved by leaps and bounds. The first three days were The Transition….James getting used to being James once more. The next week and a half she would've titled Memory Lane, for during those days was when James shared his memory's and she in turn would share hers. Christmas passed uneventfully, both of them lost in their own misery; James missing his past and Charlie missing her family. The next day though began the last week of the year; of which Charlie would ruefully call Interrogation Time. Because all during that week, James had asked questions; about anything and everything. His rescue, her past, his past, the current world, what he'd missed, and more. Charlie had patiently answered every question that had come to mind.

"How did you find me?"

"Why?"

Is there anyone left?

How did HE survive? (HE being Steve)

What has HE been up to?

Is HE still afraid of Gnomes?

What do you do?

"Where did you come from?"

"What do you mean glitch?"

"Do you miss your family?"

"Is it hard?"

"What Now?"

He seemed most interested though; that last week, in Charlie's work; in her Plan. And so reluctantly, ruefully, she'd told him….everything.


"I have a…list." Charlie couldn't help it…she blushed.

James leaned forward, eyes bright, but he said nothing.

"Of…well, things I want to do." She grinned. "Getting to you was number 2 on that list." James smiled. "Number one was get ahold of London, and number three was to find an angel." James furrowed his brow at that, then nodded.

"What else do you have on your list?" He asked.

Charlie handed over the list so he could read it for himself.

"Some of them I've already begun working on, others I can't begin until I speak to the right people or raise the funds, and some are completed. All of them are kind of crazy….but everything regarding me is crazy, so…"

James examined all the bullet points; a school for at-risk youth, (hunter's kids and those who've come in contact with the supernatural included,) a Hunter's program; where hunter's could get cases and then get paid for taking cases, all of this on the up and up, a medical center that catered to "out of the norm" injuries (so pretty much a no-questions asked one,) a science institute that focused on many things; (cures for illness, artificial limb improvements, (James felt something in his chest flutter at that one,) genetic mutations and how to reverse the hulk, an industry that focused on technological advancements, and investments in self-owned businesses such as Diners, Bars, Bookstores, Airfields, autoshops, and more.

James took so long to examine her list that Charlie began to fidget. "I know they're weird goals…"

James looked up, a warm genuine smile on his face. "It's brilliant."

Charlie flushed again. "Thanks."


Bucky was fascinated with Lottie's work.

He knew her name was charlotte….but one night he'd had nightmares, and he'd called for her, but in his panic he'd shortened her name, and he liked it….so since that night she'd been Lottie to him. In his head, anyway.

She was so young, but so clever, and with everything she knew; she had a great advantage to help. Even better? She wanted to use it. And Bucky, who'd begun to think of what it was he was going to do with his second chance at life, desperately wanted to be a part of her grand plans. And they were grand, but exciting, and for her? Very plausible. But as their conversation took on a less serious edge, he was reminded of a more pressing question.

"By the way, what was with the weird noises last night?"

Charlie tilted her head. Bucky, for he'd gotten used to his nickname once more, though Charlie still liked to called him James, (at least in her head,) watched her intently. Would she answer his question?

Charlie scrambled up to look out the window. "Fireworks."

Bucky knew what that meant. He frowned. "Fourth of July?" He guessed. But Charlie shook her head.

"New Years." She answered. She smiled.

"It's January?" Bucky moved to look at the calendar.

"Almost. It's New Years Eve. At midnight tonight it will be January. A new year." Charlie stared out the window, an odd look on her face.

"A fresh start."

Bucky rubbed his neck. "I could do with a fresh start."

Charlie shot Bucky a smile. "yeah, so could I." Then she grinned. "I have an idea."

Bucky raised his brows in expectation.

"Let's celebrate."


That was how Bucky found himself covered in flour, because according to Charlie cake was necessary for celebrations. She blared music, loud happy music, and Charlie and Bucky stood in the kitchen, cupcakes made, cake in progress, pizza ordered and on it's way, and Bucky smiling. Charlie couldn't get enough of Bucky's smile. Even if it was a half smile…it was much better than the small bitter thing from three weeks ago.

That was what Ward walked into when he knocked on the door, Skye and Ian with him.

"Are you having a party?" Ward demanded with a grin.

"Without us?" Ian looked insulted.

Charlie grimaced. "Yes. Go away." But she didn't move to escort them out.

It was a test. Bucky had not yet been around others besides Charlie.

He stiffened when the three new adults entered the apartment, but he did not flee or attack.

"Hi." Ian chirped brightly. "I'm Ian, this is Skye, and Ward. We live in the apartment building, we're friends of Charlie's. Is it alright if we join you?"

Bucky wasn't sure. He didn't know if he was ready to be around…people. But they were Charlie's friends…and he trusted Charlie. So he shrugged.

Ian beamed. "Wonderful! Charlie, you still have Cards against Humanity?"

Charlie smirked and Bucky snorted. "I do."

"We will go play a few round while you finish up the food. Deal?"

Charlie sent Ian a grateful nod. "Deal."

Charlie and Bucky went back to finishing up the cake, and Charlie sent Bucky a look.

"they don't have to stay. We can kick them out." Charlie spoke softly.

Bucky thought about it then shook his head. "We're not the only ones that need to celebrate a fresh start." Charlie beamed, and Bucky graced her with his half smile.

"Well now it's a party."


Others showed up to join the party. They came randomly; with anxious expressions or overly cheerful grins, and Charlie let them all in with a smile. They greeted Bucky perfunctially, then left him alone. Bucky preferred it that way. Bucky found it funny that all of the people that showed up, all of Charlie's employees, were somehow damaged in some way. It wasn't obvious to anyone who hadn't been damaged themselves, but Bucky recognized it. Charlie hired people who not only needed the job she offered, but people who needed the healing she aimed to provide. Bucky would bet that Charlie didn't even consciously realizing what she was doing. But as Bucky observed each person show up, he could tell that what she was doing was working. It made him trust her even more.

Once the cake was finished, Charlie and Bucky went to change, and when they appeared in the living room once more, Bucky said nothing, hanging close to Charlies side, only moving when he felt Charlie was too far away.

Charlie was pleasantly surprised to find that James, in his first crowded setting, did quite well. He didn't run off to hide in his room, he instead kept close to her, surveying those who spoke with her suspicisouly, not saying anything. But then he saw Gabe Jones.

When Bucky's eyes widened in recognition, Charlie smiled. Gabe was the only living survivor of Captain America's howling commandos, and Charlie had found the man entirely by accident. Gabe must've felt the eyes on him, because he turned, and when he caught Bucky's eye, he beamed. James bolted forward, crossing the apartment building to clasp his former teammate's hand, their eyes telling stories.

Charlie watched from a distance, pleased.

"He looks good."

Ward had crept up to her, a glass of wine in his hand. Charlie nodded.

"He does doesn't he? Today's a good day."

"It varies?" Ward raised a brow.

Charlie snorted. "Sometimes by the minute. Did you know when he first woke up here, he thought I was his new owner? He wouldn't even breathe without my permission, it seemed."

Ward shrugged, a wry grin on his face. "I assume you talked him out of that one rather quickly."

"Oh yeah." Charlie laughed. "He has nightmares, of the worst sort. They're better now, but those first few days?" They were horrifying. I think my presence helped. I tried not to push him, and then one day my patience paid off; he just started sharing. Every little detail his caged mind brought to the forefront, he told me about. His childhood, the army, and then…Hydra. That was a bad few days." Charlie shook her head. "I figured, since he told me everything, it would be only fair if I did the same. I think telling him how messed up I am was what really got him to trust me."

"You're good for him." Ian smiled at Charlie as he moved toward the duo. The three of them turned to where Bucky sat, face intent as he listened to Gabe speak.

Charlie shook her head. "He's good for me."


When the ten minute till mark sounded, the group moved to huddle around the TV. Charlie, who'd been leaning against Ian's legs, as he sat in her loveseat and she sat on the floor, slowly felt him stand up and move away, and then another set of legs replace them. She leaned her head back to shoot Bucky a grin, which he returned with a raised brow.

"Alright there?" She asked brightly.

He nodded.

Charlie flashed him one more smile before turning back to converse with Skye.

"Happy New Year!" The cheering and fireworks from the TV served as background as everyone in Charlie's apartment cheered and shared hugs. Ward kissed Skye, then Gabe, then Trip, grabbing Ian next before moving to plant one on Charlie. Bucky frowned in Ward's direction and held out a hand, halting Wards approach.

Ward hid a smirk. "It's just a-"

"No."

Ward rolled his eyes. "It's part of the tradition of New Years,"

"We had New Years in 1944, but thanks for the history lesson." Bucky spoke dryly, his first sentence in front of the crowd.

"Well, someone needs to kiss me!" Charlie jokingly complained, leaning her head back to send Bucky a wink.

Bucky sighed and leaned over to place a kiss on Charlie's forehead.

Charlie looked slightly stunned, but when Bucky shrugged and smiled, she grinned and winked at Ward.

"Well, that took care of that."

Ward sighed and shook his head, grinning.


It was, for everyone in that room, a start of something new. For so many people who thought their lives were over, Charlie had given them all… a new beginning. Even Bucky. Though everyone, Bucky included, would admit, that new beginning was especially for Bucky.

Charlie looked around the room and beamed, realizing that night, that party; all of it unplanned and coincidence, had done the impossible: It had turned her group of outcasts into a team.


YAAY more people!

I decided some people are alive that may not be alive, so I apologize if that bugs you.

Next chapter up in a 'mo!

Reviews/Follows/Favorites bring me joy!

I love you all

~CLC~