Chapter Six

Time was running out and Winter knew it. He had two, maybe three days left and he planned to use them. As much as it hurt, Steve didn't need him anymore. Nobody needed him anymore.

When he started regaining his memories, Winter realized that he left a family behind, his three little sisters; Olivia, Julia, and Rebecca. Olivia and Julia were gone. Both had lead full lives and had children, but Rebecca was still alive. She was in her mid-eighties, living in a nursing home. Before he died, Winter decided he needed to see his little Becky one last time.

So there he was, standing nervously outside the nursing home wearing a hoodie and jeans, debating whether or not to go in. Whether or not he was even welcome. Rebecca had probably grieved and forgotten him long ago. Winter had no right to disturb her here.

Taking a deep breath that failed to sooth his nerves, Winter entered the home. He approached the reception desk with caution, wracking his broken memories for what a much younger James Barnes would say to the beautiful secretary.

"How can I help you, Sir?" The pretty brunette whose name tag read 'Melissa' asked.

Tilting his head just so and giving a smile he hoped didn't look too forced, Winter Replied, "Um, yes. I'm here to see Rebecca Barnes?"

The secretary eyed him up and down for a long minute and Winter suppressed the urge to fidget. "Are you family, or is this about all that Captain America nonsense again? Because if it is…"

"No, no ma'am. I'm not here about that at all! She's my… great aunt. I haven't been able to visit her in years." Melissa weighed his words for a moment, but seemed to buy it; after all it was half true.

"Alright, room 238; the stairs are on your left."

Winter nodded and hurried up the stairs before Melissa could change her mind. He slowed to a snail's pace once he past room 220, though. Winter could never remember being this nervous before. What if Becky turned him away?

The door of room 238 was open just enough that Winter could see the foot of her bed. From what he gathered, Rebecca was alone. The TV was on so he assumed that she was awake. It was now or never. Winter knocked on the doorframe.

A soft "Come in." floated through the door. Even after all these years Becky still had the sweetest voice. Winter slowly entered the room. He did nothing to hide his face from the greying old woman his sister had become.

Rebecca looked up and gasped. "Bucky?"

Winter smiled, "Hey, doll face. I'm sorry it took me so long."

Rebecca's face broke into a smile. "Oh Bucky! Ever since Steve came back I hoped you would too! My prayers were answered after what happened in D.C.! I'm just so glad you came home!"

Winter forced a smile as he bent to hug his crying sister. As much as he loved her, Winter didn't have the heart to tell Rebecca this would be the last time he would see her. He forced himself to be content with this. So brother and sister sat, curled around each other for hours, and if Winter cried a little, Becky wouldn't tell a soul.

Winter finally left the nursing home an hour after visiting hours were over. He had promised to return the next week, but Bucky would have to do it for him. Just like everything else that mattered in his life now.