When Bucky pulled Steve out of the river that day, he had planned to walk away. But as he stared at the blonde lying there on the bank, he couldn't help but feel he was connected to the man.
He couldn't walk away. Not when Steve could help him find his way back to the person he kept having flashes about.
The laughing. The food. The women. The floating car. The dancing. The bar. The men. The fights. The forest. The train. All before the pain. And the killer robot he had become.
He wanted to be human again.
So Bucky had stayed hidden in the tree line until Steve had woken up. Struggling to his feet, Steve had looked around disoriented before spotting Bucky in the waning sunlight.
"You didn't leave," Steve softly said giving Bucky a slight smile.
The first thought that came to his mind spilled out of his mouth even if he couldn't remember what it stood for. He had heard Steve say it before they fell out of the sky.
"'M with you to the end of the line," Bucky gruffly said.
Despite his deep reservations of allowing an international terrorist on the premises, Tony had reluctantly permitted Bucky to move into Stark Tower with Steve.
Tony did place stipulations on his agreement—either Steve kept tabs on Bucky at all times or Bucky would be outfitted with an ankle bracelet. Tony felt threatened that Bucky might go rogue at any time and he didn't want to have to put the man down out of his respect for the captain.
Bucky was restricted to certain levels of Stark Tower, at least until he could get control over his mind.
And Tony also maintained Bucky couldn't leave the building without bodyguards, i.e. Steve or Natasha, as he didn't want Bucky to end up in the wrong hands or bring unwanted attention to the Avengers.
Bucky had been a criminal for so long, Tony's rules weren't really any different than what he was used to.
Steve helped Bucky re-assimilate and re-acclimate back into a normal life and routine—in as much as a super soldier with his history could.
"I want you to go with me to see a friend today," Steve said, looking at Bucky as he ate cereal at the kitchen table in the common area the Avengers shared.
Bucky finished chewing the spoonful he had just shoveled in his mouth and eyed Steve.
"You think that's a good idea?" Bucky asked in a low voice.
Steve smiled.
"You'll be fine. I promise we'll stay away from crowds," Steve said.
Bucky looked back at his cereal.
"I dunno," he replied. There was no telling what would happen outside the walls of Stark Tower. He hadn't set foot outside the compound since he arrived six weeks ago.
If he was honest with Steve, he didn't trust himself. Anything could set him off.
He was barely learning how to take care of his basic needs without orders and the often accompanying punishment. To go out where there were other people around …
"Bucky," Steve calmly said, snapping him back to the current reality. "This friend is a counselor and I think it would help."
Bucky gave him a tight smile and nodded.
"Hey, Cap," Sam greeted when they arrived at the VA center. Bucky trailed behind Steve, his ballcap pulled low, his shoulders hunched, and his hands in his pockets.
Steve had already called ahead to let Sam know he was bringing Bucky. They had had long talks about Bucky and how to get him re-integrated into society.
This was Sam's first time to see Bucky in civilian clothes not trying to kill someone.
Sam extended a hand and Bucky shook it.
"Nice to officially meet you," Sam said. Bucky merely nodded. They didn't exactly have a happy history considering Bucky had tried to kill Sam as well as other members of the Avengers. But everyone was getting used to him and were willing to try to accept him on Steve's behalf.
Sam led them toward the back of the building where there were offices and conference rooms.
A dark-haired woman with green eyes and a gentle smile appeared in the hallway.
"Steve! Nice to see you again," she said as Steve embraced her.
"Good to see you, too, Anna," he replied. He stepped back and nudged Bucky forward. "This is my friend Bucky that I told you about."
"Bucky, it's a pleasure to meet you," Anna said. She didn't offer a handshake or a hug because she preferred not to have physical contact with her clients. Not to mention she wasn't sure if Bucky would be comfortable with it anyway.
"Do you mind if we chat for a little bit?" she asked Bucky directly. "Steve can stay if you want."
Bucky looked at the floor. Anna glanced at Steve, who placed a hand on Bucky's shoulder.
"It's okay, pal. If you don't want to do this today, we can come back another time," Steve told him.
"No. I'll do it," Bucky muttered, his hair shielding his face from Anna's view.
"Do you want me to stay?" Steve quietly asked.
Bucky finally looked at his friend and then shook his head. He didn't particularly want Steve to know about the thoughts still running around in his head.
"Okay. I'll be right down the hall with Sam if you need me," Steve said. Bucky couldn't tell if Steve was telling him or Anna.
"Okie dokie, then," Anna cheerfully said, tipping her head toward her office.
Bucky followed her, not realizing at the time that he would later willingly follow her to the ends of the earth.
