Chapter Nine
1946
It had been a year since Bucky fell from the train. A year since the plane Steve was piloting went down somewhere in the ocean and was presumed dead. A year since I cut ties from practically everyone in my life. I tried to spend time with my friends but all they ever seemed to talk about what how disappointed they were that they never got to see me get married, as if I wasn't disappointed myself. Every time I see my family they always seem to talk about how I should put myself out there and move on, as if it was that easy. Every time I stepped outside my four walls I felt alone.
There were funerals for Steve and Bucky. Bucky's mother, whom we hardly every saw, was there along with his siblings. We all sat together and cried softly into our handkerchiefs. I gave a eulogy but didn't share half of what I was feeling, mostly because I couldn't put that half of my emotions into words. I didn't move out of the apartment and everyone questioned why but every time I would just brush it off and give a response about how it made me feel safe when in reality it was because I had sacrificed so much to try to get back to my normal life, this was not one of those things. I put all the pictures of Bucky and I in the compartment in the closet with my dress and wore my engagement ring around a chain everyday.
After about a year I started to put myself out there more. I had gone on a few dates but that was mostly to appease my friends and parents. I picked up more shifts at work to distract myself. Nothing seemed to work. I still thought about Steve and Bucky every day. Steve was my best friend, and Bucky was not only that but the love of my life. Time is supposed to heal all wounds, but I guess there were some that had no remedy.
I huffed a sigh of relief as I walked through the doors of my apartment and set my heavy bag down on the kitchen table. The sound of my kitten heels clicking on the tile rung through the apartment but was cut off once I stepped on the beige carpet. I fell backwards onto the couch and closed my eyes. My fingers pressed against my temples, relieving some of the immense pressure that had built up from stress over the day.
I felt myself start to slip into unconsciousness due to the fatigue that had built up over the course of the day. It was one of those sleeps where you weren't fully asleep and you were vaguely aware of your surroundings but I fell into a dream. I dreamt of myself standing on the docks waiting for a large ship full of soldiers to pull into the harbor.
I stood amongst a crowd of women and children who were all in the same situation as me. The ship pulled up to the dock and stopped. Soldiers started unloading off the gangplank and were met by family, wives, significant others, everyone. I was left standing alone after the crowd had dissipated and left with whomever they came to meet. My face fell as I saw what appeared to be the last of the soldier step off the ship. Bucky wasn't there but the rest of his battalion was.
I turned to walk away, but vaguely heard someone call my name. I turned and saw my fiancee step off the ship, looking exactly the way he looked the last time I saw him. A grin spread across my face and I rushed to meet him. He stood at the bottom of the gangplank with open arms. I rushed into them but was not met with the feeling of Bucky's arms wrapping around me. I ended up several steps behind him. I turned and saw him with a confused look that mirrored my own. I tried grabbing his hand but my hand passed right through his. Tears welled in my eyes and Bucky's face settled into a solemn expression. His mouth set into a straight line. I watched in horror as Bucky faded away, blowing away like sand.
I was pulled out of my dream by a knock on the door. I sat straight up and felt tears welled in my eyes. I had this dream often but every time Bucky was there to hold me and it felt like he was really there. I sat for a second before hearing the knock again. I pulled myself out of my sleepy state and walked over to the door. I smoothed my hair and dress before pulling the door open. Behind the door stood two tall men dressed in suits. They had identical hair cuts and looked extremely professional and intimidating.
"Can I help you, gentlemen?" I asked cautiously staying inside the doorframe.
"Are you Violet Brooks?" The man on the left asked in a monotone voice.
"Yes, I am. Who are you?" I questioned with a somewhat demanding tone.
"I'm Abram and this is Varick." The man on the left spoke again in a heavy accent.
"Okay, what are you doing here?" I practically demanded.
"We are here regarding your fiancée James Buchanan Barnes." Varick spoke for the first time. I raised my brows, indicating for him to continue. "We have a way that you can see him again."
I paused for a second, feeling anger swell in my chest. "Do you think this is funny? Is this a joke?" I questioned with pure fury creeping into my voice.
"I'm sorry?" Abram half asked and half apologized.
"My fiancée died in the war. Now if you'll please excuse me…" I started to close the door but felt it stop. Varick had stuck his foot in the doorjamb, preventing me from closing it.
"Please, ma'am. If you'll just give us a moment to explain." Varick pleaded.
I considered for a second before letting the door swing open again. "You have a minute to explain." I informed them not letting them step inside.
"We are from HYDRA. We know you have been lead to believe your fiancee died after falling from a train but that is only the surface of the truth. Shortly after he fell he was found by Soviet Soldiers, barely alive. They brought him in and stabilized him but he lost his arm in the accident. Since then he has been turned over to us and our renowned head scientist, Dr. Arnim Zola has been assigned to design a fully functional prosthetic arm. We were sent to bring you to Russia because Zola thought you would want to be the one there to bring him back to New York." Abram explained. I stood in shock. My jaw was completely slack and a million thoughts were racing through my mind.
"I thought HYRDA was the reason he fell from the train in the first place." I questioned. "He supposedly died because of Zola. I've spent the last year mourning because of him."
"Ma'am, we are aware of the circumstances but we thought that the thought of seeing your fiancee again would overshadow Zola's history." Varick said suddenly very serious.
I paused to consider for a minute. We stood there in complete silence for a drawn out amount of time. "Fine, I'll come with you." I finally answered. Their faces remained monotonous.
"Pack a bag. We'll be leaving in three hours." Abram informed me. They pushed their way into the apartment and I stood in disbelief. I pulled myself out of that state and walked into the bedroom. Millions of thoughts and emotions ran through my mind as I packed as much as I could in one suitcase. As I closed the lid to my suitcase and flipped the clasps closed I realized, I would finally see Bucky again.
A/N: Hello everyone! Sorry this update took so long. I recently got re-inspired to upload and write this story again so stay tuned for that! I'm going on vacation in a few days and I can write a lot on the plane so I'm looking forward to that and organizing my ideas for the outline of the story and how to put them together. As always, please review and follow and all that good stuff if you're enjoying the story! It really inspires me to write more and let's me know if you guys are enjoying the story as well as gives me helpful criticism! Thank you all so much for reading and I will see you all in the next chapter! xoxo
- xlovelylunax
