Sorry it's taken me so long to post this chapter! Today was my birthday and I turned 20…. I think it got canceled and they forgot to tell me because nobody remembered…..

Your Choice: Chapter 10

When Bucky arrived at headquarters, they quickly steered him back home. They had canceled the assignment he was meant to go on because of a change of intel they had received. With the information they had, they didn't need him. Part of him was relieved to know he wouldn't have to leave Sarah and James alone. He was nearly eaten alive with guilt on his way to headquarters. He wasn't even gone a whole day.

He was crossing the parking lot where he parked his bike when he felt his phone vibrating in his pants pocket. He took a moment to fish it out and remember how to accept a call. He swiped the green phone button, "Hello?" he said gruffly.

"Man, where are you?" It was Sam. Bucky was confused, "Parking garage. Why?"

"Get up here," Sam commanded. "Somethings happened…" Bucky hung up and paced into the apartment complex. Panic swirled inside him. What happened? Was it Sarah? The elevator seemed to be ascending so slow… Once he reached the 4th floor, Bucky clawed the elevator doors open and paced down the hall. Sam was already standing at the threshold of the apartment door with James on his hip. James giggled and started reaching out for him. Bucky was almost running, "What happened?"

"Bedroom. Go," Sam said shortly, wrangling James back into his arms. Bucky nodded and stepped inside, heading straight for the master bedroom. The floor was slick with something wet… He didn't bother dropping his duffle bag or taking off his boots. He went to turn the knob and open the door but it was locked. "Sarah?" Bucky said trying to hide the slight panic in his voice. He could make out a small sniffle from the other side. He let out a small breath," Sarah let me in…"

After what seemed like a long time, he could hear the lock on the door turn. He paused before cracking the door open slightly, "Can I come in?" When she didn't answer, he let the door swing open and stepped in. Sarah was sitting on the edge of the bed with her hands folded in her lap, covered in blood. She never lifted her heavy gaze from the floor. Bucky's eyes grew wide but he had to collect himself. He shut the door and gently walked up to her. The wet substance in the hall was her blood, he told himself.

"What happened?" he asked quickly. Her face was swollen again. She looked just the same way she did when he found her the first time. All the light she had inside of her that morning was gone…. Her ponytail was wild and tangled. Bucky kneeled down in front of her. "Sarah, what happened?" he asked a little more roughly. She looked at him slowly. Pain swam in her eyes and she opened her mouth to speak. No tears came, however.

"I'm just so tired, Bucky…. I'm so tired…" she whispered hoarsely. Bucky slipped his fingers around one of her wrists, lifting her arm, pushing her face side to side, looking over her legs. He was looking for the source of all the blood. He found it when he lifted her leg up and saw the bottom of her feet. They were torn to shreds and raw and filled with bits of glass.

"I-I was gonna cook …." She began, wiping her eyes. "I was gonna cook something and I saw the video…" Bucky made a mental note about the video. She continued, "After that…I was so shaken up …I-I couldn't even hold on the glass bowl… you know that one I use all the time?" Bucky nodded tightly, still holding her ankle gently. "I dropped it…. And somehow I stepped in the glass…" She looked back to the floor.

Glass was still embedded in her feet. Bucky racked his mind of every possible solution he could do to help her… After a few moments of thought, he decided it was best to take her to the hospital. He slipped his metal arm under her legs, "C'mon. We gotta get you looked at…" She didn't protest as he lifted her up and off the bed.

"I'm just tired, Buck…" she muttered as she wrapped her arms around his neck.

"I know…" he replied gently. He used his foot to open the door and walked gently down the hall. Sam was still bouncing James on his hip. He shook his head slightly as he watch Bucky pass by with Sarah.

"Can you stay with James while we go see a doctor?" Bucky asked.

"Of course, man. I got this…" Sam forced a smile.

Bucky took Sarah's car to the hospital with her lying in the back seat. He knew in his gut he shouldn't have left her. Every red light he turned in his seat slightly, "You okay?" he'd ask. She nodded yes every time.

The hospital visit didn't take very long. A doctor removed all the glass that was still in her feet and bandaged her up. He warned her not to walk around too much for the next few days and to wash the wounds every night. Other than a few restrictions, she would be fine…

Steve took in a shaky breath, staring at the cryo- tube he was about to crawl into. Once he was inside, he would slip off into hyper-sleep for the next four years. Everyone had already climbed inside their vessel. Only Steve and Clint were left still awake. They both stood beside their tubes.

"I'm not too fond of being almost frozen…." Steve muttered under his breath. Clint snorted a laugh and shook his head.

"Did she get your message?" Clint asked. Steve shrugged, "I think so…. Did Laura get yours?"

Clint shook his head slightly, "No…. I didn't send her one…" Steve was shocked in a way. But he didn't ask any questions.

"We said our goodbyes when I left…" Barton continued. Steve nodded understandingly.

In that moment, Steve took in a deep breath. Clint stepped over the edge and into his vessel. Steve watched him lie down stiffly, "See you on the other side…" he said before the dark colored glass slid down over the opening. Steve was alone.

He paused momently to listen to the complete and deafening silence. He couldn't stop himself from choking up some. He crawled at his face and walked a quick circle around his cryo-tube. For the first time in years, he was scared. He summoned his last bit of courage and climbed into the vessel. He reluctantly laid down on the cushioned pad at the bottom. The glass began to slide down and Steve knew there was no going back. He rested his head back and closed his eyes. Strange smelling gases began to pour into the chamber. Before he could think, Steve's world faded into darkness.