"Wendy, turn out that foot, honey." Lennie, clad in her own black leotard and a black wrap skirt, commented as she walked around her pupils. Her shoulder length hair was pressed straight and fluffed, a fresh roller set that she had unrolled that morning. In the corner of the small studio above a storefront was the smallest Rogers in a pink tutu. Carefully, with a determined look that could be attributed to both of her parents, she mimicked the older girls' moves.

Lennie spared her little on a glance and gave her a small smile, before addressing her students and showing them the next position. "Now I want dancer's hands, nothing flaccid here ladies. Strong yet dainty, like a lady."

"Like a swan!" The youngest called, earning a smirk from her teacher.

"Yes," Lennie beamed, "Like a swan." Dropping the position, she continued her walk through her students, bright brown faces looking to her for instruction. It made something in her swell to give back to a community that had shaped her so.

"Okay ladies, let me see your turns. Line up." One by one they twirled by her, each a pretty brown picture of perfection. They were her new dream; inspiring a new generation of colored dancers to go further than she ever had.

Lennie beamed proudly and dismissed her class for the night, watching as the mother's pooled in from the street to take their daughters home. As the last girl waved goodbye, the dance teacher scooped up her daughter, twirling her around.

"Ya think I didn't see ya in the corner, kitty cat?" The mother questioned as her daughter gave a sly grin.

"I wanna dance!" Susan Lee chimed, as she was sat on the ground, "Why can't I join the class yet, mama?"

"You're only four, sweetie." Lennie explained, watching as the girl twirled, "My class is for six and up."

Susie Rogers pouted and crossed her arms, ready to throw a full on fit. Tears pooled in her eyes and she opened her mouth to shout, watching as her mother narrowed her eyes, but she was interrupted by the chime at the front door.

Lennie's eyes flicked to the intruder but quickly widened as her husband set his bag down by the door with a sweet grin.

"Daddy!" Susie called out, her tantrum forgotten as she ran toward her father. He picked her up and lifted her high above his head before lowering her down and smothering her in a hug.

Lennie watched with a small smile as she padded up to them. He looked just the same, only he had more stars on his jacket. As his blue eyes met hers, Lennie instantly saw something wasn't right, but she still put on a smile and wrapped her arms around him. She lifted herself on her toes and brushed her lips against his. "Hiya soldier." She greeted, cupping his cheek. "Ya early."

Steve nodded, his smile a bit tighter. "I just couldn't stay away from ya, I guess." His hand pinched at her waist and she let out a giggle, despite the sullen tone of his statement.

"Daddy," Susie's voice interrupted in a whine, "Mama won't let me join her class!"

The captain rose his eyebrows and looked to his wife, the dancer looking as pretty as ever. The two women had identical scowls on their faces and he tried to fight his smile. "Why not?"

"She's four and my class is for six and up. She isn't ready." Lennie said for the umpteenth time, narrowing her eyes when her daughter sucked her teeth at her. "Susan Lee-!"

"Susie," Steve interjected, knowing that sharp tone all too well, "What if you joined in a year? Right on ya birthday?"

Susie's blue eyes lit up and she smiled wide, "Really? Ya mean it?" She screeched, looking at her father. Steve nodded and she squealed, wrapping her arms around his neck. "Oh thank you, daddy!"

Said father sheepishly shrugged at Lennie, whose brow was quirked up and lips set in a straight line. "Uh," Steve rambled, putting on a grin, "Let's get home."

A fuming cab ride later, the family of three were walking in the door of their apartment. Susie was babbling happily about dancing and as Steve put her down, she ran off to her room. Lennie, however was more refined in her emotion, a frown set on her face as she walked to their bedroom.

Steve groaned to himself and picked up his bag, following his wife. He caught her eye over her shoulder just as she pulled off her leotard.

"Ya come home the first thing ya do is give Susan Lee anything she wants." Lennie muttered, stark naked as she grabbed her robe from the closet.

"Len-!"

"Don't 'Len' me, Steven Rogers." The dancer snapped, tying her belt with vigor. "Ya just had to make me look like a complete witch when I just don't want her to get hurt before-!"

"Bucky's dead."

All the anger drained from Lennie's face at the words. She began to blink repeatedly as tears welled up in her eyes. She shook her head, muttering, "No. No he can't be…" The dancer looked up at her husband for confirmation but he just stood there with his shoulders slumped. "Oh Stevie." She cried, rushing to embrace him. "I'm so sorry, baby."

Now in the safety of his wife's arms, Steve Rogers buried his nose into her hair and wept, all the built up emotion coming out. Sobs racked through his body and soon he felt her start to cry too.

"I couldn't save him, Len." The captain cried, shaking his head, "He reached for me and I wasn't there. He was always there for me and I wasn't…"

Lennie shushed him and rubbed his back soothingly, biting her lip to contain her sobs. Steve's legs began to feel weak and the both of them fell to their knees, the embrace not broken. "l'm so sorry." Lennie whispered, feeling completely hopeless, "I'm so…"

They stayed there for an hour, the wife comforting her weeping husband. It wasn't until Lennie looked up and checked the clock did she realize she needed feed Susie. She helped Steve into bed and kissed his forehead, promising to be right back.

The dancer closed the bedroom door behind herself and shut her eyes, gathering herself for a moment. She ran a hand through her pressed hair before taking a deep breath and putting on a smile.

"Kitty cat, it's time to make dinner." Lennie chimed, finding her daughter still twirling in her tutu.

The little girl shyly looked up at her mother before running to her and taking her hand. Lennie walked to the kitchen and sat Susie down in one of the dining chairs, her booster seat raising her to the table.

"Whatcha feel like today, pumpkin? Anything ya want."

"Can we have pancakes, mommy?" Susie questioned, her eyes big, "Please?"

"Of course, baby." Lennie grinned behind her only for it to drop as she turned back around. The dancer made busy work of finding her ingredients and turning on the stove.

As she began to mix the batter together, her mind racing.

Bucky, whose eyes twinkled when he teased her. Bucky, who hit on her before ever knowing her name. Bucky, who she threw a milkshake on. Bucky, the best man at her wedding. Bucky, her daughter's godfather. He was dead.

How was she going to tell Susie that her beloved Uncle Jamie was dead?

A tear fell down her cheek and before she knew it her shoulders were shaking with her sobs.

Lennie covered her mouth with her hand and sunk down to the floor, her hair falling in her face. She shook her head and sobbed on the ground, overcome with grief.

"Mommy?"

The call of her name only made her cry harder, though she covered her face with both hands. She heard tiny footsteps patting away from her and they soon returned with heavier ones.

"Len," Steve croaked, wrapping his arms around her. "Len come on."

"He's just a kid." Lennie cried into Steve's shoulder and his composure began to crumble as well.

"I know." Steve muttered, tears coming steadily, "I tried to-!"

"Mama, daddy," Susie interrupted, trying to put her arms around them, "Don't be sad. I'm sorry."

Lennie and Steve separated and looked at each other before shaking their heads.

"Sweetie it's not your fault." Steve soothed, brushing his thumb against her cheek.

"Then why are you sad?"

Steve and Lennie looked at each other with sad eyes, each hoping the other would be the one to tell their daughter. Lennie wiped her tears with shaky hands and turned to Susie, placing her hands on her shoulders. "Susie." She regarded tensely, her breathing halting. "Baby girl, you're Uncle Bucky-!"

"Uncle Bucky!" Susie cheered, clapping her hands, "Is he here? Uncle Bucky!" She called, looking around the kitchen excitedly.

Lennie choked back a sob and looked to Steve, who was wiping his eyes. "I can't…" She shook her head, "Stevie I…"

The soldier nodded and wrapped an arm around his wife, trying not to lose composure. "Sue, you're Uncle Bucky di-!" He choked on the word, taking a deep breath, "H-h-he died."

Susie's little brow furrowed and her blue eyes went from parent to parent. She did not understand. "Died?" She questioned, her voice small. "When is he comin' back to visit, daddy?"

"H-h-he can't, darlin'." Steve blinked back tears, trying to soothe his daughter as his wife cried beside him.

"Why not?" Susie asked, looking at her mother. "Mommy, why you cryin'?" Her chubby hands sloppily wiping the tears from Lennie's face. "Uncle Bucky gonna come back."

"Sweetie," Lennie whispered, rubbing Susie's back as she shook her head, "He's gone, baby. He's…"

"He's not comin' back, Sue."

Susie's face dropped and she looked at her daddy with nothing in her eyes. Her little brain was working over time and she was processing what she had just heard. A moment later her lip started to tremble and her eyes filled with tears. "Mama!" She screamed, wrapping her arms around Lennie's neck as she began to wail. "Is he mad at me, mama?"

Lennie picked her up and rocked her back and forth, frowning at Steve, "No baby, it's not your fault."

"I didn't mean it when I called him stupid, mama! I was just playin'." Susie cried, burying her head into Lennie's neck.

Despite herself, the mother cracked a watery smile, "Me, neither, kitty cat." Strong arms encompassed them both and Lennie let her head fall onto Susie while Steve placed his chin on top of hers.

Susie was still crying her little heart out and the sound struck Steve so severely that he had to bite his lip to keep from doing the same.

The family stayed like that for what seemed like an entirety, just nestled in their own warmth. Susie had stopped crying and was now wracked with hiccups. Lennie was singing a soft lullaby to her baby and Steve was blank. A knock at the door finally separated the Rogers and Lennie moved to put Susie into bed, while Steve went for the door.

Lennie laid Susie down in her bed and draped a blanket over her, pressing her lips against her forehead. "Go to sleep, kitty cat." She whispered, brushing the curls from her face, "It'll feel a little better in the morning."

Susie nodded sleepily and closed her bright eyes, a hiccup shaking her before her breath began to even out. Lennie smiled sadly at her daughter and tucked her in, before rising to cut off the light. She sighed tiredly and cracked the door just so, before walking back towards the front of the apartment. She paused when she heard another voice.

"It wasn't your fault, Steve. You did everything you could."

"Except save him."

Lennie peeked around the corner to see a brunette with her hand on her husband's knee. Rounding the corner, she cleared her throat, tugging the belt of her robe tighter. "Who's this?" She questioned, watching as the woman removed her hand quickly and stood up.

"I'm Agent Peggy Carter, I work with your husband." The brunette replied formally, holding her hand out, "You must be Lennie." Lennie shook her hand and Peggy continued, "I am so sorry for your loss."

"Thank you." Lennie nodded, motioning for her to sit down as she did, "Bucky was family to us. He was our daughter's godfather and…" She took a deep breath to calm herself, "I don't know how to deal to get through this…"

"We'll get through it together." Steve chimed, wrapping his arm around her and squeezing. "We'll get through this together."

James Buchanan Barnes was buried on a rainy Sunday afternoon. Steve was a pallbearer. Lennie was allowed to sit with his sisters and mother. She made Susie a pretty black dress for the occasion and a tiny pin hat with little gloves. Her little girl was brave, braver than she had ever hoped to be and didn't cry or make a sound at the ceremony.

The casket was empty and as the shots rang out to commemorate Sergeant James Buchanan, Lennie's heart cried for plain old Bucky Barnes, the boy who asked her to go dancing, the boy who she never had a kind word to say to his face, but behind his back she thought the world of him. The boy who she thought was too young to be drafted and fight a man's war. The boy who would write asking about Susie every month.

That boy would never be buried in the ground, for she would always carry him with her.