Alex woke up to the sun shining brightly through the window. She rubbed her eyes, then realized the tube in her arm was gone. She looked next to the bed, and saw that the IV stand was gone as well. The space in the bed next to her was empty, but it was still warm. Alex rolled onto it and buried her face in the pillow. She felt like she was being creepy, but she could smell Bucky on the fabric. It made her feel safe.

Slowly, she got to her feet. Walking came easier than it had yesterday, but her side still ached and throbbed. She made her way to the bathroom and shut the door. Gazing at her reflection, she could still see the dark bruises on her jaw and neck. They were healing, but they still hurt like hell.

Alex decided to take a hot shower. If anything, it could only help make her feel better and soothe her aches and pains. She slid open the glass door and turned on the faucet. The shower looked like it was made of marble and stone. There were very few items inside, but she was just thankful there was shampoo, conditioner, and body wash.

She undressed carefully and stepped into the shower. The hot water felt amazing on her skin. The throbbing and aches started to dull, but she resisted the urge to stretch. She didn't want to agitate her ribs.

Fifteen minutes later, Alex had washed her hair and gently washed her body. She just stood under the water, not wanting to leave. She wasn't looking forward to how cold it was going to be once she stepped out. But her stomach growled loudly, and then she realized she hadn't eaten anything in two days.

Alex stepped out of the shower and wrapped a towel around her wet body. She wrung the water out of her hair and slipped back into the nightgown Natasha gave her. She braced herself against the sink and felt the room begin to spin.

"Crap..." She muttered, knowing she was going to faint because her blood sugar had dipped too low. "Jarvis, h-help!" She exclaimed before her knees gave out. She heard him reply, but it sounded like he was speaking through a thick wall. Her vision tunneled into blackness, and she felt her head hit the cool tile floor.

"Alexandra!" A familiar voice called out. She tried to open her eyes, but the light felt blinding. Two arms lifted her up, and she tried to move her head. But she was too weak, and just laid limp like a ragdoll in her savior's arms. "What happened? Are you alright?" Bucky asked.

"...need..." Alex tried to form a sentence, but she just couldn't get the words out. She felt the softness of the bed underneath her, and she opened her eyes just a little. She could make out Bucky on the bed with her, stroking her hair and face.

"I'll be right back." He said before he disappeared from her sight. Alex laid in the bed, unable to make her limbs move. She knew the feeling would pass, but it would be a few more minutes. Bucky came back, and she saw him holding a glass of water. He snaked his metal arm underneath her around the base of her neck. He sat her up, and held the glass to her lips. "Take a drink, OK?" He urged her. Alex parted her lips, and let Bucky pour the water down her throat. She took several large gulps before she pulled her head away slightly.

"Thank you..." She breathed, rolling her wrists around and rubbing her temples.

"Feeling better?" Bucky asked as he set the glass on the nightstand. Alex nodded.

"Yeah. Sorry to worry you." She apologized and looked down. Bucky reached into his pocket and pulled something out.

"Here." He said, opening up something in a package. "Eat some of this." He broke off a piece of something and held it out to her. Alex took it from him. It was a piece of a granola bar. She smiled at him before she put it in her mouth. It was crunchy and sweet, no doubt flavored with honey. "You OK?" He asked her as he broke off another piece.

"Getting there." Alex replied. "I shouldn't have gone so long without eating. That was careless." She shook her head and took the granola again. "Sorry." She apologized once more, then put the granola in her mouth.

"It's alright. I'm just glad you're OK." Bucky replied, tucking her damp hair behind her ear. "I should have asked if you needed something." Alex shook her head.

"All I've been doing is sleeping. Food was the last thing on my mind." She replied. "Thank you for the water and granola." She brought her gaze up and met his eyes. A smile spread across her lips.

"Don't worry about it." Bucky said as he smiled back at her. Alex chewed the rest of the granola as the two of them sat in silence. "Do you mind if I ask you some things?" He asked.

"Um," Alex nibbled the inside of her lip, "go ahead." She nodded.

"How long were you two together?" Bucky asked. Alex pursed her lips together.

"About three years, I think." She replied.

"Were you ever happy?" Alex looked at him, her jaw dropping in surprise. No one ever asked her that before, and it caught her off guard.

"I...I..." She stammered, staring down at her lap. "I...don't know." She finally admitted. "He seemed nice at first..." Alex trailed off. Bucky stayed quiet and gently held her hand in his.

"...When was the first time he hit you?" He whispered. Alex felt tears sting her eyes, but she quickly blinked them away.

"About a month and a half after we started dating." She replied in a hushed tone.

"You've been dealing with that throughout the entire relationship? Why didn't you just leave?" Bucky asked, feeling the anger well up deep within him again. This...thing was going to pay. He would make sure of it.

"I felt like it was what I deserved." Alex stated simply. "He constantly told me that I wouldn't be good enough for anyone else, and nobody would want me..." She paused. "I believed him. I still do."

"Why didn't you leave? Get away from all that?" Bucky asked. "Steve lived right next door to you. He had space for you to stay."

"I didn't want to impose on him." Alex said, shaking her head.

"You shouldn't have lived like that, Alexandra. You deserve better." Bucky wrapped on arm around her.

"So did you." Alex replied immediately, looking up at him. "Tell me I'm wrong." She spoke as if she was daring him to disagree with her. Bucky looked at her and his jaw dropped in surprise.

"I...Well, you..." Bucky stammered, unable to find the right words to say. Alex giggled softly and covered her mouth.

"I'm sorry. I'm not laughing at you." Alex corrected. Bucky chuckled softly and rubbed his hand up and down her arm. "What do you see in me?" She asked suddenly. Bucky turned to face her in the bed.

"You're just so..." He sighed, at a loss for words once again. The silence remained for what seemed like minutes before Bucky spoke again. "I'm drawn to your kindness." He finally said. Alex looked at him quizzically. "I've known anger and pain for as long as I can remember. I've been the Winter Soldier for so long..." His voice cracked, and it was just barely noticeable. "You were one of the few people who looked at me like I wasn't some kind of monster." He added softly. Alex bit her lip.

"You're not a monster." She assured him, gently resting her hand over his metal one. "You're just a little lost, I think." Her words resonanted in him, and he felt a lump form in his throat.

"Alexandra, you don't know... You don't know the terrible things I've done." Bucky whispered, unable to look at her. He kept his head down as he stared at her small hand that rested atop his cold and unnatural metal hand.

"Done. Past tense." She replied. "Your past shouldn't define who you are. Sure. You did some bad things. But is that who you are? No." Her voice was strong. Stronger than Bucky had ever heard it before. "I've...done my share of bad things." Alex admitted. "But those things don't define who I am." She sighed and placed her hand on his cheek. "I can tell you're a good man." She said softly. "Trust me when I say this. I should know, because I've met my share of assholes." Alex punctuated the statement with a soft laugh.

"Alexandra..." Bucky gently took her hand in his. He looked up, and found her eyes locked onto him. Big, beautiful hazel eyes that glinted in the light. He brought his right hand up to her cheek and opened his mouth to speak. But no words came out. Alex stared at him, waiting for him to speak. The silence lingered between them until Bucky suddenly leaned forward and pressed his lips against hers.