Chapter 20: Moving On

Steve and Bucky were in the kitchen, Steve leaning on the counter and Bucky on the wall. "I can't believe you remember Buck" Steve said, "A week ago, you barely recognized me, shot me and let me fall from a helacarrier."

Bucky chuckled, "I still pulled you out of the water, just like that one time at the beach."

Steve laughed, "You had to bring that up," pausing a second he asked, "How is it you are able to remember so much? I haven't seen you since and then you barely believed me."

Bucky glanced over to Kelly, catching her eyes. They both smiled before she blinked and looked away, continuing her conversation. "I had a little help," he admitted.

Steve glanced down, smiling before looking back at his friend, "I knew there was something she wasn't telling me and I'm starting to feel like there's something you're not telling," he smiled and a second before he said, "I just don't understand. Has she been with you this whole time?"

"No," Bucky replied, looking back at Steve, "After I pulled you out, I went to the exhibit about you, us. I wanted to find out more and she was just there. She just started talking to me, not walking away like everyone else. After she left, I thought she was a threat so I followed her. I saved her from a mugger before almost choking her to death. Then it happened. I was holding her up and the way she looked at me, her eyes wide, it just hit me. She reminded me of Rebecca."

"Your sister?" he asked.

Bucky nodded.

"That's amazing" Steve said, "All from her eyes? That's…I can't even think of a word."

"You and thinking of words about girls never went hand in hand well," he said.

"Jerk."

"Punk," Bucky said, grinning.

Sighing Steve said, "Well, you think you're ready to fight with us? Hydra is still out there. I could use your help."

He glanced back at Kelly before returning his eyes to his friend. Steve smiled and nodded, "You want to know what's going to happen to her. Well, Hydra is still after both of you. She'll have come with us."

"I will?" they heard from behind, seeing Kelly and Natasha right there.

Steve turned to face them then said, "Hydra won't be far behind. Our best course of action is to get out of here and find a safe location."

"And where's that?" Kelly asked.

"SHIELD's backup headquarters," Natasha said, "It's in Europe and that way we'd be out of Hydra's sights, for now at least."

"Whoa. Whoa. Europe?" Kelly asked, "First off, I don't even have a passport. Second, what about my apartment? I haven't been back there since we went over a bridge in a car. It should be safe right?"

Steve and Natasha looked at each other before Steve said, "Your apartment building burned to the ground 3 days ago. Everyone inside didn't make it."

She stepped back, "No. No….that can't be. I didn't know my neighbors all that well but still…they're all dead?" Steve nodded and she covered her mouth with her hand, turning away, "Oh my God. That can't b—It's all my fault."

James, Steve and Natasha looked at each other before James went over to her, gently placing his hands on her shoulders. "You couldn't have known," he whispered.

Turning to face him she said, "It's still my fault. Their blood is on my hands" she ran a hand through her hair then said sarcastically, "Good thing I have renter's insurance."

"You did it to help me" he said.

"I know," Kelly answered, "I just didn't know I was going to get others hurt in the process. I don't regret helping you but I wish those people didn't have to die."

She reached in between his arms and he pulled her to his chest. After a few moments, she sighed and looked at each of them. "How soon are we leaving?"

"Right now," Steve said, standing straight.

As they all headed for the door, Kelly stopped and said, "Wait. I have to return the car I borrowed."

Natasha raised an eyebrow as she glanced at her, "I think that's a little low on the priority list."

"Please," she said, begging, "I need to at least keep a promise to the nice people who helped us. You guys can follow and then we'll all leave together."

Steve nodded, "Then let's get it done" before turning and walking out. She looked around the cabin one last time as she grabbed the keys.

"I think I might miss it," she heard from behind, seeing James standing there in the doorway waiting for her.

"I think I will too. I'm even almost half tempted to leave a note saying thanks," she smiled half-heartedly.

Stepping towards her, James asked, "What is it?"

Sighing, Kelly looked up at him, "I actually did like this place even if we knew it was only temporary. But I can't help but feel like we should split up. I mean, you have Steve and now your memories are practically back so…," she glanced around for a second, "I don't really belong at a super secret spy headquarters but here…here I feel at home. It's the only place I can call that at the moment."

"They're coming for us. If Steve and Natasha found us they would find you if you stayed," he answered, "I don't have all my memories yet. Plus you're still being hunted too. At least together we can handle them," he looked her in the eyes, "It might not be home but you'll be with me. I'll keep you safe."

Raising an eyebrow she said, "Sometimes with you it isn't always safe."

He chuckled, "I already agreed not to try to kill you again."

"Heard that before," she said with a grin, "I'll be out in a second."

James walked out and headed towards the car. She went into the bedroom and changed back into the shirt she wore when she came. Everything almost looked as if they'd never been there. But we were here. Taking one last look around, Kelly sighed. I don't think I'll ever forget this place. Without another glance, she shut the door.