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Changes Sequel – III. War + Epilogue – Epilogue Part 81

Future May 2054

Bucky opened his eyes and froze. Doe like hazel eyes were looking down at him, the lips that belonged to the face smirking at him. "Doll,…you're back already?" he asked surprised.

"Yeah, since two and a half hours already. You were so deeply asleep that you didn't hear anything," Lily said and crossed her arms. "So, who is this?" she nodded and something on his chest and Bucky lowered his gaze. He had completely forgotten about the tiny white kitten that had curled up on his chest and was still sleeping.

"Oh… That's…," he began and tried to think of a name. "Alpine?"

"And pray tell me where Alpine is suddenly coming from?" she asked and he looked back at her in a sheepish way.

"From….outside?"

"Outside…," Lily repeated matter-of-factly.

"Yeah?"

"And my guess is we are keeping Alpine?"

Bucky gave her his most charming smile. "Please?" he begged and looked at the tiny kitten that was still peacefully sleeping on his chest. "I mean look at him. He's so cute and fluffy!"

Lily laughed and nodded her head. "Yeah, I know," she held up her phone. "I took about a dozen pictures of this very cute kitten and even cuter guy on our couch before I wrote my dear twin brother and asked if he would be so nice to get some cat stuff on his way back from court."

"You did?" Bucky asked surprised.

"Yes, I did. How awesome is your girlfriend?" Lily asked playfully and Bucky gave her a wide grin.

"The fucking best!"

"Explain again why I'm doin' this…," Logan grunted while he carried 4 large packs of cat litter and walked behind Jack, who carried a parcel that included a cat tree which still needed to be assembled and Jean, who pushed a shopping cart with cat food, toys and everything else that a cat needed.

"Because your daughter, who happens to be my dear twin sister got a cat and asked us to do it," Jack replied and checked the aisles for anything they might have forgotten.

"A cat…," Logan repeated and exchanged a look with Jean, who shrugged.

"That's what he said."

"'n where does that cat come from?"

Jack shrugged. "She said Bucky suddenly had it."

"So it's his cat," Logan concluded and was glad when they finally reached the check-out.

Jack chuckled. "Well maybe he is a cat person, dad."

Logan grunted something and Jean elbowed him. "What? I like dogs."

"I know, honey." The redhead smiled and put the cat food, toys and anything else that was in the cart on the conveyor belt while Jack reached for his wallet and pulled out his credit card. After they had paid and packed everything into Jack's car he drove them back home where, to Logan's dismay, they had to unpack everything again and to carry it to Lily's apartment. There he knocked and waited for her to open the door.

When she did her eyes grew wide. "You got all of this?!"

"Yep," her father grunted and went inside, nodding at Barnes, who looked at him from where he was resting on the couch. He dropped the cat litter packages and saw the tiny white furball. "That him?" he asked and pointed at the kitten that had jumped off of Bucky's chest and was now curiously sniffing one of the packs.

"His name's Alpine," Bucky said and sat slowly up.

"How you doing?" Jack asked and the man shrugged, smiling when Alpine came back and cuddled up to him again.

"Tired mostly."

Lily ran a hand through Bucky's hair in an affectional way. "How was court?"

Jack sighed and watched how Logan busied himself with putting up the litter box and Jean used her powers to assemble the cat tree. "It would really help if Steve and you could act as witnesses…"

Bucky nodded. "I'd need help getting there," he said and pulled on the fabric of the blanket nervously. "They'll ask about Hydra, won't they?"

"Yeah," Jack nodded and sat down on the armrest of the white armchair to Bucky's left. "You don't have to though if it's too traumatizing, Bucky."

Bucky shook his head. "No," he said and looked at Jack after heaving a deep breath, eyes determined. "You helped me back then, so if I can help your brother now… I'll do it."

"Thank you," Jack said honestly and felt relieved. "It might take another week or two. So you still got time to rest and get better." He turned his head and noticed that his mother was done and his father was still eyeing Alpine with a glare. His sister excused herself when Rebecca demanded her food and hugged him and their parents quickly before she disappeared in the bedroom to nurse the baby.

"Thank you for buying the stuff and setting it up," Bucky said and felt ashamed that he couldn't do it yet.

"Don't worry about it. Give your body the time it needs to properly heal," Jean smiled and left with Jack and Logan after wishing them a good night.

They were barely gone when someone else knocked and Steve entered, clearly looking panicked. "What happened?!" Bucky asked concerned as Steve's eyes looked wildly around.

"My ma's ring, did I lose it here?" Steve asked and searched the ground desperately.

"No, haven't seen it. Where did you last see it?" Bucky asked and watched how Steve was now checking underneath the couch and armchair.

"I always carry it on me and I still had it yesterday."

"Maybe you put it somewhere else by accident?"

"No!" Steve was now checking underneath the table.

"A different piece of clothing?" Bucky suggested and watched Steve almost losing it. "Stevie… The ring isn't gone. We'll find it, okay?" he tried to calm him down because he knew that Sarah Rogers' ring was invaluable to his best friend and the only thing he was allowed to keep of her.

"Bucky, I can't lose that ring!" Steve said close to tears and slumped down in the armchair, hands in his hair. He looked aside when Lily returned, clearly looking confused. "Have you found a ring by any chance?"

"No, sorry," she said and sat down next to Bucky, taking his hand into hers.

"Fuck…," Steve cursed.

"Steve, it can't be gone if you still had it before," Bucky said and Steve met his gaze.

"I always have it in my left pocket. It's not there, Bucky!"

Bucky would have raised both hands quickly, if he actually had both right now. "Calm down! We'll find it."

"How? By getting it from a different timeline?" Steve snapped.

Bucky gave him an annoyed look. "Sure. You could ask Jake to time travel to the past and steal it from yourself…," he mocked sourly and didn't like how Steve's head snapped up. "Steve, no!"

"Yes! That should actually work, Buck!" Steve said and quickly left, just to return with Jake a bit later who looked clearly confused at why he was dragged around.

"What did I miss?!" Jake asked and looked at his sister for help.

"Steve… No!" Bucky tried again. "You can't do that!"

"I need that ring, Bucky!" the blond insisted.

"Yeah, so does your younger self!"

"He'll have it in the future," Steve shrugged.

"Oh my God…," Bucky cried and leant back against the backrest. "Tell him no, Jake!"

"I don't even know what's going on!" Jake cried back and swallowed as Steve turned fully Captain America on him.

"I need you to do something for me!"

"I…don't like the sound of it…," Jake whimpered and made a step back.

Past March 1943

Jake held Lily close until they landed safely in Brooklyn of 1943. They had landed in a side street between two houses and took a careful look around. The air felt much clearer, the sky was blue and the temperature a mix between not too chilly but also not too warm. Jake checked the street and was mesmerized with how different Brooklyn looked. A group of children was playing in the streets, some couples walking down the street, very few old fashioned cars turning around the corner, mothers pushing old fashioned strollers… "Wow…," he said and turned to his sister, who had also watched their surroundings in interest. "What 110 years can do, huh?"

Lily straightened her 1940s dress that Peggy had borrowed her. "It's amazing…," she said and walked further out towards the street. "Where did Steve say that movie theatre was?"

Jake pointed down the street and she spotted the old looking building. However, she also saw the several war posters that hung on walls or in the windows of some shops and requested for men to sign up for the army. Dread filled her as she imagined Bucky dreading the war and then getting drafted, whereas Steve was desperate to go. She refused to imagine if one of her brothers had been forced to fight in a war that they refused to be part of. Quickly she focused on their mission again and turned to her brother. "Okay, so we need to run into Steve before he goes to see that movie." She looked up and down the street in hope to see Steve, but all she could see were strangers.

"Yep and then I'm going to act as if I can't behave and if your boyfriend is right Steve will try to help you. I steal the ring, we'll meet right here again, boom, done," Jake quickly summarized Steve's grand plan. "Oh, and just so that we're clear," he added with a smirk, "I demand a freshly baked cherry cake for this. Vegan of course."

Lily shook her head with a smile. "Of course," she nodded and they looked down the street again until Jake snorted. "What?"

He nodded towards the opposite site of the street where a frail looking blonde was walking towards the movie theatre, dressed in a beige coat that was too big on him, brown slacks that hung loose on his small frame, a light beige shirt to which the same state applied and a striped tie. His hair was cut short and the front flopped which each step he took. "THAT is Steve?! I thought Bucky was joking when he told us to look for a Chihuahua…"

Lily elbowed him but she had to admit that it was hard to picture this frail person to become the muscle car that was the Steve Rogers they knew. The present Steve Rogers was 5'4 and maybe 90 lbs. "He looks unhappy…"

"I'd too, if I were him."

"Jake!"

"What?" he asked and pointed behind him. "Watch. No one is seeing or even looking at him. I feel sorry for that guy. Now c'mon. We've gotta hurry."

Lily quickly made her way towards the opposite direction from where Steve was approaching, fully aware of eyes following her. Men tipped their hats and greeted, women looked at her in jealousy and her heart was pounding strongly in her chest. She felt out of her element right now and feared that she still looked too modern to pass for a 1940s woman. And while she was really curious to have at least one look at the Bucky of this time, she knew meeting him here would be dangerous. So Lily focused on Steve and the alley next to the movie theatre and prayed that their plan would work. In order to get Steve's attention she accidentally bumped into him and felt sorry as soon as she did because she was obviously stronger than him and poor Steve almost fell on his ass. "Oh, I'm so sorry, sir," she excused herself and he tried to give her a polite look, which was borderline annoyance, and nodded briskly.

"It's all right, ma'am. T'was my fault. I didn't pay attention," he still apologized politely and nodded his head, but she could easily tell that he was pissed, probably because people didn't see him in general. "Have a nice day."

Lily's heart began to race as he kept on walking and she wondered where Jake was as all of a sudden a shriek escaped her lips and she was dragged into the alley next to the theatre.

"Is he coming?" Jake muttered as he pressed her to the wall in the back, next to some trash cans.

"No."

"Damn it…" He was about to let her go as Lily suddenly started begging for Jake to let her go. "Thank God…," he muttered and pinned her back to the wall. "C'mon, sweetheart. You don't mean that."

"I said NO!" Lily barked at him and acted as good as a damsel in distress as possible. She hoped she did well since her instincts told her to use the martial arts their father had taught them from an early age. Adding a sob that almost made Jake snort he watched how she looked past him. "Mister? Oh, Mister please help me!"

Jake looked behind him without letting her go and yeah, Bucky had been right: this Steve, as tiny as he was, oozed righteous fury and looked like a mad Chihuahua ready to pounce. He already felt sorry about hurting him. Not that he would try not to.

"Hey, let her go!" Steve said and while Jake chuckled at the attempt, Steve's eyes narrowed. "I said let her go, asshole! Ya don't treat a lady like that. Didn't ya ma teach ya manners?!" he said angrily and it was the first time the siblings heard him using his native Brooklys drawl so openly. Usually, it came out when Steve and Bucky were talking or bickering with each other. "I said get outta hea!"

Jake winked at Lily and let her wrists go before he turned towards Steve, whose eyes widened briefly at how tall Jake was with his 6'4, compared to Steve's 5'4. "You were saying, shrimp?" he asked and came slowly closer, but Steve raised his fists and Jake was sure his thumb and index finger could easily fit twice around Steve's slim wrists. If this ended up in a fight he had to make sure to pull his punches. Like a lot.

"I said step away from the lady," Steve snarled and once more Jake was reminded of an angry Chihuahua.

Calculating the best way to get his hands on the ring that Steve had in his jacket pocket, Jake figured the direct approach considering Steve's foul temper was the easiest: insult him. So he smirked and crossed his arms, then leant down to look right into Steve's angry eyes. "Awww… A lady protecting a lady? How cute. Wearing your boyfriend's clothes today, huh?" Jake asked and didn't see the punch coming that Steve, as frail as he was here, quickly aimed at his cheek. He made a surprised step back and stared at his opposite in something akin to shock. Then he remembered Bucky had told them he had taught Steve how to box, so… Behind him Lily seemed to be shocked too since she had stopped moving and to her biggest surprise Steve grabbed the round lid of the trash can to Jake's right and placed himself in front of Jake with determination in his eyes. "You'll regret that, asshole!" Jake snarled and grabbed the makeshift shield before he quickly pulled Steve close to steal the ring from his pocket and pushed Steve towards the trash cans, into which the smaller man fell. But as quick as he had fallen, Steve was back up and had the lid in front of him again.

"I can do this all day!" Steve threatened, breathing hard as his asthma threatened to kick in.

"Oh yeah?" Jake asked and made a step forward as he was suddenly grabbed from behind.

"Pick on someone your size!" a familiar voice hissed and shoved Jake back into the alley.

Jake muttered a curse under his breath as he realized no other than 1940's Bucky Barnes, dressed in his army dress uniform, a warning glint in his eyes and ready to pounce stood in front of him, blocking Lily's way to escape. "Get lost I said!"

Jake exchanged a look with Lily, who quickly nodded and turned to jog back to their meeting point where he made sure to keep an eye on the alley. He only hoped his sister would be able to escape her future-boyfriend rather sooner than later.

In the alley Steve dropped the lid and wiped his chin and clothes. "I had him on the ropes."

"Ya sure did, Stevie…," Bucky drawled and bent down to get the paper that had dropped out of Steve's pocket. "What's this?" he asked and looked at the rejection notice. He sighed. "Really, Steve? Again?" Bucky shook his head in anger at Steve's willingness to throw his life away for a war that wasn't his business. "And seriously? Jersey?!" he asked and froze as he spotted Lily, who had tried to slowly sneak past them. His eyes widened as he took her in. "Ma'am," Bucky greeted with a respectful nod and took the sight in again, suddenly at a loss of words.

Steve looked from Bucky to Lily and back. He rolled his eyes. Leave it to his best friend to get flustered by a beautiful dame; as if it wasn't enough that he had a different girl hanging on his arm almost every day and half Brooklyn was desperate to marry that "handsome Barnes' boy". "You were sayin', Buck?" Steve asked in annoyance and that seemed to startle Bucky awake.

"Are you all right, ma'am?" Bucky asked, his attention on Lily, who brushed her hair back nervously and had forgotten that her mission was to get in, get the ring, get out. This pre-war version of her boyfriend was too intriguing. He looked younger, more boyish, the cheeks were fuller and he was as handsome as ever.

"Yes, thanks to your friend here," she said and Steve scoffed.

"Rogers, where are your manners?" Bucky scolded him and rolled his eyes. "I'm sorry, ma'am. My fella here obviously forgot his manners. I'm Bucky," he said and held out his hand for her to shake, surprised at the jolt that went through his body when their hands touched. "And this is Steve."

"Ma'am," Steve nodded and was actually surprised when she offered to shake his hand. "Nice t'meet ya."

"I'm Lily," she said and blushed as Bucky smirked his crooked smile at her, his eyes playful and alive. Yes, she was very intrigued with this version about which her Bucky always said she would leave him for. "Thank you for your help."

"You're very welcome," he smiled and Steve rolled his eyes again, until he noticed something and froze.

"You got your orders?" Steve asked with a nod at the uniform and Bucky's smile disappeared for a brief moment, switched out by a fake one as not to worry Steve. Lily knew though that Bucky was terrified of leaving and he had told her that he had known he would never return home.

"Yeah, Sergeant James Barnes of the 107th, shipping out first thing tomorrow…"

Steve sighed. "I should be there…," he muttered angrily and brushed the dirt from his jacket, unable to look at Bucky, who gave him an indefinable look before he punched Steve's shoulder and plastered a smile on his face to lighten up the mood.

"C'mon, it's my last night. Let's go!"

"Go where?" Steve asked confused and was awarded with the rolled newspaper that Bucky had been carrying.

"The future!" Bucky said excitedly and winked at Lily, who blushed and took a quick looked at the ad in the newspaper. Stark Expo. That would mean Tony's father… Lily brushed her hair back and noticed Bucky's eyes on her. "Do you dance, ma'am?"

"Here we go…," Steve muttered with a shake of his head and threw the paper into the trash can. "C'mon, Bucky, let's go."

"Could you wait a sec, punk?!" Bucky snapped annoyed. "What would yer ma say leavin' a dame in an alley, Rogers? Where are your manners, huh?" he asked and shook his head before he looked at Lily again. "Ma'am, I'm sorry for this fella. I really am."

"It's all right, Sergeant Barnes," Lily smiled and tried to ignore her racing heart. He looked so young, carefree and innocent… No comparison to the demons that sometimes still lurked behind his eyes.

"Bucky."

"Bucky," she repeated and he smirked his million dollar smile, offering her his arm that she took without thinking about it. She was sure Steve had just rolled his eyes again.

"What do ya say? Wanna visit the future with us? Go dancin'?" Bucky asked charmingly without taking his eyes from hers and smiled that crooked smile of his that always made her weak in the knees.

"I'd love to."

"Then what are we waiting for?" he asked and intertwined their hands, winking at her.

With Steve in tow they left the alley and began to walk into the opposite direction to where Jake was watching them.

He groaned. "Seriously?!" he said and began to follow her in order not to lose his sister in this city. "That's a lifetime of cherry pies, sis! I swear to the God of cherries!"

It had already gotten dark when they reached the expo and Lily's eyes darted around in awe. It was fascinating how Stark had envisioned the future in the 1940s and how much of it had come true. She noticed several men in dress uniforms who were obviously all on dates with their girlfriends and the whole place in general was vibrant with life. Bucky's hand was solid and warm in hers and she almost felt like being back home and on a real date with him. While it was weird looking at him in the here and now it wasn't weird at the same time. She returned the warm smile he gave her and together they walked over to where a presentation was about to begin. Steve was behind them, munching some nuts that Bucky had bought beforehand and he was also still glowering at their backs. Lily felt bad for him and couldn't imagine what his life must have been like here. She had noticed that people pretty much didn't see him, which was a shame considering his big heart and good character. "Are you interested in science, Steve?"

Surprised that he was addressed Steve looked up. "Uhm… Not really. Bucky's the science nerd."

"I'm not," Bucky scoffed.

"Liar. It was just last week you pointed out all the constellation in the sky and the week before…," Steve listed and Lily was surprised to hear about it, but at the same time she wasn't. She had noticed Bucky's eyes staring at literally everything in awe. She had to ask him about it back at home.

"It's startin'," Bucky interrupted quickly and they turned to watch no other than Howard Stark entering the stage. Lily wanted to snort. The apple really didn't fall far from the tree… They watched how Howard presented a malfunctioning flying car, which made her and Bucky giggle as the car slammed back down on the ground, leaving Howard to be forced to save the situation by using his charm. "Hey, Steve, what do ya think we treat…," Bucky said and turned but Steve was gone. "What the…" He looked around with a frown until Lily saw his face fall. She too spotted the registration booth immediately and knew that this was where Steve had gone to. "This fuckin' punk!" Bucky cursed and he pulled Lily along until they were away from the mass of people that watched Howard's next presentation. "I'm…"

"It's fine. I'll wait here," she said with a smile and he was clearly embarrassed about his friend's rude behavior. She watched him heading for the booth like building and was about to look towards the stage again as Jake appeared behind her. She startled.

"Done with your date?!" Jake asked in a hushed voice and clearly annoyed. "We need to head back!"

Lily looked from him to where Bucky was now clearly arguing with Steve. "Please Jake…;" she begged but he shook his head.

"You already messed up what was supposed to happen by letting him see you! His memories of this day changed," Jake said and hid further behind the pillar with war and expo posters on it.

"Not really. Steve and he went here just with two girls and Bucky went dancing with them."

"And now what?" he asked in a mocking tone. "Now you go dancing with him?!"

Lily sighed and turned back to where Steve and Bucky were hugging now. "Please, Jake… I always wanted to know what he was like before… You can jump back home and get me tomorrow at noon. I'll wait in that alley. I promise."

He held her gaze with a shake of his head and saw how Bucky saluted Steve and was heading back their way. "You're lucky I love you and that I like him!" Jake muttered and disappeared behind the pillar to initiate the jump.

Lily looked up just in time for Bucky to reach her again. He immediately took her by the hand, smiling. "So how about we go dancin', doll? They're playin' our song!" he grinned and she couldn't help but giggle.

"Are you always so smooth and charming, Sarge?" she asked teasingly and his crooked smirk was back.

"Only for you, doll." Bucky winked and headed over for the area where they served drinks and people were dancing. He parked them at the bar first and ordered two drinks, handed her one and turned to watch the dancing couples.

"Do you go dancing often?" Lily asked while taking a sip of her drink and he nodded.

"Yeah. I love it," he replied while casually leaning against the bar. "How about ya? Pretty dame like ya probably got lotta admirers."

She blushed at his intense look and shook her head. "Not really…"

Bucky huffed. "C'mon… Look around!" he suggested and Lily did, suddenly aware of the looks of some men. "Prettiest dame around here, doll. A lotta fellas would love t'take ya dancin'."

Lily bit her lower lip and looked at Bucky, who was holding her gaze with a steady and confident look of his own, so unlike her Bucky at home who got insecure and shy quickly. "Well, I don't know about you, Sarge, but I am very happy with my fella," she said and saw his pupils dilating. "I am not sure though if I can dance like this."

Bucky looked at the dance floor and shrugged. "Just follow my lead," he offered and took her hand to lead her over to the dance floor. She had barely time to react as he was already twirling and throwing her around. The first time ever she was glad that Isa had once talked her into dancing lessons and she knew her way around Jive and Swing, Bucky, however, was truly talented at what she recognized as the jitterbug and she was glad he made it easy for her to follow his lead. His carefree laugh made her heart skip a beat and she completely lost track of time until the expo announced that they were about to close and politely asked the visitors to head for the exits.

Bucky and she joined the masses and headed for one of the exits, both of them realizing for the first time how late it actually was. His eyes looked around in search of someone but he guessed Steve was already back home. He hoped… "I'll take ya home, doll. Your folks probably worried already," he offered politely and smiled at her, but Lily froze. Bucky frowned. "Somethin' wrong?"

Lily swallowed and wanted to slap herself. She hadn't thought about where she would be staying and that unmarried women in that time probably did not go home with some guy. She also couldn't stay on the streets until Jake would get her. "Oh… I… I completely forgot that I was supposed to take the train… I'm staying at my…aunt's and uncle's place," she lied and hoped that Bucky wouldn't notice.

"Where do they live?"

"Westchester…"

He breathed in sharply. "Damn… That's far…," he came to a halt on the sidewalk and considered his options. "My folks already sleepin'…" He searched his pockets and counted the bit of money he had. It wasn't enough to buy her a hotel room for the night.

"It's fine. I can get by," Lily said and he looked at her as if she had just offered to jump off of Brooklyn Bridge.

"Do you have a chaperone?" Bucky asked and Lily wanted to frown until she remembered how Steve had mentioned that either he or Bucky had acted as chaperones for Rebecca sometimes. Obviously it was frowned upon if a woman walked the streets all by herself…

"No…," she replied and looked down.

Bucky sighed and checked their surroundings. "Look… We'll probably get into trouble, but I can try sneak ya into Steve's and my apartment. We just have t'make sure no one sees ya or they'll call the police. Some of our neighbors are the worst. No funny business. I promise. But ya can't stay outta here by yourself. We can go t'the train station together."

"All right. Lead the way, Sarge," Lily smiled and he chuckled.

"You're somethin' else, doll," Bucky said and intertwined their hands again before he led her down a couple of streets until they reached a rather rundown apartment complex that had seen better days. She knew they had been struggling a lot, Bucky being the only source of income and that Steve had hardly been able to work due to being sick so often. Bucky made sure no one was looking and gave her a sign to be quiet before he took out his keys and opened the front door. From there he led the way up some narrow stairs to the top floor where he opened the door and led her go in first. Behind them he shut and locked the door again and used a candle for light. "Steve?" he called and went to check the bedroom next door while Lily remained in the kitchen slash living room. It was small and didn't even have a proper couch. There was a small table and two rundown chairs. A window led to the fire escape and the room felt way too warm for this time of the year. Bucky came back, muttering curses under his breath. "Knowin' that punk he probably got himself arrested…," he said more to himself and went to fill two glasses of water at the sink. "Here."

"Thank you," she said and took a sip, wondering where the bathroom was.

"Outside in the hallway. We gotta share," Bucky said and made sure that the way to the bathroom was clear, then locked the door again after Lily returned. He put his uniform hat on the kitchen table and looked at her. It was then that she could tell he was suddenly a lot like her Bucky: shy and insecure. "Ya can have the bed. Sheets are clean."

Lily looked around. "Where will you sleep?"

He shrugged. "Floor? I don't mind." He took the candle and went over to the bedroom where he placed it on the bedside table. He then went to a small dresser and rummaged until he had found a shirt in which she could sleep. "Here."

"Thank you," she smiled and he gave her some space to get changed. When she was done she went into the next room and saw him sitting on one of the stools, down to his long shirt and underwear, staring at his dress uniform with a terrified look in his eyes. It was easy to tell that he dreaded going and it pained her to know what he would be going through very soon. So she went over and put a hand to his shoulder, startling him. He tried to give her a brave smile but failed. "I wish you didn't have to go over there…," she said and couldn't help but cup his cheek with her hand into which he leant. Picturing how he would soon suffer 70 years of hell made her tear up.

"No, doll. Don't cry. Please," Bucky begged and stood up. She surprised him by hugging him tight and he returned it after a moment. He brushed his nose into her hair and took in her scent that calmed his nerves down a bit. She was clearly something else, so unlike any of the girl he had briefly dated or made out with. It almost seemed like she came from a different time. Lily moved in his arms and looked up at him with her big doe eyes and he swallowed hard. Why couldn't he have met her before he got his orders to ship out and be forced to fight a far that he didn't want to fight in? He's have married her on the spot. Her hands moved up until they rested on his chest, clearly feeling his way too fast heartbeat and he parted his mouth but was at a loss of words. Her long lashes were still wet with tears and it pained him that he was the reason for them. She tried to give him a smile but it came out sad. There were so many unspoken words between them right now that he was at a total loss and deprived from his usual confidence. He could tell what was about to happen and he suddenly felt small and insecure. Would she laugh at him for having no experienced at all when it came to sleeping with a dame? Bucky swallowed hard again and wet his lips. "Doll…," he whispered hoarsely and she began to open the buttons on his longshirt, leaning in to leave kissed on her trail. Boneless he fell back down on the chair behind him and she straddled his lap, her hands discarding of his shirt before she put her own over her head and leant in to kiss him. His hands found the warm flesh of her waist and he shook with nerves as she experimentally rolled her hips against him. A moan escaped him as she now focused on his sensitive spot right below his ear while her fingers pushed every button that made him go insane with want. She was either really clever to know or… He froze as he opened his eyes briefly and they fell on the necklace around her neck or better said the pendant on it. Lily noticed the sudden changed and leant back. She followed his eyes and froze too. How could she have forgotten to leave it at home…? "Where did ya get that?!" Bucky asked, voice suddenly sharp and with a hint of anger. His eyes searched hers, noticed the fear in them and he took in the rest of her. How could he have not noticed her underwear before? Tentatively, his fingers reached out and traced the fabric. Too modern. Not from here. Clearly.

"I… I can explain…," Lily stammered and wanted to get off his lap but his hands tightened on her waist. "Bucky…"

He nodded at the pendant. "That one's been in my family since 1700 something. My great-great grandfather made it for a dame he's sweet on. It's been handed down from father to son ever since as a gift for a future wife," he said and looked up at her with calculating blue eyes. He let go of her, got up and went to get something from the bedroom, showing the same pendant to her. "My pa gave it t'me at my 18th birthday. It hasn't left that room ever since and there's no copy of it. So…pray tell me…who the fuck are ya?"

Scared and nervous, Lily pulled the shirt he had borrowed her over her now shaking shoulders and her racing mind was desperately trying to find an answer. "I…," she began, her mouth suddenly uncomfortably dry. "You wouldn't believe me…"

Bucky snorted and went over to the window, opened it and pulled out a cigarette from the pack that had been lying on the table. He blew the smoke out of the window and his now dark eyes were back on her. "Try me," he growled and took another drag.

She was glad he wasn't smoking in the future anymore. "I…" Lily sighed and loosened her hair that had been pinned up most of the time. "I'm…"

"You're not from here, are ya?" he asked and she shook her head, eyes on the floor. "Alright…" He blew out some more smoke, his eyes on the outside for a while, while she stood in the middle of the room, hugging herself, close to tears and at a loss of words. How could she have forgotten about the pendant that Bucky had given her in Wakanda? The surprise behind the meaning of said pendant was a shock though. She hadn't know it was a family thing… "Do we know each other?" Bucky suddenly asked and she looked up in confusion, noticing his eyes back on her.

"What do you mean?"

He sighed and threw the stump out of the window. "When I touched ya, when we shook hands… It was like, like I knew ya. I briefly saw us in some foreign country. It looked like…a memory. You're not from here here, are ya? Your clothes. Too modern. The way ya act…" He shook his head and Lily shook even more. "Not like dames from here. The way ya talk… Too forced t'sound like dames from here. 'n as I said," he came slowly closer and took the pendant between his fingers, looking at it thoughtfully. "There's only one of this 'n I got it here." Bucky met her teary gaze again. "So the truth… You're not from…here. Are ya? Call me crazy but that's the only explanation I have…"

Lily swallowed and nodded. "2054…," she muttered and cleared her throat to repeat more loudly, "I'm from 2054. And what you saw… Was a memory from last year. My brother calls it bleeding effect…"

Bucky scoffed, let go of that pendant and shook his head, eyes clearly not believing her. "'n what? Ya wanna tell me I'm alive 111 years from now?" he mocked.

"Yes. You are alive. It was Steve's idea with this mission after he lost his mother's ring. You joked that he could ask my brother to time travel back to today and steal if from the Steve from this time. Steve thought it was a great idea, so I went with my brother. He was the one who you saw in that alley. It was supposed to be an easy arrive and leave again mission, but you appeared earlier than expected and… I wanted to know what you were like before the war. So I told my brother, when he came to get me at the expo to get me tomorrow at noon instead…" She looked up and into his unreadable face. "That's the truth."

Bucky looked at her for a while longer until he huffed, turned away, ran a hand through his hair and turned to look back at her. He'd call anyone crazy who told him a tale like that. "Tell me something only I'd know," he demanded and crossed his arms, daring her to lie into his face.

Lily thought briefly until she remembered Bucky's words from before she had left with Jake. "You had originally planned to go on a double date with a brunette named Nancy Parker. For Steve you ask her to ask her friend. A blonde named Sara McCullen. Originally, you went on that double date with them and spent the night with Nancy, while Steve remained at the registration booth at the expo. She was your first," she told him and Bucky stared at her in disbelief, because yes, he had asked Nacy out and yes, had asked her to ask her friend Sara to be a date for Steve. And he had forgotten to cancel on them, mind you…

His mind was completely blank while he couldn't help but stare at the woman in front of him. He knew she spoke the truth. There was no way she could have known about his plan for the date. No way she could have known that despite him being famous for breaking hearts he had never actually slept with a woman. But if she was from 111 years in the future that meant… "So I won't make it home from war as I suspected…," was all he was able to say and felt heartbroken when he thought about his parents and little sisters. He had suspected he wouldn't see them again, but knowing it was true…

"You will. Just after a long, long time," Lily said and moved slowly closer. "Please don't ask more. I already told you things you weren't allowed to know. I need you to be there in the future," she begged him and when their eyes met he nodded slowly.

Suddenly, Bucky huffed with a smile. "So we're married?"

Lily blushed. "No…"

"Engaged?"

"No."

He frowned. "Why the fuck not? Did I turn blind or stupid or both?" he asked since he couldn't wrap his head around being with a dame like her and not marry her right away. How dumb was his future self?!

Lily played with the fabric of his shirt thoughtfully. "You…are different. You can be very insecure and shy and…" She shrugged. "I suspect you got a ring about a year ago and I also suspect you tried to ask me about 5 times by now, but your anxiety gets the better of you every time. Besides we're happy without…" She looked up at him with a sad smile and he huffed incredulously.

Bucky pulled her closer with his arms and looked her straight in the eyes. "Tell ya what. The moment you're back I'm gonna ask ya. Go down on my knee'n everythin', but I'm gonna ask ya."

She smiled and sighed. "I guess Steve's gotta help you with going down on one knee. You messed up your back pretty bad and you're not healed yet."

"Don't care, I'll do it," he said determined and got lost in her eyes. Yes, the story of her being from the future was ridiculous, but what the hell. He had seen a malfunctioning flying car today and witnessed Stark's vision. He had always been fascinated by science and had read more futuristic novels than he could count. So her story wasn't that unbelievable to him. He had always wanted to see the future. When Lily raised her head to meet his gaze he leant down to kiss her gently. She kissed him back, once more dropping the shirt around her shoulders and pulled him back towards the bedroom. Instantly, his heart kicked into high gear again.

"It's okay," she whispered against his lips, trying to soothe him after he had fallen backwards onto the mattress and she had straddled him. "Let me lead."

Bucky smiled despite his nervousness and nodded. "Whatever ya want, doll. I'm all yours."

Smiling, Lily leant down and kissed him once more.

On the next day they walked hand in hand slowly towards the alley. It wasn't 12 yet so they still had some time. Lily dreaded saying goodbye even though she knew she would see Bucky in a few minutes again. It was knowing what he would go through until they saw each other again that she hated. In the end she wouldn't be born until 2008 and it would take another 40 plus years before they would get together. She wondered if that had changed after what she had told him…

"I hate this…," she heard him muttering and squeezed his hands encouragingly. A bright light made him startle and Bucky's eyes widened as he saw Jake in front of him who gave him an equal startled look before his eyes narrowed and he turned towards his sisters.

"He figured it out…," Lily said sheepishly and Jake groaned.

"Are you kidding me?!" he asked angered. "Lily, he can't know! How much does he know now?!"

"That you're from the future. That we're together. That's all," Bucky listed. "Oh, and that future me is dumb enough not t'put a ring on her…" Lily blushed and he looked at his watch with a sigh. "I need t'catch that train…"

"I know…," she whispered with tears in her eyes and wished she could tell him about the things that would be happening. Instead they hugged tight. "Remember whatever happens… You'll be fine. You'll make it."

"Alright…," he muttered into the crook of her neck before he cupped her face and kissed her. Stroking her cheek Bucky took her in again before he let go with a heavy sigh. "See you in 111 years I guess."

"Yeah," she said sadly and walked backwards until she stood next to Jake, who hugged her close. "Goodbye."

"Bye, doll," Bucky said with a sad smile and watched them disappear in bright light. Now alone in the alley he went towards the train station with a heavy heart, said his goodbyes to his family, now knowing for sure he would never see them again and boarded the train completely lost in thought.

Meanwhile, Jake and Lily landed back in their timeline at the exact spot where they had originally left. She didn't say a word when they got into Jake's car and drove back home, just listened to him telling her how dangerous what she had done was and that she was lucky Jamie had literally downloaded Cap's and Bucky's original memories before their time jump and had given them back to the two Avengers, so that they were know possessing both memories, the original and the new ones. Lily simply nodded and got out of the car back home. She followed Jake from the garage back to her apartment where they parted. Inside she closed the door behind her and leant against it with a heavy sigh. She hoped Bucky wasn't mad at her for literally cheating with his younger self. She hung up her coat and went into the living room, about to call out for him as she ran into a stern looking Steve and Bucky, who had clearly been waiting for her. Lily froze, her heart in her throat. "I can explain…," she began as Bucky heaved a deep breath and held onto Steve's arm, who supported his friend until… Lily covered her mouth in shock and watched wide-eyed how Steve helped Bucky to go down on one knee. Immediately, tears gathered in her eyes and she suppressed a sob.

"Will you marry me, doll?" Bucky asked, clearly nervous and only saw her nodding before she stumbled into his direction, dropped to her knees in front of him and hugged him tight. He hugged her back, minding the velvet box that he no longer had to hide and buried his face in the crook of her neck. "Is that a yes?"

"Of course," Lily sobbed and kissed him, then hugged him again. "I couldn't tell you. I wanted to but I couldn't tell you. I'm so sorry."

Bucky shook his head. "I know. It's okay."

"No, it's not!" she disagreed and looked at him, her eyes puffy and red with tears. "I knew what was going to happen to you and I didn't tell you. I…"

"Doll," Bucky interrupted her and cupped her face with his remaining arm to make her look at him. "It's okay. If you had told me, I would have done something that would have screwed up the timeline and I wouldn't be here now."

"But you wouldn't have to suffer for 70 years…," she croaked while crying.

"I would suffer 100, if it meant I ended up here with you, our daughter and with our friends. I wouldn't change a thing!" Bucky said determined and wiped her tears away. "Not a thing!"

Steve pointed behind him when Becca began to cry and headed for the nursery to take care of his goddaughter.

Meanwhile, Bucky held Lily close and rocked her gently. He watched her turning the ring on her finger thoughtfully. "And you were right…"

"With what?" she muttered.

"I got it during our first week in Wakanda… Saw it on the market on my way back from work. I wanted to ask you three times during our stay. Then on New Year. Then on our double date with Steve and Peggy…"

She shook her head and kissed him. "I'd have said yes every time."

Smiling at her, he let go and took her hand when he got slowly up. "I guess that means Rogers can finally stop bugging me about going first because I'm the oldest," he mocked when Steve returned with a now calm Becca on his arm.

"Actually… I asked Peggy the first day she arrived here," Steve admitted and Bucky's jaw dropped.

"What?!"

Steve shrugged. "What what? I waited long enough, didn't I? No way in hell I wasn't making a move when I get offered a second chance. You needed a good push to finally make a move and Peggy and I agreed on it."

"Oh, so Peggy and you agreed on it… You're a fucking liar, Rogers!" Bucky said mock angered and wanted to cross his arms until he realized he still only had one. "You're not invited to my wedding!"

Steve snorted. "Too bad I'm your best man, which means I have to attend your wedding. Which," he said with a dramatic pause, "will definitely happen before MY wedding! Just so we're clear!"

Bucky narrowed his eyes at his best friend on a playful way. "I'll make you suffer before, during and after your wedding, Rogers! Mark my words!" he warned him and sat down on the couch with a huff. "Best friend my ass. Traitor!"

"Yeah, I love you too, Buck!" Steve laughed and handed Becca over to Lily. "Anyway, congrats. It was about damn time!"

"Thank you, Steve," Lily smiled and returned the hug he was given. She saw him out, receiving the biggest hug and thank you from him for getting the ring and sat down next to Bucky afterwards. He looked exhausted. "Sleep a bit."

"Sleep with me?" he asked tiredly and she nodded. He made room for her on the sofa and made sure that Becca was secured on his chest before he hugged Lily close. She cuddled into his side and sighed satisfied and content. "You help, you know?" he mumbled after a moment.

"With what?"

"Before… When I fell off that train in 1945… I was terrified. But this time I heard your voice telling me that I'd be okay. I knew that I had you waiting for me in the future. So I just closed my eyes and let it happen. Same with Hydra and everything they did. Even when they brainwashed me and wiped me I had that feeling that there was something that made all of it worth it. During the trial when they told me I'd be a sure death penalty and when my lawyer opted out and Jack took his place as inexperienced as he was…," Bucky told her and she could tell he was silently crying. "Before I was a mess… I was so terrified they'd sentence me to death and I'd end up in the chair or strapped to a bed with needles in my arm, waiting for them to put me down." He turned to meet her gaze, also wet with tears. "This time I knew I would make it out just fine. You have no idea how much your trip to the past helped me."

"I was afraid I'd change the outcome…," Lily whispered.

"You did of one thing," he admitted and she frowned. "Steve didn't walk in on my trying to commit suicide. Because I didn't try. Thanks to you." He pulled Becca closer as she whined in her sleep. "You made so many things so much better for me, doll, you've got no idea." He smiled and kissed her back when she leant in. "I love you…"

"I love you too," Lily whispered back and kissed him again before they settled for a nap. This time they fell asleep.

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