AN: Thank you so much for reading and reviewing It really means a lot. Hope everyone's ok out there. I keep thinking maybe I should change the title, as it's not virus related! And I keep seeing a new normal on the news…! But I never love that as a reader, so I'm sticking with it.
I hope you are enjoying the story, there's about seven chapters left and I have written a second part… because I couldn't help myself!
I know we all love Steve, but hopefully this is realistic and true to the character, I think he can be stubborn and hung up on the right way to be. He's obviously struggling to process his grief.
Lovely Maine, I don't know well. But wet and grey England I do know!
Just a reminder, talks of character death/funeral
Chapter 40: From London with Love
In the back of a taxi, Andi stares out the window keenly, 'look, the London Eye!' She's almost touching the glass with her face and Amelia attempts to laugh, but can't quite find it in herself. Andi huffs and looks at her sister, 'come on, I know it's a sad day, but this is more than that, I know what you think, but you two will be fine, I swear!' Amelia nods and sits up straight, mentally shaking herself. 'Think we will have time for a couple sights?' Andi asks optimistically. Amelia gives her a stern face, 'ok, I'll take that as a no.'
After another fifteen minutes, they pull up at the venue and Andi pays the cabbie, she turns in her seat eagerly, 'come on, I'll buy you a pint, with me crisp new tenner.' She does her best London accent and Amelia rolls her eyes jokingly, allowing herself to be pulled from the taxi.
Amelia looks up at the thatched roof of the traditional pub, there's floral hanging baskets and outdoor picnic tables. She looks at the sky, noting that it's turning grey again and she sighs, thinking she can relate. Andi tugs her inside and they walk into a low-lit bar, with a garish red patterned carpet. There's wooden stools and tables dotted around and there's people dressed in black, chatting in small groups.
Andi spots Bucky, sat with a group of people and she waves, standing on her toes and looking over. The bartender approaches and Amelia asks her sister, 'what do you want?' She's rummaging for her cash and Andi slaps her ten pound note down on the wooden bar. The man looks unbothered and waits for their order. 'A beer?' Andi chimes, Amelia sighs, 'it's a wake, not a frat party.' Andi looks offended, 'fine, a sherry? I don't know.' Amelia looks at the man and smiles politely, 'two ciders, please.' He leaves with a small nod, to prepare their order and Amelia looks around, finally spotting Steve. He's sat with Bucky and other veterans, leaning in and laughing with them. She's pleased to see him smiling, it's refreshing after the last week. The bartender returns and interrupts her silent gawking. He places two large glasses of golden liquid down and Amelia turns to him and eyes the glasses suspiciously. Andi is straight in and moans in pleasure, 'good choice, sis, this is way better than ours.' Amelia looks at the man, questioningly and he says 'cider. Like you asked for.' She senses it might not mean the same thing here, but pays anyway and stares at the glass, hesitating before picking it up and slurping the top. She winces at the strong taste, as Andi continues to gulp it back, Amelia puts a hand on her glass and whispers to her, 'slow down.'
Once again she looks over at Steve, he's now reading his order of service. She sighs and as she steps over to talk to him, Tony approaches and says something to him. Steve narrows his eyes and gets up, disappearing into a different room, looking annoyed. Amelia watches in confusion, sagging back against the bar and looking around in defeat. She notices Sharon and she takes a deep breath, abandoning her sister and walking towards the blonde, composing herself. Amelia allows Sharon to finish a conversation with an older lady and then bobs into view, with a cautious, 'hey.' Sharon smirks at her drink, nodding at the amber pint of liquid. Amelia abandons the ridiculously sized glass on a table, wiping her wet hands on her dress. 'I'm so sorry, Sharon, for your loss.' She nods, 'thank you. It was good of you to come.' Amelia smiles politely, 'well, I came with Steve.' There's an awkward moment, when they both look around and he is nowhere to be seen. Sharon exhales, 'anyway, there's food next door, help yourself. Nice to see you again, Amelia.' The agent effortlessly winds through the bar and Amelia turns looking at her drink, deciding to give up on it and she returns to the bar to order a coke.
After a flat glass of cola, Amelia strolls through the bar alone. She spies a slot machine and walks over, drawn to the bright colours. She sips the remnants of her drink, crunching ice and pressing buttons, without putting money in. Bucky walks up beside her and watches, 'you know, you need to play to win?' She smiles at the flashing dollar signs, 'I don't gamble, slippery slope.' Bucky laughs a little and they both sober, looking back at Steve. 'Have you seen him like this before?' Amelia asks in a tired voice. 'Maybe, once? When his Mom died, didn't think he needed anyone. I don't know, Mia, give him time?' She agrees and resumes tapping the buttons. 'Hey, maybe try again on the jet tonight?' Amelia nods in an over-eager manner and Bucky can tell that it's hiding other feelings. 'Thank you for being so nice,' she says sincerely. He looks at her and tilts his head, 'you're family now.' She laughs a little louder and her eyes start to water, 'that's very sweet and no matter what happens, it will always be true, we are friends for life,' she says sadly. He steps closer, knocking a button, 'don't talk like that, it will work out.' The machine lights up and shouts 'yee'haa, lucky strike.' They both chuckle, embarrassed and look at the machine, 'is that what they think we sound like?' She questions, Bucky just shrugs.
Steve walks past with an empty plate and stops close by, looking at his best friend and Amelia, laughing. He remains straight faced and Bucky stops, he and Amelia both noticing an unflinching Steve. Amelia looks embarrassed, opening her mouth to explain, but Steve just stalks off, as if he never saw them. She drops her head and feels the cold metal of Bucky's hand stroke her arm as he breezes past her.
Amelia takes Sharon's advice and heads for the function room, looking for some food. There's two long tables and she grabs a paper plate and helplessly stares at the spread, not really hungry and a little confused by some of the tags. An elderly man is in front of her in the line, muttering about a bun fight and Amelia smiles to herself, enjoying his ramblings. She reaches for a large spoon in a bowl, of what she thinks is a potato salad of some kind, she knocks the man's hand and apologises profusely. He looks up at her, 'ah, American, is it?' She nods and offers a small grin, he has a thick accent and she's hard pressed to fully understand him. 'Let me help you, young'un.' He kindly points to food, explaining the options, 'let me show you something else, my dear.' Amelia offers to carry the man's plate and follows him back to the main bar, placing the food down on a table and turning back to look at a display of black and white photos. He smiles up at the images and seems to forget he asked Amelia to join him, shaking himself back to life and pointing at the photographs of himself. 'I remember that night, dinner at the Ritz, you would have loved it there, Miss, no doubt.' Amelia points at a picture of Peggy and asks questions, trying to not look over her shoulder for Steve. 'I tell you, Peggy Carter was one not to be messed with. Gordon, that lad there, in that picture, he found that out the hard way.'
He points out people, using names that Amelia doesn't recognise. She turns to grab their food and someone bumps into her, causing her to stumble forward. A strong hand grabs her elbow, to steady her and she looks up in time to see Steve. He stares at her and offers a barely there, tiny nod, before leaving for the next room.
The elderly man leans in, 'it's ok to be a little star struck, he's a war hero and a Revenger now. Hasn't made him any better looking, mind you.' Amelia misses what the man says, thinking about Steve's cold gaze and lack of interaction. She looks at the ceiling cracks and wonders if someone is playing a joke on her, he's everywhere and nowhere, all at once.
Later, Bucky is sat in a leather armchair, surrounded by his old comrades and Andi is perched on his arm rest. Bucky is easing into the group and despite the sad circumstances, he is pleased to see his old colleagues. Steve has returned and is nursing a drink in another chair and looking at the patterned carpet. Dugan is telling a story and people laugh heartily, enjoying the tall tales. Andi snorts, 'that doesn't sound like Barnes here, chatting up the ladies? Really?' Dugan raises a brow, 'no stopping him, even my nurse was watching him as she took my blood.' Bucky laughs and looks down, his hair falling into his face.
'So a female Andi? That must have been a shock, Barnes!' She giggles and nudges him, 'oh I know how to shock him, that's for sure. Are any of you married or dating?' There are waves of murmurs and laughter, 'the wife is off enjoying my pension, with her new husband. But I appreciate you adding dating on the end there, kid. Gives me hope. If Barnes is too slow for you, give me a call,' Dugan smirks at her.
Bucky asks more about their families and they tell of their wives, grandchildren and lives after the war. Jones pipes up, 'looking at you two makes me feel sick, you look no different then the day we sat in that pub. Remember your faces, when Peggy came in, in that red number?' There's waves of agreement and Andi looks over her shoulder to her sister, who is flicking peanuts on the bar counter. She quietly looks back at Steve, he's slumped a little in his chair, hands in his pockets. 'She was one hell of a woman,' Dugan says and others agree.
Andi kisses Bucky's head and leaves for the bar. Jones coughs, 'Barnes, she seems like a keeper, those pins go on for days.' Jones' granddaughter is sat beside him and chastises, 'Pop, you can't say that kind of thing anymore, Andi or Bucky might be offended.' Jones looks over at Bucky, 'apologies, those legs go on for days.' There's a chuckle and Angelica gives him a look, 'I know what you meant,' he sounds frustrated and looks back at Steve, 'chin up, son, we won the war, I know you missed it, but it's true, scouts honour.' Steve smiles a little and shifts in his seat.
Dugan leans forward, tapping Steve's knee, 'I know this isn't acceptable, so forgive me, but who the hell is that at the bar?' Everyone looks up and Amelia is stood chatting with another elderly veteran, laughing at something he has said, covering her mouth politely as she grins and laughs with mirth.
Bucky watches as Steve looks at her and sighs, he stares at her for a moment and then turns back to his drink. Bucky waits for him to answer, to explain who she is and when he doesn't Bucky announces, 'that's Amelia, Andi's sister, Steve's girl.' Bucky watches as Steve visibly flinches at the wording.
Dugan smirks, 'she's something else, Rogers, I guess you grew into that body, after all. You should get over there, if not someone wheel me over there!' Bucky coughs and decides if Steve won't say it, he will, 'she's amazing, smart, kind, beautiful. He's lucky to have her.' He watches Steve closely; the words are meant for him. Steve looks up sharply and regards his best friend, almost like he wants to challenge him. 'Good for you, Cap,' someone shouts, breaking the tension. Angelica looks over, 'oh, I spoke to her earlier, she's so nice.'
Tony walks up to Amelia at the bar and the circle of Howling Commandos groan, 'watch out, Cap, your girl has a Stark on her tail,' Falsworth jokes. Steve looks across and catches Tony stroke Amelia's shoulder, reassuring her, like he can't right now. Steve grips his jaw and stares into his almost empty glass.
Amelia is counting nuts and Tony walks up beside her, 'drab, hey?' She rolls her eyes at him, 'Tony, it's a funeral, not Coachella.' He chuckles lightly and grabs her shoulder, 'you doing ok?' She glazes over and shakes her head, trying desperately not to cry. 'Not about me, please don't be nice to me.' Tony smirks at her, 'oh, I can be mean Miss Miller, would you like that more?' She laughs a little and then stares at the mess she's made with the nuts. She side-eyes Tony and he is leant against the bar, looking directly at the Howling Commandoes, 'not my biggest fans, Daddy was a genius and a flirt. Makes you unpopular.' Amelia looks at him, wondering why he is inciting them and finally understanding that maybe his father is where he gets his flirty nature from. 'They certainly like you, though.' Amelia looks up surprised, 'can't keep their eyes off your assets.' She looks over and they are obviously talking about her and staring her way, except Steve, who is entranced by his whiskey. Then he looks up and they make eye contact, but it's not long before he turns away, looking out the window. Amelia sighs and tries to ignore the hurt in her gut, 'Andi says this is my demographic, older men, who appreciate curves on their women.' Tony laughs in surprise, 'it's not just older men that enjoy that, trust me. Now, Mrs Cap, tell me more about that tattoo I spied.' Amelia blushes at his comments and looks down, scraping the nuts into her hand and depositing them in an ashtray. 'Actually, I am not sure I am Mrs Cap anymore.' Tony waves her off, 'nonsense, it's just a phase, you know that, I know that. Now come on show me the tat.'
'Cap? Cap?' Steve shakes his head and hears someone speaking to him. Falsworth asks, 'where did you meet her?' Steve watches Amelia wiping the bar of something and Tony chatting to her, encouraging her to lift her arm. Steve suddenly mentally rejoins the group, hearing the question, he looks down at his drink, the carpet, back to Amelia and then at his friend's expectant face and he coughs, quietly standing and leaving the bar.
Bucky follows him with his eyes, Falsworth says, 'it's hit him hard then?' Bucky nods and Dugan's nurse says 'she must have been an incredible lady.' There's silence and Jones reminisces 'she was, kept us lot in order any way.' Bucky sighs, giving up on Steve and remembering why they are really there, he raises his glass, 'to Peggy.' Everyone toasts a glass and salutes her.
Steve wanders to the back of the bar, where there's a hallway, he sees a sign stating skittle alley and another that reads pool table. He walks into a room and there's an empty pool table, Steve rolls a ball and it knocks against the sides. 'Thought I'd find you here,' Steve looks up at the feminine voice, disappointed that it's not the one he wanted to hear.
Steve looks at Sharon and leans back against the table, forcing his hands in his pockets. He looks out the window and for a moment the rain has stopped, he can see the sun poking through the grey sky. 'This was really nice, Sharon. Peg would have loved it.' Sharon nods, 'we tried our best, but she's a tough woman to live up to. Best I can do is remember her well.' Steve crosses his arms, nodding mutely. Sharon walks in further and stands beside him, 'she's at peace now, Steve and she saw you again, what more can we ask for?' Steve looks down sadly, 'but I got a second chance and she didn't, she's gone.' Sharon strokes his arm, 'don't blame yourself, if not for you, she might not have been here at all.' Sharon launches into a story about Peggy and Steve stares at the ground, considering his life and how the world keeps spinning, even though Peggy is gone. He wonders what he should do now, what his future holds. He thinks about his future in the bar, Amelia. He's repeatedly cut her down and ignored her for a week, he's upset and scared, but that's not an excuse and certainly goes against everything he believes in. He laughs a little to himself, it says something when Tony Stark is out classing you.
Sharon looks over, 'Steve, are you ok?' He jolts at her voice, like he slept through her story. 'Sorry, Sharon, I don't know where my head is at the moment.' She smiles at him, 'don't apologise, you're allowed to be like this.' She leans over and kisses his cheek, pulling away gently. She watches his face and Steve's eyes shift to her, unsure why she in staring at him in such a way. She whispers, 'if you need anything, I am always here.' Steve awkwardly nods, confused as to what she means. She leans back in, gently kissing the corner of his mouth. Steve is stunned and doesn't move. She pulls back and begins to talk, he turns to look at her and she takes it as a signal. Sharon leans in again and kisses him on the mouth, firmly on his lips.
In the bar, Amelia walks over to the group, there's three Howling Commandos and Bucky, Andi is back with them and chatting to Angelica. Amelia asks if a seat is taken and Dugan jests 'you can sit here,' pointing to his lap. The old men laugh and Angelica groans, 'again, not appropriate, just because you're old, it's no excuse.'
Bucky looks around, 'Steve was sat there, Mia, not sure where he is now.' Jones lifts his walking cane and points to the door, 'he went down there, Miss, go and cheer him up.' Amelia sighs, thinking, not likely. Andi jumps up, to speak to her sister, 'you ok? You know, you are well in here, you could have any man you want!' Amelia rolls her eyes, 'they are all ninety plus, Andi. How's Bucky doing? What are they like?' Andi smiles and looks past her sister, seeing Bucky chatting with Dugan, 'yeah, Bucky is doing ok and some old school, casual sexism, but they seem like really good people. Come sit with us, meet them properly.' Amelia nods, 'I will, I think I'm just going to try and catch Steve, you know, see if he's doing ok as well.'
She strolls away and looks in the skittle alley first, it's empty, except for children playing with the balls. She thinks about giving up, she doesn't think he will want to see her anyway. She turns and walks down the hall to the pool room. At the door, she stops short, Steve is sat on the pool table and Sharon is leaning into him, one hand on his lapel and one resting on the wooden table's edge. Sharon's lips are pressed to his and Steve has a gentle hand on her elbow. They are kissing and Amelia's eyes widen as her stomach drops. She grips the door frame, watching the scene, it feels like she's been stood there hours. She catches a movement and Steve places a hand against Sharon's shoulder and it looks like he might push her away or pull her closer, but she can't bear to find out. She turns and hurries out of the room.
Once in the narrow hallway, Amelia leans against the wall, she can feel the tattered and torn wallpaper beneath her fingers and tries desperately to focus on that. She can hear voices and panics that it's Steve, she rounds the corner and bumps into her sister. Amelia is breathing rapidly and crying. 'I tried to catch up with you, Falsworth has some photos with…' Andi's face drops from a smile to a concerned frown. As she opens her mouth to speak again, Amelia begs her, 'not here, get our coats, meet me outside' she gasps in between tears, frantically wiping her eyes. Andi stutters, but does as she's told, 'umm ok, sure.' She looks further down the hall, wondering what spooked her, she guesses Steve said something, but decides this isn't the place to have it out with him. Amelia slips past her, moving quickly for the exit. She keeps her head down and hopes no one will ask her what is wrong. She can hear singing and children run past her legs, almost tripping her. She stops and steadies herself on a barstool, spotting Bucky smiling with his friends. She thinks she hears Tony call her name, offering a small wave, without looking back.
Andi makes excuses to Bucky, 'umm hey, look Mia's not feeling well,' Bucky begins to stand, concerned. 'No, no, you stay, we are just going to head back to the hotel, promise me you will stay, everything's fine, we will see you later.' Bucky watches as she walks quickly for the door, confused by the turnaround. He can't see Steve and he hopes he hasn't done anything moronic.
When she gets outside, Andi finds Amelia stood in the rain, she looks freezing and Andi ushers her into her coat. 'Mia, Mia, what's going on? You have to talk to me.' Amelia is crying profusely, tears streaming down her face, mixing in with rain. She stares up to the sky, looking at the rain clouds, 'I can't…' She's gripping her arms, folded across her chest and a couple of smokers are watching her with interest, from under a table umbrella. 'Do you want to go? Back to the hotel?' Amelia nods and Andi watches her in confusion and worry, hailing a taxi.
Steve pushes Sharon away, gently. 'I can't do this,' he says softly and she looks at the floor, 'because of Amelia?' Steve looks at her in surprise and it's not that he had forgotten her, but hearing her name from Sharon, is like a cold cup of water to the face. 'Yeah, we are together.' Sharon touches her lips carefully and steps back, 'I wasn't sure, you two seem… look, I get it, I'm so sorry, Steve.' Steve puts both hands in his pockets, ashamed and Sharon stares out the window, 'guess I missed my chance.' Steve looks up confused and she explains, 'with you.' Steve doesn't have the heart to tell her, this was never their story, there was no chances missed. She looks at him and pleads, 'can we just forget this ever happened?' He nods and gets up to leave, 'I should go, I'm so sorry for your loss, Sharon.' Once in the hall he leans against the same wall and runs a hand over his eyes, 'shit,' he mutters and for a moment he considers finding Amelia. When he returns to the main bar, he can't see her and the moment passes, he spots a picture of Peggy and it all comes flooding back to him. Two men that smell like smoke squeeze past him and mutter to one another, 'well, that was a sight, someone clearly had one too many.' Steve ignores them and returns to his window seat.
Amelia weeps against her sister's shoulder all the way to the hotel and when they get inside, they walk to their room in silence.
Amelia grabs her bag and starts throwing things in it. 'Whoa, what the hell happened?' Andi blocks Amelia and she pushes her sister away, 'I swear to God, Andi, get out of my way.' Amelia has changed from upset to angry, 'we are leaving, I'm not staying here.' Amelia throws her phone at Andi, 'book us a fight home, I don't need their fucking private jet.' Andi catches the phone and stares at it, 'you're serious.' Amelia nods and continues to pack. She aggressively rummages through her bag, finding her cards and chucking her credit card at her sister, 'pay whatever, put it on that, just get us home.' Amelia knocks her bag to the floor and bends, scraping the contents up and crying at the sight of the state of her things, strewn across the carpet. Andi calls her name repeatedly, but to no avail.
'Right, enough of the guessing game, what the hell happened?' she demands. Amelia stops, stands and looks at her sister, 'other than being ignored, treated like crap and asked why I'm here? All of which might be true or I can't answer' she mutters the last part, 'oh, right yeah, and Steve and Sharon were kissing! I mean, I'm an understanding person and I know they are both hurting, I know he is in pieces, but, really?' Andi looks shocked, 'you're sure?' She stares at her sister open mouthed, 'no, that can't, Steve wouldn't, no…' Amelia forces her hands into her hair, tugging hysterically, she cries, 'I saw them with my own two eyes, Andi! Now pack and book flights, or I will leave without you.' Andi looks at her sister's tear stained face and wet clothes, she kicks her bag and announces 'I need to get out of here!' Amelia storms into the bathroom, closing the door and Andi can hear her crying. She gets up and goes to the door, she thinks about knocking, calling out, but as her sister's sobs only get louder and she decides to step back. She gives up, dropping down on the bed and books a flight home, for very late that same night.
Amelia returns, she's changed into casual clothes and her face is free of makeup. Andi moans '$800 to get home, where's John Candy when you need him?' Amelia doesn't laugh, she looks around the room, pulling her sweater tighter, 'you got everything? Let's get out of here before they get back,' Andi nods, sombrely. She stands and suddenly she remembers Bucky, 'are we really just leaving, what about Bucky? Even Tony has been good to us. And I hate myself for saying this, but what about Steve? What if this is all wrong and she tripped onto his face?' Amelia shakes her head, 'do what you've got to do with them, any of them, but not until we are out of this place, please. And you're dreaming if you think Steve will even bat an eyelid. I'm not looking for a reaction, I need to be far away from here, away from him, I just need to go… home. Please?' Amelia softens, looking down at the ground sadly. 'I made a mistake ever thinking this was my life, he wants something else, he certainly doesn't need me.' Amelia pauses, thinking of poor Steve, already suffering. She questions if she's being unfair, but then she pictures him kissing Sharon and she knows she needs to get out.
They take the elevator down and barely share a word. Andi assures Amelia she will check them out at the desk and she leaves to hail a cab. At the desk, Andi requests to leave a note and scribbles something down hastily. She pulls her phone out, but quickly replaces it, she debates calling Bucky or even Steve, but at this point she thinks that will only makes things worse.
When she meets Amelia outside, she offers 'the flight is twelve thirty, it's only five, what do want to do?' Amelia sighs and holds the door open to the cab, 'the London Eye, please,' she instructs the driver.
When Steve, Tony and Bucky arrive back at the hotel, it's dark and the lobby is quiet. As they walk past the front desk a different clerk calls to them. They walk over, expecting to be asked for identification. 'Excuse me, but is one of you… Bucky Blue?' The poor girl looks embarrassed and Bucky smiles a little. He nods and she passes him a note. Steve sighs and Tony tries to read it over his shoulder.
'Does she want to meet you in the boudoir?' Tony asks jokingly. Bucky reads the note and drops it to his side, muttering 'shit.' Steve looks at him, intrigued. 'Andi and Amelia have gone.' Steve looks confused, 'they've gone, home. Taken a flight this evening. She told me Amelia wasn't feeling too good. But I guessed they would be here, not gone, gone.' Steve looks at him with curiosity, wondering why he didn't mention that they left early. Tony grabs the note and reads, 'gone home early, explain later. Hope it went ok, take care, see you at home. Flying back tonight. Kiss.' Tony looks concerned and says 'no one in their right minds would fly economy over private jet.' Bucky looks at Steve, 'thoughts?' He asks his friend. Steve just shrugs and walks for the elevator. 'Steve, are you not a little concerned about this? What the hell would make them do this? Besides your shitty attitude.'
The doors close before the other two catch up and Steve hits the button harshly. Breathing deeply, he puts both hands behind his head and wonders where the hell she has gone. He berates himself for being rude and cruel and then he thinks that he can't do this right now. He looks down and from his pocket he pulls an envelope addressed to Steve and another for Amelia, both is Peggy's cursive writing.
Amelia and Andi are sat in the London Eye, towering over the city in a glass orb. They are both on a bench in the centre, eating M&Ms. 'I can't help but feel we aren't getting our monies worth,' Andi says lowly. There's a few other people in there with them, but it's a drab January day and they can't see much. 'I'm sure it is not what you think,' she says to her sister. Amelia straightens, 'I can't think about it now, I need to get home and get Rosie out of that place.' Andi looks sad, 'Bucky will kill him,' she says to herself. Amelia laughs bitterly, 'this is such a mess, last week I genuinely considered marriage and babies with this man and now what, I bet he doesn't even notice that I have gone.' Andi checks her phone, there's messages from Bucky and Tony, she expects Amelia's looks similar. Amelia looks over and gently pushes her sister's phone away, 'don't tell him. About the kiss, not yet. Let them grieve and get home.'
Andi watches her sister, even in this state, Amelia is salt of the earth. Andi checks her flight booking and winces at the cheap airline, 'you don't think this is a bit overkill? Couldn't we be angry with him in the comfort of the jet?' Amelia looks annoyed, her jaw clenches and Andi realises her joke is ill timed and not funny. 'Why would she kiss him? Isn't she smarter than that? Anyone can see he is nuts for you.' Amelia sighs, 'not anymore. I think this is done, don't you?' Andi opens her mouth, unsure of what to say. Her phone rings and Andi declines the call, another occupant stares at her angrily and she apologises, 'Sorry, my bad.'
'M&M?' Andi offers and Amelia sniffs, as she reaches in, she puts one in her mouth and sucks on it, numbly. She looks out across the dark, London sky and thinks what a rotten trip it has been, for various reasons. She contemplates what she will tell Rosie. Andi flashes her phone, 'hey, look.' It's a photo of Natasha and Rosie, there's red string all over the Avenger's lounge and Rosie is crawling around like a thief. 'A good skill, I suppose, are you sure we should have left her with a spy?' Andi asks. Amelia stares at the picture, spotting Steve's gifted clip in her daughter's hair. Andi laughs, 'hmm, she certainly likes that butterfly, finds it wherever you hide it. You know, Bucky told me this cute story…' Amelia weeps, looking at her happy little girl and thinking of the upset this will all cause. She rests her head against Andi's shoulder and closes her eyes, her sister's story dying on her tongue. Andi looks down at her phone, chancing the messages. Bucky has messaged four times, each time the word count increases and the latest one comes through as she watches the phone, it reads, just let me know you are ok. Andi looks at Amelia and she's not sure that they are ok.
The girls arrive home in the early hours, Natasha is expecting them, as they phoned ahead. They look tired as the doors slide apart and as Natasha opens her mouth to explain that Rosie is sleeping, Amelia storms past her, announcing, 'it's fine, I'll wake her.' Andi stands opposite Natasha, 'don't ask me, I can't tell you. I won't tell you.' Natasha watches her questioningly. 'You can't break me.' They stare at each other in silence, Andi defiant that she won't compromise and confess. She digs in her bag, 'oh, here,' she passes Natasha a pot of bright yellow mustard, 'sorry, it's all we could get, last minute at the airport. But it's English and it was everywhere, so must be good, big thanks again for having the kid.' Natasha eyes the jar and stares at Andi, who is waiting, looking around, avoiding Natasha's gaze. 'Fine, there's this as well, now, stop staring at me, please.' Andi reaches into her bag and passes over a box of something. 'Shortbread. It's big there, apparently. It's not actually bread…' Natasha cuts her off, 'I know what it is.'
Amelia returns with a sleeping Rosie and an armful of bags. Andi wrestles the bags from her and Amelia turns to Natasha, 'thank you for this, I hope I'll see you again.' Rosie mumbles, shifting against her mother's hair. Natasha's face remains still, but she watches them closely. They leave with no further words, stepping into the lift, Andi looking at the ceiling, literally biting her lip and Amelia, resting her head against Rosie's.
By eleven o'clock, Natasha feels as if she has been stood in the lounge, waiting, for hours. The lift opens and the three Avengers step out, they pause, looking at the stern face of the petite Russian. Tony mutters, 'why do I feel like this isn't a welcoming party?' Natasha crosses her arms, looking angrily at them, Bucky brushes past her and heads down the hall. 'Not here, they left. Picked up Rosalyn at five this morning. Answers. Now!'
Steve just shrugs and Bucky walks back, 'you know what, I'm sick of this, Steve. That's not an answer, what the hell did you do?' Steve looks up surprised. 'Nothing. I haven't seen either of them since the bar. Look, I'm not doing this now.' He walks away and Bucky calls 'this isn't you, Steve, Peggy would expect more.' Steve stops and inhales, he continues to his room and slams the door petulantly.
Dropping his bags, he heads for the bathroom as he spies the hair clip he gave to Rosie, sat on his bed. He picks it up slowly and stares at it. His heart breaks a little and he wonders if Amelia is ok. He's not sure that he can make this better, if he should even try. He finds he's too tired to deal with this right now and drops it back on the white sheets, heading for the shower.
Bucky calls Andi repeatedly. Finally, a drowsy voice picks up. 'Thank God, are you ok?' Andi smiles into the phone. 'Hi,' she says softly. 'Are you at home?' He asks. She looks around, curled up on Amelia's mattress with her sister, 'sorry, I was sleeping, yeah, we are all here and you?' Bucky sighs in relief, 'Yeah, we are as well. Andi, what's going on? I know he was a jerk, but why did you leave? I thought you'd gone back to the hotel? Not New York!' Andi sniffs, eyeing her sleeping sister, 'tomorrow, Bucky, I can't right now, it feels like twenty-four hours of travelling and strife. I'll see you at work tomorrow.' Bucky relents and stops with the questions, she parts with a yawn, 'bye, I love you.' The phone goes dead and Bucky stares at it in his hand. He stands there for five minutes and then manages to convince himself he didn't hear it. If he did, she didn't mean it, it must have been a mistake. If she didn't mean it, it doesn't matter. He puts the phone away and makes a silent promise, not to speak of the words she muttered.
AN: Oh… lots going on here. Creating the friendship between the HCs was so much fun, old men making sexist comments that you don't if you should laugh or correct them. Amelia and Bucky I always like, I think the complement each other well. I like the London Eye reflection time and Steve just being stubborn and pushing people away. And Andi just dropping in the L word casually at the end. Gets rockier in the next chapter, sorry. I hope people like the drama as much as the fluff!