A/n: I only own Ellie, Grant, Beckie and Kasie and Sarah; all other characters that you recognize are property of Marvel.

a/n2: So tomorrow we get a look at FatWS at the Superbowl! Whoo a real reason to watch it! ;) Side note: WandaVision... if you haven't watched it yet... it's getting good!


When we first met

I never thought that I would fall

I never thought that I'd find myself

Lying in your arms, mm, mm

And I wanna pretend that it's not true

Oh, baby, that you're gone

'Cause my world keeps turnin', and turnin', and turnin'

And I'm not movin' on

~ I'm Never Going to Love Again by Lady Gaga


*~*~* May 10, 2019- New York, New York *~*~*

Ellie stood in her office at Stark Industries, moving files from her inbox into the filing cabinet. She slipped as her hosed covered feet slid, trying to find stability, catching herself on her desk. Taking the files from the right side of her desk, she looked over to see another smaller stack on Amanda's desk, and helped her hand out to move the files into her office, so that she would be organized for Monday when she returned. Looking at the door with files in midair, a glowing yellow surrounding her hand as there was a knock on the door, "Hey Pepper," She smiled as she saw Pepper, "Did you forget something?"

"No," Pepper said as she watched the file fly into Ellie's hand, "Taking some shortcuts?"

Ellie laughed as she filed the folder, "Just a bit, I may have powers, but I still can be a clutz and I nearly wiped out. They should make hose, with grippers on them like they make onesies for kids."

Pepper laughed, "Anyways, I just got out of a meeting with publicity," Pepper told her as she placed her hand on her slightly growing bump.

Ellie sat down in her chair, "Have a seat. Get off your feet."

"Gladly," Pepper kicked her shoes off and sat down, "So Tony and I got invited to the Aladdin premiere. We can't go, and I was wondering if you wanted to?"

Ellie stared at her as she sat back in her chair, "You mean the new, brand new Disney movie Aladdin?"

Pepper laughed, "Yeah, and to be able to see it before anyone else. It is the world premiere."

There had been many perks so far that went with working at Stark Industries. Free child care, whenever she was ready for the kids to come. A Quinjet escort by Happy whenever she wanted. A town car would come to pick her up from her house even if she wanted that mode of transport instead. But a World Premiere of a movie? A Disney movie at that? Ellie could barely contain her enthusiasm.

"Holy crap, I'd love… shit," Ellie groaned, closing her eyes as reality crashed on her hard as she saw the picture Steve had taken of Grant holding the twins on the couch supported by pillows. With a sigh, she looked at Pepper, "I can't leave the kids and go… where is it?"

"LA. Take the kids with you and Steve. I'll contact Rhodey," Pepper took her phone out and pulled Rhodey's number up and listened to it ring before Ellie could even get a word of retort, "Rhodey, it's Pepper. Look, are you available on May 22? Tony and I received an invitation to a movie premiere, and we can't go, so I invited Ellie and Steve."

Ellie laughed, "Pepper, I haven't even seen if Steve wants to yet."

"I'll let her know. Thanks, Rhodey," Pepper said, hanging up with a smile, "He said to call him, but he would love to watch the kids."

Ellie bit her lip as she shook her head, "Are you sure you don't want to go?"

Pepper scoffed, shaking her head, "I can't fly. Last week, I was sick the entire time on the plane and was so weak. That was just from here to Florida. Across the country? Nope, not dealing with that. If you don't want the tickets, I will tell them we aren't interested."

"I'll talk to Steve," Ellie sighed as she looked at Grant and the girls' picture on her desk.

Pepper sat back, scrolling through her phone, "Also, the publicity department noticed that you don't have a social media presence."

"What do you mean?" Ellie asked, confused-looking away from the picture.

"Twitter, Instagram, Facebook…" Pepper trailed off, not looking up from her phone, "Steve has accounts, but he never uses them. We have people post things occasionally for him. We can create a Twitter and Instagram for you, and it will go to Facebook."

Ellie turned to her computer and searched for it to see what she was talking about, "Oh, the photo-sharing site. Nat showed it to me."

Pepper folded her hands in front of her on top of her slightly rounding stomach.

Ellie looked at her, "What else, Pepper?"

"We have had a lot of requests recently for interviews. Some people that want to write books-"

Ellie scoffed, "Books? About what?"

Pepper chuckled, "Steve has never told his story, and there was one writer that wants the Rogers story. Not yours, not his… but the two of you and Bucky."

Ellie's eyes fluttered shut as she remembered a conversation with Bucky. They were lying together in the post-orgasmic glow, on the floor after they had popped the inflatable mattress. Ellie had just rolled over onto Bucky as he nuzzled her hair, whispering for her to have faith that everything would be okay. Ellie remembered smiling into his chest and telling him that she knew it would, before asking about her visit. He had seemed upset after it.

Bucky nuzzled even closer, breathing in her scent, "We… had a little argument. You are going to meet Sebastian Stan, and he will be very interested in you. They are going to be doing a movie called Captain America and the Howling Commandoes, and… well, he plays me."

Ellie recalled looking up at him, laughing, "Really?"

Bucky nodded as he pulled her close, kissing the side of her head.

Ellie's eyes fluttered open, "The movie."

Pepper frowned, taking in Ellie's sudden pale appearance, "A movie?"

Ellie shook her head, "In the future, they are making a movie about Bucky and Steve's lives."

Pepper nodded, "The studio that is doing Tony's story inquired about Steve."

Ellie chewed her lip and looked at her, "Do you trust them? You know… factually and creatively?"

Pepper sighed, "I have to approve the script and any changes. Protect the brand basically," Pepper told her as she sat up, "If you choose to go that route, we can make sure that same thing happens."

Ellie thought about it, "What would you do, if it were you?"

"Talk to Steve, see what he thinks, but… I'd do it together, honestly. It could also be your way of showing Bucky as a person, not the monster the press made him," Pepper told her.

Ellie nodded as she smiled at how passionate Pepper seemed to be, "I'll talk to Steve tonight."

"Now get out of here, enjoy your Mother's Day weekend," Pepper told her as she smiled, looking at Grant's picture on the wall next to Ellie's first pending blueprint.

"It's your first one. You enjoy it too," Ellie told her as she started gathering her things.

Pepper stood up, "I'm not technically a mother yet, but I will still make Tony spoil me," Pepper told her with a wink.


*~*~* May 10, 2019- Irvington, New York *~*~*

After putting the kids to bed and taking a quick as she could shower, Ellie walked past the laundry room. She groaned when she saw the overflowing basket inside the door. Mentally telling herself that she would do it before climbing into bed, she went to the elevator. Riding it down, she saw Steve sitting on the couch with the news on the television. Ellie could not hold back her yawn as she sat next to Steve and laid her head back on the blanket covering the back of the couch.

Steve patted her leg as he moved slightly more close to her, "How was today?"

Ellie rolled her neck, trying to loosen the kink in her neck, "Not bad, I do have the stuff to talk to you about, though," Ellie said as she looked at him, "First, want to go see a movie?"

"What movie?" Steve asked as he muted the television.

"Aladdin, the real action one that is coming out with real actors. Pepper and Tony received an invitation to the premiere in LA, but Pepper gets horrible morning sickness when she flies, so she invited us so that the tickets don't go to waste. She even called Rhodey. We can stay at his house, and he will watch the kids while we go," Ellie told him throwing her phone onto the coffee table.

Steve thought about it for a moment, "What about Nat?"

Ellie thought about it. Natasha had been suspiciously absent as of late. When she was there at the house, she just did not seem herself. After she had accepted Steve's proposal, Ellie had thought things would have gotten better, but she was still distant, "Would she go?"

Steve looked at the clock, "We will find out soon. She is coming home for the weekend."

"I can always talk to Pepper and see if she can request a third ticket. Two Avengers and me, I am sure they will jump at the Avengers. If not, you and Nat can go. You'll just have to say you are there for Stark Industries," Ellie told him as she closed her eyes, resting her head back against the couch.

"There is no way when you were the one invited that we will leave you out," Steve assured her.

Ellie looked over at him, "They want to interview us. I guess some people also want to write a book. Oh, and Pepper helped me create an account on this Instagram thing."

Steve nodded, "Yeah, they created one for me too. Haven't had me do anything lately with it."

Ellie closed her eyes, "I miss the 40s. I didn't have to worry about technology or posting pictures for people I don't know to see. Things were simple."

"Would you go back if you could?" Steve asked quietly.

"Only if I could take the kids and even that… if you weren't there…." Ellie sighed, "But I couldn't ignore Bucky being alive, so I'd change history, then I'd rip the fabric of time or whatever and destroy the whole world."

"So, what is your first post going to be about?" Steve asked.

Ellie sighed as she sat up and grabbed her phone. Bringing up the app, she looked through the posts on what Pepper called a feed.

Steve looked over her shoulder, "Pepper, Tony, some people I don't recognize… who is Sundar Pichai?"

"CEO of Google. Pepper had me follow some people just as an idea of what I can post," Ellie told him as she sighed as Alpine jumped onto her toes, "Hey, little one."

She reached down and put Alpine on her shoulder. He crawled behind her neck and curled up around it like a neckwarmer, burying his little face in her hair.

Ellie reached up and scratched his head, then turned her camera on to see him. Smiling at Alpine all tucked in, she snapped a picture.

Opening the Instagram app, she brought up the picture and added her and Alpine's photo, then typed Hello Internet, I'm Alpine. This is Ellie's first post.

"Alright, the first post is done," Ellie said, throwing her phone back onto the table then sat back against the couch again, "I think… I think I am going to do the interview," She looked over at Steve, biting her lip, "I'm afraid if I don't, that the wrong information will get out or the public information will get twisted."

"That's true, especially if you say there is a movie in the future," Steve stated.

Ellie nodded, "Do you want to be part of it? It's OUR story. The three of us. Without you, there is no us."

Steve sighed, "Yeah, we can do it. Like you said. I'd rather have the right story out than the wrong one."

"I'll talk to Pepper," Ellie told him as he put his arm around her and pulled her to his side, "I just can't believe people see us as important enough to want to know those details."

"You are more important than you know, sis," Steve said as he kissed the side of her hair.

Ellie groaned as an alert popped up on her phone MOM GROUP SNACKS.

"What?" Steve asked.

"I just realized that I have that Mommy and me group this weekend…. Tomorrow, in fact," Ellie said, rubbing her face, "Why'd I agree to that?"

Steve chuckled as he elbowed her, "You thought it was a good idea to have some friends with kids."

Ellie bit her lip as she thought back to the two friends she had met at the park with the kids, "They did seem nice at the park."

"It doesn't hurt to try something new," Steve told her.

"I know, but it's hard. These people," Ellie trailed off as she stared at her phone, "I don't know if it is because they were born way after me," With a sigh, she admitted, "How am I going to fit in?"

"If they don't see the amazing person you are, El… then they are missing out on an amazing person," Steve told her, squeezing her hand.


*~*~* May 11, 2019- Irvington, New York *~*~*

Ellie let out a big breath as she pushed the stroller with Grant and Sarah in front, both girls in back closer to the park. She stretched her fingers out and curled them again on the stroller handle, trying to dry the sweaty palms she was experiencing.

"Don't worry about these bitches so much, El," Natasha said as she typed something out on her phone as they walked closer to the gate to the park. As they entered the park, Natasha slid her phone in her back pocket, "If they are a bunch of judgmental assholes, then we will just leave."

Ellie bit her lip as she wished that she could have such a laissez-faire attitude that Natasha has. Instead she had an almost constant nausea in her stomach as she worried about just about everything. She sighed as she pushed the kids through the gate then down the sidewalk to the play area, where many kids were playing on the playground.

As they got closer, one of the ladies looked up and smiled as she waved, "Ellie over here!"

"Who is that?" Natasha said with a frown taking in the woman who had yelled Ellie's name.

Ellie rolled her eyes, "Quit it. She is nice. She is the one that told me about this. Her name is Amy," Ellie told her as she pushed the stroller onto the grass and over to the small group, "Hello Amy, this is my sister-in-law Natasha."

Amy smiled, pushing her blonde hair behind her ear, "Hello Natasha, it is nice to meet you."

Ellie smiled at the baby Amy was feeding a bottle to, "How is he doing?" She asked as she sat down on the bench next to her.

"It's harder than I thought it would be, but it is getting better. I never thought this would happen for me," Amy admitted looking at her son, "I couldn't believe when I got the call on New Year's day."

"What is his name?" Natasha asked as she sat next to Ellie.

"Carter, have you two ever heard of the Backstreet Boys?" Amy asked.

"No," "Yes," Ellie and Natasha said at the same time.

Ellie looked at Natasha.

"You haven't gotten up to the 90s on your playlists yet," Natasha told her, waving her off, "I'll get you caught up."

Amy laughed, "Well, one of the boys in the group was Nick Carter, he was eight years younger than me, but I met them when I was 29… so fucking cute. They are still a group too. So I named him after him. Hopefully, the next kid I adopt will be a boy too. I'll name him Brian. My love of them used to make my husband so peeved."

Natasha laughed, "He was attractive."

Amy looked at Ellie, "Back in the 40s, who was the teenage heartthrob?"

Ellie smiled as she bit her lip, "Bucky was always so annoyed with me about my love of Frank Sinatra. Keep in mind, this was when he was the singer for the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra and before he was THE Frank Sinatra," Ellie smiled, "Bucky took me to see him at the Paramount one of the times I was home in 42. The orchestra performed after a Bob Hope movie," Ellie swallowed as she closed her eyes, lost in the memories, "My Favorite Blonde. Buck joked that the movie was about me since I was his favorite blonde."

A brunette walked over and laid out a blanket in front of them, "Hi ladies."

"Ellie, Natasha, This is Erica," Amy introduced.

Erica threw herself to the ground, "Hello, ladies. My little hellion is that cute chubby blonde girl that is doing angels in the chips. I cannot wait for her dad to come home."

"How much longer on this tour?" Amy asked.

"Two months," Erica sighed as a woman walked over with a chair.

"Party is over here?" The brunette asked as she sat her chair down then sat in it, "Hello, I am Jenny."

"I'm Ellie, this is Natasha," Ellie said with a smile.

"Are you partners too?" Jenny asked, looking at them.

Amy laughed, "No, they are sisters-in-law."

"Ah," Jenny said as she looked at the stroller, "Wow, whose kids are whose?"

"My daughter is this one," Natasha said, tickling Sarah's feet, "And the other three are Ellie's."

"Wow, three under two?" Jenny asked, surprised as she looked at Ellie.

"Yeah, we had Grant, then surprise, my husband got snapped. A month later, I found out about the girls," Ellie told her.

"Shit, I have twins too. Erin and Graham over there on the monkey bars," Jenny told her, "If you want any tips on twins, I'm your girl."

Erica sighed as she looked to the other side of the park, "Here comes Linda, and there go her kids." They all watched two kids run over and cut in front of other kids on the playset.

"Robyn! Watch your brother!" The woman said as she walked over and parked her stroller with a sleeping girl in it, "Who brought the wine?"

"Marcie is, rough night?" Jenny asked as the woman collapsed on the bench.

"Shit, when isn't it. Wait, I know you," Linda said, looking at Natasha, "How do I know you?"

Natasha cleared her throat, "My name is Natasha."

Linda stared at her wide-eyed, "Shit, you are the Black Widow."

"Yeah, she is. Remember, no judging from this group," Erica said as she kicked Linda.

"No judging, I just think it's fucking awesome," Linda said as she sighed, looking around, "Where the hell are Marcie and Shelly?"

Amy looked at Ellie, "Marcie and Shelly are sisters that both have one-year-old sons."

"Aww man, here comes Jessica," Erica groaned as she looked at Natasha and Ellie, "She is a snob."

"I thought this was a no judging group," Linda said, causing Ellie to snort.

Jessica walked over, opened her folding chair, and then sat down her cooler, pulling out a bottle of wine, "Hello everyone."

Amy looked at Ellie, "She is a lawyer."

Jessica looked at Ellie and Natasha, "Ah, new people, I'm Jessica."

"I'm Ellie, and this is my sister in law Natasha," Ellie said.

Linda, who had just taken a drink, coughed as she spits out her water.

"Breathe, Linda," Jenny said, hitting her back.

"Thanks," Linda coughed, attempting to clear her lungs, "I just realized… that makes you Captain America's sister."

"Yeah," Ellie said, biting her lip.

"Shit, you mean Captain America is married and has a kid? Damnit," Erica said wide-eyed, looking at Natasha.

"Technically, we aren't married, just engaged," Natasha told her.

"Hola Bitches!"

"Shelly!" Another woman scolded as two African American women walked over, each pushing a stroller.

"The stroller gang is all here!" Shelly said as she put a blanket out and sat down, looking over at her stroller, "And he is asleep, thank god."

Her sister rolled her eyes, "Hello, please don't let my sister scare you guys away. I'm Marcie, and this is Matt. Shelly's son is Joey."

"So, Shelly, Marcie, Jessica, Linda, Jenny, Erica, and Amy, of course," Ellie said.

They all nodded.

"So tell us a little about yourselves," Marcie said.

"I'm Ellie Barnes, and these are my kids. Grant, who is one, and Kasie and Beckie, who are five months," Ellie told them.

"I'm Natasha, this is my daughter," Natasha said.

"And she is Captain America's fiancée while being Black Widow," Linda said with a grin.

"Mmm, he could sweep me off my feet any day," Erica said.

"So Ellie, we know Natasha is an Avenger, but what do you do?" Linda asked.

"I'm the COO of Stark Technologies division of Stark Industries," Ellie told them.

"We know who is making snacks!" Jenny joked.

Ellie chuckled, "I am also a single mom of three. It may be store-bought."

Erica frowned, "Where is Dad?"

"Snapped," Ellie said as she swallowed hard, "We didn't know about the girls at the time. So yeah, single Mom, working full time."

"Shit, to the top of the babysitting list you go," Jessica said.

"Oh," Ellie said, shaking her head, "I'm good. I have my brother and sister in law here. I'm good with babysitting."

"Just so you know, we girls stick together, so if you ever need it, we are here," Erica told her.

"We appreciate it," Ellie told them.

"I brought the juice!" Linda said, holding up a big jug.

"Umm, that is a box of wine," Amy told her.

"Shit, the wrong one," Linda said, grabbing another jug.


*~*~* May 18, 2019- Irvington, New York *~*~*

"Ellie, there is a man at the gate," FRIDAY notified Ellie as she walked around the kitchen as she made finger sandwiches and other simple snacks, "He says he has an appointment."

"Let him in," Ellie said as she finished cutting up some carrots.

Steve leaned on the door to the kitchen, watching her buzz around, "Ellie, this guy doesn't need a banquet of food. He is here to ask us questions."

Ellie sighed, "Why did I agree to this?"

Steve walked over to her and rubbed her back, "Because it is time. For both of us."

Ellie rested her head on his chest then let out a breath, "I can do this."

"Nat and Annabelle took the kids out, so the house is quiet for once," Steve told her as the doorbell rang.

"Time to face the music," Ellie said as she pulled away and smoothed down her shirt, then checked her hair in the mirror as she walked to the front door.

Opening the door, a middle-aged gentleman with peppered dark hair looked up, "Mrs. Barnes, it is nice to meet you. I am Joey Jones."

Ellie shook his hand.

"Wow, great strength," Joey said as he walked inside.

Steve walked to the doorway, "Mr. Jones, nice to meet you."

"Runs in the family I see, a pleasure to meet you, at last, Mr. Captain Rogers, sir," Joey said, shaking his hand longer than he did Ellie's, "I appreciate you finally meeting with me."

Ellie looked at Steve.

"He's wanted to meet with me before, but I was not ready at the time for my story to be out. It was before we knew you were alive before Bucky came back," Steve told her.

Ellie nodded, "Mr. Jones, if you want to join us in the family room, we can set up in there."

"Thank you, Mrs. Barnes," Joey said.

"Please call me Ellie and him Steve. Mrs. Barnes makes me feel like I am at work or even my mother-in-law," Ellie told him as she led them to the family room through the pantry.

"Wow," Joey said, looking around, "This is a nice home you have."

"Thank you. We are still putting the final touches on everything. We only moved in here in January. My husband and I purchased this house for… everyone before we knew what was happening. We wanted it to be a home for our family. My family, Steve's, upstairs are rooms for Wanda and Sam," She sighed, "Were rooms," Ellie corrected as they walked into the family room, "If you want to have a seat. Would you like a drink?"

"I'll take a glass of water," Joey told her.

"of course," Ellie said as Steve directed Joey to a chair, then she walked into the kitchen to grab the tray she had made then filled a glass of water.

Steve walked in, "Need a hand?"

"Probably a good idea, don't want to freak him out by showing my powers off the bat," Ellie said as she handed him the tray.

"He wants to know everything," Steve told her.

"Within reason, Steve," Ellie told him with a quiet whisperer, "Like Bucky's Winter Soldier stuff. Half the missions aren't known."

"Shit, El, of course, we aren't telling that shit. He didn't tell me half that, did he tell you?" Steve asked.

Ellie shook her head, "No but his journals and him talking in his sleep… nevermind let's go."

Ellie let Steve go first and rubbed her chest as the now familiar feeling of tightness came back. She followed Steve back into the family room and set a glass in front of Joey, "Here you go."

"How much of this house was your input?" Joey asked as he came over and sat down.

"Bucky, and myself, we made a lot of the decisions with the contractor and designer. We want this to be our forever home," Ellie told him as she sat down.

"Well, it's beautiful. Now I know you want the honest story out, the real story," Joey told them as he put his elbows on his knees and leaned forward, looking at them closely, "I'm here to put forth that story to the public. Everything you say, I'll be recording and making notes. As we progress, if you want something off the record, let me know, and it will remain confidential. I will stop recording, and we can start up when you are ready," Joey looked between them, "Any questions?"

Ellie ran her tongue across her lips as she looked at Steve, "Didn't you do a book for Tony?" Steve asked.

Joey nodded, "Was number one on the New York Times bestsellers list for over five weeks," He set a tape recorder and a phone on the table as he hit record then sat back, "I want to start with some of the basics. How did the two of you get started? What were your parents like?"

Steve looked at Ellie, "Ellie would be the best to answer this one. She is the new family history buff."

Ellie rolled her eyes, "I wouldn't say buff, but… both of our parents were immigrants from Ireland. They came here in 1908. Mom's side was the Gallagher's from Donegal, Ireland. Our Mom was born in 1897 to our grandparents, who were Deirdre Elizabeth and Sean. Both died here in America, but Mom's side was pretty well to do when they came here. We had a castle and everything. Now, Dad's side was from Galway, Ireland. Grant Rogers and Belle Shanahan." Ellie looked at Steve then back at Joey, who appeared interested as he wrote away in his notebook, "We know that Grandpa Grant's parents were Brian Rogers and Maura Maquire. Grandma Belle's parents were Angus Shanahan and Nora McNamara. I've never really found records about Grandpa Grant and Grandma Belle, but obviously, they meant something to Dad," Ellie said looked back at Steve, "We get our names from them."

"The world knows that Steve is Steven Grant Rogers. What is your full name?" Joey asked.

"Elizabeth Belle Rogers," Ellie told him, "Mom called me EllieBelle growing up, but I dropped the Belle part when I got into secondary school."

"When were you born?" Joey asked.

"August 1, 1919. A year and less than a month after Steve. I was a surprise that my parents didn't want," Ellie told him.

"Not true," Steve interjected, "Maybe unexpected, but never did they not want you. I was born two months early, and back then, they didn't know what to do with premature babies. I was born with asthma, partially deaf, no energy, and had color blindness. Oh, and scoliosis. Our father was drunk and abusive. The Great War, World War 1 I mean, they call it Shell Shock now, but… he also had the effects of mustard gas. He came home before the war was over because of his lung injuries, ill and Mom became pregnant with me shortly later. Then I was born early and had health issues. He couldn't work, and Mom… couldn't get a job. It was very anti-Irish back then. Mom cleaned houses to get by, and Dad drank what money we did have away. Mom lived for us. Dad died of pneumonia after a drunken binge, after he passed out in the street in the middle of a rainstorm."

Ellie looked at him, "Is that how he got sick?"

Steve nodded.

Ellie shook her head, "I don't remember him other than him being mean to Steve. He hit Mom and Steve. He just ignored me from what memories I had of him."

"After Dad died, Mom took care of the elderly in the neighborhood. She slowly worked her way up to the hospital. Our neighbor took care of us while Mom worked. Mom," Steve sighed, "She worked at the hospital to help pay for my hospital bills. I nearly died twice before I even turned ten," Steve told Joey, "In 1926, I had a horrible case of scarlet fever that damaged my heart. Mom never gave up on me. She was tested again in 1928 when I got rheumatic fever. I was in the hospital for a month, my heart damaged even worse, and I also came down with high blood pressure and diabetes. Well, I probably had it, but we didn't know it until then."

Ellie bit her lip as she reached for Steve's hand.

"Ellie," Steve said, squeezing her hand, "She helped Mom, learned to cook at eight years old, and was taking care of me while taking care of the house. She kept me alive as much as Mom did. All these years later, she is the reason I am here."

"Before I ask you about your lives, I have some questions," Joey told them as he flipped in his notebook to a page, "So both of you were born in New York?"

Steve nodded, "Brooklyn had a St. Vincent's Catholic hospital, and they took the poor with no questions asked. I believe we were both born there."

"I think so," Ellie nodded.

"What were your early childhood struggles like?" Joey asked.

Ellie let out a breath as she sat back, "That is a loaded question."

Steve bit his lip, "We didn't know any better, honestly. We were born into poverty, and when Dad died, it got worse. Then the stock market crashed, and we couldn't be too proud to ask for help. We were at the pantry at church after the service was over. Mom helped out places in trade for things. Whether it was my medicine or money or cooking, our Mom did what she could for us," Steve said, looking at Ellie, "But we never really went without."

"No, Mom somehow made it work. When we became friends with Bucky, the Barnes helped," Ellie told him.

"What about Bucky, was he born in Brooklyn?" Joey asked.

"Actually, no, Bucky was born in Indiana, Shelbyville, Indiana. The Barnes moved here when he was young. Even before his capture, he didn't remember much about it," Ellie told him, "Becca was born here in New York."

"Becca?" Joey asked.

"Rebecca Barnes, she was Bucky's sister," Ellie told him.

"She died right before I found out Bucky was alive," Steve explained.

"Her son is alive, and his name is Jamie. Bucky and I went to see him before everything went down, and we stayed in contact after the snap," Ellie took the throw pillow next to her onto her lap, "Jamie and his wife come to dinner here once a month."

Ellie looked up at the picture of Jamie's family on the mantle, "I was there when he was born," She bit her lip as she looked at Joey, "Now I'll out survive him."

Ellie closed her eyes as she felt the tears building in her eyes, "We always," Ellie swallowed hard, "We had so many fears with Steve's health growing up that we didn't expect him to survive. I just never expected to live longer than everyone I knew, but Steve."

Joey looked at his notebook, "What hobbies or skills do you have?"

"Well, I'm pretty adaptive to technology, thanks to my powers. I also hear a song and practically memorize it from that point on. Other than that and being Mom. There is nothing special about me other than my powers," Ellie told him.

"You love art, and even before the serum, you knew a lot about different forms of art. You were great at sculpture. I wish I had the sculpture you made of Mom. It was beautiful," Steve told her as he bit his lip, "It was with my stuff. I wonder if it is in the Smithsonian with the other stuff of ours they have."

"What about you, Steve?" Joey asked.

"I have always been good at art. Even when I was color blind," Steve told him, "I was pretty good at chess too."

"He was chess champion," Ellie explained, "Caused some resentment from Bucky's friends and my friends. We never went anywhere without each other. I was smart and popular. Bucky was popular and, I guess you'd call him a jock. He was the boxing champion of our school, then the state. None of our popular friends wanted to hang out with Steve. They saw him physically. How meek he was, they didn't see you for what you truly were," Ellie told Steve, "I saw it all along, Mom did… Bucky did. You were who you are, without the body to show it."

Steve pulled her into a hug, "I love you."

Ellie wiped her eyes as she looked at Joey, "You see, sir, without each other," Ellie paused, "We are all we've ever had. Since we were kids, it was us against the world. Against expectations, hardships, hell, our health. We just had each other and Bucky."

Joey nodded and cleared his throat, "What relationships in your life have defined you both?"

"Mom," Steve said as Ellie nodded, "But honestly…I don't think I'd be alive without Bucky. If we never met Bucky, I probably would have gotten beaten up, and my health was so bad I wouldn't have recovered. His family took us in as part of their own. When Mom worked doubles, we stayed at the Barnes."

Ellie chewed her lip as Steve continued, "When I needed medicine, Bucky pulled extra shifts. He brought food home when we had none."

Ellie stood up, "I'm sorry, I need to use the bathroom."

Steve watched her walk away then closed his eyes as the bathroom door shut. He looked at Joey, "I have no clue if there are such things as soul-mates in this world," Steve said quietly, "But if there are, Ellie and Bucky were two of them. She doesn't speak about it, I doubt Ellie will, but the pain every day that she experiences," Steve trailed off as he shook his head, "I can't imagine what she feels. They are and were two halves of a whole. To suddenly be missing that piece of you? She has said it is like struggling to breathe every moment of the day. I couldn't imagine living like that."

Joey looked at his notebook, "Tell me something about Bucky that no one knew."

Steve shook his head, "He was the best guy you could have ever met. He cared for everyone. He was the biggest geek before geeks were a thing. He took me on double dates to museums and science expos because I could be myself there. He was the best dancer, just loved to dance. Seeing him and Ellie dance was like magic. He is my brother… was my brother," Steve said clearing his throat, "I lost him once and thought I'd never recover. Losing him, and losing him right in front of me all over again, as I saw him turning to dust, I don't think I'll never get over that."

Joey set his notebook down and folded his hands, "I want you to know, her as well, I am here to get your story out. The real one which people have never seen. I'd love to go to Brooklyn with you both even, to see where you grew up. One of my friends makes documentaries and would love to create a sincere one about the two of you. We want to show the world that their heroes are real people. Tony," He trailed off, "Tony wasn't interested because he said his life before Iron Man was filled with parties and drunken binges and women until Pepper. Still, other than Peggy Carter, nothing has been spoken about Steve Rogers. You are more, sir, than Captain America, and I want to show the world that. Your sister was a surprise to everyone. There is so much mystery to her. With the events downtown, people are itching to get her story. The tabloids will follow her until they know who she is."

Steve shook his head, "I have to protect her and the kids. It's my job now."

"I can protect myself," Ellie stated as she walked back in, "You just… have to have faith in me. I'm just a little lost right now."

Joey looked at her, "Do you believe in a higher power?"

Ellie looked at him, "Sir, if I didn't, I couldn't go on most days. We weren't the most devoted Catholics, but I believed, and I believe. Do I understand the pain and the hardships that I've gone through? No, but if I didn't believe there was a place after being here on Earth, a place where I could be with Bucky again. I don't think I could wake up every morning," Ellie said as she sat back down next to Steve, "But I do… I have hope…" She took in a shaky breath, "That's all I can do at this point."

Joey leaned forward and looked at her, "I don't think you heard me, but I was telling Steve, I want to get your true story out, and that is all I am here to do. My friend also wants to do a documentary. Follow you to Brooklyn, to the Avengers facilities, where ever you feel is important to YOUR story, to show people visually who you are."

Ellie slid her bottom lip between her teeth then licked her lips as she let out a breath, "As long as we have control of the product. There are even some things that I don't want out there."

"You have a right to your privacy," Joey agreed.

Ellie nodded, looking at Steve, who nodded, "If Steve is okay with it, I am."

"Perfect, we will come up with a calendar and some locations, then I will contact him," Joey told them with a smile.


*~*~* May 23, 2019- California *~*~*

Ellie sighed as she laid back on the bed at Rhodey's house, throwing herself onto the bed.

"Did you hear?"

Ellie looked over at the door to see Rhodey, "Hear what?"

Rhodey walked over and threw the magazine in his hand on the bed, "You are on Forbes list of women in power."

"Bull shit, Pepper is the one in power," Ellie said, putting her arm over her eyes, not even looking at the magazine next to her.

"Are you going to make 10 million a year?" Rhodey asked, sitting next to her as he flipped through it.

Ellie scoffed, "No, that is a load of bullshit."

"Bullshit, is that your favorite word today?" Rhodey asked with a grin.

"I'm kidless with a fucking headache. All the shit just flows out," Ellie sighed as she sat up and rubbed her temples, "I don't fucking get it."

"Do you need to take a nap?" Rhodey asked, "Go for it."

Ellie suddenly laid back again and closed her eyes, then gasped opening them, as she looked around, "Rhodey?"

Rhodey stared at her as he noticed the accent that was not Ellie's came from her mouth, "Wanda?" He said, surprised.

"Why are… why are you in Ellie's bedroom… where is she?" Ellie asked in an accent much like Wanda's.

"Why are you taking her brain over?" Rhodey asked with a slight grin.

"I just wanted a glance at the future. I've been trying, and this is the first time it worked," Wanda said as Ellie's body stood up, "Where are we?"

"My house in California," Rhodey told her as he smiled, "You were giving Ellie awful headaches."

Wanda walked Ellie's body outside of the room, and Rhodey followed.

"Where are you going?" Rhodey asked.

"Where is everyone?" Wanda asked, looking around.

"Steve and Nat took the kids out to the zoo with my wife and son. Ellie was going to go but again… headache," Rhodey told her.

"Wife and son? There are cribs. How many kids are there?" Wanda asked.

"Wanda… things aren't the same as you know now, from you whenever you are in time. If I've learned anything from Ellie, you can't know too much," Rhodey told her.

Wanda closed her eyes and swallowed, "I feel Ellie… I feel her pain. Oh God," She fell to her knees, "Bucky's gone," Wanda said as a tear slid from Ellie's eye.

"Yeah," Rhodey said, shaking his head, "She is doing her best, but it is hard. She lost the other half of her."

"The kids… the twins, they were hers, weren't they?" Wanda asked.

Rhodey nodded.

"Shit," Wanda said as she looked at Rhodey, "Something… bad happened, your body language and your soft tones… I'm gone too?"

Rhodey sighed.

"How many?" Wanda asked as Rhodey remained silent, "HOW many?"

"Too many," Rhodey cleared his throat, "Too many."

Wanda nodded, "I better get back. Poor Ellie."

"Just be there for her while you can. She will need it," Rhodey told her.

Wanda nodded as she walked back to the bedroom and laid down.

Rhodey leaned against the doorframe, and Ellie didn't get back up.


*~*~* May 24, 2019- California *~*~*

Ellie looked at herself in the mirror and sighed.

"You okay?"

Ellie looked at Steve, "Yeah, it was just harder on me today than I thought it would be. Tomorrow doesn't help."

Steve walked over to her and pulled her into his arms, "I love you, sis."

"Love you too, Stevie," Ellie said as she put her arms around his waist.

"You look beautiful," Steve told her.

Ellie looked down at the dress that she and Pepper had found, "This old thing?"

Steve laughed, "Yeah, that old thing."

"I don't think I'll ever get used to this fancy dress thing," Ellie said, checking her hair in the mirror, "Let's go."

Steve held out his arm, and they walked out to the living room where Rhodey, his wife, and Natasha were with all the kids.

"Wow, you look beautiful," Stephanie said as she stood up.

"Not a huge fan of this nude look but, Pepper said it would go over well," Ellie said as Steve looked outside.

"Limo is here," Steve told Ellie.

Ellie slid her heels onto her feet, "I'm ready."

"Have fun!" Natasha said.

The limo stopped near the entrance where they were supposed to walk down the carpet.

"We will be next," Steve told her.

"Shit Steve, is this our lives now?" Ellie asked, taking in the crowds out her window.

Steve kissed the top of her hand, "You deserve it, sis."

The limo pulled up farther, and someone opened it. Ellie carefully stepped out with Steve following behind her.

There were light murmurs as they walked closer to the red carpet's main entrance, then reporters spotted them.

"Captain America!" One of them yelled.

Steve waved as he led Ellie down the carpet, and they were someone stopped them, telling them that they had to wait for a photo.

When it was their turn, they posed for the reporters, and Ellie tried not to squint at the overwhelming flashes.

"Captain Rogers, who is with you tonight?"

"This is my sister, Ellie Barnes, COO of Stark Technologies," Steve said proudly.

"Ellie, let's get a picture just of you!"

Steve stepped back, "It's all you."

Ellie went to bite her lip and stopped as she placed her hand on her hip and smiled for the cameras.


After the movie, Ellie heard her name being yelled as Steve led her out of the premiere.

"Hold on, Steve," Ellie said, stopping him as a woman walked over.

"Excuse me, ma'am, I am sorry to bother you, but I just want to give you this card. My boss, she loved how you looked at was wondering if you would be interested in modeling," The woman stated.

Ellie took the card, "Eliza Bolen, executive vice-president of Oscar de la Renta? I'm sure you are mistaken, but I appreciate the gesture. Have a great day. Come on, Steve."

Steve helped her into the limo, "Why'd you shoot her down?"

"You've got to be kidding me, Steve. Me a model?" Ellie scoffed as the limo pulled off.

"Why is that so hard to believe? You do it in the future," Steve told her.

"But for a big company? Bucky told me I'd do some modeling, but I figured it would be for a small company. Even I know that Oscar de la Renta is a huge company," Ellie told him.

Steve patted her hand, "Just think about it."


a/n3:Hmm modeling? Things are slowly falling into place, but things aren't going to be sunshine and rainbows... soon.

To the reviews:

tuckerjnp1: Thank you for reading and reviewing. We never know when its going to be our last day. I may not lead an interesting life but I never want to miss the opportunities afforded to me.

PrettyRecklessLaura: Thank you for reading and reviewing!


Preview of Chapter 105- I'm Lost Without You

"Sweet potatoes and chicken," Steve said as he looked at her.

"Shit Steve, what alley are you picking fights in again?" Ellie asked bending down to get a look at his eye, "How'd you get a black eye?"

"Well I kinda got hit at the doctor's office today," Steve said shrugging, "Plate for you is in the oven."

Ellie frowned, "Who hit you at the doctor's office?"