It was when she was 25 that she saw him again. Sat at the dresser applying make up for the evenings gala, and he appeared, staring straight back at her. James Buchanan Barnes. She knew him from the news, from her dad's job. Nancy stifled a scream, his brows knitted in confusion.

''This can't be happening.'' He said lifting his hand up to the mirror. The redeemed assassin looked at you in awe.

But it had happened, and she stared back at him, a while before words found her. Then they talked, he smiled shyly at her, even laughed, he asked if she was scared of him and to her surprise she wasn't. She found herself smiling back. Her heart felt lighter, her body stronger, as though a candlelight within had turned into a roaring fire. It was an emotional overload, she felt on the edge of tears whilst smiling fully, wanted to crawl through the mirror of her vanity, wanted to touch him, hold him. It was like the stories said, and yet so much more. Then duty called and though she wanted to stay she had her commitments and he his. So, they decided to talk later. Times set they both left the mirror. Everything changed after that, they tried to talk though a mirror as often as they could, wanting so badly to meet. Timing was off though, he had his assignments, unfinished business, it wouldn't be safe for them to be together yet. Better it be a secret for now. Nancy busied herself, taking on some off her father's business in London whilst he preferred to stay overseas. After his divorce from her mother, he'd taken up the position of the English ambassador in Wakanda, Nancy often found herself at important dinners, luncheons and galas whilst her father's fellow diplomats attempted to lobby her for information on Wakanda. The secretive country had embraced her father with open arms since they opened up to the world.

Bucky had a plan; sort himself out, seek absolution for the winter soldier's crimes and then, only then, find Nancy, settle down in a little place in the country and, finally, live. It was a good plan at first, finding forgiveness wasn't easy but Nancy was always there the other side of the mirror to spur him on. With that smile, well that smile made him think he could do anything. They end up talking for hours in the evening or catch glimpses of each other throughout the day. She was like his guardian angel watching over him. Finally, maybe, a reason for his extended life, a new purpose, a happy ending in sight. With Steve gone he'd been lost and alone, but now there was her.

''I'm in France but the Wakandans say they got something they need me and Sam for, a favour of sorts. It's alright it was a dead lead anyway'' He said whilst securing the straps on his jacket.

''Well, you be careful,'' he smirked at this waving his vibranium arm at her,

''I'll be fine doll,'' his smirk softened into a warm smile as she fastened her necklace.

''I like that one, somewhere special you're off to tonight?'' The necklace once belonged to her great-grandmother, Charlotte Cartwright, quite the woman from the stories Nancy had heard, married her great-grandfather against the in laws wishes, refused to stay at home when her husband went to war so volunteered in the French field hospitals. Spoke three languages and could drink any sailor under the table. The necklace it's self was a ruby pendant, Art Deco setting, that sat comfortably beneath Nancy's collar bones. Too flashy for every day.

''Just one of those dinners, then a show, thing for dad's work he didn't feel like making the trip, and well, I do love the ballet.'' She laughed shaking her head, letting her dark hair swim around her shoulders. She didn't love ballet, but she did love her father, and if he felt the need to stay in Wakanda for now, she would play her part in London.

''Well, you sure look the part...'' as he stared at her, a longing ache filled her chest. ''after this assignment, I'm going talk to Sam, I'm going tell him about you and us and I'm going take a break, I need to meet you.'' Nancy nodded back at his words ''I never thought, god I never thought it would feel like this,'' he continued pressing his flesh hand against the glass on his side. She met him there with her flat palm, if she focussed enough she could almost feel him.

A phone pinging jolted her from the moment.

''I got to get going the cars here, I hope you're right I look the part, can't bloody see for myself,'' she laughed standing up, red skirts swishing.

''You want me to go?''

''Never.'' She blew a kiss to the mirror and walked out the door.