Special thanks to my reviewers:

ArtistKurai

TheMadTeaPartyCompany

Biichi-gi

Patito

Anonymousss

And to the followers of this story:

Biichi-gi

Eala Bhan

FabtasyForever13

Gladstone8532

LadyGely92

TheMadTeaPartyCompany

katie93319

nturfitt

tuckerjnp1

And shout out to those who have favorited!

LadyGely92

TheMadTeaPartyCompany

eletcher52

readermind

I hope you guys enjoy this chapter!

The following Friday Bucky sat on his living room floor. The television was playing softly. His eyes stared at the screen, but his brain comprehended nothing that was happening with the show. Instead, his mind wandered to the pretty working girl he'd had coffee with last week. He thought about "bumping into'' her again, but he got in his own way and decided against the idea.

Now, in the loneliness and isolation of his dark apartment he was rethinking everything. With his mind made up, and no one there to stop him he grabbed his jacket and laced up his boots. He had been trying to stay off the streets lately. Too many triggers. Too many things he could get involved in. Like the other night, with her.

He peeked down the alleyways, and behind the dumpsters. He'd searched all her usual spots known to him, but he didn't find her. It was Friday night. He figured she would be out here. Part of him was relieved, but the other part was worried. He didn't like worrying. Not knowing what else to do he made his way to her apartment.

Her light was on. He could see it from the street. He counted the windows and took a chance on what her number could be. After three wrong guesses he was about to give up. Then, she swung open the door. Immediately he knew something was wrong. From the darkness of her apartment, and the dim crappy lighting of the hallway it was hard to see, but her eyes were red and puffy. Her makeup streaked down her cheeks.

Bucky pushed his way inside. Not waiting to be invited, and without saying hello.

"What's wrong?" he asked as he pulled his hands out of his pockets.

"What are you doing here, Bucky?"

She sounded exhausted, and her voice was rough.

"I asked you first,"

"Go away," she whispered as she breezed past him and into her kitchen. Of all the nights for this guy to show up...

"I see you never got a new coffee maker," he commented flatly.

"Nope,"

It was dark in the whole place, save a candle burning and the light coming from the bathroom.

"Are you sick?" he asked. Her voice sounded really strange.

"Bucky, listen-"

She opened the fridge as she spoke and for the first time Bucky got a glimpse of her body. Something he hadn't noticed before. He grabbed her hand and pulled her towards the bathroom and into the light.

"What's this?" he demanded quietly. His hand went gently to her neck. He already knew...

"Nothing," She swatted his hand away, and it fell at his side.

"It doesn't look like nothing,"

Annie put her own shaking hand to her red and bruised throat.

"A hazard of the job," she said flatly.

Bucky imagined the worst. The very worst.

"Did this happen tonight?"

She shook her head. Bucky bit his lip and turned his head away in anger. He could have been there. Stopped it from happening in the first place.

"I know what you're thinking, and stop. You're not my hero. I don't need you saving me."

The words stung more than he wanted to admit.

"You obviously do,"

She struggled for a deep breath and leaned against the bathroom counter.

"Come on," he grabbed her hand, "I'm taking you to the hospital to get checked out."

She huffed and tried to pull her arm free of his vibranium grip. All she succeeded in doing was hurting herself further. She gasped in pain, causing Bucky to let go completely. Annie stumbled backwards and almost fell into the tub, but Bucky's reflexes were fast enough to catch her. His metal arm went around her back, keeping her from falling. His other arm slowly wrapped around her and pulled her back to her feet.

The sudden and unexpected nearness of her was doing funny things to him. He could feel her breath on his lips as he settled her. He was still holding on tight, and could feel her shaking muscles. Her eyes filled with tears as she stared up at him.

"Let me help you," he pleaded quietly.

She shook her head, "You can't," Their noses were touching and Bucky watched as her eyes closed in quiet resolve. "No one can."