A/N: In this chapter, and the next we'll be getting more into both Ava and Winter's past, something of which I haven't really done through the past books apart from maybe three or four small flashbacks. You'll get to see a lot of scenes from the past. Anyway, here we are and I hope you love the turnout…

Avengers: Age of Ultron | Saviors | Remember me, Avery Rogers…

1930 - 9 Years Old

"Steve…" Avery whines, pushing her brother in the shoulder. She's bored. Both their parents are out at some kind of part and they weren't allowed to go - not that the twins really wanted to anyway. She just wants something interesting to do…like maybe, go outside? "Stevie!" She pushes him once more, trying to get him to quit reading those stupid books of his. They are about superheroes saving people in some country, she doesn't really care what it is and all she wants to do is play with her twin.

Steve groans, looking up to his older twin from his bed. She barged in, again. He's annoyed, isn't she supposed to be the more responsible and mature twin? Seriously, she's the older one - he should be the one moaning about boredom. "Go away, Ava!" He huffs, going back to reading his book but a flying pillow flies into his face - making him drop it.

Ava stands there with a glare. "Fine, then," she scoffs, looking both hurt and pissed that he doesn't want to hang out with his own twin. "Read your darn book and not spend quietly time with your only twin." She stands up sharply, crossing her arms around her small frame before sulking out of her brother's room like a little child.

…

Ava is still sulking with loneliness on the back porch step in their small townhouse in Brooklyn. The sky is dark, you can see stars from miles away - they are beautiful to her. It makes her think about what is really out there, not just using her imagination either - she longingly wonders what the future will be like when she grows up, how the world will evolve like her History teacher talked about. The teacher always has theories and some of them are honestly pretty dumb. But others are really interesting at the same time.

She's never spoken out loud about her wonders - what she really believes. But for the future, she hopes for many things. That diseases will be cured, people will be living what they dreamed as a kid and most of all - maybe life among the stars will be nearer and better than she imagined. She believes there's life out there, but the only thing she doesn't know is what to think about it, really…would it be a good idea to actually make contact with supposed beings from another planet?

"Ava?" Her brother's voice calls from behind, he sounds a little hesitant. He probably sees how her body is slumped, like the only thing holding her body up is the bent knees in front of her. Ava's small arms are wrapped around her legs, they are pulled to her tightly as she looks up towards the sky - her fingers fiddling with several daisies that have grown in their backyard. She loves flowers…they are so full of life. The only thing they have to worry about is getting enough sun and water. There's more to life when you're a human being.

Ava glances over her shoulder, her lips forming a frown - not looking happy. "I thought you were spending quality time with that book of yours, it's all you ever do these days when mom and dad are out."

"It's just a hobby," he shrugs his shoulders, not really knowing what else to say. He loves his sister - she is his other half after all - but sometimes he just needs some time along to himself, to read. He sits next to her, his head only reaching just below her shoulder. He has always been severely small for his age - he was born with a size defect, one that he doesn't even remember what it was called. Sometimes, he envies her for that, sometimes he wishes he was the average one while she was the small one. But something tells him that being like this is a sign for something, he doesn't know what, but he knows it'll give him a future. And as crazy as that might sound, he believes it. "And, I pretty much play with you all the time. We hang around together literally all our days, at school…at home. Yeah, we're twins but we need to spread apart a little. To grow."

Ava puts on a thoughtful face for a moment before giving in, knowing he's right - he always is. Her chin slumps into the palm of her hand. "Fine," she grumbles, still not happy about it, but she understands. Maybe she can try to make some friends? Ones that are girls, maybe? Suddenly, she grins, tapping Steve on the shoulder out of the blue. "Tag. You're it," she exclaims, jumping to her feet before running inside the house, about to find a hiding spot where he won't be able to tag her back.

Steve lets a chuckle fall through his lips, grinning too in an identical manner. Maybe spending tonight playing won't be so bad? He springs to his feet, following her in. Determined to catch her this time and win.

19th September, 1932 - 11 Years Old

An 11-year-old girl walks hand-in-hand with an older gentleman with very similar features to her own. The two have the same hair and eye color, the little girl's hazel eyes sparkling in the darkness of the night. This girl is Avery Rogers and the older male is her father, Adrian Rogers. Her father is wearing a nicely made suit, his facial hair shaven and the look of professionalism running through his attire and stature.

They are on their way home from Adrian's company's banquet; he won the prize for Employee of the year. Juliet Rogers wasn't able to come this time due to Avery's twin, Steve falling ill with breathing issues. The doctor recommended for him not to be left alone but he also needs bed rest for a couple of days, this is why neither were able to come. Juliet insisted that her husband go and accept that reward and take Avery with him. They are also having a rough patch in their marriage too, not that they will ever reveal that to their kids.

"Can I hold, dad?" Avery asks her father, looking up at him with pleading eyes - wanting to hold the fist-size silver statue in her small child hands. Her father has been with his company for more than twenty years.

Adrian sighs, passing the object to his daughter carefully. "Be careful, dear," he warns her with a light tone. He smiles to himself when he watches her take a hold of it, looking happily at the thing like it's a masterpiece. She doesn't even know how he became Employee of the year - if she found out when she's older, she'd understand how this world really worked. She would be crushed. It's always such a joy to see that happy face of hers and seeing the similar one appear on his son's face too. He feels disheartened that his wife and son couldn't attend the banquet but knows inside that his children's health will always mean more than an award. He places his palm on her shoulder, keeping his daughter close to him - the atmosphere is dark, they are starting to cross the bad part of town. He never liked his children coming near this place.

Out of nowhere a gunshot fills the air before the air goes silent - no birds whistling, no grasshoppers chirping, just…nothing. Ava frowns from her spot, stopping as her father does - what was that sound? "Daddy, what was that?" She wonders out loud - it's something she has never heard before, but when she hears nothing from him, she looks up, but what she sees makes her eyes widen with confusion and horror. "Daddy?!" She exclaims in a small voice, watching as his face whitens and a dribble of blood crawls out of his mouth. There's a bullet hole just above the place where his heart rests. The hand holding her shoulder releases from its grip, his body tumbling back to the ground with a thud. He gasps, the pain finally reaching his nervous system. The statue in Avery's hand falls out of her grasp, smashing to the floor with a shatter.

"Avery…" Adrian gasps, praying his daughter is there and safe - darkness is already starting to take him. He knows what's happening, and it's all his fault. He should have expected this, but why did it have to be now while his daughter is with him?

Ava's bottom lip wobbles, she seems to understand what's happening and it starts to crush her. "D-daddy?" Tears begin to spring from the corners of her eyes, pouring down the sides of her cheeks. "Daddy, don't leave!" She's the daddy's girl - she needs her father. She prays to god that he'll be okay but her gut knows that won't happen. Even for an 11-year-old, she's very smart for her age. "Please don't leave me!" She exclaims, grabbing onto her father's arm, starting to sob as she watches the life fade in her father's eyes.

"You be a good girl, Ava. You hear me?" He tells her, his breaths coming out with low stutters. He can feel his life force being sucked away quickly. "Y-you're going to be a g-great person sweetheart. D-don't let anyone else tell you differently."

Ava clings on tighter. "Don't say things like that." She knows that this is - it's one of those goodbye speeches, but she doesn't want him to go.

"Don't let them change you, follow your own path." A tear drops to the ground after draining down the side of his face, he looks towards her with the love of a parent in his eyes - proudness filling them. "I-I love you, my little girl…" And with that, the last of the light that was originally in his pupils leave the world. Ava's breaths come out in gasps and she screams, her hollow of pain schooling through the night. The grief is unbearable - she's an 11-year-old girl who witnessed the murder of her own father and it's a murder that will never be solved - just long forgotten and so was this memory, until now…

26th November, 1932 - 1 Week Later

Avery stands next to her twin, watching as they lower her father's casket into the ground - covering the hole with tons of mud and patting it down. She's completely numb, all she can think of is her father's last words running through her head. She honestly doesn't know what to think right now - she hasn't told her mother, or Steve for that matter about what he said to her before dying right before her eyes.

A nudge comes from the side on her shoulder, Steve is looking at her with concern in his own twin manner. He knows how much closer she was to their father than he was. She has never looked this distant in all their lives. They haven't played together in days, she has hardly even talked during that time either, probably only a few words at the most. He's beginning to worry more than average. "Ava…" his voice is riddled with unease towards his other half. "Please, talk," he begs, missing the sound of her voice.

Ava just shakes her head, that night playing again in her head. Her breathing starts coming out heavier as it does, her throat choking up with tears - she can't stop it. Steve reaches forwards on instinct, bringing her to him, wrapping his arms around her as she bursts into tears. She clutches onto him tightly, so much that it's making it hard to breathe, but he doesn't care. His sister needs him and he will always be there for her like she will be for him when he's upset or alone.

He doesn't know what happened but he knows not to push. He just hopes his bubbly twin will be back into shape in no time, maybe she'll tell him what happened as they grow up?

1937 - 17 Years Old

"You can't know that!" Ava insists, clutching a History book to her chest, walking around the grounds of the school with James Buchanan 'Bucky' Barnes.

"Oh," James chuckles, nodding his head in an exaggerated manner. "I so can," he counters. They are debating about how the future will turn out. He knows there'll be cool machines in the future like flying cars - something of which he has a feeling that the Stark guy is in the middle of doing. It was all in the newspaper last week after all.

"Uh, no," she says again, not being able to help the grin that forms on her face. The two of them have been hanging out together a lot lately, and she loves it. They've been best friends for over three years so far - Steve was the one in introduce them. She longs for the guy to ask her out already, but so far it's like he hasn't had any major interest in her yet and that hurts. It hurts more than bad. Like apocalyptic bad.

He holds up his hands in surrender. "Alright, alright," he exclaims, looking amused and they chuckle once again - flopping onto the grassy floor under a tree. He sighs, leaning back on his elbows while Ava lays on her back just staring up at the clear blue sky - her book sits aside next to her. "So, what are you doing this weekend?" He asks after a moment, looking a little hesitant.

"Um," she thinks about the question for a second before answering. "Probably just laying around at home, doing homework." She shrugs, not looking too excited about the concept but if she wants that future she dreams, she'll have to work hard to achieve it. And that's something she's okay with.

"Well, um," James begins, clearing his throat as he sits up properly - looking towards her. "Would you…would you like to go out with me?" Ava's head snaps up, her eyes and ears ringing with shock. Is he asking her on a date? "Would you like to go to that diner around the block?" He shrugs, looking a little shy about the question he's asking. "I know you love it there."

Ava's mouth drops, her silent gesture making her look like a dying fish in need of water. "You're asking me out?" Her voice came out with disbelief.

James lets out a breath. "Yeah," he nods, a determined look on his face. "Yeah, I am."

She finally starts to smile a little shyly herself, but also streaming with giddiness. "Okay," she nods, looking happy and excited - these feelings bubble under her skin like fireworks. "I'd love to." A loud bell rings signaling the end of lunch. It doesn't bring down her spirit, though, she grins, pecking a small kiss on James' cheek - her own skin flushes a bright red, blushing in against the heated sun. "I'll see you after school." With that, she practically skips to class - probably looking like a looney as she does. But she doesn't care. One of her dreams is coming true.

1939 - 19 Years old

"Are you sure about this?" James asks in a worried tone. Already seeing the made-up looks plastered on his girlfriend's face. She has been talking about joining the army ever since before graduation. She wants to help these scientists make a better future and he gets that. He's just worried about their lack of time together. She'll be gone for long periods of time until she gets to the stage where she can finally move closer to home. And that's a six-month duration as it is.

"I'll be fine," Ava insists, holding her boyfriend's hand in a comforting manner as they walk towards the nearest park. She really wants to do this - she needs to make herself feel needed in the world. She doesn't want to be a normal girl going through life with a script - she wants to do something with her life, make a good change in the world. And most of all, she wants her father to be proud of what she's been able to accomplish.

James stops her walking, turning her towards him, holding up his hands so they now grasp her cheeks gently. He gazes into her eyes, seeing this pure determination - it's something he deeply loves about her. Once her heart is set on something, she'll always achieve it. "I don't want you to go," he says selfishly, he wants her to stay with him for good. Every moment they are apart he feels lonely and depressed, he needs her in his life. If she isn't, his life doesn't really mean anything anymore.

Ava's mouth forms a sad smile, she'll miss him dearly too during this time away - just as much as being away from Steve for the first time in their lives will be. But she needs to do this. She needs to get out and explore this world, make it better for their hopeful future together. She can't help but think how lucky is…her dreams are actually coming true, it truly feels unbelievable sometimes. "It's only six months," she tries to comfort not only him but also herself. Six months is a long time in her book - it probably is in his too.

James sighs, finally letting go of her cheeks, now just reaching out to hold both her hands against his chest, right beside his heart. "Fine," he finally gives in, shaking his head. But then he groans, a quirk forming on his lips. "So, what you're telling me is…that I have to put up with your brother on my own for all that time…I'll be dead before you get back," he jokes.

Ava chuckles with amusement. "Stevie isn't that bad," she insists but then cringes, it was only last week that he found out about their relationship - it was right after finding out that she was accepted for this opportunity. And boy was Steve shocked. It wasn't exactly a light way in letting him find out…

Avery has a large grin on her face, facing James. "I got it!" She exclaims, waving around the pieces of paper with her acceptance on it. She jumps up and down with exhilaration.

James grins, watching as his girlfriend jumps around with excitement. He's stood against the wall, the letter has literally just come in the mail and she couldn't have opened it faster.

In all the excitement their lips meet with a passionate kiss, they groan into each other's mouths and even James' hands are starting to slide up against the sides of her body. Ava's back hits the hallway wall, their lips still mashing together - forgetting about the world around them.

"What is all the racket…" the voice drifts and footsteps down the stairs cease. "Avery?! Bucky?!" A familiar voice snaps them sharply from their passionate frenzy - their eyes widening. Bucky jumps away from his girlfriend, effectively bumping into the front food key-table.

Ava and Bucky look up guiltily towards the stairs, seeing Steve looking between them like a gaping fish - he blinks rapidly, rubbing his hands over his eyes in a furious manner - probably wondering if what he saw was real. "What the…" he blinks. "You were about to, uh…" Steve's voice cuts off, his eyes rolling to the back of his head - passing out.

Ava blinks this time, wondering if what has just happened, really happened. 'Did my brother just faint?' She asks herself in disbelief. 'I'm in trouble when he wakes up…'

"But seriously…" she continues, gripping his hands tightly with her own - trying to forget about the ways Steve could make her boyfriend pay while she's gone. "You'll be fine. The two of you will have each other and you can do all those manly things, whatever that's supposed to mean these days." She gives him a kiss, making sure it lasts more than a couple of seconds. "We'll both be fine…" she whispers so only they can hear the words.

1939 - Six Months Later

A slow piece of music is playing from the piano in the corner of the entertainment hall, couples of all ages are dancing together on the dance floor or eating together at a couple's table. Ava has returned, looking a little more weary but happy to be back. James holds her in his arms, slowly moving her from side to side with the music - as promised before she left, they are having that date each had promised. Both miss the other and know exactly what they are doing later - all they want to do is be with each other.

"See," Ava mumbles, her head resting against her lover's shoulder - breathing in his familiar scent, the one she missed so damn much after all this time away. "I said everything would be okay."

James hums as his chin rests on top of her head, enjoying this moment - he wants it to last but knows it won't, real life is going to hit them again soon enough. "You were right…you always are," he chuckles, knowing how right that statement is. "I'm just glad your home…and I know Steve is too."

Ava's mouth quirks. "So he didn't try to kill you because of our, uh, little interaction in the hallway." Steve was a little distant before her leaving - it did hurt but she kind of understands. It's probably got to be a huge shock to find out your sister was secretly dating your best friend for over two years. Boy, she would be pissed too.

James chuckles, pulling his head away from hers, looking towards her with a shaking head. "Nah," he says. "I tried to set him up with a couple of girls…but none of them seemed to take, though." Shrugging her shoulders, he knows that Ava would want her brother to be happy - besides, Steve was the closest thing to her he had while she was gone. He needed that connection to stay friends with him.

"He'll find someone," Ava nods with determination, meeting his gaze. She knows her brother will find the one like she has with James, it's just going to take time. "It's fate and I believe such a thing exists somewhere in this universe."

1942 - Previously in 'Alive but not Awake'

Ava's back leans against Bucky's chest, the field of flowers surrounding them creating a romantic scene as they just sit there in silence, listening to the small birds flying above them and in the lively trees.

She feels Bucky's chin rest on her shoulder beside her ear. "I love you, Avery Lola Rogers," he breathes in her ear - making her giggle as a tickling sensation rounds her neck. Her head turns to him, leaning in her forehead against his so her lips are almost touching his. "I love you too, James Buchanan Barnes," she kisses him.

Bucky breaks the kiss as the both return from each other, gasping for air. "So, are you ready for the surprise?" He asks, a teasing grin plastered on his lips as he catches his breath back.

Ava brings her face away from his slightly with a confused look. "The field and food weren't a surprise?" She thought it was, it's been the best one today so far.

Bucky grins. "Nope, stand up," he tells her as he grabs her hips gently and hoists her up onto her feet making her stumble slightly. "I want to do this properly."

Ava chuckles as she balances herself and turns to him. "Do what exactly?" She asks, suspicious at what he's going to do.

He just stays silent and brings something out of his jacket pocket, he gets down on one knee as he holds both of his lover's hands with care. He looks up at her face and he sees her looking shocked, but her eyes are brimming with tears as she realizes what's happening.

"Avery Lola Rogers," Bucky begins, he looks into her eyes as he speaks - love and adoration pouring out of his own, his heart is beating fast in a nervous anticipation. "Ever since I met you, I've felt a pure connection. The first time I saw you, all I could think about was how beautiful you are, how caring and how honest everything you are. As the years have gone past, my love for you has both grown and exceeded past anything I would have dreamed in my wildest times." He takes a deep breath. "For a long time, I have always imagined being with you and only you for the rest of my life and I wouldn't have it any other way."

Ava watches as he opens the small box he got from inside his jacket; inside is a beautiful engagement ring. The sun reflects off it with a unique tine as the ball of fire starts to lower in the sky.

"Ava," Bucky's voice wavers in hope as he finally gets to the point. "Will you marry me?" Warm and salty tears fall down the side of her cheeks as her head nods in a 'Yes' gesture, her voice unable to work as another one of her dreams comes true.

1945 - 24 Years Old

Steve, Bucky, and Ava are standing upon the edge of a snowy cliff next to a zip wire connected to an opposite mountain, above a train track - one of which Dr. Zola will be passing any minute.

Bucky pulls Ava aside quickly, knowing they don't have much time left until the mission begins. "Ava," he starts, fear for her safety evident in his tone. "Are you sure about this?" Yes, she was granted permission to join them because of her excelled training and weaponry skills. But he still has the right to be at least fearful for her life. He can't lose her; they are engaged to be married, they are going to spend the rest of their lives together when this is all over. He wants all three of them to have long happy lives after this - they've done enough fighting for their country, it's about time they rest and work on their own futures, not the worlds.

"I'll be fine," Ava tells him, feeling like it has been the hundredth time she's said it already. "We'll all be fine." She doesn't have any doubts or regrets about joining - she would have felt guilty for not going if she were to stay behind, she isn't about to let her boys risk their lives without her. All for one or not at all. She kisses him, pulling back with a smile. "Trust me, everything will turn out okay."

Oh, how wrong she is…