A/N: I only own the OC
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I finished my two appointments for the day and went 'on-call'. I was leaving early today since it was Friday. I normally had Bucky's appointment, but I had said we should have sessions further apart because he was improving. I honestly just didn't know if I could see him in a professional capacity anymore the way that he was trying to be friends with me. I'm glad he listened, but I never expected him to be friends with me. I knew that I needed to talk to someone who understood, so I was meeting them for coffee in an hour.
I got of the train near Times Square and found the diner. I walked in and couldn't miss him sitting in the back booth with a pot waiting on us. I slid into the booth and he pushed a full mug towards me.
"How have you been?" I asked him as I put the warm mug between my hands. I hated that it always took so long to warm up in New York.
"I am readjusting to this new life... well just the years that I missed." he said and I smirked. Nick was gone with the snap, and now he was back. He was still working with different organizations, but nothing like he was when we were all in SHIELD. I knew that there would never been anything like it again. I wanted to say that I missed those days. I missed all of it, but in truth these days were better for us.
"How are you?" he asked me in return and I chuckled.
"Bucky was assigned to me for his therapy." I said and he chuckled as he shook his head.
"How is that going for you?" he asked me and I sighed.
"I have already yelled at him that he doesn't want to help himself and that Steve isn't coming back." I admitted as I thought back about Steve. I missed working with him, Nat, Tony, and all of them. Nat and Steve had taught me so much. Nat helped me keep my skills up, and Steve taught me that killing someone doesn't always solve the problem. He also taught me that people deserve second chances. I felt a wave of sadness wash over me as I stared into the dark liquid in my mug.
"I miss them too. They frustrated the crap out of me, but I loved you guys." he admitted with a small chuckle.
"Yeah, and now I'm stuck with him." I mumbled and he chuckled. We all admitted that we didn't like Steve's decision about Bucky. He had changed when he came back from Wakanda, but some of us remember the days before he was on our side.
"Has he changed?" Nick asked me and I sighed.
"I think he's trying, but I'm the problem." I admitted and he looked at me surprisingly.
"I told him to make friends and now he's attached himself to me... or he's trying." I said and Nick nodded.
"He still talks to Sam?" he asked me and I nodded.
"They were doing recon today for something." I said and he looked surprised as he sipped some of his coffee.
"So then what's your problem with it?" he asked me and I shook my head because I felt awful to admit it.
"I... haven't forgiven him yet, and I don't know if I can. I have been telling him how to move on, but I'm stuck here... and I don't know if I can move past that. I remember the day like it was yesterday." I admitted to Nick and he put his hand over mine. I glanced up at him with tears threatening to fall.
"Do you know if he remembers that day?" he asked me and I shook my head no.
"You have every right to feel that way, but as a professional you need to change him to someone else." he said and I nodded. I knew that he was right.
"I know. I just haven't yet because I was holding out hope that I could move on." I admitted and he nodded.
"I know that we all questioned Steve's decision, but in the end he was helpful. We all have our reasons for disliking him, or even hating him... but, maybe as a last friendship thing for Steve we should try again." he said and I nodded. I knew that it made sense, but I wasn't sure if I was a strong enough person. Nick and I talked awhile before he had to be somewhere. I was glad to see him because it made me feel like I still had a part of the friendships I used to have, and missed out on at times.
I was taking the train back and had already told Chelsea that I didn't feel much like doing anything tonight. I was just getting off the train when my phone buzzed. I looked down to see if Chelsea was begging me to reconsider, but instead it was from Bucky.
Dinner tonight?" ~ Bucky
I sighed and hesitated before answering... maybe Nick was right. We needed to do this one last thing for Steve. I was the one that had given Bucky the advice, and he was listening... maybe I needed to see whatever Steve saw.
Sure. I answered back and a few minutes later I got an address texted to me. I saw that it wasn't far from where I was at currently. I hoped back on the train towards Manhattan. I found the address and found myself looking at an old deli called Fine & Schapiro. I saw Bucky waiting outside for me and I walked over to him.
"How did you find this place?" I asked him as he gave a small smile when he saw me.
"I... um... used to come here as a kid. It opened when we were little, and Steve's Mom used to bring us." he said and I nodded. I was surprised he had remember it, and found it again.
"What's good here?" I asked him.
"The pastrami, and the sandwiches are huge. I thought we could get one to split and then take it back to my place." he said and seemed almost shy about suggesting it.
"Yeah, sounds like a good idea." I said and he nodded. We went in and he seemed to be transported back in time as he looked around. I wondered if it looked at all like it did when he was younger. We got the sandwich, he insisted on paying, and we headed back to his apartment. We were getting off the train when we came to our stop, and a man pushed me over to get buy. I fell in a pillar as I caught myself and felt the concrete scrape my palms. I hissed at the feeling. He didn't get far before Bucky hauled him back to me as I was getting up off the pavement.
"I believe you own this woman an apology for pushing her out of the way." he said and I was about to tell Bucky to let it go when he man swung at Bucky. I knew that this was going to not go well. I was surprised when Bucky headbutted the guy, and he hit the ground. I was shocked that Bucky had ended the fight so quickly.
"Are you alright?" Bucky asked me as I looked at me shredded palms. I wasn't really sure what to say because I had just been surprised by the one guy and to see Bucky fight that quickly to stand up for me. I was surprised.
"Come on, I will take you to your house." he said and I nodded as he put his arm around me to guide me the rest of the way to my house. I unlocked the door and we walked inside. He sat the food down on the table and turned on the light. He made a face when he saw me.
"I didn't realize you hit your head." he whispered, and I didn't either. I touched my forehead and winced at the pain. I looked at my hand to see some blood. He guided me to the bathroom and sat me on the sink. He grabbed a washcloth, wet it, and carefully wiped my forehead. I hissed at the contact and he gave me a small smirk.
"Do you have a first aid kit?" he asked me and I nodded.
"I have everything you need, and it's in that cabinet." I said and he nodded.
"You don't have to." I said and he smirked. He didn't say anything word as he carefully put hydrogen peroxide on my hands, my forehead, and checked my knee that I had hit. I already had a little swelling on my forehead and knee. I looked up to see him watching me, and for the first time I saw how blue his eyes really were, and I was surprised. I quickly looked back down.
"I know what will help." he said and I looked at him expectantly. I was thinking he would say rest, ice pack, or something like that.
"Pastrami." he said and I couldn't help but chuckle.
"Do you mind if I change first?" I asked him and he shook his head no. I got down and started to walk, but my knee had other ideas. Bucky caught my before I hit the ground.
"Thank you." I said and he nodded.
"Back when I was younger I would have just asked you where the bedroom was when we hit the front door, but now... where is your bedroom?" he asked me and I couldn't help but laugh. He gave me a smile, and I saw that he actually looked relaxed right now. He didn't look like he was having a internal battle or like he wanted to rip something to shreds. I pointed and to my surprise he picked me up. He carried me in there and helped me find clothes. He was respectful and waited for me to change before helping me into the living room. He deposited me on the couch before grabbed the sandwich and drinks for us. I hated to admit it but maybe Steve had been right about him.
We settled on watching Little Mermaid when he asked me what I could watch to help me feel better. I wasn't even sure what kind of movies he liked or if he really watched them. I took a bite and he was looking at me.
"Wow, this is great." I said and he chuckled.
"It's as good as I remember." he said and we settled into a nice silence with small conversation. I looked over later to see Bucky looking very tired, and then saw that it was close to 2 am. I could hear the rain coming down on the roof and knew that it would be a messy walk home. We had watched Toy Story after that, and he didn't totally understand the talking toy thing or why toys looked so funny now.
"Just stay here tonight." I said and he shook his head no.
"No, I can go back. I don't sleep much anyways." he said and I nodded.
"Offer stands... in case I need a nurse in the middle of the night." I joked and he smirked.
"You twisted my arm." he joked and I nodded.
"I have a guest room." I said and he nodded as I stood up. He stood up with me, and helped me to my bedroom.
"I will probably just sit up and watched TV in case you need me." he said and I sighed.
"Bucky, you need sleep." I said and he shrugged.
"Nightmares?" I asked him and he nodded. I noticed he looked tense at the mention of sleep and nightmares.
"Here, sleep in here." I said and he looked at me surprised.
"I could hurt you." he said and I chuckled.
"I'm already hurt... maybe having someone near you will help calm you." I said and he nodded. I knew that with patients who had nightmares recommending a body pillow, a stuffed animal, or an emotional support animal was often helpful. I knew that I couldn't convinced Butterfinger to sleep on the bed with him since he had been sitting atop his car tree glaring at him all night. He looked very conflicted.
"Bucky." I said and he looked at me with my stern tone being probably a little surprising.
"Lay down." I said and he chuckled, but finally nodded. He slipped his shoes off, and laid down beside me. I turned off the light, and laid down. He rolled over on his side and I felt him laying very still as if I would forget he was there. I put a hand on his back and rubbed his back. My palm was painful, but I felt him relax so that was helpful to him. I fell asleep to the sound of him snoring lightly.
A/N: Please review and let me know what you think.