"Alex, do you have a minute?" Christina Raynor called as Alex was walking by outside their office building on her way to grab lunch.

Alex paused; it was unusual for the other woman to speak to her. However, the conversations had become more frequent since Alex had begun working with Bucky and she was immediately wary. Despite concerns regarding Raynor's underlying intentions, Alex decided it was prudent to stop and chat. "Sure," she said with a forced smile.

"How is James doing?"

"He's fine. Why?"

"I'm very concerned that he may be close to a break. John Walker mentioned he lashed out last week," Christina Raynor shared with an expression that expressed more disapproval than concern.

"You're taking the word of someone who beat a man to death – in full view of others – to comment on Sargeant Barnes' state of mind?"

"He hit a scientist at the lab who I understand is your ex-husband."

"Knowing Ryan, he most likely deserved it," Alex shared with a small smile. "James is fine."

"You can't be sure he won't hit someone else for no reason."

"Christina, we talk weekly. I am quite sure he isn't going to hurt anyone."

"Have you checked his phone? Is James trying to integrate himself into the world?" Dr. Raynor asked.

"He's a grown adult who is not a harm to himself or anyone else. I'm not checking his phone," Alex said sharply. "I'm also pretty sure James can manage how own social calendar."

Christina Raynor's eyes grew wide at Alex's protest. The older woman attempted to convince her that she should be looking at his phone occasionally. This way, she could make sure Bucky was doing the work. Alex explained that she trusted him to do the work he needed and that she didn't think she needed to interfere in his social life.

"Is there anything else?" Alex asked ending the conversation. She was grateful when Dr. Raynor shook her head and turned to enter the building.

The interchange between Alex and Raynor was observed with interest by Bucky. He was on his way to meet with Fury and Sam and had stopped when he saw Alex heading his way. Before he could think of something to say to her besides hello, Raynor had called out and gotten Alex's attention.

Now finished with Raynor, Alex resumed her plan to run and get something for lunch and headed off walking. As she gave quick glance over her shoulder back at the office doors, she bumped into someone. Alex' head turned and she found herself looking up at Bucky's face. An apology tumbled out of her mouth and he shook his head while telling her it wasn't necessary.

"You want to talk about it? I know this therapist who insists it's very helpful," he said. Alex quickly declined ignoring his jab for the moment. She asked what he was doing in the area. Bucky told her that he was on his way to a meeting and shared with a smile that John Walker wouldn't be there.

"Did this therapist tell you anything else useful?" Alex inquired with an innocent smile. Her frustration with Raynor was rapidly forgotten now that she was talking to him.

"Don't remember," he teased.

"I heard forgetting things can happen at your age. Guess it's true."

His eyes grew wide and he was dumbfounded for a bit. "Wow... that's low."

"It was good," Alex countered her eyes sparkling. "Have a good meeting."

Bucky watched her walk away. The look of astonishment had been replaced with a smile that slowly spread across his countenance. He turned and strolled into the office building.

The meeting with Fury was over almost as soon as it started. The former S.H.I.E.L.D. director wanted to leave the building as soon as possible. He did however put Sam and Bucky on notice that they were going to be flying out later that evening and visiting the lab the next morning. Fury also informed them that Walker was probably already there since he had not been seen since the night before and hadn't returned any messages. When Sam asked if Fury had consulted with anyone else, he was told that no one was sharing any information.

Their orders were to speak with Ryan Sciple again. The three men agreed that the scientist knew more than he had told them, especially when it came to Walker.

"If he doesn't want to talk about the serum, fine. Get him to talk about Walker and what he's been doing there," Fury ordered.

"If, on the off chance, Sciple asks about Alex, you do not know where she is, what she is doing, or who she is working with. We know her files were accessed from there and that's all they're going to get," Fury said in closing. "Do I make myself clear?" Fury asked with a pointed look at Bucky.

"If you were worried, you shouldn't have told Dr. Raynor that Alex was her replacement... or sent Alex to the lab," Bucky stated.

He and Fury stared at each other in silence as Sam looked around anxiously. Nothing was said and neither flinched. A short time later, an unspoken agreement seemed to have been reached. Bucky put his hands on the table, stood up and asked if there was anything else. Fury shook his head, a small wry smile appeared on his face. Bucky then announced that Sam could take the lead speaking with Sciple.

Once in the hallway and away from Fury, Sam confronted Bucky. "I can take the lead? What the…?"

"I hit him. Do you really think he's gonna talk to me? Besides, I'm the staring guy," Bucky replied as they walked down the hall.

As they passed the room where he and Alex usually met, Bucky slowed. He looked at the door and thought about stopping in to see if Alex was there. Sam paused as well and asked if he needed to get something. Figuring Alex was still out, Bucky reconsidered and the pair left the building.

Inside the office, Alex sat tucked into a corner of the couch. She looked out the window as she took a bite of her sandwich she brought back. Her mind drifted back to the earlier encounter with Bucky. She smiled and wondered how the meeting with Fury was going.

On this night, it was Alex who awoke with a start. She looked at the clock on the nightstand. It was two in the morning; all was quiet and her recurring nightmare had returned after a long absence. The dream had started after everyone had disappeared after Thanos' Snap. It always began normally enough and generally consisted of her coming home to Olivia and the two of them going about things as usual. Then suddenly, Alex would hear Olivia cry out and watch as the child turned to dust.

This time it had been a little different. This time, she and Olivia were at the office when Bucky burst through the door. He yelled to them to stay behind him. Alex pulled Olivia towards her and remained where she was as Ryan Sciple entered the room. Sciple angrily told Bucky to get out of his way and then ordered Alex to give him Olivia. Alex wrapped her arms tighter around the child and took a step backwards. Bucky held Sciple back doing his best not to injure the other man with his super strength.

As the two men struggled, Alex watched as Bucky slowly began to disintegrate. She called his name in vain and looked down at Olivia. The girl disappeared after managing to cry out for her mother. With tears in her eyes, Alex looked up at Ryan Sciple. "You're not supposed to be here," she said to her ex-husband.

With the nightmare fresh in her mind, Alex checked her phone and found no new messages or missed calls. She thought of sending Bucky a text but immediately dismissed the idea as silly. As she had done so many times in the past, she went to check on Olivia. Alex slipped into the girl's room and found her sound asleep. In the dim room, she watched the child breathe slowly in and out for a few minutes to assure herself that all was well. Alex grabbed the extra blanket that was strewn across the bottom of the bed. And as she had done so many times in the past, she covered herself and curled up on the floor inches away from her daughter.