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Bucky POV

"How's she doing?"

Steve's question shook me out of my thoughts. I had been watching Eden carefully for the last 20 minutes as the detective questioned her on what happened in the store. When the man had approached us earlier asking to speak with Eden alone, I had watched her eyes go wide and my protective instincts had immediately kicked into gear. She may not have wanted me to comfort her right now but I'd be damned if I was going to leave her side. Seeing that unease in her eyes had made me insist on being present during the questioning but the detective had flat out refused. The seasoned officer hadn't even flinched at the glare I threw his way. I had been about to argue him down but Steve had stepped in and led me away. The police force had been accommodating enough as it was and he didn't want me pushing it.

The look on Eden's face as I was dragged away made my heart nearly stop. She looked so lost...so unlike her normal cheerful self. I didn't know exactly what had happened tonight in that liquor store to Eden. There was something missing from her eyes and it had been replaced with something much darker than what had been there before. I wasn't going to let what happened tonight change or taint her in any way. I was going to do for Eden what she and Steve had been doing for me for months...I was going to help her heal from this.

I was standing next to a police car waiting for the detective to finish up with her, waiting rather impatiently. I wanted to get her home and cleaned up. Seeing her normally soft, pale skin covered in blood was unsettling. She had been absentmindedly brushing her hair from her face and didn't realize it was now streaked with dried blood. I didn't want to upset her even more by pointing it out. Her clothes were also soaked through and I knew it couldn't be comfortable for her standing there covered in someone else's blood. Steve had already asked and was told that as soon as she was done giving her statement she would be allowed to leave. She kept casting worried glances in my direction every once in a while and I kept shooting her what I hoped was a reassuring smile.

Just a few more minutes baby and then I'll take you home, I promise!

I tore my eyes off of Eden and looked over at Steve, shaking my head, "Holding it together...for now at least. She's hardly said a word to me since it happened...doesn't want me to touch her either. She keeps saying she doesn't want to fall apart"

I turned back to look at her again and watched as she nervously tucked a strand of hair behind her ear again. I grimaced when I saw the normally blonde strands were tinged red. I secretly hoped I could manage to get her into the bathroom to shower before she saw the blood covering her face. I knew it would only disturb her even more.

Steve patted me on the shoulder, "Eden is going to be fine Bucky. She's one of the strongest women I've ever met. Be patient with her...when she finally falls apart you'll be there for her, just like she has been for you"

I gave him a sideways glance and a small smile before looking back at Eden. She had stopped looking at the detective and was finally taking in her appearance. I saw her place her fingers over the blood soaked shirt she wore. Her eyes widened slightly but the detective said something to her and she shook her head before looking back up at him and placing her hands firmly back at her side.

"How's Brooke?" I asked, not taking my eyes off of Eden. Steve had told me that before he had run out of our apartment, he had demanded Brooke stay there. He didn't want her at the liquor store in case something happened, knowing she would never forgive herself if Eden got hurt.

Steve sighed deeply, "Feeling guilty"

"Not her fault" I said, shaking my head, "Don't let her do that to herself"

He stepped closer to me and lowered his voice, "Might help if she heard it from you. She thinks you're going to be angry with her" He glanced over at Eden, "...and she's scared to death of Eden hating her"

I turned to him and I know he saw the surprise in my eyes. I was angry at what had happened but not once had it ever crossed my mind to blame Brooke. The only person I blamed was the asshole they had carted off in the ambulance a few moments earlier, his wrists handcuffed to the gurney. If I could have gotten 5 minutes alone with him it would have made everything better. He's lucky I didn't stomp over there and kill him the moment I entered the store. My worry for Eden had been the only deterrent from me doing just that.

"I'm not angry with her..." I said, shaking my head at Steve before nodding in Eden's direction, "...and Eden's doesn't generally hate anyone, least of all Brooke"

Steve gave me a relieved smile and a pat on the back before nodding his head in Eden's direction, "Looks like he's finishing up with her. I'm going to see if someone can take us back to the apartment"

I jerked my head in the opposite direction to see the detective pass Eden a card and say a few last words to her before stepping away. Eden was still staring down at the business card when I came to stand beside her. She jumped when I laid my hand on her shoulder and jerked away in surprise. She relaxed slightly when she realized it was me who had touched her but I could still see her body still tensed, still on edge. When I reached out for her again, she took another step back and held her hands up to stop me, her lips pursed tightly together in a frown and her head shaking back and forth.

I couldn't deny that it didn't hurt my feelings a bit, knowing that she didn't want my comfort or my touch.

"Sorry" I mumbled, suddenly unsure of what to do. I let my hands rest back at my side and I looked around for Steve, hoping he had found us a ride. I was ready to get her back to the apartment, to some safe zone for her where she might finally relax and let me help her.

I was craning my neck in search of Steve when I heard her sigh deeply and finally speak.

"I'm sorry Bucky. It's not you" she said quietly, her head down as she stared at her hands. I watched as she flipped them over, examining the blood coating her delicate fingers.

"Buck" I heard my name being called.

I glanced to my right and saw Steve waving at me, motioning to the police car he was standing next to. I glanced back down at Eden and saw her looking in Steve's direction as well.

"Come on, let's go home" I said softly.

She peered up at me and nodded her head slowly. Unconsciously, I reached out to her again, placing my hand on the small of her back to lead her to the car. She visibly flinched at my touch and I was once again feeling that sting of hurt. I wanted to comfort her but it was more than that, I needed to touch her. There was no denying that Eden had been through something terrible tonight but, in a way, I felt like I had been through something just as terrible. Those feelings I had experienced...knowing she was in danger...seeing her eyes close as that gun was pointed at her...It was almost too much for me and I desperately needed the same thing from Eden that I was now trying to offer her, comfort.

I started to pull my hand away from her but I suddenly felt her lean back, pressing herself into my swiftly retreating hand. I stopped pulling away put didn't make any further movements, not wanting to push her. I looked down to see her staring up at me as she nibbled on her bottom lip. She gave me a slight nod and I took it as a good sign. I pressed my hand more firmly against her back and guided her forward, heading in the direction of Steve and the police car that was going to drive us home.

Steve sat up front chatting with the young cop while Eden and I sat in back of the car. I watched her as she leaned her head against the window, staring out into the cold night with a vacant look in her eyes. The ride to the apartment was short and even after the car had stopped in front of our building, Eden didn't make a move.

Steve got out of the front at the same time I exited out of my door. The police officer had also stepped out and was reaching to open Eden's door for her but I called out for him to stop. He looked up at me in confusion but made no further move to the door. He watched as I quickly made my way around the car to come stand next to him.

"I got her" I said firmly.

He looked through the backseat window and saw the blank expression on Eden's face and a look of understanding appeared in his eyes. He gave me a curt nod and stepped back so I could open the door for her.

My sudden appearance in front of her snapped her out of her daze and she looked up at me with tired eyes.

"We're home" I told her softly, reaching out to grab her arm and help her from the backseat. She let me offer my assistance and we slowly followed Steve up the stairs and to the door of the apartment. I felt a little better as she leaned her body against mine. The moment we opened the door, Brooke bolted from the couch and rushed towards us. Eden had lowered her head and was staring at the floor so she didn't see Steve reach his hands out to Brooke in a motion to stop. Brooke slowed down and cast Steve and I both confused glances before focusing her attention back on Eden. I could see her eyes were swollen from crying and she was shaking slightly, obviously upset.

"Eden, I'm so..." she began, reaching her hands out. Eden looked up and raised one hand to stop her best friend's apology before she could even begin, "Don't even think about it Brooke. I don't want to hear not one word of an apology...there's no need. It wasn't your fault. I'm fine" she said, glancing around at me and Steve and then back to Brooke, "...really, I'm okay"

Brooke nodded her head, wiping a stray tear from her cheek and stepping closer to Steve to lay her head on his shoulder. Brooke didn't look so convinced and when her eyes finally landed on me, I could see the guilt still there, stewing behind her green eyes.

Eden took a deep breath and I saw a small and very forced smile appear on her face, "If you guys don't mind, I think I'm going to take a shower and get cleaned up"

She didn't wait for a reply before stepping away from me. The three of us watched in silence as she made her way down the hallway and into our bedroom. The moment the door clicked shut Brooke stepped away from Steve to look between the two of us, shaking her head.

Before she could say a word, Steve spoke up, "She just needs some time Brooke. I told you already, she doesn't hate you...right Bucky?" he asked, throwing me a pleading look. I knew what he was hinting at...Brooke felt guilty because she was the one who asked Eden to stop by the liquor store. I looked down at the red head to see her peering up at me nervously.

Steve was right...she thinks I'm going to be angry with her over what happened.

I gave Steve a look and nodded to the kitchen, hoping he understood that I wanted to talk to Brooke alone. He got the drift and stepped away to give us some privacy. Brooke looked downright fearful when she saw him leave the room and I immediately wondered if this was the first time I had ever given her the impression that I didn't like her.

She tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear and I smiled, realizing that her and Eden shared the same nervous habits...probably from years of being around each other. She had her eyes glued to the floor and kept shifting her weight from one foot to the other. We stood there in silence for a few seconds and I watched her curiously as she grew more and more uncomfortable.

I finally reached out and laid one hand on her shoulder, "He's right you know. Eden doesn't hate you..." I said softly, "...nobody does" I added, giving her a small smile when she finally raised her face to look at me.

A single tear slipped down her cheek, "You're not mad at me? I'm the one who asked her to stop...she wouldn't have been there...if I hadn't..." she stopped talking as she choked up.

I pulled her in for a hug as she started breaking down and patted her on the back gently to calm her. As I stood there soothing her I had to wonder when I had become the one that people looked to for comfort.

I'm the Winter Soldier. I'm the most dangerous mother fucker in the room. Right?

A few months ago, people were scared shitless of me and avoided me at all cost...and in a way, I was okay with that. I never felt like I deserved anything different anyway. When did that all change? When did I become the man who was now completely okay with hugging someone to make them feel better?

Does this make me weak?

No, it makes you better!

As Brooke tried to stop crying, I kept having this internal debate in my head...a constant diatribe between Bucky Barnes and the Winter Soldier. The Bucky half of me wanted to get back to life before the war started while simultaneously being scared to death of letting go of the past 70 years. Bucky Barnes knew that even though I had been turned into this lethal assassin, I was still at the top of my game, full of power...and he didn't necessarily want to let that power go. The other half, the Winter Soldier half, seemed to have come to the conclusion that all of this...the emotions, the relationships, the new feelings...were all okay and only made me stronger, made me better. In the end, it was the "scary mother fucker" part of me that seemed to be more willing to join sides and become even stronger.

I finally snapped out of my thoughts, "I thought Donovan women didn't cry" I said jokingly, finally pulling away from her and hoping to see a smile.

She let out a chuckle and wiped the last few tears from her cheeks in obvious embarrassment. I knew Brooke wasn't one to usually break down...another trait I admired about her and saw reflected in Eden.

I laid my hand on her shoulder again, "I'm not angry at you Brooke. None of this is your fault. Okay?"

She let out a shaky breath and nodded her head, "Okay"

"Hands off my girl Barnes" I heard Steve say as he entered the room.

I let my hand fall from Brooke's shoulder and stepped away, raising both hands in surrender and laughing at him. I knew he was trying to lighten up the mood and it worked, Brooke was now chuckling and playfully swatted his arm as he came to stand next to her, throwing his arm around her possessively.

He looked down at Brooke, "I think we should head home and let Bucky take care of Eden"

She looked up at me and then back at him before nodding her head. I threw him a grateful look. I didn't want to kick them out, especially Brooke since she was obviously feeling guilty, but I really needed to be alone with Eden. I knew she would feel like she had to put a show on for their sakes and I hoped once they were gone she would be comfortable enough to finally let go and fall apart.

I walked the two of them to the door, assuring them both that I would keep them updated. Before leaving, Steve let me know that one of the detectives had said Eden asked them to keep her updated on the conditions of the two men who had been shot in the robbery. Steve had gotten the number of the detective and while me and Brooke had been talking, he called for a quick update. He said the cashier, Phil, was surprisingly expected to make a full recovery. It was Sam, the middle aged man that Eden had been so insistent on not leaving, that was not doing so well. We shared a look between us and I knew he was thinking the same thing I was. If that man died, Eden would be crushed.

As soon as the front door closed, I laid my head against it and took a deep breath. I finally pushed myself away from the door and made my way into the bedroom to check on Eden. She had been in there for a good 30 minutes and I knew she should be about done with her shower by now.

I could still hear the water running so I didn't bother knocking. It wasn't locked, so I gently opened the door and made my way inside. I frowned at seeing her bloody clothes in a heaping pile on the floor. I picked them up quickly and made my way out of the bathroom to throw them in the trash. There was no point in trying to salvage them and I didn't want to further upset her. I made my way back into the bathroom again and the shower was still going.

"Eden? You okay?" I called out.

Silence. I called her name again but still she didn't respond. I stepped up to the shower and rapped my knuckles on the glass door. I stood there for a moment debating on what to do and finally just opened the door.

The first thing I realized was that the water shooting from the shower head was ice cold. The water was spraying down relentlessly onto Eden's body and causing her to shiver. She was sitting on the tiled floor of the shower with her knees drawn up to her chest, arms wrapped around her legs while the freezing water beat down on her. Her head was resting lightly on her knees and I could see her eyes were closed.

"Eden?" I said in shock. She still remained silent.

I stared for only a moment before jumping into action, reaching over to the knobs and turning off the water. I reached behind me to grab the towel off the rack and bent down to pull her up. She let me lift her and wrap the towel around her shaking body. I grabbed her face to make her look at me and she finally seemed to snap out of it.

"I'm okay" she said softly.

It was obvious she wasn't and I shook my head at her sadly, "No baby, no you aren't. Come on, I need you to talk to me. Tell me what to do...tell me what I can do"

She stood there staring at me before shaking her head, "Nothing"

I finally reached out and ran my fingers down her cheek...she didn't flinch away this time and actually seemed to lean into my touch. I took it as a good sign at least that she was no longer forbidding me from touching her.

She was quiet as she got dressed into her night clothes. I sat on the bed and watched her...waiting for her to make the next move. I was completely clueless on what to do. My first instinct was to just hold her...lay in that bed and wrap her up tightly, but I still wasn't sure if that was the right thing to do.

Once she was dressed, she came and sat down next to me in the bed and for the first time, in a very long time, I was nervous about how to act around her. It was Eden, that finally reached out and took my hand her in her small one, intertwining our fingers together. I let out a sigh of relief and looked over at her, noticing that she was staring down at our joined hands. I slipped to the floor on my knees in front of her, and used my other hand to lift her face.

"We're going to have to talk about what happened..."

She started to protest but I shook my head to silence her, "...it doesn't have to be tonight Eden but we WILL talk about it...YOU need to talk about it. Ok?"

She nodded her head, "Ok...later, I promise. Can we just go to bed now? Please?"

I was happily willing to oblige her. Honestly, I hadn't slept at all the night before. Even after she called me at 4 in the morning to tell me that she had arrived back at Jill's house, I still laid in bed and stewed angrily over the bar fight I had overheard on the phone. It seemed like that had happened so long ago, when it actuality, it had just occurred last night. Now that I thought about it, I hadn't slept but maybe a few hours the entire weekend since she had been gone.

I made my way around the apartment, turning off lights and making sure the door was locked before heading back to the bedroom. She had the lights off except for the lamp on my side of the bed. She was already under the covers with her back towards me. I watched her for a moment before making my way into the bathroom to wash up before bed. When I made my way to my side of the bed, I could see she wasn't sleeping. She was simply lying there on her side, her eyes wide open and waiting for me.

I pulled back the covers and slipped in beside her wordlessly. I looked over at her questioningly and raised my arm as an invitation to snuggle up to me. I felt a deep sense of relief when she scooted closer and laid her head on my chest. I let my arm lower and wrap tightly around her body. I reached over with my free hand and turned off the bedside lamp before settling comfortably with her.

There were so many things I wanted to tell her...so many words I needed to say. I was scared that if I started talking, I might never stop. I wanted to comfort her and tell her everything was going to be okay...I had been through worse things and look at me, I'm still here. As I laid there and tried to think of something to say, some reassurance to give her, she rested in my arms, tracing small shapes on my bare chest with her fingers.

I only want to see my girl smile again.

I finally gave up and decided there was only one thing she needed to know at this moment...one fact that would always stand the test of time.

"Eden?"

She looked up at me with weary eyes and a heavy heart, "Yes?"

"I love you"

For some reason that worked. It didn't bring back that twinkle into her eye completely but it did bring a smile to her face...a genuine one.

She was the one to initiate the kiss...one so soft and sweet that I kept my eyes closed when it was over, savoring the memory of it.

"Bucky?" she asked softly.

I opened my eyes and looked down at her.

"I love you too" she said before lying her head back down on my chest.

She's going to be okay. Everything is going to be okay!