Part one

Leaving...

Standing in the lounge of her now soon to be former home, Brogan Barnes stared blankly almost trance like into the eerie stillness and silence enveloping her. After much soul searching and long discussions into the night with Steve, Brogan soon came to the conclusion that the time was right for herself and her family to finally leave Wakanda. Yes, it broke her heart leaving the one place that had given her so many wonderful happy memories with her beloved Bucky but deep down she realised that he wasn't coming back. The world had changed forever now and with the current rebuild of Wakanda still ongoing, it was now time to join Steve back in America, not just for her own sake but for that of her children too...

Today was now the day. Cardboard boxes scrawled with the family name had already loaded up onto the jet. Leaving the once happy farmhouse nothing more now than an empty shell. The walls bare, devoid of the usual happy smiling photographs from happier times they all once shared as a family before Bucky's devastating passing. The brick walls of the farmhouse had always been Brogan's little own cocoon for her family, providing them all with a sanctuary they all needed and for them to all be together. Yet here she was now saying another painful goodbye.

Letting out a deep sigh, Brogan closed her eyes and slowly ran her hand over the couch infront of the now cold fireplace. Instantly she felt the warmth of the sun outside bursting through the windows. Pulling Bucky's scarf, that even now she still wore, just that little bit more tighter over her shoulders and couldn't help but smile as her mind soon filled with images of the the two of them curled up together as they stared into the roaring mass of flames infront of them. Leaving the home they shared was never going to easy but deep down it was the right thing to do and all those memories and emotions would be with her always.

Reaching into her pocket, Brogan pulled out a small photograph of her and Bucky that had never left her side since he was taken from her. It was taken from a picnic to celebrate her birthday. Both were leaning against a tree with Brogan resting her head on his chest as Bucky was kissing her forehead as his arms were locked protectively around her. Straight away you could feel that instant connection and love between them both. This was why it was so hard to leave the home that shared. This had been their home and leaving was filling her heart with so much pain, guilt and overwhelming sadness. Yet Brogan knew that connection and love she had for him would never leave her even though they were being heartbreakingly separated like this. All she had to do was reach out into her heart and there Bucky Barnes would be, ready to take her in his arms and shower her with love and devotion just as he always did. It didn't matter where she lived now, her love for Bucky Barnes would never die...

"So that's the last of the boxes on board. Nat is strapping the kids in the jet so we're all ready when you are Brogan. Listen you're doing the right thing " said Steve. Brogan could feel him slip his arm round her shoulder tenderly as it broke her from her trance "Bucky will understand you doing this trust me"

"I know, you're right. I just hope that wherever he is he knows that I won't love him no less leaving our home like this" she forced out a smile "He'll always be a huge part of my life, regardless of where I am"

"listen to me, there is no stronger glue in the universe than true love Brogan. I've always seen it in your heart and know its truly special what you have with Bucky" Steve couldn't help but think back to his forced separation with Peggy Carter "This separation between you both will only be temporary I promise you. Love like you guys had will never be apart for long. Together in this life or the next I'm sure. I know you think you are abandoning him , giving up on him by leaving Wakanda like this but He'd want you to live for now...he's always with you brogan"

Brogan turned to hug him, pulling him close before it all became too much and she began sobbing heavily onto his chest

"you're right Steve. I just don't know how I'm going to cope without him now" she sobbed, clinging onto his waist "How am I going to carry on knowing now that I'll never see him again? "

"You can do this. Besides i will be with you always. Just as I first promised Bucky I would that day back in Bucharest" softly he kissed the top of her head and continued to hold her in his arms "I'll keep you all safe...always...but...its time to go now Brogan...you can do this... I believe in you"

"I know... Thank you"

Forcing out a smile, Steve released her from his arms and took her tiny trembling hand in his. With tears streaming down her face, her heart began to race as she knew now this was it. Clutching his hand, Brogan took one last deep breath and began to amble her way to the door. Before grabbing the handle, she took one last look back at her now former home wishing still that the year since losing her beloved Bucky had been nothing more than a dream. But it wasn't. It was reality and reality can hurt so much more than our dreams..

Once everyone was on board the quinjet, Steve gave the signal to Natasha in the cockpit to leave. Steve watched on as Brogan said nothing but gazed aimlessly out the window. Her eyes locked on the farmhouse below and weeping silently as it slowly vanished from view. He looked sadly at the floor as Brogan kissed her fingertips, pressed her hand to the glass and mouthed a silent goodbye

"Its going to be OK Brogan" cried Steve, kneeling at her feet. Rebecca soon fled her seat and sat on her mother's lap, snuggling close. Reaching foward Steve cupped the youngsters face before giving Brogan's hand a reassuring squeeze "Im never leaving you guys. I'll get Bucky and everyone else back somehow...whatever it takes"