Part Four

A fresh start could often be seen as the weirdest of thing at times. It was almost as if everything that happened prior to this moment in time was a prequel to what was set to come next. Feeling like that one book was closing on that part of your life and a new one was excitedly going to open, appearing one word at a time on the blank page and bringing a sense of calmness that the first volume never possessed. For Brogan and her children, the move into her own place was the first big step in creating their own fresh start for her and her family.

The house may of been fairly small in size but this suited Brogan Barnes down to the ground after everything she had been through now. She quite liked the isolation of being in the middle of nowhere with the closest town a good twenty minutes drive away. It was infact Steve that came across the house in a newspaper as they sat over breakfast one morning back at avengers HQ several weeks ago. What he didn't tell Brogan was that the house was practically identical to the one that Bucky lived in when they were neighbours growing up together back in Brooklyn all those years ago. As soon as he saw it advertised he hastily arranged a viewing with Brogan and once she saw it on warm Sunday afternoon, she fell instantly in love with the place and knew it was what she'd wanted. What she loved most was that the house came with as small vegetable patch (one that she could already see James taking care of), a barn and was surrounded by several acres of land. About a five minute walk away was a beautiful creek complete with a tiny rocky waterfall. When she and Steve were shown it, Brogan was immediately blown away and instantly began making plans to make it her safe Haven when she needed some alone time. A place where she could sit, reflect and bask in the beauty of her surroundings. She'd been neglecting her art since Bucky's passing and immersing herself in the wonder of the gardens definitely reignited something deep within, allowing her to get in touch with her creative side once more...

With Steve placing the last of the boxes inside, Brogan sat on the front porch smiling as she caught sight of Rebecca and James at play. Rebecca had found some rope and with her big brothers help, managed to attach it to the huge oak tree that stood proudly next to the barn. Rebecca was clinging tight, giggling innocently as James used all the strength he had to push her higher and higher. Watching her beloved children having fun, Brogan smiled letting the joy in their faces soak right into her soul and envelope her core. It truly was such a wonderful feeling seeing how happy they was and seeing them laugh once again. She closed her eyes, savouring the moment before bringing both her hands over her heart. It was at that moment she knew she had made the right decision in coming back home to America with Steve. Yes, Bucky may not have been physically with them all but he lived on in the laughter and smiles of their children. Right now true happiness was seeing her babies laugh and smile once again...just as they once did when Bucky was with them all

"look at the pair of them!" laughed Steve, sitting next to Brogan on the step and scooting close "I truly think the three of you are going to be so happy here Brogan" he couldn't help but laugh as the children had now traded places, with Rebecca pushing James and leaving the boy hanging on for dear life "Great to see them smiling again. What about you Brogan? You just as happy as them to be here?"

"You know what Steve...hand on heart I am" greeting him with a warm smile, she rest her head on his arm as Steve reached for her hand "and its all thanks to you. I couldn't have got through any of this without having you by my side"

"Brogan...there's something I need to tell you.. "

"Right now I know exactly how Bucky felt having such an incredible friend as you " blissfully unaware of his frustrations Brogan continued "the kids and I owe you everything Steve...you truly are a wonderful man"

"Brogan please... Just listen to me...I need to talk to you"

" What? What is it?" Steve stared at her while remaining silent. Letting out a deep heartbroken sigh to the floor before looking back up at her. His eyes still full of loss for his best friend and almost piercing her soul in the process. Instantly Brogan knew whatever was wrong it was serious "Steve you're scaring me now... What is it?"

"The decimation changed the world forever. Loved ones were lost...gone. We all believed that was it and there was no way of bringing everyone back... But" he looked over at the children at play in the distance. The thought of Bucky never seeing such joyous moments like this broke his heart every time he came to visit the family "The others and I have found a way. Brogan if we pull this off, EVERYONE will come back. Bucky will come home..."

"WHAT? How?" Brogan's jaw dropped to the floor and she could feel the blood drain from her face. She sat stunned beyond belief as Steve looked over at her. His eyes piercing as her heart fell silent "I don't understand Steve... Please don't build my hopes up like this..."

"Listen to me. This all happened because Thanos managed to collect the infinity stones, making him the most powerful being in the universe. With all that power he snapped his fingers and that was it. Half all the world's living turned to dust and were erased from existence" Brogan began to tremble as her mind flashbacked to the very thought of her love turning to ash. Reassuringly, Steve reached for her hand and squeezed it softly "what the others and I are planning to do is get these stones before he had the chance to possess and use them. With the stones, we will create our own gauntlet and use it to bring everyone back instead"

"Oh my god" she cried stunned and still struggling to take it in "And how are you going to get all six of them before he does?...its impossible"

"Ok this is the crazy part Brogan but I need you to believe me on this and just go with it OK?" he whispered softly "it may sound like the craziest of ideas but even if there's the smallest of chances to bring everyone back then we have to try yes? I owe it to everyone whose name is etched on that memorial. Bucky included" Brogan looked at him still confused than ever "Tony has helped create a machine that allows us to jump to a particular point in time to where the stones are so we can collect them. Scott called it a Time heist... And I guess he's kinda right it is"

"You mean you're going to time travel to get these stones? Are you serious? How is that even possible?" Brogan nervously couldn't help but laugh. Yet when she caught sight of Steve's eyes full of seriousness she knew he meant every word "You mean this don't you? You're definitely going through with this aren't you..you're going to time travel?"

"I know this all sounds insane Brogan but with the technology Bruce and Tony have created its possible trust me on this. If we don't mess with the laws of time, it will work. We just have to be careful" he forced out a warm smile "its all about having hope and faith too. With that in your heart, you can do anything... It's gonna work"

"But there's a chance it won't though? What if it doesn't Steve? I've lost Bucky, please don't let me lose you too" she sobbed clinging onto his shoulder "I don't know what I'd do going on without both of you"

"Listen to me..." reaching forward Steve tenderly held her head in his hands and softly began to brush away the salty tears running like a steady river from her emerald eyes "I've NEVER given up of Bucky and I don't intend to start now. When he vanished for those two years and went into hiding, I never gave up hope of finding him again. I found not only him but you too. There's nothing I wouldn't do for him Brogan.. Nothing I wouldn't do for all of you" leaning toward Steve kissed her forehead "I'll get him back Brogan. I will get everyone back"

"I know you will...I believe you" They soon both got to their feet as Steve pulled her close into another tight hug "Just bring him home to me please..."

"I will, I promise you" Steve cried, gently stroking her back. Hopefully from her reassurance that they may actually pull this off "I've got to meet everyone back at avengers HQ now and get the teams ready so I have to go. Just think...next time you see me I won't be alone"

"please be careful"

"Hey I'm Captain America remember?" He laughed reaching for her shoulder and giving her a warm smile "I'm the symbol for hope and freedom"

"true but even Captain America is allowed to be scared at times" said Brogan giving him one last hug "just be safe OK?...come back to me..both of you "

It was now time. Brogan had to say yet another goodbye to a person a loved and cared about. The main person who had made her so happy theses past several years since Bucky's passing and the one who made her finally smile again through the painful heartbreak. Brogan thought of Steve as one of her best friends and kind of like a protective big brother. It was bad enough when she lost Bucky that part of her soul died with him. Yet right now as she watched Steve cross the gardens and back to his car, she felt even more lost than ever. Seeing him walk away, she couldn't help but remember how Steve bought her back from the brink of despair and despite the devastation of what happened, would just laugh and talk and do all those normal things people would do. She truly was going to be at a loss without him.

When she truly hit rock bottom and doubted how to live without Bucky at her side, it was Steve that was there reassuring her every step of the way and being that one true friend Brogan desperately needed. When Brogan began to wonder what was the point of carrying on anymore and nothing could ease her pain, it was Steve who would always provide her with some hope and light in the dark cloudy mass of depression that took hold of the young mum. Since Bucky's suppose "Death", Brogan had been left with a continuous feeling of emptiness in her chest. The darkness enveloping her in a mass of sadness on a daily basis since that fateful day. Even now she felt lost and alone. Even despite the happiness of the house move. The only way she could be truly happy was if her beloved Bucky would find her and complete her once more. Yes indeed the very thought of time travel, quantum technology and infinity stones sounded insane but if it meant Bucky Barnes coming home to his family then she knew in her heart she had to believe...

"mama? Where did Uncle Steve go? I really wanted to show him the room I've picked out as mine" Said James, seeing his mother staring almost trance like in the distance as Steve's car soon vanished from view "Mama?...Mama you alright?"

"Oh James honey I'm sorry...I was miles away" she quickly snapped out of her daydreams and greeted her eldest child with a warm smile "Uncle Steve said he's really sorry but he had to go back to Avengers HQ. You know how it is? No rest for Captain America"

"you sure you're OK?" quizzed the boy, knowing instantly she was hiding something "What's going on Mama? You seem a bit off that's all"

"oh honey I'm fine...couldn't be better infact" she smiled. As if right on cue, a ray of light hit her engagement ring finger. The emerald jewels dazzled in the glistening warm heat of the sun. Brogan took this as a sign from Bucky that he was listening and Steve's plan would work "he just had to go to work that's all. Anyway, let's finish unpacking. I'm just dying to test out that huge stove in the kitchen... First family meal in our new home. Go see what your sisters up to will you please? Knowing her she's already climbing the wardrobe. Thanks honey" With the boy gone, Brogan stared down at the jewels of her ring. Bucky chose emeralds when he was planning on proposing as he constantly told her the jewels always reminded him of her eyes. So adding emeralds seemed more than perfect. Raising the ring to her lips she kissed it softly and smiled "not long now Bucky...I love you"