Her body ached, stinging her joints, her veins pulsing. She tried to move, picking herself off the cold, wet street. Her neck strained, her eyes prying to look up to the dark grey sky, the sound of whirring from bomber planes in the distance. Her eyes scanned the streets - debris and newspaper thrown all over the place, the wailing of a faint siren behind her. She rubbed her eyes, looking down to the bloodied scratches on her hands. She must have fallen from running.
Her hair fell out from its style, as she tried to get herself up. Instantly, she recognized her surroundings as Place des Vosges in Paris. The arches on the sidewalk cast heavy shadows against the thick looming thunderstorm approaching. Her ears tried to distinguish from the sound of the bomber planes with the bomb shelter sirens.
She slowly walked, almost as if cautiously putting each foot down to test the grounds. Her heavy boots, passed down from her father crunching against pebbles.
"Il y a quelqu'en? (Is there anybody?)", her voice echoed through the streets.
There was no reply except for the rustle of leaves, the siren now quiet as the approaching sound of bomber planes grew louder and closer.
Christiane frantically looked around, starting to run, her hair coming lose as the wind picked up around her. She shouted the same words, her voice cracking under the pressure.
She turned onto another street, running from the sound, deep explosions sounding behind her. She screamed, calling for help in the empty streets.
"Au secours! Aide-moi s'il vous plaît! (Help me! Help me please!)"
A glacial wind hit her, knocking her to the side, carrying a voice.
"Christiane!"
Her eyes widened, stumbling to stop by a lamppost, bewilderment on her face.
The voice spoke again, almost in her head now. The voice she'd recognize anywhere.
"Christiane, focus."
She blinked her eyes hard, rubbing them as she looked around again bewildered. Her voice breathed out, gasping for air, "Anya?"
She blinked again to see her sister in front of her, walking towards her as the sounds that surrounded Christiane abruptly stop. All she could hear was the crunch of her sister's heels on the gravel, the wind taking leaves, whirling around them.
"Focus, look at me."
"Anya, I don't know what's happening." Christiane looked around, trying to understand.
Anya pulled her closely to her, her hand smoothing out her hair.
"Shhh, it's okay. It's just a bad dream."
"Why are we in Paris?" Her eyes were glazed, her voice quiet with the wind.
"We're in a dream-version of Paris.", she soothed her sister, tucking a stray hair behind her ear.
"This is a dream?", her voice in disbelief, cracking under her whisper.
"All of it," she rested her chin on her sister's shoulders, "Christiane, you were in an accident."
Christiane's head stung, trying to recall the events.
"I remember lights, something hit me. I remember looking at stars. Bucky and Steve were there."
Anya pulled away, taking Christiane's hand.
"Walk with me."
"But the bombings? The planes?," Christiane stopped, looking up to the dark sky.
Anya placed a hand on her sister's shoulder, "They won't touch us, it's all in your dreams."
She looked into her sister's eyes, studying the blue and grey fighting like a storm, the glint of orange glowing almost like gold. "The gift, you're using it aren't you?"
Anya nodded, pulling her sister in closer to her side as they walked through the empty streets.
"Long ago, when Heimdall came to me after maman passed, he told me of my gift - controlling dreams and the ability to see my soulmate. I never understood what the latter was, but I tried to practice on Baba all those years ago. In the end, I just ended up using it on wounded soldiers at the frontlines when I was in Europe with Peggy."
"How does it works?" She looked to her sister, then looking past as the ground turned to grass, the Haussmann buildings fading to blue skies. She started to feel the prickle of the sun on her skin, the cool mountain air brushing her hair in the wind.
"You need a physical connection first, like holding hands, and then you try to get past the barrier that surrounds them."
"A barrier?" Christiane questioned, her eyes darting to the scenery as small little white flowers started blooming around them.
Anya stopped, taking a deep breath in, the sun against her face. "It's sort of like being on the same breath as them, you breath in at the same time as them, you're connected in a way. And then you're in their dreams, and you almost guide them along the way, using your thoughts to theirs. Almost as if for a second, your soul is connected to theirs for a brief moment."
They walked together in silence, the faint sounds of grass crunching under their feet.
"Does it hurt, Anya?"
She looked like a saint, her smile soft and eyes loving to her little sister. Her hand rested on Christiane's cheek, "Don't worry, it doesn't hurt at all."
She took her sister's hand again, "I'll be beside you, take your time to rest poulette. Wake up when you can."
With that, Christiane felt her eyes close again, feeling at peace, her breaths steady. She felt safe.
Anya opened her eyes again, looking to Christiane who was sleeping in the hospital bed. It was remarkable she only made it out of the accident with just a broken arm and a concussion.
On the other side of the room, quiet snores came from Steve and Bucky. Anya couldn't help but smile, seeing Bucky sleeping with his back against the wall, and Steve passed out on the chair. Sunlight started to seep through the curtains, slowly, Anya went to draw them back, illuminating the pale hospital room with light.
Steve rubbed his eyes, feeling the light come directly at him. He could see Anya fussing around outside with two men in uniform. She had her hands on her hips, her stance defensive as she talked to them sternly. The two saluted her, before they all parted ways.
Anya came through the door, shutting it quietly behind, "Good morning Steve," she whispered, a faint smile on her lips.
"Mornin' Anya," his eyes moved to Christiane sleeping on the bed, "How is she?"
"A broken arm and a concussion but she'll be alright. Doctors want her to rest. They found your wallet also, it should be here in an hour or two." her voice came out almost like a whisper.
Steve whispered back, pulling the blanket over Christiane, tucking her in, "She didn't have to go after that man."
Anya chuckled quietly, brushing her sister's hair back, "It's Christiane,"
Bucky groaned, stretching his arms in the air before slowly trying to get himself up from the floor. His hair ruffled in his sleep.
"Mornin," he smiled to Anya, going over to her to give her a hug before coming to Steve to pat him on the back.
He knelt beside Christiane's bed, taking her hand in his, looking up at Anya and Steve.
Anya smiled, "She'll be alright, don't worry Barnes."
Steve came beside Anya, "You must be hungry, staying up the whole night with her. Why don't we go get some coffee and food?"
Anya sighed a chuckle, "That'd be nice, Bucky?"
"If it's alright with you, could I stay here? I don't want her to be alone," Bucky looked up to them, his face tight as if holding back.
"Of course, we'll be back soon." Anya placed a hand on his shoulders, then walking with Steve out the door.
Bucky turned back to Christiane, watching her chest rise and fall with each breath.
He took her hand in his, soothingly passing her thumb over the top of her hand.
He felt a lump in his throat, his face hot as tears started coming from his eyes. He tried to hold them back until he started speaking, his voice cracking that the tears spilled.
"I'm sorry," he bit back the words, "that I couldn't have gotten to you sooner."
He wiped his sleeve over his eyes, breathing in shakily, "I'm sorry I couldn't protect you, I promised you I wouldn't let anything hurt you."
Christiane had started to stir since Anya and Steve closed the door behind them, hearing the skid of a chair on the floor come closer to her, someone holding her hand and then hearing Bucky's voice.
"I'm so sorry," he rested is head on the side of her bed.
Christiane's eyes opened a little, moving her casted arm to touch Bucky's head.
Her voice came out softly, "It wasn't your fault, Bucky."
Bucky looked up at her, eyes red and swollen, tears stained his cheeks. A sudden smile flashed on his face before he suddenly got up and hugged Christiane tightly.
"Too tight, I can't breathe," she breathed out, putting her arm on his back.
He pulled away, sitting back down, holding her hand even tighter.
"Christiane..."
She smiled back to him, before moving her hand to wipe the tears from his cheek, "Hey, it's okay Bucky"
He laughed, pulling her hand to his cheek, resting it there and then back to the bed.
"Don't you ever scare me like that again, doll."
"Did Steve get his wallet back?" she tried to reach for some water, Bucky immediately leapt to the glass, trying to move her bed so she sat upright now.
"Anya said the authorities found it, he should get it back in an hour or two,"
"That's good then," she relaxed back into the bed.
"Christiane?"
"Hmm?" she tried to stretch her neck back, looking back at Bucky.
"I need to tell you something, I didn't get to tell you last night," taking in a deep breath.
She looked him, at his eyes, the blues so bright against the light of the sun, "I love you," he looked back at her focused.
He shifted in his seat, leaning closer to her, his voice a whisper, "I love you Christiane, with all my heart, and each day if it's even possible, I love you even more. I can't imagine a day without you." He started to smile, "You drive me crazy, but I would follow you till the ends of the world if I had to."
Christiane rested her hand on his cheek, "Bucky,"
"I'm not done," he chuckled, taking a deep breath, "You are the most beautiful woman I have ever met. You are so kind, your heart full of love and kindness to everyone around you. You protect everyone around you as much as you can, but know that I will be there beside you always. I promised you that,"
"You did?"
He looked down shyly, looking back up at her, "New Year's, I tucked you to bed and I made a promise to you, to never let anything bad happen to you or let anyone hurt you. And if they did, then by God they better watch their backs."
"Bucky," her voice soft. He looked to her, the green of her eyes almost an emerald color, fighting against the tint of grey and tiny sliver of gold. He looked to her, feeling a sense of protection with her.
"I love you too"
Bucky smiled against her hand, kissing her palm before leaning in to kiss her on her lips, softly.
Bucky spent the next week with Christiane as much as he could, taking turns with Steve and Anya, keeping Christiane company.
"You seem to be much better this morning, I can discharge you within the hour, Miss. Bougourd." The Doctor noted on the clipboard, looking up to Christiane for her response.
"Thank you Docteur Wolfe," she smiled back at him.
"Will you be taking her home?", he looked to Bucky.
"Yes sir," Bucky nodded sternly.
"Good, make sure she gets plenty of rest and come back in three weeks to take the cast off her arm.", he shook hands with Christiane and Bucky before leaving.
Christiane took a deep breath, smiling as she flopped back onto the bed.
"Let's go home Bucky."
Bucky handed her her clothes, pulling the partition around the bed to give her some privacy.
"Actually, how about a trip to Coney Island?"
She quickly turned her head, tilted to the side in confusion, "Don't you have to work today?"
Bucky waved his hand in the air, dismissing the question, "Steve gets off his morning shift in an hour, we can make it in time to meet him outside work and go."
Her eyebrows furrowed, she tried to interject, "But!"
He took both her hands in his, batting his eyes and smiling cheekily, "Please? It'll be fun!"
Christiane thought for a few seconds, before taking one single nod and pulling Bucky by the arm with her good hand out the door.
By noon, the three arrived to Coney Island, Christiane's eyes in awe to the rides.
"Buck, what about her broken arm?" Steve nudged Bucky.
"She won't be swinging at anyone, she'll be alright! I'll be doing the swinging if we get in a brawl," Bucky shrugged.
"Buck!" Steve breathed out a laugh, Bucky swinging an arm on his back, walking quickly to Christiane.
"What are those?" Christiane pointed to the corn-dog stand.
"They're corn-dogs, sausage on the inside and crispy goodness on the outside!" Steve stood beside her, watching the old lady running the stand dip a few sticks into hot oil.
Bucky reached for his wallet, pulling out some change, "Hello ma'am, could we have three please?"
He gave Steve and Christiane each a corn dog, waiting to see Christiane bite into it.
"It's delicious!", she nodded quickly, immediately taking a liking to the crispy and chewy snack.
"They don't have those in France, do they?" Steve took a bite.
Christiane quickly shook her head, taking another bite. Bucky leaned in closely to her, "C'est bon?" he smiled cheekily to which she quickly swatted him again laughing at his poor pronunciation.
"Chrissy! Wait till you try a Coca Cola!", Steve pulled her along to another stand.
"Bonjour monsieur, could we have three bottles please?", Christiane handed over some coins, passing the bottles to Steve and Bucky.
"You didn't have to doll, you ought to let me treat you once in a while!", Bucky ducked down giving her a quick kiss on the cheek.
"Non!" She attempted to cross her arms, only to spill a little of the liquid out, balancing the bottle between her chest and arm cast, and the corn dog in her other hand. "I work too, and it's only fair I get to treat you two also!" she replied stubbornly.
"Next one's on me," Steve nudged Christiane on the side.
"How about this?" Bucky pointed up to a roller coaster, that seemed to extend up to the clouds only to steeply falling to the depths.
A cart took the plunge down a hill, clacks of the wheels against the wooden tracks.
Steve quickly shook his head, downing half the bottle of Coca-Cola. "No, no way am I going on that."
"Come on! It'll be fun!" he playfully slapped his friend on the back.
Steve looked to Christiane, terror in his eyes, who was still looking up intently at the ride, "Please don't tell me you're going with him?"
"It seems like fun," she shrugged. "Anya wanted to take me to Magic-City in Paris but I was too young."
"Then let's do it!" Bucky pulled Steve close to him, not letting him make a run.
"Oh come on, Buck!" he groaned.
Before Steve knew it, he was already being pulled into one of the carts with the two, before the cart took the plunge, throwing them all around the track.
Christiane screamed in delight as the cart took a swerve, going down another hill, Bucky laughing at the sudden drop. Steve on the other hand, held on for dear life, closing his eyes and pursing his lips to prevent the earlier corn-dog from resurfacing.
"I'm never doing this ever again!" Steve finally hollered at the top of his voice as they went down the final hill.
Meanwhile in Asgard
Loki paced, the tiny copper wolf gripped in his palm, the dark green ribbon intertwined between his fingers.
"Loki?", Frigga quietly entered his room, her voice soft against the crowd outside having a party.
He kept pacing, his head down until he finally looked up to his mother.
"Loki, why aren't you having outside with us? You left right after dessert, my dear." She walked to him quietly, putting a hand on his shoulders.
"I'm not hungry, mother.", he sighed.
"What's wrong, hmm?", she smoothed out his hair.
"It's nothing," his voice equally quiet, only a whisper for the two of them.
"I know when something is wrong, I raised you." She brought him to face her, fingers lifting his chin up. "Loki, what's the matter?"
"I miss her, I miss her terribly, but she doesn't understand what I want," he almost breathed out, words disappearing almost as thinly into the air.
Frigga brought her son closely to her, arms around him. "Want is a very strong word, Loki. Try talking again, you might both find a solution together"
Loki simply shook his head, gripping the copper wolf in his hands so tightly he felt the sharpness prick his palm.