The smell of bacon woke me up the next morning and I couldn't help but smile when I remembered how Bucky held me all night long.

"Get up, sleepyhead," he teased from my bedroom doorway before climbing back in and hugging me from behind. "We got work to do."

I rolled over and nuzzled his neck. "Five more minutes."

"Breakfast is getting cold." He laughed when I nibbled his throat. "Quit it. You're not worming your way out of getting up."

"But it's so nice and warm," I whined. "And my boyfriend wore me out last night."

He kissed my forehead. "You wore him out."

"Pfft. He's a super-soldier. He can take it." I tapped my fingers along his chest, enjoying the strength of his body before giving in. "All right. Let me get a shower."

"That's my girl." He patted my bottom as I got out of bed and headed to the bathroom. "After breakfast, you can go meditate then we'll get started on the work I got planned."

"How'd you know about my meditation?" I called as I climbed into the shower.

He laughed just outside the curtain. "Are you kidding me? I used to love watching you from my hut. You always looked so calm."

"I felt the same way about you feeding your goats." I poked my head out and gave him a quick kiss before hurrying to finish. "So, what's this work you got planned?"

"You'll see," was all he said before leaving to let me get dressed.

When I entered the kitchen, I noticed the projector in the living room. Giving him a questioning look, he just smiled and pulled out a chair for me in front of the meal he'd prepared. While we ate, I waited for him to tell me why he'd brought the projector from Wakanda. Did he feel like there was something else he wanted to share with me? Did he need another session after everything we'd already done?

"Stop worrying," he teased, apparently noticing my concerned look. "It's not for me."

"Then what is it for?" I asked as I cleaned up our mess.

He joined me at the sink and kissed my neck. "I promised to help you. I wanna keep that promise."

"Bucky, no." I trembled. In response, he wrapped his arms around me. "I don't need to. I'm good."
"You don't have to be the strong one, Des." He kissed my neck again. "Let me take care of you."

He took my hand and guided me into the living room. Opening a large metal case that housed a small monitor and keyboard, he entered in data. The projector made the familiar sound of booting up and a voice played through it.

"Good morning, Mr. Barnes," Ruth, the AI from Wakanda, said happily. "Are we ready to begin?"

"Not yet, Ruth." Bucky opened his hand, revealing the four sensors. Holding them out to me, he smiled. "Ready, doll?"

I felt the pinpricks of sweat on the back of my neck. "Bucky, I don't think I can do this."

He clasped my hand with his. "You saved me once, remember? Now, let me save you. All you gotta do is trust me."

"But-" I closed my eyes, fighting back tears. "I trust you."

"No matter what happens, I love you." He kissed each side of my temple before applying the sensors. "Just think of a happy thought at first."

I nodded, keeping my eyes closed as he applied the remaining sensors. I could hear the projector begin its process of creating the holographic images from my past. I took several deep breaths, preparing myself for what was to come, and opened my eyes.

The first thing I saw was my father and me rereading the acceptance letter for Texas A&M. We were hugging as he beamed proudly at me.

"Ya did it, darlin'," he said, the first smile I'd seen in a week on his face. "Ya gonna be the first Hunt ta go ta college. I'm so proud, princess."

"You're sure you're gonna be all right with me gone?" I asked him.

"'Course." He laughed. "Ya ol' man can take care of hisself."

I hugged him again. "I know, daddy. I just worry about you."

"Stop worryin', princess. Ya got ya own life ta live." He ruffled my hair. "An' ya ol' man's always gonna be there fer ya. Ya hear?"

"Yes, sir."

"He was really proud of you," Bucky said as he stood beside me, watching the scene unfold.

I nodded. "He really was. He had his moments, but he always said I was the best thing he ever did."

The scene shifted and it was a month later when I came home from college. I couldn't wait to tell him how wonderful it'd been. It was everything we'd thought it would be and so much more. I wasn't prepared to see the sheriff standing in the doorway.

"What's going on?" I demanded, sure he'd gotten into another fight at the bar.

"Miss Hunt," the sheriff said, his eyes downcast. "I'm afraid I have some bad news."

"Ruth, please pause the program," I said as I took a seat on the sofa and buried my face in my hands.

"Talk to me, doll," Bucky said as he knelt in front of me. "Was this when he killed himself?"

I nodded. "Yes. He'd gotten into a fight with his stupid girlfriend and she left him. I guess he was going to show her or something. Dammit. He was so stupid. Shot himself in the chest. Who does that? Who shoots themselves in the chest? I always thought if I hadn't gone away to school, if I'd just stayed and gone to junior college, I could've stopped him. I would've been there for him."

"It wasn't your fault." He wrapped his arms around me. "You can't blame yourself for what happened."

I bawled, angry with my father for taking the easy way out instead of facing his fears but angrier with myself for not stopping him. I needed him to be the adult, but I'd spent the better part of my childhood taking care of him. It'd left me growing up too fast, making decisions no child should have to make and fix things children didn't need to fix.

"I wanted to hate him," I said at last, finally meeting Bucky's eyes. "I really tried, but damned if I could. He loved me. In his own weird way, he took care of me too. He made me who I am, and I guess that's okay, isn't it?"

"It's more than okay, doll. You're amazing."

We went through several hours of memories about my father, both the good and the bad, before Ruth recommended we take a break. After making us a couple of sandwiches, Bucky and I sat cuddled up on the sofa just talking about everything he'd seen and I'd been through. For the first time in years, thinking of my dad didn't make me sad or angry. I accepted him, flaws and all, and loved him for helping me be a better person. By the time we went to bed that night, my heart felt lighter than it had in years. Still, I knew Bucky had more planned and the next morning was a repeat of the day prior. Only this time, he pushed harder for me to face a demon I fought against.

"Show me your ex," he said flatly, leaving no remove for argument as the machine started again.

"There's nothing to show," I insisted. "You know the story."

"I want to see it."

I rolled my eyes. "Fine."

My living room converted into the white-walled base housing unit we shared. Before us stood the handsome young marine I'd fallen in love with after I left school. He was scowling at the younger version of me while I scowled back. We'd been arguing when I found the race track ticket in his cammies and a receipt for roses I never got.

"Who is she?" I demanded, waving the receipt in his face.

"They were just for a friend's wife," he argued back, slapping my hand away. "He asked me to pick them up."

"Stop lying." My fists were clenched so tightly my fingernails cut into my palms. "I'm done. I'm leaving."

"Where the hell you gonna go?" He demanded, shoving me as I stormed down the hall to our bedroom. "You don't have any family. And nobody wants your fat ass. You're not leaving."

I turned on him and sneered. "Your best friend wants me. He told me last time we all went out. Remember when he asked me to dance? He said that if you hadn't already claimed me, he'd love to have me. Why don't I call Cole now and tell him I'm available since you seem to be."

I could still feel his hands wrap around my throat as he lifted me several inches off the floor. I gagged and kicked, trying to get free while also trying to rip his hand away.

"I'll kill you," he said so calmly I knew he would. When he dropped me, my foot slipped, and I fell back into the corner of the wall. The impact rattled my teeth as I slid down the wall, leaving a trail of blood on the pristine white paint.

"Jesus, Des." He said, kneeling down and taking my hand as he helped me up. "You're so clumsy. Look what you did to yourself?"

Bucky, who'd been holding me on the sofa while we watched, got up. As the memory continued to run, he glared at my ex-husband with so much hatred even I cowered a little. He drew back his fist and took a swing at the hologram. It passed completely through but left a sizable hole in the wall.

"Ruth, stop the memory," I said, getting up and going to Bucky. His breathing was hard as he stared at the image of the man who'd done so much damage to me. Resting my hand on his shoulder, I teasingly asked, "Feel better?"

"No." He turned to me, his eyes softening. "I wanna kill the bastard."

I smiled, tears already rolling down my cheeks. "That's the sweetest thing anybody's ever done for me."

"I'll never let anybody hurt you again, Des." He pulled me into his embrace. "I promise to keep you safe."

"I would've given anything to hear somebody say that all those years ago." I held his face in my hands. "But I don't need a hero, Bucky. Not anymore."

He smiled. "What can I do, then?"

I waved at the image of my ex-husband, still paused. "His name was James too, you know. His friends called him Jamie. After I left him, Jamie got remarried to the girl he dated before me and had two pretty little girls. His life turned out pretty damned good and I hated him for it. I was trapped right here, scared to move beyond what happened. Look at him, though. He was just some scared kid trying to be a big man. I don't hate him. I feel sorry for him."

"You forgive him?"

I nodded. "Yeah. I guess I do. About damn time, huh? And now I can move on. I tried letting him be my hero, but I guess it's time I realize I'm the only one that can save me."

I felt Bucky's jaw stiffen and met his eyes. "What about us?"

"I still got a lot of healing left to do. Can you handle that?" When he nodded, I added, "Even if it means leaving New York and never coming back?"

His face hardening. "Yes."

"Even if it means going back to Wakanda?" I tapped the com-link he wore on his forearm. "Call Steve. It's time we get out of here."

His smile reappeared. "'We'? The way you were taking, I didn't think you were coming."

"Of course I'm coming." I grinned and playfully rolled my eyes. "What? You think I'd let the only man to beat up my ex-husband get away? Please. Besides, it's too noisy here. I haven't had a good night's sleep in weeks. And my fish miss me."

"They're not the only ones." He kissed the tip of my nose. "C'mon, doll. Let's go home."