AN: Thank you to all who reviewed, your input keeps this story going. This isn't really a chapter; it's more a brief explanation of what's been happening with Bucky and how he survived the fall from the train. There isn't much dialogue, just explanations. I am totally disregarding the comic because I can, and because I always thought that Bucky deserved more than he got. Much thanks to TwilightxTanzie for her idea about Bucky falling into a rift in space-time, because it makes things flow much better.

Bucky's Fate

At some point before her recruitment to SHIELD, a teenage Natasha finds Bucky forty years after his fall from the train in a cave near a river in Russia after seeing a blue glow coming from inside and going in to investigate. After a lot of research and some computer hacking, they discover that the most logical explanation for his sudden appearance in the cave forty years after falling from the train is a rift in space-time, a portal of sorts that was somehow created by Red Skulls use of the weapons powered by the cosmic cube. She also helps him discover that he has a heal factor and possesses super strength as well as heightened senses, speed and agility. He also only remembers bits and pieces of his life, such as the fact that his first name is Bucky, he was an American soldier during World War II, his best friend was also a soldier, and he had a younger sister who also possessed a mutation. Natasha tries to help him, but they slowly come to realize that she can't help much so he decides to go off on his own.

Bucky is later located by Professor Xavier due to his inability to control his abilities when he is angry and he ends up going to Xavier's to learn control. He becomes more determined to find out more about his past and has realized by this point that his best friend was Captain America, but can't find out what happened to him. He frequently asks Xavier to help him with his memories, but gets the same response as Logan. This causes Bucky to decide that he has to retrace his footsteps, so he starts in Brooklyn and continues on to all the places that he remembers being.

Bucky ends up back in Russia where he runs into Natasha again, right after her interrogation with the Russians in The Avengers. He recognizes her from when she tried to help him years before and Natasha realizes that he looks a lot like the brother that Anna had showed her pictures of, the brother she talks to Steve about all the time. This realization causes her to decide to talk to him for a few minutes, thinking that maybe she can help Anna, Bucky, and Captain America all at once.

"I remember you; you're the one that helped me after you found me in that cave." Bucky states when he sees her.

"I did. How's that going?" Tasha asks curiously.

"Pretty good actually, I remember a lot more, like my last name is Barnes. And my sister, her name is Annabelle. I just wish that I could find her now, I know she's alive, I can just feel it." Bucky responds, staring at the ground and frowning in frustration.

"I know where she is." Bucky's head snaps up and he eyes her suspiciously, but she simply nods to assure him.

"I'm actually headed to where she is right now. I can pull a few strings and take you to her, if you'd like."

"Can you just tell me where she is? I don't want to get in the way."

"I would, but it's classified. If you let me make a few calls, I'll be able to bring you with me."

"Alright." Bucky reluctantly agrees.

And so Natasha calls Fury and convinces him to let Bucky come with her, explaining that he could play a key part in bringing the Captain onto the team, as well as the fact that his knowledge and experiences about HYDRA could be useful. So Bucky ended up standing in an inconspicuous spot on the bridge of the Helicarrier, watching his sister and best friend stand close to each other and waiting for Fury to motion him forward.

AN: There you have it, more detail will be given in the inevitable conversation between Bucky, Steve, and Anna in the next chapter…after the boys return from capturing Loki in Germany.