It had been a month since Bucky had lost Ella. He moved into her room since Steve and Tony had decided to stay with Tony for the time being. He admitted he was lost and not sure what to do next. Steve kept a close watch of his friend. He gave him space yet was always there for him. Mostly he sat with him in the room as he stared out the window and played with the ring on the chain around his neck. He never explained it to Steve and Steve respected his friend enough not to ask. Steve knew Bucky would shared it when it was time. Of course he suspected it had to do with Ella.
"I found a therapist who might be our best bet at helping you." said Tony one morning.
Bucky just stared out the window. "I'm not up for that."
Tony sat down across from him hoping to gain his attention. "Ella's mission was to help you. She'd still want that now. More than ever. You can't give up. Believe me, I'm the last person to give you a pep talk, so know this is what she would want. At least try."
Bucky looked at him. "She doesn't even have a grave." he stated somberly.
Tony's heart finally broke for the man. "Go to the appointment."
Steve drove his friend to the appointment.
"You don't have to drive me. I can go alone." said Bucky.
"I don't think now is the time for you to be alone, plus I don't want you getting ideas to run off." said Steve.
"I got nothing to run from or to. I'm not going anywhere." said Bucky forcing a smile at his friend.
"I'll wait here." said Steve parking the car on the street outside the small building.
Bucky walked into the building and up to the front desk where a kind young receptionist showed him back to the therapist's office. The receptionist opened the door and he walked in. He froze as he looked at the therapist. It was Ella. It had to be.
"Mr. Barnes. It's nice to meet you. Please come in." she said as he stood in the doorway. He walked into the room feeling as if in a dream.
"Ella?" he asked in a daze.
She looked at him confused as she motioned for him to take a seat.
"I'm sorry? Ella? No, my name is Katherine Wolmur." she said. "Do I remind you of someone?" she asked.
He continued to stare at her in disbelief as he took a seat.
"Your friend made the appointment with me. I hope that is ok with you?" she asked.
He shook his head yes.
"He shared a few details with me about what you are dealing with. He mentioned that you recently lost someone close to you in addition to suffering from some memory loss." she said. "But I want to start where you need to and if that means sitting here in silence that is fine."
He stared at her not knowing what to say. His mind could not separate that this woman before him was not Ella. He noted the cast on her wrist. The same wrist that Ella had hurt the last time he saw her. It had to be her.
She smiled at him. "Who do I remind you of?" Bucky sat in silence. "I often think of a saying I was raised with when we meet people who seem familiar." she said, "wir sind nicht unsere eigenen which is German meaning we are not our own. To me it symbolizes-"
He looked at her cutting her off, "Ich bin deins und du bist meins (I am your and you are mine)." he said in reply.
She looked at him. He could tell something happened. Her eyes looked at him differently, like Ella did. He reached for his neck where he wore a chain and pulled it. He took the diamond ring from the chain and put it on the desk sliding it to her. She said nothing and picked up the ring. She examined it. As her eyes scanned the ring she saw the initials JBB+ELA. Her eyes shot up to look at him. A tear ran down her cheek. She did not break the gaze. He looked at her with tears and smiled.
"I've missed you." She said smiling back at him.
The End...for now.
***Thank you to all who read and reviewed. You guys are the best and who knows-i left a few open questions, well a lot for me to answer about these characters, so perhaps a sequel? We will see. Feel free to give me any constructive criticism or questions on the story you have. Thanks all!*******