Chapter One:

"Promise me you'll come back, okay?" Ginny said weakly, her nose red and eyes watery from her unshed tears. Bucky was leaving for England today and Ginny held onto him for as long as she could. If it were possible, she'd keep him by her side until his ride left without him and he'd have no choice but to stay. Unfortunately, she couldn't do that. Bucky wouldn't let her.

"I promise, Gin," Bucky said, smoothing out her long blonde hair. It was slightly damp from sweat (Ginny was still recovering from a fever yet she forced herself out of bed to say goodbye) but he didn't mind. "I'll win the war as soon as possible."

"I'll hold you to that." Ginny smiled sadly, looking up to memorize every detail of Bucky's face from his blue eyes and strong jaw to his cleft chin and smile. She was going to miss him so much. "I wish I had more time with you," she chocked, unable to hold back her tears any longer.

"Hey, doll, there's no need for that," Bucky chuckled, wiping Ginny's tears away. He had wanted more time with his favorite girl as well. He wanted her to join Steve and him last night at the Stark Expo but her fever had kept her bedridden. "Come on, I have to go in a minute. Show me a nice, big smile. I'd like to remember it while I'm away."

Ginny shook her head and steadied her breathing before looking back at Bucky. She spread her lips as wide as she could and let out a laugh when her cheeks started hurt. Bucky laughed as well and gave her one last hug before leaving.

There were about seven more boxes that needed unpacking but Ginny couldn't bring herself to finish the task. She had moved into her new apartment in Washington, DC last week and until now she hasn't fully settled in. The boxes were filled with old photo albums and memorabilia that she had collected over the years. Ginny did not see the need to bring them out just yet.

She checked the time on her watch and looked outside her window. It was 4:30 in the morning. The sun wouldn't rise in another hour or two. It was the perfect time to go out for a jog. Ginny headed to her room to get dressed in her workout gear.

Ginny ran out of her building at exactly 5:00 in the morning. She had not anticipated her sweats and sports bras to be in one of the unopened boxes. It took a while to find them but once she did, she quickly put them on and tied her hair up in a ponytail.

Left, right, left, right. Breathe in, out, in, out. Ginny mentally chanted as she began her jog. She could already feel sweat on her forehead and her heart pumping from the activity. This is going to be a good day.

I'm going to die. This is it. This is how I go. Ginny thought to herself as she lied down on the grass, staring up at the clear blue sky. She was sure she'd been on the ground for at least an hour but she couldn't find the strength to stand back up again.

It's been about two years since Ginny's been to gym and a year since she's gone for a jog. She thought that she could handle it but after twenty minutes, Ginny was sure that she was going to cough out a lung. She would have stopped jogging much earlier but when she saw two men heading down her path (one seemed to have super speed) she felt the urge to keep up. She failed.

I knew I was not meant to live forever. I really should have written my will when I had the chance…

"Do you need help?"

Ginny turned her head to see a handsome African American man looking down at her, a friendly smile on his face. She recognized him as one of the men jogging from this morning. He had his hands on his hips and was catching his breath.

"Do you happen to have an extra lung I could borrow?" Ginny asked, forcing her words out. She really needed to get back into shape.

"I know how you feel. I've been there before," the man chuckled and held out his hand for her to take. Ginny reached out and allowed him to pull her to her feet. He had done it quickly and with ease.

"Your friend's not back yet?" Ginny observed.

"I'm pretty sure he's trying finish running twenty miles in under thirty minutes."

"What?" Ginny knitted her brows together. "Is that even possible?"

The man shook his head with a grin. Ginny didn't know what he meant by that action but she decided to let her question go. She glanced down at her watch and saw that it was 7:00. It was about time to get breakfast and look for a job.

I wonder what I should do this time. Ginny mused, looking out to watch the early risers in DC move about. I could try applying at a bakery. I've gotten better at making cookies…. Maybe a library? Peace and quiet would do me good…

"You look very familiar," the man said, bringing Ginny out of her thoughts. She turned her attention back to him and looked him over. Slowly, the gears in her head began to turn and she tried not to show recognition on her face.

"I can't say I've seen you before today," Ginny said sheepishly, hoping that the man would believe her.

The man pursed his lips in thought. "Ms. Rogers…" he mumbled, his brows furrowing the more he looked at Ginny. "Ms. Stacey Rogers. My 5th grade History teacher."

"Are you implying that I look old enough to have taught you when you were eleven?" Ginny tried to act offended but she couldn't help but let a smile play on your lips.

"No! Of course not!" The man said quickly. "I just thought you look a lot like her, you know? She had long blonde hair, big brown eyes, and a mole…at the corner…of her eye."

Ginny froze when she saw that the man's gaze was focused on the mole she had under her right eye.

"I seem to have a doppelgänger walking around. I never thought that was possible," Ginny let out an uneasy laugh. "I'd hate to cut this conversation short but I should really head back home. It was nice meeting you…?"

"Sam. Sam Wilson," the man introduced himself.

"Sam." Ginny repeated, smiling. "I'll be seeing you around. Maybe next time I can keep up with you and your friend."

A/N:

So... here's chapter one! I hope you guys enjoyed it :) I'm sure you noticed familiar events from Captain America: The Winter Soldier :)

Sorry for the slow start in this story. I hope to have the pace pick up soon.

Don't forget to leave a review/comment! I really appreciate them.

Sorry for any typos or grammatical errors in this chapter...

I only own what I own.