"The reason it hurts so much to separate is because our souls are connected. Maybe they always have been and will be. Maybe we've lived a thousand lives before this one and in each of them we've found each other. And maybe each time, we've been forced apart for the same reasons. That means that this goodbye is both a goodbye for the past ten thousand years and a prelude to what will come." Nicholas Sparks, The Notebook

Disclaimer: I don't own anything besides Clara, everything belongs to its rightful owners

Chapter Two - The Tearing Of Souls

June 14th, 1943

Bucky and Clara were quick to drop Eleanor home, all but kicking her out of the car. Wasting no time in their return home. They also wasted no time, in doing the very activity that Eleanor seemed intent on mentioning throughout the night.

They were now currently lyingon the bed, their sweaty limbs entangled. Clara had her head resting on his chest, as she traced patterns on his skin.

"I wish we could stay like this" she said, "I wish we could freeze, this moment, and live in it forever"

"But what about all the other moments" he asked, moving his hand to intertwine their fingers, "That we'll have when I come back"

"They're too far away" she sighed, "And you'd still have to leave"

"I wish I didn't" he said, "I want to stay here, with you"

"Life can be so unfair" mumbled Clara

"Yeah, it is"

They laid in silence, Clara just listening to the sound of Bucky's heartbeat. It was like a constant reminder, that Bucky was alive, that he was with her. If she just listened to his heartbeat, then she could forget all about him leaving, forget about the possibility of him never coming back.

"Do you remember when you proposed?" She asked him, "At Coney Island, after we were on the roller coaster"

"Yeah, after you threw up on my shoes" laughed Bucky

"I still can't believe that you did that" she said, "I ruined your shoes, and you still asked me to marry you"

"You didn't answer at first" said Bucky, "I thought you were gonna say no"

"You could've proposed the night we met, and I still probably would've said yes" she told him,

"Well, if I'd known that, I would've asked sooner" he said, "Might've properly asked your father first. I don't think he liked it when I mentioned it when we met"

"You asked him when you met him?" She asked, leaning up to look at him

"Not really, I just said I wanted to marry you" he explained, "Probably a good thing I didn't ask, he probably wouldn't have said yes"

"He likes you now, he was just being overprotective" said Clara, leaning her chin on his chest, "I have to say, meeting your family was much more enjoyable, then you meeting mine"

"Your dad was the only intimidating one, your brother tried to be, but I won him over" said Bucky, "Your mother loves me"

"Oh, you definitely charmed my mother and sister" she said, "I think my mother was hoping you'd propose to her"

"Don't worry, kissing your mother would be weird after kissing you"

"Ow" he said, after she playfully punched his arm, "That hurt"

"No it didn't" she said, "If it did, then I'm afraid you're not very tough, soldier"

"Oh, I'm not tough" he said, "And, who kills all of the spiders?"

"They're creepy, with their hairy legs" she said, "And when they're squished, it's disgusting"

"You're a nurse" said Bucky, "Shouldn't you have a stronger stomach"

"Well, your shoes tell a different story" she said,

"Well, they would, if you hadn't made me throw them out" said Bucky

"They made the apartment smell like vomit" said Clara, "I don't know how you put up with them"

"I almost divorced you on the spot" teased Bucky,

"And what stopped you?" She asked

"Uh..." He said, his eyes traveling down her body, "I think you can guess"

"So, it wasn't my amazing personality" she said, "It was all my body, I feel so used"

"But in a good way"

Clara just shook her head at her husband's immaturity, finding it amusing none the less. She turned her head, to look out into the open window, the cool summer breeze blowing the curtains.

It was surprising to her, how fast she fell into a routine with Bucky. Living with him wasn't as difficult as her mother made out it would be. No, everything with Bucky was easy; sure they fought, but most of their fights were small, barely even a bump in the road. There was only ever one major argument, and it was a memory she'd rather not dwell on. That disagreement has just been the tip of the iceberg, that was those eventful few days with her family.

"Would you really have said yes if I proposed to you the night we met?" He asked her, "Because, the way I remember it, I had to coax you into going on a date with me"

"I was playing coy" she explained, "I probably wouldn't have said yes, I was far too logical then, before love went and confused me. But, I think, I started falling in love with you that night"

"So, my charms really did work" he grinned

"More or less" she muttered, "At least my father's side of the family not insane"

"I don't know about your cousin Stella" said Bucky, "She's...something"

"You know, most men that say that about her, have spent illicit nights with her" she said, "Is there something you need to tell me?"

"Of the many, many, woman that I have charmed" he teased, moving so that his body was hovering over hers, his face inches from her own, "Your cousin is not one of them"

"You think you're so funny" she said, raising her eyebrow at him, but she grinned as she wrapped her arms around his neck,

"I really do" he said, "But don't worry, you're the only one that finds me funny. Well, besides Steve"

"I guess I'm just the lucky one" she said, "Maybe I should've been more serious. You were the one that told me to laugh more, after all"

"No, I like you just the way you are" he said, "Seriousness and all"

"And I like you" she said, moving her hands to his cheek, her thumb stroking his skin, "Poor humour and all"

"Good" he replied, "Because you won't be getting rid of me easily"

"Oh, I don't plan on even trying" she promised, her smile falling from her lips, "You better come back to me. Or else"

"Don't worry, if I die, you can kill me" he joked, "You are a damn good shot, after all"

"I'm serious" she said, "I...I, I don't know how I would survive without you. Losing you, would be like losing a part of myself"

"You're not going to loose me" he promised, leaning his forehead against hers, "I will never leave you. Not even if you want me to"

"I would never want that" she said, "I love you too much"

"I love you too" he said, before capturing her lips in a kiss. All thoughts of war and death, dissapeared with the feeling of Bucky's lips against hers. And so, they continued on into another round of love making.

The next day, Clara had been reluctant to leave the comfort of their warm bed, she was even more reluctant to dress, and finally face the truth. She'd prefer to pretend like it was just another perfect night together. But alas, the rising of the sun brought with it the truth of their predicament. And Clara found she could no longer hide from the truth.

No words came from Clara's mouth, as her brother arrived to pick them up. Nate greeted Bucky, a solemn expression on his face. There was no conversation during the car ride, Clara feared that if she spoke, she would simply burst out into tears. And neither Nate, nor Bucky, knew what to say.

When they reached the harbour, and the ship came into view, Clara felt like she could not breathe. Like she was trapped underwater, and no matter how much she struggled, she couldn't reach the surface. She wondered, if this was what it would be like while Bucky was fighting. If this was what it felt like to be constantly worried about your loved one's safety.

Breath was brought back to her by the sound of Bucky's voice, it was like he had pulled her out of the water, breathing life into her.

"Clara" said Bucky, picking up his bag from the boot of the car, "I gotta go"

"Please, don't" she murmured, keeping her eyes on the ground, as tears welled in them. She would not cry, not in front of him.

"I have to" he replied, pulling her against his chest

Clara instantly wrapped her arms around him, burying her head in his chest. He used his free hand to stroke her hair, whispering sweet nothings in her ear.

"I'll be back before you know it" he told her, "You won't even have time to miss me"

"I miss you already"

"Even my bad sense of humour?" He asked

"Yes, even that" she chuckled, "I love you, so much"

"I know" he said, "I would love me too"

"You're not funny" she said, shaking her head at his attempts to lighten the mood

"So you tell me" he said, as she raised her head to look at him, "I love you, Clara Howard"

"Barnes" she whispered, "Clara Barnes"

"I love you Mrs Clara Lucille Barnes" he grinned down at her, moving his hand to her cheek

"And I love you, Mr James Buchanan Barnes"

They smiled at each other, before Bucky pulled her into a gut wrenching kiss. Clara pulled at the hair on the back of his head, to pull him closer. He dropped his bag into the ground, wrapping his arms around her waist, pulling her up so that she was closer to his height, Clara standing on her tippy toes. Clara was reluctant to let him go, even when she heard the whistle signalling him to board the ship. She wanted the kiss to last forever. She wanted to savour the kiss, she knew it would be the last one they would share in awhile.

"Clara" said Bucky, pulling his lips from hers, but resting his forehead against hers, "I love you, and I don't want you to worry"

"How can I not worry?" She asked, a single tear falling down her cheek

"I'll be back before you know it, and we'll write" he said, "This isn't goodbye"

"There's a letter in your bag, read it when you get on the ship" she told him, moving her hand into his, "I love you"

Bucky pecked her on the lips, before picking his bag up from the ground, swinging it over his shoulder. Nate took a step towards them, and Bucky dropped Clara's hand, to shake Nate's outstretched one.

""Good luck" said Nate, "Come back soon"

"I'll try" said Bucky

A knowing look passed between the two of them, before both their gazes turned to Clara. She kept her own gaze on Bucky, taking in his every detail, memorising his movements. Bucky pulled her into his arms, for one last hug. Clara sniffed, as she swallowed the lump in her throat.

Her heart ached as he let go of her, pressing a kiss to her forehead, before taking a few steps away from her. She had to fight her instinct to pull him back to her, as she kept her eyes glued to his retreating figure.

Everything after that was a blur. She barely noticed her brother's arms around her, or him guiding her to the car. Nate didn't speak until they got back to the apartment, just kept throwing her concerned glances. She just kept replying their goodbye in her head. Every word, every look, every touch.

"Do you want me to come up with you?" Nate asked her, pulling her back to the real world

"No" she muttered, shaking her head, "I'll be fine"

"You sure?" He asked, raising an eyebrow at her

Clara nodded weakly at him, he was clearly not satisfied, but knew that forcing her would result in nothing. She was always stubborn, even when they were children.

Nate nodded at her, and she managed a half smile, "Thank you" she said, nodding at him before getting out of the car

Clara managed to get all the way inside the apartment, the realisation of Bucky's departure only sinking in, when she saw the picture of their wedding day, on the mantle in the living room. She let out a gasp, as the tears began to pour from her eyes, like a storm cloud finally releasing it's rain.

She let out a loud thump, as she collapsed onto the ground, leaning her back against the wall, clutching the picture frame in her hands. Her tears fell down onto the glass of the frame, and she quickly wiped them off. She hugged the picture tightly to her chest, letting out a whimper. She didn't know how she would manage without Bucky, she already felt as if her heart has been ripped straight from her chest.

Goodbyes had never been this painful to her. But this time, it was different. This time, it was a part of her that was leaving. And Bucky was, a part of her. He was woven into the intricates of her very soul. They weren't two separate beings. They were one soul, two souls that had always been destined to find one another. Him leaving, was like having her soul ripped in two. She wouldn't be whole until Bucky was back, until she could feel his arms around her, hear his heart beat in rhythm with hers. She needed him back. She needed him back now.

A bit shorter then last time, but don't worry, this will not be the last time they see each other. We found out more about teir past, and Clara's family. You'll get to meet another family member next chapter. Please review and tell me what you think of this chapter, and what you think will be in next chapter.