A/N: Many thanks to my team of betas and support: xxdustnight88, gaeilgerua, & mystrana.

This is the final chapter of the little tale. Thank you to everyone who helped make this fic come together. I hope you all enjoyed it immensely.

Again, shoutout to the capbigbang mods for putting this event together, and to mystrana for being so patient with me and making such beautiful art!

xoxo

Chapter Ten

Hermione grumbled, rolling over as a soft moan escaped her lips. Cautiously, she opened her eyes. There was a bright, white light, so she quickly shut her eyes as she winced. Slowly, she opened her eyes once more.

"What," she grumbled. Sitting up, Hermione looked around. She realised that she was in a hospital bed. Her shoulder ached, and suddenly the previous events came flooding back.

She winced trying to assess the rest of her body. Everything else seemed okay, besides her arm and shoulder. The bitter taste in her mouth alerted her to the fact that she must have swallowed some Skele-Gro to regrow her bones.

Looking around the room, she saw a vase of flowers on her nightstand. They were yellow daisies. Reaching over, she picked up the small card.

I'm sorry.

That was all that was inscribed on the card, along with a signature of S. Hermione gripped the card tightly in her hand, her heart aching at the sight. "Steve," she whispered, feeling her heart start to break.

The door opened and in strode Miss Rodriguez. She stopped at the foot of the bed. "Miss Granger, I'm glad to see you awake." She smiled at her tentatively.

"Glad to be awake," Hermione replied. "I don't remember much of what happened." She bit her lower lip anxiously.

Miss Rodriguez nodded in understanding. "The Winter Soldier escaped custody. Both ourselves and the US government failed to apprehend him."

Hermione bit her lower lip even harder. "And what of Captain Rogers?"

Miss Rodriguez pursed her lips. "Mr Rogers' current whereabouts are unknown. It has been advised that you do not contact him or attempt to seek him out. Director Fury's orders."

"I don't understand," Hermione said, trying to sit up. "What? Why would Fury do that? I have to talk to Steve."

"His whereabouts are unknown," Miss Rodriguez said. "Even S.H.I.E.L.D., or what's left of it, cannot locate him."

Hermione let out a shaky breath. She was sure that Steve had gone after Barnes. If she could find Barnes, she would be able to find Steve.

"Once you're healed, you'll be able to start on your next assignment."

"The Winter Soldier is my assignment," Hermione argued, hoping that could be the way she crossed paths with Steve was more. "He hasn't been apprehended."

"This new assignment takes precedent." Miss Rodriguez looked at her sympathetically. "I'm sorry, Miss Granger, but a new threat has come to our attention and it needs to be dealt with immediately."

Hermione wanted to argue but knew there would be no changing Miss Rodriguez's mind. Besides, she knew that her assignment likely came from both MACUSA and Fury. "What is it?" she asked.

"We've received words that Hydra has been using two enhanced individuals, twins. One of them the female, displays abilities similar to ours."

"You think a witch or wizard is helping Hydra?" Hermione considered it. "It could be possible." She had done enough work with dark wizards and witches. It wouldn't be beyond the realm of possibility for one to have teamed up with Hydra. But a set of dark twins where only one was magical? That didn't make much sense. "Where will I be heading?"

"Sokovia," Miss Rodriguez answered. "We're hoping you'll be cleared by tomorrow and ready to go."

Hermione nodded, letting out a shaky breath. "Thank you."

"I'll give you some time to rest," Miss Rodriguez said. She smiled at Hermione weakly before slipping from the room.

Hermione rested her head against her pillow. "Steve," she whispered quietly. "Where are you?"

Closing her eyes, she made her choice.

She pushed all thoughts of Steve from her mind. She'd have to stay focused on the task at hand, and that was healing and the finding the twins.

Hermione could only hope that her path would cross with Steve's once more someday.

"Are you sure about this?" Sam asked, glancing at Steve. "We're probably going to get ourselves killed."

"I meant what I told Fury." Steve paused. "You don't have to come with me."

"And I meant what I told you," Sam told him, arching a brow. "If you're going after him, I'm coming with you."

Steve clapped Sam on the shoulder. "Thank you."

"What about Hermione?"

"Natasha told me that she's healing," Steve said, his voice quiet. "It's better if we leave her out of this."

"You aren't going to say goodbye?" Sam didn't look like he agreed with Steve's choice.

Steve shook his head. "Too hard," he said, swallowing the lump in his throat. "We need to stay focused."

Sam nodded. "This is it then. We said goodbye to Fury, got the file from Natasha… This is it."

"We're good to go. I've got a car waiting for us." Steve looked to Sam. When Sam nodded in agreement, Steve picked up his things. He shield felt heavy in his hands, but he knew that it was really his heart that was feeling heavy.

He thought of Hermione one last time before pushing her from his mind.

Bucky was his mission, and he needed to stay focused. That was his choice.

He could only hope that his and Hermione's path would cross again someday.