Steve POV

Steve,

By the time you find this letter I'll be gone. I'm sorry to leave like this after everything you've done for me, but I need to find a cure for what's inside me. It's the only way I can move forward and leave the Winter Soldier behind. The only way I can ensure I'll never hurt anyone again.

I'd ask you to take care of Stella, but I know you will regardless. Once she's trained, get her the hell away from Stark.

I'm sorry I can't say goodbye in person, but I know you wouldn't let me leave if I did. I hope one day we finally get the chance to have that conversation we started in the elevator.

Your Pal,

Bucky Barnes

Steve read the letter for the third time. It couldn't be right.

Except it was.

The man's room was abandoned, the only evidence Bucky had ever been there being the bedding and a few loose articles of clothing he hadn't deemed important enough to take with him.

"Steve?"

He wiped at his eyes, which were wet.

"Are you okay?" Natasha slipped inside Stella's recovery room where Steve had taken vigil. She took a seat on the edge of the unconscious girl's bed.

"I'm fine."

The redhead observed him.

"No, you're not. What's going on? Is it Stella?"

"No." She still hadn't woken up. It had been two days since her escape attempt and subsequent imprisonment. Bruce's theory was she was that her body was finally getting the rest it had been deprived of these past few weeks.

"What's going on Steve?" Natasha pressed.

"It's Bucky. He's gone."

"Gone? What do you mean?"

Steve handed her the letter so she could read it. Her eyes sped over the text.

"Oh Steve…"

"It's my fault." Steve buried his face in his hands. "My best friend is gone."

"Steve, did you read the letter? Bucky didn't leave because of you. He left because he wants to get better. To find a cure."

"How will he get better out there Natasha? Hydra is still after him. The best place for him is the compound. He's safe here."

"He's a grown man, Steve. And Bucky is more than capable of taking care of himself." She paused. "This was his decision. You need to respect that."

"…There's more." Steve bit out eventually.

"What do you mean?"

Steve hesitated.

"I…Bucky and I, these past few months- maybe even longer, something's been happening between us."

"And?"

"And I think it might be part of the reason he left."

"Steve, Bucky loves you. We all know that." She paused. "Is that what he meant when he said 'I hope we can finish what we started in the elevator?'"

"Yes."

"He wouldn't have said that if he didn't want to have that conversation Steve. This. Wasn't. Because. Of. You."

Steve didn't respond for a few moments, merely staring at Stella's motionless form.

"How am I going to tell her? This is going to kill her."

Natasha looked at Stella.

"Be honest with her. That's all you can do Steve."

"Natasha…" Steve began. His feelings had been burning beneath the surface since Bucky had revealed what was going on. "How could I not realize something was wrong? I'm supposed to be her trainer, her mentor…And now she's lying in a hospital bed." Before Natasha could interrupt, he continued. "Everyone told me to stop hovering, to stop protecting her. To support her and be her friend. I couldn't even do that right."

With Bucky gone, his carefully constructed compartmentalization was all coming crashing down.

"Steve, this isn't just on you. It's on all of us. None of us noticed. None of us knew what was going on. We were all so wrapped up in finding and stopping Hydra..."

Steve looked at her. His eyes were sad.

"Bucky noticed. And now he's gone." He took a shuddering breath. "I'm worried this is going to push her over the edge Nat."

"We'll just have to be there for her this time. Be available and keep an eye on her. Be the ear she needs when she's ready to talk. She'll heal eventually."

And as Steve felt the deep pit in his gut that was Bucky's absence, all he could think was, No. She won't.

Stella POV

Stella clawed her way back to reality, her mind a fog. Her eyes blinked open sleepily, feeling like they weighed a million pounds. She looked around the room she was in. It was a recovery room in Bruce's lab, the same one she'd spent the night in when she'd fallen through the ice.

She tried sitting up, but pressure at her wrists kept her supine. She glanced down. Her wrists were cuffed to the bed. Panic lanced through her. She tugged on the binds, trying to free herself.

She looked in the mirror next to the bed and was shocked to see her eyes were glowing an unnatural, flickering blue.

A chill rolled through her.

Images flashed in her brain, one after the other;

Bucky strapped to a table, a strange machine wrapped around his arm and half of his face. His terrible screams echoed in her ears.

Natasha surrounded by glass and face down in the street. She was motionless, her leg bent at an impossible angle.

Steve with a gaping chest wound, taking his last shuddering breath as the blood expanded across his uniformed abdomen.

Her reflection in the mirror. She blinked and she was gone, Loki smirking back at her.

Tony on his knees in front of her, and herself, about to deliver the killing blow.

Stella gasped and blinked.

She was once again staring at herself in the mirror, her eyes back to their normal brown.

What was that?

Her heart was pounding erratically in her chest.

Did she just have a hallucination? It had all felt so real…

"Stella."

She looked to the doorway, where Steve stood.

"Steve? What's going on?"

Steve stepped inside, taking a seat beside her. "You don't remember?"

"I-" She tried lifting her hand to run through her hair, but it was still cuffed to the bed.

"Steve?"

"I'm sorry, Tony insisted." He quickly undid the binds. "He was worried about the state you would be in when you woke."

"You wouldn't let me leave," She recalled, the memories coming back to her.

Steve fixed his gaze on her, his eyes imploring.

"It's not safe for you Stella. Hydra is still after you." His tone was gentle.

"You…you shocked me."

Steve looked at her and his eyes were pained.

"I'm so sorry, Stella. If I had any idea what Tony was planning…" He paused. "I should have stopped him as soon as he tried to put you down there."

Stella looked at her now freed wrists. They were bandaged. She peeled back the white material, unwrapping her wrist until the skin beneath was revealed. Steve watched her warily.

The skin was scarred from the repeated shocks of the bracelet, mottled and raw. She brought them close to her chest.

"I want to go home."

"Stella…"

"I don't feel safe here anymore." She said, and it was the truth.

If Stella could have said anything to hurt Steve, it was that. What had happened, what had been done to her had changed her view of the compound, of the team. Maybe forever.

"It's my decision Steve." She pressed. "Please."

"Stella, you're still getting control of your powers. You could hurt someone," Steve said, trying to be as gentle as possible.

"I just want to go home," She whispered. "I hate it here. I hate Tony. What he did to me…it's unforgivable."

"I know."

"He tried to kick Bucky out. I don't care if he let him stay in the end, Bucky doesn't deserve the way he treats him." She swallowed, feeling herself getting emotional. "It was me Steve. I was the one trying to sneak out. Bucky tried to stop me and when I wouldn't listen he came with me to protect me." She looked at him, her eyes pleading.

Steve looked deeply uncomfortable.

"Stella, there's something I need to tell you."

"What is it?"

"It's about Bucky."

"What about Bucky." She said warily.

"…He's gone Stella. He left yesterday afternoon."

"What do you mean? Where did he go?"

"I don't know."

"Well, when's he coming back?" She demanded.

"Stella…" Steve said, his tone laced with pity and empathy.

"No…" His words sunk finally sunk in. Bucky was gone. Not that he'd went on a mission, not that he took the bike out for a ride. He was…gone.

"W-why? He wouldn't leave with me when I asked him to. He said he had to stay here. He wouldn't leave." She said, her tone accusing.

Steve seemed prepared for this response. He procured an envelope from his pocket, before handing it to her.

It was sealed, with her name written across it in Bucky's scrawling handwriting.

Stella,

This is the hardest thing I've ever had to do. Stark is right. I'm not good for you. Not as I am.

I need to find answers, a solution to what lives inside me. The Winter Soldier is still a part of me and you and I can never truly be together while he exists. I hurt you once and I'll never let it happen again.

I need to find a cure. Then maybe we can have a future together.

I wish I could take you with me, but I can't protect you like this. I'm more likely to hurt you than protect you as I am. And I don't know where this journey will take me. Steve will take care of you while I'm gone.

I wish I could ask you to wait for me, but I don't know if a cure even exists for what's inside me.

I'm sorry I have to leave. And I'm sorry I couldn't wait until you woke up to tell you.

Hopefully by the time I come back you'll have full control over your powers and we can leave this place forever.

I love you doll. I'm sorry it took me so long to say it.

Always,

Bucky Barnes

Stella's hands were gripping the letter so tightly she was shaking.

"Steve, please tell me it isn't true. Please tell me he's not really gone."

"I'm so sorry, Stella." She looked up to see Steve also had tears in his eyes. "I should have found the letters sooner. If I had, maybe I would have been able to convince him to stay. I knew Bucky wasn't okay after he saw what Tony had done to you. I think it triggered something in him…I knew I needed to talk to him but then he was just gone."

Stella was only half listening.

He'd left her. He'd promised he would never leave her.

She was all alone.

Tears began pouring down her cheeks. She buried her face in her hands.

"It's not true. He wouldn't do this."

"Stella…"

"He can't be gone…"

"Sweetheart…"

"Everyone I love leaves me." She was sobbing now. Steve moved to take the girl in his arms.

"Shh, shh, shh," Steve whispered, trying to soothe the distraught girl.

"Why would he do this?" She whispered.

"Stella…Bucky left because he doesn't want to hurt you. Once he finds a cure…he'll come back. We'll find a way to get him back. I promise you."

She shook her head, inconsolable. "He's never coming back Steve."

"Listen to me." Steve took her by the shoulders, looking her in the eye. "We will get him back…Bucky has his own issues he needs to work through. But he loves you."

"Why couldn't he do that here Steve? He didn't even say goodbye to my face."

"…Because if he did, he wouldn't have been able to leave you."

"How do you know?"

Steve stared at her for a moment.

"…I just do."

XXX

Once she'd finally calmed, Steve left to get Bruce. Now that the initial shock had worn off, Stella felt empty, emotionless. Numb.

Steve reappeared with Bruce in tow a few moments later.

"Stella," Bruce greeted. Stella didn't answer. Bruce cleared his throat, looked like he debated taking a seat on the edge of her bed, then thought better of it and sat in the chair Steve had been occupying before.

"How are you feeling?"

Stella's gaze flicked to Steve's.

"Fine, I guess," She lied.

He pulled up his tablet which Stella knew was synced to the machine that was tracking her heartbeat, temperature, and other vitals. His eyes scanned over the screen.

"Everything looks normal here." He closed the tablet and crossed his legs. "What do you remember before you fainted?" Bruce asked. Steve crossed his arms, watching them.

"Being shocked by the bracelets."

Bruce turned red.

"Stella, I'm so sor-"

"Forget it." She said, cutting him off. She wasn't in the mood to placate Bruce.

"Er…Do you remember anything else? Before you passed out?"

Stella wracked her brain. Everything that had happened inside the cell was a blur. All she could remember was the ceaseless shocks of the bracelet coursing through her. She rubbed her bandaged wrist, a move not missed by Bruce and Steve.

"No."

"Loki was talking to you," Steve intervened. "Egging you on, do you remember that?"

"A bit…It's all kind of fuzzy."

"…Alright. If you remember anything, let us know." Bruce said.

"When can I go back to my room?" Stella asked.

"Uh…" Bruce and Steve shared a look.

"I'm not going to try and run off again," She said because she had a feeling that was part of their concern.

"I'd like to keep you here for observation at least one more night."

"Steve can keep an eye on me. Won't you Steve?" Stella said, turning and looking at the man. "You're right downstairs if we need anything, Bruce."

"I don't know..."

"Please Bruce. I just want to sleep in my own bed."

Steve had a feeling Stella was taking advantage of Bruce's guilt with his involvement in the creation of the bracelets to get her way. And it was working.

"Well…" Bruce said reluctantly. "As long as that's okay with Steve."

"…Sure," Steve agreed, eyeing Stella.

"Alright, but I'd like to run some bloodwork before you go."

Bruce ran the last of his tests and finally let Stella go around 9pm. As promised, Steve accompanied Stella up to her room, hovering outside when they reached it.

"I think I want to be alone," Stella said before he could follow her inside.

"Stella…" He said, as if he was expecting it. "That wasn't the deal."

"I promise not to run off Steve."

"That's not what I'm worried about. You've just been through a massive shock."

"I just need some time away from everyone. To process what happened…To grieve for him. You get that right?"

"Of course I do."

"Then can I please just have some space?"

Steve looked as if he wanted to say more, torn between respecting her wishes and the time she needed to mourn the loss of Bucky, and the desire to stay with her and be there for her. After feeling like he abandoned her in the last few weeks, it wasn't an easy decision.

"I'll be back to check on you first thing in the morning," He relented finally.

"Thank you Steve."

Steve let the door shut in front of him, feeling uneasy. He wasn't sure if this was the right call but he understood how Stella felt. Well…to a degree. About Bucky at least.

He knew she also needed time to process what had been done to her by Tony and the team's subsequent involvement. He still felt sick about it himself.

He stared at the closed door in front of him. He wasn't sure how Stella would be feeling tomorrow.

All he could do was be there for her when she was finally ready to talk.

XXX

Stella turned and looked at her room. When Steve had brought her things to the compound she'd decorated; hanging concert posters and tapestries, pinning up pictures of her friends and family, putting her favorite books on display. It had made the stark, bland room feel a little warmer, less like a stranger's.

As she stood there after her failed escape taking in the room that had become her cell these past few weeks she felt…nothing.

She collapsed onto the bed, curling around her pillow. She wanted to scream but felt mute.

She was trapped here, surrounded by people who'd imprisoned her and electrocuted her. The worst part was she'd thought them her friends.

Stark pays the bills, it makes sense they'd be loyal to him. She thought bitterly.

She flipped over, irritated.

A reflection from her nightstand caught her eye. Curious, she lifted her head and reached out to touch the mysterious item. It jingled beneath her fingers.

She lifted them up, wondering how they could have gotten there.

Bucky's dog tags.

She remembered the last time she'd seen them. When they'd made love they'd been around the man's neck. She'd used them to pull him in for a kiss.

…Bucky must have put them there when he'd left.

A small piece of him…She thought to herself, remembering his words as she glanced at the Vibranium Empire State Building he'd given her for her birthday. She cradled the tags to her chest.

She didn't even known how to begin to process the loss of Bucky. He'd been her everything. Her friend, her trainer, her boyfriend, her lover. And now he was just…gone.

She'd gotten him back for a few precious hours. The time they'd spent sneaking out of the compound and that amazing hour once they'd gotten back had been a beautiful reprieve but even more tragic given his newfound absence.

She had gotten him back just to lose him again.

Bucky… She thought, gripping the tags tightly.

Flashback (Several months earlier)

A knock sounded at her door. Stella quirked a brow and went to answer it. Bucky stood on the other side.

"Bucky? I thought we were meeting in the gym?" Stella wasn't ready for training yet. She was still in her pajamas. She checked her alarm clock. It was 8:15. She still had plenty of time to change before meeting Bucky for their 9am training session.

"Actually, I was thinking about taking the day off from training."

"Oh? Okay. Are you feeling alright?" Stella asked, her gaze sweeping over the man.

"I feel fine. I have something else in mind."

"Okay?" Stella said, surprised by this change in their daily routine.

"Can you meet me at the pool?"

"The pool?" Stella questioned.

Bucky nodded.

"Why the pool?"

"I'll let you know once we get there. 9 a.m, okay?" The assassin turned to leave. "Bring a swimsuit."

And with that, he took off down the hallway without a word.

Stella swallowed. It was too late to back out now. She'd already shown Bucky she was perfectly fine and had intended to be at training. She couldn't bail.

Don't be a coward. She thought to herself.

Stella changed into compression shorts and a tank top. She didn't have a swimsuit and Natasha was still off with Steve and the rest hunting Loki so she couldn't ask to borrow one.

Stella would just tell Bucky she didn't feel like swimming and ask if they could do their regular training instead. He wouldn't push her.

She made her way down to the pool at 9am, as requested. Bucky was waiting for her. He was wearing a pair of black swim trunks and a t shirt. He stood when she entered.

Stella gave the pool a wide berth as she walked towards the man.

Before she could open her mouth to tell Bucky her planned request, he took her hand. Surprised by the unexpected touch, her words died on her lips. Bucky slowly led her towards the water. Stella let herself be pulled, though she stopped a good five feet from the edge.

"What're we doing here Bucky?" She asked, forgetting her intention.

"You haven't been able to look at water the same way since, have you?"

Stella didn't respond right away. She shouldn't have been surprised that Bucky knew what was going on in her head, the man was pretty intuitive.

She swallowed, debating whether or not to be honest. As if sensing her thoughts, he squeezed her palm.

"You can tell me Stella."

"How did you know?" She opted to say instead.

"I was the one who pulled you from the water, you know." He answered. "You almost died," He added quietly.

"I can swim…But it was so cold and the ice was so slippery, I couldn't get back to shore." Then after a minute, "I thought I was going to drown. I was so tired."

"I know." Bucky turned toward her, his eyes laden with understanding.

She supposed it was obvious that she hadn't been the same around water since the incident at the lake. She'd limited her showers to less than five skin crawling minutes (even on the lowest water pressure) and had been avoiding the pool and the lake like the plague.

No one seemed to notice. The majority of the team was still off hunting Loki while Wanda and Vision were taking advantage of the nearly empty compound to finally spend some time together as a couple.

Bucky did, though. Stella supposed not much got past the Winter Soldier.

"I brought you here today because I want you to know there's nothing to be afraid of. What happened to you was scary, terrifying even. But you can't let that fear run your life…Trust me." He added that last part quietly, his eyes softening.

"Easier said than done," Stella said before she could stop herself.

"Do you trust me?" He asked her. His cobalt colored eyes bore into her own. Stella had always loved blue eyes (especially since hers were boring brown), but Bucky's really were beautiful. Stella had noticed an unidentifiable sadness in them when they'd first met, hidden under his front of stoicism of course. Over the past few months the sadness had faded, though not entirely.

Bucky's intense gaze almost made her blush.

"I do." They'd come a long way in the weeks they'd trained together. They were friends now. She did trust him.

"I won't force you to do anything you don't want to…But I want to help you Stella."

"What do you want me to do?" She asked, almost fearful of his answer.

"I think you know." Bucky released her hand. He shucked off his shirt, letting it drop to the floor. Without another word, he dove into the water. A few droplets misted Stella and she winced. Bucky surfaced, smoothing his dark hair back as he did. He treaded water for a moment, then held his hand out to her.

Stella took a step back.

"Stella…" He said, seeing her hesitation. "I'm right here. I won't let anything happen to you."

She swallowed and steeled herself.

Before she could think twice she reached down and pulled her top over her head, letting it fall beside Bucky's. Her shorts were next. Bucky blushed, looking away. Stella stood before him in her sports bra and panties, too nervous to be shy about her lack of clothing.

"Sorry. I don't have a swimsuit." She said when she noticed he was avoiding her gaze.

"No need to apologize," Bucky muttered, slowly dragging his eyes back to her.

Stella would have smiled if not for her pounding heart, clammy hands, and general uneasiness. She took a tentative step forward. Bucky nodded, urging her forward. Another step. One more. It took her a moment, but she reached the edge of the pool. She gripped the ladder tightly.

"It's okay," Bucky encouraged when she stopped fully, her hand glued to the bar. "I'm right here." He had swam closer to the ladder and bobbed next to it.

Stella dipped her toe in the water. It was cool but much warmer than the lake had been on that frigid day. She realized then she was trembling.

"It's okay," Bucky repeated. Stella let her foot rest fully on the step. Then the other.

"Good job doll." Her hands gripped the metal of the ladder tightly. She took another step down so her calves were submerged.

"It's cold."

"I know." His voice was soft, like he was talking to an injured animal.

"Bucky," She bit out. She realized she was crying. "I don't know if I can."

"Talk me through it, Stella."

"…I'm afraid." She admitted.

"We can stop if you want to," He replied. "But I swear, nothing will happen to you while I'm here."

"Do you promise?"

"Yes."

"You won't let go of me?"

"No. Not unless you want me to." Stella took another step down. Now her hips were in the water. Bucky was still hovering next to her. He put a hand on her back. There was no other step after this. She had to let go.

As if sensing her train of thought Bucky said, "Hold onto me."

"You promise you won't let me go?" She knew they had just discussed it, but she needed to hear him say it again.

"I promise." He said patiently.

Stella turned slightly so she was facing him. She put her hand on his shoulder. Bucky used the ledge to brace himself. He reached out, wrapping his metal arm around her legs. He pulled her towards him. Stella felt herself being lifted away from the steps. She released the ladder, her grip moving to his shoulders and squeezing them tightly. If the action hurt him, Bucky made no indication of it. He held her in the air for a moment, the strong metal arm supporting her in a way a flesh one couldn't.

"Are you okay?"

She was still crying.

"Yes."

"I'm going to lower you down now, okay?"

Stella nodded. His grip loosened. She began sliding down the man's chest. As she did, Stella couldn't help wrapping her legs around Bucky's waist. She gripped him tightly, her fear overpowering her would- be embarrassment.

"I'm sorry," She managed.

"You don't need to apologize, Stella." Bucky continued lowering her. As he did her legs tightened around him, her hands still vice like on his shoulders. Her stomach touched the water, then her chest. Finally, she was almost fully submerged from her collarbones down.

"Are you okay?" Bucky murmured.

She didn't respond right away, her eyes tightly pressed shut. Stubborn tears leaked out of the corners.

"Look at me, Stella." Stella did as told. Bucky was watching her. One of his hands was wrapped securely around her back while the other held the ladder. They were still in the shallow end, only five feet deep so he released so he could stand on his own. The hand reached up and wiped the tears from her cheeks, cupping one.

"It's okay doll. I'm right here." His sweet words and tender expression were too much. She let her head fall into the crook of his neck, tears wracking her frame. Bucky rubbed her back soothingly, murmuring words of comfort.

Stella regained her composure after a couple minutes, though she stayed where she was for a few more seconds. She felt safe there.

"Are you ready to keep going?" He murmured once she pulled herself away.

She nodded. Bucky hooked his other arm under her butt to support her. Stella knew it wasn't sexual and he only did it to make her feel more secure. He began walking towards the deeper end.

Unconsciously Stella's arms snaked around the man's neck, bringing herself closer to him.

"Do you want me to stop?" Bucky breathed in her ear.

"No. Keep going."

He did as told, making his way down the sloped floor. Stella felt herself lower deeper and deeper into the water.

I can do this. The mantra played over and over in her head.

Bucky was so focused on not dropping Stella that his misjudged his next step. He slid. One of his hands reached out blindly for the wall, the other holding Stella to him tightly. They both went under. Stella clutched Bucky harder, her heart flying into her throat.

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I slipped." Bucky gasped as he brought them both back up. "Are you okay?"

They were both soaked. Stella's hair was plastered to her back. Water dripped down her neck. Their faces were only inches from one another's.

"I'm okay. Really." She confirmed after she realized she in fact, was. She wiped water from her face, looking at the man who still held her with surprising gentleness. "You didn't drop me."

"I promised you I wouldn't." They stared at each other for a moment.

Stella's heart was still racing in her chest and the way Bucky was looking at her wasn't helping. Despite having agreed to be just friends, sometimes the man made it pretty damn hard to do just that.

"Do you feel comfortable trying to get down?" He asked after a prolonged moment.

Her grip tightened on him.

"…Okay. Just don't let go." She agreed reluctantly.

"I won't," He swore. "I'm going to move my hands underneath you so I can maintain control."

"Okay."

His hands slid downwards, gliding down her back and around the curve of her hip until they were under her thighs.

"Ready?"

She nodded. He began lowering her down. She slid over him, their slick bodies rubbing together. She sank over his hips, the apex of her legs brushing against his groin.

"I have to move my hands now," He warned her. He couldn't go any further without submerging his face beneath the water.

"Do it." His hands moved to her waist one by one. Stella was finally able to stand on her tip toes. Her hands had shifted so she was now clutching Bucky's arms.

"How do you feel?" He asked.

Stella swallowed. Her eyes were pressed closed.

"Tell me what you can feel Stella."

"The water. It's cold."

"What else?"

"…The tile." She lowered herself so her feet were flush against it. "Your skin beneath my fingers."

"What can you smell?"

"The chlorine," She answered immediately. They were still standing close together. "Your body wash," She added a few seconds later.

"What can you see?"

She opened her eyes.

"You."

He smiled.

"How do you feel?" He repeated.

"I feel…" She took stock of herself. "Better," She admitted. "Grounded. Calmer."

"I'm glad." He paused. "Think you're ready for the next phase?"

An Hour Later

The two stood to the side, drying themselves off. Stella was squeezing the water out of her hair with her towel while Bucky dried his bionic arm.

"You did good."

Stella smiled.

"You don't have to say that."

"I mean it. I'm impressed."

They'd stayed in the water a while longer, going a little further each time. Once Stella even had to put her head under (which was by far the scariest) but she felt surprisingly…okay. Some of what they'd done was frightening in the moment but having someone she trusted with her helped immensely. Bucky was as patient, kind and supportive as he was during training, if not more so.

It had been hard and emotional work but she'd done it. She felt drained though parts of her tingled where her skin had been pressed against Bucky's.

She wasn't fully cured, she knew that. Bucky had said it was possible she'd always have some lingering fear but she knew now that the water couldn't hurt her. And he assured her he'd come back with her as many times as she needed him to. An overwhelming feeling of affection for the man swelled in her.

"Bucky?" She asked after watching him shake out his hair.

"Hm?" He looked up at her.

She stood. He straightened, seeing her serious expression.

"Stella?"

She walked up to him. "Thank you." She lifted herself onto her tippy toes and pressed her lips to his cheek, lingering a few seconds more than necessary. She felt his breath on her ear, heard his sharp inhale when she'd kissed him.

She pulled away reluctantly.

"I couldn't have done this without you, Bucky."

He gave her a half smile.

"Yes, you could."

A/n: Thanks for reading, hope you guys are enjoying the story so far. Special shoutout to Guest9404 for reviewing. To answer your question, I think if you can take anything away from the way Stella called for Steve it's that despite everything that's happened between them she still sees him as a protector and knows he cares about her.