There was a car coming up Tony Stark's driveway. I honestly wasn't sure what I expected. Maybe for the memories to continue. Maybe for more time before we jumped right into this split. But apparently we weren't. Or maybe time had just passed, and I had no recollection because I'd been lost in endless dreams.

I was standing outside, a few feet from the steps that led up to the porch. I wasn't sure if Chaos had a destination in mind, but I could hear voices inside the house. And I had to wonder if they'd sent her away so she couldn't overhear what they were saying. Which meant they were likely planning what to do if things went south. How they'd take Chaos out.

A car door shut, and I was startled. Lost in my own thoughts again. I turned to the sound of footsteps on the gravel beside me. Clara stopped and stared at me. Her hair was in messy curls she hadn't bothered to straighten. There was a darkness under her eyes. Not the Darkness like mine. But the darkness of grief.

But she was alive. Alive to grieve. To raise her son. Alive to shed the tears that ran down her cheeks at the sight of me.

"Jo?" she asked, cautious because someone had clearly warned her that I might not be me. I couldn't get the words out. I was already crying too. I just nodded.

Then she was throwing her arms around me. I held her close, digging my fingers into her back and sobbing against her shoulder.

"I watched you die," I said.

"I know. I'm so sorry. I'm sorry I left you here alone." I shook my head.

"You're here now."

"Barnes told me what you have planned. He said you'd want to see me before you start."

"I wanted to say goodbye. Just in case." She pulled back to frown at me as I wiped my eyes.

"This will work out. You'll get to come home." I shook my head again.

"Clara."

"Don't argue with me. We were apart for five years, and now I'm standing here with you again. We'll see each other again." She glanced off behind me and then motioned her chin. They'd moved the conversation out onto the porch. Sam stood with Liv, Banner, and their team of doctors. Bucky had his eyes on me. Probably not because he cared but more that he didn't want me to hurt my own sister.

"He's a good man," she said. I turned back to her.

"You really think so?" She nodded.

"He was—here for me. After we came back. After Tony. I got to see that part of him you always talked about. He's good with Bernie too. And even when he was off doing his own things, he checked on us regularly. Enough that Bernie has grown attached to him. And he brings gifts whenever he visits. He came to see you all the time. Even before they worked out a plan to wake you up. He hasn't left since. He's doing everything he can to save you." I nodded.

"I told you so." She rolled her eyes but smiled.

"It's good to have you back."

"I'm sorry that I wasn't here when…."

"I know." She squeezed my arms. "I'm—not great. But—this is what he died for. To bring us all back. I think he had time to understand and move on. He wanted you to get better so you and Barnes could have a chance. And I knew from the first time I realized I was in love with him—that he'd go out this way. I just—I wish we'd had more time." Her eyes began to water again.

"I wish you did too." She took a deep, steadying breath.

"You have a chance now, Jo. So when you're there, and things get scary—I want you to remember that. Fight for that future. Every second of my life with Tony was worth it. And I'd do it all again. I have no doubt that your life will be like that too. You just have to get past these last few hurdles, okay? And I'll be waiting here for you when you get back." I nodded.

"I just came to like two minutes ago, so I don't really know what's going on." She laughed gently.

"Barnes will fill you in."

"Auntie Dodo!" a voice shouted from behind her. We both turned as a little boy scrambled out of the car and bolted for us. He'd grown a lot since I'd last seen him. And when he threw his arms around me, he nearly knocked me to the ground.

"Still haven't gotten the hang of those Js?" I asked, holding him tight. He grinned up at me, missing teeth and all.

"I can say my Js. But you'll always be my Auntie Dodo." I smiled.

"How old are you now? Like twenty?" He snickered.

"I'm only eight."

"You've grown at least two feet."

"Kids do that when you sleep too much."

"It's like Tony copied and pasted himself into your uterus." Clara ruffled his dark hair and snorted.

"Don't be gross," she said.

"Sorry, Clara," Graham said as he joined us, hands on his knees as he tried to catch his breath. "I told him to wait, but he was bouncing off the damn walls."

"Language, Graham."

"Yes, ma'am. Sorry." Then he looked at me warily.

"It's me," I pointed out. Then he pulled me into a hug.

"I thought so. But I wasn't sure. And hey, look, I gave the scientists an idea, and they're actually following through with it."

"Look at you, practically a scientist yourself now." He pretended to puff up.

"Call me Doctor McGuire."

"More like a Doctor Nerd," Bernie said.

"Sounds about right," I agreed. Graham made a face like it was a valid point.

"Yeah, fair. Anyway, I have a lot to tell you."

"We should probably hold off on that until this is all over," Bucky said as he joined our circle. I felt relief wash over me as he set his hand on my back. He obviously recognized the lack of an uncanny valley.

"That way I have something to look forward to? Motivation to hear Graham talk my ear off?" He smiled down at me.

"That way we can get this over with. So we can start planning that date." I'd been in love with this man for nearly years. I wasn't sure what the date even was. But I blushed all the way to my toes anyway.

"Are you going to come live with Auntie Dodo in her house?" Bernie asked, head popping up from where he was still clutching me as if I'd fade away. Bucky's eyebrows rose.

"My what?" Clara gave him a look but smiled.

"It was supposed to be a surprise. Tony finished your house," she explained.

"And you can live there, so you'll always be close. And Buckaroo can live there too. And bring his cat." I turned back to him.

"Since when do you have a cat?" I wondered.

"Since two months ago," he answered. "Her name is Al. I found her in a dumpster."

"That's the most adorable thing I've ever heard." Clara patted Bernie's back.

"Why don't we head up right now and get it ready for Auntie Jo, okay?" she asked. He finally released me and nodded enthusiastically.

"Okay. Do you still like waffles, Auntie Dodo?"

"Always," I promised.

"We'll make you some for when you come home, okay?" I smiled sadly. I didn't know what state I'd be in. Or if I'd even be conscious. Or alive.

"That sounds great, Buddy." Clara guided him toward the porch but sent me a look over his shoulder.

"You look like you need a hand," she whispered. I nodded and let myself slouch the moment Bernie was gone.

"How are you holding up?" Bucky asked. I shook my head.

"Hurts again. I don't know how much longer I'll be me. I'm glad she took him into the house."

"Me too. We should get going anyway."

"Alright, let's bring it in," Graham said, throwing his arms around the both of us now.

Bucky let out a grunt but didn't fight it. I let myself be squished by the two of them. I didn't care that it hurt like hell. I was just glad to be there, wedged between them after Clara and Bernie went back into the house. They were all people I never thought I'd see again. And Graham must have caught the trail of my thoughts when he pulled away.

"I'm sorry, Jo," he said with a gentle chin chuck as he stepped back. Bucky wrapped his arm around me so I could lean into him.

"What are you sorry for?"

"Dying in front of you. I'm sorry for everything you lost and went through when we were gone. I'm sorry that you're in pain even now." I nodded and didn't say anything. He turned to Bucky. "You take care of our girl, okay?" Bucky nodded once.

"Always," he promised.

"I'll see you on the other side, Jo."

"See you, Graham." He left, following Clara and Bernie into the house. When he was gone, Bucky twisted and scooped me into his arms so I didn't have to stand any longer. "Thank you," I breathed out.

"Of course. Are you ready for this?" I shut my eyes and buried my face in his chest just to listen to his heartbeat.

"No," I admitted.

Bucky deserves Al.