Chapter 9

"Adeline," the Frenchman's voice, whom Adeline had come to know as Louis, broke Adeline from her sleep. "Adeline, I think something is happening." There were gunshots and shouting. It wasn't the screaming that usually plagued these concrete hallways, but joyous shouting. She was too weak to get up and try to see what was happening.

"Adeline, are you still with me?" Louis asked. "Adeline?"

"Yeah, I'm still here," Adeline's voice cracked.

"I think they're liberating the compound," he said, eager to see who their savior was. "Hey! Down here!" Louis shouted. "Viens ici! We're down here!" Adeline closed her eyes, leaning her head against the cement wall. She could be free. She let out a small laugh. She could imagine Bucky's smile and Steve's arms around her. Of course it wouldn't be the same. She had grown thin over the months of her imprisonment.

"Merci, mon ami!" Louis exclaimed as his cell door was opened. "My friend, she's in the cell down here. Come." Adeline opened her eyes, blinking, trying to clear her vision. She saw Louis for the first time. He was a tall, thin man. His hair looked like it once was thick and glossy, but after months of imprisonment, it was thin. It looked like he ate the food the Hydra soldiers gave him as he wasn't nearly as thin as Adeline.

"Adeline?" A familiar voice questioned and Adeline gave a weak smile. A man in a red, white, and blue suit walked into her cell. She found it rather ostentatious after all she saw these past few months was grey. His face came into focus and her smile widened.

"Steve," she breathed as he pulled her in for a hug.

"I thought you were dead," Steve said.

"So did I," Adeline breathed as he helped her up from the squeaky cot.

"Get her out of here," Steve ordered Louis.

"Of course," Louis agreed, aiding Adeline, draping her arm around Louis' shoulders.

"Wait, Steve, where are you going?" Adeline asked, still holding Steve's hand.

"I've gotta find Bucky," he said.

"Bucky? What happened to Bucky?"

"I'll tell you everything once you're safe," Steve said. "Go!" He began running in the opposite direction of Adeline. An explosion shook the compound and Louis urged them faster. Adeline was stumbling next to him, her arm draped over his shoulders.

"He will be fine, come," Louis encouraged as they reached the exit. Louis grabbed a gun from a dead soldier, offering them some form of protection.

"Get me a gun," Adeline said. Louis raised his eyebrows, but gave her a gun without another word.

"Let's go," Louis said.

|Tuesday, September 8, 1942|

Some part of Adeline didn't want to tell the M.O.R. that she was alive and well, but the message was sent once she was able to function properly. Every day, Bucky would come to see her, check on her progress. Sometimes he would sit with her for hours, just talking or playing a card game to pass the time. Today was the day she was actually allowed to walk without someone to help her. She sat on the edge of the hospital bed, getting her wounds dressed.

"Hey, Adi," Steve's voice caused Adeline to look up.

"Hey," Adeline responded with a smile. "God, I don't think I'll ever get used to you looking like that." Steve laughed, looking down and shaking his head.

"Yeah, me neither," he admitted.

"You know how I found out about your idiotic plan to become a super soldier?" Adeline questioned.

"No ..." Steve trailed off, looking guiltily at Adeline because he knew he didn't tell her.

"I found it in a file when I was on a mission. A file, Steve," Adeline said, getting up from the bed, followed by Steve. "You complete idiot, you didn't think to tell your best friend about what you were up to? And for three months I sat in that Hydra compound, only looking forward to beating you up for not telling me." Even though Steve was now taller than Adeline, she could tell that she still could intimidate him.

"Well, to be fair, you died," Steve stated. Adeline made sure her bandage was tight around her hand as she balled it, sending a punch at Steve. He let out a pained gasp, placing a hand over his jaw. Adeline gave him a glare, walking past him.

"Adi!" He called after her. "Adeline, come on. Hey!" Steve grabbed Adeline's upper arm, spinning her around so she stopped walking away from him. He was much stronger than before and Adeline didn't like it.

"What?" Adeline asked.

"You can't stay mad at me forever," Steve said.

"Want a bet?" Adeline asked.

"Okay, okay, just ... I'm going out tonight if you wanted to join me. There's a bar a few blocks from here. Bucky will be there and a few of the soldiers," Steve said.

"I don't even have a dress," Adeline said softly. Steve just smiled.

"That's no problem, follow me," he said, taking her hand and leading her to a tent.

~*~

"Darling, I'm sure this is going to be the one, come on out," Peggy said encouragingly. Steve had sent Adeline with Agent Peggy Carter to shop for a dress. She was beautiful and Adeline could tell how Steve fell for her no matter how much he denied it.

"Okay, okay," Adeline said. She pushed aside the curtain and revealed herself in a loose dress. The expensive material looked like a cheap rag as it hung off Adeline's body.

"Well, it could be a bit tighter in the waist," she said hesitantly.

"I'm sorry," Adeline sighed.

"No, no, dear, there's nothing to be apologizing for," Peggy said. "You're just so ... small." Adeline knew Peggy wanted to know what happened to her in the Hydra base. Though Adeline had gained much of her weight back in just the few weeks she had returned, she was still rather thin.

"Excuse me," Peggy said to the passing Italian woman who owned the small boutique. "Could we get alterations?"

"Yes, yes, of course," the older woman said in a cheery voice. She was plump with neat grey hair. "Come, come." The older woman led Adeline out, taking measurements.

"Can I just not go?" Adeline mumbled as she looked at herself in the mirror. Her hair was messily cut and many large parts were missing, causing her thin figure look sickly.

"Bucky will want to see you there," Peggy said, sitting to the side of Adeline.

"Not like this," Adeline responded.

"Don't talk like that, Adeline," Peggy scolded softly.

"Peggy, you can't honestly think I look beautiful like this," Adeline said, getting mad at herself more than anything.

"Adeline, you are beautiful," Peggy insisted. "You've just been to hell and back. Besides, your healing is going extraordinarily well for a person who has been held captive for three months. If he can't see that then you should move on." A flash of sadness clouded Peggy's eyes and Adeline could only assume that she had personal experience. Adeline nodded, looking back at herself in the mirror. She did truly look sickly, but she was still Adeline. Peggy was right in some regard. If Adeline looked at herself only a week ago, she would have been unrecognizable. Adeline quickly changed, handing the dress to the Italian shopkeeper to be altered then she sat across from Peggy.

"You know, I was only kept there for three months, but it felt like years," Adeline said. "My partner and I were on an assignment. He, uh, left me there. I got hit and he made a choice. And he chose to pack up the files and leave."

"I'm sorry," Peggy said wholeheartedly, standing up and walking over so she could sit next to Adeline. "James is lucky to have someone like you." Adeline sighed, shaking her head.

"No, he's not," she said.

"Adeline, what are you talking about?"

"I haven't told him yet," Adeline said.

"Told him what?" Peggy asked.

"I can't have children," Adeline said, biting her lip as though it might stop the tears from falling.

"Adeline, dear, I'm so sorry," Peggy attempted to console Adeline as she breathed in shakily.

"What if he doesn't love me anymore?" Adeline asked. "If I can't give him a family ..."

"Adeline, get those nasty thoughts out of your head this instant," Peggy ordered. "The way Bucky looks at you, the way you talk to each other, he can't simply stop loving you."

"You think?"

"I know."

Both Peggy and Adeline made it to the bar. The music was loud and cheery. It lifted Adeline's spirits as they walked into the familiar bar. It felt as though she was back home, in Brooklyn when the war was the least of their worries.

"Buck!" Adeline exclaimed, pulling him in for an embrace.

"You look amazing, agent," Bucky said, a bright glint in his eyes, something Adeline hadn't seen in a long time. He was just as beaten and broken as Adeline, but they continued.

"Not so bad yourself, sarge," Adeline said, fixing the collar of his shirt so it was all the way buttoned and his tie was neat. "You've already had too much to drink."

"I think you need a drink," Bucky said, hailing the bartender. She took a seat as a drink was placed in front of her.

"The last time I got drunk was 1936," Adeline said.

"Not true," Bucky said, setting down his drink. "Christmas of 1940. You came home earlier than I expected and I found you passed out on my sofa with a bottle in your hand. You were exceptional at picking locks and even better at stealing my booze."

"Okay, I haven't been drunk since 1940," Adeline said.

"Oh, wait, August, 1941," Bucky said. "We went to Coney Island that day. There was a beach party -"

"Okay! I get it," Adeline said with a laugh.

"You kissed that guy, oh, what was his name? Robert ... Robert Willis, that's right," Bucky continued teasing.

"June, 1940, you came to D.C. and I was still at work. I came home to find you in my bed, your shirt completely undone and your trousers were nowhere to be found," Adeline laughed. "You were tuned into Buck Rogers on the radio." Bucky shrugged, laughing.

"Here's to the days with less war and more alcohol," Bucky said, raising his glass.

"Well said," Adeline responded, clinking their glasses and taking a drink. "So, I hear Steve's making an elite team to take down the evils of the world. You joining?"

"Well, someone's gotta make sure that punk doesn't do anything stupid," Bucky said.

"I figured as much," Adeline said.

"What about you?" Bucky asked. "You getting out?" Adeline let out a humorless laugh.

"I thought about it," Adeline admitted.

"And?"

"And I don't think I can give it up," Adeline said and Bucky gave her a disapproving look. "Don't look at me like that!"

"Adeline, you almost got yourself killed," Bucky protested.

"Yeah, and I want to see the look on my partner's face when he sees me come back. Alive," Adeline said. Bucky shook his head, taking another drink.

"Well, come on then, I can't let you leave without a dance," Bucky said, getting up and holding out his hand. Adeline smiled, accepting his hand. He still seemed weak from his imprisonment as well but he still had that lively glint to his eyes and that softness of his hands.

"I can't stand you, you know that, right?" Adeline mumbled as they moved with the pace of the slow music. He twirled her around and smiled as she came back to him.

"Well, then, I guess we're even," Bucky said.

"I want you to be careful," Adeline said. "Watch out for Steve, but also watch out for yourself. You're no good to me dead."

"Yes, ma'am," Bucky responded with a smile. "You better take care of yourself too."

"Yes, sir," Adeline said, her forehead resting on his chest, breathing in his scent, making sure to memorize every little detail before she left. The way his hands felt on her hips, the way his arms wrapped around her as he hugged her, swinging her around, the way the corners of his eyes crinkled as he laughed, and her favorite part about Bucky, his voice.

"Talk to me, Buck," Adeline said as they walked aimlessly.

"What do you want me to talk about?" He questioned, his hand squeezing hers.

"Anything," Adeline said. And Bucky began talking of his adventures, of his friends he had made. The sound of his voice soothed her. It made it seem like everything was going to be okay.

"I can't wait to make you mine," Bucky said, leaning down and kissing her. Adeline hesitantly kissed him back before pulling away.

"Buck, do you want children?" She asked softly.

"Of course, I want children. I want us to grow our own family," Bucky said, a smile on his face. Adeline looked down, biting her lip. "Do you not want that?"

"I do, you have no idea how much I want a family with you," Adeline said, looking up at him.

"Is there something wrong?" Bucky asked, cupping her cheeks in his hands.

"No ... yes," Adeline said. "I just want you to know that I love you. I love you so much."

"Of course I know that, and I love you. What are you saying?" He said softly, brushing the pads of his thumbs over her cheek before she pulled away. A look of hurt crossed his features.

"I don't know how to say this," Adeline said softly, looking down at the ground.

"Say what? Adeline, you're scaring me," Bucky said. "Are you ... breaking up with me?"

"I can't provide you with a family," Adeline said, tears brimming her eyes as she looked up at him.

"You can't have children?" He asked quietly, sadness cloaking his face. Adeline shook her head as tears began flowing down her cheeks.

"I'm sorry," she whispered. "I'm so sorry. I should've listened to you. I should've gone home. On my last mission, I was hit. The wound got infected and I can't ..." Adeline shook her head as Bucky pulled her in for a hug. She cried into his chest.

"It's okay," he breathed, kissing the crown of her head. "We can ... we can figure something out." Adeline nodded as they began walking back to the camp, Bucky's arm tightly around her waist. Bucky helped her into her tent before getting her undressed, kissing the scar across her abdomen. He took off his white undershirt, gently pulling it over her head before kissing her lips. He then gently sat her into the small bed before getting in next to her, wrapping his arms tightly around her figure. She felt safe in his arms as he pulled the sheets over the both of them, holding her tight. He began pressing soft kisses to her neck and cheek.

"I will love you no matter what," he breathed before she fell asleep.

|Thursday, February 24, 1944|

It was overcast and bitter cold in the snow covered mountains. The view however, was worth it. It echoed a brief sense of hope as snowflakes drifted back and forth landing on the boots of the soldiers who stood idle, watching, waiting. James Falsworth held a pair of binoculars up to his eyes, scanning the snowy landscape while Jim and Gabe dialed into the German radio, hoping to pick up on some chatter. The Howling Commandos hadn't had a lead on Zola in a while and they were determined to see it through. Bucky looked across the great expanse, eyeing the long zipline, connecting them to another mountain.

"Remember when Adeline and I made you ride the Cyclone at Coney Island?" Bucky asked, trying not to look down, knowing all too well that there was a never ending drop.

"Yeah, and I threw up?" Steve asked, making sure he remembered correctly.

"This isn't payback, is it?" Bucky asked, though with a slight smile.

"Now, why would I do that?" Steve asked, smiling and checking the zipline once more. Bucky shook his head, chuckling.

"You still have that ring, right?" Bucky asked in a softer voice, though it could still be heard above the wind.

"Of course," Steve said.

"I just forgot to tell you that, if I don't make it thorough this war alive, I want you to give it to her," Bucky said. "Tell her I love her." Steve looked over at his friend who looked over the great landscape.

"Can you promise me that?" Bucky asked, shifting his gaze back to Steve.

"I promise."

"We were right," Gabe Jones said, causing both Steve and Bucky to turn. "Hydra dispatcher gave him permission to open up the throttle. Wherever he's going, they must need him bad." Steve exchanged a quick glance with Bucky before putting on his helmet, causing the rest of the soldiers to get ready. Falsworth brought the binoculars up to his eyes once more, this time, spotting a speeding train round the corner, almost blending in with the snow covered mountains.

"Let's get going, because they're moving like the devil," Falsworth informed the team.

"We've only got about a ten second window," Steve shouted above the wind to his team. "You miss that window, we're bugs on a windshield." Steve got his zipline ready, adjusting his grip and taking a deep breath.

"Mind the gap," Falsworth warned, giving a wary look to the sharp drop down from the mountain.

"Better get moving bugs!" Dugan shouted his word of encouragement.

"Matinant!" Jacques shouted and Steve pushed off the ground. Next was Bucky then finally Gabe Jones. Each dropped one by one onto the roof of the train, staying low. They found a ladder and Steve lowered himself down, opening the metal door, allowing him inside the grey train. Bucky soon followed, closing the door, feeling some relief at the warmth of the train car. The train was silent other than the repetitive beating of the tracks beneath them. Steve walked ahead, cautiously looking around, finding it strange that no one was shooting at them.

Steve looked back at Bucky who had his gun propped against his shoulder, wondering the same thing. Steve held his handgun low as he walked into the next car only for the metal doors to slide closed behind him, causing him and Bucky to be separated. The doors on the other side of each car opened to reveal Hydra soldiers. Three filed into Bucky's car as he turned and shot at them while one stood in Steve's car with a specialized Hydra weapon. Steve shot at the man but he quickly retaliated, a blue light nearly missing Steve as he covered himself with his shield and ducked behind a stack of cargo.

Bucky shot and successfully dropped on hostile, switching back and forth from his defensive positions. He dropped another as his gun clicked into an empty chamber. He quickly moved to the other side, getting out his handgun, trying to get a visual on the third Hydra soldier. Bucky's gunshots filled the air as Steve ran and jumped up, swinging into the Hydra soldier. He raised his shield, successfully knocking him out. Steve used the soldier's gun to blast open the door so he could get to Bucky. Bucky shot over the cargo but cursed when his second gun clicked into an empty chamber. Steve stayed to the side of the door, grabbing his gun then opened the metal door. Bucky looked up at Steve as he tossed him the loaded gun. Steve ran around the corner, pushing one of the heavy packages, causing the Hydra soldier to slip into plain shooting sight for Bucky to take down.

"I had him on the ropes," Bucky said, looking at the still body of the soldier.

"I know you did," Steve breathed. There were faint footsteps and the readying of a gun which caused Steve to turn around.

"Get down!" Steve yelled, pushing Bucky behind him, and holding up his shield. The shot reflected off the metal, leaving a gaping hole in the side of the train. The wind and snow whipped around the car as Steve recovered from the force of the shot. Bucky quickly got up, grabbing the shield that had clamored to the ground. He shot at the Hydra soldier but the shots ricocheted off the metal walls of the train. The gun was ready and the Hydra soldier shot again, the blue energy hitting the shield directly in the center. The force of the shot pushed Bucky back out of the train. Steve got up, making quick with the soldier then rushing to the opening, tossing his helmet to the side.

"Bucky!" Steve called as he began making his way against the weak, now exterior side of the train. "Hang on!" Bucky tried to make his way over toward Steve, the railing creaking in protest. He had to hang on. For Adeline he had to. The snow whipped against his face, making everything a blur.

"Grab my hand!" Steve yelled. The railing creaked, shifting under Bucky's weight. "No!" The railing finally gave way. Bucky felt Steve's fingertips slip out of range. His breath caught in his throat and his stomach dropped. Bucky still reached out for Steve as he let out a scream and things began to slow down while he watched Steve row smaller and farther away. Steve could only watch as his friend fell into the icy ravine below. He held on tight to the railing, staring down at the once calming mountains that now presented themselves as red and murderous.

~*~

The war was still strong in Europe, however, Nazi forces began to turn to defensive strategies, giving the Allied powers a great advantage. For the past year Adeline had been working with Peggy and the S.S.R. to take down Hydra bases all around Europe. The S.S.R. had formed a relation with the M.O.R. in a common goal: eliminate Hydra. When she wasn't on a mission, she watched daily silent moving picture reports from the team. She was always relieved to see her boys alive. Once in a while they could be seen laughing as they played a card game to pass the time. For now, Adeline was waiting for her next mission while she stayed at the Howling Commando's home base in Italy.

"They're back!" A soldier rushed in to tell of the return of the mighty Howling Commandos. Adeline was eager to see Bucky. It had been three months and every day she had grown even more impatient. Adeline rushed out to greet them. The first one she saw was Steve and she pulled him in for a hug. He returned the embrace, though it seemed more desperate than before, his arms tightening around her.

"Welcome back, Steve," Adeline said but he still didn't let go. "Steve? What's wrong?" Adeline finally managed to pull away. She looked around for Bucky but he wasn't anywhere to be seen, making her stomach drop.

"Steve, where's Bucky?" Adeline asked, desperately hoping that what she thought happened, wasn't the case.

"Adeline ..." Steve trailed off, as her gaze landed back on him. His eyes were red and it looked like he had been crying.

"Steve, what happened?" Adeline asked. "Please tell me he's okay. Please. Steve, please."

"I'm so sorry, Adeline," Steve choked out. Everything seemed to go silent as Adeline looked around at the rest of the team who hung their heads, not able to make eye contact with her. She swallowed thickly, tears forming in her eyes.

"No," she whispered, her hands covering her mouth.

"Adeline, please, I'm so sorry," Steve said, walking up too her, but she took a step back, not wanting his sympathy.

"You - you were supposed to protect him," Adeline said, blinking through the tears.

"Adeline -"

"You were supposed to keep him safe!" Adeline shouted, pushing Steve's shoulders.

"Adeline, please, it wasn't his fault," Adeline felt Peggy's hands on her shoulders, but she shook them off.

"I hate you!" Adeline shouted, her voice echoing throughout the camp, angry with tears. "You promised me! He promised me he would come home safe." Adeline punched Steve in the shoulder and he took it.

"You promised me you would bring him home!" Adeline shouted, punching him again. She felt weak, like this whole thing was a dream. She angrily wiped away her tears, looking at the defeated team. "I want to see his body." They all shifted uncomfortably.

"Adeline, he's gone," Gabe Jones spoke this time. "He fell. We couldn't get his body." Adeline felt numb. She couldn't even have a proper funeral for him. He was just gone.

"I didn't even get to say goodbye," Adeline whispered. She felt two soft hands guide her away and a calm voice speaking to her. She, however, didn't register what the British voice was saying as Peggy led her to her tent.

For the next few days, Adeline shut down. She stayed in her bed, flipping through the old photographs, her pillow stained with tears. She continued to mumble soft 'I love you's', hoping to make up for all the times she didn't. Steve hadn't visited her yet. She suspected Peggy was keeping him away in fear of Adeline's reaction. She heard the door of her tent open and her mattress dip.

"Adeline, you need to eat, darling," Peggy said, rubbing Adeline's shoulder.

"I loved him," Adeline said, her breath catching in her throat.

"And he loved you too," Peggy insisted. "He wouldn't want to see you like this, so come on, you have to eat something.

"I want to see Steve," Adeline said, staring at one of many black and white photos of the three friends.

"Are you going to eat?" Peggy asked.

"Only if I get to see Steve," Adeline whispered. Peggy sighted and got up from the bed, walking out. Adeline waited, not moving from her position on the bed. She rubbed her finger over Bucky's face which was frozen in a smile. The door of Adeline's tent closed and Adeline turned to her side so see Steve standing in the doorway. Tears immediately sprung from her eyes.

"Steve," Adeline choked out, letting the photo fall from her grasp, "he's gone." Steve walked over to the bed, sitting on the edge, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. She shot up, wrapping her arms around him, taking him by surprise.

"I'm sorry," Adeline sobbed into Steve's shoulder. He simply rubbed her back in comforting circles. "He was your friend too. I know you did your best. I'm sorry."

"It's alright, Adeline," Steve said as she finally pulled away, wiping at the tears, her eyes felt raw and her chest felt heavy.

"He gave me this," Steve said, pulling out a small black velvet bag. "He said he wanted me to keep it safe for him." Adeline took the velvet bag with shaky hands and opened it. Inside was a beautiful diamond ring. Adeline choked back another sob as she held the cold metal in her hand.

"I helped him pick it out at the jeweler's just in town here," Steve admitted. "I figured you're the one it belongs to."

"Thank you," Adeline whispered, fresh tears falling down her cheeks. She slid the ring on her left hand ring finger. At first the metal was cold against her skin but it soon warmed up, feeling as though it belonged.