Worth The Wait

Part 15, Dynamite~

Common room-

Tears form in Annabelle's eyes as she looks to Steve and his heart aches. He knew what her thoughts darted to and he was happy to say that she was wrong.

"He's not dead, please tell me he's not dead." Annabelle

"No, Anna, he's not dead, sweetheart." Steve

Annabelle nods and wipes the tears away, feeling slightly more relieved knowing that at least he wasn't dead... she wouldn't have to mourn him again.

"Then what's wrong?" Annabelle

"He's here but, Anna, his memory..." Steve

"What about his memory?" Annabelle

Annabelle lifted her eyes to meet Steve's and she saw how broken he looked, he himself was on the verge of tears and she still had no idea why.

"Steve? What's wrong with his memory?" Annabelle

Annabelle knew what was coming but she had to hear it herself, she had to hear it from the person she trusts most.

"Steve?" Annabelle

Steve heard the sheer desperation in her voice and he began to tell her everything that happened.

"Me and Nat discovered that HYDRA was growing within SHIELD, we didn't think HYDRA was a problem anymore but we were wrong. Bucky was with HYDRA-" Steve

Annabelle's heart broke. She knew how bad it was there... she'd only been there for four days herself but she was scarred for the rest of her life because of it. He'd been there for 70 whole years.

"Not again." Annabelle

"I'm sorry, sweetheart. Bucky was with HYDRA again, but he's here now." Steve

He wasn't telling her everything. What was he trying to keep from her? What isn't he telling her? And why isn't he telling her?

"What else happened, Steve? I'm not stupid, I know something else happened." Annabelle

"There was a fight on one of the helicarriers, the whole thing was going down and there were explosions. I was fighting Bucky at this point. He's been given a version of the Super Soldier Serum and he's got a metal arm because his was injured too badly when he fell from the train. He's a lot stronger than before and we both know that Bucky was already physically stronger than most of the soldiers in the war. He was beating me, literally, but I said something which made him recognise me a little. I fell into the water and I didn't have the strength to swim. I honestly thought I was going to die, I hadn't seen Sam or Nat and they didn't know where I was so they were unable to help me. But I woke up on the bank, Buck was there, he'd dove into the water after me and got me out, he saved my life. But when I spoke to him we pinpointed what memories he had and which he didn't. Bucky doesn't remember the war, Anna... he remembers our life before but he doesn't remember the war." Steve

As these words sunk in tears started forming in Annabelle's eyes again. Steve could have died, but Bucky saved him. Bucky had some of his memories but- but he didn't have any of her? That broke her and she started crying, again.

"So, what you're saying is that he doesn't remember me?" Annabelle

"I'm so sorry, sweetheart. We'll remind him, we'll tell him everything." Steve

Annabelle wiped her tears away and swallowed all the strength she had left. She couldn't do this, she couldn't tell him who she was without him remembering her.

"No, no we don't tell him who I am." Annabelle

"What? But, Anna-" Steve

"Please?" Annabelle