Come Back To Me

32

The stench of vomit stung at my nostrils, but I ignored it as I sat motionless on my knees, leaning on Jamie's doorway, staring lifelessly into her room. Tears streamed down my face as I let out long, aching wails. Tony had left my side and was pacing the living room, waiting for Steve to walk through the door. Tony had called him, so Steve and Bucky should walk in at any moment. But I sat shaking, screaming helpless pleas to have my daughter back in my arms again. I needed her with me. Losing her like this hurt so much more than losing Bucky ever did. My body felt frozen. I had no warmth, no life. I had nothing but a dull ache and a sore throat, but I continued my screaming. I was so focused on that, that I never noticed Steve and Bucky rush through the front door.

*****

The two men could hear Maggie's screams from outside, and if they werent already sprinting to the door, that would have triggered them to do just that. Bucky was the first inside, completely ignoring Tony who was trying to get his attention. He was focused on only one thing; Maggie. His feet carried him through the house and to her side, where he found her crumpled and shaking body in a heap on the floor in front of their beloved daughters room. No matter how much he wanted to, now was not the time for himself to grieve. He needed to comfort Maggie. He would take out his emotions at a different time. But for now, the love of his life needed him. He knelt down beside her, noticing the throw up nearby.

"Mags, doll. Im here. Its going to be okay." he cooed, his voice softer than it had ever been since before he fell from the train. Maggie's screams turned into pitiful cries and sobs as she turned and buried her face into his chest. Bucky closed his eyes, swallowing down the urge to cry out himself. Seeing Maggie in a state like this tore out his heart. It was worse than when Sara died, it was worse than when she killed Charlie, it was even worse than when he fell off of that damn freightcar. She was in so much pain, no words could ever describe it. Bucky felt it too, but he kept it hidden for her sake. Instead, he cradled Maggie in his arms and stood, carrying her into their bedroom and laying her down on the bed gently. There he sat in silence, perched on the edge of the bed while Maggie curled up, getting herself tangled in the sheets as he brushed his hand through her hair, making sure he kept touching her. He knew she needed the contact. Thats all that he could provide. So there he sat with her for hours, not saying a word, not moving an inch, not taking his hand from her skin. He waited there until her cries turned to sniffles and she didnt do anything but stare blankly at the ceiling. It gave him chills. It was the same, lifeless and cold look he had. The look that the Winter Soldier was known for. It showed emptiness. "I'll be back." his voice came out in a whisper, crackling from deep in his throat. When she didnt react, he took that as his queue to go and he paced back out to the living room to speak with Tony and Steve. It was unsettling for Bucky, being around Tony, but he had greater things plaguing his mind.

"How did this happen?" Bucky requested, more of an order than a question. Tony and Steve turned to look at him, and by the look on Tony's face, Steve had already told him that Bucky was Jamie's father and he was previously the Winter Soldier. They had quite a few hours to talk while Bucky was comforting Maggie, so Tony had been filled in on the fall from the train and his involvement with Hydra, but here he was again. Lucky for Bucky, Steve didn't know a few other things about the Winter Soldier... Things Bucky would rather keep that way.

"I dont know all the details. All I know is that Jamie called me. Said they needed help, and bad people where shooting at them through the windows. I didnt need to hear anything else so I hung up and got here as fast as I could. By the time I arrived, Maggie was already fighting off a few agents and Jamie was hiding in her room. Once we were done, Maggie went to get Jamie and... You know what happened." Tony explained to the best of his knowledge, his voice crackling with emotion. He cared deeply for Jamie, too. The information was just enough to send Bucky over the edge. It was his turn to let out his emotions now. Tears stung his eyes, something that hadn't happened in a long time. In one fluid motion, he had turned and sent his metal fist hurtling through the closest wall as he let out an angry roar of frustration and pain. That was his daughter they messed with, and the love of his life they hurt. Whoever it was, they were going to pay for what they had done. Nobody messed with Bucky and his family and got out clean.