Third Person POV:
Briefly after the wedding ceremony, Wanda pulls Bucky and Charlie over to her side, "You guys wanna know?" She gives them the most genuine smile she can muster. "Look at it as a wedding gift." They look at one another. Like always Bucky's hand rests on the bump, feeling the tiny kicks from their baby.
"Yeah. We wanna know." He tells her, both shaking their head.
"You got names picked out?" She asks them. They both nod their head yes. "You could read the baby, Charlie. Why haven't you?" She only shrugs, smiling up at her husband.
Just to make sure, Wanda places her hands on Charlie's stomach, looking over to see Steve watching in the background. He's never too far from the couple. She reads him too. She pities the man. Knowing that he's biding his time until he goes back to the past, his rightful place, and live in his time loop. Wanda's magic wiggles around on Charlie's womb. With tears in her eyes, she looks up at the parents. "He's already so strong and a protector just like his daddy."
Loudly Charlie let's out a sob, Bucky blankets her body in his arms. "We're having a boy, doll. You were right."
"I know. I want him to look just like you, and watch him look just like me." She gives a giggle looking up at her husband. Bucky Barnes is her husband.
"So, what are the names?"
"We were having a hard time choosing. He has a few." She tells the red head. Wanda just raises her eyebrows, urging the woman to go on. "Callan Grant Buchanan Barnes."
Wanda's eyes drift over to the man on the sidelines, watching the conversation. He smiles with tears in his eyes. After all this time, all that they've all been through together, they still wanted to name the boy after him.
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Begrudgingly Bucky readies himself for a small mission with Sam, packing his bag his attention is constantly turning back to look at his wife. Bucky has a wife. Charlie is now obviously pregnant. Her hand cradles her bump, while small tears fall from her eyes. "Do you have to go?" She whines to the super soldier. Since their first date they've been inseparable, and her emotional pregnant self has made her need for him that much stronger. She already feels the emptiness the lack of his metal arm resting on her stomach leaves behind.
"No, I don't really have to go. If you don't want me to go all you have to do is ask." His face almost begs her to ask him to stay. He knows she won't. It's a small mission. Should only take a few days. Steve volunteered to go in his place, but he's not supposed to exist. He walks across the floor of their new addition to the house, the smell of the lemony floor cleaner wafts up to his nose. He loves it here, with her.
Once he reaches her side he rubs on her bump. Metal digits add the tiniest bit of pressure, and his son kicks at the spot where his hand rests. Why is he leaving her again? "I love when he does that. It's like he knows it's me."
"Oh, he knows." Charlie gives Bucky a weak smile, but he pushes his large frame in between her legs. His metal hand remains on her stomach, but his right one caresses her face. He's always heard about pregnancy glow, but there's no way that anyone looks as beautiful as his girl. His wife. His Charlie Barnes.
"I'll be back before you know it, doll. Steve will be here." He gives her a slight eyeroll.
"Yeah, but Steve is not you." He gently kisses her lips. "I mean, he just has two normal arms." Her little giggle causes him to nibble at her neck as she playfully pushes him away. "Okay, okay. You'll let me know when you get there and head back, yeah?"
"Don't I always?" His smile causes her butterflies to flutter around in her stomach. All this time, and he still causes that feeling. They're married and expecting a child and he still has the ability to make her feel like she's a sixteen-year-old.
"Well, I don't know old man. You've never been on a mission without me. Just stay safe, please. We need you back in one piece."
"I'm always safe, doll face." Her smile fades. Bucky is anything but always safe. Before her he was a bit of a loose cannon. Charging into a fight, regardless of the repercussions, but now he has a wife and an unborn child to worry about. "I'm coming back to you. Be a good girl until I get back."
Getting on his knees the large super soldier leans forward only speaking to his baby. "Listen baby bean, I need you to protect your mom. She's going to miss your daddy, but you have to keep her safe. I'm entrusting you to protect her at all costs. I know it's in you. Stay baking in your oven, even though I can't wait to hold you outside of that nest of yours. I love you baby bean." His strong broad shoulders lean in between Charlie's spread thighs and kisses along her belly. Charlie's fingers pet along his bearded jaw, loving how sweet the hardened Bucky Barnes can be towards her. "And mama, when I return, I expect to be in this same position. Except I want a view of my pretty pussy."
"Bucky..." Charlie's voice warns him.
"Nope, it's not a discussion. It's a need." He stands pushing her lightly against the bed, hovering over her while he kisses her sweet mouth. His fingers wrap around the dog tags that she never removes around her neck. Keeping a piece of his history with her always.
"Ahem...You ready, Buck?" Sam's deep baritone voice echoes through the new room. "Hey Charlie. I'll keep him safe for you. It won't be long."
Bucky leans back up, pulling Charlie up with him and she walks over to Sam, kissing the side of his cheek. "You better Sammy. Or you become honorary father." Bucky comes to Charlie's side, gently kissing her cheek as the couple bid their farewell.
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Steve watches his former fiancé prepare super for the three left behind. He should have been the one to go on the mission. His love for the woman, and his dwindling down of time he has left with her in this state is making his need to touch her stronger. And now they're alone. Just him, her, and their small daughter.
He watches her sway to the music that drifts off the record player. Her pregnant self was always one of his favorite Charlie's, but this time she's bubbling with happiness. The time he had her pregnant there was a lot of pain and suffering, because he wasn't Bucky and it was after the battle against Thanos. A time when Charlie thought Bucky was gone forever. At the time they both settled for one another. He kicks himself because he had it all, and still wanted someone else. Life is cruel sometimes. Even crueler when the woman you want is helplessly and hopelessly in love with your best friend.
He stands beside the woman, too close. He needs to feel her on him. Helping her cut up the vegetables as an excuse. The only current excuse he can think of to be this close to her, "Thanks, Steve." She whispers. Causing that feeling deep inside of him to melt.
"Charlie..." He whispers. I'm pushing it, he thinks. She's vulnerable. Her husband left only hours ago to go on a mission, and now that they're alone he thinks now is a good time to tell her how he feels. It won't change anything, but she should know.
"Hmm?" She responds, never looking at him.
"Um...I... I'm sorry." That's not what he wanted to say at all. And this is where things should have been left.
"For what Steve?" She turns looking at him finally, giving him her signature sweet smile. And then he's overcome. His hand cups the growing bump of hers and Bucky's baby. Leaning forward he presses his lips up against hers. And for a moment, she returns the kiss. For a split second she moaned at the feeling of him against her. For one fleeting fucking second, she pulled him closer, only to push him away from her.
"What was that?" She whispers, but she also doesn't seem mad.
"I... I've got to go." Steve grabs his coat and walks out of the house without another word. Leaving a pregnant Charlie very much alone.
She rubs on her belly as a single tear falls down her cheek. What was that? Why did she respond to his touch? She loves Bucky with every fiber of her being, so why did her body react to Steve like that? History. That's what it was.
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An old and gray Steve watches his younger self pace around the small apartment. he listens knowing that this conversation would happen. It always does. Being stuck in a time loop you get used to the mess his younger self causes. Burdened to repeat this life until the end of time. No matter what he does to change the outcome, doesn't matter how he manipulates situations, it always goes back to Bucky and Charlie, leaving him to try something to make Charlie change her mind, knowing that she can't even if she wanted to. He's doomed to this fate. Doomed to always want the girl he's not with. When he was with Charlie, he wanted Peggy. When he was with Peggy, he wanted Charlie.
"She didn't pull away at first. She pulled me closer to her. She still loves me." He tells the old man, continuing his pacing of the floor.
"Doesn't make a difference, son. You weren't meant to end up with her. How many times do I have to tell you that? I've repeated this hundreds of times. Tried something new every time. And it always leads us here. Be thankful you had the time that you got with her. Be thankful that you love Peggy. Go back to that time with Peggy and enjoy the life you have with her, please. That way I can see them."
"How can you be so calm?" A young blonde Steve shouts at the old man.
"Son, all those years ago when my time loop started, I made a rash decision to leave my daughter. We pay for that for eternity. But I know I have those times and memories with them."
"Does it get any easier?" He asks the old man.
"No. But the good thing is, when I die the process repeats itself. And we get all that time with each of them all over again. You have a good life with Peggy and your kids, you know? You'll miss Charlie, Maggie, Bucky, and whatever they have this time around. One time it was triplets. They didn't have any more kids after that." The old man gives the blonde a smile. "Listen, beating yourself up isn't going to help. You left your daughter and a pregnant Charlie alone. Bucky and Sam are on a mission. Maybe it's time you head back."
The blonde doesn't move. Just stares at his old self. The good thing is when he dies, he gets to do this all over again. And he'll try something different this time, eventually he'll get to have it all. "Son...she needs you. I promise you. Go. If you don't, you'll never forgive yourself."
The blonde eyes go wide as he listens to the man. She's alone. People have been looking for her for years. He runs out the door and to the small cottage.
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Charlie still confused busies herself cleaning up the house. Maggie and Alpine play quietly in their new room. While she finishes up the dishes. A slight shift in the nearby living room causes her to turn. Charlie drops the plate she was holding on the floor as she comes face to face with a large and intimidating man. His bright copper hair shines in the kitchen light. Expensive deep grey pinstripe suit adorns his broad shoulders. A scar runs down the right side of his face, and he gives her an evil smile as he looks down at her swollen belly.
Charlie instinctively backs up, wrapping her arms around her belly. She catches sight of Maggie looking down at her, blinking twice, telling her to get to the panic room, hide away, and trigger the cameras. Hoping the man is in frame. Two men clad in all black come on either side of Charlie. "Cuff her." Quickly they add a special cuff to her arm, but hold her arms on either side of her. "Take off those stupid bracelets. No Stark technology left on her body."
The men do as their told. Dropping them on the floor. "Where's that pretty little daughter of yours, Princess of Asgard?"
"She's not here. She's with her dad." Charlie tries to remain calm. Wanting to stall in hopes that Steve will in fact return. She tries to activate her lightning, all to no avail.
"The cuff, it's not to keep you contained, Princess. It's to keep your powers at bay. We know all about you. Those were developed for you. Perfected for the Maximoff girl." Wanda. He's Hydra.
"So, you work for Hydra?"
"Princess, I am Hydra." His deep bass voice reverberates off the kitchen as his tall frame walks closer to her. He would tower over the two super soldiers, and he's also much broader. His large thick fingers rub along her baby bump, smiling as his fingers move more gracefully than fingers of that size should. "Well, well. Looks like our work is done."
His eyes roam around the house until he spots a photo of Bucky and Charlie on their wedding day, it's only been a few weeks since that day. They both are so happy, smiles permanently shone on their face. His metal hand cups her bump, the white lace making the Vibranium shine even brighter as they smile against each other. Perfectly happy. He walks over to the picture, dropping the frame in the floor, shattering the Tiffany's frame. A gift from Pepper, it was identical to the frame that houses a picture from her and Tony's wedding. Charlie's eyes fill with tears as she watches him pick up the picture. Stall a bit more. Steve will return.
"The soldier did fall in love. It's his baby in your belly?" He looks over at the small woman, and she doesn't answer. With a snap of his finger one of the men slap her hard against her face. "I asked you a question goddess. Is the bastard in your belly his?" She nods her head.
"I bet you're wondering who I am. I'm Johann Fennhoff. But you can call me Doctor Faustus. I've studied yours and the soldier's file. And seeing how you two finally finished the work that Pierce started we're going to take you in. And when we find that blonde angel of yours, she's coming too. Does she have any powers? Steve's her father, right? Erskine's serum...hmm...should be different then the soldier." Unblinking Charlie stares at him.
Snapping his fingers, the man slaps her again. "Charlotte, this will go a lot better for you if you comply. I asked a fucking question and I expect a fucking answer. Is Steve Rogers her father?"
"Yes." She squeaks out. Charlie's cheeks are red and developing welts at the smacks the agents dealt across her face.
"Any powers?"
"No."
"I have no desire to wait on her return. I know you're lying to me Princess of Asgard. There's no way a goddess and the original, well second original, super soldier didn't create a child with powers." He walks closer to her. His round belly pushes up against her baby bump. The lingering smell of his clove cigarette wafts through her nostrils, causing her to retch. "We'll get her. The soldier too. You'll be put back in the program, breeding for us. We'll have an army of them. You'll be so wore out. The cuffs won't let you deactivate the soldier."
"The Wakandans took that out of his head. He's no longer the Winter Soldier." Tears freely fall down her face.
His large hand plays with Charlie's deep brunette hair, coming down to her chin, lifting her face up to look at him. "We put them in there once, we can do it again. Such a pretty little thing. No wonder the super soldiers wanted a piece of that pussy. You better be glad you're pregnant Princess. We want that bastard intact. Don't be the insolent little bitch you were when you were younger and this will go a lot easier." He pulls up the picture into her face. "I hope you enjoyed this day. You'll never see the two of you smile again. Take her to the jet. Search the premises and see if the brat is here."
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Steve runs into the cottage. It's a wreck, clothes, pictures, books, overturned furniture scatter the floor of the cottage. His eyes scan around. No, not Charlie. Not Maggie. Bucky will never forgive him. He'll never forgive himself. His last effort of hope, he runs upstairs, still disarray is everywhere. Please, let them be here. Hopefully whoever this was they didn't find what they were looking for. Most likely they were looking for his family. He runs into the former master bedroom, now, Maggie's bedroom, into the closet there's a secret. A secret that Charlie thought was silly, but he thought was necessary. Placing his hand up to the screen the panic room door opens.
He cries out seeing a small blonde girl curled up with her munchkin cat Alpine. Her bright blue eyes turn to look at him and she uncontrollably cries while he holds her tightly. Her words are inaudible as she tries to tell him what happened. "Daddy, th-th-they took mommy. Are they going to kill her? I want my mommy."
He has to be the strong one for his daughter, but he wants to scream at his idiocy. How could he be so stupid? First the kiss, and now he's got Charlie kidnapped. "I h-h-hit the button." She tells him. His eyes go bright thinking that they may know who's behind this.
"I've got to take you to the compound and call Bucky and Uncle Sam."
"No!" She screams. "Don't leave me. What if they come back?"
"Angel, I have to help them get mommy, okay? Bruce will be there. He'll make sure everything is secure."
"Where were you? We needed you." Steve's world shatters. The small blonde is right. He should have been here. Still holding the girl, he grabs his phone. Directly dialing the Quinjet.
Bucky sees the number come through. Why would Steve be calling. As soon as it connects, he knows. He hears Maggie sobbing in the background, Steve sniffling. "What happened?" When Steve doesn't answer he grows more panicked, more agitated. "What fucking happened, Steve?"
"She's gone." Bucky's world goes black.
"What? What?" He pants out, unable to make coherent sentences.
Sam is the one who has to continue the speech, trying to remain calm himself. "Steve, what do you mean she's gone?"
"Someone took her. Maggie was in the panic room. She pushed the button so I have footage, hopefully."
"Where were you, Steve?" Bucky's voice spits out. Venom pointed directly at Steve.
"I was...out. Buck, I'm..."
"Save it. You can apologize when she's returned."
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Bucky and Sam walk through the cottage. Bucky falls on his knees looking at the house. They, whoever they are, took her from him. Took her and his child. "I'll fucking kill every one of them, Sam. I need her." His face is stone cold. Slowly standing he goes to the office, the computer is busted all to hell, but they didn't discover the back up. Popping open the secret door he pulls out the hard drive. "I don't know what I'll do if something happens to her."
"We're getting her back, Buck. Let's see what they wanted." Steve bounds into the cottage at that point, and Bucky's eyes burn holes in him. He wears a fully black suit. He can't go in there as Captain America.
"You should have been here, Steve." Bucky's cold voice tells him. He watches Sam ready the footage. Watching it all three men feel bile worm its way up their throat. This is the plan. Watching as Hydra agents slap at a pregnant Charlie.
Bucky stands walking into the kitchen, seeing Charlie's gauntlets laying in the floor. He picks them up, putting them in the pocket that holds the knife he took from her all those years ago. Her rings thrown onto the floor. Picking them up, rolling them in his fingers. The delicate white gold is a reminder that she's his. He will get her.
"Buck...Bucky. The good thing is they want her safe. They want her to deliver the baby. We'll find her." Sam's voice tries to calm and soothe the soldier. He feels the need to kill and destroy anyone that would threaten his wife, his children, his family. Sam is right. They want her alive.
"Find everything you can about Hydra. I'm going to talk to Zemo."
"They won't let you. That didn't work out so well last time. He kind of escaped because of you." Sam warns him.
"I don't care if I have to talk to him through the phone. Charlie, my Charlie, is gone. We have no leads other than Doctor Faustus. Do you realize how many Hydra bases there are? What else do I have? And you..." Bucky walks up to Steve. "I can't even look at you right now. You had no right to leave. What was so fucking important that you left my wife and your daughter alone? They have cuffs to take her powers away. She's..."
"I made the biggest mistake of my life. I'm sorry, Buck. I had..."
"What did you have to do? Tell me what was so important that you left my wife alone to be taken from me." Sam goes to stand in between the two. Using his hands to push them apart. Charlie wouldn't want them fighting.
"I had to talk to my future old man self."
"About what? You couldn't wait until I got back?" Fury burns in Bucky's blue eyes as he stares at the man.
"About Charlie, Bucky! I'm in a fucking time loop. I've repeated this process hundreds of times, and you always get her. I'm trying to make sense out of everything."
"Would you two stop playing whose more macho? Charlie is gone. We have to get her. Bucky, she married you. Steve, you had your chance, and it's over now. Let's get to work. Buck, call the raft. See if you can talk to him in any way that you can. We're looking for leads of the bases." With a nod, both super soldiers agree that now isn't the time to fight. Now is the time to save Charlie.
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Doctor Faustus rubs his thick fingers along Charlie's bump as two Hydra agents strap her into the machine. Charlie's head turns the opposite way of where his face is. Every move he makes to get closer to her face, she turns the other way. "Too bad you're too much of an asset right now. I could have fun with your little body." Charlie gags at the closeness of the large man. The clove smoke lingering too long in her mouth as he takes another drag.
"He'll kill you." She taunts him. When Bucky finds her, she knows that he will turn into a killing machine. He could single handedly take down every Hydra sleeper agent he finds with his fury.
"Maybe so. Aren't you curious as to why you're here?" Thick fingers continue rubbing along her stomach, dipping lower. He wants the woman to be uncomfortable. Wants her to suffer in any way that he can.
"Because, Pierce was a sick fuck." Doctor Faustus laughs in her face.
Squeezing her cheeks and jerking her face to look at him, "I was asked by the Power Broker to collect you. I did my job. Now maybe she'll reward me. You're already pregnant, can't taint you now." His hand drifts even lower, coming into coming with her covered mound, and there's nowhere for Charlie to go.
"Who's the Power Broker?" Charlie tries to remain calm, getting as much information as possible. Although seeing how she's strapped into this machine, she assumes once she finds out, they'll strip her from the memory, but maybe, just maybe, she can bring them back like before.
Out of the shadows a blonde woman, clad in a black power suit emerges. "That's enough Faustus." His large body moves away from Charlie and she looks at the woman.
"You bitch." She spits at Sharon Carter.
"Oh, Princess, why so hateful?" Sharon steps closer to Charlie, sneering down at her strapped into the chair.
"He'll find you, and take pleasure in torturing you, you know?"
"Maybe...but the cameras are turned off for this. There will be no evidence of me being the power broker. You know this machine. You know what it does. I'll wipe you. We don't need your smart-ass personality intact. Just your womb."
"Why? What the fuck did I ever do to you?" Every minute here, Charlie tries to make linger, hoping that soon her husband will come bounding in here, saving the day.
"Why? You want to know why? You had everything. You had everything first with Steve. And now you have everything with Bucky. Is that pussy lined in gold? What makes you so special? You were supposed to be a science experiment. Stuck in here, breeding for Hydra, and because some old man falls in love with you, you got to live the perfect life with Steve."
"I don't love Steve like that."
"Oh, I know. But you see Princess..."
"Stop fucking calling me that."
"It isn't just a pet name he gave you, it's your rightful title, isn't it? Is that why that pussy is so special goddess?"
"Thor gave up the throne. It belongs to Valkyrie."
"You could take it up at any moment." Sharon adds the mask to her face to become the twin of Charlie.
"Thor knows that I don't want that title. I have no desire to rule over people that I don't even know. I want to be normal. I want a life with my husband and our kids."
"Well, Charlotte, we don't always get what we want. Sorry to say, you're stuck here. Your body will be used as a breeding tool, once we get our hands on the soldier. You'll never be the mother to them. And when we find your daughter, she'll be here, too. Goodbye Princess of Asgard. Turn it up. She forgets I ever existed."
Sharon walks away, her heels clicking down the hall. The cameras are clicked back on as soon as Sharon is out of frame, no evidence of her being the Power Broker. The agent turns the machine up and Charlie cries out to the empty room. Her screams bounce off the walls as the machine sucks out her memories. Thrashing her body around trying not to allow her most precious of memories to evaporate.
And then a bright blue white bubble erupts around Charlie's body, causing the screaming to stop immediately. Charlie calms down, panting. Remembering everything up until the point she was brought into this room. Staring at the bubble that surrounds her body, protecting her from the machine, she softly smiles realizing where it's coming from.
"What the fuck is that?" Doctor Faustus asks. "Did you fucking take her cuff off?" He asks the agent, even though she clearly has it on. Walking closer to the bubble he tries to penetrate into it, only to be shocked by lightening. "It's the fetus." His eyes stare at Charlie, and she only smiles at him. He laughs. "We've got us a winner. You think that bastard can hold this up forever, Princess? Protecting it's mommy."
Already Charlie feels the power of the bubble waning, "Turn off the machine." The agent listens. "Alright, Princess, it's off. Who's the Power Broker?"
Charlie thinks and has no clue. Why is he even bringing this up? "I don't know."
"Don't lie to me you fucking bitch. Who's the Power Broker?"
"I don't know." The bubble falls and Charlie's head slumps forward, eyes closed.
"Good girl. Take her to her cell." Before the Hydra agents leave he grabs Charlie's face in between his hands, looking at her. "When that bastard is out of you, I'm going to have some fun."
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"Zemo, if you have any knowledge of where she is...please, I'm begging you." Bucky tries to not allow the tears to fall from his eyes as he talks through a camera to Zemo. The only reason he was allowed access on the Raft is because the Dora Milaje agreed, with them guarding him, and the fact that it was an issue of one of their own. Ross doesn't want Charlie to remain a prisoner of Hydra, he knows their plans for her.
"Do you think I wanted this for her? I know what losing a child does to a parent. I'm not Hydra, James."
"I'm not saying you are. I'm asking for your help. You know Hydra bases. You've studied them. Studied their files. Where would they take her? It's Doctor Faustus that took her in."
Zemo's head cocks to the side. "No, that's impossible. James, you need to hurry. He's cruel, more than Pierce. Your child is in danger. He would take her to the place this started."
Upon realizing that he would have taken her to the base that they were housed together he rushes off. Sam and Steve wait for him on the Quinjet. "We take no prisoners. They all die."
"Bucky." Sam warns.
"It's Hydra Sam. You can't rehabilitate them. They tried with Zola, and look where it got us. Back to Hydra again. He took my wife and child to create weapons. They want to lure me back to create more weapons. No prisoners. How could I not realize they would want me there too? They want me to find her. Stay alert."
The trio stalk through the base. It is indeed working. "Whoever finds her, take her straight to the jet." Sam tells them through coms. Each men go through the doors, shooting, and stabbing whoever they come across. Bucky relentlessly breaks everyone's neck, wanting to feel their life fade away in his hands. They took her from him.
Steve nearly passes a dark room, but hears soft whispers, "I'm Charlotte Barnes. Married to Bucky Barnes. Mother of Maggie Rogers. I'm pregnant with Callan Barnes. I'm Charlotte Barnes. Married to Bucky Barnes..."
"Charlie! Oh God, princess...it's me." Charlie continues whispering her mantra. Days after having her mind swiped, she feels memories slowly fading from her. Steve's hand cups her stomach, hoping he feels the tiny heartbeat flutter from Bucky's baby.
The moment his hand connects with her stomach a shock of electricity runs through his body, but he still softly presses against her stomach. He sighs when he feels the tiny heartbeat on the pads of his fingers. Her blank hazel eyes look at him, "Steve?" She whispers.
"Yes. It's me Charlie."
"Charlie?" She asks, her chest heaves in panic.
"Yes. Charlie Barnes. I've got you. I'm going to take you to Bucky, princess." She nods her head at him, and he scoops her up bridal style. "I've got her, Buck. Walking to the jet."
"You're not taking that bitch anywhere." Doctor Faustus screams down the hall. Bucky's body feels the vibrations from the deep bass voice. He's the one that tried to take her from him. He will kill her to keep Bucky from taking her home. His body instinctively runs in the direction his voice came from. Steve sets Charlie's body down and begins fighting Doctor Faustus. "She stays in Hydra Rogers." He yells at him. Charlie's body moves further down the hallway, cradling her stomach.
"Baby bean." She whispers, rubbing along her bump. She sees Bucky's figure behind Doctor Faustus who's distracted by Steve who's brutally attacking him from the front. Doctor Faustus isn't a fighter, but he's a large man. He kicks Steve to the ground at Charlie's feet, and Bucky wraps his cybernetic arm around his neck, squeezing as tightly as he can. Charlie watches as his face distorts, wanting to drain the life from Doctor Faustus. Doctor Faustus reaches behind him slinging the soldier's body on the floor and quickly points a gun at him.
"No! No! No!" Charlie's screams echo down the hallway. Ripping off the cuff that restricted her powers. Lightning bounds through her body, connecting at every appendage on Doctor Faustus. His body convulses as the lightening attacks him. Wrapping the electricity around every part of him. She wants him to feel the pain he lashed out on her. Bucky grabs his pistol, shooting him squarely in between the eyes. Once his body drops to the floor, Charlie's exhausted body collapses. A loud thud echoes through the hallway as her body reaches the floor.
Bucky runs over to his wife's body, caressing her bruised face. What have they done to my beautiful wife he thinks. Lifting her lifeless body up off the floor he looks over to Steve, a silent thanks lingers between them. "Sam? Everything okay?" Steve calls through coms as Bucky looks down at Charlie. If it wasn't for the bruising, she would almost look like she's sleeping.
"Yeah. That's all of them. Get back to the jet. She needs to get to Bruce."
The three men run through the base. Sam and Steve drop explosives every few feet, the base will crumble today and whoever else should remain in there. Bucky holds tightly to his girl. Tears roll down his eyes. He should have been there. This never would have happened. He's not even had the chance to feel for himself how the baby bean is doing.
When they return to the jet, Charlie's eyes slowly stir. "Oh, thank God." Bucky calls out. Her soft hazel eyes look up at him. Pure love for the soldier that holds her so tightly and yet so gently.
"James." She whispers up at him. He sits down, her still on his lap, caressing her face, and that's when he notices his flesh hand is covered in blood and it's not his. Looking around at her body he sees her pants are coated in the deep crimson.
"Charlie, no." He cries out. Unable to think of any words. "Steve?" When Steve catches glimpse of the deep stain he himself goes blank. He never wanted this. Sam steadily flies the jet towards the compound.
"Banner, we need immediate medical attention. She's...there's a lot of blood."
"James...I'm cold." Her tiny body shivers in his arms.
"I know, doll. I've got you. Feel my warmth." His flesh hand makes contact with her bump. Rubbing gently on it. "I've got you too baby bean. I need you to be strong for mommy." As calm as his voice is tears steadily flow down his face, leaving trails along his dirty skin. "Charlie, keep your eyes open, honey. I need you to stay awake, okay?"
She nods her head. "I'm scared." She cries. "Is Maggie...?"
"She's safe, doll. Now let's get you safe, okay?" Again, a small nod. Their eyes never leave one another. His sapphire eyes make her feel safe.
"I'm Charlie Barnes. Married to Bucky Barnes. Mother to Maggie Rogers. Pregnant with Callan Barnes." Charlie softly recites her mantra. Feeling memories seep away from her.
Bucky's breathing hitches staring at his scared wife. "That's right honey. I'm not going anywhere."
"Bad things happen when we're apart, James." Slowly her eyes begin to close.
"Charlie, no. You keep your eyes open. Don't close...fuck...how much longer?" Panicking he checks her pulse. It still beats at its normal pace.
"Two minutes, Buck. Banner, landing."
"Steve? I can't...I can't do this without her." His eyes finally meet his best friend's. Steve sees the fear that he has at the thought of losing Charlie. "I need her. I can't...I don't want to do this without her."
"She's going to be okay."
As soon as the back opens Bucky carries his sleeping wife down the ramp. Bruce releases an "Oh God." from his lips as he sees the deep red stain on Charlie, a trail of blood dripping down Bucky's arm. Not protesting when Bucky carries her to the exam table. He allows the super soldier to stay in there with him as he tests her vitals, hooking up to machines, grabbing up an ultrasound wand to check the baby once he's sure she's stable. Sam and Steve stand outside the room while Bucky stares in horror at the monitor. Hearing his son's heartbeat clear and strong.
"I don't understand." Bruce whispers. "I need her pants removed." Almost like a ballet dance, Bucky's lithe fingers pull down the fabric. Bruce lays a blanket over her and Bucky removes her underwear. "Help me get her legs in the stirrups Bucky." Bucky smoothly helps the doctor adjust her body, and he examines her. "Everything is normal. There's some damage to her cervix. What happened?"
"I don't know. S-she used her powers...but...she was reciting her name, my name, and the kids' names. They had to have wiped her brain."
Bruce looks at Bucky, not in pity but worry. "Both Charlie and the baby are perfectly healthy. That's a good thing. When did you notice the blood?"
"On the jet." He looks over to Steve who walks in the room.
"I was carrying her, too. I don't have blood on me. So, it had to have been after." Bruce nods his head.
"Well, she stays here. You guys should wash up." Bucky grabs a chair and moves it to beside Charlie's bed, wrapping a hand in hers, and another on her bump as tears stream down his face. "I'll bring you some clean clothes, Bucky. You can wash up here." Bucky just nods his head, never looking away from his comatose wife.
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"Were you able to secure the files?" Steve asks Sam. Sam had a mission to retrieve any files he could from the base before the trio detonated the explosives.
"I did. You ready? He's not going anywhere." The pair watch as Doctor Faustus takes pleasure in having his goons smack Charlie around. Never hitting her stomach. Watching as he touches her. If he wasn't already dead, Bucky would take pleasure in slowly killing him. They watch horrified as they use the machine to wipe her memories. And then their eyes light up when they see the bubble expand over Charlie, halting the process. "He...the baby did that...do you think that's what damaged her cervix? The baby, protected her."
The pair look at one another. "Call Thor. Did someone get in touch with the Bartons? Get Pepper and Morgan here. Maggie needs a mother right now. I'm about to bring her to see Charlie."
"Steve...are you sure that's a good idea?" Sam looks at him.
"What if...what if, this is the last time she gets...?" He can't finish the sentences. Horrified that he insinuates Charlie won't make it through. Sam only nods.
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Steve and Pepper lead Maggie to Charlie's room. Bucky still sits solemnly by her side. Rubbing her hand and stomach, saying silent prayers to whoever will listen. "Mommy." The child rasps out. "Is she going to be, okay?" She looks up at the adults, only Pepper returns her gaze. "Will you hold me to her?" She asks Pepper. Pepper nods and carries the child to her, leaning over so she can press her hand up against her cheek. "She's dreaming. She's happy."
Bucky overcome with grief sobs. His mouth twists around as he stares at his lifeless wife. But she's dreaming and she's happy. Maggie wiggles out of Pepper's arms and over to the crying soldier. His eyes can't meet hers, but she crawls in his lap, arms tightly wrapped around his neck as she casts her dreams into his mind. He sees him and his wife happily looking at their newborn, Maggie being held by Bucky as they all three stare at the sleeping bundle. Nothing but happiness, and Bucky loses it again. Shaking uncontrollably as the small girl holds him tightly. "Mommy loves you. And you love her." Similar to the first words the child ever said to him.
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"Somebody will pay for this! Fools!" Thor shouts walking into the compound. Sam is able to stop the god.
"Thor, everyone's emotions are high right now. Bucky is barely holding it together. So, if you go see her, you cannot be shouting. If you're not going down there to offer any form of support or comfort, I will not allow you to see her." Sam has made it his personal mission to keep a mute Bucky from having a breakdown. He doesn't eat and doesn't sleep. Just touches his doll. Sometimes whispering kisses against her face.
"Tell the soldier to leave so I can see her then." Thor stands up straighter.
"Absolutely not. He's staying right by her side. So, change your attitude or you will not be granted access to her room." Mantis, Nebula, Drax, Quill, and Rocket all stand to the side. Mantis raises her hand towards Sam. "You can go." He points at her, knowing that she can allow Bucky some peace, and maybe help Charlie wake up. "Rocket, can you talk with Maggie? Keep her busy and occupied." He nods and walks towards her room. Sam hopes that any form of talk can keep the girl busy.
"Fine, Wilson. I won't shout. I will be calm." Sam isn't convinced, since Thor speaks through his teeth.
"When Mantis returns, she can calm you before you go and see her."
When she returns, shaking her head that she couldn't help Charlie, and Bucky refused any help. "Calm Thor, so he can go see her." She uses her empathy powers to calm Thor and remove his anger. Still untrusting of the god, Sam and Steve lead him to Charlie's room.
When he sees the small girl laying on the bed lifeless, he's overcome with grief. He walks over to the opposite of where Bucky is, softly rubbing the back of his hands on her cheeks. He looks down at her growing bump. Charlie is already halfway through her pregnancy, and he never got to see this side of her pregnancy. Tears slowly drip down his face. He looks at Bucky before placing his hand on her bump.
"Ah...he is a strong one. Rogers said you protected your mother little one. Now help her rest, continue to protect her. We need her here." Every ounce of Thor wants to come undone, but he sees how broken his daughter's husband is. Slapping a strong hand on his shoulder. "She's a fighter Barnes. It will take a lot to keep her down."
Bucky's eyes still never leave his wife's face. His fingers trail around the perimeter of her face, tracing every feature and outline. Memorizing her face like she always done with him. Don't take her from me, he thinks to himself. I need her.
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Pepper uses a wet towel to wash around Charlie's hairline, stealing glances at a frozen and mute Bucky, "She's going to be okay. Her vitals and the baby's are perfect." Offering a gentle kiss to her temple. "We need you to wake up, Charlie. Your husband and kids need you." She whispers before standing. Placing a calming hand on Bucky's shoulder she walks out and allows tears to fall down her own face. "Please, Tony, don't take her away from me too." She whispers in the hall.
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Clint leads Laura to Charlie's bedside. Laura can hardly look at her, because she's overcome with a need to comfort Bucky. Walking over to his side she hugs him, crying onto his shoulder. Clint softly runs his finger on her cheek. "Kiddo, you can quit playing opossum. Anytime now, I know you're going to wake up, laughing and tell me you got me. Please, Charlie." Him and Charlie have always had a joking manner towards one another, but she doesn't stir. Just lays peacefully on her bed.
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Steve watches everyone come and go from the room. The only constant being his two friends. Bucky's eyes never meet anyone's, fearing that if he looks away from Charlie for one second something bad will happen. Bad things happen when they're apart. Overcome with guilt Steve leaves the compound, speeding to the small apartment that got them into this mess.
"Tell me this isn't how it ends. Tell me, she's okay."
"I can't tell you that, son." Calmly the old man watches his younger self pace around the small living room.
"You warned me that something was going to happen. So, you knew. Now tell me she's okay."
"I can't tell you that because it's different every time. Depending on your actions and manipulations throughout the time with her." The blonde stares at the man. Is this a warning to quit changing the timeline? Because in the end it's always her and Bucky.
"Does she ever die?" The old man nods a yes. "What happens to him? To the baby?"
"They die with her." For once the old man shows emotions. A single tear streams down his face. "He can't do it without her. He withers away. Not eating. Not drinking. Until his grief consumes him and he dies from a broken heart. I told you, son. It's always them. You can't change it. You've tried hundreds of times before. The only different outcome is whether she lives or dies. Do you not want them to live a happy life?"
"Yes." He whispers.
"Then let her go. This timeline can get worse every loop. It hurts more every time she dies. I promise you it's not easy letting her go. But she belongs to him. Let her go."
Weeping the blonde looks at the old man. "Letting her go doesn't mean you quit loving her. It means that you love her the way you were intended to love her. It means you're giving her your blessing. Bucky's too. Do you not want that for them?"
"Yes."
"Then what do you need to do?" The old man nearly begs him. "It'll be lonely the rest of my life if I can't see their baby. Hold my daughter again."
"I let her go." He cries. "I'm going to let her go, because she belongs to Bucky. That's his girl." He screams up at the ceiling. Whoever should listen. "I'm letting you go Charlie." He whispers. Hoping beyond anything that whoever is control of this timeline hears his plea. Don't let her die.
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Bucky and Charlie are alone for the first time today. He takes comfort in the steady beating of the machines, the drone of his baby's heartbeat. They're his only comfort. Charlie's bruises still aren't healed. Scrapes and cuts pattern her skin. A few handprint and fingerprint bruises on her arms. He was too easy on them. They should have suffered a long death. His fingers brush against the soft skin of her cheek. "Please wake up doll. I need you." He whispers for the first time in two weeks. "I need you in my life. I can't do it without you. Barely holding on as it is."
"Then maybe you should eat something." A small croak of a voice calls out. He eyes go to her face. He was imagining it. "How's the baby bean." A weak smile pulls up her lips.
"Charlie?"
"Yes, babe?" Her eyes try and pry themselves open. Looking at her husband. Feeling like she's seeing him for the first time.
"Please, tell me I'm not dreaming." Bucky is still in disbelief as he watches his wife. Absentmindedly his hand rubs on the nest of their growing boy.
"I'm here, babe. What happened?"
"You've been asleep for two weeks." He cries down at her. For the first time in two weeks, she returns his touches. Cupping his cheek, she peers up at the love of her life. Bucky leans into her touch, not realizing how touch starved he was for her.
Her other hand cradles her stomach, he lays his metal hand on top of hers. "How's the baby?"
"He is okay, doll. He has powers. Sam said he protected you from the machine. They were going to take everything away from you."
"I remember. Can you hold me, James?" Her body scoots over on the bed and without hesitation the large super soldier crawls in the bed, holding her and vowing to never let her go. Bad things happen when they're apart.