#loustan90

"Driving will open you're life up to a whole host of possibilities." You would say. You were so excited for me. "You can drive to wherever the road takes you. Even if it's just to my house." We lived on opposite sides of the city you see and sometimes we were fortunate enough to venture out of it. Taking in the site's of the country we called home and others we visited was part of our lives.

What would you think now, I finally got my driver's license last week and I drove through the suburbs, crying because you weren't around. You was probably with that blonde girl, the one who always made me have doubts. "She's just a co-worker." You would say as we lay in bed talking. It's nothing to be worried about.

Your job drove me mad sometimes. I struggled when you had to shoot scenes with other girls, sticking your tongue down their throats, touching them in ways you would touch me, look at them the way you used to look at me. She was so much older than me, almost your age. I was eight years your junior and she was everything I was insecure about. Tall, curvy, blonde. She'd obviously had some work done, her nose was so straight, and with teeth so white, her skin glowed and I was just… pale.

We drove from New York all the way to my home in Maine, from that day I figured how could I ever love someone else. And I know we weren't perfect but I've never felt this way for no one, and I just cant imagine how you could be so okay now that I'm gone. You said you would love me forever, guess you didn't mean what you wrote in that song, the one that you penned me at Christmas, the one where you said I was the one.

Now I drive alone past your street with tears stinging my eyes and I'm struggling to see straight, I can't breathe.

All of my friends have been so tired of hearing how much I miss you, they tell me that you're not worth it, but I feel kinda sorry for them cause they'll never know you the way that I do.

Today the scene I pictured, I was driving home to you, but we really we're not perfect you didn't feel the way I do. Red lights and stop signs I'm almost running through. I still see your face in white cars and front yards and I can't drive past the places we used to go to. Cause I still fucking love you babe and I only wish you loved me back too.

★

Bucky watched on as an old Steve handed Sam his shield. Steve had conversed with Bucky only a minute or so prior to leaving to go back in time, he was to return the Infinity Stones to their respective time zones. The goodbye between them had felt final and Bucky knew his best friend wouldn't be returning like planned, yet he wasn't expecting this. Bucky watched on as Steve passed on his mantle to Sam, he looked free, happy. Steve had got the ending he deserved with Peggy. Bucky felt content knowing his friend had found happiness at last, now it was his time to find his own way.

Many months passed before Bucky crossed paths with Sam Wilson again. He had cut his hair, changed his clothes and had started to resume a normal life, well as normal as he could make it, the government was after him. Sharon Carter had turned up out of blue on his doorstep one afternoon, she had gone rogue too, working for herself. It had taken her a while to find the former Winter Soldier but she needed his help. Girls from the city were going missing, without a trace. Sharon had tasked a reluctant Bucky with finding Sam; after hearing her theory that a branch of HYDRA may be behind the kidnappings and with the government not on their side, he decided to help. Bucky wouldn't let HYDRA get the upper hand again.

★

Mollie lay on her wooden cot, a stale blanket covering her body in a bid to keep her warm, she tried to sleep, but it was impossible. The girls around her moaned and coughed, many were becoming ill, their bodies unable to handle the squalid conditions. Different men would come into the room during the day, or was it night, and chuck scraps of food on the floor for them to eat, bolting the door behind them. Many times Mollie would give her share of food to another, always choosing to care for someone else than think about herself. She would tend to the bruises left behind when one of the men would enter, using the girls as punching bags when they grew bored guarding their door. Mollie had tried to escape too many times to count, if she made enough noise someone would come but then they would beat her too, so she gave up trying to be free. She didn't know why she had been taken, why they had all been taken.

A sound like falling rubble echoed around the damp stone walls as two bodies fell into the room. They sat frozen for a moment, conscious of the fact they had made a noise. No one came. They looked at each other relieved. The two men were opposites of one other, but both muscular. The darker of the two, dusted his jeans down as he stood taking in his surroundings. "Damn." He muttered under his breath. "Well, I think we found them."

The other locked eyes with Mollie, he had light stubble on his fair face, short brown hair and a piercing stare. She sat up straighter in her cot, unsure of the situation unfolding in front of her. "We're here to get you out." He says, his voice was soft and comforting. Her stomach flipped upon hearing him speak, he moved a step closer to her. He was handsome, Mollie thought.

Mollie didn't have time to think as a second later the door to the room started to creak, the heavy locks were being pulled back, someone must have heard the noise after all. The two men were going to get caught, Mollie had to act fast. Quickly she sprang from her spot, the cot next to her was empty. The first man had moved into a corner, hiding in the shadows, Mollie gestured to the other, he came to her with speed and jumped onto the cot. Mollie threw her stale blanket on top of him before moving back to her previous spot, laying down. The cots were close enough that Mollie could feel the warmth of the man beside her, looking to the side she could see his eyes peeking out, they were a bright blue and fixed on her.

The door flew open, Mollie flinched as a rotund man strolled into the space, she had seen him before, he was the one who took the girls away, they never returned. Her fists clenched as she saw him walk over to one of the weaker looking girls, grabbing her by the hair before marching her out the door. Mollie made to move, but a hand caught her wrist before she could do anything, the hand was gloved yet it felt unnaturally cool. The girl's screams echoed off the walls as she was dragged from view, Mollie choked out a sob as the door slammed shut.

"We have to go. Now." The first man announces as he walks out of the shadows, he checks over a few of the girls, most of which seem to frail to walk, let alone climb into a hole to escape.

"They won't leave." Mollie whispers, her voice was hoarse.

The blue eyed man had thrown off the blanket, freeing her from his grip and tearing his gaze from the woman who had helped him hide, he strode over the other. "Sam, I think we need back up."

The pair were reluctant to leave, if they left they couldn't be sure what they would be returning too. They were lucky they had stumbled on the girls in the first place. Sam reached for his pocket and pulled out a phone, he pressed a few buttons before holding it to his ear. The handsome man turned back to Mollie, his electric blue eyes piercing her soul. "Come with us." He urged.

"I won't leave them." Mollie shakes her head backing away. She had looked out for the girls as best as she could so far, she wouldn't abandon them now.

The man runs a hand through his hair, sighing.

"Sharon's logged our location, we need to pull the plug on this, we'll come back." Sam urged as he tucked his phone back into his pocket. "She's sorting out transport, it should be here by tomorrow, then we can get these girls out."

Bucky had no other option, the girls couldn't be moved in their current state and Mollie was refusing to leave their side. "I'll come back for you," He says, taking her hand in his. "Be ready, look after this for me." In her palm he places a small gold coin, a star is stamped onto the surface. Mollie looks down at the cool metal as he moves away, his clean scent leaving the air.

"Wait, what's your name?" Mollie calls, eager to know the name of the man who had promised to save her.

"Bucky." He replies softly, before turning to leave.

The girls questioned Mollie a while later, some were unsure of the intruders, thinking they were going to take them away in the same manner as their captors. Mollie tried to reassure them, telling them the two men would return, that they were going to rescue them. All they had to do was wait, help was coming.

Days later, one of the guards finds the coin. Mollie tries to clutch it tightly in her palm, hiding it from his view, but this one was thorough and he hated Mollie.

She had kicked him where it hurt when he forcefully threw one of her fellow prisoners against the cool gagged concrete floor. From that day he had made Mollie his play thing, when he grew bored he would come in and use her as his punch bag, relishing in the way her skin grew red where he had lifted up the stiff ragged dress. He cackled maniacally during his assault. The girls would tend to Mollie's wounds as she had done theirs when he left, for they knew if it wasn't Mollie getting beaten it would be themselves, and their fate could be much worse. He enjoyed torturing Mollie, but he could easily kill them.

Upon finding the coin he had shouted in Mollie's ear, the stench of his breath making her almost gag. "You're a fucking theif, you know that, where did you get this?" He screeched, throwing the coin, it hit Mollie on the forehead with a clunk before rolling onto the ground, sitting proudly at his feet.

He had thought perhaps she had pickpocketed it off one of the other guards. Oh how wrong he was. Mollie had tried her best to cover the hole where Bucky and Sam had entered, and so far it had not been discovered. The guard had brought a whip with him this time, he beat Mollie for a little while, harder with every grunt and groan she emitted, before ordering her to hold out her palms. He whipped the sensitive skin until it bled and welts began to form, before pocketing the coin, once again calling her a thief, he grabbed her by the shoulders and threw her to the ground like a broken toy before leaving. Mollie sobbed as one of the girls tried their best to bandage the raw wounds, but it was no use they would become infected from the dirty fabric.

They came a day or two later, Bucky and Sam. The girls had found a new strength within themselves, spurred on by Bucky and Sam's promise to come back for them, all of them. They had hope, because Mollie still had hope, and they trusted her. The girls followed Sam, some fled wanting to go back to their families, others sat in the back of the waiting truck, ready for new lives. Mollie was too bruised and beaten to move, Bucky found her hunched on her cot, her eyes looked dull and without hope, like she was ready to give up.

"You came." She whispered, her eyes glowed a bit brighter upon seeing her saviours. Bucky carried her carefully as they made their exit, Mollie had found it difficult to stand, she had grown weak, her bones ached from the pain of being beaten.

Bucky took Mollie to a safe house. He placed her down gently onto a soft mattress, something she hadn't felt for a long while and let her sleep. He sat watching her for a while, taking in her appearance as her chest rose and fell with each intake of breath, her lashes were long and rested on the top of her rosy cheeks. Something about her intrigued Bucky. He wished she had come with him that day, then perhaps she wouldn't be in this state right now. But he knew from Mollie's past words and actions, if she had left with him someone else would have been in the state she was in now, and from his perception she was not going to let them be beaten or hurt.

Mollie wakes, she lays watching Bucky, he's sat in a stiff backed chair, hands in his lap, eyes glued to the carpet. He must have heard Mollie stir because his eyes are suddenly on hers.

"Hi." She whispers. Bucky smiles back, glad to see her awake. "How are all the other girls?" Mollie enquired, she needed to know they were alright.

"They're safe." Bucky replied, relieving Mollie's thoughts and moving to sit on the side of the bed.

Mollie felt warmth radiate from him again, it was a comfort. He leant over to open a drawer on the bedside table, removing a small first aid bag, he took out a pair of sealed gloves. "I'm going to try and take these off." He says, carefully taking one of her small hands in his large.

The skin under the bandages stung as he tried to unravel the fabric, and tears pricked in Mollie's eyes. Bucky's fingers worked slowly, his touch delicate. "I'm sorry." He says as she moaned, the final bandage coming away from her oozing skin.

A small knock vibrates on the door before it opens. A blonde haired woman walked over the threshold, her arms full of clothing, a tray resting on top with a bowl and some glass bottles.

"I brought some medicine and some clothes." She directs to Bucky before setting them down.

"Hey, I'm Sharon." She says, "How are you feeling?"

So this was the Sharon Sam had talked about, Mollie thought as Bucky discarded the bandages and gloves. She smiled at the woman but a grimace spread across her face as she sucked in a breath, it hurt. Sharon didn't need to hear Mollie's reply. She strode to a nearby room, Mollie could hear the sound of water filling the tub as it filled. Sharon returned, leaving the door open, Mollie could see steam starting to fill up the bathroom.

"I'm running you a bath, it will help." Sharon clarified, her voice soft and kind. She came round the side of the bed to help Mollie and walk her to the bathroom, shutting the door behind them. Mollie was able to rid the clothes herself, desperate to get them off her body. Sharon's back was turned as Mollie stripped before setting herself in the tub. Sharon gave Mollie a moment before helping scrub some of the dirt from her skin. Mollie sat with her legs brought up to her chest as Sharon wiped away the grime and filth from her back, before lathering up some shampoo and proceeding to wash her hair.

"Thank you." Mollie says, offering a small smile, she was thankful for Sharon's assistance, there was no way she would have been able to reach her back or wash her hair, her muscles still ached and she didn't want to chance washing her hair with raw sensitive hands.

"I'll let you sit for a while." Sharon says, allowing Mollie to clean herself; offering her some privacy.

Helping was in Sharon's nature, she was a nurturer, she hadn't questioned aiding the bruised young woman before her. It was the correct thing to do.

"The towels are here - Sharon gestures to the towels folded neatly on top of a basket by the bath - there's a robe and some clothes." She points to another small pile of fabric.

"Thank you." Mollie says again as Sharon quietly closes the door behind her.

A little while later Mollie hears knuckles softly tapping on the bathroom door, she was still sitting in the tub, her arms wrapped around her petite body, her toes had started to wrinkle.

"Are you okay?" Bucky asks tentatively from the other side of the door. He enters when she doesn't reply, careful not to look, yet he couldn't miss the glaring bruises littering her back and arms. Anger shoots through him at the sight and his nostrils flare, he tries to hide his frustrations as he moves to sit, his back to Mollie, resting against the side of the bath.

Bucky sits in silence unsure of what to say to the woman behind him. He tilts his head to the side before speaking, "You should get out soon, the water will be getting cold." He stands, reaching for a huge bath towel. He holds it high and in front of Mollie. He hears her stand up, water droplets hitting the water as she rises. Mollie climbs out of the tub, careful not to slip and lets Bucky wrap the towel round her body, his hands graze the flesh on her arms, causing her to shiver as she ties the ends together. Bucky stands his eyes never leaving hers for a short moment before hurrying awkwardly to the door. "I'll be back in five minutes."

Mollie nods in response, as Bucky slips out of the room, allowing her to get dry and dressed. He knocks on the door exactly five minutes later. Mollie opens it, walking past Bucky back into the bedroom, the robe tightly wrapped around her, it was the only thing Mollie had felt comfortable in, the fabric was so soft and plush, the other clothes Sharon had brought felt scratchy and tight against her skin.

"Sit." Bucky gestures to two chairs and a table in the corner of the room. Mollie takes one of the seats, Bucky sits opposite pulling another pair of gloves onto his hands; he had placed the medicine, bandages and ointment on the table. Holding his right hand palm up on the table, Bucky gestured for Mollie to place one of hers in his. His skin was soft against hers as she lay her hand down. Bucky bathed Mollie's hands first in the bowl, removing any dirt she had been unable to remove herself. "How did you get these?" He asked, his lips tight.

"One of the guards." Mollie replies quietly. "He found the coin you gave me."

"I'm sorry I-"

Mollie cut Bucky off. "It's alright, it gave me a little bit of hope." She says softly, her eyes challenged him, she wouldn't let him feel bad about this.

"I'm going to put the ointment on now, it might sting a little." He says, buckling under her stare, he looked down briefly at her reddened skin. And it does. Mollie sucks in a jagged breathe, holding back so many curse words as Bucky wipes gauze doused in ointment over the cuts. His left hand held onto her wrist as she bit down on her lip, trying her best not to recoil from the searing pain.

Bucky let Mollie rest for a while before applying a salve, it soothed her almost immediately; she let out a visible sigh of relief letting her shoulders relax, not realising how tense she had been.

After a few minutes of rest Bucky carefully bandaged Mollie's hands, tying a knot on top of his work. His eyes peek up to Mollie's, as he removed the gloves placing them on the table, she was watching him intently. Bucky gulped a lump forming in his throat and subconsciously ran his tongue over his bottom lip.

Bucky stands abruptly. Mollie joins him, gently placing a hand on his chest before he can move away, he turns to face her, the space between their bodies minute.

"Thank you Bucky." Mollie says, she really was thankful.

Bucky hesitantly places a hand over Mollie's, looking down as his skin comes into contact with hers, a pulse courses through him, he'd touched her skin earlier, but this was different, his thumb caressed her fingers as it moved across her skin. He brings his eyes back up to swallow her gaze, allowing a small smile to spread across his face. Bucky's other hand tenderly caressed Mollie's cheek, his thumb gently moving across her skin before leaning his forehead against hers.

Someone knocked softly on the door. Bucky reluctantly dropped Mollie's hand to answer it. Sharon had brought some food for the pair, he thanks her as she passes him a takeout bag through the door. "You must be hungry." He asks, turning to Mollie.

Mollie nodded with enthusiasm, unable to remember the last time she had proper food. Bucky's phone buzzed in his pocket but he chose to ignore it. Pulling the covers back and propping up some pillows, Bucky placed the food on the bed, setting it up like a picnic. A giggle escaped Mollie's lips as he set himself against the headrest before joining him.

I watched on from my hiding spot as a woman, petite in stature, hair billowing behind her, runs past me. She almost trips on the dirt path laid out seamlessly before her, holding back a small screech as she stumbles. I notice that her feet are bare.

"Noa!" More shouting and swearing from the same man, he sounded furious. He must come from within the castle walls, he was dressed well I noted as he ran after her, his face red with anger.

I move from my spot, careful to remain unseen to the man halted on the path, his breath coming out in short raspy bursts, hands on his hips as he hunches over.

I quickly find a path through the trees. I know the paths here well. Grace and I would often play games of hide and seek in this forest. I stop by a large oak, one I had hid behind in the past, as images of my lost daughter force their way to the surface of my mind. My Grace, oh how I missed her. I suck in a jagged breathe as I continue through the tall tightly packed forest.

I find myself taking the lead, I hear her footfall a short way behind me, carefully I position myself, and within seconds she comes crashing through the pines, barrelling into my arms. I almost topple and she almost screams.

"Noa!" His voice carries in the wind, he's close.

I place a careful hand over her mouth. "Shh." I plead with wide eyes, she nods.

Carefully I remove my palm from her cracked lips, my thumb gently tracing her cheek. Only now do I notice her bright green eyes, eyes that burst with fire and life, as they bore into my own. She stays quiet and we hear his footsteps leave, he's taken a different path.

"Follow me," I urge. "My horse is close by."

I don't know what propelled me to help her, but I knew I had to. Something about her captivated my very being.

Noa, I assume that's her name, follows me without question as I lead us down a narrow, rarely used path. The trees are more tightly packed here; I brush branches aside, helping her navigate the thick greenery. I pull back a fairly large branch and allow her to walk ahead of me, she turns briefly, eyes seeking mine unsure of which direction to take when she trips over a fallen log. I try to catch her. I fail.

As if in slow motion we roll together down a steep embankment, my arms finding their way around her petite body as we tumble. She lets out a small squeak as we hit the ground, my arms shielding her from harm as we roll, one hand placed behind her head. She looks up at me as we come to a stop, her head nestled beneath my chin and our bodies pinned together. Her eyes quickly flick to something else. I too peak up, unsure but certain it was going to be the man from before.

"Ahh, there you are." I exhale. It was my horse, chewing cud happily above us.

I shift myself, helping the woman to her feet, she limps slightly, I suspect a twisted ankle. She leans against me as I help her onto Rabbit; that was the name Grace had chosen for our plucky ride.

She sits in front of me, her petite frame pressed to my front, my arms either side of her. I turn to raging screams behind us, it was him. I feel her suck in a deep breath, she holds it, clearly scared of this man.

We ride away as she shakes against me. What had he done to her?

After a while, when she calms, I allow her to take the reins from me. I show her how to steer Rabbit. I feel her warm cheeks rise as I peer over her shoulder. My large hands hover over the top of her smaller ones.

Before long we make it back to my home, it was a small and simple cottage, but it was home. I hope down, offering my hand and lift her from Rabbit's back. We walk up the winding path, her hands clasped onto my bicep, which is littered with flowers planted long ago. Once inside I proceed to run her a hot bath.

She was filthy and caked in dirt, more so after our tumble. I allow her privacy and take her clothes to clean whilst she soaks, leaving her one of my old long shirts, it would likely fit her like a dress.

She soaks for a while before returning to me. I notice she is still sensitive with putting weight on her foot, so I gesture for her to sit.

"Your names Noa?" I ask. "That's an unusual name." She nods. "I'm Jefferson." I say holding her gaze.

"Thank you Jefferson." She finally replies.

The first time hearing her voice was like a song, sweet and melodious. It filled me up with a wave of emotion that reached my eyes, I had not felt this for a long while, I release my emotion in the form of a wide toothy smile.

I had so many questions but I could see was weary. I motion for her place her foot on my knee. I sat myself on a stool in front of her, our heads level. I could see now that her hair was a light brown, tinged with wisps of gold. I tear my eyes away before I find myself becoming lost. I needed to clean the wounds on her feet, bloody and torn from running bear foot in the unforgiving forest.

I notice heavy bruises and cuts litter her arms as I let my eyes wander, some fresh others old. She holds her palms in her lap, twisting her fingers in knots. I bet he did this to her.

"Did he hurt you?" I had to ask. Noa gulped, I didn't need for her to answer. She nods with a distasteful expression, as if she had sucked on something sour.

"Whatever I did, it displeased him." She said, her voice almost a whisper, she was unable to say his name. Noa clears a lump forming in her throat. "Just my presence on some occasions."

"Your family?" I question as I soak her feet.

"I have no one. It's just me." Her voice tinged with sadness.

Now it was my turn to nod. "I too lost my family." It was all my fault I thought to myself. "My child and my wife both died of... sickness." I choke.

Noa acknowledges the sadness in my eyes. I hope she couldn't see the guilt. "What were you to him?" I needed to know. I held my breath as I waited for her reply, concentrating on removing debris from her oozing cuts.

Noa shrugged. "A toy, a play thing." I gulp back bile at her admission as I continue on in silence, she didn't flinch once.

"I'm sorry." I finally speak up, almost finished. I vow to myself that if I ever run into his so called man, I would kill him, for her.

My eyes shift again to her arms as I place her feet down. She tries to shield they from me, finger marks adorn her bruised flesh. I unconsciously move my hands softly over the marks causing her to shiver. "Sorry." I mumble, quickly moving myself away. "You should rest. I'll get you down shoes made whilst you sleep."

"You make shoes?" She asks with furrowed brow as I hand her a thick blanket and show her to the cot in my room.

"No." I chuckle. "Hats. But it can't be that hard, you shouldn't need much doing. I have some leather here somewhere that I can work." I say as I look around me.

"Thank you Jefferson." Noa says as I turn to leave. "I'll find a way to repay you." She mumbled sleepily as I close the door behind me.

Noa didn't need to repay me, her presence here with me was enough of a prize.

Tomorrow I would tell Regina I had changed my mind. I would not be apart of one of her evil plans. I would not make her a hat ever again. I thought this as opened the trunk in my living space, a blanket concealing its contents, disguising it as a simple table. Inside a black velvet and orange lined top hat twitched at my presence.