Second to last chapter!

Chapter Quote:
“Well, I couldn't leave my best girl. Not when she owes me a dance.”
~Steve Rogers, Captain America: The Winter Soldier
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Chapter 16

Annabeth 

I woke up in a very bright, very white room.  For some reason, my first thought was that I’d died and gone to heaven.  But then I remembered Steve running over to me and saving me from the inferno that was overtaking the room.  So where was I?

“Hello?” I croaked out.  My throat was incredibly dry.  God was I thirsty…

“Annabeth?  Hey!  You’re awake!  How are you feeling?” Sam asked.

I smiled at him. “I’m really thirsty but I’m good.  Are you okay?  What about Bucky?  Steve?  Natasha?”

“Easy, we’re all okay.  Bucky’s fine.  They got the bullets out of him.  He’s sleeping right now.  Steve and Natasha are with him.  We’ve been switching around watching you two.  Oh, and just so you know, you’re going to be in a cast for a while.  That shelf really did a number on your ankle.”

I lifted my head and stared at my suspended foot.  It was in a massive cast.  I wondered if the reason I didn’t feel any pain was because they’d given me something for it.  Looking back at Sam, I asked, “Can I go see everyone?”

“Let’s talk to the doctor, see if he thinks you can get up,” Sam suggested.

“I just need crutches, I’ll be fine!” I argued.

“Yeah, and I can outrun Steve,” he snorted. “Hang on.”

Sam left the room.  I banged my head on the pillow, anxious to get out of there.  A few minutes later, the doctor came in.  He asked me some routine questions that I answered with ease.  I bugged him about letting me up and going to see Bucky until he gave in.  Sam, standing behind the doctor, realized what I was doing and was holding back a laugh.  The doctor tried to convince me to use a wheelchair but I adamantly refused.  Reluctantly, he let me use crutches but made me promise that I would always have an escort with me.  Sam said he’d stay with me.  I changed out of the hospital gown into sweatpants and a tank top.  I’d cracked a few ribs when Bucky hit me in the stomach that sent me flying into the podium so I had my entire lower abdomen wrapped.  Guards lined the hallway as I walked into Bucky’s room; he was sacked out in his bed.  Natasha had fallen asleep on Steve who was reading a book.  He looked at me when I walked in.

“Hey, how are you feeling?” Steve queried, putting his book down.  The sound of voices woke Natasha up.  Steve stood up and gave me a hug.

“I’m okay.  How are you?  Natasha?”

“We’re good.  Glad to see you up and talking.  Been out for a couple of days.  The smoke inhalation really got to you and you must’ve been sleep-deprived or something because you haven’t woken up once in two days.”

“Seriously?” I blinked in shock.  Had I really been out that long?

“Yeah.  Bucky’s been up a few times but he’s still exhausted from being shot and from the surgery.  Here, sit down,” Steve said, motioning at the chairs.  I did as he told me, already feeling my strength leaving me and getting mad that I wasn’t stronger.  I made a mental note to myself that I needed to start working out more (but let’s face it, that’s probably not going to happen- I like being lazy too much).

“Is he back?  Like, did he snap out of the Winter Soldier mode?”

“He’s back.  Disoriented.  I don’t think he remembers what happened.”

“It’ll come back to him.  He’s remembered it the last two times.  How long have y’all been here?”

“Pretty much since we brought you here.”

“You mean y’all haven’t been home?”

“No.  We were more worried about you two.”

“Go home.  Now.  Get cleaned up and get some sleep.  I’ll stay here with Bucky.  I’m not going anywhere any time soon,” I said, actually worried about their well-being because if they were true to their word, that meant they were sleeping in the hospital chairs and in the cots and I’m not sorry when I say those things are not comfortable in the least.

“We can’t leave you though.  For all we know, Hydra might try to kill you again,” Steve pointed out.

I replied, “There are tons of guards out there.  I saw them.  We’ll be fine.”

“Last time you said you’d be fine, you nearly burned to death,” he countered.

“Yes, but I’m not in a burning building anymore.  If you’re honestly that worried, take turns going back.”

“Natasha and Sam can go home first.  I’ll stay here with you,” he offered.  Natasha and Sam didn’t argue, saying they’d be back later.  Steve sat down next to me.

Once the other two left, I asked quietly, “So did the jury come to a verdict with my trial?”

“Considering you kind of saved half their lives, I think the ruling will be in your favor, but no, they haven’t come to a verdict yet.”

“I’m sorry you got all caught up in my screwed up life.  I know you’ve dealt with Hydra before but I bet you were hoping you done with that.  Then you meet me,” I laughed lightly. “I’m sorry you got dragged into it though.”

“The world will be dealing with Hydra for a while.  You just seem to be more involved with them when you don’t want to be.  And if it weren’t for you, Bucky would most likely still be lost.”

“What about me?” Bucky mumbled, looking over at us.  I jumped up and sat next to him.

“Hey,” I whispered.

“Where’ve you been?  I missed you,” he said, taking my hand.

“You know me.  I’m accident prone.  How are you feeling?”

“I’m good.  They have me on a lot of pain medication or something, I don’t know.  It’s making me feel very good.” I laughed.  His eyes started to flutter shut.  I gently stroked his head. “Your trial… what happened?”

“I think we ended getting half the court building burnt down.  The jury didn’t necessarily have time to make a decision,” I said.

“It was my fault, wasn’t it?  I burned it down.  I was trying to kill you… again…”

“No, it’s not your fault it burned down.  A Hydra agent followed us into the room we were in and threw a lighter where all the chemicals were.  Steve got us out of there.  The only reason you were coming after me was because I convinced you to.  Don’t let any of it trouble you.”

“I can’t keep doing this to you guys though.  I can’t keep relapsing.”

“We just need to find the triggers for it and then avoid those as much as we can.  Get some sleep, alright?”

“You make it sound so easy… I know what happened at your last trial, but the next one they decide on your verdict don’t they?  I want to go.  I want to be there for you, no matter what the outcome.”

“I’ll let you if you listen to me and get some sleep.  Your body is still healing itself.”

“Really?”

“Promise.” Bucky nodded and closed his eyes.  Within a few more minutes, he was fast asleep.  I turned to Steve and said, “You’re welcome to come to.  I know now I can’t stop you.  Any of you.”

“You can count me in and I know Sam and Natasha want to come.”

“Thank you.”
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One week later…

Steve, Natasha, and Sam sat directly behind me in the court room with only the railing blocking us.  Bucky, now considered an official witness in the case, sat next to me.  I had my hands clasped in front of me, my elbows resting on the table.  Bucky had his arm wrapped around my waist.  We were impatiently waiting for the jury to come back with a decision.  And unfortunately they were filming this trial too since I was Pierce’s secretary which apparently warranted the thought that I was an interesting person.  I’m not.

“They won’t find you guilty.  They can’t,” Bucky whispered encouragingly, although it sounded like he was trying to convince himself.

“If they do find me guilty, you’ll come visit me, right?” I asked softly, looking at him.

“I’ll move out here so I can visit you every day,” he said with a smile.

“No, you don’t have to move out here.  Live in D.C. so you can be near Steve.  In fact, just take over my flat.  I won’t be using it for a long time if I’m not acquitted.”

“But you will be so you don’t need to worry.”

“You’ll be pardoned, Anna.  I know you will,” Steve jumped in.  At that moment, the jury walked in, looking solemn and before they even read off the verdict, I knew what it said.  The knot got bigger and bigger in my throat as I heard the jury come to the conclusion that I was guilty.  Bucky’s arm tightened on my waist.  I felt a tear fall down my face.  The crowd started murmuring loudly but I couldn’t tell what they were saying until one guy stood up and shouted, “That’s not fair!  I’m calling bull-”

Someone clamped a hand on his mouth before he could finish.  I stood up as guards came over to escort me away.  Bucky insisted he go with me and rather than trigger him into another relapse into Winter Soldier mode, the guards agreed.  They knew what he was capable of.

I switched out of my dress and into my prison uniform.  Orange was not a good color on me… I was being transported back to the high-security prison back in Florence.  It wasn’t too long of a drive but being handcuffed and not being able to move much, well, kind of made it uncomfortable.  On the bright side, Bucky and Steve were with me.  They kept me talking as much as they could, impressive considering I wasn’t in the mood to.

When we pulled up to the jail, it was swarming with journalists.  I took a deep breath.

“You okay?” Bucky asked softly.

“Yeah.  I’m fine.  Let’s just get inside,” I said.  About twenty guards escorted me, Bucky, and Steve inside the jail.  I kept my head down, not wanting the paparazzi to get a good shot of me, but I knew there’d be at least one.  My friends were allowed to bring me all the way to my jail cell.  We passed cells along the way.  Quite a few names were called at me, many inappropriate and many saying I wasn’t going to last, other’s threatening my life.  I glared at them and for some reason, they backed off.  I mean, how intimidating can a girl on crutches be?  Then it hit me that Bucky and Steve had been sending ‘I dare you’ looks at the men, probably with an expletive placed somewhere in that sentence.

We reached my cell in a few minutes.

“All right,” the guard said, uncuffing me because he had a pretty solid idea that there was no way I could beat up either of the men I was with, “This is where you say your goodbyes.  Take as long as you like.”

After the guard left, I threw my arms around Bucky.

“I’m sorry,” I whispered.

“This isn’t your fault.  This is Hydra’s.  We’ll get you out.  I don’t know how but we will,” he promised.

“Let me know how that goes next time you visit me,” I laughed.  I turned to Steve and gave him a big hug, telling him, “Thank you.”

“For what?” he queried.

I pulled away. “For giving me the chance to finish my mission.  You come visit me too, okay?”

“Wouldn’t dream of not doing so.  We’ll bring treats.  But don’t get too comfortable here.  We’re going to get you out of here.”

“Whatever you say Cap.  Take care of each other.”

“We will.  I’ll let you two have some privacy.  I know that look.  Bucky wants to talk to you alone.” With one last hug, Steve left.  I turned to Bucky and he gave me a look of understanding that no matter how I acted, he knew I wasn’t okay, and it made me break.  I let myself cry in front of him.  He pulled me into his arms.

“You’ll be okay.  We’re going to get you out of here.  And if need be, I’ll get myself in prison here so I can see you,” he said.  It made me laugh.

“No, you’re done being caged.  Go live life.  Go kick ass and save the world with Steve.  Meet a girl, have kids if you want.”

“I don’t want any girl but you.  I found my best girl and I’m sticking with you through thick and thin.”

“Well then, I look forward to your next visit… I love you,” I said shyly.

“I love you, too.  I’ll see you soon.” Bucky gave me one last kiss and then he left, leaving me alone in my cell.  I curled up on my bed and attempted to fall asleep.
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Two weeks later… 

Bucky had already been to visit me eight times.  Steve had come seven of the times.  He was busy with a lot of phone calls.  I’m not sure why.  Even Sam and Natasha dropped by a couple times.  It was good to see them, but it hurt to see them leave and it got worse every time.

I was currently reading a new book Bucky had bought me when the guard opened my door.  I looked up.  It wasn’t dinner yet so why was he here?

“Hey,” I said.

“Miss Drew, come with me.  Grab your things,” the guard ordered.

“Um, okay,” I replied.  As I followed his command, I asked, “May I ask where I’m going?”

“You’ve been pardoned.”

“By whom?” I followed the guard into the hallway, books stacked higher than my head.

“The President of the United States.”

“I beg your pardon?”

“Hey, I wouldn’t ask why.  You’re free Miss Drew.  I think I’d take it,” the guard remarked with a smile.

“I’m sure as hell going to take it.  But why would the president pardon me?  It makes no sense.”

The guard shrugged. “The people picking you up brought clothes for you to change into and a bag for all your books.”

I took the items gratefully.  He left the room and I changed into a pair of jeans and a tank top.  The fabric was soft and cozy compared to that blasted orange jumper.  I loved it.  I stuffed my books in my bag and let the guard escort me out of the prison.  On the steps of the entrance to the prison were Steve and Bucky, patiently (well at least in the former’s case) for me.  I ran down the steps and tossed my bags on the ground before throwing myself into Bucky’s outstretched arms.

 “How did you do it?” I demanded in awe.

“I didn’t; Steve did,” Bucky answered.  I faced Steve.

“You did this?  You got me out?”

“Apparently when you save your country from destruction a few times, the president ends up owing you a few favors.  Called one in,” Steve explained.

I gave him a huge hug and kissed him on the cheek. “You’re a wonderful person, Steve Rogers.”

“Come on, we have a welcome party waiting for you at your apartment,” Bucky insisted.

I grinned. “Get me out of here!”
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Okay that took longer than expected because I had a totally different ending typed up, didn’t like it, and changed it.  Hope you enjoyed!