He sits across the street from the Avenger's tower with a coffee in his hands, his mind racing. He knew she needed her help, but he doubted she'd help him. Looking down at his mug, he tilts it around making the coffee swirl as he ponders what to do. Should he just leave? That's what they did all those years ago. It still hurt to think about what he's done to her. Shaking his head, he decides against asking for help. He goes to leave when he remembers the other reason he had for seeking her out. "Dammit," He says as he turns and crosses the road.

He walks up to the doors and walking in finds reception and makes a beeline for it. As he nears it he notices the young blonde behind the desk smiling politely at him. "Can I help you?" she asks as he nears her forcing a polite smile.

"Uh yeah, I'm trying to find Natasha Romanoff. It's not really important, but if I could leave something with you for her will you make sure she gets it?"

"I can see if she's here if you'd like to wait, can I ask your name?" She asks politely and he feels his stomach tighten.

"Um, Liam; if she's busy I can just leave it here."

"Just a moment and I'll ask if she's available." The girl says holding up one finger as she reaches for a phone receiver. Liam roll his eyes becoming annoyed. Couldn't she tell he didn't want to actually see her, he just wanted to, if possible, leave a note or something. "Yes Mr. Stark, I have a Liam here to see Miss Romanoff." She pauses a moment as if listening for a reply.

"You know I'll just come back later." He says as he starts to walk away turning into someone's fist. He falls to the floor holding his jaw as he looks up to see Natasha standing before him about to kick him. He quickly blocks it with his arm as he yells out, "Fuck Red, I'm not here to fight." She stares at him for a moment rage filling her eyes before she starts to head toward the elevator. Liam knew without asking that he was supposed to follow her.

"Red," He says unable to think of anything else to say but she ignores him as she continues staring at the elevator doors. "I don't think-"

"Shut up and get in the elevator." She says and he nods as he climbs into the elevator. Once the doors are closed she says, "FRIDAY, can we get some privacy?"

"Of course, Miss Romanoff." The AI replies making his nerves jolt at what was about to happen.

"What are you doing here Liam? Where's (Name)," She asks straightforwardly making him look down at the floor. Clearing his throat, He reaches into his jacket pocket and pulling out the little USB slowly hands it to her. "What's this?" She asks taking it from him.

"It's something I owe you."

"Don't bullshit me Liam." She says arms folding over her chest.

"It's true Red," He replies finally meeting her eyes. They were full of emotion and he knew why. At one point in time the three of us were best friends, but I ruined it. "I was expecting to just leave it at the front desk for you."

"What, you didn't want to see me?" She asks straightforwardly her eyebrows furrowed.

"No, it's not like that."

"Then what is it like?"

"I didn't think you wanted to see me." He replies honestly offering her a painful smile. "I wasn't planning on showing my face at all but," He pauses trying to hold back his emotions. "Sorry,"

"Stop saying you're sorry. I got tired of hearing that a long time ago." She adds making him nod.

"I did say it a lot, and I meant it every time."

"Then why did you do it?"

"Pardon?"

"Why did you and (Name) leave? She told me it was over and without giving me any reason why, the two of you just disappeared. I couldn't find you, and I'm the spy." She says her eyes looking him up and down.

"You aren't the only spy, Red." He adds making her look down at the floor of the elevator. "You were just the better one."

"Yeah, well tell me something I don't know." She says hitting a button causing the elevator to start moving again. He wanted to tell her but he knew better.

"I really should be leaving," He says forcing himself to look away from her. It hurt. It hurt so bad to be here and not tell her.

"If you leave, I will literally go out of my freaking mind." She says surprising him with her words.

"I don't understand." He says furrowing his brow at her in confusion.

"You can't leave until I open this." She says and he shakes my head.

"That's not how this works Red."

"Oh?" She replies anger lacing her words. "Then tell me."

"I have to go." He says looking away from her.

"Why?" She asks and He cocks his eyebrow at her. "Tell me where you went with (Name)." Liam looks deep into her eyes as he stands in front of her pain and heartache filling his body. "I can't." Was all he said and the elevator doors open giving him the cover of all the people in the lobby to disappear. He knew she would try to follow and find him, but he couldn't let her. It was better if she hated him.

Natasha stared at the thumb drive in her hand as she sat at the table deep in thought. What could be on this that Liam would come back only to disappear again. Natasha was furious. She had wanted an explanation but all she had got was the run around. She contemplated tossing the thumb drive out but couldn't. Natasha wasn't one to show her emotions, something she learned in the red room, but since parting with Liam she was finding it hard not to lash out.

"You okay Red?" She hears Bucky's familiar voice ask and she shakes her head. Other than (Name) and Liam, Bucky was the only other person she could truly be herself around. "What's up?" he asks sitting down next to her.

"Liam was here." Was all she said and Bucky understood everything.

"You okay? Was she here with him?" Bucky asks his eyes falling on the thumb drive.

"No,"

"What'd he want?"

"To give me this," She pauses to set it on the table and slide it over to him, "Said 'It's something I owe you', no idea what it could be though." Bucky picks it up and instantly walks toward the computer room.

"What are you doing James?" She asks following him anger filling her face.

"Let's find out what he left you."

"That's personal."

"Then personally excuse me as I pop this in."

"Barnes."

"Romanoff." He replies not looking at her as he slides the thumb drive into the reader. It takes a few seconds before the opens to reveal a folder called for Nat, and a series of video files. "What do you want to look at first?"

"Oh, now you're asking me?" She asks her eyes focused on the video file. "FRIDAY,"

"Yes, Miss Romanoff?"

"Show the video files on the main screen please."

"Sure thing miss." The AI replies and Natasha feels her heart race as the first video opens to reveal (Name) sitting in a chair looking out the window at something.

"(Name), you wanted to make this?" Liam says off screen pulling (Name)'s attention to the camera.

"Sorry, I was just. Never mind." Clearing her throat, she looks right in the camera and says, "Hey Red, I know you're probably still angry with me for leaving like I did, and I just want to say that nothing I can ever say or do will make what I did right." She pauses for a moment to look down at her hands before she adds, "The reason I left was because I was sick, and I didn't want you to have to take care of me. I was hoping I would get better but it looks like that's not in the cards for me." She pauses tears filling her eyes before she continues, "I was hoping I could fix what I have and that I could come back to you and tell you everything; but that's not gonna happen now. I just wanted the chance to be yours again but apparently God sees things differently. I'm leaving you everything I have, everything we had together, plus Liam."

"That's not funny (Name)," Liam adds making her chuckle.

"It's funny to me, and it will be to her. Later on."

"It won't be funny if she kills me." Liam adds making (Name) shake her head.

"Any way, if you're watching this then," She pauses her eyes focusing on something not there.

"(Name)," He calls softly making her blink a few times before her attention snaps to him.

"Huh?" She asks looking offscreen.

"You left off at if you're watching this,"

"Ah, right, sorry." She says her expression turning sad.

"It's okay sis, just when you're ready." He adds causing Natasha and Bucky to share a look of confusion.

"Did you know he was her brother?" Bucky asks and Natasha shakes her head silently.

"So, Natasha, I wanted, I just wanted," She furrows her brow for a moment before continuing, "I love you. I'm sorry. I'm just so sorry." She pauses as tears fill her eyes. "I just had to go."

"Okay, I think that's enough." Liam says and the screen goes black.

Natasha instantly shoots up and heads for the elevator. "Where are you going Nat?" Bucky asks following after her.

"I have to find her." She pauses for a moment before adding, "I have to find Liam, he's here in the city. I have to find her through him."

"But you don't know where he is." Bucky adds making her stop in her tracks. She looks around a moment before she calls out, "FRIDAY?"

"Yes, Miss Romanoff,"

"The man that was here earlier can you find him for me?" Natasha asks her brow furrowed in anger.

"It might take me a while, but yes."

"Do it." Natasha replies as she rushes toward the elevator.

"I'm coming with you." Bucky says and she decides not to argue.

"Fine, we're taking the jet."

"No arguments there."

"Miss Romanoff, I found him at JFK Airport, would you like me to detain him." FRIDAY calls out and Natasha nods.

"Yes,"

-

"I swear officer, I didn't do anything wrong." Liam says as the officer slaps cuffs on his wrists.

"That's not for me to decide. We got an order to detain you until the proper authorities arrive."

"The proper authorities?" Liam asks confusion filling his face before it hits him. "God dammit Red." He says as he lets them lead him to the security office. He sits stewing in anger as he waits for her to arrive. A few minutes later she storms in and punches him in the face again. "God dammit woman, do you ever not use your fists?"

"No, but she uses her legs a lot. You want her to use those instead?" Bucky asks walking in behind her with a laptop.

"Hell no." Liam states clearly as he tries to shake the pain away.

"Where is she?" Natasha asks rage filling her eyes as they meet his.

"Did you watch all the videos?" He asks narrowing his eyes at her.

"What does that have to do with where she is?"

"Just watch the damn videos."

"Where is she?!"

"I don't know..." He says barely above a whisper.

"WHERE IS SHE LIAM?!" She yells out angrily.

"I DON'T FUCKING KNOW!!" Liam snaps causing her to flinch at his tone. He had never raised his voice to her before so she knew he was telling the truth.

"How could you not know?"

"Just watch the videos," he says again pain filling his face. "Please."

"When's Tasha coming back from the store?" They both hear (Name)'s voice call out and they turn to see Bucky sitting at the table the laptop for before open in front of him his eyes focused on the screen. "I don't know (Name)," They hear Liam's voice reply.

"I wish she'd hurry."

"What are you doing Barnes?" Natasha asks moving over to look at the screen.

"Well why your two were having a testosterone fight, I did what the man asked and started watching the videos."

"You brought it from the tower?"

"Yeah, now shut up and watch."

"I don't have time for this."

"Humor me," Bucky says before he motions to the screen.

They sit there for what seems like hours until they reach the final video. As it starts to play Liam winces in pain at the memory. "Who are you? What am I doing here? Where's mama?!" (Name) cries out as she tries to run away from Liam.

"I'm your brother, we're safe."

"You're not my brother, you're too old to be my brother." She argues as she moves through the house. As she passes by a mirror she freezes and slowly turns to look are her reflection. She stares in disbelief as she reaches up to touch her own face. Panic fills her body as she shakes her head, "Who is this, this isn't me. I don't look like this, I'm only thirteen. What is happening? I don't understand." She cries out in fear. All the sudden she lashes out and pulling her fist back smashes the mirror.

"Oh my god, (Name), are you okay?!" Liam asks as he moves towards her only to have her swat him away confusion filling her scared eyes.

"Don't touch me! I don't know you." Suddenly the camera goes dark and the video ends. Natasha and Bucky slowly turn to look at Liam who now has tears in his eyes.

"What happened Liam?" Bucky asks as Natasha stares at him in surprise. Liam takes a deep breath before clearing his throat and saying, "(Name) has a severe case of Early-Onset Alzheimer's."

"Wait doesn't that just happen to older people?" Bucky asks and Liam nods.

"In most cases yes, but there's like one percent of the population that will get it before fifty."

"And (Name)'s that one percent." Natasha says tears stinging her eyes.

"Unfortunately," Liam adds his brows furrowed in pain. "She didn't want to tell anyone. She wanted to live the remainder of her days somewhere nice and quiet. I thought she'd be safe with me there, I'm her brother, she should have been able to recognize me all the way to the end but she didn't." He looks at the laptop tears now pouring from his eyes. "One morning she woke up and didn't recognize me. She freaked out and while I was trying to help her she hit me over the head with something and disappeared."

"And that's why you came to me."

"I came to you to give you that USB with her will and the videos on it." He says not meeting her eyes. "I was gonna look for her myself. I figured if she regressed to thirteen then she'd go back to where she was at the time."

"The Red Room." Natasha says and Liam nods.

"I was headed to Belarus when you detained me."

"We have to go." Natasha says moving to unlock Liam's cuffs.

"How do you know she even made it there?" Bucky asks causing both Liam and Natasha to glare at him.

"She was raised there. It's what she knows. She'll try to get back there." Liam says rubbing his wrist from where the cuffs had rubbed.

"Are you sure just walking around here is a good idea? I mean, this place isn't exactly the safest. Even if it has been abandoned." Bucky asks and Natasha rolls her eyes.

"She's gotta be here." Liam says as he heads down the hallway toward where they used to hold the young girls. They continue until they reach the room. Liam lets out a sigh of relief as he sees (Name) sitting on a bed staring off into space. Without saying a word, he moves over to her and reaching her reaches out gently and calls her name but she doesn't move. He gently shakes her but all she does is look at him with a far-off stare. "(Name)?" He asks and all she does is smile.

"You're pretty," She says to him before looking at the others. "You brought friends?"

"Yes, these are my friends, Bucky and Natasha."

"Natasha?" she asks a hint of something passing through her eyes as she looked at Nat. "I... I know a Natasha." Everyone looks at her with hopeful eyes and she smiles brightly as she adds, "I love Natasha." All the emotions that Natasha had been holding back started to flow out as tears fell from her eyes and she reached out to wrap her arms around (Name). Natasha could feel (Name) tense underneath her but then reach up gently patting her on the back say, "Don't cry, it will be okay."

"No, it won't, It hurts, It hurts so bad I can't breathe." Natasha replies not wanting to let go of (Name). Then as quickly as the moment came it was gone as (Name) pushed Natasha away and stared at her in fear causing Natasha's heart to break even more.

"Who are you?" (Name) asks as she looks around at all of them with fear in her eyes.

"It's okay (Name), remember Liam?" Liam asks and she nods. "I'm going to take you to Liam okay?" He says and she reluctantly follows him. Natasha watches as Liam reaches down and lifts (Name) up into his arms. "Hold on to me sis," He says and she stares at him for a moment before wrapping her arms around his neck holding him tight. "We'll be on the jet." He says to Bucky who is watching Natasha cry silently to herself.

"I didn't know. Why didn't she tell me?" Natasha asks as she feels a sharp pain fill her heart.

"Because she only wanted you to remember the good times. She wanted you to remember the time when you two were in love with each other." Bucky says wrapping his arms around her. He hugs her tightly as he offers her some moral support.

"I've been so mad at her for so long. What do I do now?" Natasha asks into his chest.

"I don't know Red." He replies gently rubbing her back. "I don't know."