January 30 2026

"If I ever were to lose you"

"I'd surely lose myself"

The time was eight thrity five p.m, There was an apartment as a soft music echoed, Anne was cooking the steak, Her mind had drifted many times, The song, the melody, the words, pulled at something unspoken inside her.

"Everything I have found, dear"

"I've not found by myself"

Anne was done with the steak and placed it on the plate, She grabbed her cooking book but her mind was focused on the music

"Try and sometimes you'll succeed"

"To make this man of me"

Everything else seemed silent except the words of the song, Anne placed her book aside, looking at her plate while her mind drifted to the song again.

"All my stolen missing parts"

"I've no need for anymore"

"I believe"

Her throat tightened as Anne fixed her hair grabbing the plate as the song continued on

"And I believe 'cause I can see"

"Our future days"

The melody continued on, She turned off the speaker and took a seat, preparing her knife and fork. However, She was lost in her thoughts again, Everything around her seemed heavy for a moment.

Once she sat down, She didn't start eating immediately. Winters just looked at the wall for a moment, her throat felt loose, She took a sip of cold water and finally decided to begin dinner, But just when she was gonna take the first bite, She had a phone call. . . A video call from Sydney.

Anne looked at her number before disconnecting the call and messaged her and took her first bite.

Anne: [Hey Syd, I'm having dinner, What's up?]

Sydney: [Answer the phone, Anne. I wanna talk 😑]

Anne: [I prefer text over call to be honest 😅]

Sydney:[Girl, I don't care. I'm too lazy to text 😂]

She called Anne again as Winters sighed, having a small smile on her face before answering the call and saw Sydney who was on her bed, The blonde smile and waved at Anne as Winters smiled back.

Sydney: Hellooo

Anne: Hey Syd, Now let's finally talk, What do you need?

Sydney: Do I always call you when I need something? I just wanna talk, That's all.

Anne: Oh. . . I thought something important came up.

Sydney: *Rolls her eyes* No, Its all good. I'm just bored.

Anne nodded and took another bite as Sydney was watching her and asked curiously.

Sydney: Whatcha eating?

Anne: It's "What are you eating"

Sydney: Anne! Don't hit me with that!

Anne couldn't help but laugh at her reaction as Sydney stared in annoyance.

Anne: I had too, Anyways. I'm having steak.

Sydney: Mmm sounds delicious.

Anne: And where is your boyfriend?

Sydney: Evan is out hanging out with his friends. I finished dinner earlier, Also i need to check a few documents.

Anne: Shouldn't you be doing that?

Sydney: Nah, I'll save that for later.

Anne: It could be important? It's better to get it done sooner.

Sydney: *Chuckles* Oh, You really have a habit of finishing things in time.

Anne: It feels better when you do it earlier.

Sydney: True but sometimes, You gotta save time for yourself, Like watch a movie, Go out, make new friends, Do something loud and fun

Anne just tilted her head, taking another bite of her steak as Sydney gave a cheeky smile.

Anne: Are you taking a shot at me?

Sydney: Ermmm, Maybe. You don't do any of that.

Anne: I love watching movies though?

Sydney: Do you like it when someone joins you for a movie night?

Anne: *Shakes her head* Not anymore, I prefer watching by myself.

Sydney: See? I told you. You don't have fun and you don't make friends. You should start doing that.

Anne: *Rolls her eyes* Yes, Mom.

Sydney laughed at her reaction as Anne had a small smile on her face, However the truth is, over the years Winters was focused on her studies that she couldn't find time to enjoy herself, And the things she used to enjoy wasn't fun anymore, She preferred being by herself then making friends.

Sydney: I'm just stating the truth, I kinda feel bad that you don't do anything, How about we go out together?

Anne: *Shakes her head* No Sydney, Not today. I have to finish a few things up, Plus I have to wake up early.

Sydney: At least for a little bit? Like thrity minutes?

Anne: Again, I can't. Maybe next time, Definitely.

Sydney: Fine, But I'm warning you. I'm gonna drag you out somewhere one day.

Anne: *Chuckles* Like where?

Sydney: *Giggles* To a nightclub, obviously. Somewhere with neon lights, bad decisions, and music loud enough to shake your body.

Anne almost choked on the steak while Sydney grinned as Winters looked at the camera in shock.

Anne: Nightclub!? I rather stay in traffic.

Sydney: Seriously, I bet you'd actually have fun. Just imagine, Me forcing you to dance, you pretending to hate it, but secretly having the time of your life.

Anne: *Rolls her eyes* Not gonna happen.

Sydney: That's exactly what people say before they end up dancing on top of a table!

Anne: And that's exactly how people lose their jobs.

Sydney: *Laughs* Come on, you deserve to loosen up. . . Okay, I have an idea, I'll invite Congressman Barnes to the club.

Anne's eyes were widen in shock and stared at Sydney for a few seconds.

Anne: What!? Why would you-

Sydney: Just saying! The man looks like he could use some music and Maybe even a drink or two.

Anne: That's not gonna work.

She couldn't help but laugh at the thought if Sydney actually invited him to the club, She laughed harder then she expected as Sydney just shrugged to herself.

Sydney: Come on, Maybe he might spin you around the dance floor or something.

Anne just facepalmed and had an image of that scenario in her head, For some reason, It brought a smile to her eventhough she shouldn't, Anne covered her mouth but Sydney was quick to notice that as her eyes lit up.

Sydney: Ooooh, Is someone imagining it!?

Anne: *Laughs* No, That's ridiculous, He's my boss.

Sydney: *Smiles* Then what's with that smile, huh?

Anne: Because you're putting the most ridiculous images in my head and it's making me laugh.

Sydney continued laughing as Anne felt awkward but she couldn't stop smiling, Sydney smirked, looking back at the camera, holding her laughter.

Sydney: Sureee, Now that thought isn't gonna leave your head.

Anne: "Thanks" to you.

Sydney: Should I add more to it-

Anne: No, Just no.

Sydney: *Laughs* Fine, But I promise I'll drag you to a nightclub, Like it or not.

Anne: *Covers her face* I'm not ready for this. . .

Sydney: You will be.

She smiled and was determined to take Anne out somewhere, Even though it's been two weeks since they knew each other, Sydney always noticed the quiet and soft demeanor in her, She rarely does anything besides work, That's why Sydney wanted to drag her in a little bit of chaos.

Sydney: You work too much, and think too much. You need one night of bad decisions.

Anne just chuckled as Sydney stared at her, Winters wasn't sure if she was prepared for something like this, She just hoped that Sydney won't actually drag her out someday.

Both girls continued talking to each other, Winters was finally done with her dinner, Soon it was getting late as both girls said "Goodnight" to each other and hanged up the call, Anne stretched her arms out, crossing her legs as she chuckled.

(Not gonna lie, Syd and her boyfriend always gives me a good laugh. . .)

She looked at the clock, noticing the time was ten thrity five p.m, Winters got up and went to her room and grabbed her laptop as she was gonna finish some work, She sat on the bed and opened it until Winters had another call, She sighed thinking it was Sydney but instead. . . It was from the congressman.

Anne looked at his contact number for a moment, She thought he would be usually asleep at this time, Anne thought there could be more work to be done as she answered the phone.

There was brief silence between them as Anne spoke quietly.

Anne: Hello?

Bucky: *On call*. . . . Did I wake you up?

Anne: No, Not at all. I was checking on the reports.

Bucky: *On Call* I figured, You always finish things early.

There was a moment of silence, He didn't say anything nor did she, Anne was a bit confused by the sudden silence, Why did he even call her?

Anne: Is everything alright?

Bucky: *On call* Yeah. . . Just wanted to check something with you.

Anne: Should I go through some notes?

Bucky: No, No. . . It can wait. You've done more than enough today.

Anne was caught off guard as there was another moment of silence before Bucky cleared his throat.

Bucky: I just couldn't sleep, Thought we could talk. . . About work.

Anne: Oh sure thing.

She was surprised that he wanted to talk at this time, especially on the phone. Both of them were talking about work and politics, The conversation was going smoothly between them, That was until Barnes asked a question unexpectedly.

Bucky: So, What did you have for dinner?

Anne: I cooked steak with zucchini.

Bucky: I had cereal.

Anne: For dinner?

Bucky: It's easier than cooking for one.

Anne paused, There was a loneliness in that answer she felt more than heard which made her frown a little.

Anne: I know that feeling.

Bucky: Really? You live alone?

Anne: Yeah, Just me. . .

Anne was quiet and began thinking about something but she didn't want things to be awkward by her sudden silence.

Anne: And the couch.

She heard a soft chuckle through the call which made her smile a little as Bucky said something.

Bucky: Sounds like a loyal couch.

Anne: *Chuckles* Right, It does get too quiet sometimes.

Bucky: I get it. Some nights I look around my place and it's like. . . it's quiet, but not peaceful. You know?

Anne: Yeah. . . I know exactly what that means.

She closed her laptop and laid her head on the pillow, There was another moment of silence between them. Maybe both of them were lost in their thoughts.

Bucky: You ever get used to it? The quiet?

Anne: . . . . I think you just learn to live with it. But every now and then. . . it creeps up on you again.

Bucky: Yeah, It does. . .

A moment has passed, this time he spoke, a bit lighter.

Bucky: You know if it every gets too quiet, You can always call me.

Anne was stunned by what he said, Through the call, Bucky had a small smile on his face, waiting for her response.

Anne: Oh, Is that a request?

Bucky: *Chuckles* Maybe.

They both shared a small laugh together, enjoying the small talk so far.

Bucky: You sound different when you're not at work.

Anne: *Chuckles* Same goes with you, You don't sound too serious

Bucky: Careful, That's classified information.

They shared another laugh together and continued talking to each other, Sometime has passed and it was eleven twelve p.m as Barnes spoke.

Bucky: You should get some rest, Winters.

Anne: Yeah, I just need to check on the-

Bucky: Do it tomorrow, It's eleven p.m. it's not really important.

Anne: I. . . Okay.

Bucky: *Smiles* Thanks for answering by the way

Anne had a smile on her face when he said that, It seemed like he really enjoyed her company, For the first time it wasn't anything about work.

Anne: It's fine, Thanks for the company.

Bucky: Maybe we can do it again sometime.

Anne: I'd like that

Bucky: Good night, Anne.

Anne: Good night, Sir.

They disconnected the call as Anne put her phone aside and looked at her laptop, She barely did anything which made her sigh, But it's not like she minded, It seemed nice to talk to someone, First Sydney, Now Bucky.

She placed her laptop on the table and climbed on her bed again, She closed the lamp, laying down while lost in her thoughts again, Anne was thinking of the conversation she had with Bucky, It was something different. . .

But. . . It wasn't with the right person. Not what she expected.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

[The next day]

Anne, Evan and Sydney were walking through the Capitol grounds together, Both of them were chattering while Anne was listening to them, Evan cracked a joke which made Sydney laugh and give a playful slap to the cheek while Anne was smiling at both of them.

As the trio were talking, They heard a beep through the metal detectors and turned around to see Barnes walking, They immediately stopped talking as Bucky was looking at the trio while Winters stared at him quietly. Remembering their conversation last night.

Later on, Anne made it back to the office and saw Bucky sitting on his chair, This time he greeted her with a smile on his face.

Bucky: *Smiles* Good morning, Secretary.

Anne couldn't help but smile back at him.

Anne: Good morning, Congressman.

She placed the papers on the table, But he didn't bother taking them and just looked at her.

Bucky: How are you?

Her eyes lit up with surprise and answered him.

Anne: I'm fine, What about you?

Bucky: Pretty good.

He finally reached for the papers as Anne continued staring at him, While he looked at the papers, he spoke to her.

Bucky: You always seem to hang out with Miss Thompson and Mister Miles.

Anne: Oh well, They're my friends. We're been talking since I got here.

Bucky: It's good that you're making friends *Looks at her* But should I be worried they're stealing you away from your duties?

Her eyes lit up by his assumption but he had a smile on his face which means he was just joking with her, She chuckled, shaking her head.

Anne: No, I mean they are great and fun people though.

Bucky: I'm joking, I can't always keep you on duty.

She smiled a little and looked at the window as Barnes flipped the paper, He looked at Anne again for a moment before looking back at the paper.

Winters looked at him, noticed how focused he seemed, a strand of his fell on his face, She just kept staring at him until he slicked it back up, But Anne didn't take her eyes off of him.

A/N: Thank you so much for reading and stay strong!!! :)