Disclaimer: I own nothing used here from The Marvel Cinematic Universe. I only own the OC and original content in this story.

Charlie rushed out of her class at NYU along with the crowd of faculty and students trying to escape. Just minutes ago, a hole above New York opened letting an enhanced alien cyborg army loose on the city. While everyone ran away from the attack, Charlie turned and rushed towards it. Since moving to Manhattan 4 months ago, she anticipated this day.

Charlie ran as fast as her leg would go. She didn't exactly know what to expect. The details she knew about the day told to her were vague. The bedtime stories she heard growing up weren't meant to prepare her for what was to come. She wasn't meant to interfere with any of the events. But how could she not? She could change the most destructive event to happen to the world. To the universe.

She just needed to get to the Avengers, and quick.

She turned the corner and stopped. Captain America was kneeling on top of a cop car instructing the officers on their next step.

"Why the hell should I take orders from you?" the taller officer asked the star-spangled hero.

Suddenly an explosion knocked Charlie to the ground. She stumbled to the side before catching her footing. She looked up to see Captain America fighting a few of those creatures. Charlie studied the creatures quickly. They were almost exactly what she imagined them to look like. Hideous.

She continued her dart towards the captain.

"I need men in those buildings. Lead the people down and away from the streets. We're going to set up a perimeter all the way down 39th street. Hey, stop!" The officer called out to her grabbing her arm as she tried to pass him. "You crazy or something? It's dangerous going that way."

"For you maybe. I need to get in there." Charlie stepped back as the officer stepped in front of her.

"Are you with them? The ones fighting against the invaders." The officer asked with a curious look.

Before Charlie could answer, her phone rang. She ignored it.

"Let me go, sir. I can help." She searched behind the officer for Captain America, but he was already gone.

"Listen, kid. This area isn't safe for anyone. Gotta get you out of here."

Charlie looked back at the officer, "You don't know how wrong you are." Her phone continued the ring. Irritated, she pulled it out of her jean pocket and saw what it read.

Dad.

Charlie sighed and answered "Hey, I'm a bit busy. Can I call you back?" She turned her back to the officer.

"Leave."

"What? I can't hear you very well." She covered her free ear to drown out the explosions. Debris was crumbling around her, but she easily avoided it. "Reception must be bad."

"Charlotte." The man on the other line said sternly.

"Dad. You always knew I wasn't one to sit around and watch the world crash. I can't leave now." A shadow cast over Charlie. She looked up to see a whale-sized serpentine animal swimming around the top of the buildings. Leviathans. Charlie was shocked at their size.

"Charlotte. I know how you feel. You have to ability to help the Avengers, to change the fate they are walking into, but you can't. You won't. Not there."

Charlotte sighed. She knew he was right. He didn't want her interfering at all, but she had made her decision up already. She couldn't just sit around and watch. But maybe this was too early, though.

"Fine. I won't help them. But that doesn't help I can't help these people."

"That a girl. Stay safe. Check in on your mom later."

"Of course. Love you, Dad."

"Love you, kid." She hung up and looked around. People were scrambling everywhere to get way from the attack. She looked down the street and saw officers franticly digging up debris that looked to have fallen on a car. Screams were coming from the rubble. She quickly darted over to help.

4 years later

"Nu vorbesc limba ta."

"No, uh. How much, um…" Bucky scrambled through his translation book searching for the right words. "C-Cat pen true trei port-a, port-ocale?" Why'd he come to a country with a language he didn't speak?

"Câte vrei să cumperi?" The vendor was getting annoyed as other customers passed by not wanting to wait.

"Three." Bucky didn't need to speak the woman's language to know she was irritated with him. He picked three oranges from the basket and held them up. "Just three."

Bucky pulled some leu from his pocket he was able to exchange what little currency he had acquired on his way to Bucharest. The woman quickly picked a bill and a few coins from his hand and shooed him off before turning to another customer.

"Nu ești de aici." A soft voice spoke from beside him.

Bucky turned to the person and saw a beautiful dark-haired woman addressing him. "Sorry?" He asked, not really expecting her to understand him.

"You just paid double the price for those." She answered. The woman shifted the brown sack in her arms.

Bucky was thrown off by her American accent. He hadn't met anyone who spoke English in months. He actually avoided them. He was a fugitive in nearly every country he'd been in. He didn't allow himself to be in one place long enough to be recognized. He would even have to decide if this little interaction was too much of a risk to stick around.

"Have you been in Bucharest long?" The woman questioned.

Bucky didn't answer.

"I'm Charlie, by the way." She held out her left hand for him to shake. He didn't.

He glanced down at her hand before looking back up to her. He studied her. Looked for tells that she knew who he was. As he did, he couldn't help but see she had tanned skin, naturally bright lips, and deep blue eyes. Those eyes. They looked familiar.

After a moment, Charlie dropped her hand. "Well, sir. This was a very nice chat, but I have to get to work." She shifted the bag again and turned her body to head off. Before she took off, she turned back to Bucky. "Try Marius down a few tents. He knows enough English to not rip you off. Tell him I sent you." She turned away.

He hadn't realized he was staring until she glanced back a few yards away and sent him a smile. He swallowed hard and cautiously watched as she disappeared in the crowd.

Old Bucky would've jumped at the opportunity to engage in a conversation with a woman that beautiful. He wouldn't have hesitated to introduce himself, take her out. Danced with a woman like that. But he wasn't that Bucky anymore. Hydra made sure of that. He thought to himself.

Bucky turned back to the vendor's booth seeing she was busy with others. He slipped 3 more oranges in his bag and quickly headed back to his apartment.

Review and let me know what you think! I encourage critiquing of the story line. Nothing can be perfected without it!