You stood outside squinting your eyes, looking up at the sky to try to spot the boys returning from their mission. This wasn't meant to be a hard mission, so you had no doubt they would all return - but Bucky always liked being greeted by you, so you made a habit of waiting for him after every single mission.

At first only one plane returned, and it wasn't his. It was Rosie Rosenthal's. But you don't get discouraged, knowing Bucky will be back in only a few moments. He always returns.

Rosie approaches you on his way to interrogation, a weary expression on his face. "Miss, I wouldn't expect Major Egan back. We saw his plane go up in flames."

Your whole world stops, your face falling. Up in flames? He was...gone? He was gone forever, and you hadn't even gotten to say goodbye.