You Must Remember This

Prologue

She waited in the darkness of her home. The pitter-patter of the rain on her windows soothed her. It reminded her of the first night she spent with him. A lifetime ago, it seemed. So much had happened since then. She barely recalled the woman she used to be. 
For the past sixteen years, she'd been in hiding from HYDRA after she escaped their clutches. Moving from town to town, state to state, making sure not to leave a trail. Only a few people knew where she went, and she would trust them with her life. She had trusted them with her life. And with so much more.
She could run again, to live on for those that needed her. But she was tired of running. She'd always been a fighter, facing her enemy straight on. Yet of all the adversaries thrown her way, she'd never imagined he would be her enemy. So, she would do nothing. Whatever happened, tonight would finally be the end of it all. Either for her... or for him. 

It would almost be poetic if it weren't so damn cruel; HYDRA sending him, of all people, to kill her. The only thing that made it slightly better was that, to him, she was just a mission. He wouldn't know all they had been through together. That made it bearable.
There was a soft creaking from the floorboard on the landing at the top of the stairs. Her heart stilled. She listened. Another creak. The corners of her mouth crept up, and she shook her head. 

Not very stealthy for HYDRA's elite assassin, are you? But maybe you want me to know you're here. All right then... one last time. 

She got up from her chair and walked over to the record player. It was a terribly old-fashioned design, but it still worked as well as when she bought it. The vinyl record was already on the plate. She turned it on and lowered the arm as the record spun. Her eyes closed, allowing those first melodious piano notes to transport her back to the past. 
Their song had always helped him remember who and what he was. And who loved him. There was a slight chance that HYDRA's programming was yet so flawed it hadn't touched this part of his mind. Even if it was a one-in-a-million chance, she had to take it. And if she failed, if she died tonight, there would always be...

"Прошло много времени, Солдат."
(It's been a long time, Soldier.)

She turned around. Before her, at the bottom of the stairs, stood HYDRA's most elite secret weapon. The hitman none could escape. The bane of and reason for her existence.
Dark hair, almost black, hung smoothly, framing his face. Ice-blue eyes gazed intensely at her from above the muzzle-like mask. The titanium left arm with the red star on the shoulder shimmered dangerously in the darkness. 

"I know why you're here." She spoke calmly and bravely. "Don't worry. I won't run. I won't fight you either. If it has to be like this... I'm glad it's you."

She approached. His eyes followed her every move, but he did not attack her. Was the song working? Was he remembering? 

"There's one thing I would ask of you."

He stayed perfectly still as she reached for his mask. But when she touched it, his fingers suddenly closed around her wrist. She gasped at the abrupt move, but kept her composure. Her eyes met his.

"A kiss is still a kiss." 

His head slightly cocked as if he were wondering about her. Then he let go. With a pounding heart, she unclasped his face mask. It dropped to the floor. She smiled. There he was, still as young and handsome as the last time she laid eyes on her twin's best friend. What she wouldn't give to have one last moment with the real him. She cupped his face with both hands, ignoring the cold sensation of his skin.

"If I can't save you," she whispered, "know that I forgive you. For everything." 

She stood on the tip of her toes so she could capture his lips. How many times had she wished for him to come back and kiss her like they had after admitting their true feelings in that godforsaken base in Siberia? He did nothing as she drew closer. Then, before their lips touched, she uttered a last plea, hoping to break through.

"Please, Bucky... you must remember this."