He struggles against the conditioning, stubborn and distraught, and it hurts like she's been shot. "Baby," she says, gripping his hand, coaxing him to look at her. "Bucky, it's okay. Really, I promise."

She lifts her free hand to cup his cheek, holding his gaze with her own steady one. "Listen to me. I believe you. Okay? I trust you. Remember?"

That lazy afternoon in the bed in her borrowed apartment, their quiet voices whispering to each other. "I know you're in this right with me. I know how much you care."