The tenebrosity was split by occasional strands of bright purple lightning crackling in the distance, highlighting Lyla's cheeks and her chest. All the while she was sitting in the black, her eyes shut, fading in and out. No recollection of time. Going in and out of consciousness.

Suddenly another intense, bright flash of purple lightning and a thunderous boom, forced Lyla to open her eyes, helping to illuminate her surroundings. It was blinding. The flash imprinting on her irises.

Maniacal laughter rang out in the distance. Although Lyla didn't understand it, being in the astral plane for so long had brought her closer to the nightmare world. A dangerous place ruled by a dangerous man. Nightmare bordered Lyla's astral plane alongside a number of other splinter dimensions. Lyla couldn't stay for much longer before he would notice.

Someone, a male form, started to walk out of the light in the distance, his form like a mirage. Something shimmered to his left as the sky continued to flash violently, he didn't flinch once. The ground started to shake with every rumble in the sky. Was it Nightmare?

Bucky lay on the table, his body tense, veins popping out of his arm and forehead. Bucky gripped tightly onto Lyla's hand with his right, their fingers entwined, his left scrunched into a tight fist, the mechanics of his arm whirring ferociously. They were both hooked up to wires and monitors, which beeped loudly in the expansive and sterile room.

Bucky was out cold now, eyes rolled into the back of his head which dripped with sweat. His mouth no longer frothed, which Shuri took as a good sign. Wanda was in Bucky's mind, whispering to him the entire time. Feeling for any sign of distress. Probing. Sending instructions.

"Buck. Can you hear me? Do you see her?"

Lyla could just make out the male form approaching her. He seemed familiar. But how? Her brows knit together in confusion. How could someone else be here with her, in her mind?

As the male form walked closer, things around Lyla started to come into focus. Her eyes flickered and adjusted to the change in the atmosphere. Dead mangled trees stood against the horizon. Yellowing grass spread across the ground, weaving through the cracked dry substrate. Jagged rocks littered the yellowing savannah, and a deep dark threatening sky loomed overhead.

Lyla could do nothing but sit stock still, huddled on the cold ground, holding onto her body and legs for comfort as she watched him approach, her brows furrowed in confusion. Everything around her was threatening to crumble away into dust, where it would cease to exist.

Bucky was twitching on the table. Spasming. Writhing. This was dangerous. He could get lost in there. Lyla's machine started to beep, the sound echoed down the hall from her room, alerting guards and doctors alike. Lights within the medical center flickered sporadically.

Lines on the monitors signalling Lyla's brain waves started to move and twitch very slightly. These had barely moved for months. Just the occasional peak, nothing like this. The specific brain waves flashing on the screen signified to Shuri that Bucky had potentially found her. Wanda confirmed it as she sighed, a teary laugh escaped her as she nodded, realising she was one step closer to having her friend back.

Bucky slowly approached; sitting beside Lyla carefully. He softly spoke her name "Lyla..."

'Is that my name? 'She thought. She didn't know. Lyla looked at Bucky, confused and disoriented. 'Who is this man?'

"Lyla" he says again, "I'm not leaving without you." She slowly looked over to him. His blue eyes boring into hers, she knew he meant it. She trusted those eyes, not really knowing why. She felt comfortable with him beside her.

She knew him. With a jolt, it all came rushing back.

"Bucky?" She asked, her head lifting slightly. Sadness laced her voice. Was she imagining this or was he really here? "I'm sorry. Please... forgive me." She whispered, as the ground rumbled beneath them, more cracks appearing on the dry surface. They both swayed, finding balance by placing their palms to the ground.

Lyla's monitors were beeping and pinging, going haywire in the lab, her eyes flickered as her conscious became aware. The vitals for both parties on Shuri's screen were flashing uncontrollably. Sirens now blared within the Golden City. If Bucky didn't hurry up he could be lost in there with her. They had a matter of minutes at most. Shuri was trying to mask her panic, but her eyes conveyed all of her fears as she fumbled at her station.

"Buck. We don't have long." Wanda tried to convey to Bucky. He heard her, clear in his mind. He nodded his head in understanding, not wanting to startle the woman in front of him, thinking his next words, praying Wanda could hear them. 'Just a bit longer.'

"Lyla I need you to take my hand. I need you to concentrate really hard. I need you to take us back. We have to go back... I can't lose you again." Bucky's breath caught on his last words.

"I can't go back." It was barely audible, but she said those words. It further broke the man beside her, he grew more and more despondent. This plan was going to fail.

Thunder rumbled in the distance, but it was getting closer. Was that laughter Bucky could hear in the clouds surrounding them? He looked around for the source, finding nothing but feeling a sense of unease, it wasn't like the last time Lyla had brought him. Before it was peaceful, now it was dark and depressing, a clear representation of how Lyla must be feeling having brought herself here for longer than intended.

"Lyla, I'm sorry." He leant in closer to her, his eyes flick briefly to the dark and threatening sky before looking back down at her.

"I'm truly sorry. For everything." Bucky was fighting off tears. Lyla was already crying, silent tears sliding down her chapped cheeks. Bucky touched his hand to her face, she remembered his touch, he'd only touched her like this once, it made her feel wanted. Butterflies fluttered in her stomach as she swallowed, a blush creeping up her neck. Bucky's fingers brushed her cheek; she leant into his comforting touch, relishing in the long awaited moment. She had missed him.

"Five more minutes Wanda, and I'm going to have to pull him out. He won't make it." Shuri urged. Wanda practically growled at the petite princess, fiercely defending her friend who was still unconscious on the table before her.

Slowly leaning into the woman before him, foreheads almost touching, his eyes not leaving hers, Bucky whispered. "I love you Delilah, I'm not only sorry I never told you... because I should have shown you. You are loved Lyla. Not just by me... Wanda, Nat, everyone. We all love you. We can't lose you. I don't want to... I can't lose you... I'm... In love with you." He confessed. Bucky kissed her then, his touch was gentle against her lips, as she let him slowly explore her mouth. She looked into his deep blue eyes as they flicked open, worried he had overstepped the mark.

Lyla felt safe. At home. She believed the words he had spoken, as she smiled happily at him. Feeling alive she gently took his hand in her own, her fingers caressed the now calloused skin on his palm; she closed her eyes.

They both gasped for air, like fish out of water. Bucky was ripping out his wires haphazardly in an effort to get to Lyla. Wanda placed a gentle hand on Lyla to still her and keep her calm, she relaxed under the familiar touch, her eyes searching the unfamiliar surroundings. Wanda was elated; a silent tear of happiness escaped her, her friend was back. Lyla locked eyes with Wanda, her face apologetic. Wanda knew what she was trying to convey, and she didn't need to hear it, still Lyla attempted to talk but it hurt; her throat was exceptionally dry.

"I'm... Sorry." Lyla tried to speak, her voice came out hoarse, her throat scratched and burnt as she brought up a hand to rub her over her Larynx. Wanda reached for a glass of water, holding it for Lyla to sip from.

Bucky was out of his bed now, standing by Lyla, he was unsteady on his feet but that wasn't his main concern right now. Lyla was. Wanda rubbed at Lyla's arm, placing the water back on the side, comforting herself, but also encouraging her friend. "It's okay, be still and rest." Wanda sent a reassuring smile to her friend before backing away.

Lyla looked to her side feeling his gaze on her. He held onto her tightly, arms wrapping around her as best as he could. Bucky kissed her forehead, touching anywhere he could just to feel her warm skin under his. He didn't care who was witness to his actions. Bucky's eyes brimmed with tears and unspoken words, he was never letting Lyla go. She held him back just as tightly, her memory was hazy but it felt like she hadn't felt his comforting warmth for a long time. His familiar scent filled her lungs, Bucky felt like home. Wanda, Bruce and Shuri looked on warmly, the lights and atmosphere now much calmer than it had been only minutes ago.

By now the whole team, including an off the grid Sharon, had heard what was planned. Two bodies crashed into the room, sending the doors flying open and doctors fleeing. Shuri let out a chuckle, as Bruce came to stand protectively beside her.

Nat and Sam, both kitted out in tactile gear, clearly fearing the worst, were skidding through the doors; stopping abruptly when they saw Lyla blinking back at them. Shock and confusion etched on their faces. Nat could only sigh with relief, a small smile spreading across her face, as she typed a message into her watch.

"Lyla." Sam breathed, lost for words. He too smiled, relief radiating through his tense body.