Before Infinity Chronicles

Wakanda

For the past few days, it felt as if time had slowed. The conflict that had risen and had passed at times felt as if it never happened, other times it was impossible to forget a single detail. What had happened and what had been said wouldn't be forgotten so easily, a lot of it was too painful to forget, both physically and emotionally. It seems that all anyone them could do was hide, hiding was their best option for the time being. T'challa had been more than generous in giving Steve and his team a place to temporarily stay in Wakanda. They must have been the very first outsiders allowed in this third world countries borders. It was beyond incredible, the culture, the people, and technology all seemed to flow naturally with everything else. Everyone was so kind and proud, having a very deep value for their way of life. It was a nice change of pace to see the people of the world live in the world that they have kept safe for so long. T'challa was more than willing to give all of them shelter and Bucky medical aid for his mind. "Sure about this?" Steve asked, wanting to hear his friend say it with his own words.

"I can't trust my own mind." He chuckled softly, seeing that as pretty obvious. "So, until they figure out how to get this stuff out of my head, I think going back under is the best thing." Steve nodded as his gaze went to the floor. "For everybody."

"Alright." Caps eyes came back up to his friend again. "I'll miss you." The two old friends exchanged goodbyes before Doctor Hayes arrived.

"Can you give us a minute?" Buck asked.

"Of course." Steve nodded, acknowledging Paige before he left.

She looked deeply into his eyes, her small hands cupped his face. He chuckled again when he saw that her hair was bleached since he last saw her before the fight at the airport. "I'm a wanted fugitive now." She replied. "Seeing how I unintentionally aided and abetted you while you were a wanted criminal. So, the hair is bleached."

"I still am a wanted criminal." The soldier added placing his only hand on her hip. "And I'm still sorry about that." She shook her head while a smile grew on her face.

"Sooner or later they'll get the idea that I don't know anything. They're only under the assumption that I know more, Thanks to Stark!"

"You'll have to stay hidden for a while." Paige knew that that was the case long before he said it. She had known since she had seen her friends picture on the news when the UN bombing took place and when Steve and Sam her close friend had brought her to come and speak with Barnes. She had already notified her family not to speak to the police if they come knocking. "You'll be safe here."

"Here?" She asked, acting like she wasn't going to stay in Wakanda.

James stumbled over his words for a moment, glancing ever so often at the floor then back up to her. "I…If I asked you to stay, would you?" It was at this time that he had pulled her into a hug. Paige wrapped her arms tightly around him, while she rested her head on top of him. "It wasn't fair of me to drag you into my problems. I just wanted your help and now you're in danger."

"When we first met you never told me the truth about who you really were. I had no idea."

"I'm so sorry."

"Stop it." Paige scolded him. "I was mad that you lied to me, not because you needed help." She spoke stroking his hair which seemed to help calm him down. "Do you want me to stay?" She asked referring back to his earlier question.

He nodded, meeting her eyes again and his grip tightened around her. "Yes, please." Maybe it was just the fact that she had fallen in love with him or the fact that he was going to need her when he woke up, but she couldn't bring herself to say no.

"Yeah, I'll stay." Paige sighed happily, pressing her lips against his forehead.

"Thank you." Buck looked so relieved to hear this. "Now I have something to look forward to when I wake up."

"I'll be here the second you do." She smiled bringing his lips close to her. "I promise." A grin grew on Steves' face when he saw his friend with Paige. He knew that after everything that Bucky had gone though he deserved to be at peace. And Wakanda and Paige had the tools and methods to ensure that peace. Both Rogers and Hayes watched sadly as their friend entered Cryo sleep but pleased to know that it was of his own free will this time. "I'll keep you updated on his progress when he wakes up."

"Thank you, Paige. You took a big risk today by helping all of us."

"that's kinda funny. Someone like me, helping people like all of you." She looked up at the soldier, seriousness in her eyes. "So as someone like me can I give you some advice? I'm pretty good at that."

"Yeah."

"It takes a lot of tolerance for all of you to make the world safe for people like me. Not because we don't have a super soldier serum or a suit of armor, but because we're good-natured people who genuinely care. I'm not naive I know that there are horrible people who aren't the bad guys there are always the good and bad. Never stop fighting when the bad gets to you, and if it does just think of the people like me, the ones who make the fight worthwhile. They're the people who will appreciate you, accords or not" Steve took a moment to think about what the doctor had said. It was nice having a different outlook on what people like Paige thought of people like him and she wasn't thinking of her own safety, she was concerned for the rest of the world that was worth the time and effort. And she was right, accords or no accords the world still needed the Avengers, united or divided. When so much adversity is thrown your way, fight for those who will stand with you!

"Thank you, Paige."

"Don't mention it." She sighed in exhaustion. "Now I'm gonna have to find another job." Since the government was now aware of Paige's involvement with the Winter Soldier, no thanks to Tony. Hayes knew that it wouldn't be a good idea to return to her job or apartment in DC for a while. "I like being productive."

"Come work for us."

Her head shot up and her eyes widen when he said this. "Work for you?"

"Why not? I'm sure that a lot of us have things that we'd like to get off our chests. Have a new perspective." She didn't need any more convincing. With a shake of the hand, Paige Hayes took the position as the Avengers personal therapist. Wanda seemed happy with the Doctors position and had asked for an appointment. Paige was thrilled to have her as a client and couldn't wait to get to know Wanda.

"Welcome to the Team, girl." Sam laughed, leading his coworker to her new office.

"You're out of a job now too, Wilson." She teased as she picked up her suitcase.

"Nah girl, I got a job."

"Flying around in a bird costume doesn't count."

Wilson groaned in annoyance. "It ain't a bird costume."

(Will Post chapter 2 Soon!)