I had just got back home as I saw Sharon Carter my roommate arrive at our apartment door in the hallway as I too had just arrived.
"Melina I thought you were going to Charlottetown PEI?" She spoke surprised.
"I can afford everything but a plane ticket," I said as I tried to keep it together as my eyes watered up a bit. I was down on my luck since I got into an accident after competing... I ended up losing from over my left knee down of my left leg. All I can do now was coach spoiled rich brats to become champions... But to be honest I was taking courses on the side to get a history degree, somehow I liked finding those old secrets that had been lost and forgotten that were just begging to be uncovered. Sharon quickly unlocked the door as she being a great friend helped me out.
"Want some coffee?"
"I've had enough Coffee today Sharon, I think I'll just cancel Christmas..."
"Oh no you're not. We're having Christmas alright."
"What?"
"Most of my family is away as is my boyfriend so how about you and I celebrate christmas together?"
I sighed as I fought my tears and hugged her, "Thanks Sharon."
"It's what friends do Melina."
"I just wish I didn't lose my leg..."
"I know Melina, I know."
"I just wish Steve was here."
"Look you're lucky you got your chance to be with him so cherish that. So who did you give my autograph to when you were in Berlin?"
"Bucky Barnes."
My eyes widened, "Are you pulling on my prosthetic leg?"
Sharon found my reaction funny as she tried not to laugh, "No I'm not kidding, Bucky is the Winter Soldier."
"The mysterious and yet Legendary mystery assassin you told me about?"
"The same."
"Oh wow... I guess now I feel a little better about my life's situation right now."
"That's good Melina."
"How did he look when you saw him Sharon was he hot?"
"Melina!"
"Sorry, I just wanted to know what he looked like."
"Well he had neck length hair and he hadn't shaved in a few days so he had a bit of a beard. He kind a kicked my ass though so he was still in great shape. Mentally he still had Hydra's spell cursed on him."
"Awwe that's one thing I can't understand why people can be so cruel to others to do bad things against their own will."
"I know Melina, I know."
December...
"Melina I have a surprise for you," Sharon said as she and I found ourselves walking into Avenger tower.
"Why are we here?"
"Ah Ms Johansen welcome to Avenger Tower I will inform Mr Stark of you and Ms Carter's arrival." said a voice I couldn't see where it was coming from.
"That's Friday I was telling you about Melina."
"Ah why are we here?"
"Tony owes me a favor and he wants you to test a new prosthetic prototype that he used the technology from Bucky's old arm to base it on."
I looked right at her as I immediately smiled at her, "Oh my god Sharon this is the greatest thing you've ever done for me how can I ever thank you?"
"Oh how about getting back onto the ice?"
"Done! Once I get the hang of everything again I mean it's been almost a year now. I'll have a lot of competitions to catch up onto."
"You can do it Mel I believe in you."
As I had been getting my new leg installed I began thinking how can I top this early Christmas gift she had given me. My new leg was made of metal as I saw in pieces what was left over of Bucky's prosthetic arm.
"Oh that's Barnes' piece of junk arm." said Tony.
"I see that," I said, "But what you did to Steve and him going all out on them I'm pretty sure you're mom would not approve on how you acted."
"How would you know! I was so mad I wanted him dead!"
"That doesn't give you the right to do the same back, you would become what he was a cold hearted murderer!"
Tony was quiet, "I already was when I made weapons..."
"And since DC had he killed anyone."
"No."
"And what about you?"
"No."
"See you guys are on the same page but Bucky isn't out of the woods yet."
"Are you sure you're not just a figure Skater but you're starting to sound more like a spy."
"Sharon had gave me Bucky's journals to study and to match them up to historical events to find out which of his memories match to what years."
"Why haven't they hired you?"
"I'm still taking classes part time."
"Part time, eh?" He spoke, "I'll give you full scholarship to finish your studies."
"What why?"
"You just told me of how much potential you have in that brain of yours I want to see you get to your fullest potential to find out everything they done to him."
"So you can hurt him again?"
"No not this time, I just want to fix up the Sokovia mess I got us all into. We need to work with the UN not let them hold us like Hydra's caged animals."
I smiled, "Just let me squeeze in some competitions on the ice too."
"Oh alright but I'm not making your costumes."
"I make my own Tony."
"Ms Johansen is it me or there's more to you that you're fans knows of?"