The day after the realization that Steve was dissociative came to pass, Doctor Holden sat in his office, pondering what to say to his patient. This was a disease not to be ignored, but the diagnosis was still too new. He had to figure out what happened to make Steve Rogers a multiple in the first place.
When he opened his door at three o'clock that day, it was Sam who was waiting for him. Sam waltzed in and Doctor Holden shut the door behind him.
"How are you today, Sam?"
"Okay."
"Do you want to talk about anything?"
"I want to draw."
"We can draw while we talk. Does that sound good?"
Sam nodded, and Doctor Holden got some crayons and computer paper from his desk. Sam began to draw, and the doctor asked, "Why are you here, Sam?"
"'cause." He said, drawing a blue tree. "'Cause I wanna be. I'm mad."
"What are you mad about?"
"The people." He said.
"Like who?"
"Like Steve's father." He held up the paper. "This is his father's tree. See? It's blue."
"Did you do something to make him Mad?"
Sam's breath hitched. "I won't tell. I won't. I won't." He looked around the room frantically and his eyes landed on the window. "I'm gonna break it." He said, sprinting toward the window. "I'm gonna get out of this house." He started to bang on it.
Doctor Holden went over to him and held his wrists. "You don't have to break it. You can go right through the door."
Sam shook his head, "I can't." He said, angrily, fumbling from the doctor's touch.
"Yes you can. It's right there, and it's not-"
"It's locked. The windows, the doors. All of them. There's no way out, never any way out!" His voice rose hysterically. "No way to get away from the hands or the music that hurt so bad! I HAVE TO GET OUT!" He shrieked, pounding on the glass again. Doctor Holden gripped his hands.
"What hands, Sam? What hands?"
"Dirty hands. Angry hands, coming at you all the time." He said, still struggling.
"Whose hands are they, Sam?"
"Can't tell. I won't tell. I won't, I won't."
"Alright." He said quietly, trying to calm him down. "You can tell me, Sam."
"NO. No." Came the reply as the boys eyes shut.
"Steve." He said when they opened.
"Hello, Doctor Holden."
"It's good to see you." He said.
"You too."
"Let's sit down, shall we?" He said, motioning to the chairs. Steve nodded and sat.
"I'd like to ask you a few questions, Steve."
"Alright."
"How do you feel about music?"
Steve was surprised. "I like it fine. My father sang hymns around the house growing up, and Mother sang in the church choir."
"And hands? how do you feel about hands?"
Steve looked at him, confused. "What do you mean?"
"Did anyone ever touch or hurt you with their hands?"
Steve was almost appalled. "No." Came the shocked answer.
"Steve," The doctor began, "When you black out in these... spells, someone else comes in and takes your place. His name is-"
"Sam Johnson." A voice began. It was a different one from Sam's- older and a bit gruff. It certainly wasn't Steve's. "I know." It said.
"Do you?" Asked the Doctor.
"I know what everyone does. All the time- especially Steve."
"What's your name?" He asked.
"James. But most people call me Bucky. I was named after his best friend in the war."
"Alright. It's nice to meet you, Bucky."
"You too, sir."
"What do you do, Bucky?" The Doctor asked.
"I communicate between them all. I keep order in the house, you might say."
"Are you related to the others?"
"No. I came from an orphanage. I ran away to help Steve."
"What about Sam? Do you know how Sam and Steve are connected?"
"Sam's last name, Johnson, was Steve's mothers maiden name. He cannot accept that Joseph Rogers is his father, so he never took up the last name. Sam gets out the anger that Steve wasn't allowed to have."
"Why wasn't he allowed to be angry?"
"Doctor, his parents were religious fundamentalists. They were devout Catholics. Everything in that household was a sin. Anger in particular."
"You lived there?" The doctor asked.
"For a time, yes. I came when Steve was about three years old. I was the first one. Sam came shortly after me. He's still trapped in that house, you know. That's why he can't go through the door."
"Why is he trapped there, Bucky?"
"Because," He said nonchalantly, "Every reason for his anger is in that house. Having no way to escape makes him incredibly angry, and it often makes Matthew afraid."
"Matthew?"
"You haven't met him yet. Or the others."
"How many others are there?"
"Thirteen, including myself. You'll meet them all eventually."
"Bucky, how do you think Steve would handle it if I told him about you and the others?"
"That's why I'm here, Doctor. He isn't ready. It's too much for him to handle. Having blackouts is one thing, but telling someone their not alone in their own body is an entirely different animal. However, it might help to tell his team. Just so they don't worry if one of us runs off."
"I'll take that into consideration." He said, standing up.
"It was good to meet you, Doctor."
"You as well, Bucky. Have a good day."
"You too." He called, exiting the office. As soon as the man was out the door, Dr. Holden dashed to the phone.
"Patch me through to Director Fury immediately."
Please Review!
