"So, explain it again, I'm not quite grasping the concept." Steve pleaded, rubbing his face.
"Well, I guess we can compare it to hypnosis." Shuri began. "You use certain words to implant the thought or action, and other words to reverse it. We are going to use extensive psychotherapy along with new technology to do the same with Bucky. It's going to push him mentally to the breaking point, but it should do the trick. It will reverse the effects of his programming, making the trigger words ineffective." Shuri babbled, with everyone else watching her like she was speaking a different language.
Shuri groaned, "It will work, just trust me. But first, we have to wake him up."
Gemma perked up, and said, "Okay, I like this plan. I'm skeptical, but I like it."
As Steve, Nat and Gemma joined Shuri in the lab, they tried to stay focused on the plan, though Bucky was before them, in his cryo chamber.
"Alright, we are going to wake him, and immediately begin the therapy. You will have ten minutes with him before we start." Shuri explained, glancing at each of them knowingly.
"We got it. Ten minutes." Steve repeated.
"Alright, let's do this." Shuri exclaimed. "I'm tired of watching Gemma mope around my lab."
Through the rest of the afternoon, Shuri and her team coaxed Bucky out of his cryo. It was a miserably long process. Nat had convinced Steve to take a quick walk, having been assured they would have time. So, Gemma watched the doctors thaw Bucky alone.
Just when Gemma stood up to stretch, Bucky sat up, and yelled, flailing his arm. Gemma stood at his feet, and attempting to draw his attention. She grabbed his ankles, and tried to stay clear of his hand. Upon her touch, Bucky stiffened, and stared at Gemma.
He focused on her, and chuckled, "Gemma? Gem, it's you."
She grinned, and rushed up to him, pulling him into a kiss. He chuckled into her lips, but kissed her back, running his fingers through her hair. It was like they had never been apart. Just as they were losing their breath, someone coughed, making them separate, and seek out the culprit.
They locked eyes with Nat and Steve, each grinning obnoxiously. Gemma stepped back, giving them space to greet Bucky. Steve and Bucky hugged like awkward siblings, making Nat and Gemma burst into laughter. Steve let him go, glancing at the women with an annoyed smile. Nat stepped around him, and gave Bucky a gentle hug, and a swift peck on the cheek.
All too soon, Shuri approached them, saying, "Time's up. Bucky we have to take you down to surgical. We have a couple procedures to do, before we get rid of the Winter Soldier programming. We need to do it before you're fully recovered from cryo, so your mind is more accessible. Okay?"
Bucky blinked rapidly in surprise, nodding cautiously. "Yeah, whatever we gotta do, let's get it done."
Gemma sighed, and followed by his side, as the moved him downstairs. Quickly, Shuri connected Bucky up to monitors and an IV. Once he was prepared, they started their work. It was excruciating to watch.
-Two Weeks Later-
"It's alright Gemma, he's doing very well. We've tried the trigger words on him, and nothing. He has been repaired. We'll release him tomorrow, but he will need plenty of rest after everything he's been through. Got that?" Shuri divulged, walking with Gemma down to the lab.
Approaching Bucky, who was visiting with Steve, Gemma nodded. Shuri patted her on the arm, and joined them. They were laughing at something Bucky had said. Gemma watched them, amused. Suddenly Bucky caught sight of her, and smiled delicately her way. She chuckled under her breath, rocking on her heels.
Steve quirked an eyebrow, following Bucky's gaze. As his eyes landed on Gemma, he scoffed, and stood. He patted Bucky on the shoulder, and gently started leading Shuri away.
He said, "We'll give you some privacy..."
Shuri groaned, "But I came down here to get samples."
"Later," Steve hissed, leading her along.
"I think we're alone now." Gemma quipped, sauntering up to Bucky's bed.
He chuckled, and took her hand. "At least for the next few seconds."
Gemma nodded, glancing at their hands. "So, they're releasing you tomorrow. Are you ready to be a free man?"
"I'm still supposed to rest, but yeah, I'm ready to spread my figurative wings." Bucky agreed, looking out the window.
"Good, that's good. Where would you want to go to recover? We could go to the beach. Or maybe Constanţa..." Gemma suggested.
Bucky rubbed his neck, and confessed, "I actually kind of want to stay nearby. I know it sounds lame, after all of our adventures, but I want to live a simple life for a while. Maybe farm, or something."
Gemma pursed her lips, nodding.
Bucky rubbed her hand. "It's fine if you want to stay here, in the kingdom. You've made a life for yourself. Don't let me ruin it."
Gemma scoffed, "No, that's not happening. You can farm, and I can commute back here for my work. It's not like we're hours away from the farming communities nearby. I'm willing to make it work. Are you?"
Bucky gaped up at her. She truly believed he might not want to be with her. She sighed and looked at the floor. Suddenly, he pulled her by the hand onto his lap. Gemma squealed in surprise, wrapping her arms around his neck.
"Gemma Frost, I want to be with you for the rest of my strange existence."
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
As the sun rose over the trees, Bucky and Gemma woke to the sounds of giggling children. Bucky stretched, and placed a hand on Gemma's cheek, kissing her gently. She groaned, and cupped his hand in hers, squinting at him with one eye.
"Are you playing around with that man again... he needs his rest. They both do..." Shuri called, from outside.
Bucky sat up, muttering, "I'm going to go say hi to her, come out when you're ready, Doll."
Gemma gazed up at him as he climbed out of the hut, and approached Shuri. Shuri smiled, and glanced at the children as they ran off. Bucky stared out across the river, taking in the beautiful morning.
"Good morning Sergeant Barnes." She greeted him.
"Bucky..."
She nodded. "How are you feeling?"
He smiled at her, sighing, "Good. Thank you."
"And Gemma, how is she?" Shuri inquired.
He glanced up towards the hut, as Gemma climbed out precariously. She was finding it difficult to slip through the small doorway these days. Slowly she joined the others, sighing. Bucky chuckled, and took her in his arms, kissing her hair.
Shuri placed a gentle hand on Gemma's swollen belly, asking, "And how is our little miracle this morning?"
"She's doing somersaults, so I'd say very well. Thank you." Gemma mused, laying her hand beside Shuri's.
"You are very welcome. Now, come, there is still much to learn about both of your conditions."
Following her, hand in hand with Bucky, Gemma muttered, "You, I get. There is still much to discover about your condition. But it's like she believes we're having the first baby, ever."
Bucky chuckled, "Well, reason says this shouldn't be possible." He slipped their hands over her belly. "I am a hundred year old super soldier, after all..."