Teacher Down Under
Chapter 10

(Author's note: Here's where the story gets dark. Warning for triggers of impending death. But it's a necessary part of the story-planned from the beginning.)

Natasha and I had a good talk on our long flight. I had deliberately not asked where we were going, so it was a challenge to me to slowly figure it out. We took a polar route, so I got to see part of Antarctica, which made me happy. From the angle we took north I figured we were not headed towards South America. So maybe some part of Africa. The coast of South Africa is very different from the Straights of Magellan in South America.

There was a lot of silence, but we needed to talk. Finally Nat asked me why I had chosen to do this instead of the safety with Tony. I told her that Tony's offer sounded like a golden cage. The good part would be able to see my children and grandchildren. But aside from that, I'd be stuck. At least now I'd be able to help. And when it comes down to it, helping others is where my heart is at.

I finally got Nat to talk. She had a lot she needed to let out. One of the key things was Barnes. I knew she has history with him before. Apparently he hasn't remembered it. He might never. She needs to be able to deal with that. If the attraction they had for each other is real, it will resurface when he is mentally ready. So Natasha is more than willing to help me.

We also talked about what I have learned about treatment options. I had also spent time talking to Fitz and Simmons and they told me that how to heal Barnes was a hot psych topic all over Shield. I asked Nat if the Control book for Barnes was available? She said that it was, and she would retrieve it for me. I told her, to misquote an old movie, "Hydra doesn't take a dump without a plan." They must have had a plan for changing the code words.

Eventually (it was a long flight!) we arrived. It was tropical and very green. As soon as we landed, we were not greeted by Steve and others of the Avengers family, but by King T'Challa of Wakenda. It was certainly not what I was expecting.

His Majesty was graciousness personified. "Welcome Dr. Bishop. The rest are at dinner. I will take you to them."

"Ummm. I thank you your Majesty." My brain started working again. "If the others are busy at dinner, could you have someone take me to see Mr. Barnes? I know he can't respond to me, but I would like to introduce myself to him and start having him get used to my voice."

The King look startled, then pleased. "Come this way please." He led me through what was clearly a medical wing, then to more of a research area. Soon enough I was standing in front of a cryostasis unit that was in use. Sgt. James Barnes. The videos I had seen did not adequately show the power of the man, even frozen.

"Is there a speaker system?" The King had introduced me to the technicians who showed me how to speak so that Barnes could hear me. I suspect that Steve had spent much time here already. "Mr. Barnes? I've been told that you prefer to be called Bucky. I am Dr. Melody Bishop. Steve may have spoken of me. I was his teacher in New York City when he was living in Stark Tower. I'm also his friend. He asked me if I would come help you."

I paused. "Bucky, helping you get the command words out of your mind is not going to be easy. Nor is helping you through the traumas you've been through. If you're willing, I will help you get there. Steve will help, as will Natasha and others of the Avengers. There are a lot of people who think you are worth the effort."

"For now I need to do some research. I will be back to keep you posted on my progress. For now, rest Bucky, you've earned it."

I turned to the King, who was still standing there. "Your Majesty, if the kitchen is still serving, I would like to join my friends now."

The King laughed. "I think I am going to enjoy getting to know you."

The reunion with my friends was good, but a bit bittersweet. There were too many people missing. It was nice though to be able to talk about friends without looking over my shoulder to make sure the wrong people weren't trying eavesdrop. Sam especially was glad to get the latest medical update on Rhodey, aka War Machine. Natasha came in soon after I arrived. The King had left-he had a country to run, after all. Nat gave me a look that I knew meant she needed to talk to me after.

During dinner Natasha also made me promise to go see the medics. Sam told me that she was right. I did not look good. So I promised after dinner I would find my room, then take a nap. After that I would go down to the doctors. I had taken a look at myself in the mirror and frankly, I'm a bit concerned too.

Natasha showed up after I woke up from my nap. She must have asked Travis to let her know. My room is actually a suite. The front part can double as an office for me. It even has a small fridge. It feels like a small apartment. I'm very happy with it.

Nat came by for two reasons. For one, she is going to escort me over to the doctors and already has an appointment for me. For some reason she doesn't trust me on this. It may have something to do with the fact that I managed to skip out of doctor appointments almost the whole time I was in Australia.

The second reason was to tell me that she has retrieved the Command Book for Barnes. I was right. It does include information on how to reprogram the command words. It's a two step process. Use the current command words. If Bucky doesn't kill me before I finish them, I'll have a compliant Soldat. There is a second set of words to use to authorize a change. Once the Soldier acknowledges this, the new words can be implemented. Nat also found the words to put the Soldier "at ease"-to make it easier for him to revert to Barnes. Good stuff! We now have a lot to think about. But first the doctors.

That first visit, they poked and prodded me. They took blood. Had me walk, bend over, etc. I was exhausted by the time I got to my quarters. The next day they had me come back. This time they ran me through a bunch of machines. They really do have the newest equipment there in Wakenda! Once they were done I got to spend some time with my friends. Too tired to walk around much, so we played board games. And laughed a lot. The fourth day they took a bunch more blood and ran me through some more machines. I asked what they were looking for and they wouldn't give me an answer. That's not good.

The fifth morning they called me in. I had Natasha come with me. I was that nervous. Turns out I had a reason to be nervous. I'm dying. I'm the victim of a very rare Hydra created poison. Hydra hated me enough to inflict me with their worst. It's so rare and new that there is no antidote and no cure.

I was feeling very detached about then. Natasha was asking the unimportant. "When, how did this happen?" I suddenly remembered the Russia trip. And the Hydra man who changed directions so that he could jab a hypodermic needle into me. That must have been when it happened.

I interrupted. "So even if we knew when it happened, there is nothing that could have been done?"

The doctor shook his head sadly.

Well, that was that. Only a few more questions remained for me. "How long do I have? And how will the symptoms progress?" Best to know the worst.

"We think you have about three months. Based on what we know from other victims, you will continue to grow weaker. The last 2 weeks you should be incapacitated. But death will be quick then."

That was not a pleasant morning. I knew I was going to have to make some important decisions and some important phone calls very quickly, but first, I had to change the focus of our team. Yes, according to the doctors I'm dying. But I want to use the time left to get stuff done. Mourning needs to wait. Right now there is work to do.