Hey guys! Sorry for the delay. Had some trouble writing this one because I know where I want to go for the major end goals, but getting through these moments where the characters have to be less than perfect can be hard to write. I hope everyone is having a good weekend! Thank you to all those who have been commenting. Its so greatly appreciated. And a special hello to the new subscribers! Please feel free to comment!
Bucky didn't stay away from Izebel for long. Steve was mostly to thank for that. In true role reversal fashion the once shy Steve was now the one pushing the once suave Bucky to talk to a girl. To be fair, the reason Bucky was avoiding this girl was because the last couple of times he saw her he had a knack for breaking her things. One of those things almost being her throat. The other being a prized pottery piece from a child from her sister's missionary program.
Over the past two months of her living in the Wakandan apartment, Izebel had begun a collection of artwork around the main living area her and Bucky shared. The pottery piece Bucky broke was one of many that were littered around. He showed every piece to Steve the next morning, explain Izebel's connection to each one of the kids.
"She seems really nice Buck. And I'm glad she is helping you. Seems like Izebel has brought you out of your shell." Steve finally said after looking at the 10thcrayon drawing. Bucky beamed while looking at the drawing.
"Iz has got a lot of moxie that's for sure. Always keeps me on my toes." Bucky admitted. Steve clasped his shoulder.
"She really is. Now, you told me that we were going to meet Shuri and Izebel in the lab today right?" Bucky nodded hesitantly, which didn't go unnoticed by Steve. "Oh come on. She clearly doesn't have any hard feelings. You choked me out and I didn't let that stop me from being friends with you."
"You also have super healing punk. Iz doesn't." Bucky grumbled.
"Ahh nonsense. She probably has some crazy magical juice to heal her up." Steve joked.
The two ended up wandering down to the laboratory where they found the two young girls engrossed with something on a hologram. Izebel was laughing so hard that a snort would come from her, causing her to cover her mouth. Shuri was laughing right along with her. The sight caused Bucky to smile. She looked okay. Izebel was back to wearing her normal daily clothes and not the sweatpants she was snuggled up in yesterday. Steve was probably right. Magic juice.
When Shuri caught sight of the super soldiers, she quickly waved away the screen and greeted the men. Izebel had to take a second to compose herself, because Shuri had just hid a video they had taken the night prior from scaring T'Challa.
"Morning ladies," Steve greeted them kindly, holding out a hand to Izebel.
"Steve you don't have to shake my hand." Izebel complained, but shook it none the less. Looking at Bucky, she noticed that he looked better. The bags beneath his eyes were fading and a ghost of a smile was left on his mouth. "Have a good sleepover?"
"A sleepover?" Steve questioned, causing Shuri to snicker.
"Izebel and I had a wonderful sleepover. You know, when you stay in someone else's house or bed instead of staying at your own." Shuri explained lightly. "Are you sure I can't interest you in the new weapon designs?"
Steve shook his head and geared the conversation back to Bucky. "Bucky wanted to talk to you guys about new programing? Something about safe words…"
"I already have those set up an we can wire them in with the kimoyto beads now. Shouldn't take more than ten minutes." Izebel offered, holding up her beads in confidence. "You can just sit in my desk chair if you want. It shouldn't be that time consuming."
"I thought you had a concussion." Bucky stated in concern. Rolling her eyes, Izebel ignored him and lead him to her desk.
"Contrary to what you think, you have been very helpful with understanding the mind James. Izebel was smart to come down to the lab yesterday. The kimoyto beads work the same way they do with your head and actually cured her of the concussion." Shuri explained eagerly.
"So… I'm fine. Sit down." Izebel grabbed his shoulders and pushed him down into the chair. The kimoyto beads lit up as soon as they touched his temple and the map of Bucky's brain appeared above his head. Izebel could hear the exclamation of wonder coming from Steve, and she let herself smile for just a second. It was pretty cool after all the technology the Wakandans had.
"Okay so Bucky, I'm going to bring the memories as close to one of these trigger points as I can, and then I'm going to insert the programing okay. I'm going to have to say the words, and it might seem a little weird. But I promise they will work. We took the names starting with Hydra's names for you and then your real names. Plus conformation words and the trigger phrase that got you out of this mess in the first place." Izebel explained gently. The weight of his head lulled into her hands and she continued to spin the beads around his temple. Bucky mumbled a "yes ma'am" before shutting his eyes completely.
Like Izebel promised, the programing only took 10 minutes. Bucky's heartrate accelerated but the Winter Soldier didn't make an appearance. Reciting the words carefully 3 times, Izebel completed the software installment into Bucky's mind, and removed her hands. Slowly, Bucky rose his head upright and looked at Steve. Concern was washed over his face, but Bucky's smile let the emotion wash off.
"He is good as new Cap." Izebel snickered. Bucky stood up in front of her, and offered a small thank you. She could feel his eyes looking at her neck which she tried to conceal with her makeup and keeping her hair down. Izebel had never had to cover up hickeys before, so she wasn't really sure how well she did covering up the bruises. "I'm fine Bucky. I'm good as new too," Izebel reassured Bucky. The frown didn't leave his face though, so Izebel gave up the little staring contest. "Well Steve, how much of Wakanda have you seen?"
"Not much Izebel. Unfortunately I don't think I will have much time. I really only came out of respect of T'Challa and also to set some secure line of skype. We have that big case to crack with the remaining members of Hydra who are smuggling vibranium weapons." Shuri took over from there, providing Steve with a new hologram phone that would have a direct line to T'Challa, Shuri, Izebel and Bucky. They went over briefly how to set up a skype call and Steve was on his way.
"Buck, are you sure you don't want to sit in on this mission briefing with us? I know you were a help to Okoye and M'Baku last time…" Looking over at Bucky, she could see the tension begin in his shoulders. Before Bucky could open his mouth, Izebel found herself interjecting, "Actually Steve, I might keep Bucky here for a little bit longer. I have some extra tests to run on the kimoyto bead interface and Shuri wanted to take a look at the arm design again."
Realizing she got dragged into the conversation, Shuri nodded quickly and said, "Shoo Captain. I'm sure my brother awaits your presence. He can live without Bucky for 30 minutes."
Steve left with an extra shoulder grab to Bucky and some half hugs to Shuri and Izebel. The two girls waited until Steve was clearly out of the building before moving back to what they were doing before the super soldiers ruined their laughter. Bucky stood there awkwardly in the middle of the lab, unsure of what was actually happening.
"Bucky, we don't actually need you. I could just tell you didn't want to be involved in whatever Steve and T'Challa are up to." Izebel explained sympathetically. Bucky's eyes softened and he muttered a quick thanks. "Instead of the stupid meeting, wanna watching this awesome video Shuri and I were watching before you the Captain rudely interrupted us?"
Bucky grinned and walked over. Turns out the two girls got up to a bit of trouble while Bucky and Steve caught up. The video was of T'Challa being thrown across the room yet again by one of Shuri's experiments. There were several other prank videos on Nakita and Okoye too.
"So this is what you two get up to when I'm not around?" Bucky smirked. Shuri went on a tangent about Izebel needed to be young while Izebel stifled giggles at Bucky's bewildered look.
"Alright Shuri, let's not confuse the poor old man any further." Bucky's nose wrinkled at the snide comment but didn't push the subject any further. "Are you going to hack into the meeting Shuri?"
Shuri rolled her eyes at Izebel. "I've had it on record since Steve left. If there is anything interesting the system will pick it up for me and I will watch that part. I already have several different upgrades for everyone's suits because of this mission. T'Challa thinks it might be tough which is why the vigilantes are being brought in."
If Izebel was being honest, she didn't like this aspect of her new job. Growing up several minutes away from where aliens invaded can change the perspective of a child growing up. Some of her classmates were excited about the increase in enhanced individuals while others were extremely nervous about what was in store for their future. Izebel was only 19 when the portal was opened in Manhattan and she lived just 72 blocks from where it all went down. Her parents made her come home for the week after it happened and her mom flew back and stayed with her in Manhattan for almost a month after that to make sure she was safe. Violence wasn't something the Anderson family endorsed especially with her sister trying to give peace to young human trafficking victims, her father being a spiritual healer, and her becoming a doctor. And it was getting increasingly frustrating to hear about these evil men accumulating and warping vibranium.
"That makes sense," Izebel commented, but didn't try to continue the conversation. "Hopefully it will be over soon."
"Hopefully," Bucky echoed.
They didn't stay in the laboratory for long. Instead, Izebel found herself on the edge of a cliff with Bucky, just looking towards the Wakandan city. It was truly beautiful. Sometimes, Izebel liked the peace and quiet. The last couple of days had been hectic with the beginning of Bucky's true treatment. It was going a lot quicker than she expected, and was trying to determine what would happen next. She had some ideas thanks to the files that seemed to appear on her desk regarding new medical technology and enhanced individuals biology.
"What are you thinking so heavily on?" Bucky questioned. Izebel had been silent the majority of the time getting to this cliff; by hover bike no less. Izebel normally had something to say about the technology.
"Nothing much. Just thinking about life. The next steps you know?" Izebel admitted. Bucky nodded in understanding. "You excited to be free of mind control soon?"
Bucky just stared off into the distance, pondering the question Izebel asked. "Yeah I am. Not sure what I am going to do next though."
"I feel the same way," Izebel muttered.
"At least you can rejoin society. Thinking about going back to the States?" Bucky asked innocently. Izebel just shrugged.
"I don't know if I will or not. I really like it here. Some things I could live without but I don't really know if I went back I would be doing everything I could. I like working with you guys because I feel like I'm actually doing something." Picking at her fingers, she thought more about her place in Wakanda. Shuri and even Ginika were growing close. T'Challa was right, it's nice to be around people who understand being smart beyond your age.
"The mission they are talking about seems to be stressing you out." Bucky commented. Izebel let out a huge breath.
"I just don't like hearing about all this evil stuff. The violence? It's just a lot." Izebel admitted. A frown formed on Bucky's face. Immediately guilt knotted itself into Izebel's gut as she recognized the self-doubt and haunted cross his face. "Bucky, I didn't mean you. I just… I really don't like the idea of all of this. I thought I could get behind the super hero stuff, but it's just so sad. People shouldn't have to be doing this. Especially you. I could tell you weren't comfortable with Steve asking you to join back up. You shouldn't have to feel like crime fighting is your only option. There are plenty of other things for you to do."
"Like what Iz? Become a doctor like you did? I highly doubt I would be invited with open arms to a medical school." The spite was think in his voice.
"Buck, I'm not saying that. What did you do before you went into the war?"
"I fought in heavy weight." Bucky stated bluntly. Izebel scoffed.
"Did you like anything besides fighting?" As the words came out, Izebel realized how rude she was being. "Listen, I didn't mean that to be mean."
"It's nothing Iz. But you gotta realize life isn't black and white like you somehow like to make it seem."
"I know it's not!" Izebel interjected. The serious look Bucky shot at her quickly shut her up.
"The thing is Izebel. Sometimes if you have these powers, you gotta use them for good. It's a burden. But you of all people should understand. Shuri and yourself have intelligence that is beyond anything I have ever seen. And you guys use it for good. I have a cybernetic arm and a whole lot of espionage and special ops training. I have to use that for something decent." Izebel couldn't believe what she was hearing. This man was hesitant to follow his best friend into battle 3 hours prior but now he is determined to go back? What changed?
"Then why didn't you go with Steve?" Izebel shot back angrily.
"I'm not ready Iz. I won't be any help until I get those words under control. Then… I can do good."
"It doesn't matter if you have those words in there or not. You have done your time Bucky. More than anyone could ever ask. Plus, I have no idea what it will be like when you get thrown back into these situations again and again. The mental stress of it alone could drive you nuts. I don't want that for you!" Frustrated, Izebel sat up and began to pace the side of the cliff. Bucky watched her warily, but waited for her to cool down.
Izebel wasn't going to calm down anytime soon. In fact, her mind was going wild and the emotions of rage and empathy and bitterness began to coil and pool deep in her gut. Without another word, Izebel grabbed the smooth rock from Dr. Strange and rubbed it between her fingers.
"What, going to run to Dr. Strange?" Bucky spat.
"Okay, what is wrong with you?" Izebel sighed. She couldn't fathom why Bucky had any right to be mad at her. All she had done was help him out for the past two months and now she was getting the butt end of his rage? No, Izebel wasn't going to allow that. "I can see Strange if I want to see Strange. What does that have anything to do with what is going on with you?"
"You were the one who took out the stone! You always run away to him instead of actually engaging here with the people around you." His nostrils flared a bit as he stared at the rock in her hands. Quickly, Izebel put it back in her pocket.
"Okay that's not really fair. I've never learned how to have friends. Just mentor relationships. And you know this!" Izebel huffed. The grass was tickling her knees now as she stepped further and further away from Bucky and his attitude. "I don't know what you expect from me, but you have to learn patience."
"I waited 70 years to be saved from Hydra, I think I can be patience doll." Bucky muttered darkly.
"Okay that's not fair! You can't just pull the Prisoner of War card whenever you want!" Izebel argued. Bucky sent her a challenging eyebrow quirk.
"Oh? Like how you shouldn't use the childhood genius card? Tony Stark managed to do it. He has some good friends." Bucky argued back. Groaning, Izebel shook her head and angrily ran her fingers through her hair.
"Tony Stark is a pretty fucked up individual if you haven't noticed."
"And you are perfect either." It wasn't until that moment that Izebel realized how angry she could get. By no means did Izebel thinks she was perfect, but perfection was always her goal. Bucky's words struck a chord deep within her self-confidence. Grabbing her bike quickly, Izebel hopped on and began to put her helmet on.
"Where do you think you are goin'?" Bucky yelled over the startup of her engine. Looking back, Izebel caught his eyes. They seemed to soften, probably because they noticed Izebel's own eyes were kind of wet.
"Away from here." Before Bucky could get another word out, Izebel was speeding back to the science building. Shuri should still be in there and she wanted to get away from Bucky.
Thinking back on it now, Izebel wasn't sure why she was so angry. But something was set off and instead of dealing with it, she ran. Just like Bucky said she does. The science building came up quick and Izebel quickly dropped down into the main lab where Shuri was reviewing the main highlights of Steve and T'Challa's meeting. A new hand blaster was in front of her, being tinkered with as she replayed another video.
"Something troubling you Izebel?" Shuri asked, not even bothering to look up from the blaster. Izebel sighed and flopped into her chair at her desk. Swiveling around a couple times, Izebel thought about what to say.
"Shuri, did you ever not want to fight?" The question seemed to catch Shuri off guard because she sat up a little straighter and she even put down the piece of vibranium she was working with.
"All the time." She answered, shocking Izebel. "In my culture, you know the children of the king can take over the role of the Black Panther. That was always T'Challa's dream, but I knew someday I could be asked to do it. So I trained. Okoye and Nakita were often my trainers and I learned a lot. But I truly loved the research, so I soon as I could I made myself indispensable here. I found out later on though I missed a lot of the adventures that came with defending Wakanda. Would I leave my assignment here? Absolutely not. I love being able to help grow my countries defenses and power the city in ways unimaginable. Plus I love working with you and you have opened my eyes to how vibranium can be used to enhance all areas of healthcare."
Izebel blushed at the complement, but thought about what Shuri said. It was clear Shuri was confident in her role. Maybe that's what made the difference here.
"Shuri, once Bucky is healed, do you want me to stay?" Shuri laughed so hard at the question Izebel thought she was going to fall off her chair. Wiping her eyes, Shuri gave Izebel a kind smile.
"Do you think we throw you out of the border once Sergeant Barnes was healed? Unfortunately Izebel, I think you might have found yourself permanently a member of the Avengers Initiative." Shocked, Izebel examined Shuri's face for any type of hint that this was all a joke. "Is it just hitting you now what you have signed yourself up for by agreeing to be with the Wakandan Empire?"
Shrugging, Izebel twirled around in her chair again. "I never considered myself the Avenging type." And it was true. To grow up surrounded by these super heroes and then to realize you were stuck in the same boat as them changed a person's perspective on life. "Shuri, I don't have to fight do I?"
Shuri paused to think. Her eyebrows furrowed in consideration at the thought. "It might be wise for you to learn how to fight. Just in case. But I'm sure you will discover what your role is in this world. Maybe you just get to permanently be my laboratory assistant," Shuri said after some consideration. Izebel considered the thought. When finding your purpose in this crazy world though, Izebel had no clue that often time your purpose and destiny came with very very high stakes.