Teacher Down Under
Chapter 12
(Authors note: This is the last official chapter of this story. At the end of this, I will give you, my readers, a chance to decide on the ending. This story, eventually, gave me a chance to move Melody Bishop's story into compliance with Marvel Universe tv and movies. I couldn't leave Bucky in cryo, nor could I leave the Avengers so ripped apart. I know the Powers That Be will fix all that for the upcoming movies, but this is my tale⦠Thank you for reading.)
Bucky was free from the previous command words, and was on his way to healing. He still had a long way to go. The desensitization program was complex. It included 150 words in 6 languages. Even if someone got a copy of the list, the mathematical possibilities were pretty impressive. I had also arranged for both Steve and Bucky to start therapy. And Sam agreed to start a PTSD therapy group. All of the Avengers really needed to be part of that.
My therapy work is pretty much done. I sent Sterling his training info. I'm caught up on paperwork, which I never thought would happen. So now, I'm just waiting for a cure, or to die. That's rather pathetic.
Tony arrived the day after I liberated Barnes. And yes, Steve was torn between being happy for Bucky and being really angry for me. Pretty much all of them wished I had waited for Steve to be there, except Natasha. She understood.
But as I said, Tony arrived. Before I told him where I was, I insisted he agree to a truce, and to keep his mouth shut about where we were. It is a sign of how much he cares for me that he agreed to it. I then hooked him into the group where Fitz and Simmons of Shield were working with the Wakendan doctors.
When Tony arrived he spoke briefly to the King, then came to the medical facility where I was. He looked at me and said, "You do really look like crap." And started talking to the Wakandan doctors, while working on a computer screen. Then he turned back to me. "I was mad at you for not coming to New York, but these doctors know what they're doing. And Fitz and Simons are really good. Almost as smart as me."
It wasn't until dinner that night that Tony finally talked to the group. Mostly he pretended that nothing was wrong and was more snarky than usual. He kept looking over at Bucky (still minus an arm) and finally commented, "Hey, I thought the one-armed guy was supposed to be back in cryo sleep for the safety of the world? What happened?"
I gave Tony one of my best "You are being a major ass" looks. From the other side of the table Natasha was as well. "Tony," I responded, "Just a few days ago the old command words in Bucky's head were removed. He is now in some pretty intensive therapy. By the time we knew the initial procedure was successful, you were already enroute here. Steve did not want to tell the rest of the world before he told you."
"So am I supposed to be happy that my mother's killer is now safe to be free?" I could see the stricken look on Bucky's face.
I lowered my voice and softened my face. "Tony, I thought you came here under a flag of truce?"
That hit home. "Mel, I'm sorry. You're right. Steve, Bucky, I'm sorry I came here still angry. I seem to be doing that a lot lately. I want to focus on getting our teacher well. We can yell at each other, punch walls, whatever, later."
It wasn't exactly a group hug moment, but it was a good first step.
The next morning I woke up to a bit of a shit storm. Shield Director Vance had figured out that Jenna and Fitz were working on something unauthorized. Colson called me to let me know that Vance was going to find out soon what they were working on. Phil was going to call Vance's bluff and force Shield to let the two keep working, but Vance was sure to contact Secretary Ross.
That got me thinking. My work with Bucky and the other Avengers was pretty much done. Maybe it was time for me to go back to New York. It would be easier for my family to spend time with me. With Tony on board, maybe everyone could keep working safely. The team just about had a vaccine ready. A cure would be after that. Me being back in the States would get Colson and my Shield friends off the hook. And the outlaw Avengers could stay safe. Those are pretty good arguments. Plus I could die at home.
On the negative side, the big one was the fact that I would have to leave new friends and old. but I'd be saying goodbye to all of them before too long anyway.
In the end, not a hard choice to make. Bucky took my choice the hardest. Probably attachment issues. I spent time talking to him. One of the things I made sure we talked about was Natasha. It was interesting. He didn't remember her until I mentioned the Red Room. He got his "flashback" look, but came out of it pretty fast. He remembered training some of the girls there. He was able to make the connection between his best student-the red head, and Natasha. Nothing else. I encouraged Bucky to get to know Natasha. Because of her background, they have a lot in common. It almost broke my heart when Bucky said, "But I'm just getting to know you!"
I am happy to report that Tony and Steve were able to part on a good note. The Avengers may not be totally healed, but a good start has been made. It was a tearful farewell.
It was a long flight to New York. I tried to sleep for as much of it as I could. Once we were almost there I called Colson. I told him I'd contact him again once I was safely back in New York, but where ever I had been, I wasn't anymore. He laughed. Then he told me that he had recently had a very pointed conversation with Director Vance. Phil told Vance that yes, his people were working on a cure for a Hydra devised poison. In fact, they were close to a vaccine. The research was going to continue unless there was a real need for his science staff. This was a priority. Or did Vance want our Workman's Comp. problem to hit the media? It made me smile to hear that Vance had backed down.
We went straight to the Compound, which I had never seen before. I see why Steve said he missed it. After I rested for a while (after being hooked back up to more medical equipment) I decided it was time to poke a few bears. I told Tony what I was going to do and he just laughed. And increased security.
First I called Phil Colson. I informed him that I was safely in New York. I asked him if he wanted the pleasure of calling Director Vance or should I? Phil decided that call was too fun to miss. He told me about it afterwards. "Hello Director Vance, this is Agent Colson."
"Colson! You had better be calling to tell me that you know where Dr. Bishop is!"
"Actually sir, I do. She arrived in the United States a short time ago and staying with Tony Stark."
"About time!" and Vance hung up. Probably to call Secretary Ross.
About 15 minutes later there was full military presence surrounding Stark Tower. Tony and I watched as the Stark Head of Security met the commander of the police. Tony's security head was very happy to inform them that I wasn't there. And even if I had been, they had better have a warrant. They sort of slunk away.
Awhile later Secretary Ross' security team showed up at the Compound. They moved fast, I'll give them that. But Tony had built the Compound to be secure. They weren't getting in without an invitation. Tony put on his Iron Man suit and went to confer. He explained that I had taken sanctuary with him while I was being cared for medically. Ross didn't care. He still wanted to interrogate me.
"Look Secretary, I know you can hear what I'm saying through your people. Dr. Bishop is dying from a poison that Hydra injected her with while she was working with Shield. I'm trying to find a cure. So far all I've got is a vaccine. You're going to leave Dr. Bishop alone. Let her die in peace."
Ross continued to threaten and demand. So Tony took the video feed of the event and sent it to the major news sources. As soon as Secretary Ross found out that he was on tv, he went away. Threatening, of course, to get my information. The outlaw Avengers would be found! Blah, blah. Sometimes I really do like Tony.
My son and his family came out and I got to spend some real time with them. My daughter and her family showed up the next day. I can still stand, but walking is now beyond me. I don't like being stuck in a wheelchair.
Two weeks later the medical reports were all in. The vaccine was looking good. They had come up with a cure for the poison in its early stages. But there was nothing they could do for me.
(Well readers, this is the end of the tale. Here is where you get to decide what happens next. Does Dr. Bishop, our teacher, die, surrounded by family and friends? Or do I create a comic book twist? Something like Tony finding his father's Super soldier notes and using the results on Melody.
Let me know what you think. The ending is your choice. And thank you for your support.)
