A/N:Here is Chapter Twelve. I'm getting really lazy on what I should be doing for authors notes, so I just sum up. Show of hands, how many people actually read the authors notes? Anyone, anyone, Bueller?
Disclaimer: I do not own Marvel, Disney or the Avenger. Just Effie :P
Chapter Twelve:
A loud crash woke me up in the middle of the night, and I looked to the door to find a silhouette holding a shield. I sat up in bed, throwing the covers off, ready to fight when I remembered.
"Steve?" I asked, confused. He swept me up in his arms and held me tight, while kissing my temple.
"Effie! I was so worried. Quick we need to get you out of here before he wakes up. The knockout gas won't last long." Steve said ushering me out of the room.
"Wait! He didn't hurt me! He's remembering, I'm making progress!" I shouted as I was pushed towards Tony. I hugged him as tight as I could while he was wearing his suit.
"We are taking him to a SHIELD facility for a full examination." Natasha's voice said from behind me.
"He was wiped clean. They took his memories from him." I said to both of them.
"We'll stick with him," Tony said, throwing Bucky over his shoulder.
"Wait, how did you guys find me?" I asked, confused. Tony grabbed my hand and pointed to the bracelet.
"It wouldn't activate until you said your own name, when you weren't in distress." He said, as Steve took my other hand.
"Sweetheart?" He asked, "Did he hurt you?"
"No, he fed me, gave me time to do my thing in the bathroom, and just this morning, he let me out of the cell downstairs." I said, noticing my backpack sitting by the front door.
"He trusted me not to run. I, in turn, told him everything I could about his life." I said, sad at the thought that I may have lost his trust.
"You did everything I taught you, and for that, you've earned a gold star in my books Stark." Natasha said, hugging my shoulders.
"Thanks Nat. I'm just wondering if he's going to trust me after this." I said as Steve led me out of the cabin and towards a Quinjet.
"He will. Even if he doesn't remember himself, anyone could trust you after you opened up and trusted them." Steve said, picking me up bridal style and saying, "Sleep sweetheart."
With one nod of my head, I was out like a light.
"Oh Effie, I was so worried!" Pepper said as she squished me to death. I had been back all of two minutes before Pepper rushed down to our floor to give me a death grip.
"Can't ….breathe." I wheezed out.
"Oh, sorry." She said, releasing me from the hug. Minnie ran to the sound of my voice and stretched up, signaling she wanted a hug. I held her close, relishing in her familiarity.
"I missed you too Pepper. I'm just needing some sleep right now." I said, holding Minnie tightly.
"Alright sweetheart. Go rest," She said, as I zombie walked to my bedroom. Minnie was rubbing her head against mine, in an effort to convey her happiness of my return. I was about to change into my pajamas, when I remembered I hadn't showered in a few days, because I was kidnapped. I stripped out of my clothes as I headed to the shower. As the water cascaded down my body, I sighed in relief. It felt heavenly on my skin and washing my hair made me feel human again.
It was only as I exited the shower, that I noticed Steve perched on the tub. He was looking at his feet solemnly, and I forwent a towel as I stood in front of him.
"Take me to bed Captain." I whispered as I tilted his head up.
"Effie, you just got back and-"
"And I missed you. Now, either you get to work, or I'm starting without you." I said, before leaning down to kiss him. I knew that while Steve was a gentleman, he was also a man first, and would always be willing for sex.
"But-"
"The only butt I want to see is yours, as you throw me over your shoulder and back to bed." I winked. He smiled shyly before picking me up and taking me back to the bedroom. After setting me on the bed, he stripped out of his clothes and joined me under the covers.
"He didn't... touch you, did he?" He asked, holding me protectively.
"Not in the slightest, and you know I would have put up a fight if that had even occurred." I said, leaning down to kiss his chest.
"I just didn't want to have to kill my best friend before I got him back," he half joked.
"Let's stop talking about everything else. Right now, it's just the two of us. Neither of us were kidnapped or worried the past few days, and we just finished a round in the shower." I said, grinding into him with the last words. He needed no further invitation to make love to me. It was slow and passionate, exactly what we needed after being separated.
"I love you," I whispered as we neared the climax.
"And I love you," Steve said softly, before we both came sighing and moaning. It wasn't long after that I gave into sleep once again.
"I want to go see him." I said the next morning. Tony and Pepper had invited everyone up for breakfast, and I was looking forward to asking Natasha for a favor. I knew Steve wouldn't want me to go, but I was determined to earn Bucky's trust.
"I can take you, but I assure you it won't be pretty." She said, as we talked in the kitchen before breakfast.
"I don't care about pretty, I care about results, and I'm determined to make sure he gets the help he needs. I'm prepared to get the best psychologist in the field of memory loss to help." I said, whispering in case of anyone trying to listen in.
"Everyone come to the table!" Pepper called from the dining room.
"Tony and I have a little announcement before we eat." She said as we all sat down.
"You've kept me waiting two weeks! Just spill the beans already." I said, before taking a sip of tea.
"We got married." Tony said, proudly showing off her wedding ring. I choked on my tea, coughing as I tried to regain my breathing, as I realized what they had said.
"You waited two weeks to tell me that? That's amazing!" I said, getting up and hugging them both. Everyone laughed as I continued coughing, Tony poking my sides to make it worse.
"We did it on a whim! Pepper said yes and I wasn't willing to wait any longer. We've been dancing around this for 10 years. I just couldn't wait another minute for her to be my , quick trip to city hall and its legal!" Tony said, looking lovingly on his wife.
"Congrats you two." Bruce said, standing up to give Tony a guy hug.
"Congratulations guys." Clint said, slapping Tony on the back. Natasha and Pepper had a small hug and Natasha said her congrats to the two. Steve grabbed me from behind and pulled me against his chest.
"That'll be us next," he whispered in my ear. I blushed as Nat turned her head, having heard what he said, and winked.
"The engagement period in the 1940's lasted a month. Let's wait a few months before we jump into anything," I laughed, turning in his arms.
"I have to ask Tony first anyways," he said, winking as we all settled in for breakfast.
"Clearance?" The guard asked me. I went wide eyed as Natasha said, "Do you not own a TV? She's Stark's sister, has a higher IQ than everyone in this building and is the girlfriend of Captain Rogers. And she's with me."
The guard visibly gulped, and stepped aside before the Black Widow could take him out. A buzzer sounded as the door opened to the maximum-security cell, and I saw him sitting in the corner. He didn't look up until I called out to him.
"Bucky, I'm sorry! I had no clue there was a tracker on my bracelet. I wasn't going to give you away, but my brother had to be extra protective." I said, moving further towards him. Natasha stood at a distance behind me, ready to take him down if necessary.
He stared at me, and then looked past me at Natasha. He looked back at me, only to crack a little smile and get up.
"I know. I could tell by the tone of your voice, and the sincerity in your eyes. So, why isn't he here?" He asked, looking confused.
"He doesn't know I'm here. He thinks I'm with Natasha, having some girl time. Even if this is Natasha's version of girl time." I said, sending a wink back at her, acknowledging the small smirk that played on her lips.
"Can I sit down?" I asked, pointing to the bench. He nodded as he moved to the other side. It only fit two people comfortably.
"There are automated machine guns in the wall, trained on your genetic signature. Remember, you so much as touch her wrong, I won't hesitate to give the signal to open fire on you." Natasha said, leaning against the farthest wall. Bucky nodded, before turning to look at me.
"What's that?" He asked, noticing the folder sticking out of my bag.
"It's… It's you. I mean, it's about you. This is every piece of information that I could find on such short notice. Had I been able to reach my friend Skye, things would have been easier to find. Natasha gave me the KGB files as well." I said, handing them to him. He seemed surprised at me handing over all this information.
"I… Thank you." He said, opening up the file to a picture of himself from 1944.
"You were a ladies man, if I heard correctly from Steve." I teased, as he took in the differences from then to now. He didn't speak, but sifted through the folder, trying to piece together his life. I would occasionally glance at the paper he was holding, but the rest of the time, I was gazing contently at the ceiling.
"This is… " He started to say.
"Disconcerting? Odd? Too much to handle?" I supplied.
"All of the above." I nodded in understanding, before hearing a ring from across the room.
"Go." Natasha said, answering her cell phone.
"Got it. Thanks Maria." She said, snapping it closed and saying, "Steve's here and he aware we're here."
"Ugh. He ruins my fun," I said, sighing dramatically.
"He knows you're here for one reason, and it's not a pedicure." She said, giving a quick laugh.
"He doesn't trust me, is what it is." Bucky said, running a hand through his hair.
"He will." I said, giving him a small smile while I squeezed his hand.
"Once we get a hold of Professor Xavier we can get in touch with the mutant we need." Natasha said, waiting at the door for Steve.
"She's a friend of mine that's been on the move for a few years. Her name is Layla Miller, and she has a very powerful gift. No matter how suppressed or erased, she can bring your memories back. Everything is up here Bucky," I said, tapping his forehead, "It just depends on if you want to unlock the safe they're in."
"Effie!" Steve yelled, running in through the door, and snatching me away from beside Bucky.
"Steve, if you try to drag me out of here like a Neanderthal, I WILL cut you off for a month." I warned as he put himself between Bucky and I.
"Why would you come here? He isn't safe right now. He doesn't even know who he is." Steve said quietly over his shoulder.
"He can hear you." Bucky said looking at Steve with a look of annoyance.
"A friend is coming to help him. She will restore his memories." I said, tugging on Steve sleeve. He paused, looking back at me and another quick look to Bucky, before moving away.
"So, you pulled me from the Potomac. Why?" Steve asked, a softer expression crossing his face.
"I got a flash. With you till the end of the line… it flicked something in my head. Shook something loose, and I… I felt like… it was a déjà vu of something. Maybe it was myself falling like Effie told me, but I'm sure it was a memory. You were smaller."
Steve smiled, perhaps picking something from that statement, but nonetheless happy.
"I'm with you till the end of the line. I'm not giving up now, after thinking you were dead for too long. My brother is in there, in your head somewhere, and I'm not leaving you until you can remember." Steve said, before asking me, "Can I escort you out ma'am?"
I smiled wryly at him before going over to Bucky's side. I leaned forward to kiss his cheek and said, "You'll remember, and when you do, two best friends are going to be reunited for the first time in 70 years." I said, pulling back to go stand by Steve's side. He held out his arm, which I took, giving Bucky a soft smile.
We left the cell, heading to Fury's office so I could explain Bucky's treatment.
"Hey," I said, stopping and turning Steve to face me.
"What's on your mind?" I asked quietly. He sighed before looking at his shoes, and saying, "Will the restoring hurt?"
"It will be only a pinch, compared to what he went through." I said rubbing his arm, as Director Fury approached us.
"Miss Stark, it's good to see you again. Gave your brother quite the scare when the Winter Soldier took you." He said, his eye studying my face.
"Yes, well it's over now. No harm, no foul. I wanted to ask how you are doing getting in touch with Professor Xavier." I asked, changing the subject.
"We are on good terms with Professor Xavier so it wasn't a problem getting hold of him. He was more than willing to help. He has told us that he has contacted Miss Miller, and she is on her way here. I understand you two are friends."
"Butterfly and I go way back. My mo- The woman that raised me, worked at the orphanage Layla was at in the evenings. We became good friends, and I look forward to seeing her." I said, before looping my arm through Steve's.
"She should be here by tomorrow morning." Fury said, causing Steve to sigh in relief.
"Will he have to stay locked up?" I asked.
"Once we restore his memories, we will determine that. Until then, he stays in his cell." Fury said, before leaving.
"Shall we head home? It's about lunch time." Steve said, still offering his arm.
"Of course. I have something I need to prepare for tonight anyways." I said, as he walked us back to where he parked his bike.
"Nerf war?" He simply chuckled as he got on, handing me my helmet.
"Do you want to go to battle with me against Clint?" I asked in return, getting on.
"I'll pass this time," he said starting up the bike. I held tight to him the whole way home, thinking about how lucky I was to be with such a wonderful guy.
A/N: And thats it for today! Hope you enjoyed it and maybe, drop me a review? Pretty please :)