I am soooo sorry for the late update. I've been ill so was staying with family, away from laptop. I'm home now, though, so I'm able to update—and write—again. I missed hearing from you all. I am getting this posted then I'm going to settle down and do some writing for the first time since last Monday.

Chapter Eleven

Bucky sat on the side of the climbing bars on the compound's obstacle course, writing a text to Steve, who was in New Mexico with Rhodey as part of the press outreach project for Ellis. From what Steve had reported, it was going well, and they'd been able to meet with Ellis in DC before they left to discuss more plans to help the Returned.

Morgan and Peter were with him, and their chatter as they cloud-spotted washed over him peacefully. Peter had created web hammocks for them both, and they were swinging a few feet above the ground. They weren't as high up as Peter liked to be usually—Bucky had seen him hanging a few feet below the elevated ceiling in the gym—but Morgan was happy with their height.

"I see a dinosaur," Morgan said.

"Yeah, what kind?"

"Terry-dactyl," she said happily, pointing into the sky. "Can you see it?"

Peter shaded his eyes and squinted, then a grin spread over his face, and he said, "Yeah. Right there. Is that a giraffe next to it?"

Morgan considered carefully. "I think it's a rabbit."

Bucky snorted at the perplexed look on Peter's face.

It was good to see Peter playing with his sister again after the difficult night that had passed. As much as he hated that Peter had suffered another nightmare, he was glad Tony finally knew the truth about what was happening.

Bucky hadn't wanted to betray Peter's trust by telling him himself, but he'd felt that Tony should know. He felt less alone with the secret now, even though they were no closer to a solution. He had his idea, but Tony had, understandably, vetoed it.

Bucky hated that Peter was having these nightmares and the scars he was left with, even though they healed fast—not to mention the shadows of pain in his eyes when Bucky found him breaking down each time—but he didn't want Peter to be attacked again for real by sending him after the man that strangled him.

Peter gave Morgan a fond look and then lifted a hand and waved it through the air. Bucky looked up and saw a cloud, which was now the perfect shape of a rabbit, bouncing through the sky.

Morgan squealed with delight, and tried to sit up, dislodging herself from the hammock and tumbling out. Bucky leaped to his feet to catch her, but Peter was already there. He had his arms under her and was lifting her up and spinning her before she could touch the soft composite ground beneath them.

Morgan giggled, and Peter said, "I think we need a few more hammock lessons, Mo. Don't you?"

Morgan giggled. "It's so pretty, though; a bouncy bunny."

"And kinda obvious, bud," Bucky pointed out. "Anyone else cloud-spotting right now is going to have some questions."

Peter's face fell, and he snapped his fingers, the rabbit turning into a puffy and vague cloud again.

"Aww," Morgan said, smile fading.

"I know." Peter ruffled her hair. "But Bucky is right. If anyone else sees that, they're going to think someone spiked their morning coffee with crazy juice. I should be more careful." He looked around. "Shall we go for a walk and see what we can find in the forest?"

Morgan shook her head. "I think you should ask me to play the Lego game again."

Bucky chuckled. She was her father's daughter in all kinds of ways, but Bucky thought her negotiating skills came from her mother. He'd learned what a forceful personality Pepper was, and he'd seen her handle Tony like this when she needed something from him. Though Pepper was in overall charge of Tony's company now, he was still the majority shareholder, and there were things he needed to do, which he clearly resented doing at times.

"How about we play with real Lego?" Peter asked. "You've not built that princess palace set you got for your birthday from Uncle Happy."

Morgan tapped her chin, eyes thoughtful, then said, "Nope. But we can build your Star Wars one."

Peter frowned. "Mo, I don't have a Star Wars one."

Morgan grinned. "You do in Daddy's cupboard. He's saving it for your birthday."

Bucky snorted, and Peter's lips quirked. "If he's saving it, I shouldn't know about it, Mo So we'll keep that a secret until my birthday."

Morgan shrugged. "Okay. But I don't want to do Lego. I want to…" Her eyes widened, and she pointed across the lawn. "What's that?"

Peter and Bucky turned and saw the orange portal forming and growing twenty-feet away.

Peter wrapped his arm around Morgan and said, "It's okay. Our friends use them to visit."

Doctor Strange appeared, and the portal shrunk and vanished. He strode towards them, face set in lines of stress.

"He looks funny," Morgan said, tugging on Peter's shirt.

"He's a wizard," Peter said. "He's supposed to look funny."

"Like Harry Potter?" she asked.

"Definitely." Peter smirked. "He's basically Dumbledore."

Strange scowled as he reached them. "I am in no way like Dumbledore."

"But you know who he is." Peter grinned. "So, you're not completely out of touch."

"I do not live under a rock, Peter. Of course, I know about Harry Potter. Anyway, this is not why I am here. I need to speak to you urgently."

Morgan shifted from foot to foot, looking uneasy.

Peter stared at him a moment, seeming to be searching for something, then he nodded and said, "I'll just take Morgan back to her mom. Go on through to the common room."

"I'll take you," Bucky said, gesturing Strange to walk with him towards the door.

Peter swung Morgan onto his back and followed them in. When Bucky led Strange to the common room, Peter took a right towards Tony's apartment.

"Do you need all of us or just Peter?" Bucky asked.

"I should speak to you all, but Peter is the vital one."

Feeling a tingle of unease, Bucky nodded and said, "Friday, can you ask Bruce and Natasha to come here. Tell them Doctor Strange needs to talk to us."

"Of course, Sergeant Barnes," she said.

Bucky took a seat and leaned forward with his hands clasped between his knees. He was worried about what Strange might want from Peter and what it meant for them all. Nightmares aside, things had been good. There had been no pressing mission, and they'd all relaxed into spending time together.

Bruce and Natasha appeared together, and Bruce greeted Strange with easy familiarity while Natasha gave him an appraising look then sat on the arm of the couch beside Bucky. While Bruce and Strange talked about Wong, the man that had been at the conference and following party, Natasha leaned a little closer to Bucky and whispered, too low for anyone to hear without enhanced senses, "Do you trust him?"

"I can't be sure," Bucky answered. "Peter does, I think."

She nodded and straightened up.

Tony and Peter arrived; Tony was looking stressed, and his hand was placed proprietarily on Peter's shoulder, but Peter seeming interested but not worried.

They sat down, leaving Strange standing in front of the large television mounted on the wall, and a moment of silence settled over them before Strange said, "I am sorry to say I am here for help. I would not ask, but something has happened that should not be possible, and the threat is real."

"What is it?" Peter asked.

"There was a man called Kaecilius that was a Master of the Mystic Arts, like me. He was not a good man, though, not peaceful. He became disillusioned with my predecessor, The Ancient One, and plotted against her. He thought she was limiting us by not allowing other dimensions to come to earth. His desire was born of desperation at first; he wanted to be reunited with his wife and son, who had died, but it soon became about power. He formed a group called the Zealots with the goal of defeating The Ancient One and bringing a being called Dormammu to earth. He almost succeeded, unleashing a horror, but he was defeated by our side. When they were defeated, Kaecilius and the Zealots were trapped in the Dark Dimension for all eternity, which is a horrific fate."

Peter gave a small nod in response to what Bucky thought was a comment from the Stones.

"They became Mindless Ones," Peter said.

Strange nodded.

"What are they?" Tony asked.

"They're mindless," Strange said.

"I got that from the name, funnily enough," Tony said scathingly.

"They have no will of their own," Peter said. "They just do the bidding of others. They're savage and stupid. Dangerous."

Bucky straightened his spine. "And are they coming here?"

"No," Strange said. "That is something that we can be thankful for. The danger is that Kaecilius has somehow found his way back from the Dark Dimension as a whole and human man."

"That's impossible," Peter said. "There's no reversing that process."

"That is what I believed," Strange said. "But we have detected the manipulation of dimensions as he arrived here, and we have footage of him in public before he moved on. I do not know how he was freed, but his intentions cannot be good." He looked to Peter. "I need your help to find him."

Peter nodded. "I can do that."

"Hold up," Bucky said. "What exactly does that mean for Peter? He's got to hunt this man. How dangerous is he?"

"No more dangerous than Peter," Strange said.

Tony started to protest, but Peter held up a hand. "He's not wrong, not really. I can find him and trap him somewhere. Do I have to put him back in the Dark Dimension, go there, or would somewhere off-world do? I could stick him with Ross."

"Where exactly is Ross?" Strange asked.

"Somewhere he can't hurt anyone, and somewhere he can't escape," Tony said curtly, then raised his voice and said, "Friday, show me this Kaecilius and assemble any information on him you can."

"On it, Boss."

"Is it possible he went into the Dark Dimension with his Sling Ring?" Peter asked. "Is that how he got out?"

"He went with it, yes, but it would not be enough for him to escape. There is no escape."

"Apparently there is," Natasha said. "What kind of threat are we looking at?"

"It depends on why he is here. He does not have the ability to free Dormammu again, but he is not one to sit on the sidelines."

"Boss, I have found the information you require," Friday said.

"Pull it up," Tony said, setting his phone down on the coffee table.

A hologram spread from it, and a picture of a man appeared. He looked menacing, the hard set of his jaw and something in his eyes that backed up what Strange had said about him, but it was not enough to explain the fact Tony lurched to his feet and Peter's mouth dropped open.

"It's him!" Tony said, his eyes snapping to Peter. "It is him, isn't it?"

Looking pale and shocked, Peter nodded. "Yeah."

"It's who?" Strange asked.

Peter glanced at Bucky, lip caught between his teeth, and said, "The man that killed me."

"That man that did what?" Bruce asked.

Peter ducked his head.

"They need to know it all, bud," Bucky said.

Peter nodded and looked up. "I've been having nightmares," he said. "Nightmares of people killing me that leave me with…" he lifted his shirt, revealing the scars Bucky had seen in the early hours of the morning that were only just starting to fade, "scars."

Bucky saw his discomfort and took up the explanation, telling them everything he'd learned about Peter's nightmares and what the Stone had told them.

Natasha, Bruce, and Strange listened in silence, though their faces told the story of their shock.

When Bucky finished, Bruce said, "And that's the man that stabbed you?"

Peter nodded. "Yes. And I think…" He massaged his forehead. "It's hard for me as the dreams are overwhelming, but Space thinks he was there in the other nightmares, in the background. We didn't connect it before, but I think he's the one that's doing it." He closed his eyes. "He's trying to kill me."

Tony placed a hand on Peter's shoulder and pulled him into his side, leaning his head against his hair. "It's okay, Pete. We'll fix this. We know who's doing it now."

Peter nodded. "We know who's doing it, and he's obviously using his Sling Ring to get to each reality to attack or arrange them, but we don't know how he's getting through time to do it."

Tony nodded. "He's got tech from somewhere. He could have gotten hold of Pym's technology or maybe something out of Wakanda. We don't know if the resistance is gone."

"I doubt they are," Bucky said heavily. "Damn."

"We need to find out," Tony said. "I'll talk to T'Challa and Scott, find out if they've seen or lost anything."

"They would have told us if they knew," Peter said. "This isn't something we need to investigate." He closed his eyes. "I need to find Kaecilius and ask him."

"He's not going to just answer questions, Peter," Strange said. "He's dangerous and intelligent. If he's targeting your life, he will use the chance to attack you."

Peter nodded. "I know, but I still have to go."

"No, you don't," Tony said. "We'll find him together."

"He's not in this time, Tony, or even this reality. I've got to go find him. I might be able to pick up a feel of his power; it's close to Strange's. I can find him. I'll…" He rubbed his forehead as if pained. "I'll have to take him back to the Dark Dimension."

"You clearly don't want to go there," Natasha said, her voice gentle.

Peter smiled sadly. "I don't, but it's not going to be enough to trap him on a planet like Ross. If he can escape The Dark Dimension once, he's not going to be limited by space. I'll have to take him there and reinforce the barriers." He tilted his head to the side. "They say I can do that." His eyes became distant, and he said, "No, I'll find him. I can trap him? Then that's what I'll do."

"What else are they saying, Pete?" Tony asked.

Peter shook his head. "Nothing that matters."

Bucky was sure that wasn't true; he thought the Stones were saying something important. He moved to Peter's side and placed a hand on his cheek, turning his face so he could see him clearly. "What are they saying, bud?"

Peter's eyes were hard as he said, "It doesn't matter. It's not happening."

"Tell us, Pete," Tony said. "I know it's something about us." His jaw twitched. "If there's something we can do, we have a right to know what it is."

Peter turned away. "Not this."

Natasha stared at Peter a moment then said, "We can kill Kaecilius, can't we?"

Peter's eyes snapped to her, and the look on his face told Bucky she'd guessed right. He looked almost desperate as he shook his head. "No, that's not it."

Tony smiled sadly. "You're still a terrible liar, Pete."

"If someone has to kill, I'll be the one to do it," Peter said stiffly.

Bucky shook his head. "No, bud. We all love you for who you are, and part of what makes you who you are is that you don't kill. You gave Ross a fate that some would see as merciful, even after what he did to you, because of who you are. You know I have killed. Get me to this man, and I'll kill him."

What he didn't say, but felt strongly, was that he'd kill this man happily if it would save Peter. Even before the Winter Soldier, he'd killed for less in the war. Peter was his kid brother, someone he loved and would protect at all costs; if it took ending one more life to save him, he would do it without hesitation.

Peter wiped at his face. "You don't have to do this. If I can trap him again, I'd be safe."

"This is about more than you, Peter," Strange said. "Kaecilius came back from the Dark Dimension as himself, but he could bring others through, too. Imagine the world overrun with Mindless Ones. Ask the Stones what they can do."

Peter flinched. "I don't need to ask; I already know."

Tony looked at Peter, a look of misery in his eyes, then turned to Strange. "Peter took you back in time with him, right?"

Strange nodded and steepled his fingers under his chin. "Yes, he can. It was a reasonably disorienting process, but you can handle it."

"Then that's what we'll do," Bucky said. "Take me with you, bud, and I'll kill him for you."

Peter's eyes were distant, clearly listening to the Stones, and then he said, "He doesn't have to die."

"I think he does, Peter," Strange said. "And there are people here willing to make it happen."

"We are," Bucky said.

More than willing, he wanted to do this, end the threat that had hurt the kid he loved. He could end a life, it would just be one more, to protect Peter.

Peter listened to the Stones again for a moment, and then he nodded. "Okay. We'll do that."

Breathing a sigh of relief, Bucky squeezed his shoulder.

"I'll have to come and find him," he went on. "It's possible to send you without me, but that's just your consciousnesses, your mind, into the body that already exists there. We'll go together." He glanced up at Bucky. "I can't take you, though."

Bucky bristled. "Why the hell not?"

Peter looked apologetic. "You're a wanted man, Bucky. If you're caught, it will confuse the timeline. With me, we can change the future, so if you're caught there, you're really caught. I don't know where and when in time I'll find him, so it could be when the search for you is at its peak. It's not safe for you."

"Then take me," Tony said. "I'm not a wanted man."

Peter shook his head. "I don't know how long this will take to find him. I won't wake you away from Morgan and Pepper. I can do this alone."

"No," Natasha said, crossing her arms over her chest. "I'll come with you. No one is looking for me, and I'll be leaving no one behind apart from Clint's family, and they're used to me disappearing for months at a time." She nodded. "Take me."

Peter stared at her a moment, then his eyes became distant once more. There was a small frown between his brows, as if he was unhappy with what he was hearing.

"Okay," he said slowly. "We should go now. I'll go say goodbye to Mo. I have no idea how long we'll be gone. I'll be…" He stopped himself, got to his feet, and started for the door.

"Pete, wait," Tony called.

Peter stopped and turned, face set with pain, and smiled at Tony strode towards him and wrapped him in a hug. Peter slumped against him, and Tony murmured reassurances.

Bucky watched them embrace, seeing the pain in both of them, and he felt it, too. He didn't want Peter to go away again, he didn't want to lose him for however long it took, and he hated that he couldn't be the one to go. He trusted Natasha to take care of him, though. He didn't want Peter to be forced to end a life, and he didn't want him to face the Dark Dimension when the idea clearly scared him. But he was helpless. Peter was the one with the power here, the one who had to face it, so they had to let him go and trust Natasha to save him from needing to take the killing blow himself.

Tony released Peter and came back to the couch while Peter plodded out of the room.

"Do I need to do anything to prepare for this?" Natasha asked Strange.

He shook his head. "Apart from perhaps changing your clothes, nothing."

Natasha looked down at her yoga pants and vest, nodded, and got to her feet. Before she could reach the door, though, Friday spoke up.

"Boss, I have a message from Peter."

Tony frowned, and then jumped to his feet and ran for the door. "Damn idiot kid," he growled.

Bucky was on his feet, too, following, and he knew exactly what Tony knew without needing to hear the message. Peter had taken off alone.

"What did he say, Friday?" Natasha asked, hot on his heels.

"He said he would not put someone else's life on the line for this, and that he's sorry."

"He's gone hasn't he?" Bucky growled.

"Yes, Sergeant Barnes. Mr. Parker left in his suit."

Bucky cursed the kid he loved and despaired of. Sure, he could take care of himself and couldn't die, but if he saw this Kaecilius as a threat against Natasha, who was as effective an assassin as The Winter Soldier, this was a big fight he was going into.

And he was going into it alone.

So… Drama! I warned you it was coming, and I'm sure some of you are happy as we were getting a little too comfy with just the dreams to deal with. The real fun stuff is coming now.

Until next time…

Jadey's World xxx