Chapter 20

[Emily's POV]

I rubbed my wrists awkwardly as I stood in the middle of the hanger. Wanda and Natasha spent the whole entire day decorating it to go along with their theme 'Midnight Madness'. The whole evening was black-tie formal, and Natasha even convinced Clint to let me go out shopping with her and Wanda to get a new gown. Now, decked out in a black Grecian halter chiffon gown that Natasha somehow managed to find in my size and a pair of black satin Bettie Knot heels that Wanda found for fifteen bucks, I was patiently awaiting for my guests.

"Against my better judgement, I decided to listen to Tony and I invited my mother, telling her that there was something I needed to tell her. Something important. I also invited Lizzy along, because what the heck?

A warm hand rested on the small of my back and I instantly tensed up. I relaxed once I realized it was just Bucky.

Now, I usually don't fangirl over guys and stuff (I feel that's just way too stereotypical), but dang, that boy from the 1940s could clean up nicely.

He had on a plain black button-up dress shirt with a sparkling white tie and black slacks to match.

What surprised me even more was that his hair was cut!

"You cut your hair?" I gasped, turning to face him. He chuckled and smirked.

"Regretting you never ran your hands through it?" he teased, and I snorted.

"Remember, the swoon's going to happen soon," I warned him. "Just you wait." He grinned and I leaned into his chest, subconsciously wrapping my arm around his waist. "Do you think I did the right thing?"

"Inviting your mother so you can tell her the truth?" Bucky asked, and I nodded. "For sure. You need to do this and she needs to hear this."

"I know, but..." I began, when somebody accidentally bumped into me. If it hadn't been for Bucky, I would've ended up on the floor. I stumbled a few steps and Bucky steadied me. I turned to confront the person and reeled backwards.

Something about this man I recognized. He looked like an exact replica of my father, same hair color and build and everything, but there was a darker look in this man's eyes.

"I apologize, my fine lady," the man said, bowing slightly. "I was too captured by the radiance of your beauty to pay attention to where I was walking."

"It's alright," I said, waving him off. Bucky's grip on me tensed up and he said stiffly, "Move along, Loki." In confusion, I watched as something malicious passed through the man's eyes before he stiffly walked away.

"Bucky...who was that?" I asked, looking up at him innocently.

"Thor's adopted brother," Bucky explained as he steered me away from Loki. "Loki, the God of Mischief. He was the one who started New York." I tensed up and glared at the man who had his back to us.

"Hope I never have to see him again," I grumbled angrily.

"Emily?"

My mouth opened in surprise as I turned towards the entrance. Decked out in the most gorgeous red gown I've ever seen was my best friend.

"Lizzy!" I squealed, rushing away from Bucky, who was watching with me amusement. We threw our arms around each other and I squeezed her tight. "You came!"

"Of course, silly!" she laughed, pulling away. Her red hair was straightened (how she did that, I have no idea), and pulled into a high ponytail. The red of her dress complimented her hair perfectly. "I almost brought Devon, but then decided against it."

"Smart move," I told her. "Oh!" I moved to frantically wave Bucky over, only to be surprised to see him behind me. "Bucky! This is Lizzy, my best friend ever!"

"I thought I was your best friend?" he asked me dramatically. "You can only have one best friend!"

"Bucky..." I said, my voice low. He rolled his eyes and gently tapped me on the chin with his fist.

"I'm kidding," he laughed. He held his hand out to Lizzy. "Bucky Barnes."

"Lizzy Brenton," she replied, shaking his hand firmly. "Oh, and Emily...ETA one minute." I gulped and nodded.

"Who's coming in one minute?" Bucky asked, not picking up on the unspoken convo Lizzy and I shared.

"My mother," I replied.

Then, she turned the corner.

I froze.

Everyone always said that I had her hair. Hers was dotted with gray hairs, but I used to think she was the most beautiful woman in the world. She surprisingly wore a beautiful dark blue dress that stopped at her knees. She had blue flats on (that suspiciously looked like mine that I thought I lost when I was sixteen) and her hair was put up in the same way that mine was, a French braid hairnet.

"Emily," she breathed, and I took a deep breath.

"Hi Mom."

:/:\:

[Bucky's POV]

Emily hesitantly approached her mother and the two embraced.

"This is very posh for a finishing school," she commented randomly. She stopped when she noticed me. Her eyes narrowed and she scanned me. "Emily, darling, who is this?" Emily gulped and took a step back so she could assess the situation.

"This is..." she began, biting her lower lip. I had to agree with her. I didn't really know where to gauge our relationship.

"My name is James Barnes, ma'am," I said, taking a step forward. I held my hand out and she took it, shaking it daintily. "I'm a friend of Emily's." She looked between me and Emily and murmured something that sounded like, "Looks like more than a friend." She smiled brightly. "My name is Charolotte."

"A beautiful name," I commented, and the woman blushed. I gagged slightly but covered it up with a smile. No matter how charming she tried to appear, Charolotte would forever be a shadow in my eyes. She purposefully hurt Emily. I was never going to let her hurt her again. "Emily, Charolotte, Lizzy, would any of you like refreshments?"

"I would kill for some Diet Coke," Lizzy said, and Emily nodded, seconding it.

"Water will fine, James," Charolotte said, turning back to Emily.

:/:\:

[Emily's POV]

Showtime, Emily, I thought nervously to myself.

"Mom, there's something I need to tell you," I began, licking my lips.

"Emily, I already now," my mother interrupted, and I froze. How did she know? I never told her, made sure to keep my powers hidden from her. "It's quite obviously."

NO, NO, NO, NO, NO!

"You are in love with James."

I balked and could feel myself almost about to dry-heave.

"B-Bucky?" I stammered. "Y-You think I'm in love with Bucky?"

"It's plain to see," she continued, ignoring my comments. "He's a lovely man, very kind and courteous. You could do well with a man like that."

"Mom, that's not what I wanted to talk to you about," I began, looking towards Lizzy for help. She had the same frantic look on. "Listen, there's something I've been keeping from you..."

"Have you and James made it official?" she asked. "He asked you out, didn't he? I know this wonderful little restaurant..."

"I'm a mutant!"

Time stood still and my mother looked at me with pure confusion.

"E-Excuse me?" she stammered, taking a few steps backwards. "You're a what?" I bit my lip and brought my wings out. They spread out dramatically and my mother gasped before they folded neatly behind my back. "Emily Miriyan Salgado...start explaining right this instant!"

"This isn't a finishing school," I stated, rushing my words. "This is a program to join the Avengers."

"H-How long have you had t-these monstrosities on your back?" Mom demanded, and I took a few steps back.

"Please, I wanted to tell you..."

"Emily Miriyan Salgado, how freaking long?"

"Six years!" I screamed, my dress clenched tightly in my curled up hands. I took a deep breath to calm myself and added weakly, "They came the night we learned Dad died. Mom, I know this is a lot to take in, but there is somewhere we can talk this out..."

White hot pain raced across my face and I fell to the floor, cradling my cheek. Lizzy gasped and fell to her knees beside me. I turned to my mother and saw her approaching me, a dangerous look in her eyes. In just one second, I relived every single time she looked at me like that, every single time before she hit me.

"You know what they did to your father!" she growled, her heels clicking as she approached us. I began to back-crawl away, fear racing into my eyes. "They caused the New York Massacre and yet, you are training to become one!"

"Dad would've wanted me to!" I protested, leaping to my feet. I held a hand to my chest and used the other to push Lizzy away. I didn't want her getting caught up in this. "He always told me to be myself and to follow..." I was cut off by another slap. I heard Bucky shouting from across the room, but when I turned to looked at him, Steve was holding him back. I knew what he was doing. I need to sort this out myself.

But before I could think, my mother let out a blood-curdling scream and launched herself at me. People screamed and shoved people out of the way as my mother pinned me to the ground, using her long nails to scratch at my chest and face. I squirmed underneath her and felt myself going blank.

When I could focus again, I was standing and half of my mother's hair was gone. I looked down at my fists and noticed my Wolverine claws were emerged. I quickly sheathed them and held my hands close to my chest.

"Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry..." I began, just as she came at me again. This time, my wings were ready. They gave a quick flap and darted me out of the way. However, she flipped around and somehow held a butter knife in her hand. It caught on my cheek and made a deep, thin line across my face. I cried out in pain and backed away fearfully. I bumped into one of the dining tables and I was shaking with fear. "Please...Mommy...please stop!"

"You are no daughter of mine!" she hissed, pinning me to the table with her weight. Everyone now seemed to realize what she was trying to do.

Steve let Bucky go and he raced over to my side, but the damage was done. By the time he ripped that crazed woman off of me, I sank to my knees, sobbing. In the hands of my mother was severely of my flight feathers. My wings looked broken and bare without the essential feathers and I cried out at the thought of not being able to fly again.

When I looked up, all I saw was the disappointment in Bucky's eyes. I stumbled to my feet and pushed past Bucky, who tried to grab me. I raced out of the hanger and made my way to the elevator, the only isolated place in the whole compound.

Once inside, I sank to my knees and sobbed, pulling my knees up to my chest.

"You know, I've never really known what to do when women cry," a voice suddenly said. My head flung up and I instantly recognized Loki, the man whom Bucky told me to steer clear from. "Just seems rather ridiculous if you ask me."

"I didn't," I spat, then I covered my mouth with my hands. "I'm sorry...I'm not really myself tonight."

"But still beautiful, nonetheless," Loki commented, and I raised my eyebrow. "What?"

"Seriously?" I sniffed, wiping my nose with my hand. "Hitting on a girl who was basically disowned and brutally assaulted by her mother?"

"Can't blame a man for trying," he replied with ease, leaning against the wall. "You should get out of this blasted contraption. Your friends are looking for you." I nodded and stood up on shaky legs. When I turned back to ask him how did I look, but he was already gone.

Taking in a shaky breath, I opened the doors and stepped out, ready to greet my friends.

A/N: Dang, I am on a rollllll!

Hope y'all enjoyed this chapter. I had a toooon of fun writing it.

Please leave any comments, questions, concerns, or conspiracy theories y'all may have.

As of tradition I started with the last chapter, I am dedicating Chapter 20 to FanGirlForever19 (I think I spelled it right. Yeah, I'm pretty sure I did) and the Anonymous reviewer. Thank you two for all of your comments. They really make my day!

Keep on answering the poll and Chapter 21 will hopefully be up soon!