Chapter 21

[Emily's POV]

As soon as I stepped out of the elevator, I was quickly wrapped up in a pair of strong arms. The feeling to melt into the person's arms was overwhelming, so melt into them I did.

Bucky took a step back and brushed some hair out of my face that was falling down. "Emily, are you okay?"

"I-I'm fine," I stammered, gulping down some air. "Just a little shaken up." I looked around Bucky and was surprised to find none of the other Avengers. "Where is everybody?"

"I managed to beat them back with a stick and told them you probably would like only a few people at a time," he whispered, and I smiled thankfully. "So, I know you really don't want to talk about this, but..."

"Bucky, please," I squeaked, looking around. "Where is she?" His beautiful smile melted away into a thin, sharp line. "Bucky...where is my mother?"

"Steve and Thor escorted her to a room where she'll be staying until it's time for her plane," Bucky stated, not at all giving any hints to where the room might be. "Emily, I know what you are thinking. I'm not letting you go see her again. She tried to kill you!"

"She was upset and confused," I defended. "She needed to know the truth and she overreacted." Bucky raised his arm to stroke my face, and suddenly, I felt the air leave my lungs. I was overwhelmed with memories of my mother raising her arm, ready to hit me. I squeaked and fell to the floor, backing away from Bucky. He paused and a look of hurt passed over his eyes.

"Em..." he whispered, looking at me with the most pained expression ever. "W-What's wrong?"

"Don't hit me."

Bucky looked like I had slapped him.

"What did you say?" he demanded.

"Please don't hit me," I moaned, pulling my knees up to my chest. I subconsciously began rocking myself. "I-I don't want this anymore, p-please..."

"Emily," Bucky said, falling to his knees. "Emily...I'm not going to hurt you." He slowly began to crawl to me and I shivered with fear. "No one is ever going to hurt you again. I promise."

:/:\:

[Bucky's POV]

I had to convince Clint to escort Emily back to her room. She refused to have anyone touch her besides Clint.

"A father figure," Steve subconsciously whispered, and me and Tony, who happened to be by my best friend, turned to face Steve. The blond was leaning against the wall, realization dawning on his face. "Emily is only allowing the people she considers to be a fatherly figure in her life to help her. Her father used to calm her mother's temper."

"These are the times when I want to punch Reindeer Games in the face," grumbled Tony, wringing his hands angrily. "So KGB and Mr. USA, what are we going to do about Discord?" Steve and I looked at each other with confusion before turning back to Tony. "What? Emily's name is Solace, so I figured the best thing we could do is call her deranged, maniac mother Discord."

"We keep her hidden away from Emily until her plane back to Ohio," Steve ordered. "We are not letting that monster anywhere near her."

"That'll be easy," I murmured to myself, turning to see where Emily and Clint had walked off. "She won't let anyone near her."

"Go check up on her, Buck," Steve said, and I turned back to him.

"I can't. She won't let anyone near."

"Yeah, and you're Bucky Barnes. Take Lizzy with you. That might help."

I nodded before heading back down towards the hanger, where everyone was cleaning up the party supplies. Emily's redheaded friend was balancing two plates of cookies on her hands when she spotted me. She immediately set them down and came stomping over to me.

"Where is she?"

"In her room," I began, and Lizzy pushed past me, stomping her way to the stairs. "Lizzy! She's an emotional wreck right now. She's not letting anyone near her."

"Listen up, James," seethed Lizzy, flipping around to face me. "I was eleven years old when Emily's father went MIA. I was eleven years old when Emily came through my window, her back in shreds because her mother had hit her for the first time. I was twelve when Emily showed up to my house and told me to follow her to my backyard, where she revealed to me that, in the middle of the night, she grew a pair of wings. I was thirteen years old as I watched her leave Ohio, the USA even, to move to a school where she could finally be safe. I was fifteen years old when I watched her return, too nervous to look over her own shoulder. I was fifteen when the beatings started up again. I was seventeen when I watched her go and follow her dreams. I am seventeen and I've seen her talk about you guys as if you were the world to her. She ranted about how strong you all were. And you know what? I believed her. But, now that I've seen it for myself, you guys are just weaklings. You couldn't even take care of Emily when her mother was trying to murder her. That's right. Not kill. Murder. So, I apologize, Mr. Barnes, if I am not going to believe you when she says she won't let anyone near her right now. Because I've been near her, and I will continue to be near her no matter what."

With that, Lizzy flipped around and stalked off, leaving me standing in a daze.

A/N: Hey everyone. Yeah, I know this chapter is really short compared to the last one, but I honestly couldn't think of anything to right that would be as good as Lizzy's rant, so I just had to end it like that.

Gwendolyn Yuki: I do exactly the same. If the story is like, 53 chapters, I'm too into it to actually stop and comment XD. Thank you so much for you comment!

Anonymous-Sarah: Thank you! I never thought I would get this many chapters down. In all honesty, I've re-written this story 3 times before I finally decide to merge the first and third attempt into a story. Two Anonymous? Yikes. Well, even if you two are different people, Chapter 20 is dedicated to you both!

FanGirlForever19: No prob! Chapter 20 is actually my fav chapter so far. I just had to sneak Loki in. You'll be seeing more of him soon.

Guest: I laughed so hard when I read your post XD. Even though this story is rated T, I'm trying to make it as universal as I can so everyone can read it without feeling uncomfortable. So, there might be a few kisses exchanged between Bucky and Emily (eventually, I mean, if they can get their relationship in order), but probably no hardcore making out scenes :)

Remember y'all, the poll is still open! Go to my profile to see more details.

Also, another call out, if anyone is good at fanart or that type of stuff, please, I beseech thee to use your powers for good and come up with an idea for Solace's Wings. The only perimeter is that is has to have Bucky and Emily on it. Who do I face-claim as Emily? Anyone you guys believe looks like her description!

Please feel free to leave a review. Comments, questions, concerns, or conspiracy theories are always welcomed.