Bucky sensed the change in the air. When he first came here, he enjoyed the days of endless sunshine, but after a while, the experience became unsettling. The constant blue skies became almost boring after having lived so long in a place with four seasons and unpredictable weather. His friends accused him of lying, but after living here they understood what he meant. Now he spent his time preparing for the other extreme. Unsettled weather on the way, with lots of rain and wind, and not seeing the sun for days.
This meant doubling up on the work, Everything must be as waterproof as possible, the pens, and fences reinforced, the paths covered with pebbles to keep them from getting too muddy and all the food stores replenished. Bucky helped with the communal tasks and the work kept him so busy he had little time left to worry about Steve. His companion spent the bulk of his days at the Complex, enduring medical tests and scans and overseeing the team, but Sam stayed with him to keep him grounded. Even though Rhodey said he no longer considered his orders an issue, Bucky opted to remain in the village away from him in case some Security Council paper bureaucrat got picky about things.
He took a moment to relax by the lake observing new movements in the water. The shifting winds created a constant rippling effect across the normally placid lake and the restless fish jumped to the surface more than usual. Familiar footsteps cut through the sound of the ever increasing breeze, causing him to smile.
"Steve!" He stood up to greet him. "You're back early! How're things up at the big house?"
"The same," he said, giving Bucky a hug. "Everything's place. They've finally created a version of the super drug they're happy with, and Rhodey's eager to get on with the trials. T'Challa told the Security Council he's come down with a rare affliction and they're keeping him here because they can provide the best treatment. As far as we're concerned, he's telling the truth."
"That's funny. I hope they believed him."
"Doesn't matter. Ready for the change in the weather?"
"Yeah, not much more left to do," Bucky said.
"Good, because Shuri asked me, to ask you to come back with me. They confined Rhodey to the hospital wing. She wants to use this time to examine you. She thinks you're ready for your new arm."
Bucky sat back down to stare at the lake again, Steve joined him.
"It's time," Steve said. "And for the record, I want this to work."
"How are you doing?" Buck asked, his voice trailing off.
"No better, but no worse. About the same. As long as Sam stays beside me, bringing me back to the real world, I'm coping. I still see them... but coming back here every night, helps. After this is over, I'll get serious about everything. I promise."
Bucky considered his words and stared down at the sling. "Might as well. One less thing to worry about. When do they want me…?"
"This afternoon."
"That's quick!"
"No reason to wait any longer. If things are good to go, this time tomorrow, it might be over."
"I guess that means moving back up to the Complex, again."
"Not your favorite thing, we get it, but just for a little while. If you've got everything done here…"
"But we have to move back down here when the rain starts. You haven't lived until you've experienced monsoon season in a village!"
"So you tell me," Steve said. "I'm looking forward to it. Cooped up in the hut with you all day, and every time you go out you'll come back soaking wet…" he reached out to brush his fingers through his hair.
"Shut up!" Bucky said, pulling away from him but they both laughed. It took a few minutes for him to get changed. There was no need to take anything because, after their last adventure, they decided to keep their quarters on the hill completely stocked.
"Been almost a year since you came here," Bucky mused as they walked by the Battlefield. He stopped for a moment as he always did for his own small moment of reflection. They finished the memorials. Plaques and monuments dotted the area, one section portioned off, the place where Thor came hurtling to earth in a loud conflagration of light and thunder. The place where he lost and found Steve again. It would soon be time for the Dedication. He turned to face him but staring into space, his breathing uneven. Bucky walked around in front of him, doing his best to remember the things Sam had told him.
"Steve," he said. His companion's eyes came into focus. "Stay with me."
Steve took a deep breath. "I don't come this way. I usually go the long way around."
"If this is what happens, then you shouldn't be here. Let's go," he said, taking his hand and leading him the rest of the way.
They walked straight to Shuri's laboratory and her team went right to work. An assistant removed the protective cover, revealing the crimped wires and the scarred flesh. A holographic display showed the networking of sensors implanted along his shoulder and into parts of his brain. She poked at things with a small instrument. Bucky always trusted her expertise, never bothered her with questions but even he noted no alarms and strange warnings as before. After giving the sensors the all clear, a doctor took over, doing much the same thing as Shuri, poking at him and staring at the hologram but she concentrated the muscles and connecting tissues. The two moved over to a corner conferring for what seemed like ages, then turned as one with smiles on both their faces.
"We can proceed," Shuri said. "No sign of the virus and your tissues are healed. Tomorrow morning, right here. Zero Eight Hundred Hours."
"May I see the new one?" Bucky asked.
"Of course!" Shur said. They followed her into the next room to see the arm displayed in a metal container. Gold and black, not that much different from the last one.
"New applications, and a protective firewall, based on an idea of Mr. Stark's. This should never happen again. No more unexpected surprises."
"Sounds almost too good to be true. Maybe I should get infected more often if that means I'll always get an upgrade…" Bucky said.
"Trust me," Shuri said, taking his joke in good humor. "I'll never stop updating this, nor will Mr. Stark I suspect. He's fascinated by the procedure. He gave the impression everything was all his fault, but wouldn't elaborate."
Steve and Bucky exchanged a mutual glance. "It's something that happened before we came here, but none of that matters now," Steve said.
"Thank you for everything," Buck said, wanting to divert attention before Shuri could ask more questions. "And I'll be here, first thing."
The two of them walked back out into the hall. "Now what do we do for the rest of the day?" Bucky asked.
"Anything left to do down at the house?" Steve asked. "We could…"
A loud commotion around the corner interrupted him. The sound of running feet. Both men went on the defensive. Steve positioned himself in front of Bucky but they both relaxed when a trio came in sight. Clint and Sam accompanied by Ayo, a member of the Dora Milaje.
"Steve…" Clint gasped.
"What...is Natasha…?" Steve asked.
"Rhodey. Or Colonel Rhodes...or whoever the hell he is at the moment. His other personality took over, and he doesn't want to go gently. They barely started the treatment when he knocked a doctor out and he's holding a nurse hostage," Sam said.
"We had no warning," Ayo said. "He is threatening to harm him unless they meet his demands."
"And those demands are?" Steve asked. Bucky felt his heart sink.
"He demands to speak to the Security Council, for us to release the infiltrators that we have in custody, to charge your group with attempted murder and allow him to complete his mission, which is to leave and take the White Wolf back with him. I am here, to take the White Wolf, and yourself to a safe place. Mr. Stark. Doctor Banner and Agent Romanoff are waiting there. "
"Maybe if I talk to him…" Steve offered. "According to Bucky, the same thing happened with me, The other guy took control for a while, then I came back."
"He considers you... the enemy," Clint said. "And he thinks the Security County should hold you accountable for interfering with the Universe, or something."
"Damn," Steve said. He ran his hands through his hair. "I don't like running away and hiding…"
"No one does," Ayo said. "But for now, please, Captain Rogers, come with me. We will do our best to resolve this without physical conflict."
"I don't have a choice," Bucky said. Customs, law, like the President and the Secret Service. Got to do what she says." He lowered his voice. "Besides, I'm a little afraid of her."
Several young men, part of the security detail joined them. She led them down the hallways to a small room to join the rest of the team. They found Clint pacing, Tony sitting down and drumming his fingers on a small table. Natasha's appeared to be much the same, but more alert with Bruce beside her.
An image appeared in the air. The hospital room and the person they saw was not Rhodey but an unfamiliar yet familiar Colonel Rhodes, an angry scowl on his face. A woman was lying on the bed, and he held a young man in a chokehold and holding some kind of medical instrument close to his neck. The man appeared calm and did not struggle against Rhodey's hold.
"They have no right... no right to do this, to wipe us away. We have just as much right to exist as anyone else!" He said. The voice, the mannerisms, all of it familiar.
"That's Colonel Rhodes I remember," Bucky said. "I didn't miss him."
"He's not wrong," Tony said. "They are for all intents and purposes, alive. I can feel him, inside there, struggling." Steve and Bucky exchanged a glance.
Natasha looked down at her hands. "I see them," she said, her normally confident vibrant voice small, almost a whisper. "Everything she's done good and bad, in both lifetimes. She wants to live." Bruce covered her hands with his. She looked up at him to give him a weak smile.
"So did Steve," Bucky said. "But he went back into hiding, of his own free will."
"What's the difference, between you and the rest of us?" Tony asked, his question directed at Steve. "How are you able to keep them apart? Is it because of him?" He pointed to Bucky.
"Maybe," Steve replied. "I honestly don't know. I'd share if I knew…"
"I think it is, but not in the way you might think. It's could be... the PTSD," Sam said. Bucky's hand went over Steve's. Sam shrugged by way of apology. "They asked what was different."
"What PTSD?" Bruce asked. "You didn't tell us anything about this…"
"It's about him losing Bucky, over and over," Sam said. "Not just losing him, but being forced to stand back and see him disappear, right in front of him. It happened again on their trip through the cosmos… just one time too many. He's having flashbacks, panic attacks. He's ok as long as Bucky's around, or me. I'm doing what I can, my best to keep him grounded in the real world."
"You've hidden it well," Tony said. "And you, Steve Rogers, falling victim to something that affects us, mere mortals?" Tony's words had a stinging tone to them, Bucky came close to defending Steve, but reminded himself that Tony wasn't in the most stable of places and yelling at him wouldn't help.
"Maybe... that's created a mental barrier in his head or something. That could be what's different." Bruce got up and paced around the small room. " Guys, I'm worried. I know what's in your heads and while I try not to think about it, it's always there. I can't escape it. What will happen when it's my turn? Who will want to live... Doctor Banner, or the other guy?"
Natasha jumped up to join him, showing the most energy she had seen in days. "Bruce, don't worry about that. If anything happens, we'll look out for you. We won't give up...I'm sorry. I've been so wrapped up in my head that…"
"Don't apologize. This depression, this isn't your fault…"
Movement on the screen drew their attention. A fine mist filled the hospital room and within seconds Rhodey dropped the instrument and passed out on the floor, followed by the young man.
"A harmless substance,' Ayo said. Security guards entered the hospital room, accompanied by medical personnel, all wearing light masks. They checked on the doctor and nurse, removing them from the room and placed Rhodey on the bed, this time with restraints. An almost invisible vibranium force field surrounded him.
A weird beeping signal came from behind the door to their own room and it slid open. On the other side stood another group of young men, security guards.
"We are very sorry, but we ask you to remain in your quarters until they can resolve this. That Colonel Rhodes returned, in a manner of speaking, and appears to be sentient, has given cause to concern and debate. Is it our place to eradicate these people, for convenience' sake?" She asked, not expecting an answer. "You will be allowed to communicate with one another," She continued. "White Wolf, there is no reason to delay your surgery. That can continue on as scheduled."
Sam's eyes flitted back and forth between Steve and Bucky. "So do I stay with Bucky, or do you need to stick with you?"
"Stay with him," Bucky and Steve said at the same time. Bucky almost laughed despite the circumstances."You weren't here when I got my first arm, and things turned out ok. You need to take care of the team. I'm a big boy. I'll be alright, and so will you."
Steve swallowed hard. "I don't like this," he said but his eyes flitted around the others in the room. "But he's right. What I need is for you to stay with Bucky until he's through the surgery."
"You sure?" Sam asked. "Cause I'm fine either way."
"No, There's no reason for him to wait any longer. My place is...here." Steve struggled with his words. Bucky noted Aryo observing the conversation. She always focused on her duty first but he noticed her eyes soften for the briefest of moments. She stepped aside. Steve looked around the room and took the lead, walking out with Bucky and they made their way back to their room. They both took a seat and for a long while neither of them spoke.
"You mad at Sam?" Bucky ventured. "They needed to know and Bruce might have a point…"
"I'm past that," Steve said. "And yes, Bruce might be right. Before they were just abstract ideas, not real people but seeing Rhodey like that makes me question everything. Colonel Rhodes is alive in there, somewhere and is it right for us to do what we are planning on doing?"
"I don't have an answer for you but one thing I can tell you, I'm glad you're back."
"No guilt about him?"
"Yes, plenty. And grief and questions about what I could have done differently, but he was the one who made the choice."
A knock at the door, surprising them both. They were not expecting visitors this soon. "Sam?" Seve asked as he got up to answer. Bucky shrugged his shoulders in response. On the other side stood an unfamiliar young man, not much older than themselves.
"Yes?" Steve.
"White Wolf," Their visitor said, nodding to Bucky according to protocol and displayed a warm smile. "Captain Rogers, I am Doctor Mvaba. I'm here to help you."