Sorry for the long wait, I worked on jinXed for a while and then I had trouble with this chapter. There's some medical stuff that I couldn't explain right but hopefully no one judges me too harshly. Seriously should only be one more chapter after this. So shout out time to those who favorited, reviewed, and followed Mirage: Regin, Jade-chan21, xXCuteMariaClaraXx, directojuliancesar, Shio-Sama21, princess moonlightgisaeng, PeonyFlowerLady, Misaki-Hime20, MYU-MYU (guest), tanakaL, juury, Queen Harley of F. U.N., mysterynotsolved, kaytplops, tselea, StarWarsandDisneylover, ptxl02 (guest), bribri1300, and guest reviewer who didn't leave a name. Also there's a lot of spoken Sokovian in here so that'll be what the italics are and mental Sokovian in in italic and underlined. Onward!
Wanda stood off to the side, leaning against a counter and very wary of touching anything in the large room. She was amazed at the drastic contrast when it came to the word Lab.
Tony's resembled more of a mechanic's garage than anything scientific. Sure he had computer screens everywhere but there was also grease, wrenches, and other various tools scattered about along with bits and pieces of machinery littered on nearly every surface. All in all, chaotic but she'd also seen Tony maneuver the room with startling ease and thus she figured he literally had a method to his particular madness.
But in this lab? Clean, no unnecessary clutter, everything in its place. Wanda had actually thought the lab was missing things but apparently Shuri was just organized. The large windows displaying the vibranium mines lessened the scientific feel but the fact remained that Wanda was still quite hesitant to touch anything or really set foot in such a room. She had never been good with electronics and Tony's system at the compound had made her fumble even more. But she had good reason for being here. And he was sitting down on a bench a few feet away from her.
During the journey to Wakanda Wanda had watched daughter and father get to know one another. They spoke in low tones, the Spanish words exchanged back and forth. It was a language that Wanda had wanted Jamie to learn but there had been no one to teach her as her existence outside of the team wasn't known. She was sure Natasha knew the language but considering she was already teaching her Italian it had had to be put on hold.
Not anymore. They started the trip with Jamie asking the translations of simple words like sky, leg, and dog. By the time they had reached Wakandan borders Wanda could hear the emergence of full sentences.
T'Challa had landed the aircraft at an outpost on the edge of the valley that housed the capital, smuggling them through the vibranium mines and sneaking into the palace through his sister's lab.
The new king had been generous, appointing them suites within his own wing of the palace to ensure they wouldn't be discovered. Each suite had its own sitting room with a spacious bedroom outfitted with an enormous bed and an attached bathroom with a Jacuzzi bathtub and roomy shower stall lined with beautiful tile. As she'd grown up in a war torn country and spent much of her time at the compound Wanda had been in awe of everything. But she didn't let that distract her. She had learned something very important from Steve while on their way to Wakanda.
T'Challa had offered to try and remove the Hydra triggers embedded in James' mind.
Hydra hadn't needed such words with Pietro and herself as their anger at Stark fueled them to willingly go along with everything but there had been the possibility after Wanda had gotten pregnant. She'd become defensive and rebellious but all they had needed to do was threaten Pietro and her unborn child to make her compliant. The tactic had also worked on Pietro. After Jamie's birth Hydra kept them apart, using the newborn as a reward system to the twins. With the emotional manipulation, they had never needed to plant triggers.
But due to James' unique mental state Wanda wasn't sure how they would accomplish this. She was sure she could help but she didn't think to ask James. Most people were wary of her and she didn't want to remind him of Hydra with her abilities. In the end she hadn't needed to ask. When T'Challa had said they would go talk to the doctors and Shuri James had requested Wanda come as well.
So here she was, eying Shuri's pristine laboratory and the three doctors along with Shuri and T'Challa standing across from James, a pair of Dora Milaje at attention behind the royalty. Jamie was back in the suite, being watched over by one of T'Challa's red-clad warriors that had experience with children, though she was sure the toddler would behave herself. Both her and James had agreed that she should stay away, at least for now.
One doctor looked up from her notes. "You have some concerns about the triggers in your head? The ones that brings forth the Winter Soldier?"
James didn't keep much eye contact with the medical staff, glancing mostly at Steve and herself. "Yeah, it doesn't actually bring out the Winter Soldier, they're just…reminders of what happened, of what could happen."
The three doctors were confused, glancing and speaking with Shuri. James glanced at Steve who gave a nod of encouragement but then he switched to Wanda, his expression lost. He didn't seem to know how to tell them and he was looking to her for some kind of guidance. She was the only one who knew about the Soldier, about the others. He would need her.
"You have to tell them. They won't be able to understand unless you explain it."
He grimaced at her. "I don't wanna upset Steve."
She glanced at the blonde man, who was looking back and forth between them. He had heard his name and was trying to figure out what they were saying. "He's going to be upset either way. You can first explain who the Soldier is, why he exists." He didn't look at her but he did frown at her words.
"Sergeant Barnes?"
Wanda noticed the group of Wakandans watching their exchange, the barest hint of concern forming on their faces. She shared a glance with James before speaking. "You are here to try and get rid of the triggers, correct? To remove the Winter Soldier from James' mind, yes?"
The three doctors all nodded, their faces earnest. Wanda looked over at her daughter's father who only gave a small sigh. He took her cue. "You can't. You can get rid of the triggers but not the Winter Soldier."
One doctor looked confused. "You want to keep Hydra's creation?"
James shook his head. "I want nothing to do with Hydra. But they didn't make the Soldier. I did. In a way. For protection."
Steve shifted his feet while T'Challa and Shuri glanced at each other. Two of the doctors were writing things down but the third was studying James, glancing at Wanda and back to the other man. Her confusion slipped away, understanding dawning. "You have DID?" The other two doctors perked up, eyes wide, a sense of understanding falling over them.
Steve took a step forward, concerned. "Hold up, what's DID?"
The doctor who figured it out answered. "Dissociative Identity Disorder, formally known as Multiple Personality Disorder. When a person experiences extreme abuse or trauma their psyche, in an effort to protect itself, fractures. In the process of fracturing other personalities emerge, created to protect the host. Those personalities more often than not will take over during the abuse or trauma, absorbing the pain or shame instead. Sergeant Barnes, are you saying the Soldier is a personality of yours?"
James looked down at his feet. "Yeah. There were others but he was the last created and the only remaining one."
"How many others were there?"
Wanda thought back to the clash of voices that she'd heard the first time she used her telepathy on James. She'd been confused but once she had become an Avenger and relocated to the States she'd looked up what it could have meant. That was how she'd found out about the disorder. He must have also researched it when he'd escaped Hydra.
"Including the Soldier, four. Ada, Vinny, and Claire. When…when they started trying to wipe me, I took what memories I could and tried to bury them, to keep them safe. That's what the base of Vinny and Claire were created on. Vinny was everything from around my teens right up until I fell. Claire, she was based off my childhood. Those memories were locked into those personalities. Vinny was around the age that I fell and Claire was roughly seven or eight."
One doctor wrote down a note. "What of Ada and the Soldier? What was their base, their purpose?"
James looked uncomfortable but he blew out a harsh breath and kept going. "Protection. Ada, her age was somewhere around nineteen, twenty; she would take over when things got bad. When they tortured me. And the Soldier…there was only so much Ada could take. At some point it got to be too much, even for her. The pain would start leaking and Vinny tried to block what he could. Me and Claire were last. Hearing the screaming of a little kid was too much. When the Soldier emerged Hydra thought they'd succeeded."
"Why?"
This question came from Shuri and Wanda replied before she could stop herself. "Because the Soldier did whatever it took to keep James and the others from feeling pain, from being in danger. Even if that meant hurting or killing others."
James nodded, the room silent as they absorbed the new information. Finally one of the doctors spoke up. "You said the Soldier is the only personality still present?"
Her child's father nodded. "The others faded in the past two years, but considering how many people there are after me, I don't think he'll ever leave. He was meant to protect, that's his mission."
The doctors made notes, speaking amongst themselves and with the two royalties in the room, letting the visiting trio talk to each other.
"So who did I meet in D.C?"
Wanda could tell Steve was trying to wrap his head around the idea of multiple personalities in one person, let alone within his own friend, but she had to admit she was curious. She had only ever met the Soldier and James, although she'd heard the others in his head.
Steel blue eyes turned thoughtful. "The roof top and highway were the Soldier. The Insight helicarrier was mostly the Soldier and then Vinny, right toward the end. He recognized you. But I was starting to wake up right before you fell off the helicarrier."
Steve nodded, looking thoughtful but James was now staring at Wanda. The Sokovian raised an eyebrow. "Yes?"
"You're not curious?"
She shook her head. "No, I know who I met. With my scarlet I could tell."
James hummed at her answer. A throat clearing had them turning to the Wakandan group, watching them with a bit of caution. Wanda grew tense. One of the doctors spoke softly. "Sergeant Barnes, you said the trigger words are reminders? For the Soldier?"
James wrung his hands. "You can say they're incentives. If you don't complete the mission, this is what happened, what will happen again. Each word a different torture. Like Wanda said, the Soldier would do anything to keep that from happening to us, to me."
The doctors nodded, talking amongst themselves before one asked what Wanda was hoping they wouldn't. She knew where it would lead. "Sergeant Barnes, is it possible for the Soldier to come forth without the words?"
Steve straighten at the question, a frown pulling at his lips. Wanda could feel the worry pouring off him. She shuffled closer to James.
"Yeah, it's only with the words that he completely takes over. My mind…with the others, it's almost like a house. There's a large space, kinda like a living room with a wall of glass, looking out into the real world. Along the back wall there's four doors leading to our own specific spaces, like a bedroom or whatever. Anytime one of the others took over, they would be in the living room while the rest of us stayed in our specific areas. But the Soldier, he never got a room. He stayed in the living room but in a far corner, always watching, on the look out." James looked up, taking a glance around the lab. "He hears what I hear, sees what I see, whatever's in my peripheral. Sometimes he'd talk to the others or whoever's in charge at the time. But he's always there. That way if something happened, or he saw something we didn't, he would take over. The rest of us would be sent away, almost locked in our rooms so we wouldn't have to see what he had to do."
"So right now he knows what's been going on?" Shuri was curious, her mind a hive of activity to Wanda.
James nodded. "Yeah."
The doctors spoke amongst themselves for a second, just long enough for James to search out Steve and herself. Steve was proud, she could feel it, and she graced James with hopefully a reassuring smile.
"Sergeant Barnes, to best monitor the change and the effect the words have on your mind, would you be comfortable with two scenarios, one having the Soldier coming forth willingly and the other using the words to bring about the change?"
Wanda tightened her fists, uneasy putting James through that. She knew the willful change would not hurt but it was the words that frightened her. But it wasn't her decision to make. If James wanted the words out, they needed to know exactly was happened in his mind to cause such a shift. But there were other elements she was worried about.
"To monitor him, how do you mean?" She didn't want them to stick anything on his head or put him in a tube to study his mind.
Shuri seemed to know her thoughts. "Nothing invasive. My lab is outfitted to take scans without having to physically bother the patients."
Wanda was somewhat satisfied but she couldn't help the worry curling within her. Steve's own fear didn't do her any favors. Nonetheless she looked over to James as he had the final say.
He was silent for a few seconds, his hands wringing themselves before he took a deep breath and let it out. "Okay."
The doctors and Shuri came to life and Wanda's worry grew at the activity but she tried to hide it as James looked up at her and Steve, skin a bit pale.
"It'll be fine Buck."
Wanda wished she could have Steve's hope, his optimism, but she couldn't help the wariness as the doctors and Shuri began poking at different screens, getting ready no doubt.
"Does it bother you?"
Wanda turned to James. "What?"
He pointed at her arms, crossed over her chest and the one hand that was pressed against her lips, swiping her thumb back and forth across her bottom lip. He'd deduced one of her nervous habits. "Being in the lab?" He took another glance around the pristine area. "Does it bother you?"
She caught herself mid-swipe. "I know it's different, not the same, but there are times when I get flashbacks. Just for a second. One of the reasons I avoided Tony's lab when I could."
He nodded. "You don't have to stay for my sake, if it bothers you."
"Does it bother you?"
He hesitated, his adam's apple bobbing slightly as he swallowed, looking down for a second. "It's unnerving."
"Then I'm staying." Her answer was swift, precise, sure. She wasn't going to leave him to face the doctors alone.
"Sergeant Barnes, we're ready whenever you are."
Wanda tensed as James turned to Shuri, nodding before he stood up. Wanda flared her scarlet, just the slightest, to read the room. The doctors and Shuri were somewhat excited, no doubt the urge for knowledge the driving force. She'd been around Tony enough to get the same sense from him when he was on the cusp of a discovery. T'Challa was wary, as it was his sister involved, inching closer to her side. Steve was nervous but with a worry tint to it. She could understand that. As for James? He was a mass of nervous energy mere feet from her, anxious being the center of attention.
And suddenly it all disappeared.
The physical change happened a split second after, Steve next to her fidgeting when he also noticed. Both James and Steve were tall men, over six feet, but while Steve always stood at his height, James tended to hunch slightly. She'd noticed it on the trip to Wakanda. With his scruffy appearance he tried to avoid being intimidating, which included curling in on himself so he wouldn't tower over people.
The Soldier had no such issues. He used every bit of James' height, standing straight with fists clenched as sharp eyes did a quick inventory of the room. Exits and entrances, T'Challa, the female bodyguards, the doctors, Shuri, Steve behind him a little to his right, and turning to her on his left. She'd noticed how critical his eyes had been as he scanned the others but when he got to Steve, the stern look lessened a bit, studying the bruises and cuts scattered across James' friend's face.
She got the same treatment, though his expression was near soft, at least for the Soldier. Right up until he saw the edge of the bruise that covered her chest peeking out at the top of her shirt collar. His lips tightened into a quick frown before he turned back to the room, gaze hard at T'Challa for a split second.
One of the doctors, the woman who had figured out James' mental health, took a step forward but the alter didn't seem threatened by her. "Hello Soldier, I'm Doctor Mayosi. It is our understanding that you are one of James' alters, his last remaining one. Is that correct?"
Wanda watched as he glanced about the room again. "Yes. The others have faded, I remain." His tone of voice was similar to James' but there was a deeper quality to it, more gravelly and monotone.
"Do you mind my asking of why you remain?"
The Soldier fidgeted, shifting his weight slightly. Wanda noticed how he faced the others but kept his back to her and Steve, standing between the two groups. "I still have my missions."
The doctor's tone was even, conversational. "What are those missions?"
The answer was immediate. "Protect Jamie Barnes, protect Wanda Maximoff, protect James Barnes, protect Steve Rogers."
Wanda wasn't surprised to hear Jamie's name first. She was the same way. Her daughter came first, always. She was however surprised to hear her own name held above James'. In hindsight it made sense considering what happened those years ago, she just didn't think he remembered.
Wanda could sense Doctor Mayosi's curiosity. She must have caught the specific wording. "May I ask, is there significance to the order of names?"
For a second it seemed like he wouldn't answer but he did, his voice steady. "My existence is to protect James Barnes, however he asked that Jamie Barnes take priority. Steve Rogers is James' best friend, but he is fully capable of defending himself post serum. Wanda Maximoff is also capable of defending herself, however, she was a mission assigned to me. Explicit instructions were that she take priority over James Barnes."
The group was surprised by this admission. Wanda could see Steve glance over at her, speaking for the first time since the Soldier made his appearance. "Who assigned the Maximoff mission and when?"
Wanda knew Steve was thinking about Hydra. But no, they had had a different mission regarding her.
The Soldier took a quick look at Steve before turning his attention back to the Wakandan assembly, keeping them in his sights. "James Barnes, over two years ago."
All at once the whole group turned to look at Wanda causing her to fidget under their stares. Steve knew she'd been with Hydra before Ultron, but she wasn't sure if the others knew she'd once been an enemy of the Avengers.
Shuri, ever curious and innocent, looked like she was gonna ask how James and her had known each other. Which was something she didn't want to reveal. Not until James knew properly himself and only if he wanted others to know their history.
"How did James and Wanda–"
Luckily there was a chirping sound that rang out, cutting off the princess' question. Wanda let out a breath as the room's attention went to one of T'Challa's bodyguards. She watched as the woman's bracelet lit up and some kind of hologram appeared in her palm, speaking in the Wakandan language. The technology looked far more advanced than Tony's, she wanted to smirk thinking of his reaction to such a thing. Wait…that looked like the woman who was watching Jamie.
The bodyguard, which Wanda was sure was called Okoye, seemed surprised. She frowned at the image, muttering a few words, her eyes lifting up to met Wanda's across the room. The Sokovian mother's fear skyrocketed.
She walked toward the group, the Soldier her shadow as he strode silently next to her. "What's wrong? Is it Jamie? What's wrong with Jamie?"
Concerned Steve joined them as they awaited answers. Okoye continued to talk to the caller but T'Challa looked up at them. "Your daughter has somehow disappeared."
Wanda's heart seized. "What!?"
"How? What happened?" The change was so swift she hadn't even noticed. James was at her side, the concern and protectiveness gushing out of him.
T'Challa returned his attention to the hologram but he continued. "She grew bored and wanted to see both you and Sergeant Barnes but she was told she needed to wait. Ayeko remembers nothing. One second your daughter is standing before her, demanding to see you and the next she is alone in the room, the child gone."
Wanda's breath came in pants, the panic seizing her. What if someone saw her? They were suppose to be in hiding, they couldn't be caught in the king of Wakanda's palace. Wanda's scarlet flared through the lab, surging through the walls as the red mist sought out her daughter.
"Mama! Mama, can you hear me! Where are you?"
Wanda gasped, Jamie's internal monologue catching her attention. She was heading toward them, in the hallway outside the lab one floor above. At once both super soldiers looked up the spiraling pathway, no doubt hearing Jamie as she got closer.
Her father took off, sprinting up the ramp with Steve a few seconds behind while Wanda manipulated her scarlet, launching herself up and reaching the second landing where the hallways began. James fell into step next to her, Jamie's godfather marching behind them. Below she heard T'Challa bark an order and more footsteps rushed up the ramp.
They'd only turned one corner when curly-haired Jamie came walking into view, her attention on the blue walls covered in Wakandan script.
"Jamie!"
"Jamie!"
Wanda's voice echoed in the small space, James' own relief laden call blending with hers. The Sokovian rushed up, collapsing to her knees and wrapping her arms around Jamie in a tight hug.
"Mama what's wrong?"
Wanda didn't speak for a second, just breathed in her daughter's scent to reassure herself. Jamie was fine, she was okay. On her right James crouched down and Wanda was surprised by how much his presence was such a balm for her. But she knew why. If anything or anyone had hurt or taken their daughter, James would not have stopped until she was recovered and those responsible were hurt or possible killed. That was fine with Wanda. They would know the wrath of the Winter Soldier and the Scarlet Witch because she would be right next to him, wreaking havoc on anyone who hurt their child.
She finally let go of Jamie, slumping against James as he reached out and tucked a loose curl behind their daughter's ear before he pressed a kiss her head.
"Daddy, are you okay? What's wrong with Mama? And why does Uncle Steve look funny."
Wanda let out a shaking laugh, turning around to see Steve with a concerned yet relieved expression that he was trying to hide with a smile but it ended up looking like an ugly grimace. Behind him was T'Challa and the others but they were several respectable feet back.
She turned back around to see James smile at Jamie despite the tightness around his eyes and corner of his lips. "Oh Jamie, Uncle Steve always looks funny."
Jamie grinned and giggled, matching James' own mischievous smile as she glanced behind Wanda and James to the aforementioned man.
Her father took a breath. "Me and Mama were scared because you disappeared from the room."
Jamie's grin died away and Wanda turned her slightly to meet her eyes. "Jamie, why did you leave the room? We were going to come back."
The toddler looked at both her and James, then glanced behind them at their audience. She looked down, giving a shrug as she played with her shirt. While Jamie was highly intelligent, she had her moments where she somewhat acted her age. Like now. Glancing back at Steve, she didn't need to say anything as he was already nodding and turning to corral the Wakandans back down to the lab, leaving the trio alone.
Once it was all quiet James tried this time. "Jamie, we wouldn't have left you. What happened?"
Wanda watched, heart wrenched as Jamie looked up at her father, her eyes gathering tears as she shakily spoke. "I-I got scared."
Wanda bit her lip, trying to calm herself. "Of what Baby? You know me and your father and Uncle Steve would never let anything happen to you."
Jamie shook her head, hair swaying with the motion, her little lips shaking. "Not me. I was scared someone took you and Daddy away."
Wanda cooed at her daughter, trying to calm her. "Oh Jamie. Why would you think that? We're not going anywhere."
For some reason the dam broke. Jamie began crying earnestly as she spoke quickly. "The lady wouldn't tell me where you were or that I can see you and I got scared. Uncle Pietro said they would take you away. That's what everyone was yelling about when you were reading that big book. That they would make Uncle Tony and Uncle Rhodey take you away and take me away. I don't want them to take me away from you. I wanna stay with you and Daddy and Uncle Pietro and Uncle Steve. I don't wanna go! And then they wanted to hurt Daddy but they can't Mama, he just got here. I don't want them to take him away."
Wanda brought Jamie into another hug, rubbing her daughter's back to calm her but also to keep her from seeing Wanda's own tears. It seemed Jamie was developing some sort of mental ability, that was the only way Wanda could explain how she'd gotten past the Dora Milaje watching her but also how she knew about them fighting over the Accords. She'd used her scarlet to block the sound but she'd must have listened in somehow on one of the others.
James, after having tensed up when Jamie had talked about Tony and Colonel Rhodes separating them, finally relaxed, wrapping his arm around Jamie's back and kissing her head. "I promise, Jamie, that I won't leave you. And I'll fight back if someone tries. I promise to make sure Mama won't be taken either. I'll do all I can to protect us, okay?"
Wanda knew she should say something. Berate him for promising Jamie such a thing. There was no guarantee he could do it. But she didn't care. Jamie had settled down, basking in the knowledge that her father would protect her family and, honestly, Wanda also relished the vow. She had another person who would fight to keep them together. She pressed herself a bit closer to James, trying to let him know she appreciated it.
"Okay, Daddy." Jamie paused for a second before she spoke again, this time sounding curious. "Daddy, who's that?"
Wanda paused, feeling James pull away to properly look at his daughter. She found herself doing the same, gaze bouncing between the two Barnes'.
James glanced at Wanda for a second before returning Jamie's questioning expression. "What do you mean Jamie? There's no one else here, Uncle Steve took everyone downstairs."
The chestnut-haired child shook her head. "Not them." She reached a hand out, going slow and gently brushing against his temple. "Him. The one talking to you in there."
This time James' glance at Wanda was wide-eyed, startled and slightly panicked. She felt the same. Jamie was developing mental abilities, but unlike herself the toddler didn't visibly show it. And she had heard the Soldier in James' head.
Licking her lips Wanda looked to the man on her right but he still seemed panicked and certainly speechless so she continued, speaking slowly in case he didn't want her to tell their daughter. "Jamie… do you remember what I said? About the people who hurt your Daddy?"
Steel blue eyes narrowed, her lips set in a frown. Jamie always reacted this way whenever someone brought up what happened to James, protective of her father. "Yeah, the Hydra people hurt Daddy really badly and made him do bad stuff."
Wanda nodded, glancing at James who was now trying to curl in on himself. She pressed herself against him for a second, in both silent protest but also reassurance. "The man you're hearing in Daddy's head is someone who protected him when Hydra would try to hurt him. Your Daddy would go asleep while the other man made sure he couldn't feel the pain. He made sure your Daddy could come back as himself, as Bucky."
Jamie was quiet, eyebrows furrowed as she thought. "So the man in Daddy's head protected him from Hydra? So he could be Bucky and Daddy when he came back?"
Close enough, Wanda would have to explain more when Jamie got older but she felt this was a good first step. "Yes. He protects Daddy but also you and me."
Jamie's eyes lit up. "Really?"
She nodded. "Daddy asked him to protect us."
Jamie smiled, looking to James. "Daddy, can I meet him?"
Wanda looked over at James, gauging his reaction. He'd said that the Soldier was protective of Jamie and the Soldier himself had said one of his missions was to protect their daughter and herself.
James looked unsure, eyes searching out the Sokovian, deferring to Wanda for that particular request. "As long as your Mama is okay with it."
The toddler turned to her, eyes wide and begging. Wanda wasn't sure why she was trying this tactic. It had never worked on her; although Pietro, Steve, and Sam always ended up crumbling immediately. But she didn't see the harm. It might even be good for them to meet in a controlled environment with no stress. It would also help with the scans no doubt.
"I think that should be fine."
Jamie cheered, grabbing at Wanda and James' hands, pulling them toward the spiraled ramp. Wanda easily kept up, glancing at the elder Barnes next to her. He was worried, she could see that, so when she caught his eye she smiled at him, giving a small nod. It seemed to help a little, some of the tension leaving his shoulders as they made their way down the ramp to the others.
The Wakandans had returned to their previous spots but Steve had posted himself at the bottom of the walkway, arms crossed and worry easing out of him. He was in the perfect position to run straight back up to them if need be but also make sure they had their privacy as a family.
"Salut oncle Steve!" Jamie let go of their hands when they were a few feet from the bottom, jumping and throwing herself at Steve. He managed to turn around in time to catch her mid-jump.
He smiled big at his goddaughter, returning her hug. "Salut Jamie."
She continued talking in French to Steve, James now joining in the conversation while Wanda kept going, walking over to T'Challa.
"Sorry about Jamie. The Accords have her tense. When she was told she couldn't see us she thought you had taken us away. As for your bodyguard, it seems Jamie has some sort of mental ability she might have used. I'm sorry for the trouble."
T'Challa smiled gently, shaking his head. "No trouble, she loves her family. She would do what she can to protect them. It is noble of her."
Wanda looked over, seeing Jamie had been transferred to her father, one arm around his neck while she was pointing at Steve, her lips smiling as she spoke. Wanda turned to the Shuri who was standing next to T'Challa. "Jamie noticed the Soldier and would like to meet him. Is that okay?"
The teenager nodded, the barest hint of apprehension. "That is fine. Are you okay with it Miss Maximoff?"
"Wanda." She corrected automatically, looking over at her small family. "Yes, I have no worries."
With that everyone was back in their places from before, although Wanda was now sitting on the bench James had previously sat on, the little child placed on her lap. Steve, in his worry, stood on her right with a few feet between them. Wanda was sure he was trying not to look like a threat to their daughter but also be there in case something happened and he needed to get between James and herself. The man in question stood in front of them, facing the Wakandans with clenched fists.
Like before Wanda watched as James, with tucked shoulders in an attempt to make himself look as none threatening as possible, sent her and Jamie a wary glance before he turned to look at the Wakandans. The change was immediate and she felt the familiar aura of the Soldier as he held himself upright, using all of James' mass and height to his advantage.
"Ohhh…" Jamie seemed fascinated, squirming on her lap to be released. The Soldier of course caught the sound, turning to glance at the child. Wanda was sure there had been the faint curling of a smile when he laid eyes on Jamie.
"Mama, can you put me down?" Jamie was mystified, watching the person who had taken over her father's body for the moment. Wanda wondered if the toddler was sensing what she was when James had shifted, the two distinct auras swapping. She'd have to talk to her daughter when they had a moment.
She looked up at the Soldier, who watched her as she loosened her arms around the child. She nodded at him, confidant in James. He had given the Soldier a mission, to protect their daughter. She had nothing to be afraid of, at least when he wasn't being controlled by the words. But that was the reason for being here.
The Soldier returned the gesture but did cut his eyes to Steve. Instead of hostility Wanda watched as he titled his head slightly to the side and gave a faint jerk behind him. Steve stood a bit straighter and gave a sharp nod before walking forward and standing a little ways in front of the small family. Oh. The Soldier was asking Steve to watch the Wakandans. He wouldn't allow Jamie to stand out in the open, between him and T'Challa's group, thus trusting James' friend to watch his back. Interesting.
The Soldier did just that, turning his back and crouching down as Jamie came to a halt in front of him. She was no longer mystified, just watching the Soldier carefully, hardly blinking. Wanda hoped Jamie wasn't trying to read James' or the Soldier's mind.
"You protected Daddy?"
He gave a nod.
"And you protect me and Mama?"
Another nod but this time he added words. "Your father asked that I protect his family."
Wanda watched as Jamie nodded back, almost sagely. But then she squinted her eyes in possible slight confusion. "Wait, is Daddy's name your name or do have your own?"
It was such a random topic but Wanda wasn't surprised by the sudden change. Jamie tended to say things like this during important or serious moments.
"I have no name."
Jamie seemed scandalized. "Everyone has a name. I'm Jamie Barnes. My middle name is Milena, from my grandma. And Jamie because of Daddy. So what's yours?"
He shook his head. "I wasn't born. I just was. So I have no name."
Jamie seemed thoughtful. "What do people call you then? Mama and Daddy are Mama and Daddy but people call them Wanda and James. So what do people call you?"
The Soldier was quiet. "My designation is—"
Wanda frown. The word wasn't Sokovian but the Soldier had said it with a bit of a Russian accent. So it must be a Russian name. She mouthed the word as she'd heard the alter say it. Sulldot? Or perhaps Soledot? Or was it Soledat?
Jamie looked confused, repeating the same term before switching back to Sokovian. "'Soldier?' People call you Soldier?"
That was true, they had all been calling the alter that. James had never mentioned a name, always just Soldier. Apparently Jamie had a problem with it. She curled her lip in bewilderment before shaking her head.
"No. That's not a name. That's a…" Jamie paused here, slightly confused and seeming to think before she plowed forward. "…a noun! No, you need a name name."
Jamie's eyes furrowed and her lips twisted in thought, making little humming sounds under her breath as she rocked a bit back and forth on her heels. Wanda smiled at the sight. Jamie was going to actually name James' most feared alter.
Inspiration must have struck because Wanda felt the onset of joy before Jamie gasped, eyes lighting up as she smiled at the Soldier. "You can be Sully!"
Wanda let the smile she'd been holding back curl her lips. For such a personality to have the name Sully was funny yet sweet somehow. The young mother was sure she knew where her daughter had gotten the name from and she wasn't disappointed when Jamie kept going, smiling the entire time.
"Yeah, you're Sully and I'm like Boo. You're not furry but you're big and you look scary but you're just like Kitty so—" Jamie suddenly gasped, leaning around the newly christened Sully to point at Steve. "That means Uncle Steve is Mike Wazowski!"
Wanda couldn't help it. She really couldn't. She threw her head back, laugh echoing in the laboratory as she tried belatedly to muffle it with a hand to her lips. Steve as Mike Wazowski. She let out another laugh. The small Sokovian family had watched the movie a few months ago and it had been enjoyed by all three of them. And honestly, she could see the connection her daughter had made by naming the Winter Soldier personality Sully. Plus it shared the same first syllable as the Russian word he'd spoken.
"Sully?" The newly named alter repeated, trying it out Wanda supposed. Jamie watched him, smirk on her face and seemingly quite proud of herself. The young mother suddenly hoped the serious faced stand-in didn't upset her daughter.
"It's an acceptable designation. A…good name."
Jamie's grin widened and did something that had the whole room tensing. She lunged forward quickly, wrapping her arms around her father's body in a hug.
Wanda could feel the scarlet bubbling under the surface but she let it go when seeing Sully's face. He seemed confused, unsure about what to do with Jamie's gesture. It was oddly endearing. 2319! We have a 2319! Wanda grinned at the movie trivia that flashed in her head.
Wanda felt the barest of flares from James and Sully took whatever cue he seemed to give him. Slowly James's right arm came up and awkwardly patted the toddler's shoulder. She grinned at the display, but she also knew they needed to get more work done. She stood up and called to her child. "Jamie, come. I'll take you back to our room while Sully, your father, and Steve talk to T'Challa."
Jamie glanced back before giving Sully another hug, her arms squeezing the man again. "Thank you for keeping Daddy safe." She then turned her head and gave a quick peck to his cheek.
The alter's bewildered expression was once more endearing but also sad. No one had ever deemed or seen him as something other than dangerous, something to be feared when all he had done was try and protect James and the others. Until now. Jamie leaned back, looking a bit shy as she addressed the personality. "Sully, can I say bye to Daddy before I go?"
He nodded and Wanda felt the switch, one aura pulling inward while the other blossomed out. His aura was warm, his eyes blinking before turning soft and gazing down his daughter. James smiled. "Hi Jamie."
The chestnut-haired child answered his grin. "Hi Daddy. I'm gonna go with Mama back to the room but I wanted to say bye. But I'll see you again right?"
Jamie's concern was fair and James placated her with a gentle smile. "Yes, after we're done I'll come back. Maybe we'll take a look around if we ask T'Challa?"
Jamie nodded, slowly reaching up and hugging her father. "Bye, Daddy."
Wanda couldn't help the swelling of emotion in her chest, seeing Jamie and her father hug each other or the smile on her face when she saw James' expression as he hugged her back. Eyes shut, he seemed concentrated on absorbing his daughter's love for him as much as possible. At least that's what she did.
They separated, this time Jamie placing a delicate kiss to her father's lips. "Love you Daddy."
James responded, kissing her forehead. "Love you too Jamie. Now go with Mama, and behave okay?"
Jamie bobbed her head in agreement, running over and grasping Wanda's offered hand. The toddler turned to the familiar towering blonde man, waving at him. "Bye Uncle Steve."
Her godfather waved back, giving her a smile. "See you later Jamie."
Wanda sent Steve a smile before turning to James who was already gazing at her. "I'll be back soon."
He nodded and she turned away with their daughter, making her way back up the ramp, following the Dora Milaje that lead the way back to their suite.
Now that Wanda wasn't facing them she could let the worried frown return. When she came back they would be continuing to the next scenario. The words that would trigger Sully's protective mode. And she was terrified.
So yeah, there you go. For real should only be one more chapter. The next one kinda takes place during Black Panther so I'll probably place it in the crossover section. And DID really does exist. Let me know what you guys think! Hopefully see you soon. Peace out. -Mez
