The Nine Tailed Foxx

Chapter 6

((A/N: No, I haven't forgotten about my other stories. Just waiting on one muse to step back and let others have some time.

A wonderful thanks to my friend Lady Moonhawke, who is also my co-writer, co-conspirator, Idea tester, plot hole finder, monkey wrench thrower, and ghost editor.))

A disturbance in the force

Early January; Same Day, Different Location…..

Steve Rogers, stood with arms folded across his chest as he watched Bruce and Clint through the currently clear walls of the med lab. He wasn't sure what he was suppose to be feeling at the moment. Glad that another HYDRA base had been taken down? Disappointed that a person who could provide them with key information for that base had been taken from the FBI's custody? Or concerned that what was found within that base could be linked back to his still MIA childhood friend? Unfolding his arms, he reached up pulled his uniform's cowl off and tucked it into his belt. With both hands he rubbed his face tiredly before running fingers through his sweat soaked hair.

"A little on the disturbing side isn't it?"

Steve glanced to the side at his teammate, Natasha, before returning his attention to the med lab once more. "What part? The fact that we, the Avengers, have temporary custody of a four and a half month old infant that was found in a HYDRA base, the fact that Clint's really good with the baby and has been sidelined because of it, or that, according to the files Tony found, the baby is suppose to be Bucky's?"

Nat quirked her lips up just a tiny bit, her equivalent of a grin. "All of the above."

Steve shook his head then turned away, one hand on his hip as the other scratched at the back of his head. "Any news?"

A small shrug. "Some," Nat replied as she handed Steve the data pad.

Steve accepted the pad and started flicking through the information Tony had acquired after hacking the base's computers. "I don't get it. Why this fellow? There's nothing here to indicate that he holds any of the beliefs that HYDRA spouts off about. He wasn't their leader or even their second in command. The records indicate he's enhanced; Spatial Motum Awareness -"

"He can sense movement," Nat translated.

"- and Extreme Systemic resistance..."

"Ask Bruce about that one."

He waved a hand at the pad as he looked over to Nat then winced as an angry scream of an upset infant made it past the walls of the med lab. He turned, pad momentarily forgotten as he watched Clint started pacing back and forth, rocking the baby, soothing and calming him before leaving the med lab. "How…"

"Remember, he has kids. This is normal for him," she said with amusement. In a heartbeat she went from Agent Romanoff to 'Auntie' Nat as she walked over to Clint and the baby. Clapping her hands together, she grinned at the infant then held them out. "Hey there little man….do you want Auntie Nat to hold you?" she cooed before taking the baby. She followed Clint to the elevators, still speaking to the infant, but in Russian now.

Steve shook his head once more before turning away, data pad still in hand. He had reports to go over still. It didn't help that he was both dreading and looking forward to what the DNA verification would come back with. Though when (not IF) he got Bucky back, how would he explain to his friend that HYDRA had somehow managed to used his DNA to create a child? And for what purpose? Rubbing the back of his neck, he let out a gusty sigh. Too many questions and not enough answers.

A few hours had passed since Steve retreated to the small office he claimed for his own use. The row of filing cabinets against one wall seemed out of place when compared to the rest of the office's modern high tech decor, but fit perfectly with the personality of the room's occupant. The constant snarky comments and teasing words about hanging onto hard copies when there were more modern ways of keeping it having gone silent since last years fiasco with Ultron. He was leaning forward, head resting on his upraised fist as he steadily read through the reports. Occasionally he would stop and look up the terminology used, then jot it down in a notebook before continuing. A light knock on the open door frame drew his attention away from the reports to his visitor. "Bruce? What can I do for you?"

"I have the DNA results," the Nuclear Physicist turned team Doctor said, holding up a plain looking folder.

Steve sat back, closing the file he had been reading after marking his place. "I was under the impression it took weeks to get back the results from a DNA test."

Bruce chuckled softly. "Only takes a couple of hours at most to run the tests. Most labs though are backed up weeks, if not months, for DNA testing." He stepped further into the room, gently setting the folder down on Steve's desk.

"Ah. Thanks," Steve offered as he drew the folder across the desk to him. "Oh, Bruce?"

"Yes?" Bruce paused in the doorway.

Tapping the folder with his finger a few times as he decided on the wording he wanted. "What does… what is 'extreme systemic resistance'?" he asked. "Nat said I should ask you about it," he clarified.

"Systemic means system. Usually in reference to a body's circulatory system as part of the pulmonary system-," Bruce answered, going into lecture mode.

Steve let out a laugh as he held up a hand, "In english?"

"-of the…. oh.. um.." Bruce stuttered to a halt, pulling his glasses off and cleaning them. "Extreme systemic resistance, without more detailed information about what system it's related to, means it's very difficult if not impossible to affect the system in question."

"I see," Steve replied as he sat back in his chair. "Thank you Bruce. For both the answer and the rest results."

"You're welcome," Bruce replied before slipping away quietly.

Getting up, Steve crossed the room and closed the door. For this, he needed privacy. Returning to his chair, he sat down only to stare at the ubiquitous manilla folder. He started to open it then stopped several times before he took a deep breath. "Come on Steve," he spoke to himself. "You'll never know if you don't open it…" Finally opening the folder, he started reading the report.

Conclusion:

James Buchanan Barnes is NOT EXCLUDED as the biological father of Alexei Ivanovich Montrovnyah - 99.99%

When he was finished reading, he closed the folder then stood. With folder in hand he made his way over to the filing cabinets and selected one. Even though it looked old fashioned, it was in reality, high tech. Not only did it require a thumb print, but a passcode as well for each drawer. Pressing his thumb to the scanner then entering the code, the lock disengaged and he opened the drawer in question. Hanging folders stuffed full of everything from newspaper clippings to actual reports. A few VHS tapes, a magnetic tape reel and dozens of discs were carefully stacked at the back of the drawer. Selecting a hanging folder seemingly at random, he slid the DNA report into it. He closed the drawer and returned to his desk to continue reading the reports.