Chapter 16: Clint's Farm - Front Yard
"Until Natasha is... until she's feeling better, I'll train you," Steve gestured to the sandbag he'd tied to a thick branch on the oak tree, "I don't know how Nat trained, but this is what I've always used. You punch with an open fist, like this," he demonstrated, "never a closed one. You'll just damage your own hand that way. Keep your hands up, arms straight, and feet planted firmly." Inessa adjusted her stance accordingly, "Now, before we start, you'll have to learn to wrap your hand."
Steve pulled a long strip of cloth out of his bag and held it up so Inessa could see. This was the part he was worried about. "It's to protect you from getting hurt, alright?" she eyed the cloth wearily, then nodded. The anger wasn't as strong anymore, and she was afraid. Her last incident- brought on by Bucky's arrival, she had been so convinced she was still in Astana. It didn't make sense to her, but she was afraid of that fear again. She'd been bound before- by Dennisson's guards. Steve could see exactly how this was affecting her, "Deep breaths, alright?"
"Three times around the wrist," he spoke softly and kept his movements slow. Inessa's eyes kept shooting all around, reminding herself of where she was, "spread out your fingers, good, three times here," she was holding her breath, trying not to shake. Steve glanced up, "Stay with me, alright?"
Dennisson's men- some of them- liked it when she fought back, but they'd wrap her hands, bending her fingers down and securing them with the cloth strips so she couldn't open her hands and every hit dug her fingernails into her own palms. This felt much the same. Inessa tried to summon up some of that anger to clear her mind, but she was having trouble focusing on both that and keeping herself grounded in the present. Someone touched her shoulder and she looked up. Banner took her other hand and held it
"Almost done," Steve wound the cloth around the back of her hand and thumb, "between the fingers," her hand was tense, the fingers locked in place straight out. Steve moved them to the side and secured the wrap, "this part is going to be tighter," he picked up the pace and attached the wrap around her lower forearm.
"All done," Banner released Inessa's hand and she let out the breath she was holding. Steve gave her a moment before quickly covering the other hand. With one done, the other wasn't as frightening. Steve showed her one more time how to stand, then let her loose upon the sandbag. It released the rest of the tension in Inessa. She still pictured the guards, but now they were the sandbag- trussed up for her to take a crack at for a change.
Steve left Inessa swinging and pulled Banner out of earshot- not that she was paying attention, "How's Natasha?"
"That's a Clint question, I have no idea. She's locked herself in the den. Tony says she's having JARVIS run just about every scan or test he knows. She's trying to figure out what the hell is going on. She doesn't believe this isn't a prank."
He sighed, "It's not, right? For sure? This isn't Stark trying to pull a fast one?"
"Honestly no, I don't believe it's a joke. If Stark found Nat's childhood photos, he wouldn't put together something this elaborate, he'd just blow them up poster-sized and wallpaper the farm or something."
"First something spins around our heads and makes us go nuts, now we get a mystery delivery with an impossible tape. Someone is making a play. It won't be long before we're at war again." Steve glanced around at the serene farm, took in the quiet and the stillness, "At least here there won't be so many civilian casualties. New York is probably glad we're not there."
Banner fidgeted, "On that note..."
"What?"
He sighed, "SHIELD has the name of a woman who might be able to help Inessa. She has experience with gifted patients, and she's willing to work with her via webcam on one condition."
Steve glanced back at Inessa, "Why do I get the feeling I won't like this?"
"You won't," Banner promised, "She'll only agree to treating her remotely if she can meet her face-to-face first."
"She wants us back in New York?" Steve rolled his eyes, "Great."
"Not just her. I told you you won't like this- Agent Skye, in contacting her, mentioned Bucky, and how he fits into Inessa's trauma. In light of that, she wants to see him too, get a clear picture of how they interact and what sort of condition Bucky's in as well."
"That's actually not a bad idea," Steve mused. "Everything he's been through- Bucky isn't right. Hasn't been for a long time. Maybe he should be seeing the lady too."
"Wow, I did not think you'd take that so well," Banner expected something resembling a Hulk-out from Steve on the issue.
He nodded, "The more I think about it, the more I like it. We can stay at Avengers Tower, train when she's not with the doctor, and Bucky's in a more contained location." All in all, Steve was feeling pretty good about the whole thing. It was a weight off his shoulders. "Who's coming and who's staying?"
"I'll take a poll, you'll know by lunch."
"Thanks," Steve patted Banner on the shoulder and returned to supervising Inessa's training.
Avenger's Tower
"Home sweet home," Sam stepped out of his Suit onto the balcony of Avengers Tower, followed by Steve, Bucky, and Inessa. Tony wanted to come as well- but he was needed back at the farm to keep an eye on the defenses and help Natasha in her quest.
"Nessie, you've got a room on the guest floor now. The one with the wolf on the door," Tony had chosen her logo before they'd stripped away her powers- now it just seemed like they were mocking her.
"Welcome home sirs, lady," JARVIS sounded as soon as Sam opened the balcony door, "I have notified Master Stark of your safe arrival."
"I'm sure he's been on the edge of his seat for the last half hour," Steve mumbled.
"Indeed, sir. Miss Inessa- Master Stark wishes for you to know that his laboratory here is at your full disposal. However, he asked that I caution you against any projects which may interfere with or in some way damage your implant. He will continue to monitor it closely via the house reader."
Inessa expected nothing less. She walked away from the rest of the group up to find the guest quarters. The group disbursed without idle chatter- Bucky to the training room, Steve to the library, and Sam- well, Sam came back with the troop to keep an eye on everyone. Inessa and Bucky may both be flight risks here, and Steve would need all the help he could get corralling them. Thor, Banner, and Tony were needed on the farm in case whoever sent the reel made some sort of attempt on Natasha. Someone needed to keep an eye on the three in Avengers Tower.
"A pissed off teenager, a master assassin, and a stubborn old soldier. Just like Thanksgiving at Nana's house."
"Hello Nadya, my name is Madelyn Pryor. How do you do?" the woman smiled kindly.
"I-Inessa," talking to a stranger was already proving too much- she didn't know this woman, didn't trust her, and when she tried to speak, it was as if someone glued her teeth together and filled her mouth with sand.
"No. Now I'm sorry, but the file SHIELD sent to me says 'Nadya', that is who you are and that is what I've been asked to help you remember." the doctor was stern, but that's what SHIELD paid for, and what she felt this particular case would require.
Inessa took a few deep breaths like Banner had taught her- a way to relax. She was able to speak only a little clearer, "Nadya... is gone. Not here."
"I don't accept that, I think Nadya is right here. Locked away perhaps, hidden behind something, but here all the same. Can you tell me why you think she is gone? What happened to Nadya Ryker?" After the third try Inessa gave up trying to get the words out. She just shook her head. "Your friends said you have been using sign language to communicate. You may use it here if you'd like. I can understand."
Nadya Ryker is dead.
"And she left Inessa to pay her tab?" Inessa frowned, confused. "When did Nadya die?" Doctor Pryor was a patient woman.
Five years ago.
"Not when the Avengers took her body back from Hydra? Or when she found her way back inside?"
Maybe. I don't know.
"So," the doctor signed and leaned back in her chair, "Nadya Ryker died, and how did Inessa come to be here?"
They gave me my name-
"-the Avengers?" Inessa nodded, "So, Nadya dies, and the Avengers create Inessa in her place?"
No-
"From what I've read, that seems to be the case. Inessa is something for the Avengers to craft, to mold. Nadya Ryker- now she made decisions, like any child. She decided what books to read, what people to speak to, how and when to use her abilities," Doctor Pryor leaned to the side and looked pointedly at the edge of one of the implant's prongs peeking around her neck.
No, it's not like-
"Who gave her the name Inessa?" Doctor Pryor purposefully referred to 'Inessa' as if she were separate from the girl sitting in front of her- a way to divide the two in the child's mind as well.
The Avengers.
"Who taught her to speak?" she held up her hands to clarify what she meant.
The Avengers.
"Who decides how she spends her days?"
Structure had been a big part of how Natasha and Clint intended to help cure Inessa's mind. Routine was the key to their treatment. The Avengers.
"Who decides how their Inessa uses her powers?"
The Avengers. Inessa was beginning to see her point.
"Who attached a remote control to Nadya when she showed initiative all her own?"
The Avengers.
Doctor Pryor smiled, "Hydra tried to turn Nadya Ryker into their creature. The Avengers, it sounds like, built their own person while Nadya was away. Shall we work together to flush out the intruder?"
Yes.
"Then let's begin." Damn but I'm good, she thought as she smiled, Sebastian Morris isn't paying me enough.
A different sentiment was crossing Inessa's mind- Whatever Hydra is paying you to push this bullshit, it's too much.
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