Chapter 13
Disclaimer: I don't own anything
It has been a week since Bucky Barnes arrived at the Avengers Facility and in that time everyone, including Tony who didn't really want to, has become worried about him as Bucky never leaves his rooms. Steve, and even Natasha have tried to get him to spend time out of them but he has been insistent. Bucky says that it is the only place where he can hurt anyone and because of that he won't leave.
It is near the end of breakfast time and Sam, Melinda, Clint, Natasha, Maria, Wanda, Pietro, Sam, Rhodey and Tony are just finishing breakfast together when Steve walks in and sits next to Melinda.
"Still couldn't get him to come out?" Rhodey asks when he sees Steve.
"No. I tried again, but he wouldn't." Steve says, it being clear that he is more than worried about his friend.
"Did he at least eat something today?" Melinda asks as she knows that Bucky hasn't really been eating which is something that is worrying Steve a great deal.
"Under protest." Steve says with a nod.
"That's good." Clint Comments.
"Not really." Steve says with a frown.
"You know maybe you should get someone to talk to him." Sam suggests.
"You mean like a Psychiatrist?" Steve asks and Sam nods, "Could you?"
"I'm not qualified, whoever talked to him would need to be a professional." Sam explains.
"Good luck with that." Tony say sarcastically, "It's not like there are many trained Shrinks who have enough experience with what we do to really be able to help him." Tony says and everyone has to agree with him.
"Melinda, didn't you say that S.H.I.E.L.D. is conducting Psychological examinations on gifted people? You must have a psychiatrist you trust." Rhodey comments, remembering what Melinda said on her second day at the facility.
"We are and we do." Melinda confirms.
"Do you trust them?" Sam asks, "Are they qualified for something like this?"
"I completely trust him and yes he is." Melinda confirms, Natasha, Clint and Maria all realise that this conversation is potentially about to get very awkward but at the same time they want to see where it goes so they don't say anything.
"Then you should call him, Bucky needs help." Sam says, before anyone else has a chance to say anything.
"It's my ex-husband." Melinda explains and a feeling of awkwardness takes over the table.
"That makes things slightly complicated." Tony says, amusement in his voice.
"Yeah it does. But Andrew is also the best, he helped me after Loki." Clint reveals. It took a lot to get him to go and talk to someone but after pressure from Natasha and Melinda he finally agreed to talk to Andrew and that helped him a lot.
"It's true. Andrew was the most qualified Psychologist that consulted with S.H.I.E.L.D." Maria confirms.
Ever since Melinda explained who the psychologist is she has been watching Steve and it is clear the he isn't sure what to think it is like he is torn.
"Captain." Melinda says and Steve turns to look at her, "How about we go for a walk." She suggests and Steve nods, so they both get up and leave without another word to anyone else.
"I would really love to be a fly on the wall for that conversation." Clint comments once Steve and Melinda are out of hearing range.
"You can be, if you want." Tony says with a smirk.
"No." Natasha, Rhodey and Maria say, it being clear that there is no way that they are going to let that happen.
It few minutes after Melinda and Steve left the cafeteria they are walking on the grounds and just like they have been since they left they are both silent, neither sure how to start the conversation that they have to have.
"You were married." Steve says, finally breaking the silence, he sounds surprised by that though he vaguely remembers Maria mentioning something about 'May's ex-husband' when he first talked to her about Melinda.
"Yeah, I was, for three years." Melinda answers.
"How did you meet?" Steve asks, it being the first thing he can think to ask.
"Through S.H.I.E.L.D., Andrew was a consultant on a case. We started to date not long after and after a year we eloped." Melinda explains.
"Eloped?"
"It seemed simpler at the time." Melinda explains, as considering she was still in the field she they couldn't plan a wedding because there was no guarantee that she wouldn't have to work.
For the next few minutes Melinda and Steve once again walk in silence, with every step it is clear that Steve wants to ask something but he keeps stopping himself.
"You can ask." Melinda says, "Whatever it is that you want to know." Melinda informs Steve.
"What happened?" Steve asks nervously, "Why did you divorce?"
"Bahrain." Melinda answers, "After, I pushed everyone away." Melinda admits, "And I couldn't be the person he deserved, so I walked away." Melinda explains, "I hurt him but it was better that way." She explains and Steve just nods, not sure what to say as he has a question, but honestly he isn't sure if he wants the answer so he doesn't ask the question.
Once more Melinda and Steve drift into silence, neither sure what to say so instead they just continue to walk.
"Do you think he would be able to help Bucky?" Steve asks after almost fifteen minutes of him and Melinda walking in silence.
"I do." Melinda confirms, "Andrew has a lot of experience with things like this. If anyone will be able to help Bucky then it will be him." Melinda says, believing that.
"Would he help?"
"Yes." Melinda confirms.
"Would you be okay with asking him for help?" Steve asks as he wants to do whatever he can to help Bucky but not if Melinda is uncomfortable with it.
"To help Bucky, yes, I would." Melinda says, meaning that, "Would you?" Melinda asks curious as she knows that Steve would do whatever it took to help Bucky, but she doesn't want to hurt him.
"Yes." Steve says, not entirely sure if he is telling the truth.
"If I can use a Quinjet I can go and get Andrew to help today." Melinda tells Steve, honestly she would like to get it over with.
"Of course you can use a Quinjet." Steve informs Melinda who just gives a nod.
About twenty minutes later Melinda has left in a Quinjet to go see Andrew and Steve has headed to the living area where he found Tony, Natasha, Clint and Maria.
"Where's Mel?" Clint asks curious when he sees just Steve.
"Just left on the Quinjet." Steve explains.
"May's seriously going to go ask her ex-husband to help her current boyfriends' best friend?" Tony asks, "Wow."
"That does make it sound pretty bad." Maria admits.
"It will be fine." Steve says, honestly not sure if he believes that.
"Wow, you're optimistic." Clint comments, honestly he is highly amused.
"I could have told you that." Natasha comments, honestly she knows that both Andrew and Steve are mature adults and can act like it so she isn't worried, though she does suspect that it may lead to a conversation that Melinda and Steve have been meaning to have for weeks.
It takes less than an hour to fly to Virginia and thanks to her connections Melinda is able to have a car standing by which allows her to drive straight to Culver University, a drive that doesn't even take ten minutes.
When she arrives back on Campus Melinda heads straight to Andrew's office where she discovers that he is in class for another fifteen minutes and so instead of going to his class Melinda just sits in his office and waits.
About twenty minutes after Steve walked into the living area Natasha is able to sneak out unnoticed and once she does she heads straight to Bucky's rooms as she wants to talk to him.
"Natalia." Bucky greats when Natasha walks it.
"I've told you, It's Natasha now." Natasha corrects for what feels like the hundredth time.
"I'm sorry, it's a habit that's hard to break." Bucky admits.
"Yeah." Natasha tells him, "You know Steve's worried about you."
"I know." Bucky says, "But everyone else is safe if I stay here, I won't hurt them in here."
"You're not going to hurt anyone." Natasha tells Bucky, "I know the Winter Solider, you know I do, and you're not him anymore, you're Bucky Barnes and Bucky Barnes wouldn't hurt anyone." Natasha says, knowing that, "Besides do you really think Steve or I would let you?"
"I know you wouldn't." Bucky admits, "I just don't know if I can face everyone, most people here I have hurt or tried to kill at least once."
"You're not alone in that." Natasha tells Bucky, "No one, not even Tony blames you, James. You should try to remember that."
"I don't know if I can. I can't risk it." Bucky admits.
"Okay, then you should know that Melinda has gone to her ex-husband who happens to be a psychiatrist, to ask if he would be willing to help you." Natasha explains.
"Are you serious?" Bucky asks, shocked about that.
"Yes. Everyone here is willing to help you Barnes, no matter what it takes. As hard as I know it is maybe you should think about letting us." Natasha says before walking out, leaving Bucky to his thoughts.
About twenty minutes after Melinda sat down in Andrew's office the door opens and Andrew walks in. Once he walks in Andrew walks straight over to his desk, not even noticing Melinda as he sits down and starts to flick through papers.
"You know you should really check a room when you enter." Melinda tells Andrew, and she can't hide her amusement as Andrew jumps in shock.
"I don't have any reason to." Andrew comments, "Though maybe I should start." He mutters, thinking that it could be a good idea, "What are you doing here, Melinda?"
"I need your help." Melinda says as she gets up and walks over to him.
"Of course you do." Andrew says, not surprised by that as it seems to be the only reason he sees Melinda these days, "So, what does S.H.I.E.L.D. need now?"
"I'm not actually working with S.H.I.E.L.D. right now." Melinda reveals.
"Really?" Andrew asks surprised, "Who are you working with?"
"The Avengers." Melinda answers and a look of complete shock appears on Andrew's face.
"The Avengers." Andrew repeats, it being clear that he is still shocked, "How did that happen?"
"Well when you dropped me off I went to have a drink with Natasha, and after more than one, I went back with her to The Avengers Facility because Clint was annoyed that Natasha didn't tell him that I was visiting and I haven't left." Melinda explains.
"That was five weeks ago." Andrew realises and Melinda nods, "How did Phil react to that?"
"He doesn't know." Melinda admits, "So I would appreciate it if you didn't tell him if he calls."
"I won't." Andrew assures Melinda, "So, the Avengers need my help?" Andrew asks, not sure what to think about that.
"Yes." Melinda confirms, "Captain Rogers childhood best friend, Bucky Barnes was believed to have died…." Melinda starts to say but Andrew cuts her off.
"I know the story." Andrew says and Melinda just gives him a look, "I've had to sit through Phil telling it a hundred times, I don't need to hear it again." Andrew informs Melinda.
"Right, of course." Melinda says, "Well it turns out he isn't dead, he survived thanks to the experiments that Zola preformed on him during the war." Melinda explains, "Hydra brainwashed him and they have been using him as their assassin for the past seventy years. He's got his memories back, but he's not okay." Melinda admits.
"And you want me to talk to talk to him to see what state his heads in and help him work thought what he is dealing with by talking it through." Andrew realises.
"Would you?" Melinda asks curious.
"Of course." Andrew says with a nod, "I'm guessing you would like me to come today."
"Yes." Melinda confirms.
"I can leave in half an hour, I've just got to sort a couple of things out." Andrew explains.
"Okay." Melinda says before returning to where she was sitting and sitting down once more.
After getting a call from Melinda saying she will be back in about an hour, with Andrew. Steve has headed onto the roof as it is one of the few places at The Facility where he can get some alone time.
"If you're trying to hide you're not doing a pretty poor job." A voice says and Steve turns to see Tony.
"I'm not hiding." Steve says.
"Really? It seems like it to me." Tony says as he walks over.
"I'm not, I just needed a minute." Steve admits.
"I take it Melinda and her ex are on their way back?" Tony asks.
"Yeah, they'll be here within the hour." Steve answers.
"And you're not sure how to react." Tony says, "I can give you some advice if you want." Tony offers.
"Don't listen to him." A voice says and Tony and Steve turn to see Natasha, "I wouldn't listen to any advice Tony has on this matter."
"That's insulting." Tony comments.
"But warranted." Natasha comments, "Look, Andrew is a good guy, and he and Mel were good together, but that was a long time ago. They ended things for a reason." Natasha explains, "They got closure and there is nothing between them anymore." Natasha explains and Steve just gives a nod.
Less than an hour after they left Virginia Melinda lands the Quinjet at The Avengers Facility and as Melinda and Andrew walk down the ramp Melinda isn't surprised to find everyone waiting.
"Nick." Andrew says completely shocked when he sees Nick Fury standing there as he still believed him to be dead.
"Dr Garner, it's good to see you again." Fury responds.
"Yeah." Andrew says, it being clear that he is shocked.
"Andrew you know Nick, Maria, Natasha and Clint…"
"Yes, it's good to see you again." Andrew greats.
"And I would like to introduce you to, Captain Steve Rogers, Tony Stark, Sam Wilson, James Rhodes and Wanda and Pietro Maximoff." Melinda introduces, pointing to everyone as she introduces them not that she really needs to, her eyes lingering on Steve even as she points to other people.
"It's a pleasure to meet you all." Andrew says, meaning that.
"You too, Doctor Garner." Steve says stepping forward, "Thank you for coming." Steve says, meaning that.
"Call me Andrew, and I'm happy to help." Andrew says and Steve gives a nod.
"Why don't Captain Rogers and I take you to Bucky." Melinda suggests, still not looking away from Steve until she has to.
"That would be great." Andrew says and he, Melinda and Steve leave the hanger.
"She didn't tell him." Clint says once they have left.
"What?" Pietro asks.
"Mel didn't tell Andrew about her and Steve." Maria explains.
"That's going to be interesting." Tony comments, amusement in his voice.
"Don't you lot have more important things to do than gossip?" Fury asks.
"No." Everyone else in the hanger say.
"So you and Phil didn't feel like mentioning the fact that Fury was alive?" Andrew asks Melinda as the two of them and Steve walk to Bucky's rooms.
"Couldn't." Melinda answers, "It needed to be a secret."
"Of course it did." Andrew says, honestly he wasn't sure what else he was expecting, "See this is what I was talking about, secrets will always be yours and S.H.I.E.L.D. 's first instinct." Andrew argues.
"It's a hard habit to break, but I'm trying." Melinda says, annoyed.
"Here we are." Steve says when they arrive outside Bucky's rooms, "Let me talk to Bucky first." Steve requests.
"Of course." Andrew says and Steve enters the room leaving Melinda and Andrew out in the hall, "So are things good here?" Andrew asks after about a minute.
"Yeah, they're really good." Melinda admits.
"Are you going to go back to S.H.I.E.L.D.?" Andrew asks curious.
"I honestly don't know." Melinda admits.
"Wow, either things are really bad at S.H.I.E.L.D. or really good here." Andrew comments, realising that it is a big deal for Melinda to be considering not going back to S.H.I.E.L.D.
"It's both actually." Melinda admits as the door opens and Steve walks out.
"He'll talk to you." Steve informs Andrew, though he's looking at Melinda.
"Good." Andrew says before entering the room, leaving Melinda and Steve in the hall.
"So, that's Andrew." Steve says after about a minute.
"Yeah." Melinda confirms.
"Did you tell him about us?" Steve asks, not being able to help his curiosity.
"I didn't see the point." Melinda says.
"Oh, I see." Steve says, the disappointment being clear in his voice. "I'll see you later, Agent May." Steve says before walking away and right away Melinda realise her mistake.
"I didn't mean it like that." Melinda says blocking Steve's path, "Andrew's my past, and I didn't see the point of telling him about us, because it has nothing to do with him." Melinda explains, "I like being with you Steve, I like us, whatever we are." Melinda says, completely meaning everything she is saying.
"What are we, Melinda?" Steve asks, needing to know.
"An us." Melinda answers, "I don't know the exact name for what we are, but I know that you're the first person in a really long time I've let myself truly open up to, and that doesn't scare me or make me want to run." Melinda admits, telling the truth and surprising herself by doing so, "You matter to me, Steve, and I want to see what we can be together." Melinda admits.
"So do I." Steve says and he and Melinda exchange smile.
"Oh come on, this is where you kiss and make up." A voice says and Melinda and Steve turn to see Natasha, Clint, Maria, and Tony. Tony was the one who made the comment, Clint looks like he is desperately trying not to laugh, Maria is trying and failing to look disapproving, and Natasha just looks amused.
"What do you four think you're doing?" Melinda asks as Steve blushes.
"Isn't that obvious?" Maria asks and Melinda rolls her eyes.
"We thought we would check to make sure you two are okay." Natasha explains.
"Are you?" Tony ask.
"Yeah, we're better than okay." Steve answers with a grin.
"Good." Clint says amused, "So Andrew and Bucky talking?" He asks and Steve nods.
"You're going to wait outside the door until one of them comes out, aren't you?" Natasha asks, realising that.
"Yes." Steve confirms.
"Then I guess we all are." Tony comments as even though he isn't completely okay with Bucky yet he does want to support Steve.
"Yep." Melinda, Natasha, Clint and Maria confirm and the group of six make themselves comfortable while still standing while they wait for news on Steve's oldest friend, even though none of them will admit it they are all incredibly worried about Bucky and hope for some idea of what is going on soon.