The Curse of Dr. Zola
Chapter 24
Life went on, and Mary and Bucky settled back into their routine. Another winter passed uneventfully. They worked on Mary's family history thru the long winter nights and Mary began filling some of the composition book pages.
Meanwhile, they started a separate journey for Steve and people he knew that might still be alive. That's when they discovered Peggy Carter was still alive and living in California. He wasn't sure it was a good idea to visit her; at her age it might be a total shock. But Mary pointed out that it had already been announced to the world that Captain America had been found; she probably already knew. Steve conceded the point and planned a visit when the weather got nicer.
Tony had very little time to do any research because he had his hands full already, keeping the peace. Pepper did nail him down once in a while to make sure he made good on his promise to keep in touch.
In the spring of 2012, they broke ground on a small cottage for Steve. Life was good….
Knock, knock.
Mary went to answer the door. When she opened it she saw a tall, black man with a patch over one eye standing there.
"May I help you?" She rarely got visitors.
"I'm looking for Steve Rogers. Do you know where I might find him?"
"Who's asking?"
"My apologies, ma'am. My name is Nick Fury; I'm the Director of SHIELD." He showed her his badge.
"He should be back soon, would you like to come in and wait?"
"Thank you." He followed her into the kitchen.
"Would you like some coffee or tea?"
"Tea would be just fine."
She got everything needed and they enjoyed some tea at the table, along with some cookies.
"So, what is Shield exactly?"
"We're a government agency. SHIELD stands for Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division."
"So, you're with Homeland Security?"
"We do more than just Homeland Security. Our job is to keep people safe."
"That's nice to know."
"You know, I didn't get your name."
"Ohmygoodness, I'm so sorry. I'm Mary Logan." They shook hands.
"So, then Steve lives here?"
"Yes."
"Is he your boyfriend?"
"Boyfriend? Oh no. I have a boyfriend. One's enough, thank you very much!" She chuckled. "They go out in the back and do workouts together. So, why are you looking for Steve?"
"I've come to offer him a job."
"Really? That's great. I'm sure he'd like doing more than chopping wood and doing landscaping."
"Is that what he does?"
"My boyfriend does that. Steve helps out. He has a list of clients and does landscaping, odd jobs, snow shoveling, whatever. It's not a business per se; he just does stuff whenever he's needed for our neighbors. It's pretty regular, but there are the occasional lulls."
The sound of the front door opening and voices told Mary the boys had returned. "Mary? Whose car is outside?" Bucky called.
"In the kitchen; Steve has a visitor."
Curious, they both walked in.
Steve recognized him immediately, but it was Fury's reaction to Bucky that got Mary's attention.
"Holy Mother of God, you're Sgt. James Barnes!"
There was a stunned silence. Everybody just froze.
Steve recovered first. "Director Fury."
"Captain Rogers."
"Are you here with a mission sir?"
"I am."
"Trying to get me back in the world?"
"Trying to save it."
Steve introduced Bucky to Fury. Steve assured Mary and Bucky that it was okay to tell him everything and they sat down to discuss the awkward situation.
Fury listened to everything and when Steve was done he sat back in his chair to process all the information.
"That's an incredible story."
"It's one I don't need blabbed all over the world either. I just want to live my life, marry my girlfriend, and be happy."
Steve also told Fury the things they found out about Mary; her grandmother, the accident, the theory of the policeman, and how upsetting this has been for Mary.
"We just want to know that Mary and Bucky can have a normal life together without the notoriety. I'll deal with the media, and all the nonsense. I didn't have a problem with that before I got involved with the war, I sure won't have a problem with it now."
"I can always arrange for Bucky to go into the witsec program."
"What's that?" Bucky leaned forward.
"Witness protection program. We can relocate you and….."
"No." Mary stated firmly. "I am not leaving my home! Bucky just needs papers; a social security number, a driver's license, so he can have a bank account, go to the doctor…"
"I can arrange for him to have a physical. We have the best doctors in the country; in fact, I think it would be a good idea. We can bring you aboard my Heli carrier and get you checked out, and you can come as well to keep an eye on him. Will that be acceptable, Mary?"
She nodded.
"Excellent! If you could give me a few days to arrange everything, I'll give you a call and send someone to pick you up. In the meantime, I'd like to discuss a mission with you Captain. Would you like to take a drive?"
Steve had a serious face when he returned. Bucky stopped him to ask what was going on.
"I'm packing up my stuff, and going with Fury. When the mission is over, I'll give you a call. You guys can meet up with me then."
"Wait, you're just going without me? I can help you, whatever it is."
Steve took Bucky aside. "Right now this is the place you need to be. Keep Mary safe." Before Bucky could protest further, Steve continued. "I am a part of SHIELD. I joined up when I came out of the ice. I didn't know you were alive, Bucky. Please stay here and keep Mary safe, ok? Please? You've got something wonderful here, don't lose it."
Bucky nodded, his throat feeling choked up.
Steve packed up and left with Fury.
Bucky stewed, but the frightened look on Mary's face, kept him home. She wasn't a soldier, Bucky knew that, but he wouldn't let anything bad happen to her.
A few days later, they both saw on TV what was happening in New York City, and Bucky went nuts.
"We have to get there! We have to Mary. He's my friend!"
"It's too far to drive! We're 2 hours away."
"Mary, can you fly us?"
"I…I…"
"I know it's a lot to ask."
"I don't know if I'm that good, Bucky. I've never flown that far."
"Will you try? Please?"
She looked at the anguish in his face and nodded. "Get dressed."
Bucky ran like a maniac to get suited up. Meanwhile, Mary donned just her Wicked Witch dress, and shoved some things in her pockets.
He tugged her arm as they ran outside.
"You are to drop me off, and get out of there! Do you hear me?"
Mary nodded.
"How do we do this?" Bucky looked at the broom she carried.
Her face was a mixture of confusion, fear, and uncertainty.
"Mary!"
She threw the broom down. "Turn around."
"What?"
"You're the broom! Piggyback style."
Bucky understood and turned around. She hopped on his back, locking her legs around his body, and took a deep breath.
"Hold onto my dress and brace yourself!"
She pushed at the ground until she got them into the air, and then rocketed them forwards.
She leaned forward, and yelled into his ear. "I can't go too high, I'm scared."
He nodded and held her dress tight around him.
As she pushed them, he glanced at the time ticking by. It was still taking too long, he knew it, but he wasn't going to tell her that. Then he got an idea.
"Head east to the Hudson, follow the river."
She steered eastward, and followed it to the city.
Bucky gathered her dress into one hand; with the other hand he risked pointing in the direction they needed to go.
As she pulled up, she felt the tension in Bucky's body rise. She lowered them to the ground as gently as possible, and as soon as she slipped down from his hips, he ordered her away. He bolted towards the fray.
Mary ducked as debris began falling out of the sky, and striking the pavement around her. She ran for cover as soon as she was able.
After a few minutes her fear for Bucky's safety won out, and she ran from cover towards danger.