Chapter 12. Decisions and Consequences

Warning: contains sexual content which may be unsuitable for readers under the age of 18.

The success of the test was celebrated that evening with a bonfire, beer, scotch, and s'mores. People were giddy that there was now a possible solution to the Others. It had been destructive but if they could clear out the drier areas of the country then adapt the process to areas with more water it was possible to see the end of the occupation. Bucky sat on the ground, his back against a large boulder that he and Steve had carried in, with Jade curled up in between his legs. Ben sat cross legged on top of the boulder above them. Jade wore a sweater with Bucky's jean jacket over it but his body warmth also kept her warm as she nestled herself into him. Every so often they would kiss softly and people around them would smile at the couple. That they were crazy about each other was obvious, even to Stamets, who had stayed to enjoy the company of these unique people. He asked Strange if they were newlyweds and was surprised they had only known each other a couple of months. Just before 9 pm Wanda sent a thought message to Jade that she was heading to the garage. Jade answered back and a few minutes later kissed Bucky and excused herself to go to the washroom. His hand lingered in hers as she rose and she turned to look at him as she left the party. Quickly she made her way to the garage where Wanda and Strange were already waiting. Before she could say anything Strange looked severely at her.

"You know we won't be able to reverse this if you change your mind," he said. "I'm just the show but Wanda will be making serious changes to your brain to remove your gift."

"I know," said Jade. "As long as they can sense me they will find me. If it's not me they will latch on to the next false prophet. We have to break their faith so that they are never taken in again by a dangerous con man. I'm willing to give up my gift as I never wanted it in the first place."

"Are you sure you can live without it?" asked Wanda. "It's been part of you since you were a child. Even if you didn't actively use it was always there, guiding you, alerting you, comforting you."

"I have to," said Jade. "I'm tired of it. I'm tired of hearing other peoples' voices in my head and hearing their darkest thoughts. It weighs me down. Can you do it? Can you make it look like God is taking his wrath out on me for daring to be a false idol?"

Strange looked at Wanda and she nodded. "Yes, when do you want to do it?"

"Tomorrow, Saturday, provision run," said Jade. "Probably the last one for this Bunker if the Avengers take their show on the road.

Before she left Wanda placed her hands on Jade's face and head, seeing where her gift originated and where she could safely sever connections that would render her gift useless. When she was finished Jade went back to the common area and back out to the party, lowering herself close to Bucky again, receiving his welcoming kiss and leaning her head on his shoulder. She apologized for being late saying she heard Cherry nicker in the garage and went to check on her.

"How much longer are we going to stay out here?" she whispered. "I want you."

He kissed her softly. "Soon," he whispered back. "I want you, too."

About ten minutes later he whispered it was time and they both got up and said their good nights to everyone. Ben asked if he could sleep on Peter's couch again to which they readily agreed. As soon as they got inside the suite they ran to the bedroom and stripped down in a frenzy. Jade finished first and tackled Bucky onto the bed, straddling him before he could pull his jeans completely off.

"Pretty slow for a super soldier," she said, looking at him.

"Maybe I let you win," he replied. "I might have planned to have you sit on me exactly like you're doing right now."

He pulled her down so her face was close to his and kissed her, pressing his lips hard against hers. Then he rolled over so he was on top. Stepping off the bed he finished pulling his jeans and briefs off while keeping his eyes firmly locked on hers. He laid on top of her again and looked softly at her, running his fingers through her fine hair and kissing her again, his lips open to hers. Grinding himself into her he switched his lips onto her neck running them over her skin as her breathing changed every time he made a pass. Her hands were all over his back and bottom. Then she breathed heavily into his ear and he felt himself rise sharply, a small yelp coming from her as she felt him poke her. Smiling he moved down between her legs, opening them and kissing her there before exploring her with his tongue. She writhed under him, and her small sighs grew louder as he found those special places that were pure pleasure to her.

"Bucky," she groaned.

He guided himself into her, pressing in as far as he could before starting his rhythmic motion. Her body was in motion as well, matching his tempo and pressure. With her legs wrapped around him her gasps were loud and expressive.

"Touch yourself," he gasped. "I want to see you."

As if she was in a daze she ran her hands through her hair, watching him through half-lidded eyes. Slowly she ran her fingertips over her face and down her neck. Then she touched her breasts, gently at first, cupping them and massaging them, then roughly as her own arousal took control. Bucky gasped loudly when she played with her nipples. Then she moved one hand down her abdomen to find her clitoris and Bucky suddenly grabbed that hand and held it above her head with his prosthetic hand. She moved her other hand to it so he could hold them both down and he lowered his weight onto her thrusting hard as he ground into her pubic bone. Suddenly her gasps turned into cries, and she struggled against his hand as her body writhed with the pleasure coursing through her. Releasing her he kept thrusting for another minute before coming with his own cries of pleasure that Jade rewarded with kisses on his face and neck. Their lips met in a gratified union of touch and taste.

"I love you," he whispered.

"I love you, too," she whispered back.

Excusing himself Bucky went to the bathroom. When he returned Jade was lying on her side and he curled up behind her, her back pressed against his chest, while his arms enclosed her. He spoke to her but her voice, when she responded, was heavy with drowsiness so he let her fall asleep in his arms and he decided to put off his proposal once again.

The next morning, she was already in the shower when he awakened, and came out wrapped in a towel. She smiled broadly at him, leaning forward to kiss him good morning. When he tried to pull her back into bed she danced away from his hand.

"Provision run," she said. "Likely the last one before you Avengers take off to save the world."

"I should go," he said, starting to rise.

"No, stay in bed," she said. "I'll be okay. I've got Peter, Steve, Clint, Scott, and Maria. Peter is going to drive because they need you here."

"The kid?" laughed Bucky. "I'm surprised Steve will let him. Be careful. The Others are still out there."

"I think they're doing a test on another nest this morning," said Jade. "If they do they'll need you to pilot the quinjet. Word is some military will be there."

She bent over and kissed him firmly, then left after he swatted her bottom lightly. As soon as she left the bedroom her face changed and she hoped she was convincing enough for Bucky to believe it was just another day. When she woke up she had thought she would tell him her plan but decided against it, thinking he would try to talk her out of it. In the common room, spread all over the couches were the boxes of materials to be bartered. One full box was of precious gemstones and geodes that she hoped would bring lots of buyers.

Almost three hours later they made it to Albuquerque and the market. Peter had driven well, even when signs of Others on the move had been spotted in the distance. It was possible that the test the previous day had shaken the aliens. Still, none had attacked them and that was always good. As they approached the entrance to the city Steve radioed in their code, the elevated track rose, and Peter proved his nerves and skills were as good as Steve and Bucky's, driving exactly one car length behind Steve at 50 mph on the course to the entrance. As the small convoy made its way to its spot for the market Jade noticed some cult followers had spotted her in the car. Peter pulled into his spot and went around to the trunk opening the boxes. Jade stood on the other side of the trunk while Scott stood guard. The lineup of people had already formed and the offers flew. People were surprised to see the gemstones and geodes. It was as Ma had speculated. After so much time buying only necessities people were ready for something pretty. The gemstones were almost gone when Scott stepped forward.

"It's mostly cult followers watching you," he said. "Do you want to get in the car."

"No," said Jade. "I have something in mind that will keep them from bothering me again."

"Wanda, Dr. Strange," said Jade, in her mind. "It's time."

"We're ready," said Wanda. "Last chance to stop this, Jade. There's no going back."

"I'm not changing my mind," she replied. "Do it."

Jade stepped forward into the crowd. Hands came out of nowhere to touch her and people were praising her as the prophet and the messiah. Scott and Peter watched until one of them had the presence of mind to call to Steve, afraid the crowd was going to get out of control. Suddenly a loud voice boomed.

"Thou shalt have no other Gods before me," thundered the voice.

A bright orb, brighter than the sun, appeared above the crowd, startling he cult followers.

"Mother of greatness," one of them yelled. "Tell God we worship him through you."

"I am the Lord thy God, this woman is an imposter," intoned the voice and the orb focused a red beam of light just on Jade. "She shall be punished for portraying herself as a prophet."

Jade began to shake as she felt Wanda change her brain so her powers were dissolved. Wanda told her to make it look good. As she began to fall and writhe on the ground Steve started to go to her but Wanda restrained him, telling him in his mind that Jade had wanted this. Finally the red beam of light ceased and the orb returned to its natural golden form.

"Children of Adam, you are free from the influence of this woman and her kind. Go forth and live a life of goodness, truth and honesty. Beware of anyone who says they speak for me for they are false. I have passed judgment on this false prophet and will do the same to others like her. I have spoken."

The orb disappeared and the faithful stood there looking at each other. At first, they started to disperse then some became angry and wanted to take it out on Jade. Steve waded in and reminded them that God had commanded them to live a life of goodness, truth and honesty. He had already judged Jade; they didn't have the right to do the same. They dispersed and he went to Jade.

"What did you just do?" he asked, concerned.

"I set them free from my father's influence," she said, "and I gave up my gift so they can never find me again."

"Did Bucky know about this?" he asked.

"Only Wanda and Dr. Strange," she said, feeling a little lightheaded. "It was my decision and mine only. Not even Ma knew. I'm free of all of it."

"Get in the car and stay there until we finish here," said Steve, not unkindly.

"Bucky is not going to be happy with this," he said to Peter and Scott.

When they arrived back at the bunker three hours later they found out the second test had gone like the first one and the military had asked for a copy of the recording so they could start planning their own attacks, especially in the areas in and around military bases. The mood was jubilant among those who had stayed at the bunker but when they saw the faces of those who made the provision run they knew something had happened.

"What's going on?" asked Bucky. "What happened in Albuquerque?"

Those on the provision run looked at Jade.

"I made a decision," she said. "I set up a display at the market to show the Children of Adam followers the truth. I had God punish me for being a false prophet by giving up my gift. I'm normal now."

"What do you mean a display?" asked Bucky, his face reddening and his voice rising. "Would someone tell me what exactly happened?"

Dr. Strange cleared his throat. "I put on a little show portraying the man upstairs while Wanda changed Jade's brain to neutralize her abilities," he said, looking Bucky in the eyes. "Before you get angry, this is what she wanted, Bucky. She made the decision. We just implemented it."

"Jade, why?" asked Bucky. "Why would you do this and not tell me?"

"Because you wouldn't let me," answered Jade. "You would talk me out of it."

"You're damn right I would," he replied. "You know how I feel about mind manipulation and you just let them change you, without asking me first?"

"Guys," said Steve diplomatically. "Maybe you need to take this to your quarters, away from everybody. Please."

Bucky glared at him then grabbed Jade's hand and led her away from everyone. He pulled her to their suite, closing the door before saying anything. He turned to her, his eyes flashing with anger.

"Why would you do that?" Bucky yelled at her. "You never even talked to me about it. Just went ahead and did it!"

"It's my body, my mind," she yelled back. "You don't own me, you know."

"I know that," he said sarcastically. "But you never once mentioned any of this. You never told me anything."

"I did tell you!" she yelled. "When I got back after the first test. I never wanted this gift, especially when the followers wouldn't leave me alone. Your answer was to ask me to go to the city. Some help that was."

She was sitting on the couch, her arms folded in front of her body, defensive in look and tone. Bucky sat next to her and tried to take her hand, but she wasn't having it. He stood up and in a fit of anger spoke.

"You can be a pretty selfish bitch sometimes," he said with venom, then his face softened. "I'm sorry, that was unacceptable. I take it back."

She angrily shook her head. "No, you meant it," she said. "You know what? The queen told me you would leave. She obviously knew you better than I do so maybe you should leave. I don't want to talk to you right now. I'll talk to you later."

Standing up she went into the bedroom, slamming the door. He paced back and forth wondering if he should go in there then left to find Steve. In the bedroom Jade fully expected Bucky to come in after her and when he didn't, she wondered if she had overreacted. Arguing without her abilities was weird. She had no real way of reading people without the edge her abilities had given her. For the first time since she did it, she second guessed her decision to give up her gift. Maybe she should talk to her mother. Standing up she left the suite to find Ma.

"Bucky, it's just an argument," said Steve, alone in the common room where Bucky had arrived. "Your parents had them. You say stupid things then you kiss and make up. Go back and apologize."

"No, she told me to leave, I'm leaving," he replied. "We'll have to go to New York now anyways to test this process there, so I'm just going now."

"How are you getting there?" asked Steve. "The quinjet is still being used for missions. The cars are still needed here."

"The motorcycle," said Bucky. "Sheriff Peters says they are still there for us. I'm going to take him up on his offer and take the Norton. I know how to fix it if it has problems. There's enough gas for it to go a long way and I can be in New York in a few days. Say goodbye to everyone for me. I'll see you at Avengers HQ when you get there."

Bucky got up, went to the suite and saw the bedroom door was open. He found his back pack and rolled up some clothes into it. His jean jacket was on the chair and he almost packed it but instead he left it as it would make his back pack too bulky. Steve would make sure the rest of his stuff made it to New York. He looked at the bed and, for a moment, almost changed his mind. Then he stepped out and saw Ben.

"Where are you going, Bucky?" asked the boy, his eyes fearful. "You're leaving, aren't you?

"Sorry, kid," said Bucky. "Your mom and I, we didn't work out. She told me to leave. I have to go to New York for the Avengers so I'm just going a few days early to clear my head."

Ben nodded his head. "She'll miss you, so will I."

"Come here, Ben," said Bucky, gently, pulling the boy into a hug. "You're a great kid and I'm going to miss you. I would like to come back but your mom and I aren't seeing eye to eye right now. We need some time apart. You take good care of her and Ma, okay?"

Ben nodded but couldn't look at Bucky. With a pained expression on his face Bucky hugged him again and kissed him on the top of his head before leaving. He went to the armoury and took a handgun, some clips, and a rifle that he could attach to the back pack. When he returned to the common room Strange was there and he asked for a portal to the cult compound in Albuquerque. Dr. Strange looked at Steve, who nodded reluctantly. The portal opened, Bucky walked through and the portal closed.

Jade was sitting on the bed, crying into her mother's shoulder. "Did I make a mistake not asking for his input?" she sniffed. "He was mad, Ma. Called me a selfish bitch, then took it back."

"It was an argument," said Ma. "People say things in the heat of the moment and regret it after. Did you accept his retraction?"

"No, I told him to leave," she replied. "Ma, you don't think..."

In a panic Jade ran to the suite and found Ben, sitting on the couch crying. "Why did you tell him to leave, Mom?" sobbed her son. "He's gone. Packed some clothes and left. He's going to New York."

"Oh shit," whispered Jade. "I didn't mean for him to leave for good, just to leave the room. I have to find him."

She ran out to the common room and asked Steve where Bucky was. "He took a portal to Albuquerque," he replied. "Then taking one of the motorcycles from there and riding to New York."

"Send me there," she cried. "I have to stop him, tell him it was a mistake. Please."

"He left 20 minutes ago," replied Steve. "He's already on the highway by now. Dr. Strange left as well so there's no way to bring up a portal. I'm sorry."

He stood up to hug her when he saw her bury her face in her hands. Her whole body shook in a paroxysm of crying so overwhelming that he lifted her in his arms and took her to her bedroom. Ma was there and said she would take over, thanking Steve.

—-

My lover's gone

his boots no longer by my door he left at dawn

and as I slept I felt him go

My Lover's Gone by Dido

—-

It had been two weeks since Bucky left and two days since everyone but Bruce left via quinjet for Avengers HQ in New York. Before he left early that morning, Steve brought Buddy to Jade on a leash.

"It's going to be really hectic for us for a while," he said regretfully. "Would you take Buddy and keep him? I think he will be happier here than in the city."

She took the leash then emotionally hugged Steve. "Look after Bucky," she said. "I didn't want him to leave, not the way he did. I still love him."

Steve nodded then hugged Ma and Ben. His goodbye to Bruce had also been emotional, as they had been friends for a long time. They had hugged for a while, saying quiet words between them, until Steve pulled away and left.

"They asked me if I wanted to stay and continue my research in a nice quiet isolated place," Bruce told Jade later that day at lunch. "It's exactly what I want. I only need one vehicle so if you want to use the other, it's yours, I guess. Stay here as long as you want."

"Thanks Bruce," said Jade. "We'll stay for a while but it's a bit too isolated for us. Are you okay if we forage for gemstones and make some money so we can buy our own place? We'll take the horses as well, if I can talk that outfitter into lending us his trailer again."

Bruce nodded. He could tell she was still hurting after the breakup. Now that networks and the internet were coming online again since the tactics to destroy the Others had already proved adaptable in wet locations, he had some contact from Steve. He reported that Bucky hadn't yet arrived at HQ. For a 109-year-old man he acted like a teenager sometimes, impulsive, inflexible, and emotional. It was a shame, really, as they were a good couple until they weren't.

For a couple of days, Ma and Jade went out on the horses every day foraging for gemstones. Buddy would follow them, exploring as they searched for treasure. Every day they came back with a saddle bag each full of good pieces they could work on. On the third day Ma was going to call it quits when she saw a little glint of something. Getting off of Apple, the chestnut mare, she went down on her knees and brushed away the debris from where she saw the glint of gold. It was a nugget, a big gold nugget. Putting her hand on it to lift it out revealed it was heavier than she thought, and she realized there was more to it than what showed on the surface. Using her hands, she pulled away the dirt and realized she had discovered something big, really big. She pressed her comms piece.

"Hey Bruce," she called. "Are you busy at the moment? Do you think you can come out with a vehicle to my comms GPS coordinates? Bring a shovel."

Half an hour later Bruce arrived, dug up the rest of the nugget, mostly gold, partly quartz and needing both of them to lift it into the car's trunk. They looked some more where they had found it but there was no quartz vein nearby. It was just stuck out there by itself.

"That's a hell of a nugget," said Bruce. "I wonder if it landed there after the queen or a nest exploded. I don't know what the going price of gold is but that's worth a fortune."

"Is it mine or is this Avenger land?" asked Ma. "I mean, everything else we found before this we kept as ours, although we used what we made from it to pay for food and stuff. But this. Bruce, I could buy a property with just this."

He let out a big breath. "Yeah, you could," he said, looking away. "I'd miss you, Kathy. But you have to do what's right for your family."

He wasn't looking at her, but she looked at him with a new eye. "You never called me Kathy before," she replied, then a light turned on in her head. "Bruce, do you like me?"

Nervously, he looked down and ran a hand through his hair. "Well, you've grown on me," he said. "Hell, I don't even how to do this anymore."

"I would stay, Bruce," she said gently, "but Jade and Ben need a normal place to live, with real windows, and a garden, a place that's theirs. This place belongs to the Avengers. It's where we took shelter."

"If I can arrange a portal from Strange would you visit?" he asked. "You, mostly, but all of you if you want."

"Yeah, I would visit," she said finally. "It's been a long time for me as well." Awkwardly Bruce leaned forward and hugged her, then just as awkwardly stepped back.

"I'll drive this back," he said. "We can drive to town together in the morning and see how much this thing is worth, if you want the company."

She watched him as he drove carefully back to the Bunker then mounted Apple. The man was full of surprises but she did like him. As she rode back she saw Jade and Ben on Cherry and Butch. They came over to her and asked how the hunt had been.

"Well, I found a boyfriend and a big gold nugget," she said. "Right now, I'm not sure which one pleases me more."

"Who's the boyfriend?" asked Ben. "There's only Bruce out here ... Ma, are you in love with Bruce?"

"At my age?" she said. "I don't know if I would call it love but definitely like."

"You're only 55," said Jade. "Still young enough, Ma. The nugget, how big."

"I had to call Bruce to come and dig it up and it took both of us to lift it into the trunk," said Ma. "I think it's enough to buy a property."

The next morning Ma, Bruce and Ben took the long drive to the assay office in Albuquerque. It was a large specimen and there was enough gold for Ma to talk to a realtor. Since paper money wasn't in circulation yet the assayers office wrote and had notarized a promissory note. They asked where it had been found and Ma truthfully told them she hadn't thought to mark down the GPS coordinates. Bruce did say it was found where one of the queens had been destroyed and the man speculated they had blown it off of a rich quartz vein. The word would soon go out to gold hunters to search the sites of destroyed nests for the valuable metal.

On the way back Bruce drove into the outfitters yard and was just as disgusted as the others at the state of the slaughterhouse. He asked to borrow the horse trailer and at first the owner tried to price gouge them. Ma fixed a steely stare at him.

"You're the man who set up the Avengers so the Children of Adam could kidnap my daughter, aren't you?" she demanded.

He averted his eyes and mumbled an apology. "You know they carved her arm up, cut the brachial artery," she said angrily. "She could have died because of you."

"Fine, I'm sorry," he said. "Take the damn trailer. Keep it, in fact. Now that things are starting to get back to normal no one wants horse meat anymore. I don't need it."

Bruce leaned forward so his face was close to the owner's face. "You know what I turn into when I get angry, right?" he said softly but dangerously. Ma flashed an image of The Hulk in the man's mind. "If I were you, I would release all these wild horses so that I didn't get angrier than I already feel."

The man backed up, fear on his face. "Come on, Bruce," said Ma. "Let's hook up the trailer and get the hell out of this horrible place."

On the drive back Ma looked at Bruce as he drove. "I could kiss you right now," she said.

He looked at her, pulled over and stopped the car, then leaned over and kissed Ma firmly. "I've wanted to do that for a while," he said. "That felt good. The kiss, I mean."

She smiled. "Bruce, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship," said Ma.

"Kathy, I think so, too," he said smiling.

"Um, you two know I'm sitting here in the back seat, right?" asked Ben, who had just witnessed everything.

"Jesus, kid," said Bruce, holding his chest. "You scared me. I forgot you were there. Well, now you know that I like your grandma."

"Fine with me," he said. "You guys going to have sex?"

Ma laughed while Bruce looked like he was ready to have a stroke. "No comment, kid," he said, smiling at Ma.

Two days later the realtor phoned. Both Ma and Bruce looked at the phone while it rang since it hadn't the whole time either of them had been there. Bruce answered it and handed it to Ma. The realtor asked if she was interested in seeing a place near Santa Fe that met all of her criteria. He would even charter a helicopter to pick her up. That afternoon the four of them piled into the helicopter, which thrilled Ben immensely, and landed on a homestead owned by an older couple who successfully rode out the Other's occupation of the surrounding land. It had solar panels for power, a gas-powered generator for the air conditioner, a deep well and cistern, was far enough away from the highway for privacy but close enough to Santa Fe that they didn't feel isolated. There was room for the horses, with a large shed that could shelter them. Three bedrooms on the main floor with room to put a fourth bedroom in the attic, if she wished. There was also a garden and a pergola for shade. The phone was working and once the internet came back up in that area they could easily hook up as the federal government was giving grants to get people connected again. Ma made an offer; it was accepted, and the couple said they could be out in a week as they were going to live with their daughter who had also survived the occupation but now needed help with her three kids. The promissory note was produced as proof of payment and a lawyer provided by the realtor took care of creating a new promissory note with the balance of the gold on it.

That night they had the last bonfire with just the four of them. Ben and Jade went to bed around 10 pm leaving Ma and Bruce behind. Early in the morning Ben went to Ma's room and entered the code. She wasn't there and he returned to his suite, telling his mother that Ma wasn't in her room. Jade smiled and told him it was alright. In a week they would move and start on the next part of their life, just the three of them. He crawled into bed with her just like he used to when he was little, and she told him stories of his dad until they both fell asleep again.