Chapter 7. Doubts

While Shuri was well into her examination of Winter, Noelle took Peter's vitals again. Bruce promised to release him by the end of her shift if his readings were within a certain range. Since his urinalysis came back clean it was obvious his kidney injury wasn't serious. He would still be grounded for several days, pending a final examination to clear him for duty but he could stay in his quarters, instead of in the medical centre. When Noelle began to write up the paperwork to release him, she was surprised to see Tony near her desk, appearing anxious and fidgety. He smiled wanly at her.

"He's busy?"

"Bruce? No, he's in his office." She pointed to where the Avengers' doctor was going over something on his computer. Tony shook his head, pointing instead at the room where Shuri, Ayo, and Winter were. "Tony, is everything okay?"

He looked distracted as he answered. "What? Yeah, it's all good. I just wanted to see him, the Soldier."

"He has a name, Winter," said Noelle. "Soldier was what they called him to dehumanize him."

"Yeah, his designation along with the Asset," mumbled Tony. "How long will they be?"

"Tony, what's going on?" asked Noelle. He was still looking at the room and she gently touched his arm, trying to draw his attention to her. "Talk to me."

He looked both distressed and embarrassed, enough so that it drew the attention of Bruce, who was now watching him through the window of his office. Slowly, Bruce got up and stood in his doorway, looking at Tony with concern then coming out to confront his friend.

"Why are you here?" he asked.

"Is it true? He's a separate personality?"

"Tony, you know we're still investigating that," replied Bruce.

"I know, I know, but you gotta tell me. Is it him? Is he the one?"

It was clear to Noelle now what Tony wanted. Bruce sighed, motioning for her and Tony to come into his office. He closed the door, asking Friday to soundproof the room.

"What do you want to know, Tony?" he asked calmly.

"Is this Winter the one that killed my parents?"

"Does it matter? You made your peace with Bucky a long time ago."

"I know, but if it's true then I need to talk to Winter," said Tony. "I have to know the truth."

"Why?" Bruce looked at his friend intently. "What purpose does talking to him serve? Bucky already told you the truth and made amends. You forgave him."

"Yeah, but did he take the blame for this Winter to protect him?"

"He wasn't aware that Winter existed," said Noelle. "As far as Bucky knew he killed your parents."

"How can that be?" scoffed Tony. "You're telling me that he's had another personality that did all the killing but let Bucky believe it was his fault?"

Bruce sighed, took off his glasses and squeezed the bridge of his nose for a moment. Then he looked at Tony with an expression that said much about the friendship they shared. It was full of empathy and understanding.

"You know I have dissociative identity disorder, right?" he said patiently. "Me and the big guy. I didn't always know what he was doing but since we've been with the Avengers, he's been better at acting for the common good and I don't have to worry that he's hurt innocent people. I suffered a lot of emotional and physical abuse as a child, that led to a lot of unrestrained rage and anger. The big guy was the manifestation of that after the gamma radiation I was exposed to made him viable." He took a deep breath. "Bucky had a relatively normal childhood, except that his father had PTSD from World War I, which wasn't treated as a medical or emotional condition. It was seen as a personality deficit and many men with it self-medicated with alcohol, which led to its own set of problems. He became protective of his mother and sister because of it. As his doctor, I shouldn't even be telling you this, but I want you to understand what Winter is to Bucky. When HYDRA began torturing and brainwashing him to become their assassin, their programming never really took, because Bucky's protective nature was so deeply rooted. HYDRA tortured him even more to break him and that manifested the Soldier. We think he was protective of Bucky, recognizing that Bucky wasn't a killer, not in the way HYDRA wanted him to be. So, the Soldier took the burden on himself to protect him, to keep HYDRA from destroying all that Bucky was, by allowing himself to become their killer. Even then, they still had to program the trigger words to bring the Soldier out as he stayed in the background. Bucky was aware when Winter did what he did, believing that was his evil side doing it. He hated that part of himself, feared him even. When the code words were neutralized, Bucky believed the Soldier was destroyed. Instead, he stayed hidden, accepting and following Bucky's vow to never kill again. But he's still protective of Bucky, and by extension, those people who are important to him."

"Like the Avengers, and his family," added Noelle. "Winter even protects you. Bruce, it's certain that Bucky doesn't know about Winter still being there, does he?"

"No, I'm sure he doesn't, and when we get Bucky back that's going to be some conversation," replied the doctor. He gazed at Tony with sympathy. "If you really want to talk to Winter about your parents then I can't stop you. But he knows what he did as a killer and he's ashamed of it. He only did it so that Bucky could keep what sanity he had left while HYDRA tortured him."

Tony nodded, now seeming unsure of his insistence to see Winter. He looked at his hands then at Noelle, almost as if he just realized she was affected by this as well. "How are you doing?"

"Trying to stay strong," she admitted. "Winter thinks Bucky is alive but he's in a void, a place without form. He's worried that Bucky is giving up, accepting that he's dead."

"He has a connection?"

"Yeah, twice he's felt Bucky. Why?"

"Bruce, that shape that showed up on the suit's long-range infrared camera. We are exploring that more, right?"

Noelle looked quizzically at the two men since this was the first she heard of it.

"Well, we were going to have a briefing after Shuri finished her examination and discuss that," he said, then he looked at Noelle. "I think you should be there."

"Then Winter should be there as well," she responded. "He's the one who still actually feels Bucky's presence. He needs to feel like we trust him."

"Yet you haven't let Winnie see him," stated Tony. "Not judging, just saying the obvious."

"No, I haven't," agreed Noelle. "He's asked, several times, but she's so little and doesn't know what Bucky went through. She still thinks Winter's her papa and that he just doesn't remember her. I don't want her to be hurt if she finds out what Bucky was forced to do when he was HYDRA's prisoner."

Tony ran his hand through his hair and nodded, his face grim but more accepting. "Yeah, that's fair. Sorry, I'm just shaken by all of this. Obviously, not as much as you."

He opened the door to Bruce's office and stepped out at the same time as the door to the room where Shuri, Ayo and Winter were opened. The super soldier exited, making eye contact with Tony, who froze, unsure what to do. That Winter recognized him was confirmed when he approached Tony.

"Stark, Anthony Edward, son of Howard and Maria Stark, code name Iron Man," stated Winter, in that toneless manner he had for mission reports. He breathed out noticeably before speaking further. "The Asset regrets the deaths of your parents. The mission specified no witnesses, no survivors; the Asset was to retrieve the serum and bring it back to Colonel Karpov."

Tony swallowed as he looked up at the dark-haired man. "Did they suffer?"

"The Asset tried to act as efficiently as possible, but they felt distress for a short time." He looked down, his hands clasped in front of his body in a posture of submission. He trembled slightly as he recalled that day. "It was a cruel mission, whose only purpose was to elevate Karpov's position in HYDRA. The serum worked exactly as Abraham Erskine always said it would on lesser people. For the ones it was injected into, it amplified all of those traits that HYDRA valued more, brute strength, anger, arrogance, disdain; turning them into creatures who found pleasure in death and destruction. It made them uncontrollable, and the serum went to waste, making your parents' death even more tragic and unnecessary."

A range of emotions passed over Tony's face as he listened then he looked at Winter. "You remember all of them. Barnes said he did."

"The Asset will never forget any of them. When Barnes made the decision not to kill any more the Asset was determined to follow that. It is why the Asset... why I help Barnes to make sure the Avengers all return home from their missions. When he is at the end of his physical limits, I offer my strength to complete the mission. It is not enough to make up for what was done but ..."

Tony put his hand out, unwilling to touch Winter but wanting him to see the gesture. "No, it's not but it's all you have." He looked up at the taller man and gave him a sad smile. "Thank you for speaking with me. I forgave Bucky. It might be a while before I forgive you, but I don't hate you. I hate that you had no choice in the life you were given, that you took on the task of killing to protect Bucky. HYDRA inflicted pain on a lot of people."

He turned away and left the super soldier standing there, watching Tony leave with sad eyes. Shuri and Ayo also witnessed the exchange between the two men without interrupting. Winter glanced at them, then at Noelle and Bruce. Before any of them could say anything to him, he returned to his room and closed the door, never once showing any other emotion on his face. None of them spoke for a time then Shuri stepped forward.

"Do you have a moment, Mrs. Barnes? There are things to be discussed with you before the briefing."

"Please call me Noelle. Can Bruce and Helen be part of it, as Winter's health care providers?"

"Of course," smiled Shuri. "It is a most unusual case, and we will need everyone's input and cooperation to resolve it. I've already enlightened him on what I found."

Inside his room, Winter looked out over the pond. If he felt such things as vindication, Shuri's agreement that Barnes was no longer with him, other than the tenuous connection he occasionally felt with the man, wherever his essence was, should have comforted him. She admitted to being surprised at his presence in Barnes' body, that for years he had succeeded in hiding his existence even from her. To her and to Ayo, it explained how Barnes had been able to convincingly pretend to be the Soldier while in Madripoor during the Flag Smasher mission. They didn't quite believe Winter's insistence that the performance was all Barnes, as he had felt it was a dangerous move to make at the time, suspecting that Baron Zemo had his own ulterior motives for assessing the physical capabilities of their shared body. Once Shuri was assured that his presence was not a danger to anyone, she promised Winter to use all of her intellect to locate where Barnes was and reunite them. While she used this time to confirm to Noelle that Barnes was gone, he wanted to think more about other things, including Iron Man, Tony Stark.

Iron Man ... that had been another encounter he wished hadn't happened as quickly as it did. It concerned him that all the progress made between Barnes and Stark could be lost by the knowledge that the real perpetrator of the elder Starks' deaths was him, a personality previously hidden deeply in his host's psyche. Winter had known Stark was there in the medical centre. The scent of the man's cologne had seeped into the room where Shuri was examining him, alerting him to his presence, along with the fear pheromones that radiated off of Stark. Still, their encounter ended as well as could be expected. He hoped what words he did use provided some sort of comfort or resolution to Stark. Interpersonal relations weren't something he understood very well.

Then there was the earlier news of the shadowy form that appeared on the long-range infrared video taken by Iron Man's suit. It was obvious that Barnes' disappearance from their shared body was related to the presence of this form but what was it? Where did it come from and why did it focus only on Barnes' body in the quinjet?

Surprisingly, a possible answer to the final question occurred to Winter, first. Barnes was the only individual not affected by the first set of beams. Yes, it was because he was inside the building, so he wasn't visible to whatever entity was guiding those beams. Yet, he did receive a blow from another beam, one that stunned him for several moments, unlike what happened to the others. Winter looked at his vibranium arm, wondering if it had likely dissipated the impact of that beam. Perhaps he should have brought it up during his session with Shuri. There was something obvious but not yet uncovered, that could explain why Barnes did not suffer the effects of the beam like the others did. The injury that damaged him more was from the blast of the explosion at the Cerberus facility. It was all so confusing but with his thoughts allowed to consider all possibilities, in the quiet of his room, he was certain he could formulate a theory.

One hour later

Everyone was already in the briefing room when Winter entered, accompanied by Noelle, Bruce, Shuri and Ayo. All conversation ceased as everyone's eyes focused on him. Following Noelle, he sat on a chair and faced the front where Nick Fury stood, trying not to feel anxious at the scrutiny.

"Well, I was hoping to keep the speculation down but by the sound of the conversations in this room it's already known," drawled Fury. "The man who just entered, who looks like Bucky Barnes is in fact the Winter Soldier. Or was, as he has changed from what we all remember him to be. For the purposes of acknowledging his individuality, he is to be addressed as Winter, not Soldier or Soldat, just Winter. He appeared last night, after Bucky Barnes went into surgery for a brain injury. When the anesthetic and spell that kept him under was stopped, Winter is who woke up. He was confused, fearing that HYDRA had him in their clutches but once he was convinced that we were not the enemy, we ascertained that he has always existed in a shared state in Barnes' mind. His existence was thought to have ended after the trigger words were neutralized but, unknown to your colleague and to us, Winter was still there in the background. He is loyal to the Avengers and has apparently provided his help to Barnes when he was at his physical limits during previous missions. I'm sure you all have your own recollections of missions when the man seemed to draw on another level of effort to bring everyone home safely. It would appear Winter is responsible for those efforts."

"Is Bucky dead?" asked Shaun, then he stopped as others gave him an incredulous look for asking so bluntly. "Sorry, Noelle. Maybe I should rephrase that. Where is Bucky?"

"We're not sure, except Winter has a connection with him that has him convinced Bucky is still alive, but in a void where he believes he is dead, or perhaps in a coma," said Fury. "Normally, I wouldn't believe that to be possible, but we encountered some new developments earlier this morning. Friday, run the Ironman feeds from inside and outside the quinjet, side by side, half speed."

They all sat and watched the feed showing the shadowy outline that seemed like a person, appearing over Bucky's unconscious body in the quinjet, then the outside feed showing the two shadows disappearing into the sky. If silence could be described, stunned would have been an apt description.

"What was that?" asked Joaquin.

"All we have is speculation right now," replied Fury. Winter stood up. "You wish to speak?"

He nodded, standing nervously. "Barnes was only stunned by the beam that came out of the portal and it seemed by the other video evidence that his vibranium arm dissipated the effects. Is it correct, that the vibranium on this planet is from an extraterrestrial source?"

He looked at Shuri, who glanced at Ayo, then shrugged very slightly as if to admit they needed to share this. "The vibranium present in Antarctica has been confirmed to be extraterrestrial in origin. The origin of the vibranium in Wakanda is guarded as it is different from the Antarctic deposit. We have buried its actual origins deep in our creation mythology and religious practices. But yes, it is not only extraterrestrial, it is likely from another universe. It is difficult to share this information with you and I expect that information will not leave this briefing."

"It won't," said Fury, fixing a steely gaze on everyone. "Do you suspect the shadow person has something to do with the vibranium?"

"If you look closely at the video footage, it seems to inspect Barnes artificial arm first," said Winter. "In my two connections with him, in the other place, he still has the artificial arm. No harm has been done to him, although he is afraid that he is dead. What if this shadow individual took the entity that was still responsive, Barnes, because he had a limb with a metal that was part of their universe, but shouldn't have been part of ours, and is trying to communicate with him, by accessing his thoughts and memories."

"They already took the people from the Cerberus facility," stated Carol. "Why wouldn't they just use them to communicate?"

"Because they are Cerberus, and are interested in one thing," said Tony. "They want power, not understanding. Sharing information isn't part of their vocabulary. If they're anything like their predecessors, they would die before disclosing any information. Friday, can you go over the initial readings of the Cerberus facility and determine if any shadows descended on it? In fact, is there any way you can search for evidence of vibranium in the mountains where the facility was located?"

"Searching, stand by," said the female voice.

"Everything was gone from that facility, right Danvers?" asked Fury. "When you went inside, leaving Torres outside, there were no signs of anything or anyone."

"Nothing," she confirmed.

Shuri was accessing her own AI on her kimoyo bead bracelet, flying through screen after screen, looking for something. She finally found what she was looking for, then sat back and contemplated what she found before signing to Ayo. Winter watched them intently, then Shuri realized his attention was on her.

"You understood that?" she asked.

"Yes," he replied. "It makes more sense."

She stood up in front of the others. "Friday can confirm this," she said. "There was a deposit of vibranium in that location, buried deep under the ice of the last ice age. When the ice retreated, it was covered by the debris left behind by the retreating glaciers. Somehow, HYDRA found it and built a facility on it. When HYDRA fell, the true nature of that site was lost, until someone in Cerberus realized what was there. They set up shop there, seemingly intent on using the vibranium. It's not there anymore. Whatever that portal was didn't just take the people and the equipment. They took the vibranium, somehow converting it to look like a shadow as it was taken."

"Friday? Can you confirm that?" asked Fury.

"Confirmed," said the voice. "Trace elements of vibranium are still evident at the location. It is possible that the explosion triggered by the Avengers exposed the deposit which allowed the vibranium to be taken. There was a large shadow presence visible after the evacuation of the quinjet that disappeared just before the portal closed completely." She hesitated for a moment. "The explosion in the portal didn't actually close it completely, leading me to speculate that it had no effect and the closure came from the other side."

"So, it would appear that an extraterrestrial force of some kind, maneuvered us into exposing the vibranium," said Fury. "They took it, and they took the one person who had a vibranium prosthetic. Except, they didn't take his physical body, perhaps because they sensed Winter's presence in it as well. What's their endgame?"

"Maybe to locate the source of his arm," said Carol. "They may be looking for Wakanda's vibranium deposit now and using Bucky to find it." Everyone looked at her. "Cerberus would have used that vibranium for weapons, right?" Nearly everyone nodded their head. "Wakanda doesn't, at least not exclusively. Even though the beams incapacitated everyone on the Avengers team, there were no deaths, just injuries. Bucky's injury was the worst which was caused by the blast. What if they took the vibranium to keep it from being used for harm? Maybe they want to confirm that the other vibranium is being used responsibly."

"That's a big maybe," uttered Fury. "Until we find otherwise, we consider the shadow people a threat to Wakanda."

"Why didn't they take me?" Everyone turned to look at Sam. "I have a vibranium shield and there is vibranium embedded in my suit. They should have been able to detect that as easily as the vibranium arm. Hell, with that much vibranium on me maybe I shouldn't have been knocked out."

Fury squeezed the bridge of his nose between his thumb and forefinger as if he was trying to stave off a headache. Then he looked up at everyone.

"I don't know," he said, sounding defeated. "Except, you're not an enhanced human and what vibranium is in your suit might not have been enough to protect you from those beams. All we do know for sure is that these shadow people sent a beam that incapacitated a bunch of enhanced humans, as well as several normal humans. They appear to have taken a number of humans into their universe with them, plus the soul or essence of one of our own. A previously hidden vibranium deposit has disappeared into thin air. Until we get a better idea of what these people want, we work on the assumption that they may be hostile, and Bucky is their prisoner, even though they don't seem to have harmed him. I don't know what else we can do." He looked at Bruce. "Are there any more tests or examinations that require Winter to stay in the medical centre?"

"No," replied the doctor, after confirming with Helen and Shuri. "He doesn't have to stay. If we need him for anything we can request he come see us."

"Friday, assign quarters to Winter that he can move into tomorrow," ordered Fury. "Mrs. Barnes, if you could provide more wardrobe for Winter from Barnes clothing, considering the circumstances, I would appreciate it. Let's start working on a way to detect these incursions before they happen and figure out how to get Barnes back."

"I have one more question," asked Carol. "When I arrived here and checked the satellite imagery there was evidence of nanotechnology being used to repair the facility. It's one of the reasons I went there to investigate. Yet, when I was there, I saw no evidence of it. I don't like it when things aren't what they first appear."

Shuri brought up her kimoyo bead bracelet, rapidly accessing data on it before seemingly finding something. She looked at Carol with a grim face.

"It may have been a trap to draw the Avengers there," she said. "Whether it was a trap laid by Cerberus or the shadow people is unknown without further analysis." She shrugged. "Sorry, I'll spend more time on it tonight. You're right that we should explore everything, no matter how trivial or irrelevant it may seem to be."

The briefing ended with as many questions being asked at the end as there were before. Noelle sat with Winter and Shuri, while the different conversations swirled around them, before glancing at him. He kept his gaze lowered, looking at a spot on the floor about 10 feet ahead of him. Shuri leaned over slightly so she could see his face.

"I have some wireless electrodes," she started. "They are non-invasive but will monitor your brain activity and give us an indication when you are in contact with Sergeant Barnes. From those readings I may be able to find a way to use your connection to communicate with him, but I won't know for sure until I see the readings. May I attach them to your scalp? You can still shower with them on and go about whatever you wish to do."

"Yes," he replied, then he swallowed and spoke without looking at either of them. "I am unsure about the wisdom of keeping me in my own quarters. My experience in living on my own is limited. I know nothing about cooking or caring for myself."

"We can have you placed next door to us or even to pair you with someone," said Noelle, carefully. "In the meeting I had with Shuri after your examination, she thought it was safe to allow you access to Winnie. It may help you to deal with any anxiety you might have over her safety, and she wants to see you as well. I am alright with you joining us for meals, as long as you respect the limitations I already expressed to you about any relationship between us."

"That is acceptable," he replied, then added a final sentiment, having witnessed it already with the medical staff. "Thank you."

"I'll ask someone to show you around the compound, so you can see where everything is. Bucky worked out every day, and I'm sure you want to keep your own abilities sharp. There is a training room and gun range, and other areas that I don't have access to but perhaps Sam, or someone else will take you. Excuse me."

She got up and quickly walked out the door wiping her eyes, leaving Winter behind. He looked up as she left, following her with his eyes until she was out of sight. Shuri and Ayo watched him.

"Is she alright?" he asked. "She seemed distressed."

"She is distressed," said Shuri. "It's only been a day since you woke up in Bucky's place and I confirmed that his brain pattern is no longer in this brain. She's afraid for him. Her pregnancy is probably dumping hormones into her system that makes her more emotional. It's nothing against you, just the circumstances. How do you feel about all of this?"

"It is strange," he admitted. "Much of what I observed was through Barnes, and if it became too much I withdrew more. It is almost impossible to do that now unless I close the door of my room and even then I find my mind is sometimes unable to cease fixating on the issue. I find myself unsure of how to react at times when others show strong emotions. When I express myself strongly, I sense their fear of me, but I am not the Soldier I used to be. I would not harm them for there is no reason for it." He looked at the door where Noelle left. "I am physically attracted to her but have promised to respect her relationship with Barnes. Perhaps, I should stay with someone, sharing the space so I can observe and learn how to function independently."

"That might be the better option," said Shuri, cautiously. "Please return to your room while I make inquiries. Do you know how to return to the medical centre?"

He nodded and stood up, then walked to the door of the briefing room, taking a deep breath, then stepping through to the hallway. The two women could hear him ask Friday to direct him back to the medical centre and he left. Ayo gave out a loaded sigh.

"Was that wise?" she asked, in Wakandan. "Are you so sure of his cooperation?"

"Yes, I am," replied the young scientist. "He is in uncharted waters, steering his ship by himself for the first time in his life." Ayo gave her a slightly incredulous look. "I'll try not to use sailing metaphors again. He is eager to prove himself, but he knows his past colours people's perceptions of him. When he manifested during Barnes' captivity, he recognized the damage being done to Barnes psyche, which indicates empathy. Then he chose to take on the task of assassin, in an attempt to protect Barnes as much as he could. That shows sympathy and a degree of protectiveness that he has already displayed to his family and the Avengers. He is not shying away from expressing himself, or from attempting new things, so that shows a willingness to learn. It is a testament to his resilience and I'm willing to help him become a better man."

"I hope it doesn't come back to haunt you," stated Ayo, still dubious about allowing Winter to wander freely.

She received a slight scowl for her comment but deferred to Shuri's expertise in the matter of Bucky Barnes' brain.

An hour later, Winter was visited by Peter Parker in his room in the medical centre. The young Avenger stood in the doorway and knocked quietly.

"Hi, I'm Peter, but you know that," he said, nervously. "Princess Shuri thought it might help if you lived with someone while you got used to being on your own. I agreed that you could stay with me. They'll move us to a two-bedroom suite closer to Bucky's ... the Barnes' quarters, as Noelle is okay with you seeing Winnie." He ran his hand through his hair. "I thought you could choose which bedroom you wanted as maybe you like to see the sun rise in the morning, or something ..."

His voice trailed off as he stood there, waiting to see if Winter accepted his offer. The dark-haired man was packing the shoulder bag that Thor brought him that morning in preparation for the next day's move, as it contained all that he had.

"Thank you, Peter," he said, solemnly. "Your injuries are healed?"

"I'm still off duty for a couple of days but I'll be alright," replied the younger man. "I can take you to the apartment that's been assigned, then I can show you around the compound. You don't have access to the armoury yet, although Fury said you can train under supervision. They're still not sure if they want you to have access to weapons yet, you know, for security reasons."

"It is a wise decision," said Winter. He gestured for Peter to lead him.

As they entered the elevator, Friday greeted them, informing Winter where his quarters were. On the correct floor, the doors opened, and Peter explained who lived in what suite. Then they came to the door of their shared accommodation, and he placed his palm on the reader so that Friday identified him. The AI asked for Winter's palm, and he obeyed, placing his palm on the screen. The door clicked open, and he entered behind Peter. It was sparsely furnished, with a couch, armchair, table and chairs, television, and wall console.

"They're going to bring my things over in the morning so it will get filled up a bit more," said Peter. "If you want anything to make it seem more personal, Friday can order it for you. You just have to ask."

"What more do I need?" asked Winter, puzzled. "It is adequate as it is."

"Well, like, Bucky read a lot, so he had books, and he had a tablet because he doesn't like the mouse on a laptop, stuff like that." Peter shrugged. "Come and choose which bedroom you want."

They walked down a short hallway and Peter opened the door to each bedroom, stepping inside and showing the layout, which was almost the same, except one bedroom faced east and the other faced south. Both rooms had a queen-sized bed, a double dresser, and a closet system, as well as their own private bathroom.

"I would like to see the sunrise," said Winter. "I saw it this morning and liked how it made me feel."

"Sure, then you want this room," answered Peter, cordially. "Friday, please assign this bedroom to Winter while I'll take the other one."

"May I have a tablet computer?" asked Winter, tentatively. Peter grinned and pointed up, then mouthed the words "ask her." He nodded his understanding, repeating the request. "Friday, may I have a tablet computer?"

"Yes, that will be arranged, with delivery to your hospital room by this evening," said the pleasant-voiced AI. "If you require a harder mattress that is more to your liking, we can have that set up as well, with delivery tomorrow."

A ghost of a smile crossed his face and he looked at Peter to explain. "I slept on the floor last night as the hospital mattress was too soft. I would like a harder mattress, Friday." He hesitated. "Please."

Peter showed him the kitchen, explaining that his food would be transferred over, but they could order whatever they wanted from Friday, and it would be delivered then stocked in the cupboards and fridge. For now, Winter could eat what Peter ordered as he began to work out what he liked. Or they could eat in the communal kitchen where the others often made meals with enough for everyone. With all of that taken care of they stepped outside the suite so that Peter could give him the grand tour. They only went about ten feet when the elevator dinged and the doors opened to show Noelle, holding Winnie's hand.

"Papa!" Winnie pulled herself away from Noelle and ran towards Winter, her arms outstretched.

Instinctively, he kneeled down to her level, bracing himself for her to reach him. As her arms circled around his neck, he felt that feeling again in his chest. It was frightening at first, and he stiffened, making Winnie pull away and look at him, confused.

"Papa, you don't 'member?" Her blue eyes welled up with tears.

"I remember you a little," he whispered, "but I don't remember myself." He gazed at her face, feeling his own eyes well up at her tears. Gently, he wiped hers away. "Winnie, you have to call me Winter until I remember. Okay?"

She sniffed and nodded. "Can I call you Papa Winter?"

He looked up at Noelle, his eyes pleading, and she nodded, making him smile in a way that almost tore her heart apart.

"I would like that," he replied, gazing at her in fondness. "Your papa is such a lucky father to have your love. I'm happy to be your friend."

She hugged him and this time he encircled her with his own arms, closing his eyes during the embrace. Peter looked nervously at Noelle, neither of them expecting this much of a show of emotion from the man, whose very nature had been cold-hearted and mostly emotionless when he was the Fist of HYDRA. It was obvious he retained Bucky's emotions about the little girl.

"Well," said Noelle, "I think Winnie and I should get to our place. You'll both come for dinner with us, won't you? Winter, you can borrow Bucky's clothing until you can acquire your own. Winnie, you have to let Winter go now. Peter is showing him the compound so that he knows where everything is."

"Okay," she said, then she looked at Winter again. "Did you get my card?"

"I did," he smiled tentatively. "It was beautiful."

She smiled sweetly then took her mother's hand. "I'll make you another," she said. "Bye Peter. I'm glad you're better. Bye Papa Winter. See you at dinner."

He stood up, returning her wave, then watched as they walked down the hallway to their quarters. When they were finally inside, he stood motionless for several long moments, then breathed audibly. Peter acknowledged him with a slight grin, and they continued on their way to the other parts of the compound.

In his office, Nick Fury turned off the monitor that showed him that brief exchange.

"You're sure that all of your projections have shown that he isn't a danger to us?" he asked, looking at Dr. Strange who had watched the scene with him.

"I'm sure," he replied. "He's not the Winter Soldier anymore. Even being in the background of Bucky's mind has changed him, permanently. He has the same issue that Barnes still displays on occasion, mainly believing in the basic goodness in himself. Winnie brings it out of him. He loves her and he loves Noelle but won't act on it with her, because he does have a definite moral code, almost as strong as Barnes."

"I just worry that we're letting the genie out of the bottle," said Fury. "How do we get him back in when we get Barnes back?"

"We might not have to," answered the enigmatic sorcerer. "Those projections are a little less clear but there may be a solution, if we can find a way to communicate with the shadow universe."

"Alright," said the Avengers director. "We let him live like an Avenger, with restrictions to start with."

He sat back, hoping he was making the right decision. Letting Winter live as an Avenger might extend to giving him access to weapons and allowing him on missions. Certainly, his abilities would be useful, even needed. But he was still an unknown entity and while Winnie Barnes accepted him at face value, Nick Fury wasn't sure he did.