Chapter 13. Light and Dark

This chapter is going to be almost exclusively focussed on Joyce, although Bucky will have a conversation with her and a scene at the end. I debated about whether to put this in, but it is a story about their friendship and what happens in this chapter will affect Bucky's and Joyce's relationship, as it becomes part of Bucky's growth later and into the sequel / companion story. For Joyce, it's the point where she can begin to move on.


It had been a week since the ship left port in Seattle with Joyce and Paula on board. The two women had been to the Alaskan capital of Juneau, a place called Icy Strait Point where they had challenged themselves to take a mile-long zip ride down a mountain side in an exhilarating rush of excitement that had both women laughing when they reached the bottom. From there the ship went on to Haines, Alaska, a small sleepy town that had been filming site for a 1990s movie called White Fang, starring a young Ethan Hawke. Then the ship cruised towards Hubbard Glacier, a massive sight, as it dwarfed the cruise ship when it took its viewing position from just under a mile away. Throughout the time they were there the glacier creaked and groaned audibly as it slowly ground itself towards the sea. Occasionally a sound like a gunshot would be heard and everyone would tense to see if part of the glacier calved off, dropping into the ocean, causing a swell of water to emanate from its landing. The ship sent one of its tenders out to safely haul in a piece of ice that drifted far enough away from the ice face. It was brought onboard to be on display in the food buffet, it's almost crystal-clear appearance a testament to the purity of the source and its age as the glaciologist had estimated it took hundreds of years for the ice to advance from the source of the glacier to the ocean face.

Sitka was the stop on this day of the cruise, and the two women visited the Raptor Center, a rehabilitation facility for injured birds of prey. To see such magnificent birds up close was something neither of them would ever forget. As they walked through some of the touristy shops at the port both women were surprised by a tap on Paula's shoulder, turning around to see a pair of brothers they met on the second day of the cruise. Dan and Tom MacIntyre, brothers from Boston, smiled at the two women.

"How was the Raptor Center?" asked Dan, a 71-year-old widower, and retired lawyer.

"Beautiful creatures," smiled Paula. "You were right that we should see them. How was the bear sanctuary?"

"Enlightening," he replied. He raised up a bag. "Made a donation and Tommy said I should get some bear souvenirs for the grandkids."

Tom stood quietly, watching as his older brother flirted with Paula. Also a widower, the retired professor tried not to stare at Joyce. She smiled politely at him then spoke.

"We made a donation at the Raptor Center as well." She gestured to a bag she was carrying. "Found the cutest stuffed owl for my youngest granddaughter. She loves owls."

"Who doesn't?" Tom asked. "Are you eating in the dining room tonight or the buffet?"

"I'm not sure," she replied. "Where are you eating?"

"I'm not sure," he smiled. "I usually just go with what Danny wants." He looked around then gave her a slight smile. "I think I'll wait outside."

"I'll join you," Joyce said, quickly, noting that Paula and Dan were already in another part of the store, talking animatedly.

A bench just outside on the covered verandah was free and Tom gestured to her to sit. They both looked at the passing scene, then he noticed a coffee kiosk.

"Can I get you a coffee?" he asked.

"Sure, just a regular one with cream and one sugar," replied Joyce, appreciating the offer.

She watched him as he strolled over to the kiosk and placed the order. He was taller than her Bob, kind of lanky, like he had been active a long time, which was understandable as he had been a geology professor at Boston College. His salt and pepper hair wasn't too short or too long, and his blue eyes reminded her of Bucky's as he seemed to watch everything, but with curiosity and interest. He returned quickly, handing her a coffee then sat quietly beside her.

"So, no grandchildren for you?" she asked.

"No, my wife and I were unable to have any," he answered. "We thought of adopting but I was out in the field a lot and Teresa was busy as a physician, so we were both invested in our careers. We lived vicariously through Dan's kids and grandkids." He frowned slightly. "Now that I'm alone, I kind of wish we had adopted but one of us would have had to sacrifice our work to be home for them."

"That's not easy," stated Joyce. "I'm sure you've been a good uncle as you seem to be a kind man."

He smiled. "Thank you, that's a very nice thing to say. I do like them, kids, that is." He was quiet again then swallowed. "Would you have dinner with me? With our cabin we can get priority reservations at one of the premium restaurants. I love my brother, but he dominates the conversation sometimes, and I just want to have a quiet dinner with you, if you're up to it."

At the beginning of the cruise, Joyce wasn't certain she wanted to meet any men, although Paula was insistent that they talk to everyone, because you never know. On the second day of the cruise, when they were at sea, they ate in the dining room, paired with the two widower brothers. Right away, Paula and Dan had clicked, finding common ground on many things. Tom, quieter than his brother, had seemed shy but had gradually opened up, divulging bits and pieces of his life. Like Joyce missed Bob, he missed his wife, Emily, losing her to cancer just before the Blip. Dan had been one of the decimated and Joyce suspected Tom filled his missing brother's role as father and grandfather figure to the remaining family for the duration. Tentatively, he asked polite but not probing questions of Joyce, seeming to be satisfied with whatever she wished to share with him. That he was a gentleman was obvious from the beginning as he deferred to her often, seeing to her needs and comforts first. Even though they remained polite and quite formal since that first meeting, it seemed that in the last day something had changed for both of them, an understanding that they could be friends.

"I would like that," she said warmly. She looked back inside the store. "What about those two?"

Tom grinned, his eyes crinkling noticeably. "Oh, I think they'll be just fine. Dan's always been better at flirting. I think it's the lawyer in him, he likes performing in public."

"You calling me theatrical?" Dan's Boston accent was prominent as he came out of the store and heard his brother's comment about performing. "A good lawyer always has to know his audience. Listen, Paula and I were thinking we should go to one of those premium restaurants tonight, you know, dress up a little."

Tom and Joyce grinned at each other. "We already decided for ourselves to do the same," said the younger brother. "But go ahead and I'll make sure we go to a different one. Wouldn't want to interfere with your performance."

It was obvious the two brothers enjoyed poking fun at each other, but it was decided that the brothers would arrange the separate dates. After promising to call them with a time the two couples said goodbye to each other and went to their separate cabins. Inside their cabin, Joyce toed her shoes off and sat on her bed, with her back to the headboard. Paula sat at her feet.

"Tom's a very nice man," she said. "Dan told me he's been quite lonely since his wife died."

"Yeah, I felt that," replied Joyce. "They had no kids so he's alone in more ways than one. I like him."

"That's quite the admission, coming from you," noted her friend. "Do you think it will go anywhere?"

A sad smile crossed Joyce's face then she shrugged. "I don't know. It wasn't something I was looking for. Right now, it's a possible friendship. I don't want to think of it being more. What about you and Dan?"

"Oh, we're going to see more of each other," declared Paula, standing up and going towards the bathroom. "I'm very attracted to him. Anyways, I'm going to have a quick shower."

Joyce turned the TV on and turned it to the news station. There were the usual stories about conflict in the world, interspersed with human interest pieces to keep the tone lighter. Then it switched to New York, showing a reporter in front of the site of the Global Repatriation Council where delegates had been checking in. A formal meeting and vote were scheduled to take place in two days, on the fate of billions of displaced people who had lost their homes after the return of the decimated.

She checked her phone, hoping that Bucky had texted her to say if their intelligence had pointed to a Flag Smashers intervention but there was nothing. Every time she had texted him in the last few days he had responded later with the news of another atonement with a former victim's family. When they last talked the night before, he seemed down at times but also hopeful that his efforts were helping. He made her smile with his news of taking the math exam and feeling he did well on it. Sam returned to Louisiana to be with his family and for a moment she worried about Bucky being on his own.

"I'm fine," he said, when she brought it up. "Really, I'm good. You're having a good time?"

"I am," she replied. "We made friends with a couple of widowers. Nice men. Shared a table at dinner with them and have had drinks with them."

"Really? So, you're getting more action than I am? I gotta up my game, as Sam says."

She blushed even though it was just the teasing sound of his voice that made her feel that way.

"They're just acquaintances. It's been pleasant visiting with them. Maybe we'll keep in touch as Boston isn't that far away."

"No, it's not really, is it?" They were silent for a moment then he sighed. "I kind of miss you. The house is fine and that security system we installed has made it easier to keep an eye on the place. I think you'll like having it when you get back."

"I should still pay for it," said Joyce. "You're on a fixed income."

She could feel his shrug through the phone. "No, it was my idea. Gotta go, Yori and I are trying out a new sushi place. Leah still doesn't want to see my face."

That was yesterday, when he closed with that update. Shaking her head at the lack of understanding from Leah she put her phone down, feeling guilty about judging the young woman. Part of her wanted to march right into that sushi bar and give Leah a rundown on who Bucky was and what he had been through but part of her also admired the young woman for being strong enough to say no to dating behaviour that bothered her. Certainly, Bucky had seemed to accept it and Joyce wanted to respect his autonomy in that. If only there was someone else she could point in his direction.

Paula came out at that moment, dressed up in the bath robe and Joyce took over the bathroom to have her shower. When she came out it was to the news that she was to meet Tom at the Teppanyaki restaurant at 7 pm. Paula and Dan were going to the Tuscan restaurant at the same time. She noticed that Paula was dressing up a little fancy, wearing some nice lingerie. A thought crossed her mind, and she cleared her throat.

"Are you planning anything with Dan after your meal?" she asked.

"Hmmm?" Paula turned around from where she was doing her makeup. "Oh, maybe ... I know that doesn't help you much but I'm not discounting that one of us might be getting lucky."

"Okay, where?"

"Yeah, that could be a problem," said Paula, looking a little embarrassed. "We haven't really talked about it. Wherever it happens, if it happens, are you okay sleeping in the same room as Tom? I'm assuming neither of you are at a stage of ... you know." Joyce looked away, not quite believing what her friend was asking. "I'm really attracted to Dan and let's face it, I'm a lot more active than you are so it's no big deal to me. If you're uncomfortable about it, I'll ..."

"Just try to let me know before I come back to the cabin," said Joyce, quickly. "If it's here, at least leave me a bag on the door handle with my nightgown and toothbrush in it so I have something to sleep in. I'll manage."

"Thank you, I know it's a big imposition," answered Paula. "You don't think less of me, do you?"

A chuckle escaped from Joyce. "No, I could see you and Dan have a flirty relationship already. It's not like you've been pining for your ex-husband, since he was an asshole. Love the one you're with, Paula."

A big hug was bestowed upon her by her friend, making her feel glad. Paula had suffered her own share of heartbreak, but Dan seemed like one of the better ones. If she could get a relationship started out of it, then Joyce could be happy for her.

When she met Tom in front of the Teppanyaki restaurant, she was glad she hadn't dressed up as he was also fairly casually dressed, in a pair of khakis, and a long-sleeved button-down shirt. They were placed at a table around the grill, which was close to an outside window. It meant they could see the ocean throughout the meal as the sun set later that far north. She chose a glass of red wine for her drink while he had a beer. The food was good, and although they didn't talk a lot because the chef was so entertaining, there was less awkwardness between them. There was a moment of excitement when they both caught sight of a breaching humpback whale not far from the ship. It leaped out of the water twice in the interval the ship was passing it.

"Well, that was spectacular," said Joyce when the whale was out of sight. "I never saw whales breaching in person until I took this cruise."

"You never took a tour while in New York?" asked Tom, surprised at her revelation. "I've done a couple out of Boston."

"No, to be honest, I thought they were just for tourists," she smiled. "I might rethink that now that I've seen it in on this cruise. What else do you do in Boston?"

"Not much," he admitted. "Get a coffee and sit on the waterfront, people watching. Reading, tried some art classes and found I wasn't very good at it. Travel has been what I've enjoyed the most. Emily and I didn't get a chance to do much of it because of our jobs. Even though I was out in the field in many different places it was always work for me. After she died it seemed that nothing really interested me."

He breathed out and took a drink of water, looking out the window. Joyce let him have his sad moment, knowing how he felt. She still had her moments where she wallowed a little, wishing Bob was still around. After several minutes Tom looked back at her with an apologetic smile.

"I'm sorry. Do you want to go? I wouldn't mind taking a walk around the ship."

They walked through the Promenade deck looking to see what sales were on at the shops, not buying anything, as most of the goods were overpriced. Going up one floor brought them to the casino where they saw Paula and Dan sharing a slot machine. Those two were laughing and flirting outrageously but neither Joyce nor Tom wanted to interrupt their fun, so they decided to watch a show in the theatre. There was music and dancers, and while it was entertaining enough neither of them seemed to really pay attention.

"Do you want to go somewhere quiet?" Joyce asked during a lull in the show.

With a smile, Tom grasped her hand and stood up, leading her out of the theatre and down a floor to the deck where the jogging track was. There were several people walking on the track, while others jogged past them, and they joined the slower people, with him still holding her hand. It was pleasant out and the sound of the ship slicing through the cold Alaskan waters was calming.

"I'm sorry I'm not a very good date," said Tom. "I've been out a few times since Emily died but I'm not very good at small talk. Out of practice I guess."

"It wasn't bothering me," answered Joyce. "I feel the same, except I haven't tried dating at all, really." She looked out towards the water. "I do have a male friend that I'm helping to adjust to living a normal life. He wasn't part of society for a long time but he's a good man, an old soul really, and he reminds me of my brother who died in the 1970s. We've been out or hung out a few times. He's even helped me by being a caregiver while I have my chemotherapy."

Tom stopped walking. "You have cancer?" His face was full of concern. "Are you alright? Should you be away from home?"

"I'm fine," she reassured him. "I've had two rounds of chemotherapy and after the most recent one I don't have to have another until July. A cruise was on my bucket list and circumstances in New York just before I left kind of made it clear I shouldn't be there."

"Now you have me worried," he said, drawing Joyce to the railing. "What circumstances?"

"You've heard of the Flag Smashers?" He nodded. "They were targeting me because my male friend, who I've been helping, is Bucky Barnes, and please don't call him the Winter Soldier. He suffered so much under HYDRA and he's a really decent man, trying to fit into a society that is bewildering to him at times."

"So, it's true, that they tortured him into becoming ... the other guy?" Joyce smiled sadly and nodded. "Is that why he was pardoned because he truly wasn't in control of his actions?"

"Yeah, but he still has to make amends to the victims for what the other guy did as part of his conditional pardon, although no one connected to HYDRA has made amends to him for what they put him through," she replied. "When he found out the Flag Smashers were actually super soldiers, he was afraid HYDRA was involved again and has been trying to track them down. They disappeared for a while until the leader showed up last week at a coffee shop where I was and began talking to me. She sent two of her followers to kidnap me, so that Bucky would step away from the investigation. He's the only one physically strong enough to go up against them, well him and Sam Wilson, the real Captain America."

"I didn't think much of that Walker fellow," admitted Tom. "Too perfect, in a frat boy kind of way, then he killed that man in cold blood." He looked down and took Joyce's hand again. "I really like you, Joyce. Around you, I can be my usual quiet self. I'm not saying that we have to be anything other than friends, but would you consider starting out that way, at least, and see where it goes?"

"I wasn't looking for anything after Bob died," she replied. "Seemed disloyal but I don't feel that way with you. Friends is a good start and if it leads to something more then I would see it as something that was meant to happen."

His smile at that moment was warm and genuine, as he squeezed her hand, then turned to look back at the ocean. The sun had set, bathing the sky in a soft orange that melded into the deepening blue waters. A breeze began to chill Joyce so she suggested going back to her cabin to get a jacket. When they arrived at the door, she saw the Do Not Disturb card out and a shopping bag containing her nightgown, clean underwear, a toothbrush and some toiletries in it, hanging on the doorknob.

"Oh dear," she blushed. "Paula warned me that this might happen."

"Dan's in there, isn't he?" asked Tom, scratching his head. "Well, come on back to our suite. You can have my bed, while I take my brother's. Usually, he texts me when he does this sort of thing." He pulled his cell phone out and frowned seeing he had received the text then sighed. "I forgot I put it on mute when we ate and didn't reset it. I'm sorry."

"Hey, stop apologizing," said Joyce. "I'm good with it, really. Bucky stayed over on the couch while I recuperated from my chemotherapy, and it was nice having someone close by."

They walked up a set of stairs to the next deck and found Tom's cabin. He opened the door for her, turning on the light, and apologizing for the mess, which apparently was mostly his brother's. Once again, she calmed him about it being alright and he gave her access to the bathroom first. They had an awkward moment when she came out in her nightgown to find him in the same little space hanging his brother's clothes up in the closet. Stepping back to allow Joyce to get past him, he blushed then disappeared into the bathroom himself to have a quick shower.

"Joyce?" he asked, opening the bathroom door a little. "I forgot to bring my pyjamas in. Could you look away or close your eyes so I can get them on?"

Finding his embarrassment cute, she closed her eyes and looked away as she sat in Tom's bed until he told her he was decent.

"Do you want to watch some TV?"

He looked at her expectantly, seeming happy when she agreed, bringing up a decent romcom for them to watch together. Later, Joyce was vaguely aware of someone tucking her in, telling her to go back to sleep. The man's voice was soft and kind, and it made her feel safe.


Brooklyn

The beep on Bucky's phone woke him immediately and he picked the device up from where he placed it on the edge of the armchair in his living room area. There was a notification from the security system app, and he quickly opened it to see someone, in a hoodie, going up the steps to Joyce's house and pressing the doorbell. With no one there to answer the door the person tried to look into the windows then went down the steps. Seconds after that a sensor was triggered on a second-floor window. Immediately, Bucky got dressed then headed out of his apartment towards Joyce's house arriving there just minutes later, setting himself up across the street.

He looked closely at the second floor where the window at the front was slightly opened. Opening the app, he could see the interior camera picking up the person in the hoodie who just seemed to be going from room to room. They came out of the second-floor window, closing it, then climbed down, using a drainpipe before jumping the last 5 feet into the front courtyard of the brownstone. Blending back into the shadows he watched the person look around for any witnesses then head off down the street. Following close enough to keep him or her under surveillance, but not close enough for them to hear him, he kept on their tail until they arrived at a small park several blocks away from the coffee shop.

"Well?" He heard a familiar voice speak from the shadows, identifying it as Karli. "Is it her house?"

"Can't tell as all the family pictures have been taken out, as well as mail addressed to the owner," said the other person, a woman. "No one's there. They have a doorbell camera and sensors so someone should be showing up there soon."

"You didn't wait to make sure?" asked Karli, beginning to sound angry. "Were you followed?"

"No, of course not," said the woman. "I'm a professional. I know when I'm being followed."

"Not if it's Barnes," replied Karli. "For all we know he could have her place under surveillance, and you've just led him directly to me."

"I wouldn't do that," protested the woman. "I believe in the cause."

Her voice choked up for a moment and Bucky almost bolted towards them, not wanting to be witness to a murder but he heard another voice, an Australian man.

"Karli, don't," he said calmly. "She's doing her best. He's probably got the old woman stashed in a safe house. We can get a couple of warm bodies to keep an eye on the house and let us know when she returns."

He heard the sound of the woman who broke into the house gasping, guessing she had just been released.

"You better be right, Dovich," warned Karli. "I want Barnes off of this before we hit the GRC where it hurts."

"What about Walker?" he asked. "It's obvious he took the last unbroken vial of serum."

"We kill him," she replied. "Barnes and Wilson as well, if they interfere. We have six super soldiers versus their two. The odds are in our favour." She stepped out of the shadows in the park into the beam of a streetlight, seemingly looking directly at Bucky, then turning back to the young woman. "Go on home. Wait for the signal."

As much as he wanted to follow the other woman, Bucky knew if he broke his cover that Karli would see him, so he let her go. Instead, he watched Dovich light up a cigarette and come out of the shadows himself. He looked around then offered the cigarette to Karli, who declined it.

"Are the trucks ready?" she asked.

"They will be by tomorrow," he said.

"Tomorrow it is then," she said. "We'll send the signal in the afternoon and get our people into position. The ones on the inside said the ratification vote is in two days. We'll hit them before the vote, while they're still spewing bullshit."

They turned back towards the darkness then he heard the sound of them running away in the dark. For a moment he wondered if he should follow them but instead, he texted Torres to watch for a signal to come in the next 24 hours. Then he texted Sam.

Bucky: You better get back here. I think Karli is going to move tomorrow.

He made one more text.

Bucky: You awake?

Peter: Yeah, still working on homework. What's up?

Bucky: Need you to keep an eye on Joyce Franklin's place and deal with anyone who is watching it. She'll be home in three days and they're planning to take her. Can't let that happen.

Peter: You got it. You think the Flag Smashers are going to make their move?

Bucky: I do. I'll let you know if we need you.

Peter: I'll be there.

There wasn't much more Bucky could do, other than prepare mentally. Karli's followers had obviously infiltrated both the police and the military, so it was pretty much up to them to contain the threat. He just hoped they didn't go looking for Joyce in Alaska.