Resilient

Chapter 23

Once in the lab Bucky had laid Evelyn down on the scanner per Bruce's instruction and stood by watching the monitors. He looked up and Natasha was across from him looking down at her and saw her mouth moving slowly and realized she was counting the breaths she was taking.

"Bruce is she okay?" Wanda asked from the foot of the bed; her eyes glistening with tears threatening to fall. Steve walked over from the door to put his arm around her shoulder.

"Her vitals are all looking great. I think that last bit of power took a lot out of her - I felt it in the deck," Bruce said, turning to them. "I didn't expect that."

"I pushed her too hard too fast," Wanda shook her head, "I should've known better."

"Wanda - you didn't do anything wrong. Evelyn is okay; she just needs rest." Steve said, turning her to face him and realizing tears had fallen down her face.

Natasha walked up to Wanda and grabbed her hand, "Let's head back downstairs. Once she wakes up we will go see her but you need some rest too."

Once the women left Bucky looked at Bruce. "Are you able to give her a sedative for her nightmares?"

"Yeah, but we are running low. I'm not sure if we have enough for both of you. I've been trying to create more but-" Bruce started

"It's okay Bruce. She can have it all," Bucky said interrupting him.

"Buck-" Steve walked towards him. He knew if Bucky went without the sedative his nightmares would come back quick.

Bucky turned towards Steve and shook his head. "You felt her sadness Steve - do you really think she won't have nightmares about what caused that sadness or worse tonight? We had her bring up those memories."

Steve knew when he lost an argument and nodded to Bruce who administered the sedative to Evelyn. "Thank you Bruce."

"She should be okay going to her own room. I can check on her later," Bruce said looking at the young woman. Bucky nodded and lifted her up off the scanner slowly and walked to the door with Steve.

Once to the elevator Steve pushed the button and looked at his friend. "She sure is something isn't she?"

"Yeah - she really is," Bucky said looking down at the woman in his arms and realizing how truly screwed he was. "We have to figure out what HYDRA wants with her Steve."

"We will Buck - and they won't touch her ever again," Steve said, putting his hand on his shoulder.

Bucky clenched his jaw and opened his mouth to say something but stopped when he heard a small sigh from Evelyn. Instead he looked at his friend and nodded his head in agreement.

Steve walked ahead of Bucky to open Evelyn's door and pull back her covers. He watched as Bucky laid her down gently and covered her up. He smiled at his friends back when he saw him brush her hair out of her face and kiss her forehead. When Bucky turned around Steve raised an eyebrow at him and saw Bucky's cheeks redden slightly.

Once Bucky closed the door behind them Steve looked at him and surprised him by hugging him.

"What was that for?" Bucky asked as Steve released him.

"I just - I'm glad to see this side of you Buck," Steve said, shaking his head. He had always hoped Bucky would be able to let go of the past and let someone other than him in but he knew how stubborn his friend could be.

Bucky looked at his friend and smiled, "I don't know if it would've ever happened if I hadn't met Evelyn. She brings out a part of me I thought was lost."

"I meant what I said Buck - we will figure out what HYDRA's plans for her were and make sure they pay for what they did to her," Steve said looking at his best friend.

Bucky met his friend's eyes, "Can't wait."

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"Evelyn?" Bruce said knocking on her bedroom door and peeking in.

Evelyn shot up in bed and looked around. "What?"

"It's me Bruce - can I come in?" Bruce asked from the crack in the door.

"Yeah, of course," Evelyn said, wiping her eyes as he turned on the lights and came to her bed.

"How are you feeling?" Bruce asked sitting on the edge of her bed looking at her.

"Good I guess. Did I - um - did I faint?" Evelyn asked picking at her blanket

"Yes, I think from the exertion of power. I felt it all the way on the observation deck," Bruce explained. "Bucky carried you back to your room after we did some scans and realized you were just exhausted."

Evelyn stared at him for a second. Of course Bucky carried her to her room and she was unconscious. Real attractive Evelyn. "Did I hurt anyone?"

"No, no one was hurt. Wanda feels like it was her fault for pushing you so hard though," Bruce said

"What? That's silly - I pushed myself to see what I could do. She was just helping me with the process," Evelyn shook her head.

"I know Evelyn. I'm sure she does too but she's been through a lot the last couple years and seeing you pass out after she gave you guidance scared her," Bruce said standing up. "The team waited for you to get up for a late dinner if you'd like to join us."

"I'm starving!" Evelyn said moving the blankets and standing still feeling a little wobbly but she didn't show Bruce because she was sure he'd make her stay in bed.