Rose woke up in a recovery room a few days later, groggy from the medication the nurses were filling her with. Pulling the IV from her arm, Rose moved to get out of the bed, before being stopped by a metal arm. Confused, she looked to see Bucky sitting in a chair next to her bed, his head resting on the edge of her mattress, light snoring coming from under his mop of hair. Steve walked in and smiled at Rose, offering her a coffee which she gladly accepted.
I thought he would have run off, says Rose, looking over at Steve as he sat on the couch facing her bed.
He wouldn't take his arms off of you until we brought you to the hospital, responded Steve, I had contacted Tony, so we were able to sort out a form of protection for Bucky until the trial for you two.
A trial, Rose questioned.
You willingly turned yourself over to Hydra, the government is bound to have questions, answered Steve, looking up at Rose, but it's more for Buck than you. They want you to walk them through your time with Hydra and explain how he became Winter.
Rose held in a breath. She knew that the only way they would believe her would be with her memories, but she wasn't ready for that to become public knowledge. Her gasp startled Bucky away, causing him to jump into action.
"What happened?" he asked, surveying their surroundings quickly. His startled nature caused Steve and Rose to laugh.
"Steve? When's the trial?" asked Rose out loud now that Bucky was awake.
"Two weeks, why?" he questioned. Rose knew Natasha had gotten the chips to Tony in New York, so it was time for a trip.
"You boys ready to head to New York?"
-----
Getting permission to bring Bucky to New York was the hardest thing Rose had done to date. She all but signed her life away for it, ensuring she would be at the government's aid whenever necessary, seeing as their only big form of counterintelligence had fallen. But she wouldn't let Bucky know that. The three arrived at Avengers Tower to be immediately swept into the lab by Tony and Bruce. Rose had been able to reach out to Gemma, so she was present as well.
"How is everyone?" asked Rose, pulling the girl into a hug.
"We made it out okay, Fitz is having a hard time," answered Gemma. She had filled Rose in on how Grant Ward was working for Hydra under John Garrett since being recruited into SHIELD. Rose wasn't terribly surprised about the news, seeing as she never trusted him.
"Would chipping him work too?" asked Rose. While she was up with technology, the brain was not her specialty. The sad look on Gemma's face made it clear it wasn't possible.
"Well then we are just going to have to take down the man instead," smiled Rose, before sending Gemma off to prep. She turned to Bucky, who was talking with Steve. Rose smiled at the sight, glad the childhood friends were able to catch up with one another. Bucky still seemed very confused, but she was hoping to bring his memories back would help him remember, and help his case in trial.
Gemma instructed Bruce and Steve to leave, allowing Rose to stay for emotional support for the broken man in front of them. Tony refused to leave Rose alone, donning his hand repulsors should drastic measures need to be taken.
"So I'm just going to make a small incision in the back of your neck, and place the chip inside," explained Gemma to Bucky, "I'll need to push it deep, so it will be a little uncomfortable. From there, the chip will bring itself into your brain, which will also not be pleasant."
"Whatever it takes," he whispered, not taking his eyes off Rose. Right now, the only thing he remembered was her, so he refused to let her leave his side. She smiled at him, taking his hands in hers. She gave Gemma a nod to get started, before turning back to Bucky. The incision didn't receive one flinch from the soldier, and neither did the chip being inserted. A grimace came over his face when the chip began moving, but he pushed through it. Everyone was silent as they waited for something to happen, but nothing seemed to occur.
"Did it work?" asked Rose, leaning down so she was eye level with Bucky. He dropped his head quickly, but not fast enough to stop her from seeing the tears rolling down his face. Everything was coming back to him. Gemma had moved to cover the incision site, but Rose moved to take the wound care supplies.
If everyone could clear out, I think he just needs a little time, said Rose softly to everyone watching. They all dispersed, Tony begrudgingly, but left the two alone. They didn't speak as Rose cleaned his wound before dressing it with skilled hands. She sat down on the edge of the table, making sure to leave a little space in case that was what he needed.
They sat on the table in silence for a few minutes, before Bucky abruptly stood up and began pacing. Rose knew it was best to just let him process, knowing how overwhelmed she had felt when she woke up from her procedure. She looked on as he paced back and forth for about ten minutes, before stopping suddenly and turning towards her. He walked over to her, gingerly placing his metal arm around her waist and his other arm at the base of her neck before pulling himself into her. When she didn't react to him, he started to pull away, but she pulled him back before he could fully walk away. She pulled herself to her feet to make the position easier, and they stood wrapped in each other's arms for as long as possible. Steve and Tony were coming into check on them but stopped at the sight before them. Two people, broken by evil forces, coming back together after decades apart. Bucky looked up at them, feeling their eyes on them. Steve simply smiled and gave him a thumbs-up, before turning away and dragging Tony back to the common room on the floor.
YOU ARE READING
Becoming Legion
Science Fiction~Book Two in the Ms. America Series~ Rose had been lost. Since coming off the ice, her mind became a confusing place to be. With the help of her friends, Rose had been able to rebuild her memories. But now, she faced evils that would threaten her mi...
