Thaw

Revelation

*****Katia's POV

Suddenly I am awoken by jerky movements... Bucky's body jolts to the side, I can hear panting and low growls. I turn to face him, and his eyes are shut and brows furrowed like he is angry. His mouth is sealed shut, his expression appears to be both angry and in anguish.

I take a deep breath.
I can do this.
It'll be okay... I place my hand on his forehead. His head jerks slightly, then calms under my hand. I exhale, and close my eyes.

My thoughts go black... and then slowly the gentle glow of fluorescent lights illuminate my vision.

I can see a thick fog and I feel a blanket of frozen mist engulf the atmosphere.
Something is pushing obnoxiously loud air into the tight space he is in. Suddenly, the air stops and the final sound of loud white noise reverberates against the walls.

Then, eerie silence. A door lifts open, the mist rapidly escaping. Two men come to either side of him and lift him out of his chamber. They carry his stiff body to a bed and strap his body and arms down. I can feel the tension, pain and anger rising inside of him... I can feel every ounce of suffering.

I pull out of his dream back into reality. I gasp, my body and mind adjusting back to the present.
I concentrate, and press my palm gently against his forehead just as his vibranium arm jolts upward. I focus and transfer calm energy to his mind to pull him from his nightmare and ground his emotions. His arm eases and goes limp at his side again. I pull my hand back carefully, as not to wake him. His face is peaceful, his breathing steady again.

I sigh in relief... and guilt.

I just dodged death... but more importantly, how will he respond to me telling him the truth?
I can read minds... among other abilities. To be candid, most of my abilities are even a mystery to me because I don't want to hurt anyone or invade their privacy anymore than I already do.
I just want to live quietly, and be helpful when possible... that's why I do high security interrogations.
It's my way of controlling what I can control in my element and getting the information I require to solve cases and hopefully save some lives.

It's not as easy as it sounds... thoughts are fleeting, and without physically touching someone, I can't leaf through their life like a book.... not that I EVER want to. It's incredibly violating, and requires immense concentration... it isn't as easy as simply touching someone on the shoulder. I can make physical contact with people without automatically picking through their head, thank God.
But as I said... I haven't explored the depth of my abilities, so I don't even know what good or terrible things I am capable of beyond hearing thoughts, picking through brains and calming minds.

I have no interest in becoming an avenger, or some kind of manipulated weapon the government can use. My abilities do not make me a hero, but can easily label me a criminal... especially since Bucky and I are together. I know exactly how people feel about him, and if they misunderstand me and my powers, the powers that be will definitely intervene and take one of us away...
The government would never risk the chance of having someone who could manipulate James' mind to kill... again. He is too powerful, and they still see him as a threat.

Even worse... if he finds out about my abilities, he may feel betrayed thinking I actually want to manipulate him. Being in control is extremely important to him, and I know this secret may be too much for him to handle... but I can't keep this from him forever.

The truth is... I have no control over my ability to read minds. If I am within close proximity to someone, my mind will automatically pick up their thoughts and tell me exactly what they are thinking in that moment.

Honestly, I hate having this power... my head is never quiet unless I am home in my spacious apartment and alone. The only person's head I don't mine listening to all the time, is James'.