Eligible Bachelor ✔️

Chapter 18

I laid staring at the ceiling in my room when I heard the door open. I sat up to see Natasha.

"She's awake. Wanda is with her now."

I followed Natasha down to where we were keeping Melody. As we approached, we heard her screaming. She was on her knees as Wanda tried to enter her mind. "Wanda! Stop!"

Wanda stepped out of the cage as Melody tried to catch her breath on the ground.

"Mel?" I knelt on the ground on the outside of the glass in front of her. When she looked up at me I knew she wasn't my Mel; not yet. I sighed, "what was your mission?"

Melody stood up as Steve mirrored her. She approached the glass, "to kill the Avengers."

I opened the door to the cage as I felt Natasha grab my arm.

"Steve, don't go in there. You just heard her."

I pulled my arm away, "Tony thought I would be the only one that could get through to her. I owe it to him to try." I saw her nod as I looked at Wanda, "come on." I stood in front of Melody with my hands up as Wand stood behind her, "we don't want to hurt you Melody." I watched fear wash over her face as she backed herself against a wall so Wanda was no longer behind her.

"Of course you do. That's what you Avengers do. You kill people. That's what my father says."

I scoffed, "your father? You mean the man using you as a weapon? No, your real father is dead Melody."

She tilted her head, as if not comprehending, "Vincent Carbonell?"

I shook my head, crossing my arms in front of my chest, "no. Tony Stark."

Melody scoffed, "he's not my father. He lets your lap dog wander the compound, the one that killed my aunt. Barnes." She pointed out of the cage towards Bucky.

I looked back at Bucky, motioning for him to come in, "Bucky is your friend Melody. We all are." I backed up so Bucky could approach her, cautiously.

Melody looked at him, "no. He can't be."

Bucky nodded, "I am doll. Remember me making you breakfast?" He looked at Steve, smiling, "and the story I told you about Steve at Coney Island?"

We all looked at Melody as she hesitated.

"He threw a ball at a game attendant."

I groaned, "you told her that story?"

Bucky laughed, shrugging, "she wanted to hear stories about you."

I looked back at Melody as she slid down the wall, sitting on the floor.

"Why would I ask stories about him?" She pointed to Steve, but spoke to only Bucky.

He looked at Steve who only nodded. Bucky knelt in front of her. He reached his hand out to brush hair out of her face. She flinched at first, but didn't stop looking at him, nodding her permission. Bucky smiled, "because you love him doll. And he loves you."

She looked at Steve and back at Bucky, "he loves Peggy."

I groaned, kneeling next to her to say something but Bucky put his hand up.

"And what did I say about that? Do you remember?"

She only shook her head, "you're trying to help me?"

I nodded, "of course."

Melody pointed to Wanda, "ok. I won't fight you." She watched Bucky get up, replaced by Wanda as she placed her hands on Melody's head.

I felt Melody reach out to grab my hand, not looking at me as Wanda started. I braced myself for her to be in pain or for her to scream, but it was quiet this time as she didn't fight back. I watched her with her eyes closed before Wanda backed away, "Mel? Melody?"

"Steve?" Melody opened her eyes, looking at Steve, "he said it was no contest."

"What was no contest?"

Bucky laughed, "Peggy. I said you did love her, but it was no contest with how you love Mel."

"Oh." I chuckled, running my fingers through her hair, "he's right. No contest."

She smiled, leaning into his arms as he held her, "I'm sorry Steve."

I groaned, "no. I'm sorry."

Bucky knelt to the ground, "I'm sorry Melody. I should have brought you to the compound when they were out."

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I shook my head, "the compound wouldn't have stopped them." I reached out, placing my hand on Bucky's cheek, "it isn't your fault Buck." I looked back at Steve, "my father?"

Steve shook his head, "he's gone love."

I nodded, standing up, seeing Bucky and Steve do the same. I looked around to see everyone waiting and watching us, "where is Tony?" I watched everyone exchange looks. I felt an emptiness in the pit of my stomach, "where is Tony, Steve?" I felt him grab my hand.

"Melody. I'm sorry. He's gone too."

I shook my head, "what do you mean he's gone? Take me to him. Now!"

Steve looked at Bucky who only nodded before he led them out of the cage, to the lab where Tony's body was.

I saw Pepper sitting next to Tony's body, standing up when she saw me, "is he sleeping?"

Pepper shook her head, tears streaking her cheeks as she replaced Steve's hand in Melody's, leading her to the body. "I'm so sorry Mel."

I shook my head, "sorry for what?" I felt Steve's hand on my back.

"He's gone love. He was shot. I"m so sorry love."

I felt my heart sink to my stomach as I surveyed over his lifeless body as the tears fell like a broken damn. I felt Steve grab me, pulling me to him as I buried my face in his chest.

He sighed as he held onto her, "I'm sorry."