Devotion Book 4 ~ ON HOLD

6. PROMISES

When the night has come
And the land is dark
And the moon is the only light we see
No I won't be afraid
Oh I won't be afraid
Just as long as you stand, stand by me

-Stand by Me by Ben E King (performed by Boyce Avenue)

** Six weeks earlier

Ramonda nodded, happy to hear the honest truth from Sophia.  She signaled to the guards to open the doors.  T'Challa is standing at the other side of the room. James is standing at the end in a black suit with no tie.  Sophia makes her way to him and he takes her hands in his.

"In this place," T'Challa started, "we celebrate a friendship.  A friendship that has survived, persevered, conquered the unknown, to stand here and become a family."

"A love promise is something not to be taken lightly.  It's a sense of completion, to promise to each other that your love will remain strong.  James, repeat after me."

"I, James Buchanan Barnes, promise you, Sophia-Marie Rose Stark-Taylor, to be by your side, be your partner, your strength, your family.  May this symbol of our friendship and love complete our bond as lovers.

Bucky slipped the ring onto Sophia's right hand.  She looked at him confused.  "It's a symbol of infinite love, Angel mine.  I'll always love you to the end of the line."

T'Challa turned to Sophia and had her repeat the same words.  Nakia then approached with their intambo, a braided purple, red and blue rope.  She handed it to T'Challa, who asked the couple to hold hands with their finger intertwined.  He tied the rope around their hands with a lovers know. "This bonding is complete.  This family is a recognized family of Wakanda," T'Challa declared.

With the final declaration, Bucky pulled Sophia closer and placed a gentle kiss on her lips.  They felt the same pull from Monaco, as if they had put a missing puzzle piece back into place.  T'Challa undid the rope and handed it to Bucky.  Sophia was able to hug Bucky. "Thank you, James.  I love you," she whispered to him.

"Always Angel mine.  I love you too."

*

T'Challa was brought back to the present when one of the technicians announced that they were ready.  He stood in his suit in front of Sophia with Steve and Tony, ready to defend.  Sophia placed a shield around herself.  T'Challa nodded to Shuri who began the waking process.  A few minutes later the tube opened, cold foggy air being released.

Some technicians went forward but T'Challa waived them off, not wanting anyone else to get hurt.  He and Steve stepped forward cautiously, waiting for the vapors to dissipate.  "Bucky?" Steve called out.

A groan was heard from the tube.  It made Sophia's stomach flutter with anxiety.  She worried that the unfreezing process had hurt him.  She took a tentative step forward, but Tony motioned her to stop.  She continued to look at the tube, willing Bucky to come out. Suddenly an arm reached out and grabbed Steve by the throat.  Steve shouted from the shock and then he was thrown away.  He landed on a lab table, breaking the glass.  He rolled back to his feet and moved back in just as T'Challa stopped the second punch.

Tony put his hands up, ready to defend Sophia if Bucky got too close. T'Challa and Steve tried to hold Bucky down to try and give him a sedative.  Sophia watched, worried they were going to hurt him.  No one was watching her, so she dropped her shield, put her hands up and forced Tony, Steve and T'Challa away. 

She quickly placed a field around Bucky to hold him in place.  She held tight as she approached him.  He thrashed against the field, trying to break free.  She saw the men try to approach her and she held up her hand, stopping them in their tracks. She pushed her hand through the field and managed to cup her hand around Bucky's face.  He stilled at the touch, raised his confused blue gray eyes to look into her deep brown ones. "James," she whispered, "I love you.  I'm your angel."

His body shuddered and dropped to his knees, grasping his head in pain.  Sophia waited until he raised his head and whispered, "Angel?" before dropping the shield.  She lowered herself to her knees and he pulled her in for a hug. "I'm here Angel. I'm back, I promise."

Steve watched the pair and had the overwhelming urge to join them.  "Sophia?"

"He's ok love.  He's tired but he's ok."  She looked back at Steve with a smile and reached out to him. 

Steve helped her up and balanced her before letting go and helped Bucky to his feet.  He pulled Bucky in for a hug.  "Glad to have you back pal."  He pulled away and looked Bucky in the eye.  "She told me. I know everything.  Thank you for taking care of her."

"I'm sorry Stevie.  I just couldn't leave her without knowing she was still loved."

"I know.  And I'm ok.  As long as the three of us are together, I know we'll be ok."  Steve stepped back and took Sophia's left hand.

"James? Are you ok now?" Sophia's eyes were filled with concern.

"I'm better now that we are back together Angel."  He reached to take Sophia's right hand.  As soon as their fingers interlocked, Sophia felt like she was being electrocuted.

"Oh."

That was the only sound she made as her eyes began to glow, her normal purple at first than brighter to white.  She began to rise up in the air, her head tilted back.

"Sophia?" Steve panicked, unable to free his hand.  Bucky was in the same predicament on her other side.  "Angel?"

Suddenly it was as if they were outside looking at the stars.  Galaxies could be seen on the ceiling of the lab.

"What the hell is going on?!" Tony yelled.

The power surge started to fade.  Sophia started to fall but Steve caught her, both men finally able to let go from her grip. Steve and Bucky looked at each other and then at Sophia, unconscious in Steve's arms. "Bucky, what did you do?"

"I just made her a promise.  What did you do?"

"I made her a promise too."