Time Bomb

Chapter 20

—2 months later/Dani's POV—
I woke up in a very high tech looking room, only 2 people in it. One I recognize. T'Challa. I groaned in pain as I sat up.
"T'Challa, where am I?" I asked, holding my hand to my head. Surprised at how cold I am.
"Miss. Ackles, you're awake!" He said excitedly and walked over to the side of my bed. A pretty, very young looking girl following him.
"You say that like I've been out for awhile." I said as he took hold of my hand. His warmth radiating through me.
"You have been out for quite some time now. Your boys will be very happy to hear the news. Shuri, could you please call the compound and let them know she has woken up?" He said to the girl I now know as Shuri. She nodded and walked over to a desk and picked up a phone.
"T'Challa, how long have I been out and where the hell am I? Sorry, I know you're the king and I probably should cuss at you like that." I said, immediately apologizing for my rude language.
"Ah, it is not a problem. I prefer it if you talk to me as if I'm just a friend. To answer your questions, you are in Wakanda and you have been out for 2 months." He said and I panicked.
"2 months??? What happened to me? Why am I so cold?" I asked, a sudden rush of sadness spreading through me. Realizing I've been away from Bucky, again, for 2 months.
"We had to put you under for awhile while we figured out what was going on. I assume the others do not know of your abilities, your true ancestry?" He asked, taking a seat in the chair next to the bed.
"Only Clint and Bucky know unless they said anything to anyone else. Considering I have no idea what actually happened, they may have had to tell Bruce and Stephen." I said. Realizing now that it may be best to tell everyone sooner than I would have liked.
"Don't worry, we won't tell anyone else if you do not wish for them to know. But, if you'd like, we can help you learn how to use it. We have the right equipment to withstand that sort of thing. We could set you up with your own place here while you train. We would come up with a schedule that works for you. And of course, any of your friends are welcome to join you. Bucky, for example. I hear you two are dating now, that's good. After his time here, I had hoped he would find true happiness. The man is very tired of war and fighting." He said and smiled at me.
"T'Challa, that's such a generous offer but I wouldn't want to hurt anyone. While I do want to learn how to use this thing, I would hate myself and never forgive myself if I ever hurt anyone." I said, really considering his offer. I heard the elevator start to hum and assumed someone else was coming to check on me.
"Oh, don't you worry about us. We can take a couple blasts. The vibranium helps absorb the blast and later, we can use that to create very strong hit." He said and let out a small chuckle.
"Where is she?!" I heard a familiar voice say from the elevator. A wall separating me from being able to see who it is.
"In here." T'Challa said and I heard quick footsteps approach. Instant tears fell from my eyes as Bucky rounded the corner. He looked horrible. Bags under his eyes, he hadn't shaved in awhile, his hair longer than before, just all around looked like he hadn't slept in quite some time.
"Oh my god.." Bucky breathed out as he wrapped his arms around me, hugging me to his chest. I put my arms around his neck and hugged him back.
"I'll give you two some time. Please thing about my offer, I truly think it would be beneficial for you." T'Challa said and left us.
Bucky climbed into the bed beside me.
"How are you feeling?" He asked, grazing my cheek with his thumb.
"I feel okay. I'm cold and in a bit of pain but otherwise, I'm okay." I said, leaning into his hand against my cheek.
"Good, I'm glad you're doing better. They told us they had to put you under just to get your temperature under control." He said and smiled weakly at me.
"Bucky, the real question here is how are you doing? You look like you haven't slept in days." I said, reaching up to touch his cheek.
"That's because I haven't. Not really at least. I've been so worried about you, all I've been able to do is drink and have nightmares. I wasn't able to keep much food down either." He said, sadness written all over his face.
"Hey, I'm okay now. That's what matters." I said quietly, resting my forehead to his.
"There's something I need to tell you and you may not like it but Clint and I both felt we were out of options at the time." He said, sitting up and holding my hands in his.
"What is it, Bucky? What did you and Clint do?" I asked, very worried about what he's about to tell me.
"While I wasn't part of it really, given how drunk I've been the past 2 months... but I still feel responsible in a way because I let it happen.. but... Clint and I had talked about this the night T'Challa came to bring you here and I agreed at the time because I wanted to help and didn't see any other way of doing so. Clint did too. We both just wanted you to get better and we didn't think technology was going to help..." He started talking fast and I cut him off.
"Bucky, just tell me. You're scaring me." I said, squeezing his hands.
"Clint spent the last 2 months doing a lot of searching and well... he... Dani, he found your dad." He said.