Memories || Bucky Barnes

Chapter 18

I keep my eyes on the panel as Bucky's temperature comes down. I watch his vitals carefully but I don't dare to look at him yet.

His heart starts beating right on time. After that, his body reaches safely 90 degrees within the first half hour.

The sudden sound of gasping causes me to jump. I turn to see Bucky awake and pretty disoriented. I curse myself for not being able to hold back and I drop my white coat on the floor as I rush to him.

"Hey, hey, Bucky..." I say softly trying to get his attention

"Emmy?" he finally responds as his eyes land on me

"Yes, it's me. Do me a favor and stay down for a bit more, alright? Your body is still warming up" I explain

"Right... I was frozen" he remembers

"Yes. And we'll talk about everything in a bit. Now, I need you to give yourself some time to come back fully".

"Stay" he asks and his voice almost breaks

"Of course" I answer and I sit besides him on the bed. He takes my hand and closes his eyes.

They bring me my tablet, and I hold his hands as I check his vitals frequently. It takes his body about 15 minutes to reach normal temperature naturally. We stay there for another 15 minutes to make sure it stays that way without any anomalies.

"Can you clear the room, please?" I ask from everyone.

They exit without argument. As soon as the door shuts, I lean closer to Bucky's head. I brush my fingers through his hair and I kiss his head gently.

"You think you can sit up now?" I whisper to him

"I think so" he replies.

I hold his hand tighter and I help him sit up on the bed.

"How are you feeling?" I ask

"Good" he answers

"Good".

I hug him and I let the tears roll. I take in a few breaths of his scent. "2 years" I say before he could ask

"How have you been?"

"It wasn't great but I was mostly ok. I have been working a lot here"

"Sounds like fun" he chuckles

"It was".

I pull away and I wipe my tears quickly.
"We have a lot to talk about but we don't have much time" I admit

"So this wake up call wasn't for good news"

"I wish it was. Steve is on his way with the others, and I have..."

I pause and I look down

"I may be holding a plan that could potentially wipe the Winter Soldier programming from your mind".

"Emmy..." he cups my cheek and lifts my head again. "That's wonderful news" he smiles as tears form in his eyes.

I shake my head and another tear rolls down down my cheek. "I don't--" I can't even finish my sentence.

"This isn't working". I get up and I walk away from him. I pick up my white coat from the floor.

"What's not working?" Bucky asks worried.

"Bucky, I've been working on this plan for the last two years, and in order for this to go smoothly I had to set a boundary which I feel is necessary right now as well. Because I have to put my emotions aside and stay unbiased on my decisions. So as soon as I put this white coat on I'm not your wife. I'm Dr. Barnes. Do you understand that?" I explain