It's Been A Long, Long Time ; Bucky Barnes

Chapter Twelve

2015 - Revels

Bucky was staying with Steve along with Cara but the small apartment grew crowded. Three super-soldiers living in a one room, one bath apartment was not something Cara would suggest to anyone. It had only been a few days since Cara returned from Sokovia and nobody except Bucky knew about her newfound power; not even Steve.

It was a cold January in New York City, so when they needed to go to the Avengers tower it was more of a speed walk. They hadn't been to the tower since they landed in the city, but the third day of the new year seemed like a good enough time to go and visit their friends. There weren't many people there, Thor was staying in one of the rooms of the tower so he was always there. So were Bruce and Tony, they were constantly trying to figure out the scepter and how it worked. Nobody really knew what they were doing in the lab so Cara decided to check it out, she was curious as well.

"Have you guys left this room once?" Cara asked as she walked into the lab. Both Bruce and Tony looked up and somewhat hid what they were working on, "Alright, move over. What are you doing?" She walked over to them and looked at the screens above her, "What the fuck is 'Ultron?'" Bruce looked at Tony, who was silent, for once in his life. Cara rolled her eyes, "Alright fine, don't tell me. It's not like I was the brain behind Hydra or anything."

Tony and Bruce considered what she said. Tony heaved a sigh and took the scepter from the stand it was sitting on, "We think this staff can create a way to protect the world."

"Protect it from what?" Cara said, not taking her eyes from their research.

"Aliens, other planets, Thor's brother, etcetera," Bruce replied, "Check this out." He pulled up the computer generated "brain" of the scepter.

"Wow, it's... thinking," she said, finally looking away from the screen, "I thought it was more magical than scientific. I mean considering the powers that it gave Wanda and Pietro. Both being magically enhanced individuals."

"Nope," Tony said, looking at the scepter, "Whatever is inside of this stone can protect our earth, create peace amongst everyone."

"Peace?" Cara asked, "Tony there's no world with peace, not really anyway. Everyone fights their own form of battles."

"With this," he smiled, "People wouldn't need us."

Cara hesitated, a gut feeling told her this was not going to end well, "And you would trust an artificial intelligence to do your jobs? I don't know, it seems too easy." she meant what she said, but she was bored, "You know what, what the hell. Do you need some help?"

Tony and Bruce smiled, they knew she could keep up with them.

That entire day was spent figuring out ways to create the AI named Ultron, dead end after dead end. Nothing seemed to be working, the stone was just too unknown; which terrified Cara. Even if it did work, who's to say it will listen to them? She thought about the twins, thinking maybe they would be able to help.

Tony looked down at his watch, "Shit! People are getting here in an hour." Bruce had already left and it was just Cara and Tony working on Ultron, "You're going to be here right?"

"For what?" Cara asked, running a few tests on the stone.

"The party,"

Cara looked up, "I have nothing to wear."

Tony laughed, "Go find Thor, there are a few cocktail dresses in one of the rooms. He can show you where. I bought a few just in case."

Cara laughed quietly, "Okay. Thank you." Tony nodded and went back to work before he needed to get ready. Cara walked out of the lab and saw Thor sitting on the couch watching something on the television, "Any chance you know where these cocktail dresses are? Tony told me to find you."