Ice Princess

32

Melinoe removed the hood and was now visible, quickly she turned around. But then righted her position to how it was beforehand.

"I'm sorry." She winced as she said it. "I didn't know you were in the bathroom." Bucky stood behind her, she could feel the heat of the hot water from his shower coming off of him and onto her. The castle for the most part was cold and she was freezing by the time she finally made it to his room. All that separated him from her was the small towel he had wrapped around his hips and it wasn't very well secured.

"Why did you come?" Bucky's voice gravelly and barely above a whisper. Melinoe was doing her best to think of other things.

"I just spent most of the night trying to find both of you."

"What are you talking about?"

"I'm next to Viktor's room. In the other turret."

"He said you were down the hall from both of us and that his room was at the other end."

"Well, I'm not. And I had a very interesting conversation with his mother."

"I thought his mother was dead."

"She is."

"Oh.

"In fact, there are a lot of people here who are dead and are not very happy with him. Wait a minute, could you all be quiet please. Thank you."

"I was being quiet."

"You were, the ghosts were all sharing their concerns with me. It was loud for me, although you didn't hear a thing. Right now, the room is really, really crowded. They have been following me around all night."

"Whatever, I'm still angry with you." He had grabbed both of her wrists. "You went somewhere you weren't welcomed." He was becoming angry alright.

"I know. I'm sorry. There is nothing I can do to change anything. All I can do is promise not to do it again." He let go of her and she fell to the ground. "You have not idea how bad I feel that I can't ever give you what you want to be happy." Melinoe didn't look up at him. "I promise, you won't see me again after all of this." Just then, Bruce walked in.

"I don't even want to know, this has a whole HR incident written all over this." Bucky picked Melinoe up and held her in front of him as a shield since his towel had started to come undone.

"Bruce. Something is going on, I'm in the other turret."

"Doom said you were down the hall." Bruce looked at Bucky questioning as she rubbed her wrists where he had her before, the bruises had already started. "Are you ok?"

"Does it matter? He's purposefully keeping us separate. I don't know why. But there are so many spirits in this castle." Then she shook herself away from Bucky. "Bruce, can we talk?" She immediately started to walk towards the adjoining room's door.

"Ah, yeah." Bruce gave Bucky a look. She waited in an armchair for him to join her, rubbing her face she started to explain the compulsion spell.

"But that's not the only reason I came. Wong found a prophecy that Doom is checking several things off this list. I'm afraid something will happen to the two of you and Bucky doesn't get it, that's why I came. I don't know why he can't accept that. It just seems like everything I do is a mistake with him. I'll work with him, I'll keep it professional, but after this is done, I don't expect either of you to see me again."

"You're not thinking of..."

"No, just ... I just won't be available. Bucky's made it clear my place isn't with you all. Anyway. That's all I wanted to tell you. I'm going back to my room now." She put her hood back on and left. Bruce went back over to Bucky's room, thankful he was now dressed.

"What the hell did you do?" Bruce asked him trying to keep his anger in check.

"Do? What did I do? She invaded my dreams unchecked."

"Yeah, she did that to warn us. I don't understand why you're so upset about it. What could be so upsetting about a dream? She could have given you a nightmare."

"Well, she is the nightmare."

"Talk to me, did she force you to do something in your dream you were uncomfortable about?"

"No, it was a dream about Steve and if everything went ok after the war. I never fell, Steve never froze. Peggy was even there. I had a family."

"I don't know what's so bad about that."

"The family was with her. She was my wife and we had kids together. I was protecting them and told her to get out."

"No wonder she's so upset."

"She's upset."

"Not only did you push her away....you don't get it do you?"

"Get what?"

"She's never had a family. And she can't have one either."

"Sure she can."

"No, she can't." Bruce was pacing back and forth. "She can't have kids. One of the reasons she's never been on many dates. Everyone wants to have kids, and you've seen how great she is with Love. Melinoe loves kids. Not only did you show her something she could never have, but made it brutally known that she would never have it with you. It probably doesn't bother her so much that it will never be with you, but the whole happy family where people are together with friends.... Think about it. You're constantly emotionally beating her up for no reason and playing a game of cat and mouse with her. Just leave her be, ok?"

"Why?"

"Because, after she's done helping us here. Melinoe will make sure she never is involved with you again. She just wants you to live and be happy."

After being talked to like that, after Steve had visited him. Some things were starting to click into place.

Meanwhile, Melinoe made it back to her room, her heart heavy. She listened to each ghost's complaint regarding Doom, creating a mental list. If things went south, she would need to enlist their help. Doom's mother waited patiently for all the spirits to leave.

"This dress would be the best one for you." She pointed at a lovely silver dress with black embroidery, Melinoe tried it on and it fit perfectly. So did the matching shoes. "I am so sorry you have to go through this." She put her hand on Melinoe's shoulder to comfort her but it was just an icy chill.

"I will help you, all of you before I leave here. I promise." Melinoe told the woman as she began to change into pajamas. While she couldn't sleep, she'd at least try to get some.