AVENGERS CIVIL WAR

Chapter 8

Have fun with this chapter!

Peggy Carter entered Nick Fury's office. It was late at night but she was fully alert, her eyes bright and sparkling. Her steps were light and energetic. She was a transformed, new, human and it was stunning to see her transformation.

When Peggy signed on for the experiment, she knew that the chances of her dying were high. She'd prepared everything in advance for her impending death. She'd written her goodbyes, accepted it with grace. Except, to everyone's surprise, she thrived under the experiment, turning out far better than the scientists had ever hoped and dreamed of. Carters' have tough blood.

Nick Fury nodded his head at her. "Yes, Ms. Carter?"

"I was wondering when I'll be freed to go see Steve," Peggy replied.

Nick looked thoughtful. "Tensions are rising among the Avengers. You ate a balance for them. I think we should wait until your return is neccasary."

Peggy's head dipped. "Sir...I just want to talk to Steve. He could be sworn to secrecy unil the appropriate time."

"Patience, Ms. Carter. Patience."

----

Bucky stared in the mirror, post-shower, his hair dripping drops of water onto the wood floor. It was quiet in the safe house. Natasha was quiet as a mouse. Bucky heard every snap in the floor, every creak of the walls. Crickets chirped outside the window and pale moonlight peaked through the curtains.

Bucky continued to stare. He didn't recognise himself. Not that he knew who he really was before all of this. That was still a mystery, one that plagued his sleep.

Sleep. That would be a wonderful thing, if Bucky could turn the nightmares off. The weight of the horrors he committed were bright and vibrant in his mind, creeping from the deepest memories and revealing themselves when he tried to sleep. Every night he woke up in a cold sweat, nauseated and unable to breathe. His chest felt like it was being crushed slowly, lung by lung. It was mortifying, terrifying.

Bucky heard Natasha's bedroom door shut down the hallway. He yearned for someone to keep him company, keep his mind distracted.

But it was only him and he had to cope by himself. He crept under the sheets, his damp hair moistening the cool pillow. He kept the light on, unable to bear the dark on top of being alone.

His eyes were heavy with exhaustion. They drifted down...

His metal arm was soaked in blood as he reloaded his ammunition in his machine gun. Civilians screamed, off to the side of the road. The politician begged for mercy, on his knees before him. Bucky stared blankly down at him, before lifting his gun and pulling the trigger...

A sweat broke out across his skin and a strangled cry escaped his throat. His eyes flew open and he was reassured only slightly by the sight of the familiar bedroom. His heart still pounded and he racked his mind, desperate to assure himself none of the Hydra brainwashing had taken over again. Panic gripped him as he tried to recall and remember non-Hydra protocol, desperate to reclaim his own mind. Bucky exhaled slowly, his metal hand finally letting go of the sheets he had scrunched in his fist. He squeezed his eyes tightly, the painful nightmare flashing back in his memory.

There was a knock on the bedroom door, startling him. He managed to form the words, with a shaking voice, "Come in."

Natasha, wrapped in a well-worn bathrobe, opened the door and stood in the doorway. A concerned look was on her face. "Everything alright?" She knew the answer was no, but she wanted to give the dignity of saying so himself.

"I-I'm sorry. I'm fine. You should go back to sleep."

"Sleep?" Natasha laughed, a pleasant sound to Bucky's ears. "I rarely do that unless I'm sedated. I was just reading in my room; I can join you in here if you'd like."

Bucky stammered a reply that was something of a yes. Natasha disappeared a moment, then returned, novel in hand. To Bucky's surprise, she climbed in the bed next to him. Her warm form curled up beside him calmed his thudding heart. She was completely relaxed and it was infectious. Bucky sighed softly, his lungs regaining air. He gazed down at the young women at his side, noticing her hazel eyes, long, dark eyelashes and soft pink lips.

Natasha felt him staring at her with curiosity. She knew he was still trying to put together his broken pieces of a mind and attempting to remember who she was. She deliberated telling him earlier, but had deemed the time not appropriate. He was still adjusting to just having his own mind back and then bombarding him with past memories could prove to be negative for him. She kept quiet, hoping that just being a friend to him and keeping him safe would help him and his mind.

Natasha saw how frightened Bucky felt, like a stranger in his own body, like a monster. He was volatile; his Hydra protocols could be triggered by almost anything. Treating him like with apprehension like he was some kind of animal in a cage would be worst of all. She desperately wanted him to feel loved, to feel like he could be gentle and kind.

She leaned against him, resting her head on his shoulder. He tensed up for a moment then slowly began to relax again. Her touch was comforting, a reminder of something he missed so dearly.

Love.

----

Morning dawned on Avengers Tower. Wanda was in the kitchen making tea, a cheerful smile on her face. Tony came in and was surprised to see her so preppy.

"Everything...ok?" He wondered if she was possibly high.

"Wonderful." She hummed a tune, passing him a cupful of tea.

"You totally got laid, didn't you?" He burst out laughing.

Wanda's eyes grew massive, almost dropping her cup onto the floor. "Tony Stark!"

"Face it, honey. That's the only time people look happy." Tony playfully rumbled her hair as he made his way towards the refrigerator.

The other Avengers wandered into the kitchen for breakfast or to talk. Vision kissed Wanda's hand, ever the gentleman. She flushed, a smile on her lovely face. The mood between all the Avengers was surprisingly mellow and peaceful. The death of Peggy still hung in the air, perhaps which is why no one argued with each other but instead tried to keep things from getting worse. Tony and Steve made some conversation to each other and actually laughed a few times. Sam and Sharon sat slightly apart from the others at a table for two, nibbling on some fruit and sipping on coffee. A rain fell outside, splashing against the glass windows in a melodic fashion.

Maria Hill entered the kitchen, her hair wet from the rain, an exhausted and stressed look on her features. The Avengers greeted her and inquired as to why she was visiting.

"I have someone who wants to speak to you. He's in the lobby." Maria took Tony's cup of coffee and drank half of it in one go.

"Who is it?" Sharon spoke up.

"General Ross."

There ya go! A lot more fluff this chapter. Sorry it's a little shorter, I've been really busy. All comments are welcome. Xx