The Child of Winter ~ Book 1

9.Healing & Christmas Kisses

Objective: N/A

    Bucky noticed a subtle change in Steven and Peggy the next morning. He couldn't put his finger on it, but he knew it was definitely there.

    Steven came out to breakfast looking as though he'd been in a gunfight all over again; his hair flying everywhere, his tense greetings, and the way he subtly jumped at every unexpected sound. The young man also seemed to make it a point to always have Peggy in his line of sight and if he didn't, he'd be twice as uneasy and much quicker to anger.

    Peggy on the other hand was the exact opposite of how she normally was in the morning. She kept quiet, offered little conversation, and she too seemed to keep Steven in her sights through the entirety of breakfast as well.

    When Steve and Bucky tried to do a sparring session, it was a disaster that ended up with Peggy running to her room and Steven closing himself off from the world, ignoring anyone who spoke to him.

    Finally, Bucky pulled Steve aside and asked, "What in the world brought this on in those two?"

    A sigh escaped Steve as he said, "I have no idea what happened while they were out on their own, but I do know that we need to nip this fear in the behind if they are going to move past this point." He pulled out his phone and added, "I'll call Sam and see if he can't pull them aside and get some answers."

~*~*~*~*~*~

    Sam arrived at the tower on schedule, but there was a problem: Steven and Peggy had vanished! The veteran pilot chuckled, "I guess they don't like therapy."

    Bucky groaned in annoyance and shouted, "Steven Barnes, get out here right now!"

    A few seconds passed and Steven slowly crept from the hallway that led down to the medlab. His eyes raked over the three adults, pausing on his father as he muttered, "Yes?"

    "You doing okay?" Sam inquired suddenly.

    Steven blinked and shrugged, "Not really, but I'm still able."

    Sam nodded, "Where's Peggy?" He instantly saw the fear that entered Steven's stormy eyes as he said those words and Sam knew that he was dealing with two teenagers who were probably suffering from P.T.S.D..

    "You don't know where she is?"

    At this point, Sam could tell just how hard it was for Steven to keep himself together and asked calmly, "Was she with you?"

    "N-No..."

    "Do you know where she might be, Steven?" Sam needed to keep Steven talking and continued to ask questions.

    Steven's eyes darted across the floor, blindly scanning it as if it could provide him any clues as to Peggy's whereabouts, "She might be in her room."

    "Let's go and see, hmm?" Sam slowly stood and was pleased when Steven slowly followed him down to Peggy's bedroom door. He knocked three times, saying gently, "Peggy, it's Sam and Steven... Could we come in?"

    The door opened to reveal Peggy and Sam saw how Steven instantly relaxed. She seemed to as well as she said, "Come on in, Sam..." Her eyes locked with Steven's and the two seemed to share a silent conversation before Steven slowly entered the space.

    Peggy perched herself on her bed, Sam took a seat at her desk, and Steven sat on the floor at the foot of Peggy's bed.

    The older man then sighed and asked, "How are you both doing right now? Honestly?"

    Both remained silent, glancing at one another as if deciding who should speak first. It ended up being Peggy who spoke up first, "I... I'm not... I know they're just dreams, but they feel so real."