The Ambassador's Daughter

Chapter 3

A few days later, when Louise arrived at the palace, T'Challa and Steve met her on the steps. "Miss Louise, we've got an important meeting we need you to attend." T'Challa said by way of greeting. Louise raised an eye brow, but nodded and followed the two men into the palace. The king led his guests into the deep rooms of his home. They finally reached a room with a heavy wooden door. T'Challa turned and faced Louise.

"You're father, Miss Louise, is an ambassador. I'm sure he knows all about the Sokovia Accords?" T'Challa asked. Louise nodded looking curiously at the door. Steve clenched his jaw.

"He was pretty mad when the Winter Soldier got away." The look on Louise's face made it clear she did not agree with her father. That was a relief to both T'Challa and Steve.

Steve continued, "Yes, well, he didn't really get away. I mean, he got away from Tony and the authorities, but he was innocent. There was an incident that convinced my friend that he was not able to live safely in society."

"Someone found Bucky's trigger and used it against him." Louise replied. Steve and T'Challa stared at Louise. "My cousin is married to Clint Barton. I hear things."

"Right. Anyway. So, we took Bucky, at his request, and put him back into cryo." Steve looked sadly at the door. "We are hoping that you will be willing to help us bring Bucky back. To help him move past being the Winter Soldier and onto become himself again."

"I'd like to try." Louise agreed, "I don't know how successful I'll be, though."

Steve took Louise gently by the shoulders and turned her to look at him. "I just want...We just want you to be his friend. If he feels like he still can't be in society, we'll put him back." Louise nodded. T'Challa opened the door to the nearly empty room. Louise stepped into the room. She walked right up to the chamber and looked into it.

"He could be sleeping." Louise murmured, reaching out and clearing the glass in front of Bucky's face. T'Challa and Steve glanced at each other.

"Miss Brandt, meet James Buchannan Barnes." T'Challa said. Louise didn't even acknowledge him beyond nodding her head. T'Challa and Steve quietly left the room. Louise stood staring into the small window she had made, transfixed by what she saw.

Tears glistened in her eyes as she stared at Bucky's face. What had this man suffered, what had he done that made him believe he wasn't safe to be part of society? Her heart broke for him. "I'm going to help, Bucky. I promise. I'm going to help." She turned and left the room, looking over her shoulder once before closing the door.

Steve was grinning like some ridiculous school boy when T'Challa turned to him in the hallway. Steve could barely contain himself long enough to get out of earshot. "This could work!" He finally burst out. "Did you see how she looked at him?" T'Challa looked at Steve like he was worried Steve might wet himself. T'Challa laughed.

"Calm down, Mr. Rogers. This is an operation that involves two people." Steve glared at T'Challa, but eventually he sighed and nodded.

"Let's not get too far ahead of ourselves." Steve agreed, but he still had that ridiculous grin on his face that clearly said he wasn't taking his own advice.