Bucky Barnes' Daughter

Chapter Twenty-Four

I held his body and I collapsed to the ground as everything in me gave out. I didn't have the will to cry, nor call out for help.  He was bleeding out in my arms and for a moment, I thought I did the wrong thing.

"Thank you, Seri."  Lev tells me and I realize that I've gotten through to my brother.  "I'm finally free."  He closes his eyes and I finally start sobbing.

"I take everything back, Lev.  I love you so much and I would give everything in this world for you to be here with me.  Wait for me."  I plead with him but it was fruitless.  No one could save him.

I felt him leave this earth because my heart was ripped in two.  My strength was gone and I was alone for the first time in my existence.  I never existed a moment without him.  He was born first but now he died first.

"Lev, no."  I thought I could handle the pain of him being gone but it was no use.  

Natasha kneels down next to me and hugs me tightly.  Bucky watched from a distance.  He wanted to comfort me but I didn't want him right now.  The one person I wanted was dead.

"Come here."  Natasha helps me move Lev's body and I curl up in her arms.  "Let it all out."  She whispers and I completely break down.

We sit there for an hour before I was too tired to continue crying.  That's when Bucky comes over and picks me up in his arms.  Dima comes over and pushes my hand with his head.  I couldn't even acknowledge him.

Bucky carries me back to my room but I didn't let go when he tried to put me in my bed.  I didn't want to me alone with my thoughts right now.

"Don't leave."   I plead with Bucky then with Natasha.  I curl up between them in my bed.  Natasha hugs me close as Bucky gently plays with my hair.  "Don't let me be alone."  I whisper before feeling myself drift off.

"We wouldn't."  Nat promises as my eyes fully close.

"Who is she?"  I ask Winter as I point to a picture that was resting on his nightstand.  The girl had curly red hair and a brilliant smile.  For a moment, I thought I recognized her but I must have been mistaken.  "Is she your wife?" 

"Нет.  I never got the chance to make her my wife.  We cared about each other a great deal."  He picks up the photo and slips it into the top drawer of his dresser.

"Do you miss her?"  He nods after I ask the question.  "What was her name?" 

"Natalia."  He responds.

"You've called me by her name before."  I study him waiting for him to explain why he calls me by a dead girl's name.  I assumed she was dead because no one escaped this place.  "Why do you call me that?"  

"You remind me of her."   He tucks a strand of hair behind my ear.  "Sometimes, I swear you look just like her when she was your age."  

I open my eyes in the early morning and I reach for Nat again but she was already gone.  I sit up quickly worrying that they left me alone while I slept but Bucky gently pulls me close and I relax.

"Bucky, do you know who my mom is?"  I ask as he rubs my shoulder gently as I try to fall back asleep again.

"I never figured out who your mother is.  Why do you ask?"  He waits for me to respond but I don't say anything.  I needed to suggest this carefully before I brought it up.  I overheard Nat and Clint talking one time about the fact Nat couldn't have kids but that didn't mean the Red Room didn't find a way to freeze her eggs before she was deemed infertile.

"I think Nat's my mom."  I tell him but my voice barely came above a whisper.  

Bucky doesn't respond and I sit up after a few minutes.  I didn't like the silence and I knew after I brought it up, I wouldn't be able to fall back asleep.   I move to get off the bed but my knee screams in protest.  I wince and Dima whines trying to get my attention.

"Why do you..."   Bucky trails off.  "Do you need me to let Dima out?"  I nod wanting to be alone now.  I've just lost my brother and I know who my father is now.  I also suspect my mother is Nat.  I needed to think about this before I decided on my next course of action.

Bucky leaves me alone.

The doctors strapped me to the operating table.  I screamed for my brother, then for Bucky but no one understood who I was asking for.  Instead, they tighten the restraints and I start to feel helpless.

A doctor pulls out a large syringe and I feel my fight return.  I wouldn't let them hurt me again.

"Hold her still."  The doctor instructs the guards as he pushes the needle into the skin of my arm.  I let out a scream but I quickly became silent.  The medication took effect and I was losing my fight to stay conscious.

"Her mother was just as much trouble in the Red Room.  I swear Natalia shouldn't have been allowed to breed."  

How could I have forgotten this memory?  I should have cherished it since it was the first time I found out who my parents were.  Natasha used to be called Natalia and she also was a member of the Red Room when Bucky was there.  That means... Bucky's my dad, and Natasha's my mom.