Bucky Barnes' Daughter

Chapter Thirty-Nine

"I need to go to Russia."  I tell my parents the next morning over breakfast.  Dima raises his head at my tone and I blush knowing I was making demands.

"You're not going."  Bucky tells me as he puts down the newspaper.  I swallow the lump in my throat as I fight the urge to yell at him.  "You were just released from the hospital a couple hours ago and now you want to travel halfway across the globe."

"There's only one person who can give me back my memories and he's not here in Pennsylvania."  I keep my voice even knowing raising my voice wouldn't get me anywhere.  "I need answers." 

"We can go over winter break."  He counters as if I could last another three months.

"I won't last that long."  I reply calmly.  Nat has remained pretty quiet during this time and I wonder if she's going to say anything in my defense.

"You've lasted this long without those memories why is now any different?"  Bucky watches me waiting for me to show the temper that got me into so much trouble.

I didn't reply.  I couldn't tell him why I needed those memories or the simple fact that he's missing vital memories as well.  I've been inside his head and even I didn't find those memories so the man must have worked on him as well.  

I grab my backpack before heading towards the front door.  Dima barks as I open the front door and I glance back at my dog.  He seemed to know when I was going to lose consciousness before I even knew what was about to happen. 

"Dima, come."  My dog obediently complies.  I make up my mind to go into town.  I don't want to be home while Bucky keeps pushing me for answers.  I don't have any for him that he would want to hear.  Instead, I will spend the day exploring and working through my feelings.

Luke slows down and opens rolls down his window.  "Need a ride?"  He asks and I glance down at my massive dog.  "He can ride in the back."  He offers.

"Thanks."  I give the command to my dog who willingly hopes into the bed of the truck.  I close the tailgate behind him.  I hop into the passenger seat, thankful for a ride into town.

"How are you?"  Luke studies me worriedly.  He must have heard about my fall last week.  

"I'm recovering."  I laugh lightly.  "I'll be back on the track within the week."

"You're going to take it easy, is what you're going to do."  Luke corrects me.  "We need you to fully recover before putting yourself back on the track.  Plus, that knee of yours is going to need a break."

"It's fine."  I argue and he shakes his head with a small smile.

The rest of the car ride is filled with silence as Luke drives towards main street.  He offers to pick me up after I was done and I shake my head.  Ryan had a way of knowing when I needed to get home so he would probably appear when I needed him.

I still couldn't believe Ryan was a SHIELD agent.  I never would have suspected him if it wasn't for my parents tell me.

I head towards the bookstore, wanting nothing more that to lose myself in a book.  My English was improving every day but even I couldn't keep up with the readings in English class.  What didn't help was the lack of compassion from my teacher.

"SERENITY!"  Evelynn tackles me as I enter the store.  I relaxed in her arms as Dima barks once.

"Hi,"  I reply meekly as she finally lets me go.

"I've been so worried about you.  Jason told us what happened and I assumed you would be out for a couple more days but look at you," she studies me before offering a warm smile.  "You don't let anything keep you down."  She pulls me inside and Dima follows.  "This must be the monster that Jason told me about.

"This is Dima.  He's my protector."  My dog barks once as if to agree with the statement.

"Well all pets are welcome here.  Gramma was hoping you would stop by soon.  She wanted to show you this new book she got in..."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The day passed like a blur as I taught Evie and her Gramma Russian.  They were quick learners and were starting to master basic conversation skills by the time Ryan appeared.  I glance at the clock on the wall and I smile.

He was ready to take me home like always.  My parents rarely made appearances in town due to their familiar faces.  Instead, they sent Ryan to get me.  He was almost like my second body guard.

"I'm here to take the Tsarina home."  Ryan tells Pamela as she puts away our lesson books.  I quickly put the two copies of the Host back on the shelves and I grab a copy of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets as I leave the teen section.

"Will you be back tomorrow?"  Evie asks and I glance at Ryan as if he knew the answer.  He nods ever so slightly.

"Of course."  I reply before I am engulfed in a warm hug from my two friends.  

Ryan leads me to his truck several minutes later.  I wasn't heading home tonight though.  Bucky was called in for a mission and Nat had left to go see Clint.  I didn't understand why my parents would leave so soon after my accident but I guess they have lives outside of me.

"They sent clothes over before they headed out,"  Ryan reaches over me and removes something from the glove compartment, "they also left you this."

I open the letter.

"We'll be home as soon as we can.  Until then, Ryan will take care of you."  There wasn't any sort of explanation as to why they would leave me right now when I needed them the most and no apology for it either.