Sane // A Winter Soldier Story

chapter twenty // fight

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"And I don't blame you dear, for running like you did, all these years. I  would do the same, you best believe." -Stubborn Love by The Lumineers

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《Athena》

The chair at the stand was hard and uncomfortable, but the amount of people staring at her made her even more uncomfortable than the chair.

"Ms. Evans, can you please tell the court how you know Mr. Barnes?"

Athena's hands were sweating like crazy. She tried to wipe them on her navy pencil skirt, but it didn't help much. Nothing would help. Nothing except James being freed from his charges would help her anymore.

"I work at the Virgina State Psychiatric Facility, in Arlington, Virginia," Athena began, pleased with how level her voice sounded despite how unstable she felt inside. "Mr. Barnes was admitted as a patient a few weeks ago, and I have been treating him ever since."

Mr. Forsberg nodded and began pacing.

"And how would you describe your time spent with Mr. Barnes?"

Athena blinked, not having expected such a simple question, but sensing its importance nonetheless. She glanced at the jury; they were listening intently. She also glanced at James. For the first time since the trial had started, he was watching the stand, and he was watching her very carefully.

"It's been pleasant," she answered honestly. "Mr. Barnes has been very kind, genuine, and willing to accept help during these last few weeks. He's never once made me fear for my safety at all, and he has been eager to receive help for his mental instability."

The jury seemed utterly confused by this. They seemed to have been expecting some kind of nightmare story in which James had threatened her life, or tried to kill her, or tried to escape, or possible even all three. Athena felt a little flair of hope spark in her chest as she observed their minuscule wavering of opinion.

"Could you describe your take on James Barnes' character for us?" Mr. Forsberg asked, and Athena thought for a moment. Her answer had to be perfect.

"James Barnes is an honest, good man," she began, much to the dismay of the jury, who all now looked very conflicted. "I know a lot of people in here think the exact opposite, but I have trained for years in my field. I have gotten to know many patients in my time, and I know what it looks like when a man is not a good man. But Mr. Barnes is not like those other men. Mr. Barnes is a genuine, honest, all around good person, who has suffered through decades -- yes, decades -- of severe emotional, mental, and physical trauma. The trauma has altered his behavior, and how he copes, and has caused issues for his mental soundness, but it has not changed his character. Mr. Barnes is just as true and strong as I'm sure he was when he was just a boy about to enter the biggest war in history."

The court was silent. Everyone was on the edge of their seats, their glances shifting furiously between James and Athena. James' eyes were shining.

"You speak of a good man, and yet, the Winter Soldier has killed hundreds of people over the course of the last few decades. How can a man like Mr. Barnes be responsible for all of this killing?" Mr. Forsberg asked, making Athena's blood boil. "And exactly what trauma has Mr. Barnes endured that has caused such a drastic shift in his behavior?"

Athena took a deep breath, ready to delve into the physical evidence she had on hand. She was in the zone now -- she wasn't going to let them take James away from her. Athena opened her folder of evidence, held up her chin, and began.