Bucky Barnes' Daughter

Chapter Fifty-Three

I told SHIELD everything that had transpired between my disappearance almost two months ago till now.  Some memories were foggy but they didn't push when I couldn't offer an explanation as to what happened.  Instead, they worked with what I provided them and moved on from that point.

"So, they're coming after me now?"  I ask Ryan as I finish disclosing everything.

"They made the threat but I'm not sure if they will act on it.  It's hard to know with the CIA."  He glances over at where my parents are sitting.  I didn't want to tell someone everything while they were sitting next to me.

"What's the plan then?  I'm not running away again.  I have friends and a family now so it's not worth hiding if the CIA doesn't come after me." 

"Tony suggested we announce Serenity as our daughter and an Avenger.  It would take care of two birds with one stone."  Bucky offers as he brings over a can of soda for me.  "We'll send out the information before they can come after her."

"Like what Natasha did when SHIELD fell?" Ryan asks as he glances my way.  "Are we sure she would handle public ridicule?"

"People, I'm right here."  I tell them before standing up.  "Whatever happens, I'm not running.  The CIA can do what they want.  I want to go back to home before my world blows up around me."

"Tony can..."  Nat starts to offer.

"Pennsylvania. I miss Dima and my friends."  I inform my parents before leaving so they can discuss my fate.  

I wandered the hall for a few hours wondering where I was supposed to go next.  My battered body was still healing making my parents forbid any agents from sparring with me.  They actually told most people not to interact with me.  Making it very hard to find something to do here.

"Hey, you're Serenity, right?"  A young agent runs to catch up with me. "Really weird question but I was hoping you would be able to help me with my Russian.  You're parents are too intimidating to ask them." 

"Keep talking to my daughter and you'll never get a promotion."  Nat appears out of nowhere before scaring off the young agent.  "Come on we're heading home."

"Not the compound right?"  I ask as she leads me back to our rooms on the helicarrier. 

"Yes, like you said home."  She replies before studying me out of the corner of her eye.  "How are the nightmares?"  I knew she must have heard me crying last night.

"Worse than before, I guess.  I don't remember a lot of what happened while I was with HYDRA again.  I usually blacked out before the pain became too much.  But the CIA really knows how to manipulate someone's weakness."  I explain as I take a deep breath.

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

We pulled into our driveway several hours later.  I pulled my suitcase behind me as I followed my parents back into our house.  The house looked empty as we enter through the front door.  I immediately headed upstairs so I could put my bag on my bed.

It was late so I knew I couldn't go to see Jason right now.  Instead I get changed into my pajamas and crawl under the covers.  Sleep evaded me for a long time.  I couldn't make my mind stop racing as dark thoughts started to take over.

"Are you okay?"  Bucky stood in the doorway watching me.  I shake my head and I move over in bed so he can sit next to me.  "Is it the nightmares?"

"The pain never seems to end."  I inform him as I curl up against his side.  "Can you tell me a story?"  I close my eyes willing myself to fall asleep.  "I don't care what it's about."  I add as he starts rubbing my shoulder gently with his metal hand.

"Once upon a time, there was a strong girl who believed that the world was filled with kindness and love..."  I fell asleep before he could finish the story.  I vaguely remember waking up when he got out of bed but he kept talking to me quietly until I fell asleep again.  

I woke up early the next morning and even though the sun was just rising, I had slept almost a full night without nightmares. 

I quickly changed into a workout outfit that would hopefully cover most of the damage from these past few weeks.  I didn't want Jason to freak out when he saw me.

"You're up early."  Bucky was standing in the kitchen making pancakes.

"Judging by the fact you're making me pancakes, you expected as much."  I take a seat at the breakfast bar.  "Thanks for staying in my room until I fell asleep." 

"What are parents for?"  He slides a couple pancakes onto my plate as Nat emerges.  Her hair was a little more wild than normal, but it's probably because of her being sleep deprived.

"What's the plan for today?"  Nat asks as she steals a pancake from my plate.

"I was hoping to go running with the team today and hopefully start school again soon."  I inform my parents as I devour my pancakes.  The food on the helicarrier wasn't always the best.  "If that's okay with you guys?"

"I know Jason will know the truth but the cover story for everyone else is you had to take it easy after that fall three months ago.  We have a doctor's note authenticating it."  Nat pulled out the paper.  

"Can I still do track?"  I ask worriedly.  I didn't want my cover to ruin my chances of them letting me back on the team.

"We made sure of that."  Bucky assures me.   "Still take it easy though."

"I will."  I promise them before running out the door.