Bucky Barnes' Daughter

Chapter Sixty Four

"You look exhausted."  I comment as I nudge Tony so he'll move over on the sofa.  He probably drank way too much alcohol last night and doesn't actually remember the ball at all.

"He was up watching the news after we got back.  He wanted to see how much damage control would need to be done today."  Pepper informs me as she brings her fiance a steaming cup of coffee. 

"And what's the conclusion?"  My nerves were starting to get the better of me as I reach for the t.v. remote and flip to the first news channel.

So far, it appears that the media loves me but there's already things coming out about my past.

"You look like you stayed up all night."  He replies as he downs his coffee.  He didn't even acknowledge the question I had asked.  "Did the two love birds get some action last night?"

I feel heat rising to my cheeks.

"Get your mind out of the gutter, Tony.  They're not old enough to be considering going there."  Steve interupts as he joins us on the sofa.  

"I don't know--judging by the look she's giving me, I might have hit the nail on the head."  Tony waits for me to defend myself but I had no comeback that would put his suspicions to rest. 

"Tony, we just started dating.  You can't really believe, I slept with him."   I finally stammer out before turning my attention towards the T.V.  "The Snow Soldier?"  I ask turning towards him.  That's what the media was calling me...

"It was that or Winter Widow.  I thought this was probably a better a pick."  Pepper hands me a cup of juice before sliding into the spot between Tony and I.  "Do you not like the name?"

"It's not much better than the old nickname. Doesn't roll off the tongue well either making it harder to use in battle," I reply as my father comes into the room.

"You're not fighting."  He snaps.  "You've seen enough combat in your life that I'm making sure you stay firmly on the sidelines." 

"Shouldn't that be my decision to make?" I inquire hoping he would realize that keeping me on the sidelines would be a waste of all skills he taught me.  "I'm not supposed to be 'normal' so honestly, I would prefer if I could keep doing the one thing I'm good at."

"She has a point."  Tony tells Bucky as he takes the remote from my hands. 

We all watch him flip through all the news channels.  We finally reached CNN.  My stomach does flips as I watch them play one of the videos from the compound.  I look like a ruthless killer as I execute the prisoner.

"Took them longer than I expected."  I try to keep my tone neutral as I stand up.  

There's no use watching the news now that one source has found some of my dark secrets.  Tony would come up with our next plans and until we had a solid game plan to counter these news stories,  I'm going to avoid having to talk about it.

"Serenity, you knew this was going to happen."  Pepper moves as if she wanted to convince me to stay with them in the living room.

"Of course,I knew this would happen.  It doesn't make it easier."  

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

Later that day, Jason, Peter, and I sat in the game room playing video games while the adults discussed the news stories that were emerging.  None of us wanted to talk about the stories we had each seen.  Peter seems to have a better understanding now of what my life was like before and Jason just seems concerned for my well being in the present moment.    The two boys were trying to keep me distracted but it seems impossible right now.

"I'm sorry I didn't understand before."  Peter tells me as we finish the current round of Mario Kart.  "I didn't realize how cruel the media was."

"It wasn't your fault you weren't told the truth.  I just hate people seeing my crimes and assuming they know what transpired before that event. I just wish people would ask why I did those things and not jump to conclusions."

"They're thinking about hiding you away?"  Jason asks in reference to the Avengers and not the government.

"Yeah.  They're not sure where they can take me though.  The world sees me as a threat..."  My voice falters as I think about all the vile things the media was saying about me.  "The UN already contacted SHIELD.  They want me to be eliminated."  

Jason pulls me to him as tears start to fall down my cheeks.  

It hurts hearing what the world thinks.  I may have done some pretty horrible things in my life, but it still destroys me when I have to think about my crimes.

"Bucky won't let anything happen to you."  Jason whispers as he tries to comfort me.  "We all won't let them come after you."

I wish I could believe what Jason was saying.  I hope the Avengers will protect me but part of me worries what could happen to the team if they went against the world in order to protect me.  I'm only one person after all and I don't want more people to die because of who I am as a person.

"Serenity?"  Bucky stands in the doorway watching me cry into my boyfriend's shoulder.  "There's someone here that we want you to meet."

"I'm coming."  I reply as I wipe away my tears.  I stand up and straighten out my appearance before following Bucky. 

He slows his pace so I can keep up with him.  The crutches slow me down considerably but after all the dancing yesterday, I could barely put pressure on my knee this morning.

We head towards the conference room where it seems everyone has gathered.  I falter in my steps which makes Bucky turn to face me.

"Our opinions of you haven't changed."  Bucky assures me as he watches my anxiety start to increase.  "We're not going to send you away and I'm not going to let anyone harm a hair on your head.  You're my daughter Serenity and it doesn't what the media says about you.  Your mother and I love you and know you're not the monster the media is making you out to be."  

I close my eyes as I force myself to take a deep breath.  My parents love me and Jason does so that's all that should matter.

"Okay, I'm ready."