Possibility of Tomorrow - 25

Cont...

 "White Wolf! White Wolf!" Bucky frowned as a voice called for him. He turned to find a young boy running up. "The Dora are at your house." 

The Dora. The Dora meant trouble. Was it a fight? Was it more pain? Was it Steve? Bucky wasn't sure he'd be able to survive without any lifeline at all in his best friend. 

When he came to his home, the Dora were waiting and saluted him as he entered. His eyes found Okoye, and he saw no sadness, no pain, possibly hope? "White Wolf, you are requested at the palace; it is urgent." Her voice betrayed nothing; neither did her face, but her eyes told him to hope. For what he did not know. 

"Lead the way." 

They flew to the palace labs, disembarking right into Shuri's lab. The thump of African music flooded the lab as they entered. 

T'Challa was waiting, "You came, good."

 Bucky looked around for anyone else but only saw more Dora. He did notice that the spiral walkway that ran from here to the many floors above was closed off by panels, so he couldn't see in right now, "What is it?" 

"A jet landed in the border tribe's land. It was unpiloted and only held one person. I must warn you, it is not confidence-inspiring." T'Challa said, walking around the central walkway. 

Bucky followed and was about to ask what when he was it, her. It was Darling; he knew it in his heart. Even though she was burned beyond recognition. There was an arc reactor sitting on her chest, cords running into her chest glowing blue. Her body was scorched and red. But the vitals said she was alive. That was all Bucky needed. His knees went weak, and he came forward to the rail to steady himself, "How?" 

"We are not sure, but with the arc reactor and the serums she had to help her heal, we have a pretty good guess. They left this." T'Challa handed Bucky a note with words scribbled down in black sharpie. 

Perhaps you can do what we cannot.

"They did what they could, stopped the internal bleeding, put in the arc reactor to keep the metal out of her heart. But her body rejected the reactor, and they had no choice but to put her on the plane and fly here." T'Challa said, nodding at the circular room they had her in. Shuri leaned over her body, ordering the other workers around with muffled words Bucky couldn't hear. She was alive; there was hope. 

Steve showed up three hours later by Bucky was in the same place, watching, waiting, hoping.

 "Oh, my word." Steve breathed, coming around the bend to the horrific yet electrifying sight, "She's alive." 

"Somehow." Bucky nodded, already knowing the answer. 

"Stark." Steve finished that train of thought. 

"So it would seem." Bucky nodded, sparing a look over, "I think we need to speed up those renegotiations." 

"How?" Steve wasn't talking about the peace talks. 

"I don't know. Sheer will, best guess." Bucky admitted shaking his head. That girl was strong, resilient, a survivor. 

"You sound better." 

"I am better. She's here." 

"Do you love her?" 

Steve's question shocked Bucky, making him stare at his best friend. Logically he could see how that connection was made. Currently, he was opening and closing his mouth like a fish trying to get something to come out. "She's my daughter." 

Now it was Steve's turn to look like a fish, "Wh- wha- WHAT?"

 "She came to me just before she left for New York. We were going to work it all out when she got back. I was still processing." 

"Wow. That's- I'm not sure what to say." Steve paused, "What do you think?" 

"I want this, Steve. More than anything in the world. I never considered it, ever. Not then, and not after. But I want to be a father, as best I can be. I don't care; it was a screwed-up experiment. I want her. I wasn't sure if I was ready when she came to me. I am now." Bucky looked back to the operating room, "Assuming she survives." 

Steve's solid hand landed on his shoulder, "She's a Barnes. Toughest people I know. You're survivors; it's in your DNA. She'll be fine." 

"She better."

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