Blurred Bloodlines

Twelve hours later, a quinjet breaks through thick fog into sunlight.
Within the jet, the light floods Pietro's eyes and when they clear, he finds himself staring out at the thick lush jungles of Wakanda.
His heart starts a staccato beat within his chest.
He was one step closer to finding her.
'I will find you, little moon. You will be free.'
/ ~ / ~ / ~ /
The lab was a bustle of high energy when Steve walks in.
Scientists were preparing everything they needed for when Bucky woke up.
He hated that he had to do this when they haven't figured out how to remove the trigger words yet.
But he knew that Bucky would hate it even more if he wasn't able to help find his own daughter.
He smiled sadly.
Bucky had always loved kids.
Rebecca was the number one example of that.His kid sister was the light of his life and he would've done anything for her.
He remembered the day Bucky blew off a date to spend time with her.
/ ~ / ~ / ~ /
Steve and Bucky were sitting on the stairs just outside his apartment building.
'Where are you going?'
'Got a date with Alice Pendleton. You know the one, the curvy red-head? Going to take her to a picture.'
Steve shook his head at his friend.
'Can't describe gals by just their hair color and body alone, Buck.'
Bucky gave a gentle shove to his shoulder.
'She's a great gal. Got a great friend too, if you want to double up?'
'Can't today. Mom's got an appointment with the doctor today.'
Barnes put an arm around his shoulder.
'Tell your mom that we're thinking of her, alright?'
'She knows, but I'll tell her again. Thanks Buck.'
All of a sudden the door below them slams shut and little footsteps could be heard running up the stairs towards them.
Bucky smiles at Steve and shakes his head.
A whirlwind of dark curls and pale yellow fabric comes into view and jumps right into Bucky's arms.
'Buck-buck!'
Bucky picks her up, laughing, and gives her a tight hug.
'There's my favorite girl!'
Becky pecks him on the cheek and stands back before launching herself at Steve and giving him a hug.
Steve squeezes her back.
'Hi Becky.'
'Where are you two going? Can I go too?'
Steve shakes his head at her.
'Sorry, Becky, but I have to take my mom to the doctor. Maybe another time, okay?'
She turns to her older brother.He shakes his head.
'Becky, I have a date with Alice in 5 minutes. We'll do something tomorrow, okay?'
The little girl puts her hands on her hips and pushes her lower lip out in a pout.
'Now, Becky, sweetie, don't pout. I promise we'll do something tomorrow, okay?'
'But your my Buck-buck.'
'Yes and you are my most favorite girl in the whole world but I made plans with Alice yesterday. I would be very rude to her but not showing up.'
Becky sniffled.
'But I wanted ice cream...'
Steve smiled at the defeated look on his friend's face. It looked like Alice was going to have to wait.Bucky smiled down at her.
'Well, then I guess we better go get some then, huh?'
Becky squealed and threw her arms around him.
'Oh thank you, Buck-buck. I love you.'
Bucky tightened his arms around his little sister.
'I love you too, sweetie.'
/ ~ / ~ / ~ /
Steve's eyes were blurred with tears.It was not more than three days later that Becky got sick.
The doctors all agreed.
Polio.
Due to it affecting the muscles in her upper body she had to be placed in an Iron Lung to help her breathe.
After a few days in the device, the doctors reevaluated her.
He would never forget how broken his friend looked when the doctors told his family that she wasn't going to get any better, only worse.
It was another few months before she passed.
That was the first time he had ever saw Bucky cry.
/ ~ / ~ / ~ /
He was startled out of his thoughts by a hand on his shoulder.
"Captain, are you alright?"
Steve rubbed a hand over his face before turning to face T'Challa.
"Yes, just, uh, remembering something."
"It seemed like a rather emotional memory."
Steve nodded.
"Yeah, it was."
"I am sorry for whatever it was that happened, Captain."
Steve smiled.
"Thanks."
T'Challa motioned to the cryo pod in the middle of the room.
"We are ready now."
"Then let's wake him up."
"Begin the reversal procedure!"
/ ~ / ~ / ~ /
Wanda was reading in her quarters when there was a knock at her door.
She marked her place, closed it, and set it aside.
As she reached the door, she felt a familiar sensation in the back of her mind.
She smiled as the door opened to reveal her brother.
"Pietro!"
She threw her arms around him as he picked her up and spun her around.
"Sister dear."
"I thought you wouldn't be here until later?"
"The old man called in a few favors for me."
"That was very nice of him."
"I told him about little moon."
Wanda froze.
"Oh?"
Pietro was never one to openly talk about their time in Strucker's lab.
"Yes. It was after that that he agreed to get me here earlier."
They were interrupted by Sam and Scott walking down the hallway.
"Hey Wanda."
Pietro looked at the two men confused.
"And who are you two?"
Wanda pointed to them.
"This is Sam Wilson otherwise known as Falcon and the other man is Scott Lang, Antman. Gentleman this is my brother, Pietro.
Pietro chuckled.
"So another birdman and a bug."
Scott huffed and crossed his arms.
"Hey man. Not cool, not cool at all."
Sam just shrugged.
"At least its better than being a Speedy Gonzalez."
Pietro smiled widely.
"I think I like you."
"We got to go, Wanda. They're ready."
"Ready for what?"
"They are bringing Barnes out of cryo today."
The color fled Pietro's face.
"The, uh, man who was the Winter Soldier?"
Scott looked at the speedster in confusion.
"Say, you okay man? You look pretty pale all of a sudden."
Sam chuckled.
"Scott, what would you do if you found out that your girlfriend's father used to be an assassin? And on top of that, didn't know you were dating their daughter?"
Scott's eye widened.
"Ohhh man. That's rough."
Pietro crossed his arms and huffed.
"Yes, well, if you are all done having fun at my expense, let's go."
Wanda laughed.
"It is good to have you back, brother."
/ ~ / ~ / ~ /
The door to the lab opened as the procedure began, revealing Wanda, Pietro, Sam, and Scott.
Steve waved them over.
Pietro extended a hand to Steve.
"Pietro. Its good to see you again."
"Likewise, Captain."
"So, uh, you and the girl, huh?"
Pietro swallowed hard.
"Yes, well, I, uh-"
Steve shook his head, laughing.
"You don't have to explain, kid."
Pietro visibly relaxed at his words.
"At least not to me."
They all turned as a hissing sound filled the room signaling the opening of the pod.
Everyone watched as color and warmth returned to the frozen man's features.
Bucky groaned as he slowly came to consciousness and his eyes slowly opened.
They were unfocused and unseeing for a few seconds before clearing and he looked around the room momentarily confused.
Steve stepped forward grabbing his arm and helping him out of the pod.
"Bucky?"
Barnes turned to look at his friend.
"Steve?"
"Hey buddy."
"Hey. Why did you wake me? Did you get it fixed?"
They all knew what 'it' he was referring to.
The trigger words.
Steve shook his head sadly.
"Not yet, but they are still working on it."
Bucky stiffened in his arms.
"Then why?"
Steve took a deep breath.
"We need to talk, Buck."

Notes