Wakanda was certainly a sight to behold. The culture shock was totally real.

Bucky and I kept close together, since we were in such foreign land. Wakandan medical staff took to us both, no doubt T'Challa had tipped them off beforehand. While I hadn't broken anything serious, I had some deep bruising, and a mild concussion. What they wouldn't be able to heal would be my fractured heart.

Bucky and I were waiting on Steve's arrival. He was due in any time.

"You know, there's still time to back out," I said quietly.

"I know, but...you saw what someone can do with the right words," said Bucky. "The programming is really deep, Kiara. If anyone can speak those damn words, I'm still a danger, even if I'm not right this second."

In our time together in Wakanda, I'd like to think Bucky and I had bonded some. While conversation was limited, there was an unspoken mutual connection. The feeling of not being in control. Feeling as though someone still had their hands on the wheel.

While I couldn't fully agree with him, I had to. I wasn't going to stop him, if this was what he really wanted. I just wouldn't want to freeze myself and let time pass me by, have people age without me, have events go by without me knowing.

Bucky wanted Steve to get here before he went back into the cryo chamber. In fear of missing my husband, the two of us kept to the Wakandan medical facility. All the staff who helped us out were incredible and polite. And the technology...Tony would bow down to their advancements.

I exhaled silently. Tony was somewhere else, doing his own thing. I wanted to believe we'd see each other again soon, he hadn't shut the door back in Siberia. I wanted our next meeting to be in good circumstances.

Then again, our very first meeting had been coming together to stop my ex-boyfriend from destroying New York.

You got a map for me, Kiara? came Steve's voice in my head.

Someone will direct you. We're in the medical facility.

Soon enough, my husband arrived. Bucky greeted him with a sad smile, to which Steve looked at me incredulously.

"What's, uh, going on here, you guys?" he asked carefully.

"Bucky wants to hibernate," I explained simply.

Steve looked to his best friend, the friend who had one flesh arm. "You sure about this?"

"I can't trust my own mind," said Bucky. "So, until they figure out how to get this stuff out of my head, I think going back under is the best thing...for everybody."

"Well, hey, let's hope it's just for a little bit."

The process was chilling to witness. At least Bucky looked as though he were sleeping.

When T'Challa entered the room, Steve parted to speak with him. I lingered a bit longer, taking in Bucky's frozen form in the chamber. If Hydra had had their way, with me under their control, would they have placed me in such a thing? Kept me locked away until they saw fit to bring me back out into the world?

Get well, Bucky. Let's hope that when you're better the world will be too.

As I went to join T'Challa and Steve, I picked up pieces of their conversation.

"Thank you for this," Steve said.

"Your friend and my father, they were both victims. If I can help one of them find peace..."

"You know," I cut in gently. Both gentlemen turned to me. "If they find out he's here...they'll come for him."

"Let them try. How do you feel, Kiara?"

"Not brand new, but I think I'm well enough to travel back." I did a small mocking bow to T'Challa. "Your people have it made here. If we ever visit again, I hope it's under better terms."

T'Challa smiled. "I hope so too."

After a little more conversation with the King of Wakanda, Steve and I departed for the quinjet.

"How does a hiatus sound to you?" I asked Steve casually.

"Something hard to come by. I mean, unless you consider a hiatus going dark and making up new identities."

"You went to help the others without me?" I gasped in fake hurt. "I thought we agreed we'd do that together."

"We never did. I figured they didn't want to stay there any longer than they had to."

Which shouldn't have been at all. "I see." We both headed up the ramp into the jet. "Did you get them all out?"

"Not all. Scott and Clint took plea deals for their families. Wanda and Sam I got out."

"How hard was it without me?" I teased.

"I could handle myself just fine before I met you, Kiara."

"I don't doubt that, it probably wasn't as fun kicking ass by yourself."

"Just because we're married doesn't mean we need to do everything together."

I sat in the copilot seat of the jet while Steve took over the controls. I took a long, lasting look at Wakanda. The place, despite all the tech it had, had a natural beauty about its land. I could understand why they kept their society as quiet from the world as they did. I wouldn't want anyone to trample on Asgard and take advantage of all its wonders.