Gibbs Women are Insane
Bruce and Jen were sitting on the couch finalizing the plans for their Alaska trip. They decided on leaving in two days-they kept the date quiet-every time they set a date-something Stark Enterprise wise came up. Jen and Bruce finally decided the least Tony knew the better. Steve came into the living room with an old photo album-catching both of their attention.
“What’s that?” Bruce asked.
“Some old photos from the war-thought maybe this will help Buck” Steve said.
Bruce looked at Steve “Are the therapist’s letting you bring photos so soon?” he asked.
“Why wouldn’t they” Steve asked.
“Because you aren’t supposed to show photos until at LEAST a year for people who have had traumatic brain injury” Jen said-attention still on the maps in front of her.
“Genevieve you don’t understand” Steve began.
“No actually Steve I do. When Hetty found me again-I had no idea who I was-no past-but I DID have memories of what I had done. Do you know what it’s like to not know who you are? To wake up and the ONLY thing you remember are the bodies and the blood? It took Hetty and SHEILD a very long time-months and months of intense therapy for me to regain some of my personality back-and most of my memories. There are still LARGE gaps I don’t remember” she said finishing her speech.
“But you still got your memories back” Steve said gently.
“But Steve-Bucky had his brain both frozen and zapped repeatedly for what 65 years? That would damage anyone’s brain. You are going to have to realize he may NEVER be Buck again. Will you be ok with that?” She asked.
Steve huffed and looked down with the beginnings of his pissed face-the face he gets when he and Tony fight. “He remembers Agent Gibbs” he muttered like a whiny child.
“No-he’s never met Jethro-there’s nothing to remember” she corrected. “He represents a man from Bucky’s childhood” she added. ”I know you told me about when the he saved you from the water-and that’s great-that’s a MAJOR accomplishment. But he might have a harder time adjusting now-having memories of you two-then snippets through the years-then realizing its 75 years later-who knows” she said trying to lessen the double blow she had given him. “But the fact still stands will you be ok if this new person comes out with your best friends face? Because I don’t think you will” she adds gently.
“Of course I’ll be ok with it” he snapped and stomped out of the room.
Jen and Bruce looked at each other “was I too harsh?” she asked.
Bruce smiled “well you were honest with him” he said. “You have to realize though-Steve’s never had his life destroyed before. I mean he’s had bad things happen to him-we all have-that’s just life. But he’s never had to claw his way from the bottom-yet. He died Captain America and woke up Captain America- that’s part of why he sees the good in people-assumes the good guys are always going to win-all of that” he adds with a thoughtful expression.
Sam walked in looking between the two-then settles on Jen “ok what did you do to Steve?” he demands.
Jen looked at Sam “I tried to explain to him that Bucky Barnes may not BE the man he remembered-ever again and if he was okay with that. Might have pissed him off” she said.
Sam looked at her then chuckled “maybe if we continue to tell him he’ll finally get it” he replied.
Just then the alarm went off for the Avengers to assemble. Sam chuckled and Bruce groaned.
“Well at least Steve can let off some steam on the bad guys now” Jen commented as Bruce gave her a quick kiss “be safe” she adds quietly to his retreating back.
“Always” he said turning back to her and smiling before he turned toward the garage.
Jen thought for a minute then decided she needed to go make good on Mike’s unspoken rule-you do what you have to for family-and visit Bucky Barnes herself. She didn’t want to call Phil again-even though she knew he would help her. She decided the best plan was to walk up to the front desk and see what happens-worst case scenario was Fury laugh in her face and throw her out.
S.H.I.E.L.D Headquarters
Bucky walked into the therapy room-expecting to see Steve but seeing Genevieve instead.
“Hello” she said smiling.
“Hello” he said.
“I was just wondering how you were doing-thought I’d come for a visit” Jen replied-omitting how long she had to chat with Fury before he allowed it.
Bucky just nodded stayed where he was-by the door.
“If you want to come sit down you can –but if you are waiting for orders-you won’t get them from me” Jen said.
Bucky considered her statement-then walked over and sat down across from her.
“I am Genevieve- Genevieve Joan Gibbs” she said formally introducing herself.
Bucky smiled “My name is James Barnes” he said.
“Is that what you want to be called-James?” she asked.
He stared at her “it’s better than asset” he commented.
Jen smirked “I suppose it is” she said. “I am actually related to Jackson Gibbs” she added.
Bucky nodded “I thought he-Steve-would be here?” he asked.
“They were just called on a mission I am afraid” she said.
“Right-Captain America” Bucky said-remembering.
Jen nodded “I wanted to see how you were doing? Are they treating you okay here?” she asked glancing sideways at the security camera with a smirk.
Bucky noticed as well and gave a small smile “no complaints” he said.
Jen smiled “Good-what about Steve-what happens when he comes to visit?’ she asked.
Bucky just blinked at her-not sure on how he was supposed to answer that. She realized she might be losing him so tried another tactic.
“Steve and I got into an argument before they were called to assemble-fight. I believe he expects you to get all of your memories back-that you will be James Buchanan Barnes again. I want you to realize you can be James-or Bucky or any other variation you want to be-if you want. I understand you are getting some of your memories back-and that is wonderful. But the honest truth is you probably will never get all of them back. No one can hold 90 years of memories –you will go insane” she said-pausing to take a breath and to let the information sink in. “I was put in a machine very similar to the one they used on you-and lost a chunk of my memories-that despite years of therapy I will never get back. I understand-the realization that you are now at the bottom with nothing and no one and you need to decide what to do. I would hope you make the same decision I did-and despite the bad memories-try to help. But again-that’s up to you” she adds.
Bucky sat there staring at her-surprised at her honesty. Hydra taught him honesty was a weakness that could be exploited when needed. But the more this women talked-the more she reminded him of someone. A shadow figure of a women-a memory-was just out of his reach. That is the annoying part of this-these memories that he can ALMOST remember.
“Jackie’s son came to visit me” he said. “Are you related to him?” he asked.
Jen looked up at him-she should be annoyed that she wasn’t told about Jethro’s visit-but she wasn’t. “Yes I am” she replied with a smile.
Bucky nodded when loud commotion could be heard from outside the door. Men running and yelling could be heard-causing both to be alert. The sound of Hulk’s roar gave Jen an idea on what was happening. Suddenly Coulson was barging in barking out orders.
“You both need to come with me” he ordered.
“’What’s going on?” Jen asked-noting that neither of them immediately got up.
“Apparently Hulk is not cooperating” Coulson said.
Jen got up and walked past Coulson “Where is he?” she asked.
When Coulson didn’t answer her-she turned and glared at him. “It would be easier if I talked with him. He HATES it when Sheild uses force on him. AND if my vacation is rescheduled AGAIN-you will need to worry about ME hulking out!” she demanded.
Bucky snorted a laugh-diverting the standoff. Clint was coming around the corner before Phil could answer.
“Hey Jen we need you. Hulk didn’t like the idea of you coming here by yourself-and apparently is mad at you too-so well you know” Clint replied with a shrug.
Jen smiled following Clint- she vaguely realized Phil AND Barnes were also following them. They rounded the corner to see SHEILD junior agents using guns and tasers to try and contain an angry Hulk.
Bucky flinched in sympathy as Hulk roared in anger “I’d be mad too” he muttered out loud.
“Ok Stop” she demanded.
“Ma’am” one of them said when Coulson cleared his throat.
“Listen to her agent” was the only thing Coulson said.
The junior agents looked at each other-then stepped away.
“Why is he by himself” she demanded to Clint.
“Tony and Steve got into it out there-you know how that aggravates him. Then well he heard-someone-say that you had gone to SHIELD and that was the last straw” Clint said.
“How did he hear I came to SHEILD” she asked annoyed.
“Umm-I might have said something over the coms” Clint answered sheepishly.
She rolled her eyes as walked up and stood in front of Hulk.
“Are you okay sweetie” she asked.
Hulk still breathing heavy-looked down at her “Jen okay” he demanded.
“Yes I am” she answered.
“Hulk mad at you. Saw Banner-stayed with Banner-not seen Hulk yet” he demanded.
Jen looked at Hulk’s face and could tell he really was upset with her. She felt guilty-she had promised him she’d see him and never delivered.
“You are right sweetie. I did say that to you. You have every right to be mad at me” Jen replied.
Clint jumped in “Well Jade Jaws- Jen WAS hurt and in the hospital for a while” he tried to interject on her behalf.
Hulk looked at her “Jen hurt?” he asked.
Jen glared at Clint for a second before she turned her attention back to Hulk. “Yes Sweetie I was hurt. I was in the hospital for a few weeks. I am still healing” she replied.
Hulk walked up and picked her up-inspecting her for himself. The agents all went to rush in but glares from Clint and Jen stopped them.
“You ok?” Clint asked.
“Fine-feeling like Fay Wray at the moment-but fine” she said slowly.
“Jen hurt where?” Hulk finally asked when he couldn’t see any signs of her being hurt.
“My abdomen” she replied.
Hulk went to lift her shirt-but Clint stopped him before he ripped off her shirt and left her shirtless in front of all these junior agents.
“Buddy there are all these people here. Maybe she doesn’t want everyone to see? Can you trust that she is ok? That Bruce is taking CARE of her” Clint replied-hating that he all but announced their relationship inside of SHIELD of all places.
Hulk looked at Clint “ok birdy” he said setting Jen down as gently as he could.
“I am ok sweetie” she added-trying to reassure Hulk.
“Banner no hurt you” he asked.
“No why would Banner hurt me?” she asked.
“Want see you” he said.
She nodded “ok” she said.
“No hurt banner-Hulk be mad again” he said as he slowly started to shrink.
Clint went and caught Bruce as he fainted-weak after the fight and Hulk’s elevated emotions-just as Steve and Tony came rushing around the corner.
“Is he ok?” Tony asked.
“What happened?” Steve demanded.
“He was pissed at you two-pissed at me and needed to let me know” she said glaring at both men-who at least had the decently to look guilty.
Bucky snorted “Gibbs women are insane” he said.
Everyone slowly turned toward him-he had been momentarily forgotten in the presence of an angry Hulk.
“Excuse me?” Jen asked.
Bucky looked embarrassed then confused. “I don’t know why I said that. Someone said that to me once-I think-so I felt it needed to be said?” he answered.
Clint smiled “Well at least he’s honest” he said with a wink at Jen.
“I’ll take him to the car-we’ll be waiting for you” he said.
Jen smiled “Thanks I’ll only be a minute” she said watching as Clint easily carried Bruce away.
She turned to Bucky who nodded “It’s ok-go on. Hopefully I’ll see you again” he said. “Definitely want to meet that guy one day” he added.
“The green one or the little guy” she asked.
“Well whoever will talk to me” Bucky said with a smile.
Jen smiled “I’ll see you later James” she said, smiling at Coulson then turned and headed to the waiting car.
That left Steve, Tony and Coulson with Barnes. Barnes looked between the three-each expecting him to do something different by the looks on their faces. He was starting to get a headache-which was never good.
“Can you take me back to my cell?” he asked Coulson.
Coulson looked at him “Sure thing Barnes-follow me” he said-both ignoring the sad look in Steve’s eyes.
Bruce slowly was coming too. He was in a bed warm and toasty. Someone was running their fingers through his hair.
He cracked an eye open and even without his glasses he could tell it was Jen.
She chuckled and kissed him softly “Why do you look relieved?” she asked.
“For a second I was afraid it was Tony” he said with a smirk.
“Nope just me” she said.
Bruce stretched and groaned as he took stock of his normal post Hulk pains-which seemed more than usual.
“What happened?” he asked.
“Not sure” she said.
“What?” he asked.
“I was at SHEILD-visiting Barnes. Suddenly all hell was breaking loose because Hulk was downstairs and angry. Clint came and got me” she said looking at Bruce.
Bruce stared at her thinking “I remember Tony and Steve already arguing before I even turned green. I remember thinking oh man this isn’t good” he said.
“Well according to Clint-he was agitated at them-then Clint opened his mouth and said I had gone to SHEILD and that set him off” she said.
Bruce looked at her in confusion “How did Clint know you were at SHEILD?” he asked.
“I would assume Phil-or I am bugged or something” she said with a smile.
Bruce laughed “That’s probably closer to the truth” he said. “’Wait why was he mad at you?” he added.
“Well I’ve seen you and stayed with you and I haven’t seen him yet-when I promised him I would” she said. “He had every reason to be mad” she added.
“Did he hurt you?” he asked.
“No-when Clint told him I was hurt earlier-he picked me up to investigate for himself. Felt like Fay Wray-but once he was sure I was ok-he put me down. He made sure you were taking care of me- and I was taking care of you-before he calmed down” she said. “Just as a warning-I think Phil knows about us now” she added as she continued to run her fingers through his hair.
“He was bound to find out sometime” he said-obviously not knowing what he was saying.
Jen chuckled climbed under the covers and settled next to Bruce. Part of her wanted to continue to ask Bruce questions-to see what he would say-but refrained. They both needed their rest if they were going to leave for Alaska in two days. She chuckled to herself thinking maybe Barnes was right Gibbs women might be insane.