Legendary

There'd been a couple of postponements, but I finally sat down to have an interview with Colin James. We met in the tower; it was private and he had another interview scheduled after mine. I'd brought doughnuts. The first part of my interview was Bucky-centered, my relationship with my uncle.

Colin James: How did you find out that you were related to Bucky Barnes?

Alex Barnes: I grew up knowing. His sister was still alive when I was a kid and she used to tell us stories. Our family pride took a bit of a hit when it came out that he'd been an international assassin, but when the story came out about why that had happened, things changed for me. And I read your book. Your book made me sick, by the way.

CJ: Me too, actually. So how did you meet him?

AB: I tracked down where he lived and just showed up.

CJ: How old were you?

AB: I was in high school.

CJ: What did you think?

AB: I was terrified. I didn't know if he'd want to reconnect with any of the family, but I think it's always best to know, even if it's the worst case answer. At least then you know.

CJ: And--- how did it go?

AB: He was surprised but friendly. I was really relieved.

CJ: What made you want to meet him?

AB: I was going to high school, living with a host family. They are terrific people, very supportive and encouraging, but I wanted... family.

CJ: What happened as a result of that meeting?

AB: The meeting turned into kind of a circus. I met his wife Emma first, she invited me in and I showed her my proof that I was related to her husband, then Bucky came home, and then Tony turned up. It got kind of out of control.

CJ: What kind of proof?

AB: I'd made copies of family documents--birth and death certificates, marriage licenses. And there was a photo of Bucky with his sister and brothers. I didn't want to just show up with unsubstantiated claims.

CJ: Then what happened?

AB: Tony encouraged me to apply for a part time job at his company, which I did, and Bucky took an interest in me. He's very family oriented, and started teaching me self-defense, which I actually had to use not long after we started. A guy at school was hassling me, actually assaulted me.

CJ: That sounds kind of scary.

AB: It was, but the guy had done it to other girls and he was going to be kicked out of school when my host family made a fuss. My parents piled on and the kid went to another school before he could be expelled. But as a result, I met my first best friend in the city and we've been friends ever since.

CJ: What did Bucky do?

AB: Stepped up my training. I'm a pretty good athlete, I was in ballet for years before I came to the city. Bucky's a great teacher, and I progressed with the lessons pretty quickly. Over time, I started helping him in demonstrations of Systema, and we did a lot together. He's the world's best uncle, gives Olympic-caliber hugs.

CJ: (Laughs) That's surprising.

AB: He's very reassuring. I feel like I can do anything because he's always got my back. It's like hugging a brick wall, but snugglier because he usually has a flannel shirt on except in summer.

CJ: The arm never bothered you?

AB: No, as far as I'm concerned, it's always been a part of him. I've never known him without it. And to me it's proof of what he went through, a reminder that he should be respected for all he endured and suffered. It pisses me off when people disrespect him.

I told Mr James some stories from my training with Bucky, including the practice bouts, then how I because Bucky's assistant, ultimately taking over the hand to hand program for the Avengers. Then some stories about how supportive Bucky was, not just with me but with my brother and parents too. "But I had an edge because I lived in the same city with him. J has a strong relationship with him too, but he never trained with our uncle." James asked me questions about Emma. I acknowledged that our relationship had been strained at the beginning, but that it had gotten better and had gotten a lot stronger in our afterlives. I didn't provide specifics, preferring to let Emma explain that for herself

CJ: Steve Rogers says that when he first me you you thought he was a pest.

I laughed. "That's true. We'd met on the battlefield and nobody introduces themselves there. It took some time for him to grow on me after Uncle Bucky introduced us. But he's my uncle's best friend and I wanted to like him too. He's a really good guy, and I've come to think of him as an uncle too.

CJ: (teasing) Is he as good an uncle as Bucky?

AB: Bucky had a considerable head start and got over the learning curve fast. (Looking around, lowering voice) Confidentially, no. Bucky's the best.

CJ: What do you think about his current plans?

AB: Couldn't be more proud of him. I feel like this is finally his time. His turn to decide what he's going to study, what he's going to do, where he's going to go. He's finally free to do what he wants. And he's great with animals. Whether it's as a zoo keeper or a vet, I'm convinced he'll be successful. Eira wants him to be a vet so that she has a personal vet who makes house calls. She adores him.

CJ: Eira's your Asgardian dog-person, isn't she?

AB: Yeah. She's still a puppy. She's about 40, 45 human years, but she's just growing out of her puppy phase. She's going to be a big dog. The long lifespan means that although she's still quite young for one of her kind, she's had a lot of time to develop her personality and intelligence and experience. Even with all of that, her parents weren't happy she adopted me and would be living here. They don't have many litters, which means that every puppy is precious. (pause) I think that the knowledge that human lives are short and she can visit them is what reconciled them.

There were some additional questions to fill in about meeting and getting to know my uncle, then we moved on to my work with the Avengers.

CJ: You've got some mutations, is that correct?

AB: Yes. There was an accident in the chemical storeroom here in the tower when I was a lab assistant. I was splashed with a variety of solvents and chemicals and electrocuted. Not my favorite moment.

CJ: What are your mutations, if I may ask? There's nothing really clear about them.

AB: For publication, I don't discuss them because there's no point in telling a potential enemy what they're up against.

CJ: Privately, off the record?

AB: Strength that isn't as great as superhuman strength, what's been called 'dance combat' which makes me more graceful and kind of eel-like in my movement are the main ones.

I smiled. James was amused and dropped it, moving on with other questions about how I'd taken over from Bucky and how I ran things. And how we occasionally helped the current combat instructor.

CJ: You're a very interesting woman, really. There's kind of a duality to your life: the side where you're a noted scientist and hand to hand instructor, with a very public marriage. There was a miniseries long ago about your love story, and that Smithsonian exhibition lately. Then there's everything else. Two kids, who were noted for their abilities but who weren't the public figures as you and your husband. An afterlife that was pretty exciting that led to your return and Ragnarok and that trial, but you don't talk about it. The most interesting things are the things you don't want to talk about.

AB: I really don't like talking about myself.

CJ: (laughs) I'm getting that.

AB: I just don't think there's much to say, really. My marriage is a matter of public record and obviously I love my husband, but what's between us is simply between us, not for anyone else to share. We have good kids, who are competent and successful in their own right. Overall, my afterlife wasn't that exciting, actually. It was, for the most part, routine and only occasionally punctuated by excitement. And if you're interested in Ragnarok, I'm the last person who you should talk to about it. After the legal issues with that documentary, I'm done talking about it. (frowns) I didn't see the first episode of that miniseries, but they downplayed Damian shamefully. Also, the actor wasn't nearly handsome enough.

CJ: (smiling) You're a tough nut to crack.

AB: (shrugs) I'm just not comfortable with people knowing much about me.

CJ: I have to ask. Did your abduction and treatment by the Joker have an effect on you continuing your training?

AB: Yes.

CJ: Would you like to elaborate on that?

AB: Just that if I never see the Joker again, it will be too soon.

James turned the conversation toward my current studies and plans, keeping it to public matters. He doesn't ask if I want to have more children, anything about Damian, nothing that's too personal. I get a couple of questions about the trial and he concludes.

CJ: Obviously your feelings about the Ragnarok documentary are well know, but I saw it in the theater and I've just got to say thank you. It was horrifying. I'm grateful that there were people, including you, who were willing to stand between us and the end. It still amazes me that the stories about the outcome were changed.

AB: Uh, thanks.

CJ: Anything you'd like to say off the record?

AB: Not really. No offense, Mr James, you're an excellent journalist. I just don't know you and I'm not comfortable telling too much.

James smiled and stopped the recording. "I appreciate your time and your candor. Your direct approach is refreshing." He handed me his card. "Call me if there's anything you'd like to add or if you have any questions."

I took his card, shook his hand, and bumped into Steve in the corridor. I gave and got a big hug. "I think there are a couple of doughnuts left," I told him and he grinned. Steve called later to tell me that Mr James had been both impressed by me and frustrated by my lack of candor.

"I agreed to an interview," I said. "I never promised that it would be terrific." He laughed and we talked about school. He was doing an internship in a fabric store to learn more about textiles and make contacts in that industry. Then I was head down in studying until about a week later when Mr James called me up with some follow up questions.

"I've talked to Tony, and he was quite expansive," he said.

"Tony likes to talk," I agreed.

"He told me about your relationship in Valhalla, and I wanted to give you an opportunity to comment on it if you wanted."

I rolled my eyes because Mr James couldn't see. "All I'll say about that is that it was good while it lasted, he dumped me, and we've converted our relationship back to a strong friendship."

"Any chance that will flare up again?"

"Nope, that ship has sailed. The romance is over. And anyway, now Damian is back and we are committed to each other. And Tony is together with Ann. I am going to claim the credit for setting them up, though. That was my idea."

"Why?"

"Because Tony is my friend and deserves to be happy and I thought that Ann would be a good match for him. Score!" He laughed, asked for clarification on a few points, and that was that.

I spent some time in yarn stores and made a trip to the fabric store Steve was working at in order to lay in supplies for ambitious baby preparations for Barbara and Dick. I thought to knit some baby booties and caps and make a quilt. I hadn't done that for literally ages. Steve was doing customer service that day and we chatted as he cut my yardage. Then I went back and got fabric for a quilt for Damian's and my bed. I'd never made us a quilt and I might get it done by our anniversary if the pattern wasn't too complex and I focused and worked on it regularly. Damian looked at my pile of stuff with a raised eyebrow but was enthusiastic about all my projects when I explained, sure that his brother and sister-in-law would like the baby gifts and excited about a quilt for our bed too. Eira looked at all this covetously, and I decided to make her a special quilt too so she wouldn't feel left out.

That weekend we went out to the estate to check on the progress of the house; construction had started and we were eager to see. There wasn't a lot to observe; concrete had been poured for the basement and the house was framed, but that was about it. The formal garden at the front had been planted and would look wonderful when it grew in. The fountain wasn't quite complete yet, but there wasn't a rush. We amused ourselves by following the maze to the center, then we sat on the edge of the dry fountain, looked things over, and talked about the future. Eira carefully hopped over the bushes and tore after a squirrel. "The location is great," I said. "All you can see of the mansion is the roof, but it's still close enough by."

"Private, but close to family," Damian agreed. His fingers traced down my arm. "I'm looking forward to the time when we can try to make our own family."

"The trying's the best part," I said flippantly, then leaned against him. "The really good thing about the new medicine, though, is that because the drug therapy starts before we start trying, we'll know if it's effective before we get our hopes up." I'd done more reading. I really wanted a normal pregnancy, able to enjoy making a child with my husband. Bringing a new life into the world is one of the most profound things that I could do, and I wanted the intimacy of that with Damian again, but without the terror and muscle relaxants.

"That is a highlight," Damian agreed. "Because if it doesn't work, we will be happy with the two kids we have. Also, when the house is done, I'd like more pets. Cats."

I asked Eira what she thought, and she came back, a terrified rabbit in her mouth. She set it down gently and it staggered off. Her eyes were bright and she sent images of curling up with cats. A lot of them. I sent back an image of the cats taking over her bed, based on what had happened with our pets in the past, but she shrugged that off. "She's in. She wants a lot of cats. Many, many." Eira barked and waved her tail.

"Girl after my own heart," he said affectionately and held out his other hand to scratch her.

"You can have as many cats as you're willing to clean up after," I said peaceably. Damian sighed.

"Always with the restrictions," he said sadly and I poked him.

"Think about the hairballs and the drifts of fur you'll have to clean up," I said brutally, although of course I'd be on cleanup duty too. "And there's feeding and watering and litterbox cleanup to think about too." He sighed again. It was starting to get a little chilly there, even cozied up to my nice warm husband, so we got ready to leave. Eira came bounding up, soaking wet and smelling like she'd rolled in something awful.

"It's your turn to wash her, I believe," I said immediately to Damian, who nodded unenthusiastically.

"Really looking forward to the automatic Eira cleaner," he said, and I nodded. Eira just looked at us like 'what?' Damian dropped me off at home and went to a DIY dog washing business, neither of us wanting to clean the bathroom after Eira's bath. I took the time to cut out the pieces for our quilt. I'd decided on a classic pattern, the log cabin. The center of each one is supposed to be red, to symbolize the hearth fire, but I used a deep raspberry pink instead. Close enough, and it worked better with the palette of greens, golds, blues, and violets that I'd chosen. I worked quickly; Eira liked to supervise and she always had a lot of questions. I was happy to answer them, but there was no doubt that I worked faster without them. I saved the quilt I was making for the Grayson's impending kid for later, not wanting Eira to miss out.

I checked the clock when I was done and bundling up the pieces. It usually didn't take that long for Eira to be washed and groomed. Once whatever it was started to dry, she wanted to be clean. She loved having fluffy fur and especially liked the blowdryer unless we were in the high heat of summer. About an hour later, I was deciding whether to call Damian to see if I should wait to make dinner when there was a banging on the door. When I opened it, I beheld my beloved with Eira, who was carrying bags of stuff from the pet store over her back and in her mouth. Damian himself had two cat carrys. I held the door open silently as they came in.

"I know what you're thinking, Sweet pea," Damian said immediately. Eira dropped the bags and sat expectantly, facing the carrys that Damian placed gently on the floor. "We didn't talk about this as a thing for right now, but when Eira and I were at the groomers, there was this kid selling kittens to anybody. Didn't even ask for references. You never know what kind of a psycho is going to take a baby cat." In this context, 'psycho' meant to Damian anyone who who wasn't extravagantly into cats. I placed my hand to my lips, hiding my smile. "We stopped and had them checked out at a vet, they're a little thin but healthy." Eira pushed a bag over to me and I looked in to see what had to be half the store's supply of toys.

Everybody's attention was diverted when one of the kittens nudged the door, ready to come out and do some exploring. Damian gently unlatched the doors of both carrys so the cats could come out when they wanted. I watched in bemusement as a tiny lithe pocket panther crept out from one of them. It looked around warily from peridot-green eyes. "My, Serena would love this one," I said involuntarily.

"No," Damian said possessively. "I'm not giving her any more of my cats." I grinned at him and knelt down, extending my fingers. The little cat came over cautiously, brushed my fingertips quickly with its head, then moved off to explore a little. Eira stayed back, laying down so as not to scare the kittens but watched the one's progress eagerly. She couldn't wait to begin snuggling. "They're two boys," Damian added, watching the kitten pad over to the kitchen, then handed me a bag of kitten chow as he went into the kitchen to wash new bowls for water and food. I tore open the bag and took it into the kitchen before returning and sorting out the bags. The first kitten had on a silver-colored collar with a tag, and there was packaging in one of the bags for another, for the kitten who hadn't emerged yet. There was a bag of canned kitten food too, which I took into the kitchen, and grooming tools in addition to all the toys. I started to take the toys out of their packaging. There was an object labeled a "Kitty Kup," which was a round cat bed, lined in fleece, with sides, that plugged into the wall for a gentle heating pad to warm the resident. Damian put down the dry food, a small bowl of water, and a can of the kitten food in another bowl a small distance away and we watched as the more precocious kitten beelined over for a snack. The other kitten, smelling food, came out too. Not a bit reluctantly; the door to the carry banged open and the other black kitten, wearing a gold colored collar, strutted out like he owned the place, locating his brother and the food, and joining him. Damian grinned and went to set up the litter boxes. I went back to work with the toys after plugging the cat bed in by the TV. After the snack, the kitten in the silver collar explored his way back into the living room and discovered the cat bed. He put a dubious paw on it, testing it for softness, apparently, before standing in it and abruptly toppling over. Well, it had been a long day. The other kitten strolled over, poked around some, and curled up between Eira's paws. She was thrilled. I bundled up the trash for recycling and scattered some toys on the floor but kept most of them in another bag. We didn't need to have them all out at once; we had a little window of time where we could toss out more toys before we ran out and had to start retrieving them from under furniture and the refrigerator.

When Damian came out, I gave him a hug and went to fix our dinner. Damian refilled Eira's bowls, and we were in for the night.