[oom] tell the ones that need to know

[nerves_of_ice]

The mesh mask - a 'photostatic veil,' he gathers it's called, officially, but whatever - works. Over the last few days after the first trial, Sharon's become more comfortable with small trips, which means it's time for him to suggest the idea he's been mulling over for some time now.

It's not something he wants to spring on her, though, which is why he takes the time this morning to make sure that breakfast is a little nicer than usual. Pancakes, at least, he can make.

Comments

[from_the_outside]

"... Yes?" she says, thinking a little guiltily of the house, the surrounding land, and remembering how Bucky grew up.

"I didn't like Richmond much but I love that house."

[nerves_of_ice]

"Okay. Okay." He shakes his head and takes a swallow of coffee, then sets his cup aside and reaches for a clementine. "A house in a remote location, out in the woods? Sounds perfect. We could go there, check things out, get set up, and then I could go to Richmond in the morning and get them."

He smiles, a little. "After all, your dad's more used to seeing me in the early morning than any other time."

[from_the_outside]

It could work, she realizes. With the veil, she could get down to Virginia without anyone being the wiser, and if the house is empty and unguarded – which it might be, it's been years and surely the government has had better things to do with their resources than keep watch on an empty vacation home – she could stay there for a little while.

Long enough to see them. If they want to see her.

"What will you tell them?"

[nerves_of_ice]

"That you're safe. That I know where you are. That if they want to see you, I can take you to them."

He reaches out to catch her hand in his. "I know it's a shock to think about it. But I also know how much you've missed them. I think it'll work."

[from_the_outside]

His hand is warm and steady; she tightens her fingers on his. "If they want to see me."

It's quiet; there's a sad, anxious knot in her throat she's having trouble swallowing past. "What if they don't?"

[nerves_of_ice]

"I don't think they'd keep the gifts you gave on display if they didn't still love and miss you," he says, very softly. "Things like that... when someone's gone, seeing the things they left behind... it helps, sometimes."

His hand tightens on hers. "If they don't, we'll deal with it. But I think they will."

[from_the_outside]

Like the shield, she thinks. Like the blankets that even now hang over the back of their couch, and the glass art on the table. She takes a deep breath and sighs it out again, then lifts his hand to press a kiss to his fingers with a small, wry smile.

"Okay," she says, simply. "Let's try it."

[nerves_of_ice]

He turns his hand to cradle the side of her face, and smiles at her.

"Okay." A hint of teasing is evident as he adds, "After breakfast."

[from_the_outside]

She breathes a rueful laugh and shakes her head at him. "Now I know why you were buttering me up with pancakes," she accuses, before picking up her fork and digging back in.

"I should have known you were up to something."

[nerves_of_ice]

He gives her an innocent look.

"Who, me?"

[from_the_outside]

"No, the other guy," she teases, and taps his plate with her fork.

"Eat up. We've got a busy day ahead of us."

[nerves_of_ice]

He chuckles and returns his attention to his breakfast.

"I'll wash everything up while you pack."

[marvel_npc]

The mornings in Richmond are beginning to get back to something like normal, six months after everyone came back. There had been a few scuffles over property, of course, and jobs, but all in all it feels as though the neighborhood is getting back on its feet.

It's obvious in the early mornings, when he goes out to get the paper: he waves to the neighbors beginning their chores or heading off to work – retiring was the best decision he's made in a long while – and to the younger man he sees coming along the street.

"Morning, James!" he calls, smiling as he lifts the paper in greeting. "I haven't see you around much; was beginning to think you'd left us for greener pastures."

[nerves_of_ice]

"Hey, Harrison," he says cheerfully, and stops in front of the house to talk with him. "Sorry about that. I had some travel that took me away for a bit. How've things been?"

[marvel_npc]

"Just fine, son, just fine."

He always enjoys chatting with James when the younger man stops by; there's something naggingly familiar about him that Harrison has never been able to place, but he's polite and interesting and it's thoughtful of him to stay and talk a while. "Amanda's working on another fundraiser for the displaced; it's dreadful, isn't it?"

He shakes his head. "You're looking well; how was the trip?"

[nerves_of_ice]

"It sure is," he agrees. "A lot of unhappy people out there. It's nice of her to help out."

His quick smile is a little wry for some reason as he continues, "Oh, you know, the usual. Putting out fires, dealing with problems, that kind of thing. But it's mostly wrapped up now. It's good to be back, that's for sure."

He glances absently up the street, then back at Harrison. "Say, you and Amanda got anything in particular going on today?"

[marvel_npc]

"Not that I know of," he muses, then chuckles.

"Retired life, James. I'm not sure what Amanda might be up to, it seems like she's always got something happening. Why do you ask?"

[nerves_of_ice]

"Well, this might sound a little weird," he says, "but while I was out of town I ran across something the two of you might want to know about."

He shakes his head. "It might be easier to explain to both of you at once, if you wouldn't mind? I know it's an imposition, I'm sorry."

[marvel_npc]

"Something we might want to know about?" Harrison repeats, bewildered, before his natural courtesy kicks in and he gestures to the door.

"Of course, no imposition at all. Come in, come in." He gets the door, then calls inside: "Honey? We have a visitor!"

"We do?"

Amanda Carter comes into view, drying her hands on a dish towel. She gives them a surprised glance, then smiles. "James, right? Welcome, please come in. How about a cup of coffee?"

[nerves_of_ice]

"Yes, sir," he says, as he follows him into the house. It's well-cared for, he can tell, with good quality furniture and tasteful decoration and art.

And pictures. Pictures everywhere, of Sharon and her family, at all ages. Young Sharon during holidays, in formal gowns, in dancing dresses and graduation attire and more that he can't let himself look too closely at, not without being obvious. The nutcrackers he'd seen through the window are still on display, along with some other knickknacks that seem more like souvenirs and gifts than art selected to fit the room's decor.

There's no way they'd keep all of this out if they'd rejected their daughter for the charges laid against her. No way in hell.

He rips his glance away and looks to Amanda as she walks in. "Yes ma'am, I'm James," he says. "And please, only if it's already made, I don't want you to go to any trouble."

[marvel_npc]

She follows his glance and her smile softens. "Our daughter, Sharon," she explains. Harrison's eyes are sad but he smiles fondly when she looks at him, and he reaches briefly to squeeze her hand. She takes a breath and focuses back on their guest.

"No trouble at all; we were just about to have a second cup ourselves. Why don't you two make yourselves comfortable, I'll bring some out. James? Milk or sugar?"

[nerves_of_ice]

"No ma'am, just black. Thank you," he tells her, and waits for Harrison to take a seat before choosing one himself.

He's gone over how to explain this in his head over and over, trying different angles and approaches and words. Now he realizes it'll be simpler than he thought.

[marvel_npc]

It's only a moment before Amanda comes back out with a tray of coffee mugs: she serves James first, offering him a mug brimming with fresh black coffee, then brings another to Harrison, dropping a kiss onto his hair as he smiles up at her. She takes a seat next to her husband on the couch and sets the tray down, then picks up her own mug and settles back.

"Now," she says, not unkindly. "What was it you wanted to tell us about, James?"

[nerves_of_ice]

"Thank you," he murmurs, holding his mug in both hands. He glances up at one of the pictures of Sharon, then back to them.

"I've not ever explained what it is I do. And um, well, the most important thing about that is ... I used to work with your daughter."

He keeps his voice low, his tone gentle.

"I don't know what they told you. But she's alive. And she's safe."

[marvel_npc]

Amanda's harsh gasp stabs like a knife through the silence that falls, and Harrison, numb with shock, puts a protective arm around his wife, the well of sorrow that's never very far away ripping open like they'd only had the news yesterday.

"If this is some sort of joke," he says, coldly, "it's in very poor taste. Haven't we grieved enough?"

He has to set his coffee down before it spills; gently coaxes Amanda's from her nerveless fingers, too, as he gives the younger man a hard look. "What are you, CIA? When will you people leave us alone?"