I stand by your Grave
"So what now?" Sam Wilson asks as he, Steve Rogers, and the beautiful Natasha Romanoff stand next to Nick Fury's tombstone. Steve looks down at it… knows it's a lie… knows that this new world he has found himself in is based on lies. It doesn't sit well with him. It never will. Sometimes he wishes they'd just left him in the ice… but then he remembers the God of Mischief and New York City in the aftermath of the Chitauri Invasion and he knows this world needs Captain America. And now Bucky is back… he's out there somewhere. Alone and confused most likely and Steve knows his best friend needs him now more than ever. The world can wait for Captain America… right now Bucky needs Steve Rogers.
"We go to New York." Steve replies to Sam who nods.
"Okay, Captain." He says ready to follow.
"I think I'll tag along. After all it would be best to stay together… safety in numbers, right?" Natasha says with a playful smirk. Steve looks at her differently now. Immediately following Fury's supposed death, he didn't trust anyone… he especially didn't trust her. Natasha had stuck by him through this whole ordeal and even encouraged him to step outside of his comfort zone more than a few times. Her people skills and fighting talents had left their mark on him. They had come to build a mutual respect over the last couple of days and now Steve felt he could trust her.
"And here I thought you'd get tired of me." Steve jests breaking the somber mood he had settled in. If he's going to move on, he has to start sometime.
"I don't think I could ever get tired of you, Rogers. You certainly know how to keep things interesting for a girl." Natasha replies with her friendly smile. Steve smiles as well.
"Should I leave and let you two have some 'alone time' now?" Sam asks and points to the vehicles then starts to move away.
"It's not like 'that', Sam." Steve says with a roll of his eyes. The two men then head back to Sam's rental car and Natasha saunters away to her black corvette. She looks back over her shoulder to smile at Steve as Sam starts the rental car.
"It sure looks like she wants you, Cap." Sam then says and they pull away. Natasha follows in her vette. Steve has no retort to that. He merely blushes as he recalls the kiss he shared with her on the escalator. Sam chuckles snapping Steve from his thoughts. "And with as flushed as your face is right now… I can tell you want her just as badly. So here's the deal… I drive the car and she rides with you on that bike of yours. How about it?" Sam then says. Steve sighs. Then Sam adds, "Perhaps you should ask her out on a date once we get to the Big Apple." The grin is wide and bright on the man's dark face. Steve can't help but smile at his new friend's words.
"Okay, you've convinced me…" Steve starts then he looks to Sam and adds, "But you might not like my friend in New York."
"Oh, why's that?" Sam asks rising his eyebrows in curiosity.
"Let's just say… Tony Stark can be a real handful to deal with." Steve says with an exasperated sigh as he turns his attention to look outside the window.
That evening as the sun goes down, Steve returns his old Captain America uniform to the Smithsonian exhibit with a note pinned to the breast saying 'Sorry, but I had to borrow it for a bit.' After he packs and retrieves his newest uniform (minus any tracking devices) he heads out. He stops and turns to take one last look at his Washington D.C. apartment. He hates to leave it still in a mess from the attempt on him and Fury days ago. He tells himself that he needs to get a hold of his landlord to arrange for the clean up and to have his belongings placed in storage. He then leaves and locks his door behind him out of habit… sighing as he does so.
"Got everything?" Natasha asks as Steve places his bags in the back of her corvette.
"Yep." Steve answers then gives his apartment building a final glance.
"Time to go then." Natasha says and starts around the car to the driver's side.
"Natasha…" Steve starts a bit awkwardly as he turns to face the lovely redhead.
"Yeah, Steve?" She says as she stops at the rear of the car.
"Umm… do you wanna ride with me… on my bike? At least until we get to a hotel." Steve then says and waits for her answer. A smile slowly crosses Natasha's face then.
"Sure." She says simply and walks back to him. "Not a scratch, Falcon." She says to Sam as she tosses him her keys.
"I'll treat her with the utmost care and respect… like I do all the ladies." Same says with a grin as he climbs into the driver's seat. Steve then walks to his Harley and waits for Natasha to get on before starting it. Her arms snake around his waist and her fingers lock together. Steve can fell his heart hammering in his chest.
"You don't wanna wear the helmet?" He then asks curiously.
"No, I'll be fine. I trust you. Besides, a little danger can be fun." Natasha replies and Steve shrugs. He then revs the engine and they are off. He smiles as her arms grip tighter. It's the first genuine smile he's had cross his face in a long while.
Steve finds himself standing in the cemetery once more. Rows upon rows of white tombstones are laid out before him. He looks down and sees the names of everyone he knew before his icy slumber. Bucky's name stands out bold in red upon the stone directly in front of him. Then he notices Sam's name next… then Natasha's… then Tony's… then Bruce's… then Thor's… then Clint's. Steve is confused. He stops walking down the line and stands before a statue of Captain America, The First Avenger. His vibranium shield is resting at the marble feet of his likeness. This can't be right! It just can't!
"You can't save them." Comes Bucky's voice as his friend steps out from behind the pedestal. He is dressed as he was during the 1943 Stark Expo. He looks normal, the dashing soldier that all the dames swooned over as they ignored little Steve Rogers… only now Bucky's eyes are cold.
"You couldn't save me. I died to protect you and you let me fall!" Bucky then shouts and Steve recoils taking a step back suddenly as his friend shifts and Bucky no longer stands before him… The Winter Soldier now stands there with cold hateful eyes full of accusation.
"I tried, Bucky. I did. I reached out… I tried." Steve whispers… his voice small and weak.
"You let me fall!" The Winter Soldier shouts. "And they did this to me!" He raises his left arm and the metal glints in the sunlight. Steve can feel the tears pooling in his eyes. They are hot as they stream down his checks.
"I'm sorry, Bucky. I'm so sorry! I'm going to find you and I will help you remember the good man that you were! I promise! Even if I have to die to save you… I'll make that sacrifice!" Steve shouts and runs towards the Winter Soldier with arms wide open, but his feet feel so heavy as though he is trudging through thick muck.
"I'm going to save you, Bucky! I promise! I won't let you fall again!" Steve shouts and it seems as though everything is retreating from him as reality tunnels into darkness between him and the scene of his fallen friend by the graves. "Bucky!" Steve screams desperately as he reaches out his hand though the act is futile… and darkness takes him completely.