Disclaimer: Marvel Entertainment owns everything, with the exception of Cat who is my own creation and various others who I will identify as this progresses. This is a work of fanfic, no copyright infringement intended.
Author's note: As a Non US resident, I can only keep up with Cap's adventures in trade paper backs. Unfortunately the death of captain America is currently outside my price range, so if I make any mistakes sorry. this story, or to be more accurate parts of have been flitting around my head for a while now, so Enjoy.
Author Note 2. I suffer from dyslexia and lack a beta reader. So if my spelling/ grammar really offend anyone would they like to volunteer?
Author note 3: the dialog between Cap and Top Brass comes from Captain America 12# & 14#.
Bucky
Fort Lehigh February 1941
"Which one is he?"
The man known only as the general asks, surveying the fight.
The captain points.
"The small one."
The general tone gives the impression that if his face showed any emotion his eyebrow would be raised
"Three against one. Hardly ideal odds."
There's a note of frustration and pride in the captain voice as he replies
"He's faced worse."
Bucky's POV.
"James Buchanan Barnes." The man's face is expressionless, his voice too. I should be scared, but I'm a tough kid, or at least think I am.
"Yes sir." The response is the correct soldier response. The military's the only life I've ever known or wanted.
"Known to the men as" the voice acquires a mocking tone. I'm not sure what this guy's rank is, but it's higher than ever noticed me before. "Bucky"
He regards me as though trying to figure out if I'm serious.
"Yes sir."
He picks up the report and continues to read.
"It says here that your father was killed when you were twelve. That was," he consults the documents again. "Three years ago."I don't trust myself to speak, so I merely nod.
"So you are now 15?"
"16 in a month sir."
The man nods slowly. His manner indicates he's trying to make up his mind about something. I'm sure I know what.
"Will I do?" I ask.
The face registers surprise for the first time in the interview. But it's only for a moment.
"What makes you say that?"
"With respect sir no way does Top Brass like you concern yourself with a kid. If you wanted me off the base, you'd have sent Cap or Padre," like the last time. "So what you offering me?"
The man smiles, a smile with no warmth in it.
"A chance to serve your country."Most people would say with hindsight that I should have said no. Should have walked away. But I disagree.
If I stood there now, knowing how it would turn out, knowing everything, I'd still yes.
So I reply
"How?"
Fort Lehigh August 1941
"What do you think of him?"
"Which one, the kid?"
The voices drifted over to him, above the thud as his boot connected with the guy's face. Inwardly he gritted. Kid! He was 16 for god's sake and a better fighter than most of the guy's on the base.
He grabbed hold of the second guys arm, twisting it to make him drop the knife, while his elbow caught him in the face.
Top brass and his guest were still talking.
"Yes the kid... whose 4 whole years younger than you Rogers."
"Nice moves." This made him smile. "I recognize a few of them."
"You should. He's been working with the same men who trained you."
So top brass guest was the secret project they'd kept on about.
"And he's just got back from a month in U.K. with that SAS regiment they started..."
The memory of that month, or more accurately someone from that month made him smile; he missed a section of the conversation between them.
"And he's about the best natural fighter I've ever seen, even before his special training."
The guy was on the floor. The next few minutes required some thought to make sure he didn't hurt the guy. When the guy gave, top brass was saying,
"Well that's our secret right."
"Alright, let me meet him at least."
Bucky reached down to help the man to his feet, the adrenaline still coursing though his veins like some heavy wine. This, fighting, felt so natural to him. It was now almost all reflexes.
He moved over to grab his water canister as the two men approached.
"Private Barnes..." top brass bellowed at him. "You stand at attention in the presence of officers."
Again reflexes took over.
"SIR, YES SIR!"
"That's more like it." The voice was as near as it ever came to approval. "Now I've brought someone I'd like you to meet."
The mystery man came forward. He was tall, at least 6 feet, muscular with blond hair. Remembering the propaganda posters for the Nazi he saw in England, he thinks this guy looks like the Aryan ideal.
"This is Corporal Steve Roger, also known as captain America."
He kept his face as neutral as possible, but inside he was amazed. This was incredible. He'd dismissed the rumors around base as just that. Super soldier belonged in films and comic, yet here he was face to face with a real one.
"If you can pass muster you're going to be his partner."
The vivid blue eyes stared at him.
The Arlington National Cemetery. The present.
Jakob's POV.
"And I knew in that instant he's seen the best in me. Right away"
To those who had not met him, that no doubt would sound ridiculous, but the rest of us agree with him.
I too remember only too well the first time I saw him. When he showed mercy to an enemy...
TBC
