A few weeks ago. An Apartment in Brooklyn.

He stared at his reflection as he fixed his tie. He fixed his collar. Gave his jet black suit a slight brush. Put on his black gloves. Picked up his cane from the edge of the sofa chair and exited the room. He locked the door. He looked around and it had been quiet. He liked it this way at this time of day. It was nice to enjoy a bit of peace, although he didn't mind the noise once in awhile it was a constant reminder of why he is still in this business after all. He wanted to keep people safe. He walked down the corridor from his apartment.

Tap..tap...tap...

Could be heard from his cane hitting the wooden floor and the stairs as he took each step. The stairs still kept him a fresh and relaxed. He hated lifts. The tight space within a small box. Not to his liking.

As he got out of the building block he saw the black van waiting for him.

Another small space he thought to himself. One thought that became a daily routine for him, although not as much as before.

Looking at the van again, it reminded him of a certain Agent that was slightly annoyed over the fact he took this long.

"You know I did not need to be escorted today. I could have taken my car." He started

"Sir I do-

"I was never the Captain, Agent Coulson. I mean...sorry keep continuing" He cut Coulson off as he got into the back seat and shut the door behind him.

"Sorry Mr. Barnes. I mean Buck-

Can I call you Bucky…

Ok…

Sorry Sir. I forget at times.

I'm a big fan by the way. Of what you and he did back in the War. You did a lot of good and saved a lot of people." Agent Coulson stumbled to reply back, one may say he is still in awe of being able to drive his hero around.

Bucky or as he went by James nowadays. Simply smiled back and said

"Barnes would be fine, or James if you would like Phil"

No one called him Bucky anymore. Ever since his friend died. Peggy may have been the only one left to call him Bucky.

"But as I was saying I do not think Director Fury would appreciate his second in command leaving his apartment without any backup."

*When you see Fury thank him for me please." James replied back trying to keep his voice as monotone as he possibly could.

"F.Y.I. Sir, I asked Fury to let me be your driver. It's not everyday you get to drive one of your heroes around 'town'."

Bucky smiled at the memory. As he walked over to his van. He had to admit he liked Coulson and what he represented to SHIELD. Almost like a modern Steve but more fanboyish. It was one of the reasons he kept him as his consort and driver after that day. He admired the man's spirit to shine a bright light in some of the work they do. One of the reasons it annoyed him when he was supposedly 'killed'. Part of him wanted to let the man go but he felt that Fury was keeping a secret about Coulson, even as his second in command Bucky was not privy to all information.

He walked over to the van and inserted the key. He didn't need a some 'boring' Agent to drive him after Phil, after all he knows Fury has them watching him, his personal bodyguards. No matter how hard they tried to blend it, he could always spot them.

He started rotating it to unlock the door..

"Took your merry time, Agent Barnes"

Bucky looked over his shoulder at the familiar strong voice.

"Fury, what brings you to this neighbour hood. Thought you'd be in your comfy office in the Triskellion."

"Hmm. Nothing really just wanted to check on you." Nick Fury replied back as he and Bucky got inside the car.

"You know the usual.

Also to mention a small mission I want you to be a part of.

I want you to lead another small group of S.T.R.I.K.E personnel on this mission."

"What happened this time, who are you sending me to kill/detain." Bucky replied back

"Nothing is what I'm hoping. Plus no one as of now. But call it a hunch. If I'm right we may end up saving a lot of people.

SHIELD Intel tells me that a small group of Pirates have been in collision course with one of our boats.-"

"Still referring them as boats I see." Bucky replied back.

Nick Fury stared at him for a while before continuing

"As I was saying, They have taken control of one our boats, with a large number of hostage. I want the nation's best soldier their to prevent anything from happening. As well as keeping SHIELD intel safe."

"You don't believe this to be pure accidental. Plus I was never the Nation's best Soldier, Fury, stop using that line, feels like you're trying a bit too hard. "

"Ouch. Saw through that. Guess I'll have to think of something new when giving a sales pitch next time, not that you needed one."

"So what else is on board that ship."

"A couple of experimental weapons and very important intel on a recent project." Fury says as he takes a look at the time on his phone.

"By now Agent Sitwell is on board as well, possibly helping to keep everyone safe. Got word from him saying everything is fine. Nothing from the ordinary as of yet. But I doubt this 'lockdown' will last long. I don't want to take any chances."

"Which boat are we talking about."

"The Lemurian Star."