Chapter 3

It was going on nine in the evening and Steve and Clint had out a lot of road beneath them. They decided to make a detour to DC on their bikes, where Sam Wilson had returned to his place after the incident in Los Angeles. He had taken a leave of absence from the Avengers to think about his willingness to continue with the team. They arrived at his place to see the lights were out and no one home. Clint dismantled his security and picked his lock letting them into his U Street neighborhood apartment.

After restoring the security alarm, Clint made himself at home grabbing a beer out of the refrigerator then turned off the light so that they were waiting in the dark. Steve sat down on the sofa. He exhaled and then put his head back and closed his eyes.

"Tired?" asked Clint.

"No, I'm just doubting myself," Steve admitted. "I've worked for the government my whole life. I was a soldier then SHIELD and the Avengers, yet here I am fighting the government's right to make vigilantes, people with unique gifts and powers who wear masks, to register with the government and work with the government. I feel like a hypocrite but after I found SHIELD had Hydra hidden in it and there were politicians all over the world that worked for Hydra, I don't trust the government."

"That's because you know it's wrong. If it's your choice to work for SHIELD or the DOD then God Bless you, but when you are forced to work for the government it's fascism. Last time I checked you were willing to give up your life to fight tyrants and fascists," Clint lectured him.

"I feel old, Clint. Just when I was starting to get used to living in the present, this reminds me of how out of place I am here and how much I miss my own time," said Steve. "On top of that the woman I fall in love with ends up first a friend. That doesn't go well and I think I might have a chance with her and then... well, she ends up on the wrong side."

"I'm glad you're here, Cap," said Clint. "You're a good leader and a good man. Imagine what would have happened to the Avengers if we were led by Stark."

"You would have fought as individuals without a plan of attack," smiled Steve.

"I know," Clint took a swig of his beer. "Again, I'm glad..."

Steve held up his left hand and put his right index finger to his lips to quiet Clint. All a few seconds Clint a female and male voice coming down the hallway. He knew the male voice was Sam's. The sound of keys could be heard unlocking the door and then it opened.

"Yeah, I'm a man of real action," Sam told his date.

"I hope you can prove that," said his date.

"I hope he can prove it, too," teased Clint in the dark.

Sam reacted quickly and turned on the lights. He saw Steve sitting on his sofa and Clint in his favorite armchair drinking a beer. His date looked scared.

"Monica, that is Steve Rogers and the other one is Clint Barton," Sam introduced them.

"Ma'am," said Steve nodded his head.

Monica couldn't take her eyes of Steve sitting there in jeans, tee shirt, and leather jacket, which made Sam roll his eyes.

"What brought you to my door again?" Sam asked Steve.

"We have to talk. It's important, Sam," Steve stated.

"I should go, shouldn't I?" Monica asked.

"Sorry. We can do this again, right?" asked Sam.

"Sure," she said then smiled at Steve. "It was nice meeting you, Steve."

"And you, too, ma'am," Steve said.

Monica left. Sam shut the door then banged his forehead against before turning around and facing Steve and Clint. Taking a deep breath he started to speak.

"Let me guess you are here because of the Superhero Registration Act, right?" said Sam.

"Yup," said Clint.

Sam walked over to the sofa and sat down. He looked over at Steve.

"I thought you'd show up. I was just hoping to get a date in first," sighed Sam. "What are we going to do?"

"They are holding Wanda on the helicarrier. I have a plan on how to get her off it, but we need a couple things and someone," said Steve.

"Who do we need?" asked Sam.

"Scott Lang," answered Steve.

"I see we are thinking small," Sam smiled.

"You have your Falcon wings?" asked Clint.

"I do. And I have Red Hawk, too, my drone," said Sam.

"Do you know where Lang is?" asked Steve.

"Yeah, I do. We'll head off in the morning. He's in Atlanta visiting his kid along with Hope Van Dyne," said Sam. "He tends to stay in touch with me."

"He have his suit with me?" asked Clint.

Sam nodded yes.

"I guess we are your guest for the night. How about we order in a pizza or three?" asked Clint.

"With pepperoni?" asked Clint.

"Sure," said Clint.

"Anything is fine," added Steve.

"I'll make a call," grunted Sam as he sat up and reached into his pocket for his smart phone. "After we get Lang, is there anyone missing?"

"Actually, you'll get Lang and meet us in New Jersey. I'll text you with the exact place and time," said Steve.

"Steve I know that you were born in a different century, but you should now tech by now. Stark is probably monitoring our Starkphones," said Sam.

"I'm counting on it, Sam. You'll meet us at Stark's private airport in Teterboro. Be there in four days at midnight. I'll text you with false information," stated Steve.

Sam smiled then said, "Stark will probably underestimate you. Well done, Cap."

"I know Stark will. He always thinks he is the smartest person in the room. We can use that against him," said Steve.

"What are you two going to be doing?" asked Sam.

"Bucky," answered Steve.

"Bucky? Do you mean the Winter Soldier?" asked Sam.

"I mean James Buchanan Barnes," said Steve.

"Where is he hiding?" asked Sam.

Steve didn't answer but smiled instead.

"Clint and I will get him," said Steve.

Avengers

Stark had turned Avengers Tower into his own headquarters as he worked with congress and the new governing body in identifying potential problem 'Superheroes' for the registry. After a long and difficult conversation he sat down on the sofa in the penthouse living area. He tossed his Starkphone onto the table in front of him.

"What's wrong Stark?" asked Natasha, as she sat in an armchair with her legs up and looking bored.

"We are going to have a problem with Barton and Rogers. Some SHIELD agents showed up at Barton's place in Iowa..." Stark was explaining.

Natasha sat up and almost sprang out of the chair.

"Who the hell told them to go there to talk to Clint?" she interrupted him.

"I did," Stark said unperturbed by her reaction. "Barton had to be interviewed and he had to be put on record what side he was on. He was an Avenger. It was necessary."

"Clint will kill to protect his family," Natasha hissed.

"Well, Rogers was there with him and his family was gone. They slapped around the SHIELD agents. Of course there were only five agents. If I had known that they would have been dealing with Rogers I would have suggested twenty or thirty men," sighed Stark.

"They got away?" asked Natasha.

"Yeah, they're in the wind," frowned Stark. "The new governing body wants to put them on the suspect list already. I couldn't find an argument for them not to do it, so they are our first two names."

Natasha sat back in the chair. This was going worse then she even anticipated. Clint and Steve were now on the suspect list, which was just as good being a wanted man.

"They were gone before the agents woke up. Knowing Rogers he'll be able to keep them ahead of us for a while, but we'll eventually catch up with them," said Stark.

"The Avengers better be the ones to catch them not SHIELD agents," Natasha pointed out.

"Sam Wilson is next to talk to since he is on leave from the Avengers," said Stark.

The elevator doors opened and Pepper Potts got off. Stark got off the sofa and walked over and gave her a gentle kiss. He then looked over at Natasha.

"I'll be in my lab. I'm working on a new Captain America shield, which is made from composite metals and alloys. I think it will be as good as the original," said Stark. "Now all we need is a new Captain America."

Natasha didn't respond. Stark walked over to the elevator, pressed the button, the doors opened, and Stark disappeared. Once he was gone Pepper looked at Natasha.

"You okay?" she asked.

"I'm worried," answered Natasha.

"Clint and his family?" asked Pepper.

"Partially. I'm also worried about Steve," Natasha told her.

"And I'm worried about Tony," said Pepper. "His guilt about Ultron is driving him to do this. I don't think he understands what he is creating, what problems he is causing in the long run. Why are you going along with this, Natasha?"

"This is the only country I have left. If it turns against me then I have nowhere," she answered.

Pepper smiled sadly at her then said, "I hope Steve and Clint are okay."

"I do, too," replied Natasha. "They are making a mistake fighting this."

Pepper sighed deeply then said, "I'm afraid Tony is going to regret this more than he regrets Ultron. Ultron was a mistake but this is going up against people who are like family. That's wrong, Natasha. This is wrong."

"I hope not, Pepper," Natasha said softly, "because I've taken his side."

Avengers

Since it was now the Fall with the summer tourism season over, James Buchanan Barnes chose Barnegat Light, NJ, a seashore town at the tip of Long Beach Island, to hide. Once the weather changed the town became a place for locals and not much else. He stayed in a motel by the water bothering no one but spending his days and nights reading files about himself as James Buchanan Barnes and as the Winter Soldier trying to comprehend how he could be both.

Since his stomach was empty, he made his way to a local bar that served greasy burgers and other foods that weren't good for you. Bucky dressed in a pair of black jeans, a long sleeve blue and green polo shirt with a leather glove over his cybernetic hand, and a jean jacket. He looked in the mirror before leaving his motel room. His hair was long, too long, and he had a three days growth of beard, but what stuck out the most were his eyes. They were the eyes of a haunted man.

Steve and Clint pulled into Barnegat Light. Even though it early evening on a weekday, the town seemed like a ghost town. As they rode down the street, Steve noticed a familiar figure entering a bar.

"Clint," he yelled.

Clint looked over at him.

"Follow me," he ordered.

They pulled off the main drag and into the parking lot of the bar. Getting off their bikes Clint checked his composite bow, which folded up and was locked in the storage area of his bike along with his quiver and arrow. He made a mental note to get more arrows. Steve made sure his shield was locked into place at the back of the bike then he slung his saddlebags over his shoulder. They entered the bar.

Once in the bar, Steve saw Bucky sitting at a table nursing a draft of beer. They joined him.

"Hey, Punk," Barnes said to Steve.

Steve was happy to see that Barnes appeared to be happy to see him.

"Buck," smiled Steve. He nodded towards Clint. "James Barnes, this is Clint Barton."

"Hey," Clint nodded to Barnes.

"I wasn't expecting you so soon," said Barnes.

"We have trouble," stated Steve.

Barnes grimly smiled then said, "I'm not surprised. What is it?"

"The Registration Act passed and Clint and I are already fugitives," said Steve.

"Welcome to my world," smiled Barnes.

"Where are you staying?" asked Clint.

"The motel just down the street," answered Barnes.

Waitress came over with Barnes' cheeseburger and fries. She placed the plate down.

"Can I get you guys anything?" she asked.

"Yeah, sure," said Clint. "We'll have a pitcher of beer and cheeseburger platter for me and one for him."

She nodded and walked away. Barnes put ketchup on the cheeseburger and then fries. He put the bottle down and then bit into the cheeseburger.

"All the years off and on ice, I never remembered eating. They used to keep me alive with protein and saline drips," said Barnes.

"Is Hydra still after you?" asked Clint.

"Hydra? No. AIM, though, has taken their place. They want me now," Barnes replied.

"Let's see if we can avoid everyone until we are ready," said Clint.

"I'm willing to try," agreed Barnes.

Steve noticed that the waitress was talking to the bartender. She kept on looking over at them, but also was trying to not be noticed looking.

"Buck, have Clint and I been on the news?" he asked.

"I don't know, Steve. I was reading my files over and over again," said Barnes.

The bartender made a phone call.

"We need to get out of here," Steve said.

The three of them got up, grabbed their stuff, and headed out of the bar. When they got outside there was two police cars and four cops already waiting for them.

"Steve Rogers and Clint Barton," one of the cop said aloud as a way to identify them.

Each cop had a hand on their sidearm, but had yet to draw their weapons.

"Officers, we don't trouble," said Steve.

"Believe me, sir, I don't want trouble either. I was in the army just six months ago, Captain. Having to arrest you kind of makes me sick to my stomach but I have to do my duty," said one of the cops.

"I hope you understand this, son, but I can't follow an unjust law and I can't let you arrest us," said Steve.

Moving quickly, Steve kick one cop in the chest sending him flying back into his vehicle and then disarmed the other one and knocked him out with a short but gentle right hook. Barnes was less gentle but disarmed and knocked out the other two cops.

"Well, there is no going back now," remarked Clint.

"Let's grab my stuff and bike and get out of here," said Barnes.

"Yeah, we need to get on the road now," said Clint. "We should probably stick to back roads."

"I agree," said Barnes.

Steve looked at the unconscious police officers and his stomach turned. His worst fears were already coming true. He just hoped that these cops and others who he'll have to deal with would be able to forgive him.

"Steve, get on your bike," snapped Barnes, who was already riding bitch on Clint's bike.

"I'm coming."

Avengers

The sun came up and she was still in his bed. That was her first mistake. Her instincts told her that she should have been gone long before sunrise, but she didn't want to leave his warmth, his safety. His strong muscular arms were wrapped around her naked body. It was tempting to stay there, to forget her instincts and follow her feelings. His lips moved close to her ear and he whispered.

"I love you."

The words frightened her. They were dangerous words, which could make her weak. She moved away from him and sat up throwing her legs over the side of his bed. It was time to leave and not look back. Last night was a one-time moment of weakness not to be repeated.

"Nat, where are you going?" he asked her.

"My room," she answered. "It's where I belong, Steve."

"Stay here. Don't go. Stay with me," he said.

"No," she replied.

"Why not?"

She looked over her shoulder at him. He was staring at her with those blue eyes and a sincere expression of love on his face. That was another mistake she made. She had to leave now before she became weak and gave into him.

"Love is for children, Steve, and I'm no child," she told him then she got out of bed and retrieved her clothes.

Natasha woke up in her bed at Avengers Tower. Her body was shaking, which annoyed her. She was weak and she didn't love Steve Rogers. Yes, she cared about him, just like she cared about Clint. They had both been her partners, but that was the past. They had made their choice and she made hers.

Natasha got out of bed. She was wearing yoga pants and a loose fitting tee shirt. Turning on the lights, she left the bedroom and went into the living room area of the apartment. A quick check of the clock on the wall told her that it was three in the morning. Her night of sleep was over.

Walking over to the widows that looked out over the city, she stared down on Manhattan. Even at this hour there was still traffic in the streets. Knowing Steve and Clint they were probably in the city somewhere planning their next step. Tomorrow she'll have to call Rhodey and have him prepare to bring the Avengers down from their facility. They would be needed to deal with Steve and Clint, especially if they were going to be taken without injuries.

The thought of the Avengers going up against their former leader made her eyes burn with tears that wanted to be shed, but she refused to shed them. The Black Widow didn't cry over a man and she didn't fall in love. She wiped away a stray tear.