Ella was led to a small room with combat gear in it. She could tell it was the bare minimum, given the circumstances. Still, it was all she needed.

She grabbed one of the old SHIELD uniforms, similar to what Maria Hill wore. She zipped up the high-collared jacket, the SHIELD logo on her left shoulder. The sleeves were long and easy to move in. Ella slipped out of her jeans and into well-fit, thick pants. They had many pockets lining the legs, probably to be filled with ammo or whatever technology SHIELD could dream up. She kept Kate's boots on, finding them quite comfortable. Ella clipped a holster around her waist before sliding a pistol she was familiar with into it. She rolled a hair tie from her wrist, tossing her hair into a high ponytail.

She looked down at herself, sighing lightly. She looked like an agent, something she was positive she would never become. Still, desperate times called for desperate measures. She huffed, mentally preparing herself for what was to come.

It wouldn't be easy.

Steve stood before the display in the Smithsonian, holding his uniform in his arm. He was gazing up at the mural of him and his best friend. The chances of meeting of him in battle were very high. Sam was right, Bucky was dangerous now. Still, Steve had to believe his old friend was buried in there somewhere. Perhaps… seeing him in this uniform could help, maybe talking to him.

His eyes went to the mannequin donning Bucky's uniform. He noted the dented compass hanging from his belt; Ella had pointed it out to him after she had told him the truth. Steve snatched up the compass, tucking it into his pocket. If he couldn't make him remember, perhaps Ella could.

Steve turned, swallowing hard.

It wouldn't be easy.

Ella searched the makeshift base for her brother, Sam telling her that he had gone to get a uniform. So, she waited patiently next to Sam as he geared up.

"What's with the wings?" Ella asked, sitting down on the edge of a table.

"I used them back in my days in the army."

Ella raised a brow. "Never saw any of those."

"It was very hush-hush." Sam said, strapping the mechanism over his chest.

"You're like a really big bird." Ella said, lips spreading into a playful grin. "Maybe your superhero name could be… I don't know… The Chicken? Or maybe Blue Bird?"

Sam laughed. "I don't think I'm going to get a superhero name." he paused thoughtfully. "Actually, when I served, they called me Falcon. I don't know if it will stick."

"You're fighting with Captain America." Ella pointed out. "It probably will."

"Okay then." Sam said, leaning back and crossing his arms over his chest. "What about yours? What do they call you? Miss America?"

Ella made a face and shook her head, ponytail swinging behind her. "No. I don't get one because I'm not a superhero."

"Neither am I."

"Not yet anyways."

They fell into a comfortable silence. She fully believed Sam would stick by Steve's side after this all… if they won that is. Being on Captain America's team gets you a name. Sam could be in the same league as the Avengers one day.

"So… you and Barnes?" Sam spoke.

A sad smile came to her face as she hugged herself tightly. "Yeah."

"Is that why you didn't respond to my flirting when we first met?"

Ella laughed through the dark feeling that lodged itself in her chest. "No, I only like guys that can run as fast as me."

"Ouch." Sam chuckled. It died down, his face then became serious. "No, but for real. It must be hard for you."

Ella shrugged. "I mean, yes of course it is… but just sitting here crying about it won't do anything." She leaned her weight back on her hands, shaking her head softly. "All I can do is… hope and pray for the best. It worked last time."

"Last time?"

"Battle of New York." Ella elaborated. "At least this time I won't be watching from the sidelines."

"What does Steve have to say about that?"

"Say about what?"

Ella looked over her shoulder, seeing Steve walking in. He was donned in his original uniform, holding his helmet in his hand. His shield was already slung over his shoulders. He was ready for battle. He saw Ella as she sprung off the table, turning towards him. His eyes grew wide at her apparel. It never occurred to him that she would be joining in on the mission. She looked like an agent, when in reality, she only just learned how to properly punch something.

"What are you going to do?"

"I'm going with Fury." Ella explained, wringing her hands. "You can't make me stay behind this time."

"I know." Steve said, surprising Ella. "Just… be careful."

Ella scoffed. "I'm going into the direct line of fire. You're the one who needs to be careful." She paused, looking down sheepishly. "And… if you see him…"

Steve put his hands on her shoulders, making sure she looked him in the eye. "I will do everything I can to bring him back, alright?"

Ella breathed out deeply and nodded her head. "Okay."

Maria popped her head in the room, already donned in her gear. "Cap, it's time to go."

Steve looked over his shoulder. "Alright."

Ella hugged him tightly. "Be safe." She muttered into his uniform. She let go and turned around, seeing Sam standing with his hands to his side.

"Do I get one too?" he asked hopefully.

Ella rolled her eyes but hugged his, trying to ignore how uncomfortable his gear was. "Sorry Steve dragged you into this mess."

"It's good." Sam said. "It'll be fun."

Ella smiled wryly at his lame attempt at humor. She clenched her fists as she watched the small group make their way out of the base and towards a certain fight. She hoped they would be okay. Ella felt her locket against her chest, almost burning into her skin. She had to believe that one day, she would see Bucky again… one day, he could come to love her. All she could do was hope.

Ella left the small room, wandering through the base until she came upon Fury. He looked like he did when she first met him, the long leather duster and the all black clothing. The only difference was that he had his arm wrapped tightly in a sling. He looked up when he heard Ella step in the room.

"You look like an agent." He commented.

"Well, it was the only thing to wear." Ella said.

"You tell your brother yet?"

"Why tell him now?" Ella asked, slapping her thighs. "It'll just distract him. If we get out of this mess, I'll tell him every secret I kept from him since I was born."

"Is there a lot?"

"The enhancement is the only major one." Ella said. "The rest are petty things… like once, when I was six, I spit in his soup because he and Bucky wouldn't let me play with them." She chuckled at the old memory.

Fury let out the faintest of smiles. "Well, that will be an interesting confession." He slid a gun into his holster, looking towards the girl to his side. "Well, are you ready?"

"As I'll ever be."

Fury led her outside, to where a helicopter sat on a large patch of green grass.

"How do you have this?" Ella asked. SHIELD wasn't here anymore to supply technology, and he was technically supposed to be dead.

"I have my ways, Miss Rogers."

Ella refrained from rolling her eyes as she crawled into the helicopter. She slipped on a headset that Fury handed to her.

"You've ever been in a helicopter before?" he shouted over the roar of the blades as they sliced through the air.

"No!" Ella replied loudly. She wouldn't lie and say she wasn't nervous as it lifted from the ground.

Fury had given her a rundown of what they were going to do. Natasha was already at the Triskelion doing her part, Steve and Sam were no doubt beginning theirs. Ella knew she was going to have to see Pierce again. It would take everything in her not to whip out her pistol and shoot him in the gut. He knew about her, he knew about Bucky and he just sat there like he was trying to protect this world. Ella hated him. She had never hated anyone before.

Ella looked down as they flew over the Potomac. It was beautiful, if it wasn't for the three huge Helicarriers taking off. Steve was on one of those, she knew it.

Ella took a deep breath to compose herself was Fury landed the chopper. She pulled the headset off, jumping out the side. Her hand gravitated towards the pistol resting on her thigh as they made their way inside. She was in step with Fury, nose pointed to the sky to give herself an air of confidence, even though it was faked.

Fury pulled the door open and stepped inside, all eyes on them.

The first thing Ella saw was Pierce, a familiar feeling bubbling deep in her chest. She noted Natasha, tapping away at some kind of keyboard. There were others there, one of them pointing a gun at Pierce. Good idea.

"Did you get my flowers?" Pierce asked when they came to a stop. His eyes flickered to Ella at his side. "You're fired by the way."

Ella tilted her head to the side with a smile as sweet as poisoned honey. "Good thing I don't like working for Nazis."

"That's a strong word." Pierce said, as if he was scolding a child.

"I could use stronger." Ella forced out through clenched teeth.

She stood to the side as Fury took calculated steps towards Pierce, body postured rigid.

"I'm glad you're here, Nick." Pierce said.

"Really?" Fury asked. "Because I thought you had me killed."

Pierce shrugged. "You know how the game works."

Ella stalked around the outskirts of the room, fingers brushing the cold metal of the hilt of her pistol. She stood beside the man holding a gun at Pierce, ready to join in if needed. Ella listened with her lips curled into a sneer as Pierce continued to spew lies disguised as the truth. It made her sick. How easily he talked about the loss of millions of lives, as if they were nothing.

Natasha held her gun up as their eyes were scanned, all the files being opened finally. Ella was happy about the small victory. Soon, everyone will learn about HYDRA.

Pierce turned. If he was upset about what just happened, he didn't show it. His gaze landed on Ella, who tensed instantly.

"You are a very hard woman to catch, Miss Rogers." He said as he began pacing around the room. Barrels of guns followed his every move. "I assume by now you learned who had you for so many years?"

"I do."

"Well, we were very upset when you managed to get away the first time." Pierce commented, shoes hitting the ground noisily. "I almost sent another team to collect you, but you came right back to us. What a coincidence."

"I would say it was bad luck."

Pierce laughed. "You were meant to be much more than you are now, did you know that? I must say, I was very surprised when I noticed no one knew of your… abilities. I even doubted myself for a while, I had to send a team just to get you to show them."

Ella put the pieces together. He had sent the men after her the one night where Kate had showed up.

"What a waste." He tutted. "Does your brother even know about it?"

Ella realized he was playing with her head. The only problem was, it was working. She simply clenched her jaw and maintained a steady eye contact. He still wore a small smile on his face, as if he were in control of this whole situation. He was steadily coming closer to Ella as he spoke.

"You know, once we eliminated your brother, we were planning on taking you back."

"I figured." Ella spat. "That's why I'm still alive now, right? If you wanted me dead, I would be by now."

"Smart girl." He said with empty praise. "Did you figure that out after you met our other Asset? Oh, sorry, should I say reunited?"

Pierce looked proud at the reaction he had gotten out of her, how she stood stiff, lips pressed together tightly. There was a storm brewing in her bright blue eyes, threatening to spill over any second. The girl swallowed hard, teething grinding.

"Apparently, he still remembered you for a while." Pierce continued, taking a few steps closer. "Some note from your time said to keep him away from you. We did that pretty well, I think… but the wiping doesn't always work properly. After he saw you and your brother, he said he remembered both of you. Threw a little fit and everything." He took one more step towards Ella. He could see the unshed tears glazing her eyes as he taunted her. "I was there. He even said your name before the screaming started."

Ella snapped. She yanked the gun out of the holster, sticking the barrel right under his chin. Her body shook with pent up rage. "You're a monster!" Ella bit out, leaning in close to his face. He still didn't seemed fazed.

"Ella," Fury said in a warning tone from the other side of the room.

"No, no it's quite alright, Nick." Pierce said. "She won't do anything."

"I could kill you for what you did."

"But you won't." Pierce raised a brow. "I have no doubt that you could kill me. You could pull that trigger, you could break my neck, or you could even throw me out the window… but you won't. Do you know why?" he leaned in close, feeling satisfaction as Ella shied away. "You're too weak."

Ella was still shaking as he looked at her. She breathed out deeply, lowering the gun. "No, I'm not. Sparing a life is not weakness."

Pierce shook his head softly as Ella slid the pistol back into the holster. "We could have made you so much more."

Ella looked to the ground as he paced away. She was thankful it was over, that Pierce was done messing with her head for now. He made it clear that he would have done the same thing to Ella that he did to Bucky. She didn't know if his words were true, if he really did know them. It could have all been a rouse, to work her up… but if it was true, Bucky was still in there. He could come back to them. There was hope, and for now, that was enough.

"Done," Natasha said, referring to the HYDRA files being released onto the internet. "And it's trending."

Ella smirked proudly. They had achieved their goal. Now, she had to hope that Sam and Steve could complete theirs.

Suddenly, there was a sizzle as the council members were electrocuted by Pierce. Ella cursed herself for missing it. She held out her gun, pointed directly at Pierce's chest.

"Unless you want a two-inch hole in your sternum, I'd put that gun down." Pierce said to Natasha. "It was armed the moment you put it on."

Ella's eyes flickered towards Fury, waiting for his instruction. He held up a single hand, telling Ella to lower her weapon. She did as was told, not wanting to cause any harm to Natasha.

Now, Pierce really did have the power in the room. Ella stood idly by as he took Natasha's weapon, training it on her as her went behind a desk and began to speak on the radio to someone.

"Lieutenant, how much longer?"

"65 seconds to satellite link." The slightly robotic voice answered.

Ella tightened up. They were running out of time. Was Steve okay? Did he see Bucky again? Ella bit her lip as the panic began to sink in. She looked out at the Helicarriers, surprised setting in once they began firing at each other. Steve and Sam had done it. They had saved countless lives. A relieved grin grew on her face as she watched the weapons destroying themselves.

"What a waste." Pierce murmured.

"So, you still on the fence about Rogers' chances?" Natasha asked, smugness hidden in her voice.

"Time to go, Councilwoman." Pierce said quickly. "This way, come on. You're going to fly me out of here."

Ella looked to Fury. They couldn't just let him go, especially not with Natasha.

"You know," Fury spoke up. "There was a time where I would have taken a bullet for you."

"You already did." Pierce said, as if it were a joke. "You will again, when it's useful."

Ella's eyes flickered from Pierce to Natasha as a pulse of electricity coursed through her body. She fell to the ground with a groan. She had taken herself out to take the advantage away from Pierce.

Fury picked up a gun, aiming, and shooting two bullets at Pierce without hesitation. Ella watched with wide eyes as red circles grew from his gut, painfully bright against the white shirt. He stumbled as Fury shot one last round, crashing into the glass screen behind him and falling.

Ella walked in a daze over to where Pierce lay as Fury went to Natasha. She looked down at the man who was bleeding out without pity or remorse. He deserved to die. He met her eyes, blood dripping out the corner of his mouth. She narrowed her eyes, hoping that he knew how deeply her hatred ran for him.

"Have fun in hell." Ella said before turning heel.

Fury was helping Natasha off the ground. Ella went to her side, having the woman wrap an arm over her shoulder as they made their way to the helicopter.

"Are you okay?" Ella asked.

"I've been better." Natasha rasped out. She looked at Ella out of the corner of her eye. "So you're enhanced?"

"Let's worry about that later." Ella said as she got into the chopper.

Natasha rode in the front with Fury, Ella strapping into the back. She was more used to it as they took off.

"Please tell me you've got that chopper in the air!" Sam's frantic voice spoke over the head set.

"Where are you?" Natasha asked.

"41stfloor! Northwest corner!"

Ella made a face at all the excess noise in the background. What was happening to him?

"We're on it. Stay where you are!"

"Not an option!"

Natasha looked over her shoulder at Ella. "Get ready to use some of that strength of yours."

Ella's jaw dropped as Sam burst through the window and fell through the sky. He had been around Steve for two long. The chopper jerked to the side, Sam falling through the opening. Ella grabbed his torso, a cry of struggle coming through her lips as she hung on tight. He was dangling halfway off the edge. Ella gave one more tug, pulling him inside the rest of the way.

"41st floor!" Sam cried. "41st!"

"It's not like they put the floor numbers on the outside of the building." Fury yelled back.

Sam shook himself and looked at Ella, patting her shoulder. "That was some catch. You're stronger than you look."

You have no idea. Ella thought to herself.

"Hill, where's Steve? You got a location on Rogers?" Natasha spoke into the headset.

Ella looked out the side of the chopper at the destruction raining down behind them. She could only hope Steve and Bucky were alive and out of there.

Hope was all she had.

Steve laid on the edge of the Helicarrier, face bruised and bleeding from the repeating pounding from Bucky's metal fist. He wasn't responding to him, like he feared.

"You're my mission!"

Steve watched through swollen eyes as Bucky wound his fist back, panting heavily.

"Then finish it," Steve said weakly, digging in his pocket until his fingers brushed cool metal. "Because I'm with you to the end of the line." He held out the broken compass with a shaking hand.

Bucky relaxed slightly, the words having a meaning to him. He looked at the piece of metal in his hand, something in his mind shouting that it was familiar. It took it in a tentative hand, looking at it closer. He knew it, he wasn't sure from where, but he did.

His fist curled around it as a piece of metal hit the glass they were on, watching from where he was as the man fell through the air and hit the water. The Soldier didn't know what to think; only that the only piece to who he was just fell into a river. He slipped the compass into his pocket, letting go and falling after the man into the cold waters below.

Ella was frantic. Maria said the last she heard from Steve, he was still on the Helicarrier. Once they landed the chopper, Ella took off on her own and began searching all the crash sites for her brother. He couldn't be dead, she refused to believe it. She had already gone through those emotions far too many times.

Ella ran along the edge of the Potomac, feeling no fatigue. Her boots hit the shallows of the water, dampening her pants and getting mud on the boots.

Something caught her eye. Among the debris was a familiar pile of red, white and blue. Ella sped up, diving to her knees to his side. He was soaked; he had obviously been in the river. His face was beaten raw, nearly unrecognizable. There was a sinking feeling in her gut, thinking Bucky had done this.

Ella's hands went to his face, slapping his cheeks lightly. "Steve! Steve, wake up!" when he didn't respond, Ella placed her ear to his chest. She almost cried in relief when she heard the steady thumping. He was alive.

She put a finger to her ear, contacting the rest of the team. "Yeah, I found him."

Not much longer, Ella was in the hospital by Steve's bed. She rested her chin on her forearms, leaning on the edge of his small bed. The steady beeping of the heart monitor was a comfort, letting Ella know that he was still alive. The doctors assured her that he would be okay; he just needed to rest for a while.

Sam was in the room, reading while listening to music. Sam had told her about how Bucky had fought with them and also about Rumlow. Ella thought that bastard got what he deserved.

They had been there for a few hour. Ella had changed into fresh clothes and bathed, her hair still a bit damp as it sat on her shoulder. She sat up and looked at her phone, seeing a few messages from Kate. In the end, Ella was glad that she was on her side. So was Clint. Kate had been texting her nonstop, making sure she was absolutely alright.

"On your left."

Ella's eyes snapped up, seeing Steve turning away from Sam. He had just woken up and was already messing with him. Sam caught her eye, thinking the same thing. He shook his head, looking down at his magazine again.

Ella moved closer to her brother. "How you feeling?"

"Not great." Steve admitted, groaning slightly as he shifted his weight.

"You look rough."

"Hmm," Steve said, taking a deep breath. "Sorry you have to look at my face."

Ella laughed lightly. She was thankful her brother was sitting here before her. Briefly, her promise to Fury flashed through her mind. They got out of that situation, they beat HYDRA. She had to tell Steve. Even if she didn't want to, with all the HYDRA files leaked on the internet, it would come out one way or another.

"I gotta tell you something." Ella said, sitting up straight. "It's… really important and I don't want you to get mad."

Steve's brows furrowed. "Did you do something?"

"No," Ella assured him. "This is something else."

"Do you need me to leave?" Sam said awkwardly, pointing towards the door.

Ella shook her head. One way or another, he was going to find out too. "No, you can stay. You both should hear this."

Ella looked at the expectant eyes looking at her. She inhaled deeply before speaking. "I'm enhanced."

"What?" Steve asked, looking disbelieving.

"I. Am. Enhanced." Ella repeated again, slower. "I'm stronger, like you. It was HYDRA."

"Since when?"

Ella cringed. "1991."

"And you knew this?" Steve asked, tone sharp. "For that long?"

"Technically, I didn't know until 2012." Ella said. "When HYDRA got me in '45, they kept me frozen until then. They woke me up, stuck something in my arm, and then put me back under. I woke up, and I could throw a fully grown man."

Sam leaned forward. "Hold up. So is that why you lasted so long on the run?"

Ella tilted her head, amazed where his mind went to first. "I suppose so, but I think we're looking at the wrong details here, Sam."

"Why didn't you tell me?" Steve asked. He couldn't believe that Ella had kept another thing from him, especially one this big.

"I was going to." Ella admitted. "When we were at the cabin… but you said how you were glad I didn't change. How could I take that away?"

"God, Ella." Steve said, dragging a hand down his face. "That didn't mean you should keep that from me!"

"I was scared of it!" Ella said, voice rising slightly. "I didn't understand it; I didn't know what I could or couldn't do…"

"Hiding it wouldn't help."

Sam sat, making himself small. Although finding out the girl in front of him could easily kick his ass was news, he felt strange being in the middle of a sibling argument.

They sat in silence for a few moment, no one looking at each other. Eventually, Ella spoke up again.

"I also promised Fury I would tell you every single thing I ever kept from you." Ella said. "So I used to spit in your soup when you would ignore me, I hid your favorite baseball cards when you kicked me out of the room-"

"That was you?!"

"I was the one who put tacks in your shoes when you were eleven."

"I got in a fight over that!" Steve said, but felt a smile grow on his face.

"I took your homework out of your folder once,"

Sam hid his laughter behind his hand as Ella continued to list the things she used to do to terrorize her brother. It was so… human. Sometimes, it was hard to see Steve as a regular guy. This brought both of them back to earth.

"I was the one who put the frog in your coat pocket," Steve admitted with a chuckle.

Ella's jaw dropped. "That was you?! Ma almost beat me because she thought I brought it in the house!"

Ella hung her head as her shoulders shook in laughter. At least he wasn't angry with her anymore.

"Is there anything else?" Steve asked, lips curled in a smile.

She shook her head. "Not that I can think of."

"In all honestly," Sam said. "Not exactly the kind of confessions I expected, but these were better."

"I don't even want to know what you expected."

Ella looked towards her brother, a nervous grin on her face. "Can you forgive me for keeping it from you for so long?"

Steve sighed heavily, but nodded. "Of course. As long as you promise not to keep anything else from me. Deal?"

Ella nodded eagerly. "Deal."

She stood and leaned over her brother, hugging him as if he was made of glass. It felt good to finally have that off her chest. At least it was out in the open. They would figure out where to go from there, just as long as they were together.

She eased back into her seat, finally asked the question that had been on her mind for so long. "What happened to Bucky?"

Steve pursed his lips as he thought. "He pulled me out of the river." He said, looking at his sister. "He knew his old compass."

Ella's face lit up. "You gave it to him?"

Steve nodded. "There was something in his eyes. He's still in there, Ella."

Her face fell a fraction of an inch. "But he's gone."

"He's confused." Steve said. "We'll find him, and we'll help him."

Her eyes were brighter as she looked up and nodded. She believed that they could help him. Ella wished she had a chance to speak with him again… maybe he would know her.

"Do you need anything?" Ella asked, moving away from the topic of Bucky.

"Yeah, actually." He turned towards her. "Could you go to the Smithsonian and apologize for me stealing the suit?"

Ella laughed, a lighthearted sound. "Of course."

Bucky Barnes stood with his head low in the Captain America exhibit. So far, he was the only clue to his past. Well, him and a name.

Bucky.

He stood before a glass display with his face printed on it. Well, more like a ghost of his face. He didn't even know the man he was reading about. How could it be him? He licked his lips as he looked at the room behind him. He knew it, but he didn't know how. He didn't have all the pieces yet, only broken shards.

He heard raised voices. Bucky turned towards the center of the exhibit, seeing an elderly man in a security uniform, who seemed to be very annoyed, speak to a woman who was trying her best to calm him down. The old man pointed at the center of the exhibit, where there was obviously a mannequin missing.

Bucky narrowed his eyes at the woman as he caught a glimpse of her profile. He recognized her, she was with the man on the bridge, he had been charged with obtaining her and bringing her back to HYDRA. And here she stood, wearing clean cut, professional clothes, only a few feet away.

Bucky lowered his head so his cap covered his face as the old man stalked by, grumbling to himself about; "Those damned superheroes."

Bucky wedged himself in a corner as the girl paused in front of the plaque he had just been looking at. Her hand went to a chain around her neck, looking at the photos with sad eyes. She visibly tore herself away from the glass, hurrying out of the exhibit.

Bucky watched her back as she left, mind racing. She knew him. How, he didn't quite know. She also knew the man on the bridge, Steve. He wasn't ready to meet with him again, not after reading so much about their friendship in this museum. There was nothing about her.

Bucky made up his mind. His next mission was to find the girl.

Authors note:

Long chapter! End of TWS, so we're moving on. I hoped you guys liked it. I know there wasn't much interaction between Ella and Bucky, there there's going to be loads in the next chapters! Thank you to everyone who has read this far!

Don't forget to review!