And here is the next chapter. Thanks for the support in this story. As always, I don't own anything you recognize except for Tara and Amber and whatever the story plots I modify. Everything belongs to their rightful owners. Without further ado, here is the next chapter.

Tara's POV

I had a bad feeling run through me. I knew it had to involve Bucky. Over the course of our partnership, I did everything I could to make him realize he's human and not just a weapon. In the course of it, I ended up falling in love with him, something I should have never done because those feelings still reside in me. I thought I had gotten over him but seeing him again after 2 years, those feelings hit me right then and there. I knew I shouldn't, considering either I or he could die and it hurt to think about.

Nick was looking at a picture of Alexander Pierce and said, "This man declined the Nobel Peace Prize. He said, 'Peace wasn't an achievement, it was a responsibility.' See, it's stuff like this that gives me trust issues, considering I'm putting my trust in a former Hydra agent." He said the last part looking at me.

"Believe me, I never thought I'd work with SHIELD in my lifetime." I said, returning the gesture.

"We have to stop the launch." Natasha said

"I don't think the Council's accepting my calls anymore." Nick Fury said, opening a case containing three chips.

"What's that?" Sam asked before I did. Good to know I wasn't the only one curious.

"Once the Hellicarriers reach three thousand feet, they'll triangulate with insight satellites becoming fully weaponized." Maria Hill went on to explain.

"We need to breach those carriers and replace their targeting blades with our own." Nick continued on.

Maria Hill then went on to say, "One or two won't cut it. We need to link all three carriers for this to work, because if even one of those ships remains operational, a whole lot of people are gonna die."

Nick then went on to say, "We have to assume everyone aboard those carriers is Hydra. We need to get pass them, insert the server blades, and maybe, just maybe, we can salvage what's left..." He trailed off but Steve quickly said, "We're not salvaging anything. We're not just taking down the carriers, Nick, we're taking down SHIELD." Steve had a point, cause if we assume everyone is Hydra, there's gonna be a lot of lives lost and no SHIELD to save.

"SHIELD had nothing to do with it." Nick stated.

Steve then shot back saying, "You gave me this mission, this is how it ends. SHIELD's been compromised, you said so yourself. Hydra grew right under your nose and nobody noticed."

"Why do you think we're meeting in this cave?" Nick asked, not impressed. "I noticed."

"And how many people paid the price before you did?" I asked, stating the obvious.

"Coming from someone who noticed it before even I did." Nick shot back. I just gave a humorless laugh.

"Would you have believed me if I came out of nowhere and said, hey, SHIELD is compromised by Hydra. Better stop it." I explained, "Especially if you knew I was former Hydra. You would have arrested me instead of asking questions or believing me." I said. Nick was about to say something and I shock my head, "No, don't say you wouldn't have. We all know it's a lie."

"Fine." Nick said and then looked at Steve. "But I didn't know about Barnes."

"Even if you did, would you have told me? Or would you have compartmentalized that too? SHIELD, Hydra, it all goes." Steve said.

"He's right." Maria agreed. Fury looked at Natasha who nodded, and then to Sam. He didn't bother looking at me, he knew I was on Cap's side on this one.

"Don't look at me. I do what he does, just slower." Sam said with a slight joke.

Nick sighed and said, "Well...looks like you're giving the orders now, Captain."

I walked out the underground facility and saw Steve standing on the bridge and looking at the scenery. I walked over to him and stood with him. It was quiet for a moment before he asked, "What is he like?" I knew he was asking about Bucky.

"He's...emotionless, disconnected. He can't comprehend human emotion all that well." I explained sadly. "It's like Hydra turned him into a machine, a weapon. I remember when I was with Hydra, I managed to get a few emotions out of him but when I left, I think they erased his memory."

"Bucky was always there for me when we were growing up. He was my best friend." Steve said. I nodded.

"I wish I had something good to tell you about him." I said, feeling a little sad. Steve just looked at me and gave me a reassuring smile and placed his hand on my shoulder. I then heard footsteps and I looked and saw Sam walking up to us and came to stand with us.

"He's gonna be there, you know?" Sam asked. I had a feeling he would be and I'm pretty sure Steve knew as well.

"I know." Steve confirmed and I nodded, agreeing with Steve.

"Look, whoever he used to be, the guy he is now, I don't think he's the kind you save. He's the kind you stop. I'm sure Tara knows that." Sam explained and I looked at the ground. I really didn't want to think about it.

"I don't know if I can do that." Steve admitted and I knew what he was feeling, I was feeling the same way.

"Well, he might not give you a choice. He doesn't know either of you." Sam explained.

"He will." Steve was certain. I smiled at that. If Steve believed he could remember, then so would I. I wasn't gonna give up on him either. Bucky saved my ass more than once on our missions, this time I was gonna save his ass. "Gear up you two, it's time." Steve then started walking off.

"You gonna wear that?" Sam asked, jokingly.

"No." Steve said as he looked back at us. "If you're gonna fight a war, you gotta wear a uniform." He then left, leaving Sam and I at the bridge.

"What about you? Are you prepared to stop him?" Sam asked. I tensed for a moment.

"No, I'm not but I'm not dwelling on it." I explained. "If Steve believes that Bucky can be saved, then I'm with him all the way. When I knew Bucky, I managed to make him human a little bit so he's not completely gone." I finished and then I left to change back into my outfit.