Chapter 30- To the End of the Line
Steve stood there on the dam next to Liz, his mind going back 80 years to the day he buried his mother. Sarah Rogers had died of tuberculosis that she had picked up in the hospital where she worked as a nurse and Bucky had been there with his family to support Steve.
"We looked for you, after. My folks wanted to give you a ride to the cemetery," Bucky said as they walked up the rickety stairs leading to Steve and his mother's apartment.
"I know. I'm sorry. I just kind of wanted to be alone," Steve said in a low voice. If he raised it, he would start crying over his mother again.
"How was it?" Bucky asked.
"It was okay. She's next to Dad," Steve said, feeling his voice catch. He had lost his father in the first world war. It was sad, but right that she was buried with him.
"I was gonna ask-" Bucky started to say.
"I know what you're gonna say, Buck. I just-" Steve started to say as he stopped at his door.
"We can put the couch cushions on the floor like when we were kids. It'll be fun. All you got to do is shine my shoes, maybe take out the trash," Bucky said as he went to the brick that had Steve's apartment key under it. "Come on," Bucky said as he handed him the key.
"Thank you, Buck, but I can get by on my own," Steve said.
"The thing is, you don't have to. I'm with you to the end of the line, pal," Bucky said, clapping Steve's shoulder with his large hand.
"End of the line," Steve said, stroking Liz's hair absently.
"Come again?" Liz asked, furrowing her dark eyebrows. Steve felt a smile come on his face. If she only knew that was an expression her pop used to give when he was confused
"What your dad said to me when my Ma died. If only we could both have known that you would be there at the end of the line too. Your dad would have loved you so much," Steve said.
"I think even now he does. He wouldn't stop kissing me or touching my hair. I didn't want to leave him again, but I just couldn't do what Pierce wanted," Liz said, looking down at the water, but Steve noticed a tear in the corner of her eye.
"He's gonna be there, you both know," Sam said, as he walked over to them.
"We know, Sam," Liz said in a low voice.
"Look, kid whoever he used to be to the both of you and the guy he is now, I don't think he's the kind you save. He's the kind you stop," Sam said.
"Sam, he's still my father and he knew me. I don't know if I can do that and still love him," Liz said as her eyes finally spilled over. Steve rested his hand on her shoulder.
"She may have a point, Sam," Steve said.
"Well, he might not give either of you a choice. He may know her, but he doesn't know you," Sam said to Steve firmly.
"He will. He did remember Liz is his kid. Gear up. It's time," Steve said as he and Liz walked away purposefully.
"You two gonna wear that?" Sam asked, looking at their street clothes.
"No. If you're gonna fight a war, you got to wear a uniform. Mine and Liz's are at the exhibit at the Smithsonian," Steve said over his shoulder.
"Wait a minute. What do you mean?" Liz asked.
"Your father's old uniform. It may be a little big on you, but Bucky would have wanted you to have it," Steve said, gripping her hand as he pulled her along.
Yelizaveta looked at the Howling Commandos exhibit at the Smithsonian as Steve pulled off his old uniform and her father's from their mannequins. He tossed her the clothes and she looked at them. "You're right. They will be a little big, but doable. Dad is a little bigger than me," Yelizaveta said as she held up the blue leather jacket her father wore and pressed it against herself. The sleeves were a little long and the end of the jacket went past her waist a little.
"Just tuck the legs into your boots and we can push the sleeves up a little. Here, your pop would want you to have these too," Steve said, slipping what looked like a necklace around her neck. Yelizaveta lifted it and saw that they were dog tags with her father's name on it. She ran her fingers over the letters that spelled out James B. Barnes and felt tears come to her eyes. She ran her hand over her eyes and she and Steve left the exhibit.
Diana held her husband's head as he kissed her neck, the scruff tickling her throat and neck. Abruptly James pulled away, the pain in his eyes over Elizabeth leaving still there. "James, what's wrong?" Diana asked, pushing a lock of James's hair behind his ear.
James gave a sad attempt at a smile. "It's only Elizabeth. I really thought she wanted us," James said.
Diana raised her hands to his face. "I don't think it has anything to do with not wanting us, James. She does. She just can't hurt and betray anyone she cares about. She loves that man and his family as much as I love you. Have I ever betrayed you?" Diana asked.
"No. You usually do anything I ask," James said.
"Yes. Because I love you. You are the only family I have left as I can't remember my family. You took care of me. I love you," Diana whispered as she kissed his lips gently. James gathered her into his arms and pressed his mouth firmly to hers.
"Stay in here while I am gone, doll," James whispered between kisses.
"What is Pierce going to make you do, James?" Diana asked.
"I don't know. He is furious that Elizabeth outsmarted him. He wants me to stop her and her friends from stopping his project. Promise me, Diana. You will not leave this cell until I get back," James said.
"I promise, James. Just come back to me and don't hurt Elizabeth," Diana said, twisting her fingers into his hair.
"I will and I promise Elizabeth won't be harmed," James said, pulling her hand from his hair and kissing the palm gently.