America wanted cap to do more. But cap had reached his turning point with it all. Things were stable enough. Freedom's work was always ongoing. That would never end. Moreover, he handed the baton off to us agent; now American agent as the USA was defunct. "Agent of America is your guy now." That's how cap had bottom lined it to them. Cap even recommended that he be made supreme commander of transitional/rebel forces. Walker had a solid background for it. The hydra virus had killed Walker's longtime friend/partner Battlestar too. Walker had skin in the game; it was his fight too. Many awards for valor to go with it. Walker could readily do what needed done for liberty. He'd already risked his life for freedom many times in various American theaters of war. The American people owed him; not the other way around.
Then again they owed cap too... But cap didn't care about collecting. The new American congress and president, patriots, wanted to honor cap again with what the previous corrupt version had taken away from him... Cap had declined to attend. They restored his medals anyway, and his retired rank of captain. He was also to be forever remembered by congressional decree as America's captain. Cap was honored but had already moved on.
He'd still serve America; but from an external way. American agent had the interior part. Cap had felt the call to go overseas again. To serve. He wanted to help the guys still risking their lives in the field. He didn't give a damn about the politics or any of that horseshit. Just helping the troops get back in one piece. That's all it was. All it ever would be. People could go screw themselves if they didn't like it.
And there was only one place for him to go to serve in that way needed. It was the same war and place where America had been stuck for too long. Its longest war in fact. And even though a new republic was near the war on Islam remained a fact there. Thus there was only one course of action possible.
"I need to go there Sharon. The call to serve there is strong." She looked down at the deck plating in their cabin. "I understand. Tell me what you need." He stopped right in front of her and set his hands beneath her folded arms. "This may sound strange but this is a fight I need to do alone." "What about the Kirby?" "Keep it here. I'll take a stealth flight into Afghanistan." "That place is called the graveyard of empires for a reason Steve." "I know. I'm not going there to democratize them. Hell with that. I'm going there to fight beside our brave troops." "How long will you be?" He shook his head. "Honestly I can't say; and I won't lie. It could be a while. Walker's the new guy now. Listen to him as you would me." She nodded. "Make sure the rest do as well. He's good. Give him a chance." "We will."
They hugged tight. "There's still a fight here to win. Walker gets that. Be his right hand. He'll need it." "We will." Cap left it in their hands then.
xxx
"Attention!" Everyone came to at the shield agent's order. This was done as cap came onto the flight deck of the Kirby. They were above New York again. Many of the senior rebels were there to give cap a proper sendoff. Walker was near the shield jet cap would board. "Permission to disembark Agent Walker." "Permission granted Captain Rogers." Walker then returned cap's medal of honor. "Keep it for posterity," said cap. Walker nodded. He then saluted cap; cap returned it.
Cap boarded the shield jet and took off. The jet circled the Kirby. Everyone cheered. Cap's eyes got a little wet. They were fine men and women. There was still so much more for them to do. Just as cap had to do. Afghanistan awaited.