*Scene 1, flashback*

The world seemed to stand still, as Rebecca Barnes, the younger sister of the presumed-dead Bucky Barnes, watched that morning's news. Her wrinkled hands gripped the sides of the old armchair she sat in, as her eyes were fixed to the screen. The bombing of the UN. The resulting death of the king of Wakanda, the secretive African nation. And who did they blame? The Winter Soldier. For her whole life, everybody had told her he had died when he fell from that train, his body then lost in the snow. She hadn't believed them for a long time, but there was nothing she could, so she moved on with her life. All Bucky Barnes had ever been was a war hero of the past, but now, people were going to remember him differently – not as her brother, a kind, compassionate young man, determined and full of potential, but as a cold-blooded killer working for the enemy. Words could not express her shock when she was approached by Shield, not all that long ago, and they told her the heart-wrenching truth about her brother's life, and now she and her family had to live with that burden of the truth.

Rebecca knew they were wrong about the bombing; she could feel it. Bucky couldn't have orchestrated such a feat, out there, alone, in hiding. Yet, she once again felt helpless like she did all those years before.

*Scene 2*

It had been over 6 months since everybody came back. It was such utter chaos that day; many had accepted that they would simply never see their loved ones again, and then, after 5 perilous years, they just came back, unchanged. The half-empty world people had gotten used to was gone, the new world it was replaced was forced to re-create the peace and relative normalcy that there had been before, although no-one really believed that was possible. For many who had adjusted to the 'Blip', there was no going back. Reactionary movements had sprung up to the new changes, most notably that of the so-called 'Flagsmashers'. Then there were the vigilantes, the wannabe superheroes, who had taken to the task of filling the shoes of the severely weakened law enforcements after the Snap. Now that all was right in the world again, they either didn't know what to do with themselves or kept going regardless, and got caught out for their morally questionable activities.

The New York police department was caught up in one such case, but were struggling to apprehend the assailant, after monitoring their widespread unwarranted involvement with criminals. This vigilante was nicknamed "The Swift" by the local media for their ability to get in and out of situations so quickly. They were also getting in the way of investigations and making the force look bad. Enough was enough; except, they just couldn't catch them.

Thankfully, the new Captain America was back on the scene. He was just what they needed; a bit of extra superhero power to finish the job. But it was not going to be so easy. It was clear that the Swift was more than your typical vigilante; they were incredibly crafty, well-funded, and well-versed in hand-to-hand. Furthermore, latest sightings suggested that they were still in the city, so Sam would need someone on the ground with plenty of hand-to-hand combat skills to help him out. Naturally, Bucky Barnes, aka White Wolf, was the obvious choice to ask.

*Scene 3*

It was a gang of around 5 of them. Sam was watching them from the rooftops, while Bucky was watching concealed on the ground, waiting for the Swift to turn up and make a move. Then, it happened. A grenade, falling from the opposite roof, landed dead centre amongst them. It beeped, quietly, flashing red. The gang members panicked and tried to grab it, but it set off in their faces. It was, however, only a smoke grenade. Thick, grey smoke smothered them from sight. And then, like a shadow, the Swift arrived. Moving with deadly precision, they unarmed, then sent flying, each member with cool ease. They stepped out of the smoke, to reveal a black and grey ensemble. Every part of their face was obscured – they wore a combat face mask, black goggles with blue lenses, and a sleek black hood, as well black fingerless gloves. They looked the part of a formidable assassin, although none of the gang members lay dead, only unconscious. It was time for Bucky and Sam to act.

Sam flew suddenly upwards, firing a grappling hook at the opposite building, and then using it to swing down in an attempt to kick down the Swift. They rolled, and attempted to make their getaway, only to halt in their tracks at the sight of Bucky turning a corner. A chase ensued, as they ducked and dived between buildings and across rooftops, Sam and Bucky always hot on their tail. They displayed incredible agility, speed, and the ability to jump much higher than the average person, although they were not superhuman. Finally, they were cornered on a rooftop, with no where else to turn.

"Look, we don't want to hurt you, but you need to come with us." Bucky called out to them.

"It's not like you can just keep running anyway." Sam added.

The Swift turned around to face them. "Do you even know who we are?" Sam questioned.

"I do, yes. Bucky Barnes, formerly the Winter Soldier, and Sam Wilson, formerly the Falcon. I've heard a great deal about you both." They, or rather she, responded in feminine tones. "But I'm afraid I have other places to be. Nice to meet the two of you."

With that, she leapt from the rooftop. Bucky and Sam rushed forward to the edge to see where she'd gone, but it was as if she had disappeared into the night.

*Scene 3*

It had been three days since then, and so far, no other sightings of the Swift, although they now knew it was a woman they were looking for. The case was therefore put on the backburner.

Bucky's phone was ringing. It was Sam. Doctor Strange had called a meeting of all the current Avengers in the New York Sanctum in order to discuss what everyone had been doing, and what his plans were for the future of the superhero group. Although Bucky didn't consider himself an official Avenger, Strange had specifically asked for him to turn up. Not wanting to defy the wishes of the Master of the mystic arts, Bucky said that he would go.

"Looking for a ride?" Sam said as he turned up in his car to pick Bucky up.

"Yes, thanks Sam."

Soon, they were sitting in a great hall, which was ornately decorated with mystic symbols on the walls. Impressive, dark, wooden arches bestowed the ceiling. The other Avengers were also sitting or standing around the room : War Machine, Spiderman, Hawkeye, Wanda, Pepper Potts, Bruce Banner, Rocket the raccoon etc.

"Thank you all for taking the time to come here, it's not often we'll get a chance like this where we're all together." Doctor Strange began, addressing the room from a wooden podium. As his speech progressed, much of it about the important duty they all shared, and the impact of Thanos' snap, as well as plans to rebuild the Avengers facility, which was destroyed by Thanos during the final battle. Several of the other Avengers were invited up to speak about their own plans for the future, including Sam, who spoke about his new role as Captain America and his story of accepting the shield. Bucky couldn't be happier to see his friend finally embracing his truth, but when Sam offered the podium up to Bucky, he couldn't be more reluctant. Heads turned to him. Bucky took a breath, and took to the podium nervously.

"Thank you Sam for that. Well, a lot has been going on since last time I was here. I've been, uh, making amends, going to therapy – that has been somewhat of a success – I'd say considering everything that's happened, I'm pretty good. And I'm looking forward to whatever the future holds, for the first time."

After everyone was done talking, Doctor Strange motioned Bucky to come and speak to him.

"Hey Strange, what is it?"

"There's something I've been meaning to tell you, but I haven't found the right moment until now." Strange replied.

Bucky braced himself, although it wasn't as if anything could surprise him at this point.

"It's about your family."

Bucky tensed. He only knew about his sister, Rebecca, who had died during the five years he didn't exist. He hadn't felt the need to find out more. Any living relatives were never mentioned.

"I don't have any family."

"That you know of." Strange replied inquisitively, "I was able to look into if your late sister had any children. And we found something, if you're interested." He opened his hand, and there appeared a photograph. Bucky took it and examined it. It was in colour, and showed a young woman with a man. "Look at the back." Strange said.

On the back was written in cursive handwriting: "My beautiful daughter Ashley Barnes and her fiancée John Travis. Xoxo"

"Where did you get this?" Bucky asked.

"It was found among her possessions at the hospital when your sister passed away. Strangely, this is the only photo that was found, I believe any other photos were taken, although by whom I don't know."

"And what do you know about Ashley Barnes and John Travis?"

"Not much, it seems a lot of the records about an Ashley Barnes are not available. But John Travis? He's alive, and has two recorded children. One of them, a man, lives in England. The other, a woman, in New York."

"Wait, really? Here?"

"Indeed. Her name is Rebecca Travis. Although unfortunately we have been unable to contact her, we do know where she works. A journalism corporation called The Hero Network."

"I've heard of it. They tried to contact me."

"Me as well, but I believe they have good intentions. Perhaps if you go there, you might be able to find her, here this is the address," He passed a note to Bucky. Strange paused. "I understand that this is likely a difficult undertaking for you, so take all the time you need. I hope you find what you're looking for." Strange continued; he met Bucky's eyes, and a sense of understanding passed between them.

Bucky nodded. "Thank you for this, Strange. I hope we can all see each other again soon. I should get going."

"Take care, Bucky."

*Next scene*

"Thanks for the lift Sam." Bucky said, as he got out of Sam's car.

"No problem, anytime. Now take care of yourself, and call me if you need to talk."

"Alright, see ya Sam."

Bucky went back to his apartment. He sat by the small window in the kitchen, and took out the photograph Strange had given to him to study it more carefully. It was dated August 3rd, 1994. Ashley Barnes was standing to the right of her fiancée, outside, in what looked like their garden. Her eyes were bright blue like Bucky's, and her hair brown and chin-length. They looked happy together, and Bucky wondered what became of Ashley with a sinking feeling. Why weren't there any records of her? His mind jumped to unpleasant conclusions, as it often did, and he pushed the photograph away.

He typed the address for Rebecca Travis' workplace into Google. Tomorrow, that's where he was going, but he couldn't just turn up. So, he wrote them, the Hero Network, an email, something he nearly never did, so it took him a while to get right. When he was finished, he was left with an email asking them to help represent him, scheduling a meeting with them tomorrow, although mid-way through writing it, he decided he would ask Sam to tag along with him. Thankfully, Sam agreed. Bucky could never do these sorts of things on his own; Sam was like his emotional support wingman now, but he would never admit that.

End of Part One