The male agent who stayed behind with Steve and the female agent was an ex-marine, or to be exact he was a marine since once a marine always a marine. Steve stood in Arlington Cemetery. There was a light snowfall. He calculated that he'd be able survive the crash into the water. Unfortunately, he took more damage than he thought and was only able to save one of the two agents. Today was Lance Corporal Daniel Nall's funeral. His Howling Commandos always had a rivalry with marines. Fury gave his mother and father an American flag. His sisters wept. Steve stood in the crowd of mourners and watched.
As the crowd thinned he stay where he stood and watched the grave diggers lower the body. He stayed as a small bako filled up the grave. Now he stood there as it started to snow. Daniel Nall died because Steve wasn't able to save him.
"Captain," the familiar voice of Fury came from behind him.
He didn't turn.
"He was a good man," said Steve.
"The best. That's what I expect in SHIELD. Those son of bitches from Hydra are a blight on the reputation of men and women like Nall," said Fury. "I need to find that mole, who managed to staff that helicarrier with traitors."
"Have they found Rollins and Rumlow's bodies?" Steve asked.
"No. They have been accountable in the wreckage," said Fury. "I'd say they are rogue agents now with Hydra."
Steve turned and looked at him.
"Did you know about Secretary Pearce?" asked Steve.
"I had my suspicions but no evidence," said Fury.
Steve nodded then he turned back and loo ked at the grave of the marine.
"I don't like killing. Never did. But when I knew that was Zemo I had no problem," said Steve. "I didn't like feeling that, but I wanted him dead. I wanted Hydra, everyone in Hydra, dead. They've killed too many good people."
"Does that mean you're going to start carrying a weapon?" asked Fury.
"No. I'm dangerous enough without carrying a weapon," said Steve.
Fury came up beside Steve and stared at the grave for a few minutes of silence. Steve closed his eyes and listened to his surroundings. There were four agents back far enough to give Fury privacy but still offer him protection.
"That was a bold move on Hydra's part. I spoke to the president. We have already started to weed out Hydra in SHIELD and a list of politicians and business were given to the president to deal with," said Fury. "I am a spy mas ter. You don't fool me that easy."
"Arrests are being made now?" asked Steve.
"Romanov and Barton are involved in the round up. We found the mole. She was part of our inner group – the Countessa. She's on the run, probably to Hydra," said Fury. "She was in charge of screening for the super helicarrier. I always thought she was a loyal agent but I was wrong."
"You expect push back?" asked Steve.
"I expect serious push back. I have a call in to Stark. I want the Avengers involved, which means you might see less of Barton and Ro manov. They're part-time members and liaisons for SHIELD," said Fury. "Stark wants you."
"I've got my Strike team. They did well," said Steve.
"You sure you won't reconsider the Avengers thing?" asked Fury.
"I'm a military man. They are undisciplined. Stark is the leader and his only order is get them. I've read the reports, watch the film," said Steve. "I don' think it would work."
"Too bad, I thought you'd be good for them," said Fury.
Steve continued to stare at the grave. Fury reached up with his right hand and patted his shoulder then he started to walk away. Steve stopped him.
"Director," he said.
"Yes, Captain," Fury stopped and turned around to see Steve was still staring at the grave.
"You have surveillance on me, an Agent S haron Carter. She's been exposed, so pull her. I don't need a babysitter," he said.
"I will, Captain," said Fury.
"She's related to Peggy it seems. Do me a favor and put her in for field training," Steve said. "She's a good agent."
"I have her transferred," said Fury. "You understand why I had surveillance on you?"
"Because you're a spy at heart," grinned Steve.
"No, Captain, because I don't want to lose you. You're an invaluable asset," said Fury then he walked away.
Steve pulled the collar of his overcoat up. It was getting colder and the snow was starting to fall harder. But he wasn't going anywhere for now. He had too much to think about and this was the best spot for him to do it.
AVENGERS
Clint and Natasha were in Steve's apartment. They had bought Chinese food and thought they'd surprise Steve with dinner, but he wasn't home. Clint grabbed an egg roll from the bag and started eating it.
"I wonder where Steve is?" Natasha said.
"No idea," replied Clint. "This was a bad day. We oversaw sixty arrests and a good fifty got away."
"We'll get them," stated Natasha. "I'll get plates."
She went into the kitchen. As she did the door opened and Steve entered the apartment. He looked half frozen and in a state a shock. Natasha came out of the kitchen, saw him, and rushed over to his side.
"Steve, where have you been?" she asked.
"Lance Corporal Daniel Nall's grave," he answered.
"You've been there eight hours in the cold and snow?" she asked.
He nodded his head yes. Natasha started to help him get his overcoat off.
"You trying to get yourself frozen again, Cap," Clint said.
Natasha glared at him and he rolled his eyes.
"Go make some hot coffee," she said.
"Yes, ma'am," said Clint, who then exited t o the kitchen.
Natasha grabbed Steve's hands. They were ice cold. She took the right hand in both of her hands and started rubbing them. Once his hand was warmed up, he did the same to his left hand then she led him to the couch. He sat down.
"I failed him," said Steve.
"Steve, you did the best you could do," she told him. "When was the last time you ate food?"
"Sometime yesterday," he answered.
"I'm getting you food and coffee. You're going to eat and drink, get warm then we are going to talk," she said then she got up and joined Clint in the kitchen.
"Coffee's on," Clint said.
"I'm going to make him a plate of food," she said.
"You really like him, Tasha, don't you?" Clint said.
"He's a friend," she said. "I don't have many of them."
"Tasha, he's more than a friend. I approve, " said Clint. "Let him know how you feel."
"Clint, love is for children," she said.
"Naw, it isn't. Love is for everyone," said Clint. "The Red Room fucked you up but you don't have to stay that way. Tell him how you feel. "
"Maybe... someday," she whispered then she grabbed a plate, spoon, knife, and fork and went to make Steve a plate of food.
"Life just isn't as complicated as people make it," sighed Clint. "I should call Laura tonight."
After dinner Clint disappeared into his room to call Laura. He talked for two hours on the phone then went out to check on Steve and Natasha. He found Steve asleep on the sofa with Natasha in his arms. She was asleep, also. Clint thought of her as a sister and he never seen her look so serene in his life. Even though St eve was a large man, Natasha fit perfectly in his arms, so that fit on the sofa. Clint chuckled to himself.
"Yeah, they aren't crazy for each other," he said then he went back into his room and called Laura to talk some more.
AVENGERS
When Steve woke in the morning Natasha was gone and Clint was in the kitchen singing to himself while he made breakfast.
"Just a small time girl
Livin' in a lonely world.
She took the midnight train goin' anywhere
Just a city boy
Born and raised in South Detriot.
He took the midnight train goin' anywhere."
AVENGERS
Stark sat on Fury's leather couch, even though Fury sat at his desk. He wore a Tom Ford three piece suit and his ever present red-tinted dark glasses. Natasha was in SHIELD uniform. She stood beside Fury's desk.
"All that Stark tech wasted, huh? Captain America scuttled the rather than let Hydra have it," said Stark. "We can always rebuild. Maybe I'll give you a discount on the tech next time."
"Stark, we are here about Avenger's business," stated Fury.
"How's Capiscle doing?" Stark asked.
"Captain Rogers is one of my top agents," said Fury.
"But he isn't Captain America, is he?" asked Stark. "Rogers should be Captain America. You know that."
"Again, we are here to talk about the Avengers," Fury said.
"Okay, let's talk," said Stark.
"We have intel that AIM and Hydra have set up bases in Europe. A few of these would take an army to attack them," Fury started.
"Some would take a team of bad asses called the Avengers," Stark grinned. "We'll need permission from the countries to enter their air space, or we could just enter their air space."
"I can get you permission after the fact," stated Fury. "Do you want the bases location and information or not?"
"Give me these difficult bases information and the Avengers will discuss what we want to do with the information," said Stark.
"Stark, don't be an asshole. SHIELD is offering assistance. Take it," growled Natasha.
"Hey, Red, you finally spoke. I thought you were a holograph for a moment," smiled Stark.
"I can prove I'm solid by kicking your ass," she purred.
Stark grinned then looked at Fury.
"Let me review the information then I'll talk to you," said Stark.
Fury handed Natasha a thumb drive. She walked it over to Stark. He took it and put it in his pocket.
"I'm staying at a condo Stark Enterprises owns in Georgetown. I'll review the intel tonight and call you tomorrow about it," said Stark.
He stood up then he looked at Natasha.
"Hey, you, Clint, and Rogers are invited to my place for dinner. You and Hawkeye are part-time Avengers and, well, Rogers is Rogers. Say yes, Red," grinned Stark.
"Grow up, Stark," said Natasha.
"I'll have Russian food if you to come," he said.
She looked over at Fury, who nodded yes.
"We'll come," said Natasha.
AVENGERS
Natasha and Clint showed up at the townhouse before Steve. They rang the front doorbell. Tony let them into the place.
"Where's Rogers?" he asked.
"On the way. He took his bike," said Clint.
"Where's the Russian food?" asked Natasha.
Tony escorted her to a dining room. On the large dining room table an array of foods were set up. From blini's, caviar, beef stroganoff with smetana, chicken Kiev, Golubsty, potatoes knishes, pirozhki, pelmeni, cabbage soup, zakuski, and several bottles of real Russian vodka. For dessert there was a Napoleon and Tula gingerbread. Natasha looked at the food and vodka and smiled.
"Stark, this is amazing," she said. "How did you get real Russian vodka?"
"I'm worth billions, Red, come on," he smiled.
"Okay, I need a translator for this food," said Clint.
The front doorbell rang. Stark went to answer, as Natasha got a plate and started to serve herself. Steve and Stark came into the dining room. Natasha looked over her shoulder at Steve.
"This is food that should fill you, Steve," she said.
He smiled, then he looked at Stark and said, "Why did you want me?"
"Eat, drink, then we'll talk," he said.
Clint was choosing some of the dishes. Steve came over and grabbed a plate and started to fill it with a little of everything. Stark watched.
"Aren't you going to eat?" asked Steve.
"I already ate normal food," smiled Stark.
Natasha grabbed a bottle of vodka and took it with her. Steve laughed to himself.
The three ate until food, or in Steve's case until three men were full. Stark made coffee for Clint and Steve. Natasha stuck with the Russian vodka. She also threatened Stark's life if he didn't let her take the other two bottles. He didn't argue.
"You look at the intel?" asked Clint.
"I will Robin Hood," smiled Stark, who nursed a scotch.
"Why are we here?" asked Steve.
"Red and Robin Hood are here to get you here," said Stark. "We need to talk."
"About what?" asked Steve.
"Nay, not we four need to talk, but you and I need to talk," said Stark.
He stood up and looked at Steve.
"Care to come to the library. Besides books, it has some nice scotch and privacy," said Stark.
Steve stood up and looked at Clint and Natasha.
"I'll be back," he said.
"You need to do that with an Arnold impression," said Clint.
Steve looked at him, as if he was insane then he followed Stark. Steve the library. It was impressive with mahogany wood and bookcase after bookcase of leather bound books that were there more show than to be read. There was a dry bar in the corner. Stark walked over and made himself a scotch then he sat down in a brown leather armchair.
"Help yourself to a drink," said Stark.
"No thanks," replied Steve.
He sat down on a brown leather sofa. Steve leaned back on the sofa and crossed his legs.
"When are you going to take up the mantle again?" asked Stark.
"I don't know what you're talking about," said Steve.
"Captain America. I know you paint the shield black now, but it should be red, white and blue, and so should you," said Stark.
"I'm no longer Captain America," Steve stated.
"Dr. Erskine and my father turned you into Captain America. You're shirking your duty not being him. I have the uniform waiting for you. Hell, you don't have to join the Avengers, but you should be Captain America, not Agent Rogers of SHIELD," Stark told him then he sipped his single malt scotch.
"I'm serving my country, Stark, but Captain America died when the Valkyrie went into the water and I froze for seventy years," said Steve.
"Boo who," Stark goaded him. "My father told me so many stories about you. He admired you. You were the best thing he ever helped make and you're wasting it. Now, I didn't get along with my father. He was a little distant, cold, to me, but you were his favorite child. Don't waste the gift you were given. America needs you. You might not believe it but this country needs someone to believe and who better than Captain America. Iron Man, Thor, War Machine, Antman, and Wasp, we are one thing, but Captain America, you stand for something. You know democracy, honesty, shit like that."
Steve closed his eyes. Captain America lost his best friend Bucky Barnes, the woman he loved, the time he lived in, and, in many ways, his life. Let Captain America lie, Steve thought.
"I liked your father. He and I were friends in some ways. He did make my shield for me," said Steve. "And his vita rays were part of what made Erskine's serum work. But it was Steve Rogers who went into the rebirth chamber and Steve Rogers who came out. Captain America was a USO show that became real. I'm doing what I'm supposed to be doing."
"The Avengers could use a leader," said Stark. "I'm not a leader. Thor... Thor is a force of nature. But as we found out you are as worthy as he is. Rhodey, I'm not going to listen to him. I might listen to you under the right circumstances. You have a medal of honor, so Rhodey will listen to you. He's impressed by that sort of thing."
"You just give me more reasons to let Captain America rest," said Steve.
He was starting to angry, but he didn't want to fight. Steve stood up.
"Thank you for dinner, Mr. Stark," said Steve.
Steve headed for the door. Stark stopped him.
"Captain," he barked.
Steve stopped and turned.
"You haven't come home, really come home, until you're Captain America again. Think about that," said Stark. "Oh, and it's Tony not Mr. Stark. We are sort of related in a strange way."
Steve walked out of the library. He walked past the living room where Natasha and Clint were sitting, grabbed his leather jacket, and exited. Stark strolled out of the library and joined Natasha and Clint.
"What happened?" asked Clint of Stark.
"We had a difference of opinion," smiled Stark.
"You really are an asshole, Stark," said Natasha.
She stood up and grabbed her vodka bottle then she grabbed her leather jacket and followed Steve. Clint sat there and shook his head.
"What's wrong, Robin Hood?" Stark asked Clint.
"She was my ride and I'm staying at Steve's place," said Clint with a smirk.
"There are three bedrooms in this place. Stay the night. We can get hammered as I read the intel," smirked Stark.
"Oh, hell, I'm stuffed, it's cold out, and I'm tired. Why not?" smiled Clint.
AVENGERS
Steve got back to his apartment and some of Stark's words wouldn't get out of his head. You haven't come home, really come home, until you're Captain America again. Was he wrong about that? He wasn't sure. Since he came out of the ice, he'd stayed away from being Captain America. But he was Captain America. Yet, did he have to take up the mantle again, or could he remain Steve Rogers.
There was a knock on his front door. He walked over to the door and opened it. Natasha was standing there with a half empty bottle of vodka. She walked past him into the apartment, took off her jacket, and sat down on his couch with her vodka bottle.
"It's been years since I had real vodka," she admitted. "I think I have a buzz."
"I could use one," Steve said.
"Stark is an asshole," she said.
"That doesn't make him wrong," said Steve. "I was Captain America. I am Captain America. If Hydra still exists, then shouldn't Captain America?"
"Steve, you don't have to carry the world on your shoulders, even though they are board shoulders," said Natasha.
"But I do have a duty and I can't run from it. Who better to fight Hydra than Captain America?" he asked.
Natasha put the bottle on the coffee table, stood up, and walked over to Steve. She reached up with her right hand and gently touched his cheek.
"You're a man. You don't have to sacrifice yourself," she told him.
He looked down into her green eyes and got lost for a moment. There height difference wasn't making this easy, but Natasha didn't care. Maybe it was the stronger vodka flowing in her veins, but she wanted to kiss the man. Reaching up she put her left hand behind his neck and drew him closer to her. Her lips captured his. For a moment he did nothing then a torrent of emotion and want was unleashed and he deepened the kiss. Steve began to devour her mouth and her insides turned to lava. Finally, they had to part for the shake of air. She stepped back.
"I have to go," she said then turned, grabbed her vodka bottle and jacket and hustled out of his apartment.
Steve just stood there. He didn't know if he should pursue her or just let her go. Suddenly, a flash bang grenade broke through his window, landed on his floor, and went off. He was slightly disorientated by it but he fought through. Six men in body armor and assault rifles came crashing through the rest of his windows. Steve guessed they were a rogue Strike team. As they opened fire on him, he reacted. He lifted his coffee table and threw it at one of them taking the man out then he closed the distance between himself and another man and punched him in the gut then right hooked it to his jaw. The man was out cold. Steve used his body as a shield as the four remaining opened fire on him.
The man took round after round, too many for his body armor to stop. Steve tossed him at another armored man with great force. The body acted as a weapon knocking the man into the wall and down. He then closed in on another man, disarmed him, and used him as a shield. They final two men emptied their assault weapons at Steve. They man he held up as a shield was definitely dead. When their mags were emptied they exited out the windows. Steve dropped the body to the floor to join the other four.
His front door was unexpectedly kicked opened. It was Agent Carter. She was armed with a sidearm. She scanned the room and saw the carnage then she looked at Steve. He appeared to have several rounds in his torso and his legs. He stood there staring at her.
"Hydra," he growled.
She pulled out her cellphone and dialed an emergency number.
"Director. There's been an incident at Captain Rogers apartment. We need medical, clean up, and a protection detail," she told Fury.