"The intel shows a weapons sale from Hydra to the Taliban in an Afghan Village that is under the Taliban's command," said Hill.
The Quinjet was on the way to Afghanistan. Steve, his Strike team, Natasha, and Clint were chosen to stop the sale and take Hydra prisoners if possible. A Seal Team was waiting to back them up.
"If the Taliban gets hold of these energy directed weapons they'll be able to kill a great many US Soldiers," Hill stated.
"The Seals will handle the Taliban?" asked Second in Command Agent Watson.
"That's the idea," said Hill.
"What are we talking about in terms of troops for Hydra?" asked Clint.
"Twenty and another one hundred and fifty Taliban, but we expect the Taliban will have difficulty with twenty US Navy Seals," said Hill.
"We can handle this," Steve spoke up.
He then stood up and strapped on his helmet and put his shield on his back. Before he could do another things, Natasha tossed him a parachute.
"It's sand not water this time. Use the parachute," she demanded.
He snorted then put on the parachute. The Strike team started to prepare themselves, as Clint and Natasha checked over each others parachutes. Steve walked up to Hill.
"If we need to get out do you have any backup transportation for us?" he asked.
"We've got a US Marine Osprey on standby ready to come get you along with some Marines as backup," she told him.
He nodded, "Good."
Hill cleared her throat and looked at him, "I was wrong about Barnes. He does deserve a second chance. I've been reading what they did to him, wiping his memory of his personal history but not of his kills and then freezing him until he was needed either to train people or kill. It was barbaric."
"I heard Sam is making the best inroads with him," he said.
"Yeah, he responds to another soldier well. He asked about you the other day," said Hill. "He wanted to his commanding officer Captain Rogers."
Steve smiled. Bucky only asked for that when he thought he was in trouble and he knew that Steve could get him out of the trouble.
"I'll visit him when I get back," said Steve.
"I was thinking of letting you bring him lunch from outside of the Triskelion," said Hill.
"A steak and cheese hero with onion rings," smiled Steve. "He'd like that."
"We can unlock his good hand but his bionic arm stays cuffed," she told him.
"No problem," smiled Steve.
AVENGERS
The weapons sale was stopped but not without carnage. As the SHIELD agents battled Hydra, the Navy Seals fought the Taliban. Steve was proud of his Strike team which did great damaged against the Hydra troops. As they were ready to clean up the action, to technical vehicles, pickups with fifty caliber machine guns mounted in the back, came riding down on them. Steve noticed that Natasha was defenseless and in the line of fire.
"Nat," he yelled.
She looked at him as he tossed her his shield. Natasha got behind it and the fifty caliber rounds bounced off his shield. The machine gunner turned to cut down Steve. He did a forward roll avoiding the rounds and ran straight at the vehicle. Clint wanted to laugh as Steve hit it like a linebacker and knocked the pickup over. He ended the other technical with an explosive arrow.
Natasha strode up to Steve and slammed his shield into his chest.
"This is yours," she growled then walked away.
Steve looked at Clint, who shrugged his shoulders.
"Let's collect some prisoners and weapons and get out of here," Clint said to Steve.
The trip back was quiet for Steve. Natasha wouldn't talk to him. When they got back to the Triskelion, she stopped him from exited the Quinjet. Clint waited outside but he could hear their conversation.
"You sacrificed yourself for me. That doesn't happen. I won't allow that," she snarled. "If the Black Widow or Captain America has to die it is the Black Widow. Do you understand?"
"No, I don't" he answered.
"You are more important than I am," she said.
"Not to me," he replied.
"Fuck you. I want to be alone tonight. Find somewhere else to sleep," she told him then she turned and left.
Walking by Clint, she kept going until she was out of sight. Steve exited the Quinjet.
"Give her some time," Clint said.
"Like I have a choice," sighed Steve then he looked at Clint. "I did the right thing."
"I know you did. She knows you did, but she has a bag full of issues to deal with and one of them is worthiness. I'll talk to her," Clint said.
"Thanks," Steve mumbled.
"If it is more than tonight, you can stay with me tomorrow night," said Clint.
"Thanks," he said.
"Let's go and shower and change," said Clint.
The two men headed off to the men's shower. Debriefing would be done in an hour and Steve had the feeling their was going to be a chill in the air.
Steve slept in his office. At five am he was up and in the gym destroying heavy bags. After that he went for a fifteen mile jog. He returned to the Triskelion, showered, and changed into his jeans, a blue oxford shirt, and black blazer. Other than his stealth suit and his gym clothes it was all he had in the office. With that he left the Triskelion to get lunch for him and Bucky.
When he returned Bucky was waiting for him in the interrogation room. His bionic arm was handcuffed to the table but his other one was free. Steve walked in with a large brown paper bag. He placed it down on the table and took out a steak and cheese her for Bucky and placed it in front of him and then a large order of onion rings along with a large soda. He had the same thing.
"Eat up. It's lunch and a better one than they serve here," he said.
"Thanks, Punk," Bucky said.
Steve smiled. They started to eat their lunch.
"Do you remember anything?" asked Steve.
"Pieces. A little bit more every day," Bucky answered.
"Good," smiled Steve. "Buck, trust these people because they want you to be you and not the Winter Soldier."
"Who am I, Punk?" asked Bucky.
"James Buchanan Barnes, my best friend, and one of my men," smiled Steve.
"Hydra still exists, doesn't it?" asked Bucky.
"It does," said Steve.
"I want to destroy it, Punk," said Bucky.
"That's what I'm trying to do," said Steve. "I can use the help."
"Once they clear me, I'm with you until the end of the line," Bucky said.
Steve grinned then he said, "Eat your lunch."
AVENGERS
It was six in the evening when Clint showed up at Steve's office. He looked like a man who'd wrestled a gorilla and lost. There was no bruises but there was exhaustion in his eyes.
"I talked to Natasha and she doesn't want to see you right now. So you mind being my roomy?" he asked.
"I can stay here," Steve said.
"Steve, you don't even fit on the couch," said Clint.
"I know, but I rather keep you out of this. Your her best friend, her brother, so you need to be on her side," he said.
"Even when she's wrong?" asked Clint.
"Isn't that what's family for?" smiled Steve.
"Okay. You stay here. But I am going over to her place to talk to her," he said. "As her friend and brother."
"Good. Take care of her, Clint," Steve said.
"You know that I will," Clint nodded his head and left.
AVENGERS
Steve left his session with Bucky feeling optimistic. Bucky spent part of the time talking about his mother and sisters. Steve told him that his sisters had children and that there were still Barnes in Brooklyn. Bucky smiled at this thought.
As Steve left the interrogation room, Fury was waiting for him.
"Cap, we need to talk," he said.
"What is it, sir?" Steve asked.
"I have two duties for you. First, Monday I need you in full dress uniform with medals and all to escort me to the White House," Fury said.
"I don't have a dress uniform or my old medals," said Steve.
"I'll supply them, including your Medal of Honor," smiled Fury.
"And the next duty?" asked Steve.
"Stark built a training facility for the Avengers. He's requested that you come for a few weeks and train them," said Fury. "I'd like you to do it."
"I need your files o the Avengers so I know the personnel," said Steve.
Fury smiled then said, "Consider it done. I'll have the dress uniform and medals to you tomorrow."
"I'll expect them in my office," he said.
"Still living there?" asked Fury.
"Agent Romanov is still angry at me," sighed Steve. "She won't talk to me."
"She's Russian and red headed which means she is stubborn, but she'll come around," said Fury.
"I hope so," smiled Steve.
AVENGERS
The new uniforms paid respects to the roots of the army. Steve felt as if he was in the US Calvary. His chest was filled with medals and ribbons, including around his neck the Medal of Honor. He hated wearing all the fruit salad but Fury insisted. The new Secretary of State was General Ross, who liked to intimidate people with his medals. He couldn't out do Captain America. Only Audie Murphy had him beat and that was by one medal. Steve never received purple hearts because of his regenerative abilities. He showed up at curbside where Deputy Director Hill was waiting. She was wearing a skirt which was different. Fury showed up all in black. Steve didn't notice Natasha and Clint as they entered the Triskelion. A limo picked them up.
"Jesus, did you see all the fruit salad on Steve's chest? He really is a hero," smiled Clint.
"He looked good in his uniform," she noted.
"Are you going to talk to him, Nat?" asked Clint.
"Clint... I love him. I don't know if I can do this," she admitted. "It scares me."
"Talk to him," Clint said.
"Maybe," she mumbled.
In the limo Fury looked at Steve's chest and smiled then asked, "Is there a medal you didn't get?"
"A few," Steve answered.
"You don't like them," Hill noted.
"No, I don't. I don't think I deserve them," he admitted.
"Why?" asked Fury.
"Because I had an unfair advantage over most soldiers," he stated.
"Cap, are you bullet proof?" asked Fury.
"No."
"Can you be killed?" asked Fury.
"With enough effort," he answered.
"You need to accept that you are special in a good way and not feel guilty about it," said Fury. "My father admired the shit out of you and he went on to become the Director of SHIELD."
"Like father like son," smiled Steve.
"When we get to the White House, just be yourself," said Fury. "Hill and I will take care of the rest."
The meeting in the Oval Office started more contentious then necessary because of Secretary Ross but President Ellis asked Steve his opinion of the Hydra threat. The room went quiet.
"Hydra is insidious. It's god is technology and Johann Schmidt. If you think it is going to stop with Sokovia then you are fools. It already has its tentacles in several countries. It had them in our country until SHIELD realized it was being used. Secretary Pierce was a shame. He was another good man corrupted by the dream of supremacy that Hydra sells. Others will follow it willing and some will follow it because they have nothing else. It has to be stopped and this time permanently," Steve stated.
"Too bad you didn't succeed the first time, Captain," said Ross.
"If I didn't stop Schmidt from killing millions, I would have stayed in the fight until it was won, sir," Steve stated.
"I know you would have, Captain," said Ellis. "It's an honor that you are back in this fight."
"Mr. President, I think the matter of Hydra is one that should be handled by the DOD and organizations like SHIELD not diplomats," said Fury. "We don't need treaties; we need an end to Hydra."
"I agree," said the President.
Ross fumed. He was being shut out of the war against Hydra. This was not what he wanted.
"Captain, I'd like you to come to the Pentagon with me and review our contingency plans about Hydra. I've heard that you are a tactical genius," said Secretary Kelly, who was a four star Marine General.
"I'd be glad to, sir," said Steve.
"I knew we should have made you a better offer than SHIELD," stated Kelly. "You belong with us."
"But he's mine now, sir," smiled Fury.
AVENGERS
It was almost ten in the evening with a DOD SUV dropped him off at the Triskelion. Fury left a message for him to go up to his office for a debrief. Steve arrived to see Natasha and Clint being given mission orders. He waited patiently while Fury finished up.
"Strictly intel. I need you in Brussels to see how deep Hydra is in the EU," said Fury.
"Understood," said Natasha.
She stood up and looked at Steve, who had his lid under his arm and was standing at ease.
"You look good soldier," she smiled.
"Thank you, ma'am," he smiled.
"Where are you off to next, Cap?" asked Clint.
"To train the Avengers," he answered.
"God help you," sighed Clint.
Natasha stopped as if she wanted to say something then she turned and walked away. Steve sighed. All he wanted to do was take her in his arms and kiss her. But that wasn't going to happen now.
"So, Cap, tell me about the DOD," said Fury.
"Their plans were good but needed work. They're better now," said Steve.
Fury laughed then said, "take a seat and talk."
AVENGERS
Steve arrived in Upstate New York, about four hours outside of Manhattan. Stark had converted an old Stark factory in a training center and home away from home. Steve pulled up on his Harley and parked outside of the main building. Pepper Potts was the first to greet him when he entered.
"Captain Rogers, I'm glad you're here. I have an apartment prepared for you," she said.
"Thank you, Miss Potts," he said.
"Call me Pepper," she smiled.
"Steve," he said.
She showed him to his apartment, which had a living room, a kitchenette, bedroom, and bathroom. He put his bag down then he followed her to a common area where Rhodey was playing a video game with Peter Parker. Scott Lang and Hope Van Dyne talked on the sofa. Thor was nowhere to be found and Bruce and Tony were in a deep discussion. Wanda and Pietro, to exiles from Sokovia, that SHIELD convinced to leave Hydra. They had been enhanced by Von Strucker.
"Everyone, Captain Rogers," Pepper announced.
"Steve, I'm glad you came," said Tony. "Have you thought about training us yet."
"I have. It's start tomorrow at six am. We breakfast together then we start training. I know what your powers are and were your weaknesses are," he said. "You'll be a well formed team in a month."
"Even me?" smiled Bruce.
"Dr. Banner, you are a weapon that one doesn't want to use too often. You and I will work together," smiled Steve.
"Good idea, Cap," said Bruce.
"You don't train us unless you gear up in the Captain America uniform I made you," said Tony.
Steve thought about it for a moment then decided not to argue. There should be no problem to train them as Captain America.
"No problem," he said.
Tony smiled.
AVENGERS
Steve didn't want to do it but he needed to make an abject lesson of someone. Colonel Rhodes in his War Machine Armor became his victim. Steve told him not to hold back and attack him. With nothing but his experience, his shield, and his talents. Rhodey unleashed everything on his, including missiles. Steve dodged, avoided, and took some hits. Once he got Rhodey down to his level, though, he used his shield to ruin his repulsors in his feet taking away flight then he fought him one on one. Tony watched with awe as Rhodey tossed everything at him and he kept getting up, kept fighting back until he started to beat Rhodey.
He grabbed the suits chest power source and ripped it out leaving Rhodey in a dead suit then he pushed him onto his back. Steve took off his helmet. He was a bloody mess. Steve tossed the helmet to the ground and looked at everyone.
"No one is unbeatable," he said. "Just don't give up."
Thor walked up to Steve and gave him a shoulder to lean on. Steve took him up on it.
"Would you like to go to medical, my Captain?" Thor asked.
"Just to my room. I need food and sleep to heal," said Steve.
"I'll bring you the food," said Tony.
"Thanks," said Steve as he limped off.
"Anybody. Help me," called Rhodey.
"I'll get you, buddy," Stark said then he helped Rhodey out of the armor.
Thor left Steve to shower and change into sweat pants and tee shirt. About an hour later there was a knock on his door. He limped over to it and opened it. It was Tony and Pepper. Tony was carrying a tray of food.
"I have two steaks, mashed potatoes, and creamed corn for you," said Tony.
"And I have a six pack of Killians Beer," said Pepper.
Steve smiled. Tony walked the tray over to the table and sat it down. Pepper put the beer in the refrigerator. They both joined him at the table.
"You left everyone with an open mouth. No one thought you could beat Rhodey," said Tony.
"I fought a stupid fight. I should have finished him earlier and taken less damage," said Steve.
"Rhodey is good at what he does," said Tony.
Steve smiled then said, "Tactically he needs work."
"Do you want a beer, Steve?" asked Pepper.
"Please," he said.
She got up and retrieved a beer for him. He opened it and downed half the bottle.
"You can't get drunk, right?" asked Tony.
"Right," answered Steve.
"Pain meds don't work on you, right?" asked Tony.
"Right," answered Steve.
"I have to do something about that," said Tony. "You throw your body around too much to not need some pain meds. I'll find something that works on you."
"I wouldn't argue with you," smiled Steve.
"You want us there at six again in the morning?" asked Tony.
"Yup," answered Steve.
"You just might turn us into a well function team," smiled Tony.
"You will be," said Steve. "By the time I leave, you'll be formidable."
"Cap, maybe my father was right about," smiled Tony.
AVENGERS
Natasha was sour all day. Finally, Clint had enough. He called her out and sparred with her. She kicked his butt but she finally talked to him.
"Okay, Nat, what's wrong?" he asked.
"Steve. I miss him," she said.
"And he misses you," smiled Clint. "Stop being a stubborn ass and contact him."
"I do have a long weekend coming to me," she smiled.
"Visit him."