Ah, the sixth chapter already? Goodness, I've been typing like mad for the last two days. I hope you people are happy. It's like, 2:00 am right now. Well it is while I'm writing this, it might be posted tomorrow though. Lol.
Also, to reply to the review I was given by Mj, I do intend to continue with these characters after this fic is done, but I'm doing the Age Of Ultron movie, because it doesn't fit with my plot. Sorry. Also, IDK where Thor is, he's out of town or something.
Now, onto the emotionally distraught characters I must torture for.. pleasure?
-PaleWolfsHowl
Steve was in a state of shock, for multiple reasons. First of all, it had been revealed to him that his best friend, Bucky, was in fact very much not dead. Which wasn't possible! Steve had watched him fall! There was no way that anyone could survive that fall.
And beyond that fact, Bucky was alive? Then where was he? Why hadn't he looked for Steve? How was he alive? Why did everything in his life have to be so impossible? If in fact, Bucky had survived the fall, he would be elderly. Ninety-six to be exact. He couldn't be alive? Seeing Bucky, old and crimmpled? No, he couldn't do that. He wouldn't survive that. Not the strong Sergeant Bucky Barnes, withering to nothing in a hospital bed? No, Peggy had been bad enough. He couldn't take that, not from Bucky. It was a kind of agony, knowing Bucky was alive, but being unable to see nor find him. Knowing that logically, the moment Bucky heard that Steve was alive he would find him? It meant that Bucky was unable to get to him. It meant that something was keeping Bucky from him. It meant something real bad had happened. And what they're future selves had been talking about, about Bucky doing something bad? Well, being accused of doing something bad, that is. It meant Bucky still had to be young, but how was that possible? Unless...
And if that wasn't bad enough, the screen had then gone on to show Peggy. His beautiful, kind, wonderful love, withered in a bed, from old age. Never to furiously command the Soldiers around, never to speak with such fire and passion in her voice again. Then, as Steve battled the shock and terror and pain of these scenes, The Lethal Assassin sitting next to him had, well, tried to comfort him. And it had worked.
Beyond the shock of the deadly man trying to help Steve, there was the shock of how familiar the Assassin's hands had felt. Even The Assassin had moved his hands up and down Steve's arm, and then his neck, had been hauntingly familiar. So, so, familiar. But Steve refused to remember from where, it would only hurt him more.
The man had barely said a word throughout the whole viewing, except to warn them of Hydra and snarky replies to Tony's jabs. And every time he did say something, Steve noticed that The Assassin's eyes always flickered to him. The fear he always saw in The Assassin's eyes was what always got to him. It was like he thought Steve was going to.. Hurt him. Or something. It was unnerving, and tragic. Steve assumed there was more to The Assassin's story then what met the eye. Steve was ripped from his thoughts by the movie.
[Fury is alone in his office; to his voice controlled computer]
Nick Fury: Secure office.
[all the windows are blackened, Fury takes out the flash drive Natasha had downloaded all the files from the the Lemurian Star and places it in his computer]
Nick Fury: Open Lemurian Star's satellite launch file.
SHIELD Computer: Access denied.
Nick Fury: Run decryption.
SHIELD Computer: Decryption failed.
Nick Fury: Director override, Fury, Nicholas J.
SHIELD Computer: Override denied. All files sealed.
Nick Fury: On whose authority?
SHIELD Computer: Fury, Nicholas J.
Steve's eyes narrowed at that. He assumed it must have been Hydra, he thought about asking The Assassin, but thought better of it. The metal armed man seemed to be very tight lipped about the whole subject.
Steve had a feeling that the tight lip-ed-ness wasn't completely of the other man's choice.
[Fury looks confused and worried]
[Fury enters elevator]
Nick Fury: World Security Council.
SHIELD Computer: Confirmed.
[Alexander Pierce is holding a virtual meeting with the World Security Council]
At that, Steve's attention was jerked to The Assassin sitting next to him, who had paled, and was shaking so hard that he chair was trembling.
Steve was at a loss of what to do. Should he try to…
Aware of his team's eyes glued to him, he cautiously reached out with a hand towards The Winter Soldier, making sure to keep his palm up, so that the other man could see there was nothing in it.
He met The Assassin's icy stare, seeing only caution and fear in the other man's eyes, he settled his hand on The Assassin's shoulder. Copying what The Assassin had done to him earlier, rubbing his hand up and down the man's human arm.
Steve decided not to go near the guy's neck, just to be safe.
The Assassin was as tense as humanly possible, before slowly relaxing, and sinking back into his chair, and closer to Steve.
Steve looked away from The Assassin for a moment to see Natasha's shocked face, meeting her green eyes steadily.
Councilman Rockwell: If Nick Fury thinks he can get his costumed thugs and STRIKE commandos to mop-up his mess, he's sadly mistaken. This failure is unacceptable.
Councilman Singh: Well, considering this attack took place one mile from my country's sovereign waters, it's a bit more than that. I move for immediate hearing.
Councilwoman Hawley: We don't need hearings, we need action. It's this Council's duty to oversee SHIELD.
Councilman Yen: A breach like this raises serious questions.
"It does, it really does." Natasha grumbled in agreement, earning a confused look from Tony.
"What?" Natasha said, catching the look.
"Thought you knew everything. Regarding Shield, and the Pirate." Tony said, smirking when he said his nickname for Fury.
Steve wasn't really paying attention though, it was odd that The Pirates had come so close. Once again, Steve wanted to ask The Assassin if he knew anything about it, but once again, pushed the thought away.
For one, The Assassin, as earlier mentioned, didn't seem to be able to say anything. Two, he was in no condition to talk at the moment, still shaking. Steve glanced over at The Assassin, who still looked icy pale, a drop of sweat falling down his forehead. Whatever had startled The Assassin, and, frightened him, must be bad. Steve had a feeling it was Pierce. Though, why The Assassin would be scared of Pierce, he had no clue. The reaction to Pierce had been so much more intense then the one to Rumlow had been.
As the shaking continued, Steve carefully rubbed the man's arm, moving onto his back. He hoped it was calming, but he honestly had no clue if it was.
Councilman Rockwell: Like how the hell did a French pirate manage to hijack a covert SHIELD vessel in broad daylight?
Alexander Pierce: For the record, councilman, he's Algerian. I can draw a map if it'll help.
Steve felt The Assassin flinch at that voice. Steve applied more strength into his effort at calming the man. Honestly, the blond had no clue what he was doing. Sure, he'd done this before, but only for, well, Bucky.
He quickly shoved away the thought of his not- so- dead best friend.
He found his hands following a path with their own mind. It was such a familiar movement, obviously, his hands must remember doing it before.
Steve almost snickered at that absurd thought.
Councilman Rockwell: I appreciate your wit, Secretary Pierce. But this Council takes things like international piracy fairly seriously.
Alexander Pierce: Really? I don't. I don't care about one boat, I care about the fleet. If this Council is going to fall a rancor every time someone pushes us on the playing field, maybe we need someone to oversee us.
"Ooooo." Tony said with a smirk, Clint snickering along with The Billionaire. Bruce just shook his head at the two immature Avengers.
Natasha rolled her eyes at her two fellow Avengers.
Meanwhile, Steve was aware that the only thing that was keeping The Assassin calm was whatever comfort Steve was offering him, which couldn't be much.
Councilman Yen: Mr. Secretary, nobody is suggesting...
[they are interrupted by Pierce's assistant walking in and whispering something to Pierce; to the council]
Alexander Pierce: Excuse me.
Councilman Rockwell: More trouble, Mr. Secretary?
Alexander Pierce: It depends on your definition.
[the meeting ends as Pierce leaves]
Alexander Pierce: I work forty floors away and it takes a hijacking for you to visit?
The Assassin shivered at the voice, once again shaking. Steve wished he could offer more comfort, but he could hardly give a Assassin he barely knew a full on massage.
Quite honestly, he felt like he should recognize The Assassin, but he couldn't think from where. And he couldn't recognize the other man when he had the muzzle- thing on.
If this was any other Assassin, he probably wouldn't have tried to comfort him. But The Assassin had done it for him, he owed it to the metal armed man to try. Also, he knew he had met The Assassin before.
Nick Fury: A nuclear war would do it too.
Most of The Avengers huffed in amusement at that line.
[they shake hands; referring to Pierce's meeting with the World Security Council]
Nick Fury: Busy in there?
Alexander Pierce: Nothing some earmarks can't fix.
"Not what it sounded like." Tony said with a shake of his head.
"Eh, we wouldn't be watching this if he just got Fury fired, or something." Natasha said with a shrug. Steve assumed it was because that wouldn't be a very good plot.
"Thi is the future, not a movie, Nat." he pointed out, without looking at The Redhead, his attention still on keeping The Assassin calm.
Without thinking about it, he smoothed his hand up the back of The Assassin's neck.
He didn't even realize what he'd done until he felt The Assassin tense up for a moment, before relaxing.
Realizing what he'd done, Steve knew he was lucky The Assassin hadn't snapped at that. A trained killer would never let someone touch his neck, Steve knew this, so really, Steve was lucky that The Assassin hadn't injured him.
He once again caught Natasha's wide started eyes.
Nick Fury: I'm, uh...here to ask a favor. I want you to call for a vote. Project insight has to be delayed.
Steve could've sworn he heard The assassin mutter, 'Please do, please stall it,' under his breath.
Thinking back on it, this Assassin seemed to know a lot about Hydra. Was he Hydra? But that didn't make sense, why would he betray them if he served them? Unless he was a double agent? But Steve doubted that.
From what Natasha had briefly told The Avengers of the Winter Soldier a few days ago, he was supposed to be a deadly, cold hearted, monstrous killer. Not the quiet, scared and apparently kind man that was sitting next to Steve.
It didn't make sense, unless…
Unless Steve was right, and the man did none of that of his own free will. Which he was willing to bet on, after all, The Assassin had agreed to Tony's Manchurian Candidate comment.
And if what Natasha had said about who and what The Manchurian Candidate was, it would make sense.
Alexander Pierce: Nick, that's not a favor, that's a subcommittee hearing. A long one.
Nick Fury: It could be nothing, probably is nothing. I just need time to make sure it's nothing.
Alexander Pierce: What if it's something?
Nick Fury: Then we'll both be damn glad those Helicarriers aren't in the air.
No. Judging by The Assassin's reaction, and it always being linked to Hydra somehow, Steve was pretty sure that Pierce was Hydra. It would fit in perfectly.
Glancing over towards the pale Assassin, Steve was willing to bet that whatever Hydra had done to make the icy blue eyed man serve them must be bad. Maybe they had a child of his? A sister? Wife or Mother? Possibly a Father or Brother? A best friend?
Using family and friends as threats towards someone normally worked.
[Pierce hesitates a moment before replying]
Alexander Pierce: Fine. But you gotta get Iron Man to stop by my niece's birthday party.
The Avengers had to laugh at that one, smirking at the sputtering Tony.
"What? No!" Ironman, or, The Tin Can, exclaimed in indignation.
[Nick shakes his hand]
"No! I hate kids! They're sticky, and whiny and.. And gross!" The Billionaire continued to complain, looking horrified.
"Hey!" Both Clint and Natasha exclaimed at the same time, before blushing at the confused looks they got from the rest of they're team.
Nick Fury: Thank you, sir.
Alexander Pierce: And not just a flyby, he's got to mingle.
"I'm going to be having a serious discussion with Fury about this! I am not a party trick!" Tony grumbled, earning snickers from his fellow Avengers.
Steve looked over towards The Assassin, who's eyes looked somewhat amused at the situation. But the eyes still held terror, pain and humiliation mixed in with the small spark of amusement.
[Pierce turns and leaves]
Even though the scene was over, Steve kept on absentmindedly rubbing The Assassin's back.
[Steve goes to a PTSD group meeting where Sam is counseling other veterans]
"Ooo! It's that Sam guy again!" Tony exclaimed happily, his child- phobia forgotten as he stared at the screen.
Female War Veteran: The thing is I think it's getting worse. A cop pulled me over last week, he thought I was drunk. I swerved to miss a plastic bag. I thought it was an IED.
Steve winced a little at that, he knew what it felt like to see something and be yanked back to the old days, back when he'd fought that war against Hydra.
He still couldn't look at trains without..
No. He shoved that thought away, it was too painful.
Sam Wilson: Some stuff you leave there, other stuff you bring back. It's our job to figure out how to carry it. Is it gonna be in a big suitcase or in a little man-purse? It's up to you.
[after the meeting ends Steve waits for Sam as he finishes saying goodbye to the veterans]
Female War Veteran: I'll see you next week.
Sam Wilson: Yeah.
Female War Veteran: Yeah. [Sam walks over to Steve]
Sam Wilson: Look who it is. The running man.
"Capsicle. He meant Capsicle." Tony said 'helpfully'.
Steve felt The Assassin shift under his hand.
"Capsicle?" The Assassin asked in a quiet, tired voice, earning a surprised look from Tony.
"Don't you know?" seeing the look on The Assassin's face, Tony huffed. 'Of course you don't. Dear, Captain Spangles here spent around seventy years as a living popsicle." This only served to make The Assassin look more confused.
Steve rolled his eyes. "Don't listen to him." The blond grumbled, before explaining what Tony had meant.
"I was frozen in ice for around seventy years after World War two." He explained to The Assassin.
The assassin looked surprised, but nodded his head.
Steve Rogers: Caught the last few minutes. It's pretty intense.
Sam Wilson: Yeah, brother, we all got the same problems. Guilt, regret.
Steve Rogers: You lose someone?
Sam Wilson: My wingman, Riley. Flying a night mission. Standard PJ rescue op, nothing we hadn't done a thousand times before, till RPG knock Riley's dumb ass out of the sky. Nothing I could do. It's like I was up there just to watch.
Steve shivered, he knew what it was like to watch someone fall. There was nothing worse than that feeling of helplessness as you watched a brother fall, being unable to grab him. Unable to save him. All you could do is watch as they fell, never to see them again. Knowing that nothing you can ever do can save them. Seeing that look of terror…
Steve yanked himself from that train of thoughts, he couldn't break down again. He couldn't. Not when his team was watching. He was supposed to be Captain America- strong, bold and not scared of anything. Not a whimpering, depressed man who'd had everything taken away from him.
Steve Rogers: I'm sorry.
Sam Wilson: After that, I had a really hard time finding a reason for being over there, you know?
He did. He knew very well. After.. After Bucky fell he was ready to give up. Because what was the point of fighting when you'd already lost? The only thing that had let him carry on was Peggy's urging, and the fact that he could save lives. That way nobody else would have to lose their Bucky. Their brother.
But if that hadn't been the case, well, The Captain would have been remembered differently. He wouldn't have carried on, except he had to.
That was one of the reasons he'd been able to crash that plane, knowing that he'd return home without Bucky, knowing he'd never find a best friend like him again..
Well, it made committing self sacrifice a lot easier than it should have been.
Steve Rogers: But you're happy now, back in the world?
Sam Wilson: Hey, the number of people giving me orders is down to about zero. So, hell, yeah. You thinking about getting out?
Steve Rogers: No. I don't know. To be honest, I don't know what I would do with myself if I did.
Sam Wilson: Ultimate fighting? [Steve laughs] It's just a great idea off the top of my head. But seriously, you could do whatever you want to do. What makes you happy?
Steve Rogers: I don't know.
Steve could practically see Tony biting back a sarcastic comment.
Steve rolled his eyes, he'd gotten used to being unhappy. At least now, Bucky was apparently alive. Steve wasn't sure if that was a good thing or a bad thing.
Obviously he wanted Bucky to be alive, but at the same time, what had kept Bucky from finding him?
