Reina turned onto the 6th floor of the parking deck, driving up to the gray van parked ahead. She turned into the space, shoving the door open and stepped out. The van door swung open, Wanda stepping out as she smiled at her.
"Wanda" Reina laughed gently, embracing her. She stepped back, looking to Clint. "Retirment not all it's cracked up to be?"
Clint rolled his shoulders, shrugging. "Bit boring, really. Besides, I owe a debt."
"And our other recruit?" Steve came to stand beside her.
Clint turned back to the van, slapping the side then rolling the back door open. The man inside jolted awake, scrambling onto his feet as he shook himself awake.
"What time zone is this?" He asked groggily, stumbling out of the van.
Reina glanced back to Sam, throwing her thumb back towards the man.
"This is the guy? The one that-" Reina started, Sam interjecting with a sharp clearing of his throat and frantically shook his head. He stopped as Steve looked back at him, straightening up.
Steve turned back to the man, offering him his hand. "Mr. Lang."
He grabbed Steve's hand, shaking it enthusiastically. "It's an honor. I'm shaking your hand too long. Wow! This is awesome! Captain America" Scott rambled on, continuing to shake his hand up and down. He quickly released it, looking to Reina. "An honor to meet you too, Miss America...that's awesome."
"Don't. Don't call me that." Reina retracted with a scowl.
That name brought back bitter memories of the past. Within the week of Steve being lost in the ice people were already clamoring to get a replacement together. They wanted their mascot back, and many thought Reina was perfect for that roll. 'Miss America' they called her. That nick-name following her through the decades, no matter how hard she had tried to stamp it out.
She separated herself from the group, walking around the car to Bucky. He had hung back from them, being a silent observer. She leaned her back against the car, crossing her arms over her chest.
Bucky watched her silently, his arms resting on the roof of the car. He shifted his gaze to the group for a moment, keeping his eyes on them as he spoke.
"So... why didn't you take it?"
Reina lolled her head to the side to look at him, but he kept his gaze forward. When she didn't answer, he continued.
"I saw in the museum, there was this article. I couldn't read the whole thing. It was part of the mural on the wall. But it said that same name. 'Miss America'. That was supposed to be you, right?"
Reina scoffed, lowering her gaze to the cement ground. "Do you remember after we were rescued? How Steve's face was on just about everything? Comic books, movies, newspapers, cereal boxes"
Reina smiled to herself, the image of Steve in his original Captain America stars and stripes, holding the flimsy triangular shield as he spewed lines about war bonds.
"I didn't want that. I saw firsthand how the army controlled everything Steve did and said. I knew it would be no different, or even worse, if I took that mantel"
"Yeah..." Bucky spoke softly, his thoughts wondering. There was a short silence, Bucky finally turned to look her in the eyes. "Reina. I don't think I'm worth all of this. These are your friends you're about to fight against."
Reina stood up straight, letting her arms fall to her side. "You talk like you're not my friend too, Bucky."
She was irritated. Irritated that Bucky would even think he wasn't worth trying to save, to protect.
"Maybe I was 70 years ago, but everything has changed." He pushed off the car, turning to fully face her now. "The things I've done. The people I've hurt and killed. The last time the two of us met face to face I beat you unconscious, and even a few hours ago I threw you across the room."
"That wasn't you" Reina tried to stamp down her anger. She felt it bubbling in her throat, speaking lowly. "You may of did all those things, but it wasn't you."
Reina lowered her head, making Bucky look her in the eyes. They were filled with so much sadness, so much grief.
"You are not the Winter Soldier anymore. You are James Buchanan Barnes."
The overhead speaker crackled as the voice over the intercom echoed through the cement parking garage. Sirens whirled as yellow lights started flashing.
Dies ist eine Notsituation. Alle Passagiere müssen den Flughafen sofort evakuieren.
Everyone tilted their heads upward to listen to the announcement.
"They're evacuating the airport" Reina repeated the announcement.
"Stark" Sam turned to the car, opening the trunk.
"Stark? Like Tony Stark?" Scott asked as Sam handed Reina her suit.
"Well, we had a helicopter lined up..." Clint trailed off, pulling the bow from the back of the van.
"They've probably got all eyes on it now" Wanda leaned against the cement guardrail.
"I can guarantee there's a quinjet around here somewhere" Reina pulled her jacket off.
"Alright. Sam, Bucky. Head to the terminal. See if you can locate it. Clint, stay here with Wanda. Keep your eyes out for us. When we find the quinjet, make your way to it. Reina, you're with me. We'll buy you guys some time to locate it. Scott, you're with us. Shrink down and wait for the signal." Steve fired off orders, grasping the shield. "Alright, suit up."
