Gunny Meets the Winter Solider
Diner at Lunchtime
Genevieve walked into the Diner she had agreed to meet Gibbs for lunch. As she expected he was already there-sitting off in a booth in the back. She smiled at the waitress and climbed into the seat across from him.
“Hi” she said with a shy smile.
Gibbs smiled at her “Hi-I am glad you decided to come” he replied.
Jen smiled when the waitress came and gave her a menu. Of course she knew what Gibbs wanted-and waited as she scanned the specials and ordered.
“Any particular reason you invited me to lunch? Or did you just want to catch up” she asked.
“Well you might not want to have Bruce walk around D.C much-or at least not walk into Government buildings for a little while” Gibbs said.
Jen looked at him as she sipped her soda.
“Ross?” she asked.
“Yes-apparently that was no coincidence that he was at the gala a few months ago” Gibbs said. “Something is going on-I got called to Leon’s office a few days ago-after you two left” he added.
Jen turned and looked out the window at the cars “I hate that he’s in D.C-were Ross can get him. At least in New York Tony can protect him” she said. “Thank you for telling me” she adds with a smile.
“Well you two still going to make that Alaska trip?” Gibbs asked. “Talk to him-get on the same page-or figure out what page you are both on” he adds noting Jen rolling her eyes with a smirk.
“Relationship advice?” she asked.
Gibbs snorted “I am the LAST person you should take relationship advice from-with my four marriages” he said with a smirk of his own.
Jen cocked her head-mentally calculating “Four? Who did I miss?” she asked.
Gibbs looked at her “well Diane was two, Rebecca was three and Stephanie was four” he said.
“hmmm I guess I missed Rebecca. I met Stephanie-just at the end-you remember when you have to dodge flying objects” she said with a smile.
“Yeah-should not have married any of them. I kept trying to make them into people they weren’t.” he muttered.
Jen smiled “From what I witnessed of them-they were doing the same thing” she added.
Gibbs looked up at her in surprise. He had never thought of it in that way-having spent YEARS blaming himself-as his ex-wives did-of their failed marriages.
“Have you scheduled the cabin yet?” he blurted out-grasping at anything to change the topic away from him.
She slowly smiled “So I need to thank you for having Hetty give us her cabin?” she asked.
Gibbs shrugged “Might have called in a favor” he replied with a smile.
“We have to wait another month-he has a lot of work to do and he doesn’t think I am healed enough yet” she replied. “But I do need to talk with him-see if we are on the same page with this” she adds in agreement.
Gibbs leaned back allowing the waitress to set down the dishes before he continued.
“So part of this was to tell you I am sorry” he said quietly.
“Sorry for what?” she asked starting to eat.
“For not being a good-uncle-or f-father to you when I could. But I intend to do better” he said. “I won’t lie to you and say part of this isn’t because I found out the truth. But I don’t have family-except for my team-except for you. Rule 51” he adds.
“Rule 51?” she asked.
‘Sometimes you are wrong” he mumbled.
Jen set her sandwich down and really looked at him “are you dying?” she asked with a chuckle causing Gibbs to snort. “No umm- thank you? I’ve always wanted some sort of acknowledgement from you-so thank you.” She said-not knowing what else to say.
Gibbs nodded and started to eat. “By the way I’ve been meaning to ask you. Did Dad ever tell you were the grave is?” he asked out of the blue.
“Who’s grave?” she asked in confusion.
“Bucky’s” he said.
“Bucky has a grave?” she asked.
“Yep-somewhere in north Pennsylvania-right on the state border. The story I was always told was the family commissioned a grave that was military style but put both their names on it.” He said.
“They put Bucky’s and Steve’s name on it?” she asked.
“Their initials but yes-kept it quiet so that no one would know and desecrate it” he commented.
“Is it still there? Does the government or SHEILD have any knowledge of it” she asked.
Gibbs smiled and shook his head “To my knowledge-no. But I went there once as a young child-who knows if it’s still there” he replied.
FLASHBACK
“Come on now Leroy” a young Jackson Gibbs said as he unbuckled his son and helped him out of the truck.
“Where are we going?” the young boy asked excited as he grabbed Jackson’s hand as they walked toward a patch of woods.
“I want to show you something while we are waiting for your mother” Jackson said.
The pair walked through the woods for a while until they came to a single stone in a clearing-near some trees.
“What’s that?” he asked.
Jackson took off his hat in respect. He knelt down and cleaned around the stone for a few minutes before he spoke.
“This Leroy is a memorial grave” Jackson replied finally.
“What’s a memorial grave?” the boy asked again.
“Well it’s something where people can go to and pay their respect” Jackson answered.
“Who’s J.B and S. G?” Leroy asked-that being the only things the six year old could read from the grave.
“STG means Sargent J. B. Barnes is James Buchanan Barnes. Capt. Means Captain S.G. Rogers is Steven Grant Rogers” Jackson said waiting to see if the names clicked with his son-it only took a few minutes.
“Captain America is in this grave?” Leroy asked in rising excitement.
Jackson shook his head “No Leroy-unfortunately Steve and Buck aren’t actually buried here-neither were ever found” he said. “But my aunt Pat and the family had this grave put up. She wanted both men to have a respectable place for us to go and honor them” he added.
“Are we related to Captain America?” Leroy asked in confusion-not quiet understanding.
“No-his friend Bucky-he’s my cousin. But Buck and Steve were inseparable-ever since they were your age. Aunt Pat thought it was only fitting for them to stay that way in death” Jackson said pulling out his wallet-pulling out a picture to show his young son. The black and white picture was of two men in uniform standing in front of a ww2 plane.
“This photo is the last time I saw Bucky-remember the story I was telling you of getting lost in the plane in the war?” Jackson asked.
Leroy nodded eyes wide as he remembered the story.
“Well when I got back a man was running at me and hugged me-it was Bucky. The Howling Commandos were on the ship-when he heard about my flight. Bucky made sure I was okay before they left in the morning” Jackson said with a small smile as he put the photo back in his wallet.
Leroy went and looked closer at the grave. “I don’t understand” he finally asked his dad.
“Don’t understand what?” Jackson asked.
“Why is it here? Why isn’t it where people can see it?” the boy asked.
“Well Leroy that’s because this is a family grave. This is for us to remember our loved ones. If the public knew about this grave-it wouldn’t be special. Sometimes the only way we can protect others is to keep things to ourselves” Jackson said all of a sudden looking like he was a million miles away. “Remember that Leroy” Jackson adds with a smile ruffling his son’s hair.
END FLASHBACK
Jen just sat there-her food forgotten as she listened to Gibb’s story.
“The photo in my living room-is that the photo he showed you?” she asked.
All Gibbs did was nod. He stared out the window-embarrassed. He hadn’t meant to tell Jen all of that-just the part about grave.
“Do you remember the name of the city-because it didn’t sound like it was an actual cemetery?” Jen asked as she pulled out her phone-waiting.
“It was near Syracuse-because I think we were coming back from a doctor for Mom-although I didn’t know that at the time” Gibbs commented. “I wasn’t kidding I do want to see him-before they make him disappear. For dad” Gibbs adds.
Jen looked up at him and set her phone down “I will try to see how he’s doing. I haven’t seen Steve or Sam in a few days. His mind has been repeatedly wiped clean for 65 years-he might be a vegetable for all we know. But I know what you mean-all those stories Uncle Jack always told about him. I’ll call Coulson and see what he says” she promised as Gibbs phone rang telling him there was a body somewhere and signaling the end of their lunch.
Jen winced as she climbed out of her car. She hadn’t been exaggerating about Bruce’s worry. She was healing but not at a rate either thought she should be. Bruce was patient with her-constantly reminding her that she had a major injury and that recovery times vary whenever she voiced a complaint. She saw Sam in the kitchen window as she walked up to the front of the house.
“Lucy I am home” she called in her best fake Ricky Riccardo accent.
Sam busted out laughing “Why do I have to be Lucy?” he called.
Jen snorted and didn’t comment-noticing instead that he was making dinner.
“You didn’t have to make dinner Sam” she said.
Sam shrugged “no problem really-clears my head” he commented.
She stared at him “Something happen today?” she asked.
Sam shrugged “Went with Steve today-first time they let them see each other. Guy just sat there-smiled a few times at memories Steve talked about. But otherwise he was a shell. Once Steve left-all he said was he wasn’t himself today” Sam replied.
Jen sighed as she sat down at the table “Sam he’s not going to be himself-he’s had 65 years of brainwashing-Steve does realize that right?” she asked.
Sam looked over at her “he says he does-but I don’t think so” he replied.
“I was meaning to ask you-Gibbs wants to see him at some point. Do you think that’s wise? I mean for us it’s probably easier for Barnes-since we aren’t “someone from his past”. We don’t expect him to be Bucky-we are just associated with his past-his family” Jen said.
Sam turned the stovetop on low and came and sat down across from her.
“When I was doing group sessions for soldier’s coming back-they always said that was the hardest thing. The people who expected them to continue to be their old self-when their experiences that ultimately changed them. For Barnes yes I think you and Agent Gibbs will be better for him to handle then he does Steve. Whither THEY will let him see the two of you would be another story.” Sam replied as he went back to check on his food.
“I know-that’s what I am worried about” Jen said.
Sam sat down again “Why are you doing this? I mean I get why Steve is doing this-but why you?” Sam asked.
“Jackson Gibbs” Jen said. “Uncle Jack-Agent Gibbs father-was-sorry Is-Barnes cousin. He would want one of us to at least see if he is okay” Jen said with a shrug.
“I guess I need to call Coulson and call in a favor of my own” she said to Sam as she pulled out her phone-finding the number she was looking for and dialed.
Coulson was preoccupied typing up a report when his phone rang and automatically answered it.
“Coulson” he said.
“Hello Phil” Genevieve said.
Coulson paused-his report forgotten “Genevieve How did you get this number” he asked.
“You gave me this number-remember?” she chuckled.
“You kept it? I am honored” he replied with a smile. “What can I do for you?” he asked.
Jen sighed “Agent Gibbs wants to see Barnes. Is there any way that can happen? You know before Nick makes him disappear” she said with slight sarcasm.
Phil turned his chair and looked out his window “The only way Fury is going to make Barnes disappear is if he becomes a threat” he stated matter of factly.
“Phil he was a threat the second he became the Winter Solider. But that’s not the reason I called” Jen said.
“Why does Agent Gibbs wants to see him?” Phil asked.
“His father” was the only thing Jen said.
“Let me read his latest therapy notes and I’ll see what I can do” Phil promised.
“Do you need my number?” Jen asked.
Phil smiled “oh no I have both yours and Agent Gibbs phone numbers” he added.
Jen laughed “Oh course you do” she said. “Phil” she added.
“Yes” he replied.
“Thank you” she said softly.
“I haven’t done anything yet” he answered.
“But you will” she said then hung up.
Phil looked at the receiver in his hand and knew she was right-he would.
Gibbs cell phone rang-he looked at the caller and even though he didn’t recognize the number-he answered it anyway.
“Gibbs” he answered.
“Agent Gibbs-this is Phil Coulson. If you are free at 3pm-we are allowing Barnes to see visitors” Phil said.
Gibbs wanted to ask how the hell they got his number. But from what he had gathered-they’ve probably always had his number.
“Do I drive to the place I went to earlier?” he asked.
“Yes-I will be waiting to escort you” Phil said.
“Thank you” he said.
“Thank Genevieve” was Phil’s only reply before the line went dead.
Voices outside meant he had a visitor. Therapy must be working-since the sound of the bolt turning on the door didn’t send him into full blown panic attack anymore. Barnes sat up and waited-not sure who would be here. Two men stood in the doorway-one was the suit guy-it took him a few minutes to recognize the other one-Jackie’s son.
“You only have thirty minutes” Suit guy said.
Jackie’s son nodded “Thanks” he said as suit guy nodded casting a brief glance inside at him and walked away
“Hello” the man said.
“Hello” Barnes replied.
“Mind if I come in?” the man asked.
“It’s a free country-or so I am told” he replied.
The man smiled and walked in standing and staring at him. Seeing the man’s eyes made him chuckle-causing the other man to raise an eyebrow in question.
“There’s no denying whose son you are. I might not have much memory-but man I remember Jackie’s blue eyes” he said.
The man smiled softly and extended his hand “Jethro” he said.
He looked at the others hand then at his face-took a deep breath and softly took the offered hand “James” he said with a small shake.
Jethro smiled and shook his hand. He looked around at the meager accommodations. Barnes saw him looking around and shrugged.
“Less furniture for me to break when I am having rough days” Barnes replied.
“How many of those do you have?” Gibbs asked.
“Mainly bad days-they call it PTSD now a days” Barnes answered.
Gibbs nodded causing Barnes to scoff.
“I’ve served in wars and I was told a continent and an ocean away about my wife and child’s murder. I KNOW about PTSD” Gibbs said in reply to the scoff.
Barnes looked at him “You served? You in the Air Force like Jackie?” he asked.
“No I am a Marine-a gunny” Gibbs said.
Barnes nodded then cocked his head “why are you here?” he blurted out.
Gibbs looked down at this man-this man you his father idolized. “I am here because dad would have wanted me to” Gibbs said.
Barnes looked at him “Jackie’s gone then?” he asked.
“Yes” Gibbs said. “Had a stroke about a year ago now” he added.
Barnes nodded “He talked about me? You seemed to know about me” he asked.
Gibbs smiled “Dad talked about you constantly. He was so proud of you-of how you served your country-how you died. When dad was wounded and lost-he told me about how when he finally got back to the carrier you were the first one running across to make sure he was ok. There’s a photo of it-Jen has it now. But believe me you were not forgotten” Gibbs replied.
Barnes smiled stoically after Gibbs had finished. Images flashed across his mind-just out of grasp of recognition-but close.
Gibbs looked at his watch-Coulson would be collecting him in 10 minutes-which meant he would be outside in five minutes. “He will be coming in ten minutes-so I need to be out of here in five” he began. “But if they let me-I’ll be back. I just wanted to meet you” Gibbs admitted.
Barnes smiled “if I am having a bad day the next time you see me-sorry” he said.
Gibbs extended his hand smiling and whispered “Simper Fi” he said.
Barnes smiled-speechless as he watched Gibbs walk to the door and walk out. He hoped he remembered him later on.
grave photo -sourced in end notes