Team work
"New mission in Ohio. Vision reported he saw some turbulence there and suspects a full gang is involved."
Sam narrated. And just for a split second he noticed Natasha form a slight smile at the mention of 'Ohio'.
"Any memories with Ohio?" He had later whispered to her.
She just nodded her head but he could see her eyes flashing recollections from the past.
"A mission?" Natasha was never much of a talker. Nor did she liked dwelling on her past. He had very little information about the person he claimed to be best friends with.
"Ya, a great one." She had commented and left. Sam didn't feel to enquire more, any information from the former asassin was a blessing and he knew better not to ruin the moment.
When he had woken up in Wakanda he hadn't known he had been blipped. He searched the battlefield, now emerging with people recovering from dust, his eyes wandered first for Steve and then for Nat. He didn't find either but thankfully at the right time the wizard appeared to answer the emerging queries. Even though he didn't answer much, he commanded them to the battlefield.
Sam saw Steve first and how his face smiled bright when he saw help coming. He saw aliens, wizards and other avengers appear from the portals but none of them showed any sign of Nat. It was only later, after Tony's death that he had been informed about Natasha's sacrifice. He didn't have any souvenirs to hold on to. Just the memories and one of them shined bright, the talk of Ohio.
Sam woke up at the couch with Bucky standing at a distance sincerely noting his surroundings. Yelena had arranged for an apartment in Moscow. It was small with just two bedrooms so he and Bucky took chances to sleep in the bedroom. In reality, the lucky one was the one who had been assigned the hard stiff black couch. It was more familiar.
Yelena busted in the living room with a bag full of chips, granula bars and beers. "Birdie! Soldier! Arrangements had been made for Sochi. We leave today at 5. Pack all the things you need. If you have to buy something, make your purchases today but be sure it's within the price limit."
"You're throwing a party?" Bucky asked. His question wasn't inappropriate for the journey to Sochi wouldn't be that long.
"This safehouse would soon be needed to another client. So, it needs to be fully loaded with survival stuff."
Sam had heard her talk at the phone about all the arrangements with a woman she frequently addressed as Mama. Sam was confused at first for he knew Natasha's mom was dead. She had served him with that information once while on the run. But neither did he know about her sister.
"You've got all the details you need?" She enquired.
Sam and Bucky had been following trails of the suspects which had brought them to the conclusion that the main activity was being executed in Sochi. When they had told Yelena about it, she had groaned but agreed to look into the arrangements.
"All we know for now is the main activity will be carried out in Sochi."
"I dont understand, your point was heard by all the government officials and had swore to look into the matters with sensitivity and caution and we still have these issues." Bucky added.
"You don't believe every promise made, do you?" Yelena added satirically. "You do! I expected better from you, soldier. Promises and reality do not always go hand in hand. And we are talking about the country which gave rise to Lenin. Of course, neither the public nor the government will understand the gravity of the matter."
"Things can be handled in a better way." Sam added.
"Like what? Your way of just shouting at a few government officials and advising them to do better with a hope anything will change." This took Sam off gaurd. Even Bucky looked offended. "You got to do better,Sam!"She said mockingly.
"You are not doing us a service for free, we are paying a considerable amount. So, you don’t have the right to insult either one of us." Bucky responded. Sam narrowed his eyes as to tell him that it was fine.
"I won't be dishonest. You were terrible at the press conferences, like the one after just five days of the blip where the entire world was looking for answers and you responded that another meeting will be held about it the next day and then the next day where all you declared was that it had been rescheduled to the next week. You made a fool of yourself there."
Sam was about to lash but thought the better of it and kept quiet. But Bucky did not consider the peaceful route as he closed in near her,"You know with all these conferences, he was trying to help." As Bucky drew even closer, Sam stepped up to interfere but Yelena was unmoved."What were you doing? Taking another contract to kill?" He added.
Sam kept a hand at his chest as to command him to back up. Yelena paused and faced Bucky directly in the eye with a smile,"No, I was glued to the television screen hoping with each passing day, the avengers would hold their conference and I would finally get to see my sister. I waited for two damn weeks when neither of you had the balls to declare the truth. Two weeks for me to know that all my wait was worthless for she was already dead. You may be heroes for the world, but do not expect any special treatment from me. For I would treat you for what you really are!"
Sam felt sorry for her. She had left the world with others in the blip, her first urge would have been to call Natasha and she wasn't there to pick up the call. And she had to wait two weeks, excruciatingly long weeks. He couldn't even imagine the pain she would have suffered and how the delay was just adding fuel to the fire. Yes, he decided, her rage was justified. Sam wanted to convey to her that he understood her but it would be meaningless for he couldn't really understand her feelings. So the answer was silence. Sometimes, silence was the best answer. This was one such time.
The silence was interrupted by sounds of cars approaching. All three of them stared through the window and noticed vehicles approaching there apartment. Leading the vehicles was one of the suspect who was being followed. "замечательный" Yelena commented. She immediately armed herself with two guns stashed in the safehouse and proceeded for the emergency exit. Bucky too got hold of a gun and Sam immediately took the shield with him. Yelena kicked open the exit door and commanded them to run as fast as they can.
They would have been out of the city through the Volvo she had arranged if they had not been seen by one of the car guys. He proceeded to shoot at them while they took cover in the parking area. Yelena and Bucky responded with bullets while Sam threw his shield around, knocking down two guys at one throw. Yelena would have complimented him if not for the circumstance. She ran quickly to one of the cars and swiftly moved it towards Bucky and Sam. Bucky continued shooting while in the car. Sam acquired the front seat and immediately went for the seat belts. Natasha had trained him well. "Second car chase with the avengers. Honestly I am getting cooler by the day." Yelena managed to shout with the sounds of the bullets.
"Please tell me this car of yours has some technical virtues." Sam said.
"I wouldn't know, its not mine." She would've laughed at Sam's hysterical face had she not been concentrating on the road ahead.
"Give the banter a little rest. I need some help here." Bucky said from the backseat as he shot bullets through the open window.
The chasers managed to destroy the back glass.
"C'mon Captain." Yelena encouraged.
Sam wanted to grab hold of his suit,"Ok, bring it in now." He commanded. The Wakandan technology allowed him to call for it whenever he liked.
The suit arrived within seconds and Sam immediately grabbed hold of it. He flapped through the broken back glass and threw the shield hard at the tires causing the car to flip sideways. He heard Yelena cheer and whistle in support.
She parked the car at the railway station and Sam followed, now walking instead of flying.
"That was awesome! Russia would never get tired of Avengers damage!" She exclaimed.
Sam shared a laugh and got running. They had to catch the approaching train to Sochi if they had to be at time.
Yelena jumped in first and Bucky followed while Sam ran fast to catch up.
"You can fly dumbass!" She advised.
Sam followed the command and got inside the train cabin. Bucky looked exasperated and immediately occupied one of the seats. The others looked suspiciously at them. They were not accustomed to find super heroes with costumes on a train but here they were.
"Next stop, Sochi." Yelena reminded.
Their identity would have been revealed making the team carrying out the operation even more careful but even their team got stronger because just for some time his team had carried team work to perfection.