Have faith in me, Doll.
“Senator Brandt, I regret to report to you that Captain Steven G. Rogers went missing behind enemy lines on the third. Aerial reconnaissance has proven unfruitful. As a result, I must declare Captain Rogers killed in action. Period.” Phillips dictated to the Corporal who typed out his message for him. Peggy took a deep breath before she fully entered the tent. “The last surveillance flight is back.” she said as she placed the photographs on the table as Phillips made his way over to her. “No sign of activity.” She added softly as Phillips picked the pictures up and looked them over. “Go get a cup of coffee, Corporal.” He said before dropping them back to the table. “Yes, sir.” he said as he scurried out of the area. He sighed deeply as he took a few steps away from Peggy. “I can’t touch Stark. He’s rich and he's the Army’s number one weapons contractor. You are neither one.” he raised his voice a bit as he turned to look at her. She hardly flinched as he met his stare. “With respect, sir, I don't regret my actions. And I don't think Captain Rogers did either.” he glared at her a bit and put a hand on his hip. “What makes you think I give a damn about your opinions? I took a chance with you, Agent Carter and now America’s Golden boy and a lot of other good men are dead, ‘cause you had a crush.” she met his glare with her own. “It wasn’t that. I had faith.” he scoffed at her. “Well I hope that’s a big comfort to you when they shut this division down.” Before he could say anything else, he noticed the commotion outside. “What the hell’s goin’ on out there?” He said mainly to himself as he moved past her to follow everyone, Peggy trailing behind him. She let out a breath of relief when she saw Steve leading a small army of men behind him. The men at camp all cheered as they walked past them and further into the camp. Steve saluted Phillips as he came to a stop in front of him. “Some of these men need medical attention. I’d like to surrender myself for disciplinary action.” He said in a firm voice, glancing over at Peggy for a moment. “That won't be necessary.” He said with the smallest hint of a smile on his face. “Yes sir.” Steve said as he fought a prideful smile off his face. “Faith, huh?” Philips said to Peggy before taking his leave. “You’re late.” She said with a soft voice as she walked up to him. He gave her a goofy grin as he pulled out the transponder to show her that it was destroyed. “I couldn't call my ride.” he said before she looked around a bit. “Did you find Captain Cohen?” She said with a nervous tone. His smile dropped a bit as he nodded. “You could say that, yeah.. I’ll explain what happened in a bit. We need to get a plan together.” she was about to question him further when Bucky’s voice cut her off. “Hey! Let's hear it for Captain America!” and it prompted everyone to start cheering and clapping for him. Peggy gave him a look that said ‘we will be talking about this.’
When everyone cleared and medical was taking care of the wounded, Steve sat down with Peggy in a slightly less populated area. “What happened?” Peggy asked with a soft voice as Steve let out a small sigh. “Well, I found him strapped to a table in one of their makeshift medical rooms. He recovered a bit faster than Buck did. We got separated when we were trying to escape. He insisted that I go with Bucky while we had the chance and that he’d meet up with us when he got out but we never saw him as the place started to go down or as most of it went up in flames. I think he’s still there Peggy.” he said as his voice dropped a bit as he stared down at the dirt. Peggy hesitated a bit before she pat his back softly, trying to comfort him. “I.. hate to be the bearer of bad news, but the chances that he actually.. Survived that.. Well that would be a feat, even for him.” she said, trying not to sound too harsh. Steve sighed and shook his head. “But you don't get it Peggy.. I won't be able to forgive myself if he’s alive and I just left him there to die.” he said with his voice just above a whisper. “That’s why, we’re gonna go and get him.” Bucky said as he walked up behind them, announcing his presence to Peggy since Steve heard him approach. “And who might you be, soldier?” She said, standing up and facing him with her hands on her hips as she took in his appearance. “This “Soldier’s” name is Sergeant James Barnes. It’sa pleasure to meet you in person. I’m assumin’ you're Peggy right? Heard a lotta ‘bout you.” He said introducing himself, giving her a small smile. Peggy looked him over for a moment before it clicked in her brain as she finally remembered who’s name was on (Y/N)’s other dog tag. She gave him a small but warm smile back. “Sergeant Barnes. A pleasure. So, what is it that you're suggesting we do?” Bucky gave her a slight smirk as Steve stood up, standing by her side. “Well, we may have a plan. If it works out, that is.”
(Y/N) panted slightly as he looked around the courtyard that was currently in ruins, bodys laid up every which way. He closed his eyes for a moment, trying to figure out what exactly happened after he blacked out in the cells but he could only remember bits of fights and blood. He sighed softly as he wiped the blood off his face and started to collect the dog tags from each body he dealt with, putting them in a knapsack he found. He slung it over his shoulder and started to look for any vehicle that was still in working order. He eventually found a motorcycle and hotwired it. He got on and sped away from the ruined hydra compound, on a mission to get back to base. About halfway to base, the bike ran out of fuel and he had to work on walking the rest of the way. His breath got caught in his throat as he watched the injuries he sustained close up on their own. Several thoughts rushed through his head but he decided to push those away at the moment instead of focusing on it or worry over it.
When he finally got to base, the sun was going down and he looked like he went through hell and back. The guards outside yelled at him. “Stop! You are trespassing on Government property! If you advance any further, you will be shot.” (Y/N) resisted the urge to roll his eyes before he yelled out back to them. “I am Captain (Y/N) Cohen, ident number ‘12593860’. Either let me pass or get Colonel Phillips. I don't have time for this.” The guards exchanged looks before letting him walk closer and pass them. As he strode into the base, the soldiers that were attracted by the yelling started to form around him, cheering and clapping at his arrival, attracting the attention of several others. They gave (Y/N) pats on the back, a few asked if he needed a medic but he waved them off as he made his way to the Colonel’s tent. As he approached, he heard the yelling that poured out from the tent. “Whaddya mean you won’t let us go back! You’ve seen how capable Steve is, he liberated an entire compound but you won't..” Bucky was cut off by Phillips yelling back. “You best lower your voice at me son or I'll make ya regret it! Now, granted Captain Rogers was able to rescue you lot doesn't mean he’ll be able to do it again. That was pure luck as far as I'm concerned and as much as it pains me to say it, Captain Cohen isn't worth the risk of goin’ back there and riskin' the lives of my men. The place is crawling with Hydra agents and I refuse to lose any more good men to them. End of discussion!” Bucky was about to make another argument when (Y/N) threw open the flap that covered the entrance, taking off his knapsack in the process. They all looked over to him in shock. He was covered in dirt and dried blood, his uniform ripped in several places and he looked like he could sleep for a month and still be tired. “Well Colonel, I'm pleased to announce that Hydra is a bit low on men at the moment.” He said before he tossed his bag onto his desk, letting Philips open the bag, looking a bit off put when he saw the amount of dog tags that were in the bag. “How’s that for playing babysitter?” (Y/N) said with a small smirk on his face while Philips now looked a bit less than happy to see (Y/N) again. “Captain Cohen, I'm gonna ignore that. I’m happy to see you alive and kickin’.” (Y/N) just hummed softly and nodded. “Same here Sir. Now, unless a report is necessary, I'm gonna get a drink. I just walked from Krausberg and I’m mighty thirsty.” he said with an almost joking tone. Phillips nodded and waved his hand slightly. “You lot are dismissed. I’ll expect a full report in the morning, Cohen. For now, clean yourself up.” (Y/N) nodded and headed out with his small band of misfits tagging behind him. As soon as they left the tent, Steve was the first to give him a tight side hug before Peggy joined on the other side. (Y/N) smiled softly and hugged them both back. Bucky stood by them, hands in his pockets, looking a bit more at peace with today. He gave (Y/N) an adoring look before giving him a small nod and headed in the direction of (Y/N)’s tent. “I thought you were dead.” Steve whispered to him as he pulled away. “And yet you still wanted to find me huh? Sounds like you Stevie.” he said, causing Steve’s face to blush slightly, not going unnoticed by (Y/N) or Peggy. “Thank you guys. Really. I’m gonna clean myself up but tomorrow we’ll catch up.” he said softly before receiving another squeeze from his friends before they let him go and head to his tent. When he entered his tent and closed the tarp behind him, Bucky encased him in a tight hug, nearly knocking him off his feet. (Y/N) let out a relieved sigh as he hugged him back, burying his face in his neck. “I’m so mad at you. You’re so unbelievably stupid and bullheaded (Y/N).” Bucky said as his voice wavered slightly, tears pooling in his eyes. (Y/N) let out a soft laugh before he pulled away from him just enough to look at him. He wiped his tears away with his thumb before kissing him softly. “But I'm your idiot, Barnes. I knew you would make it out if you left with Steve when you did. You needed him and his help to get out, not me. If you survived and I didn't, well I wouldn't have a single regret. My boys survived and I wouldn't have been able to ask for more.” (Y/N) said softly as Bucky shook his head. “We wouldn't have. Steve would blame himself for not saving you and I would have blamed myself for leaving you to die.” Bucky said as he tried to control his breathing, not wanting to cry anymore than he already has. (Y/N) kissed his forehead before pressing theirs together, closing his eyes. “Well.. ‘The course of true love never did run smooth’ Bucky. But, I can promise you that I would never let myself die on you. Either of you. Someone has to look after you mooks and that's gonna be me.” Bucky let out a muffled laugh at his words before shaking his head slightly. “Come on Romeo, let’s get cleaned up. We’re both pretty worse for wear right now.” (Y/N) rolled his eyes slightly before he let himself be dragged out of his tent after Bucky had snagged two changes of clothes for them. (Y/N) smiled softly as he let Bucky lead him, content with the fact that he’s alive.