Chapter 3
Sitting in the back of the quinjet surrounded by Rumlow and the STRIKE team, Steve decided the best course of action was to feign sleep to avoid conversation. At his side, Nat seemed to agree as she leaned against his shoulder.
After a while the pilot announced they were approaching the target and needed to prepare to jump. The energy of the team shifted as they prepared to execute the mission. Albeit Steve and Nat were both confident that the mission as it was communicated to them was very different from the mission of their supposed teammates.
Steve reached over, tugging the straps on Natasha’s parachute to make sure she was secure. “Relax, Cap. Not my first jump. And at least I’m wearing a chute.”
Shrugging, he gave her a quick grin. “One of these days I’ll do this in daylight, without the risk of getting shot, and with a parachute. For tonight, I’m going to go with speed of entry.”
She nodded. Steve getting onboard before the others would give him valuable time to assess the situation, even if it was only for a moment or two.
As soon as the plane started to open they made their way to the exit. Steve peered into the night, spotting the lights of the Lemurian Star in the water.
“I believe that’s my cue to go.” Without waiting for anyone to respond, he leapt out into the night sky.
Having had a fair bit of practice with these jumps, Steve was able to maneuver himself into the water close to the ship without being noticed. Without the hassle of a parachute, he made quick work of the short swim and effortlessly scaled the ladder. Peering over the edge to make sure it was clear, he swung himself onto the deck.
By the time the STRIKE team and Natasha joined him, the guards on the main deck were subdued and he was headed for the bridge. Nat nodded as she fell instep beside him. They would do their best to stay together as they followed the plan outlined in the briefing.
They hadn’t made it far before the cover story for the mission began to fall apart. Reaching the bridget they noticed Jasper Sitwell leaning calmly against one wall. As the supposed hostage of a pirate he should have at least had the decency to pretend he was mildly distraught. Instead he was casually chatting with Batroc.
Natasha met Steve’s eyes briefly. At least now they knew the pirates were apparently in on the game as well.
“Nice of you to join us Captain.” Sitwell greeted them smugly. “You look rather surprised to see me.”
“We weren’t aware you were on board.” Steve answered calmly, assessing the other people standing in the room. The ship’s captain, two men that looked like fairly capable fighters, and one man with a mask over part of his face hidden in the shadows. Something told Steve the last was probably the biggest threat.
“I see you’ve noticed our guest,” Sitwell smirked. “Pierce thought it best to bring the soldier in to ensure the success of the mission.”
The soldier stepped out of the shadows. Cold eyes met his and Steve couldn’t help but think the mask he’d noticed earlier appeared almost like a muzzle. Taking in his likely opponent, his eyes widened slightly at the metal arm. It didn’t take much to imagine that a hit from that was going to hurt.
“Kill them and throw the bodies overboard. Might as well let the sharks clean up for us.” Sitwell gestured toward Steve and Natasha.
Steve heard familiar footsteps behind them and assumed Rumlow had come to ensure they cooperated with their demise.
“Nothing personal, Cap,” The STRIKE leader made to reach for him and Steve pivoted quickly, landing a solid kick to Rumlow’s stomach.
“Feels pretty personal to me.” He heard a crash as Natasha engaged the two fighter’s Steve had spotted earlier.
In no time they had subdued their opponents, but Steve knew it wasn’t going to be that easy. Before he could turn, he felt cold metal grip his neck. The soldier gripped Natasha’s neck with his flesh hand and shoved them ruthlessly out the door.
“You could at least remember me.” Natasha ground out as he shoved her to the ship’s deck. The soldier stared at her but she noticed no hint of recognition. “What did they do to you?”
Before he could answer, Steve swung his arm around breaking the soldier’s hold on his neck. “Didn’t think we’d go willingly, did you?”
The soldier remained silent, face still masked by the black muzzle. Trading blows the pair moved across the deck. Just as one appeared to be getting the upper hand the other would surprise them.
As the soldier tried to retrain Steve, Cap’s fingers managed to find purchase on the mask and it went flying across as Steve’s body flipped. Landing in a crouch, he turned to face his opponent again. As the soldier looked up, his brown hair shifted and Steve froze.
“Bucky?”
Confused eyes met his, brows furrowing as if trying to figure out what that word meant.
“Bucky?” Steve repeated.
“Who the hell is Bucky?” The soldier spoke and Steve fought not to collapse. That voice. That face.
“You are.” The face of his long-dead best friend stared back at him in confusion. “James Buchanan Barnes. My best friend. I thought you were dead.” Steve’s voice broke.
Both men heard the shoots from across the ship. It appeared they were about to have an audience.
“Please don’t do this.” Steve whispered as the soldier grabbed him by the arm. Walking backwards, he wasn’t sure what to when the soldier pulled Natasha to her feet. He knew they should fight. He couldn’t let Natasha die because he couldn’t fight back, but he couldn’t.
Turning to look at her, he saw the understanding in her eyes. “It’s okay Steve.” He didn’t understand how this could possibly be okay. Stepping in front of her, he tried to shield her body from the gun now pointed at them.
“Please don’t kill her.” He stared into his best friend’s eyes. Saw the storm of confusion, pain, and fear there. “I’m with you till the end of the line.”
He saw the muzzle flash and felt the kick to his gut. Hitting the water he watched the soldier peer over the edge and look down at them.
**** Back in DC ****
“What is that?” TJ asked as another blip showed up on the map.
“It appears Widow put a tracker on the ship.” Tony answered, worried eyes shifting from the tracker to TJ.
“Why…” TJ started but couldn’t make himself finish.
“I’ll be back.” Thor hollered as he dashed out of the room, but everyone’s attention was still fixed on the tracker and TJ.
The quinjet comms had confirmed it was already headed away from the Lemurian Star so if Natasha was expecting them to need to track the ship separately, it left them with one unpleasant conclusion.
Staring at the projection, TJ’s stomach sank as they watched the new icon begin to move away from a stationary shield and spider.
“They left them.” TJ felt himself falling, but arms grabbed him before he could hit the ground.
“Don’t give up yet.” Sam’s voice was strong next to him as they guided him to the couch. “Those two are touch as shit and I’m sure Tony is already …”
His words faltered as the two symbols disappeared from the tracker.
“J, what the hell?” Tony spoke before anyone else could. He gestured frantically, searching for a reason for the sudden disappearance.
“Why did they disappear?” TJ questioned, tears streaking down his face as he stared at the projection.
Only Tony moved as everyone else froze in place, willing the shield and spider to reappear on the map. TJ could feel Sam and Bruce on either side of him, Pepper behind him as they tried to reassure him.
Without warning the map in front of them shifted and the two symbols reappeared.
“What the …” Sam started before JARVIS interrupted.
“The yard!” JARVIS all but yelled. “Thor has them.”
The stillness erupted into a flurry of activity as everyone ran for the door. Tony reached it first, flinging it open he might have frozen in place were it not for the stampede behind him.
“They’re alive.” Thor announced as he knelt beside them. “There is blood, but it doesn’t appear to be serious. Let’s get them inside before they freeze.”
Clint lifted Natasha as Thor took Steve, TJ matching him stride for stride as they moved toward the house.
“Get them out of the wet clothes.” Sam hollered. “I’ll grab my kit and meet you in Steve’s room.”
“I’ll check Natasha.” Bruce offered as he followed Clint.
Back inside, Tony and Pepper watched the others as they ascended the stairs.
“Now what?” Tony wasn’t sure what to do. Looking down he noticed the three kittens winding around their feet. “You guys too?” Scooping them up, he looked to Pepper.
“Why don’t you get them some food and I’ll put on some tea and see what we have that can be warmed up.” Pepper moved toward the kitchen. “JARVIS, let us know if there’s anything they need. Otherwise, once they’ve settled and made sure Steve and Natasha are okay just find out if they want things brought to them or if they prefer to come down.”
“Of course, Ms. Potts.”