Chapter 3
Phil felt his stomach plummet, sometimes he hated being right. Dean’s confirmation about the object currently in Hydra’s possession caused a whole new set of problems he wasn’t equipped to deal with. Phil looked at the man in front of him, Dean’s green eyes were grave as they stared up at Phil. He had truly hoped he would never have to come across Dean Winchester again. Following the man and his brother’s activities all these years was bad enough; seeing the toll it took, the actual visual confirmation of his and Fury’s assessments was gut wrenching. The younger man was quite literally sitting in front of him bleeding out, well not so much anymore thanks to Barnes and Wilson, but still Dean Winchester was a sarcastic and obstinate individual. Phil internally sighed, how was it he always managed to surround himself with strong willed people.
Phil titled his head towards the open barn door as he and the Avengers heard the low rumble of a car pulling across the gravel. Natasha and Clint had their weapons drawn and Steve’s shield was raised as the Captain broke away from the group and quietly made his way to the center of the barn. Phil glanced back at Dean and saw the man’s eyes glued to the barn door as the car engine shut off. Footsteps paused outside the open door and Phil heard a soft voice call out for Dean.
“I’m alright Sammy, come in and don’t shoot anybody, they’re friendly,” Dean called out and winced from the pain.
Phil watched Barnes apply more pressure to Dean’s side in order to ease the man before turning back to the front of the barn. Tony had moved to stand beside Steve, hand raised as the modified repulsor disguised as a watch clicked into place. Sam Winchester walked through the door moments later, gun drawn but aimed away. Phil forgot how tall and imposing the younger Winchester was, he had definitely grown into himself over the years. Sam Winchester’s eyes were wide as he took in the scene and Phil noticed the flash of pure awe in the man’s eyes as he looked at Steve and Tony. It only lasted a moment before he was back to business, striding towards Phil and Dean with a determined set to his jaw. Sam crouched down in front of his brother, placing his gun on the hay bale next to Dean. Phil signaled for Natasha and Clint to lower their weapons which they did albeit reluctantly.
“I’m fine Sam, they’ve patched me up good,” Dean spoke, placating his brother.
Sam snorted and Phil met his murky eyes over Dean’s head. Those eyes demanded answers and the promise of agonizing pain if Phil and the Avengers were any threat to Dean. Phil pulled his best bland mask and projected calm competency. Sam Winchester just arched an eyebrow, seeing right through what Phil was trying to portray and wasn’t that unnerving.
“Sam,” Dean snapped drawing his brother’s attention away from Phil.
“What the hell’s going on Dean?” Sam glared back, hand cupping his brother’s face.
“Well, this is Phil Coulson of, oh man, it was a really long name, anyway he’s government if you couldn’t tell and these are the Avengers, which I’m sure you could most definitely tell,” Dean grinned at his brother and Sam pulled a disgruntled face.
“Yeah, that’s great and all Dean. What are they doing here?” Sam rubbed a hand down his face.
“Consultation,” Dean groaned before the sound cut off and the whole barn went still and silent.
Police sirens could be heard in the distance and coming closer. Phil turned to look at the Winchesters, a series of complicated facial movements and one long stare later had Sam reaching forward and hauling Dean up causing Wilson and Barnes to grumble and shuffle out of the way. Barnes, however, kept his hand on Dean’s side both to steady the man and keep pressure on the wound. Phil watched Sam shoot the super soldier a calculating look, one Barnes met with steely resolve.
“We need to get out of here,” Sam muttered as he shoved his shoulder under Dean.
“The two little girls are safe, right? Sam, you got them help?” Dean’s voice shook as he looked at his brother.
“Yes, of course Dean. But, I’m sure the cops wanted to know what the hell happened, I just hoped we would’ve been out of here by the time they got to the barn,” Sam’s voice was exasperated as he tried to drag his brother to the door.
Phil looked around the barn and he knew how this would play out, the brothers would be wanted men again, arrested and locked up for the rest of their lives. The sirens were right outside the barn, tires skidding to a halt as Phil heard the officers slam the doors and surround the barn. Phil locked eyes with Steve, a silent agreement passing between them. Nodding to each one of the Avengers, Phil and Steve moved towards the door just as the sheriff called for them to come out with their hands up. Phil slid his SHIELD I.D. out of his pocket and Steve pushed his cowl back as they signaled for the others to wait and exited the barn.
“Officers, I am Agent Phil Coulson of SHIELD and this is Captain Steve Rogers, we are terribly sorry to inconvenience you but we have the situation well in hand,” Phil announced to the group of shocked policemen.
A man with a sheriff’s badge walked up to Phil, trying to disguise his astonishment as he looked between Captain America and Phil. Phil listened respectfully as the man asked his questions and told Phil and Steve the story about the little girls who were dropped off, Phil nodded at the appropriate moments. The Sheriff eventually got to the part concerning the Winchesters and their involvement, it was just the opening Phil needed to assure the man that Dean and Sam Winchester were his agents who were sent to uncover the children’s disappearance and deal with the perpetrators. The relief on the Sheriff’s face was expected, the man clearly did not relish having to deal with the fallout the disappearances and murders would have on the town. Phil hid a smile as Steve assured the man that SHIELD and the Avengers would take care of everything. An hour later and the police were pulling away from the barn as Steve and Phil exchanged a long look before turning to go back inside.
****
Dean was still hanging onto Sam when Coulson and Captain America came back into the barn, a pleased look on the agent’s face. Dean grumbled, he knew the man had flashed his fancy government I.D. and whatever he said the cops took as law and yes, Dean was thankful but he did not want to be indebted to the man for a second time tonight. Apparently, Sam had no such reservations as he thanked Coulson and even gave Captain America an earnest puppy dog smile which the soldier returned with a bright, sincere grin. Dean rolled his eyes as he squeezed Sam’s shoulder indicating to the door and the waiting Impala; he wanted to get out of this place as soon as possible. Thankfully, Sam seemed to pick up on his mood and nodded, helping Dean outside while the others followed.
“We need to salt and burn the bodies,” Dean grunted as Sam leaned him against the Impala.
“I’m sorry, what?” Tony Stark gave Dean an incredulous look.
“Standard procedure. You don’t want anyone coming back as a pissed off ghost or for anyone to get their hands on vampire blood, trust me it ain’t pretty,” Dean shrugged as he indicated for Sam to open the trunk and get the salt and gasoline.
Dean ignored the looks he was receiving as he tried to move to help his brother only to be stopped by a metal hand lightly grasping his wrist. Dean’s eyes met the cool blue of the brunette soldiers’ as the man gently pushed him back against the car and moved to help Sam. Dean blinked rapidly in confusion and quickly glanced around taking in the other surprised faces of the Avengers.
“Alright, so mind telling us who everyone is,” Dean shot Coulson a demanding look as Sam closed the trunk.
“Dean, you honestly don’t know the Avengers?” Sam was shocked and Dean almost chuckled at the affronted look on his brother’s face.
“Well, I know Captain America and Iron Man,” Dean gestured vaguely to the two heroes, “but I’m kind of at a loss for the others, not everyone’s as much of a fangirl as you Sammy.” Sam made an indignant huff and Dean grinned, satisfied.
“It’s Steve Rogers and if we are going to be working together, please call me Steve,” the super soldier held out his hand and Dean barely winced as he raised his own to shake it.
“Dean Winchester and this is my brother Sam,” Dean said in return as Sam reached forward eagerly to shake Captain America’s hand.
“Tony Stark as you already know,” the billionaire gave a megawatt smile and a casual wave.
“Natasha Romanov and Clint Barton, our resident spy-assassin combo,” Stark continued as he pointed to the red head and the archer.
“I’m Sam Wilson,” Dean’s second nurse, the one with the cool goggles spoke up before Stark could introduce him. The genius gave Wilson a petulant look which Wilson rolled his eyes at. Dean liked the man; he seemed like someone who could roll with whatever life threw at him.
“Bucky Barnes,” a smooth voice said from off to Dean’s side. The dark haired soldier with the metal arm and intense eyes gave Dean a slight smile as he dropped the bag of salt on the ground.
“Bucky?” Dean arched an eyebrow as his lips quirked in amusement.
“Well, it’s James but I go by Bucky,” the man, Bucky, scoffed and gave a rueful shake of his head.
“Well then Bucky, thanks for the save,” Dean gave the man an appreciative, if a little tired, grin.
Bucky gave a nod as he and Sam marched back towards the barn carrying the salt and gasoline from the trunk. It didn’t take them long and soon Dean was watching his brother and Bucky hustling out of the barn door as the crackle and smell of smoke reached Dean and the others. A few minutes later and half the barn was in flames, the glow shining off of Bucky’s arm and Captain America’s shield. There was some chatter going on between Captain Amer – Steve, Stark, and Coulson but Dean was unable to make it out over the fire.
“So, you guys are the two newbies. How’d that happen?” Dean asked head rising as silence fell over the group.
“What?” Dean’s voice was defensive and he gave Sam a helpless look.
“SHIELD fell last year, Hydra had been at its heart and well, Sam was one of the people who helped me take everything down, Natasha too. Bucky…Bucky was being used by Hydra as an assassin called the Winter Soldier for the past 70 years,” Steve spoke softly as he gave Dean a puzzled look.
“Steve saved me, brought me back,” Bucky murmured as Steve reached out to clutch the former Winter Soldier’s arm.
“How do you not know that, it was all over the news?” Stark gave Dean a look of disbelief. Dean grimaced, guilt flashing across his face as he looked away from the inquiring faces.
“Last year, well, Dean wasn’t exactly Dean,” Sam trailed off rubbing the back of his neck as he glanced at Dean.
All eyes were trained on Dean now; Sam’s apologetic as Dean looked at his brother while Coulson’s, Barton and the woman, Romanov were blank. Stark and Steve’s were shrewd but a hint of curiosity flashed through the brown and blue depths. The look Wilson was giving Dean was one he had seen on countless therapists and Dean balked, his defenses rising at the sight. Dean looked at Bucky last and the impenetrable blue stare was filled with a sort of wary guilt that Dean had no idea how to interpret.
Huffing a sigh, Dean shuffled his feet as he leaned more fully against the Impala, he did not want to deal with this right now. It was bad enough he owed his life to these people, not to mention the whole Death’s scythe being in the hands of some freaky Nazi cult, now his whole year as a demon had to come up.
“Meaning? What, was he not some vampire killing Buffy Summers wannabe?” Stark jeered with a slap to the Captain’s shoulder who frowned in return at the genius.
“You act like being compared to Buffy’s an insult,” Dean snorted then groaned as he pulled his side. A little grin lifted Stark’s mouth as the man shrugged in acknowledgement.
“Why Dean is unaware of the ins and outs of SHIELD and the Avengers is immaterial, frankly it is refreshing. We are here for a consultation on the object in Hydra’s possession,” Coulson spoke up his calm voice grating on Dean’s nerves.
“What weapon does Hydra have?” Sam asked an apprehensive look on his face.
“Death’s scythe and now that you know, I believe our consultation is over. So, if you don’t mind, my brother and I will be heading out cause, frankly, I’m beat,” Dean snapped as he stood up and tossed the keys to Sam.
“Wait, what, you can’t be serious Dean,” Sam exclaimed, unknowingly cutting off Coulson’s own protest.
“Of course I’m serious Sam, I mean come on, it’s not like Hydra will be able to do anything with it. Hell, I bet whoever tried to pick it up bit the dust as soon as they laid a hand on the thing,” Dean shook his head in exasperation.
“Coulson didn’t tell you that and it wasn’t in the report he showed you. How do you know that?” Captain America demanded taking a step towards Dean, jaw clenched.
Dean gave a humorless chuckle, the one that always caused Sam’s eyes to pinch and his lips draw into a thin line. Dean didn’t care, he was finished with this night and the Avengers. Dean caught Bucky’s eyes as he moved around to the passenger side of the car. People probably thought the soldier’s look was unreadable, but Dean knew better. This was a man who had his will taken away, his mind and body used by a ruthless organization, a man who had been nothing but a tool for Hydra. Dean felt the bile rise in his throat, fucking humans. Dean tore his eyes away from Bucky and shot Sam a look as he opened the Impala’s door.
“We’ll look into it,” Sam said as Dean ignored everyone else and climbed into the Impala. Dean didn’t hear what Coulson said, but he watched as the agent slipped his card into Sam’s hand.