Captain America
“Should Old Acquaintance Be Forgot…”
Part four.
“Tony, what is it? Is there a problem?”
Across the screen, Tony Stark looks at her – studying her, and Natasha Romanov feels that he is trying to literally look inside her – then he talks. “Just being careful ‘Tasha, something’s happened and we need to confirm everyone’s identity before we fully trust who they say they are.”
Showing signs of both impatience and frustration at Stark’s rather cryptic remarks, she jumps into her routine coded identity confirmation protocol emphasizing her last set of numbers to emphasize her displeasure, after all, for a while there, she felt thrown back into the early days when she had first decided to defect to the ‘enemy’ back then – when she decided to leave her country’s secret service. Then she adds “…plus, I’ve got ‘Patriot Two’ with me.
Tony’s face relaxes a bit, and transmits a friendly-recognition to the pair of F-18s, who then veer away from their ‘escort’ formation of the S.H.I.E.L.D. transport that she is piloting. “Sorry about that Tasha, things haven’t been easy for us these past few days.” The Black Widow’s training kicks in and recognizes a mixture of truth and stonewalling of further truths – apparently, the same goes for her guest.
“What’s the situation Stark?”, Tony looks startled for a second, looking to her left, Natasha confirms what made the director of S.H.I.E.L.D. pause, even for just a while. Bucky has indeed donned his mask, and is showing a very ‘all-serious – all-business’ look, Tony, it seems, has yet to get used to seeing Captain America again, even if this one is a Captain America he helped make.
“Nothing that needs your attention, Captain.” – matching Bucky’s formality. “If we need your help, we’ll let you know.” Without pausing, he continues to address Natasha, “Widow… how soon can you report to me for debriefing?” Somehow knowing this was about to be his line of thought, she does not hesitate with her answer. “20 minutes, Director Stark”, she replies, equally formal. “Alright, Stark out” is all the reply she gets, obviously the conversation is ended, as the screen goes blank.
“Charming as usual, isn’t he?” Bucky remarks as he sits at the co-pilot seat. “He’s worried about something… James, I have to go. It may be S.H.I.E.L.D. or even Avengers business.” He looks at the woman in front of him – the planned quiet evening, thrown out the window – James Buchanan Barnes says the only thing he can. “Of course… I’ll take the scenic route home.”, and stands up to commandeer a jet pack found near the parachutes.
“I shall not be too long…” she opines, but they both know this to be a false statement – briefings have the tendency to take longer than they should, so she can’t really guarantee this as fact. Still, she deemed it worth saying… “Take all the time you need, Natalia, you know where to find me.” He leans closer with the intent to kiss, and she reciprocates. A few moments pass, “How about playing hooky with Stark?” he teases, “Mmmm… not only will I lose the respect of a friend, but possibly be charged with insubordination, tempting… but, no. I cannot let anyone think I’m getting careless and unprofessional”, and pulls back, but offering him a glint of a mischievous smile.
“Had to try,… so, what will it be this time?” he asks. When she looks quizzically, he clarifies – “I’ve got some Merlot, Sauvignon or… Stolich” Smiling, she purrs “Mr. Barnes, are you trying to get me drunk?” He moves closer to the exit door as he states, “The thought had occurred to me – but I also remembered a rumor about the Black Widow those years back.”
“Oh?... which one?”
“Some soldiers in Leningrad were talking to each other, one swears to you’re ability to out-last most men in a drinking match. –as you showed their General”
“Exaggerations… but I did not stop such propagation, since these helped build a… legend to the name.”
He smiles, “Take care Talia”, then departs though the double-pressure doors. She glances at his radar ‘blip’ for a few moments, before redirecting her flight to the rendezvous with Director Stark., all the while, shaking her head, “Natalia…” admonishing herself, “...what are you getting yourself into, again?”, she glances at the radar, and smiles at some long forgotten – but recently recalled memory.
New York, lower East-side: 11 PM
On a particular rooftop, two teens can be mistaken for either showing an interest in astronomy, or maybe even making out in an obviously starry night – these two, however, are not those type of teens – not that they’re not normal, but a closer look would see them just standing, backpacks on the side - observing the surrounding areas. Night goggles on hand.
“He’s sooo late. You sure he said to meet him in this place, at this time?” says Kate Bishop. I mean, why not just go to his place?
“Yes he did, Kate. As for why not his place, maybe you can ask him when he arrives.” Though even as he says this, Eli feels less conviction than what he’s outwardly showing his team mate. He had not known Bucky , or the Winter Soldier, or whatever he calls himself these days, long enough to honestly trust his word – though he did say that calling him Bucky was fine, the truth is Eli always felt some form of… what? admiration? kinship? Kate once commented that he turned tongue-tied whenever he was near Cap, well… Bucky apparently gave him the same effect – though perhaps, to a lesser degree.
His thoughts drift and wonders if maybe it was a mistake to take Kate along – after all, she does dish out what she thinks faster than – well, sometimes, her need to think about some sensitivities, he feels that Bucky probably did not mind her inquisitive stance before – so, he felt, it would have been okay to bring her along again.
More likely, once she sees him with a not-too-confident stance in front of Bucky, he’ll surely not live it down with her for maybe a year – or more. Heck, if he was lucky, maybe Bucky will be too busy to remember their agreed time and they can just go home. This is what his thoughts process, as he scans the rooftops one more time. He is surprised, to say the least, to hear a soft – but equally confident voice almost beside him.
“Eli…”
He freezes. Then thinks, ‘Damn, mustn’t let Kate see me like this.’ He musters enough will power to make a passable turn - until his voice starts coming out with a slight pitch.
“Hey Bucky,”, ‘agh…stupid Eli’ he thinks as soon as the words leave his mouth, but he continues “…thought you’d forgotten our meeting, we were worried that you…” – then he really sees him, as Bucky step out of the shadows “…wouldn’t…show…up.”
Against the moonlight, he sees it – but it takes a moment to fully register what his eyes are seeing. A quick look at Kate and he feels better knowing that she apparently is as dumbstruck as he is. ‘Wow… Kate dumbstruck, wait ‘til I tell the others’ he thinks momentarily.
He takes in the details - the disk-shaped shield, slung on his left arm, a hint of small wings on the head, and the tell-tale star on the chest… the colors are darker - it may be shaded by the darkness, but there are tell-tale differences to the design… but it can’t be mistaken as Captain America’s uniform.
“You’re…?”
“Yup… I am.” Is his simple response, then Captain America / Bucky turns to Kate.
“Hi Kate, it is Kate, right? I remember you in uniform, as Hawkeye. You were good with the bow in that AIM warehouse” then he offers his hand, and Kate, having recovered, shakes his hand.
“Mr. Barnes?” sounding a bit more formal than she normally does, but still comes across as cool – a manner that Eli wishes he felt right now, “…what you’re wearing, does this mean you’re now taking over as Captain America?”
“Yes I will Kate.”
“Wow…, that’s cool! I mean, we miss Cap… and could really use his presence these days – we all could. But aren’t you afraid you’ll fall short?”
”Kate! Damn…” “Sorry…”
Smiling, Captain America replies – “You do ask the hard questions Kate. But to answer you – It’s a proud legacy, and I’m afraid I might not do enough to meet its standards. But that doesn’t mean I won’t try.”
“Bucky, when did this happen?” blurts out Eli, the latter part of the query a bit more forceful than intended. “I became Captain America a few days after we last met in my apartment – sorry I hadn’t been able to tell you about it, Eli. I have been busy adjusting to the role.” “As for how I got this, well, lets just say I’m fulfilling an old friend’s wish.”
“But didn’t Tony Stark have the shield and all that?” – this for Kate.
“I liberated it (tapping the shield) – besides, Tony Stark had no better use for it – and he likewise had to fulfill an old friend’s wish.”
“So you and Stark?...” Eli’s thoughts race on – somehow unable to accept that Bucky and Stark are working together. “No we’re not.” Bucky replies… “If I’m to be Captain America, one of the demands I gave Tony was that I’ll be independent of him and his initiative.”
“How does that work? I mean, he can’t just ignore you – if you’re unregistered. He’d be going against the laws he’s fought for.”
“Again Kate, I can’t answer that – I’ll just cross it when I need to.” Shifting topics deftly, he turns to look at the skyline “Now… talking about why we’re here…” then turns to Eli.
“Being Captain America is as much anyone’s right, Steve wasn’t the first – and he has passed on… and if the War has taught me anything, its to remind me that I’m certainly not immortal – heck, remember last Christmas? I was visiting some old friends reminding me of just that. So…should my time come, I can’t think of anyone better, off the top of my head, to take over this role – your family is after all, tied to this legacy, Eli.”
Eli looks at Bucky, trying to catch a glint of a joke – but all he sees are a determined look. He also hears Kate say a soft “Wow.” Looking at both Eli and Captain America. Then she approaches and whispers to him, “Close your mouth Eli, and your eyes… are starting to tear up.” Eli to turn to the side and say “Yeah…” more as response to Kate, than Bucky - as he clears his throat of a lump.
Then Captain America, raises his voice slightly, apparently not finished - apparently, giving Eli a good out from this possible embarrassment “…so that’s why you’ve got to practice. Like I said, I’ll help with your training, but I’m not doing this just for you – I’ve got a future to prepare… you could say, a legacy to uphold.”
Saying this, he looks at the New York skyline, his back turned to them – then he turns his face to look at them both – “So… you coming?” Eli sees a confident smile appear on Captain America’s face, and he can’t help nut notice the stark difference between this Bucky Barnes, and the one he was talking to regarding his predecessor – Jeff Mace, the Patriot.
“Yes, sir!” He proudly turns to Kate, surprised to see her teary-eyed – but smiling. He then pulls out his costume from his backpack… and Kate does the same thing.
“Good.” Says Captain America – then as he stands over the building’s corner, eyeing the lower roof several meters away, he shouts “Then, follow me!” – jumping, and disappearing – automatically, the Patriot follows, with Hawkeye just one bounce behind.
As the trio leap from rooftop to rooftop, Captain America can hear both Kate and Eli laugh – and those laughter remind him of a teen in World War II – likewise bounding, carefree… following a sentinel for liberty.
“Should Old Acquaintance Be Forgot…”
Part four.
“Tony, what is it? Is there a problem?”
Across the screen, Tony Stark looks at her – studying her, and Natasha Romanov feels that he is trying to literally look inside her – then he talks. “Just being careful ‘Tasha, something’s happened and we need to confirm everyone’s identity before we fully trust who they say they are.”
Showing signs of both impatience and frustration at Stark’s rather cryptic remarks, she jumps into her routine coded identity confirmation protocol emphasizing her last set of numbers to emphasize her displeasure, after all, for a while there, she felt thrown back into the early days when she had first decided to defect to the ‘enemy’ back then – when she decided to leave her country’s secret service. Then she adds “…plus, I’ve got ‘Patriot Two’ with me.
Tony’s face relaxes a bit, and transmits a friendly-recognition to the pair of F-18s, who then veer away from their ‘escort’ formation of the S.H.I.E.L.D. transport that she is piloting. “Sorry about that Tasha, things haven’t been easy for us these past few days.” The Black Widow’s training kicks in and recognizes a mixture of truth and stonewalling of further truths – apparently, the same goes for her guest.
“What’s the situation Stark?”, Tony looks startled for a second, looking to her left, Natasha confirms what made the director of S.H.I.E.L.D. pause, even for just a while. Bucky has indeed donned his mask, and is showing a very ‘all-serious – all-business’ look, Tony, it seems, has yet to get used to seeing Captain America again, even if this one is a Captain America he helped make.
“Nothing that needs your attention, Captain.” – matching Bucky’s formality. “If we need your help, we’ll let you know.” Without pausing, he continues to address Natasha, “Widow… how soon can you report to me for debriefing?” Somehow knowing this was about to be his line of thought, she does not hesitate with her answer. “20 minutes, Director Stark”, she replies, equally formal. “Alright, Stark out” is all the reply she gets, obviously the conversation is ended, as the screen goes blank.
“Charming as usual, isn’t he?” Bucky remarks as he sits at the co-pilot seat. “He’s worried about something… James, I have to go. It may be S.H.I.E.L.D. or even Avengers business.” He looks at the woman in front of him – the planned quiet evening, thrown out the window – James Buchanan Barnes says the only thing he can. “Of course… I’ll take the scenic route home.”, and stands up to commandeer a jet pack found near the parachutes.
“I shall not be too long…” she opines, but they both know this to be a false statement – briefings have the tendency to take longer than they should, so she can’t really guarantee this as fact. Still, she deemed it worth saying… “Take all the time you need, Natalia, you know where to find me.” He leans closer with the intent to kiss, and she reciprocates. A few moments pass, “How about playing hooky with Stark?” he teases, “Mmmm… not only will I lose the respect of a friend, but possibly be charged with insubordination, tempting… but, no. I cannot let anyone think I’m getting careless and unprofessional”, and pulls back, but offering him a glint of a mischievous smile.
“Had to try,… so, what will it be this time?” he asks. When she looks quizzically, he clarifies – “I’ve got some Merlot, Sauvignon or… Stolich” Smiling, she purrs “Mr. Barnes, are you trying to get me drunk?” He moves closer to the exit door as he states, “The thought had occurred to me – but I also remembered a rumor about the Black Widow those years back.”
“Oh?... which one?”
“Some soldiers in Leningrad were talking to each other, one swears to you’re ability to out-last most men in a drinking match. –as you showed their General”
“Exaggerations… but I did not stop such propagation, since these helped build a… legend to the name.”
He smiles, “Take care Talia”, then departs though the double-pressure doors. She glances at his radar ‘blip’ for a few moments, before redirecting her flight to the rendezvous with Director Stark., all the while, shaking her head, “Natalia…” admonishing herself, “...what are you getting yourself into, again?”, she glances at the radar, and smiles at some long forgotten – but recently recalled memory.
New York, lower East-side: 11 PM
On a particular rooftop, two teens can be mistaken for either showing an interest in astronomy, or maybe even making out in an obviously starry night – these two, however, are not those type of teens – not that they’re not normal, but a closer look would see them just standing, backpacks on the side - observing the surrounding areas. Night goggles on hand.
“He’s sooo late. You sure he said to meet him in this place, at this time?” says Kate Bishop. I mean, why not just go to his place?
“Yes he did, Kate. As for why not his place, maybe you can ask him when he arrives.” Though even as he says this, Eli feels less conviction than what he’s outwardly showing his team mate. He had not known Bucky , or the Winter Soldier, or whatever he calls himself these days, long enough to honestly trust his word – though he did say that calling him Bucky was fine, the truth is Eli always felt some form of… what? admiration? kinship? Kate once commented that he turned tongue-tied whenever he was near Cap, well… Bucky apparently gave him the same effect – though perhaps, to a lesser degree.
His thoughts drift and wonders if maybe it was a mistake to take Kate along – after all, she does dish out what she thinks faster than – well, sometimes, her need to think about some sensitivities, he feels that Bucky probably did not mind her inquisitive stance before – so, he felt, it would have been okay to bring her along again.
More likely, once she sees him with a not-too-confident stance in front of Bucky, he’ll surely not live it down with her for maybe a year – or more. Heck, if he was lucky, maybe Bucky will be too busy to remember their agreed time and they can just go home. This is what his thoughts process, as he scans the rooftops one more time. He is surprised, to say the least, to hear a soft – but equally confident voice almost beside him.
“Eli…”
He freezes. Then thinks, ‘Damn, mustn’t let Kate see me like this.’ He musters enough will power to make a passable turn - until his voice starts coming out with a slight pitch.
“Hey Bucky,”, ‘agh…stupid Eli’ he thinks as soon as the words leave his mouth, but he continues “…thought you’d forgotten our meeting, we were worried that you…” – then he really sees him, as Bucky step out of the shadows “…wouldn’t…show…up.”
Against the moonlight, he sees it – but it takes a moment to fully register what his eyes are seeing. A quick look at Kate and he feels better knowing that she apparently is as dumbstruck as he is. ‘Wow… Kate dumbstruck, wait ‘til I tell the others’ he thinks momentarily.
He takes in the details - the disk-shaped shield, slung on his left arm, a hint of small wings on the head, and the tell-tale star on the chest… the colors are darker - it may be shaded by the darkness, but there are tell-tale differences to the design… but it can’t be mistaken as Captain America’s uniform.
“You’re…?”
“Yup… I am.” Is his simple response, then Captain America / Bucky turns to Kate.
“Hi Kate, it is Kate, right? I remember you in uniform, as Hawkeye. You were good with the bow in that AIM warehouse” then he offers his hand, and Kate, having recovered, shakes his hand.
“Mr. Barnes?” sounding a bit more formal than she normally does, but still comes across as cool – a manner that Eli wishes he felt right now, “…what you’re wearing, does this mean you’re now taking over as Captain America?”
“Yes I will Kate.”
“Wow…, that’s cool! I mean, we miss Cap… and could really use his presence these days – we all could. But aren’t you afraid you’ll fall short?”
”Kate! Damn…” “Sorry…”
Smiling, Captain America replies – “You do ask the hard questions Kate. But to answer you – It’s a proud legacy, and I’m afraid I might not do enough to meet its standards. But that doesn’t mean I won’t try.”
“Bucky, when did this happen?” blurts out Eli, the latter part of the query a bit more forceful than intended. “I became Captain America a few days after we last met in my apartment – sorry I hadn’t been able to tell you about it, Eli. I have been busy adjusting to the role.” “As for how I got this, well, lets just say I’m fulfilling an old friend’s wish.”
“But didn’t Tony Stark have the shield and all that?” – this for Kate.
“I liberated it (tapping the shield) – besides, Tony Stark had no better use for it – and he likewise had to fulfill an old friend’s wish.”
“So you and Stark?...” Eli’s thoughts race on – somehow unable to accept that Bucky and Stark are working together. “No we’re not.” Bucky replies… “If I’m to be Captain America, one of the demands I gave Tony was that I’ll be independent of him and his initiative.”
“How does that work? I mean, he can’t just ignore you – if you’re unregistered. He’d be going against the laws he’s fought for.”
“Again Kate, I can’t answer that – I’ll just cross it when I need to.” Shifting topics deftly, he turns to look at the skyline “Now… talking about why we’re here…” then turns to Eli.
“Being Captain America is as much anyone’s right, Steve wasn’t the first – and he has passed on… and if the War has taught me anything, its to remind me that I’m certainly not immortal – heck, remember last Christmas? I was visiting some old friends reminding me of just that. So…should my time come, I can’t think of anyone better, off the top of my head, to take over this role – your family is after all, tied to this legacy, Eli.”
Eli looks at Bucky, trying to catch a glint of a joke – but all he sees are a determined look. He also hears Kate say a soft “Wow.” Looking at both Eli and Captain America. Then she approaches and whispers to him, “Close your mouth Eli, and your eyes… are starting to tear up.” Eli to turn to the side and say “Yeah…” more as response to Kate, than Bucky - as he clears his throat of a lump.
Then Captain America, raises his voice slightly, apparently not finished - apparently, giving Eli a good out from this possible embarrassment “…so that’s why you’ve got to practice. Like I said, I’ll help with your training, but I’m not doing this just for you – I’ve got a future to prepare… you could say, a legacy to uphold.”
Saying this, he looks at the New York skyline, his back turned to them – then he turns his face to look at them both – “So… you coming?” Eli sees a confident smile appear on Captain America’s face, and he can’t help nut notice the stark difference between this Bucky Barnes, and the one he was talking to regarding his predecessor – Jeff Mace, the Patriot.
“Yes, sir!” He proudly turns to Kate, surprised to see her teary-eyed – but smiling. He then pulls out his costume from his backpack… and Kate does the same thing.
“Good.” Says Captain America – then as he stands over the building’s corner, eyeing the lower roof several meters away, he shouts “Then, follow me!” – jumping, and disappearing – automatically, the Patriot follows, with Hawkeye just one bounce behind.
As the trio leap from rooftop to rooftop, Captain America can hear both Kate and Eli laugh – and those laughter remind him of a teen in World War II – likewise bounding, carefree… following a sentinel for liberty.
Comments