Sam and Steve walk across a bridge quietly. I keep my distance with thoughts of Hydra. Nick slowly approaches, no sense of tension for once. I slump where I am, without eye contact.

"Isabelle, I know we've had a history of distrust. And a longer history of bickering." He starts, "But I've never wanted anything other than happiness for you. I'm sorry I couldn't supply that when you needed it."

"Everything doesn't add up anymore. It's always a back and forth between trusting you or not trusting you." I admit, not that that's new.

"S.H.I.E.L.D will be gone after this. There won't be anything tiring you any longer." Nick assures.

"But Hydra will still thrive. They lived hidden for decades." I worry, "Nick they're in my head. I'm not sure how they got there."

Nick sighs hesitantly, "Steve has defeated them before. I have no doubt my avengers will fail to erase them for good."

"I hope you're right." I nod unsatisfied.

"And I hope I can help you in any way possible after this war." Nick offers, "After your parents it was my worst decision to leave you all by yourself. I hoped we'd aid that tear a long time ago but it never happened."

"I'm sorry my stubbornness got in the way of that, Fury." I smile awkwardly, "And as out of character this is, I missed you while you were... dead."

"That's a start." Nick grins, easing my nerves and confusion a little. This is the beginning of forgiveness. A spark of hope enlightens me. I was apart of a pessimistic life. Maybe there's things I don't remember that I'll regret. But the past needs to stay there.

With this epiphany I stroll toward the boys on the bridge. Sam is softly speaking, as if he could break Steve, "He's gonna be there, you know?"

Steve pauses, "I know."

"Look, whoever he used to be, the guy he is now, I don't think he's the kind you save. He's the kind you stop." Sam tries to convince.

Steve clenches his jaw, "I don't know if I can do that."

"Well, he might not give you a choice. He doesn't know you." Sam reminds carefully.

Steve glances at me, "He will. Gear up, it's time."

He walks up to me and I put my palms up, "Steve, you need to slow down."

"I can't, this is Bucky." Steve doesn't share his warm expression with me. He must be really hurting.

"This is Hydra." I correct, "They have control over him. Trust me when I say this isn't going to be easy."

"War isn't easy." Steve tries to avoid my eyes.

"Neither is facing your past." I tell, "I'm here to help you face it."

My words cut deep into his hurting heart, I see the sparkles return to his blue eyes, "You're incredible." He traces my cheeks features. He's delicate as if he's touching his own fragile heart. A smile hasn't appeared once across his face though.

"You'd do the same for anyone else." I reply gently, not resisting his touch.

Steve closes his tired eyes, "You're not just anyone."

"And I'm just minding my own business but I have to intrude." Sam coughs, "Got places to be and Hydra ass to kick."

-

We have snuck back into headquarters. We all creep into a dark room with screens around every corner. In seconds a tech opens the door and faces us. Hill, Sam and I pull out our weapons. My white guns point at him threateningly. But Steve is much more scary.

"Excuse us." He says as the man takes defeat and allows us to wonder. We attempt to broadcast a message, Steve thought it would be a good idea. We found the perfect place to do exactly that. Now we're here.

Steve hesitates before becoming completely confident, "Attention, all S.H.I.E.L.D agents. This is Steve Rogers. You've heard a lot about me over the last few days, some of you were even ordered to hunt me down. But I think it's time you know the truth. S.H.I.E.L.D is not what we thought it was, it's been taken over by Hydra. Alexander Pierce is their leader. The STRIKE and Insight crew are Hydra as well. I don't know how many more, but I know they're in the building. They could be standing right next to you. They almost have what they want: absolute control. They shot Nick Fury and it won't end there. If you launch those Helicarriers today, Hydra will be able to kill anyone that stands in their way. Unless we stop them. I know I'm asking a lot, but the price of freedom is high. It always has been, and it's a price I'm willing to pay. And if I'm the only one, then so be it. But I'm willing to bet I'm not."

Sam smirks, "Did you write that down first, or was it off the top of your head?"

"I heard him practicing on his way over here." I joke, "You know after he stole from the Captain America museum."

Steve defends his actions, "I needed a uniform. Sam didn't like my outfit before."

"I thought it was cute." I return, "Sam has bad taste anyway. I mean who wears wings anymore?"

"Just because I'm not in a suit of iron doesn't mean I don't have value." Sam pretends to be offended.

"At least Tony doesn't look like a dork." I tease.

"Oh he'd never wanna look dorky." Steve rolls his eyes but still smiles. I'm glad to see him smile again.