PIERCE WALKED AROUND his villa as he stumbled upon his fridge. The dark skies soaring and with the peaceful air, you could hear the birds chirping.

Pulling out a carton of milk, the corners of his eyes land on a figure of sorts, slowly closing the fridge from behind as he proceeds with caution.

"I'm going to go, Mr. Pierce." A voice announced from the far distance. "You need anything before I leave?"

"No... Uh, it's fine, Reneta." Pierce responded, eyes never leaving sight on the figure. "You can go home."

"Okay, Night-Night.."

"Good night." As the door shuts, he walks over to his cabinet. "Want some milk?"

No response.

Pierce gives small glances from time to time as he pours himself a glass. "Timetable has moved." He started, "Our window is limited. Two targets, Level Six. They already cost me Zola." He walks up to the nearby table, pulling out a chair of his own as he eyes the figure. "I want confirmed death in 10 hours-"

Moment interrupts when the sound of the door creaks back open. "Sorry, Mr. Pierce, I... I forgot my... phone..." She trails off as she now sees another presence, sweat dripping in nervousness.

Pierce scrunches his face in guilt. "Oh, Reneta, I wish you could have knocked." He pulls out his gun, firing it at the woman who shrieks from the sudden act, stumbling down the floor, now lifeless.

No hesitation.

--

SAM STOPPED AS HE HEARD A KNOCK on the door. He just came back from another round of jogging, planning to treat himself with a drink of orange juice.

A confused look scrunching.

Carefully closing the beverage, he makes his way to the entrance, slowly. When he rolled up the windows, his eyes widening as he was greeted by the presence of the trio.

Steve and Y/N look shaken, but Nat's was a little worse. She regained consciousness mid-way, her arms slung around Y/N's neck for support from her weak state while his other arm had the duffle bag. Sam, who is kind of frozen by what he's seeing, slides his door open.

"Hey, man." He greeted, not knowing what else to say.

Steve sighed, he was a bit skeptical of the idea at first. "I'm sorry about this. We need a place to lay low." He explained, the dirt still plastered on their faces.

"Everyone we know is trying to kill us." Y/N added.

Sam glances at the trio's state, a thought comes into mind.

No hesitation.

"Not everyone." He steps aside the door, allowing them to enter. Y/N allows Steve to enter first before dragging Nat along, she grunts while she took her time, arms still slung around Y/N's neck.

Sam takes a last look, making sure no one watches, before shutting the door.

And with that decision, It changed his life.

Y/N sat the pretty shaken up redhead on the bed, grabbing a wet towel as he started to wipe the dirt off her face.

Nat hesitated first when The L/N offered his help, hoping to prove that she did not need any further guidance.

That was not true.
Always surrounded by men led her to sometimes try and show them how underestimated she was.

But right now, she was vulnerable.

She knew Y/N was exhausted. Her thoughts were only based from sympathy, pity.

But Y/N insisted.

How kind he was.

The feeling of the warm cloth rubbing against the dirt of her skin slowly made her feel a bit at ease.

Y/N made sure not to send Romanoff in an uncomfortable situation, making sure to only drag the wet cloth in the necessary areas.

But, she was not Uncomfortable, More glad.

He'd take a short glance at Natasha's blank face. Something about her was unique just from a look in her eyes.

He just couldn't place a finger on it.

Her deep green eyes were a sight to see. No wonder her victims would fall just from a look.

But he kept his cool, continuing to wipe away the dirt.

What he didn't know was, She would also take a small glance from time to time.

She'd take a short glance at Y/N's calm demeanor and focused state. Something about him in general was just, unique.

She just couldn't place a finger on it.

His calm look and generous personality behind all that darkness. It was definitely a sight to see.

As he finished, he gave her a look, a look of sympathy as he flashed a smile. "You okay?" He softly asked, earning a slow nod.

"Yeah." She simply answered. However, her raspy tone, blank face and minimal movement did not defend her case.

Y/N narrowed his eyes, watching every small detail of her face to find any hidden emotion, but she was just too good at hiding it. It instead led him to stare at the features of her face.

He had eyes like an eagle, supposedly being able to capture even the finest of details.

But somehow, this was different.

The human structure was supposed to be the easiest to study due to it's lack of observance on the emotional side. You are supposed to be able to find every small detail with the naked eye.

But somehow, Romanoff was able to bring those abilities to test.

So he used personal experience and gut instead to dig deep with his E/C eyes.

After a few seconds, Y/N didn't buy her answer as one of honesty. "What's going on?" He questioned, in genuine concern. "Talk to me, Natalia."

She scoffed. "Natalia? really?"

Y/N shrugged, mixing in a chuckle.

Nat stared at Y/N, a bit reluctant before sighing in defeat. "When I first joined S.H.I.E.L.D, I thought I was going straight." She started, Y/N listened intently. "But I guess I just traded in the KGB for HYDRA."

She sighed again, looking down. "I thought I knew whose lies I was telling..." She trailed before looking back up, a weak smile. "...But I guess I can't tell the difference any more."

Y/N frowned at her words, sliding In comfort. "Well, I thought I was gonna be able to escape all that 'Eight' and 'HYDRA' business when joining S.H.I.E.L.D, instead, I spent my entire life around it... Just didn't realize..." he pauses, taking a glance at Romanoff, a small chuckle escaping his lips when a thought came into mind. "You know, we're not that different."

'We're not that different...'

Nat smiled at the remark before her face fell in deep thought.

Y/N suddenly got nervous.
Did he do something bad?
Did he offend her?

A small comfortable silence before Nat tilted her head, never thinking she'd say these words.

"I owe you."

Y/N raised his brows in surprise, taken back from the statement. He shook his head though at the sudden remark. "No- That's not necessary-"

"It is." Nat cutted in. "When I apologized for being... well- mean to you at first, I was actually genuine. I wanna thank you for.... helping me, even with our past. I really am sorry."

Y/N chuckled. "No.. don't be sorry." Y/N insisted in a soft tone. "Hate me or not... I don't care. I got your back no matter what, you don't have to recognize it. Remember that."

A small smile crept on Nat's lips before a thought came into mind. "If it was the other way around, and it was down to me to save your life- now you be honest with me..." Nat warned, narrowing her eyes at Y/N who listened intently, "Would you trust me to do it?"

Y/N didn't hesitate, a small nod. "Of, course... Of, course." He says in a hushed tone before licking his lips a bit nervously. "B-But promise me one thing, will you?"

"What is it?" She questioned, fixing her posture as she prepared to take in the next few words that would escape his mouth.

"If it does ever happen, don't save me. Save yourself." He spoke and Nat was taken back by this statement. "I've already accepted the fact that other's lives are more deserving and important than mine, especially yours. If the world's stake was decided between the two of us and one willing to take a sacrifice- Please, let me do it..."

No hesitation.

"That's it." Nat suddenly spoke, earning a confused look.

"What?"

"That's your flaw."

Y/N tilted his head in confusion. "Nat, I'm a very flawed man, you have to be specific."

"You're too selfless, Y/N." Nat pointed out. "You have to learn how to love yourself first."

Y/N shook his head in disagreement. "Do YOU even love yourself?"

"I mean, no- because-"

"No, that's exactly my point. We've both done at least something that led us to this thought." Y/N interrupted, pointing out the truth. "See, we're not that different."

'We're not that different...'

Both unconsciously grew a smile, both taking in each other's warm gaze.

"You know what, You're not as bad as I thought...." Nat admitted, tilting her head as she narrowed her eyes at Y/N. "I really am sorr-"

Y/N held a hand up, stopping Romanoff from saying anything else that would hurt herself. "Don't, It's fine... Really, Nat, It's fine. I've just learned to accept it." The L/N admitted, a small sigh mixing in with a smile. "But..... You're also not bad as I thought... Romanoff..."

"....And i'm sorry too." Y/N suddenly spoke which earned him a confused look.

"For what?"

"Everything." Y/N answered

"No, No. None of this was your fault."

"It was, Nat." He softly retaliated, It was like he didn't even believe in himself. "Everything from every mistake that angered you, Every word that annoyed you, Every act that frustrated you, and Every confrontation I had with you..... I'm sorry..."

All of his guilt just pouring out...

So was Nat's.

She didn't think the damage she had caused has led him to a mentality of this state.

Both at guilt.

Both stayed in a state of silence.

Not uncomfortable.

Not awkward.

But somehow at the same time, unsettling.

Nat sighed, next few words were something she also thought she would've never said in a million years.

"How about this, we drop everything. All those silly arguments- dropped. After that, we start from here. Bury the hatchet." Nat suggested, making Y/N shift his position in interest.

"Like, a.... do-over?" Y/N questioned.

Nat nodded.

Y/N's face fell and Nat didn't like that look.

She suddenly got nervous.
Did she do something bad?
Did she offend him?

She's expecting a scold of sorts for even suggesting something stupid like that.

Y/N turned to her.

'Oh, no.' Natasha thought to herself.

"Okay." he softly answered, in tone of agreement.

"What?"

He chuckled.

"I'd love that." Y/N replied. "I mean we already kinda did that, but it was nice of you to confirm it."

Both laughed.

"Thank you though... I know it's been hard." Romanoff pointed out and Y/N couldn't help but agree.

"Yeah, but somehow there was a silver lining behind all this." He gestured to himself and the redhead. "We did something Clint would probably be proud of."

Nat chuckled at the thought, the scenario just playing in her head. "Oh, god. It's gonna be such a hassle just calming him down..."

"Well, what about the kiss?"

"What about it?"

Y/N rubbed the back of his neck nervously. "I'm guessing we're just gonna keep that thing on the down low a bit?"

Nat nodded. "Yeah, don't want word of me kissing you, disgusting." She teased, earning an exaggerated gasp.

"Hey, you said i wasn't bad." Y/N played offended.

"Never said it was good."

Y/N winced, earning a chuckle from Nat. "That was cold, Romanoff. Cold."

After a few jokes there and there, getting a few laughs out of eachother, they were brought to a silence.

A now comfortable one.

They again unconsciously grew a smile, if not, wider. Both taking in each other's warm gaze.

With those events, They now had a change of heart. Everything from the unnecessary arguments, the fighting, the hateful threats...

Gone, thrown out the window.

Instead,

They both enjoyed each other's company.

Both reminisced..

Why they weren't able to embrace this side until today..

It was a shame they mistreated eachother badly, luckily, they were able to find a way to fix it.

Fixing was an understatement.

They buried it, completely ignoring. Instead, choosing to go new.

This time, both now understanding eachother.

This time, both now capable enough being around eachother.

And it was nice to finally have peace between the two. Something people would've said was "impossible."

Yet, it managed.

Just then, Sam walked in the room. "I made breakfast." He announced. "If you guys eat that sort of thing." As the words rolled out his mouth, he made his way out the room.

Both L/N and Romanoff took one last glance at each other, shrugging. "I mean, I'm down." Y/N blurted out, earning light chuckles from Nat.

THEY ALL GATHERED AROUND as Y/N took his scrambled eggs, still somehow listening intently. "So the question is, who at S.H.I.E.L.D could launch a domestic missile strike?" Natasha asked as both Steve and Y/N perked up in realization.

"Pierce."

"Who happens to be sitting on top of the most secure building in the world." Nat added as Steve shook his head.

"But, he's not working alone." Steve continued. "Zola's algorithm was on the Lemurian Star..."

Both Nat and Y/N looked at each other in realization. "So was Jasper Sitwell..." They both said in unison... before Y/N continued to eat.

Steve froze a bit, that was a good point. Another realization. "So the real question is, how do the three most wanted people in Washington kidnap a S.H.I.E.L.D officer in broad daylight?"

"The answer is, you don't." Sam answered, now walking up to the table as he slapped down a file on the table. "Call it a resume."

Y/N shrugged. "I don't know...."

Sam raised an eyebrow. "I thought you were just his adviser?" He questioned, remembering their last conversation. "How are you wanted?" He asked, taking a sip of his orange juice.

Y/N internally slapped his head, forgetting about that. He looked at Nat with a look of 'Do I tell him?' Nat shrugged in answer before a sigh escaped Y/N's lips, turning to the Wilson. "I'm... The Shadow."

He immediately spitted out the beverage out of his mouth in shock, the trio startling from the sudden action. "Wait, you're the guy from New York?"

Y/N nodded slowly, rubbing his back in nervousness. "Y-Yeah, that's me." Y/N admitted. "Not proud of it."

Nat took this time to grab the file, inspecting it. "Is this Bakhmala?" She questioned, staring at the photo. "The Khalid Khandil mission, that was you? You didn't say he was a pararescue."

Steve took the photo out of Nat's grasp, turning to Sam. "Is this Riley?"

"Yeah." Sam answered, a building of guilt.

"I heard they couldn't bring in the choppers because of the RPGs." Nat thought out loud, remembering what was told to her. "What did you use? A stealth chute?"

Sam shook his head, handing another file as he pointed. "These."

Y/N waved in gesture to have the file, Steve gladly handing it over as the L/N read. "I thought you said you were a pilot." He voiced out, a bit impressed with its contents.

"I never said pilot."

Y/N really did admire the man's confidence, but he was reluctant. "I can't ask you to do this, man." He admitted. "You got out for a reason." He spoke, earning a shake of a head.

"Dude, Captain America and The Shadow needs my help." Sam pointed out, a bit proud. "There's no better reason to get back in."

Y/N nodded. "Where can we find these things?"

"The last one is at Fort Meade." The Wilson explained. "Behind three guarded gates and a 12-inch steel wall."

Y/N scoffed. "That's it really?" Sam was taken back from this statement, expecting them to plan out. "Ah, me and Nat, that's easy." He placed his palm out, receiving a high five from behind.

--

SITWELL AND SENATOR STERN left the building, guards surrounding them as they did so. "Listen, I got to fly home tonight because I got some constituency problem and I got to press the flesh." The Senator spoke.

"Any constituent in particular, Mr. Senator?"

Stern stammered. "Uh- No, not really. Twenty-three, kind of hot. Real hot, you know? Wants to be a reporter, I think. I don't know."

"Doesn't sound like much of a problem to me." Sitwell voiced.

"Really? Because she's killing my back." The Senator answered, earning a small smile. "But this isn't the place to talk about it. This is a nice pin."

"Thank you."

"Come here." As both embraced in a hug, Stern leans into Sitwell's ear as he discreetly whispered. "Hail HYDRA."

Y/N rolled his eyes in the distance. "Oh, big whoop." He sarcastically remarked, nodding at Sam in signal.

Sitwell's phone rang, pulling it out of his pockets to see the I.D.

Alexander Pierce.

He tensed, excusing the guards for privacy. "Yes, sir?" He sternly greeted.

"Agent Sitwell, how was lunch?" A voice asked, definitely not Pierce. "I hear the crab cakes here are delicious."

"Who is this?"

"The good-looking guy in the sunglasses and the... decent looking guy, your 10 o'clock." Sam called out.

'Dude, what the fuck.' a muffled voice was heard.

Sitwell started to sweat, looking around as followed, earning a small chuckle from Y/N. "Your other 10 o'clock, dumbass." He called out, making Sitwell slowly turn.

"There you go." Sam and Y/N waved, a smug grin plastered on their faces.

"What do you want?"

"You're gonna go around the corner to your right. There's a grey car two spaces down. You and I are gonna take a ride."

"And why would I do that?"

Sam scoffed. "Because that tie looks really expensive.." A red glowing dot now beaming, right on the center. "..And I'd hate to mess it up."

Tension.

SITWELL GRUNTED as he was kicked down to the floor. Steve approached him nonchalantly, "Tell me about Zola's algorithm." He demanded.

Sitwell picked up his glasses, shakily placing them back on. "Never heard of it."

Lie.

"What were you doing on the Lemurian Star?" Steve again questioned as Nat and Y/N followed from behind.

"I was throwing up, I get seasick."

Lie.

Y/N scoffed. "You need to come up with some better excuses."

Sitwell walked backwards in fear, nearing the edge as he had nowhere to go. Steve picked him up, quite easily, pulling up his collar as he glared at him.

Sitwell smirked. "Is this little display meant to insulate you're gonna throw me off the roof?" He taunted. "Because it's really not your style, Rogers."

Steve gritted his teeth before nodding. "You're right." He slowly let go of Sitwell, patting his sides. "It's not." He repeated, mischievously. "It's theirs."

As he stepped aside, Y/N and Nat walked up to Sitwell, kicking him off as his screams echoed, Both keeping a neutral look.

"Oh, wait. What about that girl from Accounting, Laura..."

"No, Laura is Cli-." Y/N was not able to finish his sentence as a sharp elbow to the ribs made him wince.

"No, it's Lillian. Lip piercing, right?" Steve corrected.

"Yeah she's cute." Y/N grunted out, before realizing what he just said. "I mean, not that cute.. just enough. Not my type, I don-"

"You're rambling."

Steve held in a chuckle. "Yeah, I'm not ready for that."

As he spoke, Sitwell's scream returned as he was brought back to the roof. Sam landed slowly, wings retracting back to it's default positions while at it.

The trio walked up to Sitwell's stunned state, he held his hand up in fear. "Z-Zola's algorithm is a program!" He stammered out. "F-For choosing insight's targets."

"What targets?" Y/N asked.

"You! Rogers! A TV anchor in Cairo, the Under Secretary of Defense, a high school Valedictorian in Iowa City, Bruce Banner, Stephen Strange, anyone who's a threat to HYDRA..."

Y/N raised his brows, a bit flattered for being a target.... weirdly.

"...Now or in the Future.."

"In the future?" The L/N questioned. "How could it know?"

Sitwell laughed while the rest looked at him, amused. "How could it not?!" Sitwell exclaimed. "The 21st century is a digital book. Zola taught HYDRA how to read it. Your bank records, medical histories, voting patterns, emails, phone calls, your damn SAT scores! Zola's algorithm evaluates people's past to predict their future."

"And what then?"

"Oh, my God. Pierce is gonna kill me." Sitwell muttered.

"What then!?"

Sitwell sighed in defeat. "Then the insight helicarriers scratch people off the list. A few million at a time...."

Wilson, Rogers, Romanoff and L/N all looked at eachother.
--

SAM WAS ON THE DRIVER SEAT as Y/N sat in front, Sitwell in between Steve and Nat.

"Hydra doesn't like leaks." Sitwell spoke.

Sam kept a neutral look as he landed eyes on the rear-view reflection. "Then why don't you try sticking a cork in it?"

"You almost said the other word." Y/N joked, earning a chuckle from Sam.

Nat leaned forward, sticking her head out as she turned to Y/N. "Insight's launching in 16 hours." She warned. "We're cutting it a little bit close here."

"Well, we could use him to bypass the DNA scans and access the helicarriers directly." Y/N suggested, making Sitwell frantically look at him.

"What!?" He exclaimed. "Are you crazy? That's a terrible, terrible idea-"

A loud thud cuts him off, everyone snapping their heads as the sound of glass shattering rung. A metal arm pulling Sitwell out as he yelped, being thrown out as he got hit by a truck. Everyone startled.

Nat's eyes widened at the sight of the metal arm. Once she landed sights on the Winter Soldier climbing up, Nat instinctively scrambles to climb over the front and onto Y/N's lap, pulling his head closer to her to avoid the soldier from landing any shots. Steve lifted his shield on top.

The car screeches as Sam hits the brakes, the momentum causing the Winter Soldier to fly off the vehicle. As he reaches the cement road, he slides, using his metal arm to stop his glide.

A larger car coming it's way from behind, Y/N recognized it. Before he could warn Sam, they were hit from behind, being pushed towards the Winter Soldier.

The Soldier flips, landing on top of the car, making the glass shatter even more. Sam pushes down the accelerator to avoid any more hits.

The front window crashes as it revealed a metal arm dropping, grabbing the wheel and getting rid of it altogether as it was thrown away.

"Holy shit!" Y/N and Sam exclaimed in unison.

Nat pulls out her gun, firing above in an attempt to hit the Metal armed man. He jumps from their car to the other, situating in there temporarily.

They were rammed again by the jeep, The car beat up pretty badly. This causes it to lose control, hitting the side which Y/N read.

It was about to flip.

"Hang on." Y/N slid to the slide, holding onto Nat who was still situated on his lap. "Steve you go! I'll take care of them!" As the words rolled out of his mouth, Y/N grabbed Sam and Nat, pushing themselves out of the door as Y/N landed on his side, protected from the car door. Steve doing the same, using his shield.

He grunted in pain as he watched the car flip continuously, the door scraping as it was sliding onto the road. Tensions, yet again rising. Sam lost grip, rolling down the road while Nat and Y/N were still sliding, before it slew down.

They immediately got up, The trio now standing next to each other. When Steve saw a missile of sorts firing, he pushed Y/N and Nat away, a loud thud heard as they fell.

Steve brings up his shield, protecting himself from the blast. The strong impact made him fly out of the highway's premises.

Destructed cars, scattered around, Civilians in full frantic and panic. Making a run for it.

Group of men shoot rapidly, in hopes of a bullet hitting their enemy while they walk forward in simultaneous movement. Y/N and Nat make their way behind another car, taking cover.

"Give me one!" Y/N exclaimed as Nat obliged, handing him a pistol that went on to be a full blown shoot out.

They didn't stop, the men continued fire as The Winter Soldier just stood in front.

When they were both seen, He aimed another launcher at the pair, Y/N instinctively pushing themselves down to the other side.

Both scrambling to get another cover as new sets of cars drive forward. They ran, Y/N making sure to trail. When they took cover beside another car, it was hit, causing them to be launched away.

In mid air, Y/N grabbed onto Nat, shooting a grappling hook as he swung.

The swinging making them land slowly and safely, they didn't waste time, fleeing away to take more cover. The Winter Soldier saw this, he grabbed a gun, aiming it below the road under as he waited for them to be in his vision.

When Y/N saw the Soldier's shadow on the ground, he halted. Aiming above at the Soldier's head as he fired. It hit the goggle, it's tinted glass shattering.

This angered him.

He locked in.

Eyes filled with rage.

Y/N and Nat took cover beside a truck, both seeing The Winter Soldier rapidly firing. It was too much of a hassle.

"Run, Run." Y/N commanded, both doing so as they fled.

The Winter Soldier took a breath, his eyes not leaving his target. "I have them both. Find him." He demanded in Russian, his men immediately obliging, all of them complying.

As the words rolled out of his mouth, he dropped down below, landing on top of a car as it broke down.

A police car came in it's way, immediately exploding as the Winter Soldier landed eyes on it. The street was silent, too silent.

You could feel the adrenaline once in the situation. A rapid heartbeat could occur.

Tension, yet again.

The voices of the civilians were muffled to him, a bit silenced. He didn't care about them, he was locked in on his target. When he stealthily walked, his senses dialled in.

Nat's voice could be heard, The Soldier listened. Silently, he rolled the bomb, just on the right spot. A large explosion occurred, thinking he was successful.

But then, Nat jumped out of nowhere, landing on the man's shoulders, a move in her signature arsenal. She pulled out a string, sliding it across before attempting to pull the Soldier back. Grunting as they both landed their backs on the car, she used this momentum to try and gain strength.

To no use, The Soldier simply threw her away, making her land on the far distance.

He was distracted.

A kick sent him flying forward, landing on his knee and turned as his eyes landed on his next target. Y/N stood there, glaring at him.

He went into a fighting stance, smirking as he waved towards him.

The Winter Soldier ran up to Y/N, throwing his left arm back in an attempt to swing a punch. Y/N blocked it with his right forearm, The Soldier simply stared at Y/N, fascinated by the strength of his defense. He was in too much of a trance as in a millisecond, Y/N kicked his stomach, making him stumble back.

When he looked back up, Y/N was no longer in sights.

'The man can disappear in a blink of an eye.'

The soldier's metal hands curling into a fist, his jaw clenching as he gritted his teeth hard.

"Stay out of the way!" Nat yelled, waving the civilians to move.

What she didn't notice was the Winter Soldier, aiming at her in the distance.

Y/N's senses dialing in, jumping out of nowhere as he tackled Nat.

"Ah! Shit!" He winced as he felt a sudden shot of pain on his shoulder when they landed, Nat's face scrunched up in confusion.

He held onto his shoulder, shutting his eyes close in pain.

"What was that for...." She trailed off when taking notice of blood dripping down his arm.

He took the bullet.

He coughed, the dark veins were starting to grow visible again.

That was not the only thing growing, Nat's worries were too.

She held her hand tightly on the shoulder, "You stupid Idiot... Keep pressure on it or you're gonna lose too much blood." She muttered, panting out as she glanced around the area.

A loud thud snapped them out, startling the two. The Winter soldier landing on top of a car, aiming at the pair.

Steve's senses dialed in.

So did the Winter Soldier's

He saw Steve in the corner of his eye.

His main target.

Both now engaging in a one on one battle as Nat continued to scramble. "Where is it? Where's the syringe?"

"H-Here.. Oh shit..."

"What?"

Y/N pulled out the metal, the epipen-like syringe was now broken in half. "Shit.." Nat muttered, did she already say she was worried? Because it was just getting worse.

Y/N was now back to coughing

A loud bang of ringing sung when The Winter Soldier hit the Shield.

Metal Clashes Metal.

Steve flipped The Winter Soldier over after gaining rhythm in the fight, as he did so, The Winter Soldier's mask fell down when he landed.

Steve watched cautiously as we saw his eyes suddenly look in shock.

"Bucky?"

The Winter Soldier scrunched his face in confusion. "Who the hell is Bucky?" He questioned. As the words rolled out of his mouth, Nat shot the launcher, another explosion occurring.

When the fog faded, he was gone.

'He covers his tracks just as good as you, Y/N. If not, maybe even better.'

The distant sirens alarmed and echoed through as Nat helped Y/N up, covering his mouth with his right arm as he coughed violently.

Groups of black SUVs surrounding the quartet.

S.H.I.E.L.D Soldiers aiming at them.

"Drop the shield, Cap! Get on your knees! Get on your knees!"

Cap slowly placed his shield down, Raising his hand up.

"Get on your knees! Down!"

"Don't move."

A gun aimed at Steve's head, the sound of a chopper soaring above is what snaps Rumlow out. "Put the gun down." He commanded. "Not here. Not here!"

Groups of them push Y/N and Nat, aiming their guns behind them. Y/N was lightheaded, only Nat patting him discreetly is what's comforting him.

He couldn't do anything.

Tension yet again, rising.

--

THEY SAT AT THE BACK OF A TRUCK as they were a bit in awe of how the situation had progressed. The events of prior still fresh in their minds.

"It was him." Steve spoke softly, still in shock. "He looked right at me like he didn't even know me."

"How is that even possible? It was like, 70 years ago." Sam questioned.

"Zola." Steve answered. "Bucky's whole unit was captured in '43. Zola experimented on him. Whatever he did helped Bucky survive the fall. They must have found him and..."

"None of that... Is yourr....fawltt.." Y/N started to slur his word, his eyes slightly closing. He was getting lightheaded. Not only was he losing blood from his shoulder, he didn't have his temporary cure with him.

Nat noticed, slowly rubbing her palm against his knee in comfort.

Sam landed eyes on the big stain of blood dripping down his shoulder. "We need to get a doctor here." He pointed out. "If we don't put pressure on that wound, he's gonna bleed out here in the truck."

The soldier brings out the electric baton, aiming it at him in a taunting manner, startling Sam.

What he didn't expect was for the soldier to stun his other before getting kicked on the head, instantly getting knocked out. Everyone was a bit frozen from the sudden scene.

"Ah! That thing was squeezing my brain." Hill panted out, slowly pulling off the helmet as she scrambled to get another dose to treat the L/N.

Y/N scoffed. "Why.. Didn't you do it earlier... I'm literally.. Dying..." He coughed out.

NAT HELPED Y/N DOWN as he stepped out of the vehicle. Other than Hill, they were all clueless as to why they were brought here. It was almost in the middle of nowhere, a large structure in front of them before they entered.

"GSW. He's lost at least a pint." Hill announced as a man ran down at them in a hurry. "Maybe Two."

"Let me take him."

"He'll want to see him first." Y/N raised an eyebrow at Hill's remarks.

Relief flowing as he looks over to rest, knowing they were also as clueless and confused. When Hill slings aside the plastic-like drapes, their eyes widening, stunned.

Fury laying on a bed.

Nat and Steve immediately looked over Y/N, expecting him to know, but he didn't. Surprised he actually had a shocked look.

"The fuck..." He muttered.

"About damn time..."

Y/N was being treated as he sat down, listening intently.

"....Lacerated spinal column, cracked sternum, shattered collarbone, perforated liver, and one hell of a headache." Fury spoke in a neutral tone.

"Don't forget the collapsed lung."

"Can't forget about that. Otherwise, I'm good."

"They cut you open." Nat pointed out, a bit confused as she sat next to Y/N. "Your heart stopped."

"Tetrodotoxin B." Nick answers. "Slows the pulse to one beat a minute. Banner developed it for stress. Didn't work so great for him, but we found a use for it."

Y/N shook his head, slightly looking up. "Why didn't you just tell us?" He asked, interested.

"Any attempt on the Director's life had to look successful." He answered, crossing her arms.

"Can't kill you if you're already dead." Fury continued, laying his head back. "Besides, I wasn't sure who to trust."

Y/N winced. "That hurt, i spent majority of my childhood with you.... that actually hurt."

Fury chuckled. "I really wanted to tell you, i really did...."

--

PIERCE ENTERED THE ROOM, angered from the unsuccessful attempt. "Mission report." He demanded. No response, which led him to grow impatient. "Mission report, now."

No response.

Pierce crouched down to his level, glaring at him, before backhanding the Soldier's face.

"The man on the bridge..." He started, shakily. "Who was he?"

"You met him earlier this week on another assignment."

"I knew him." The Soldier spoke, somehow his past life was starting to familiarize with his brain.

Pierce noticed.

He grabbed a stool, looking at him before he spoke. "Your work has been a gift to mankind. You shaped the century. And I need you to do it one more time." Inside, he was a bit impatient. "Society's at a tipping point between order and chaos. Remember? Last Year, New York. We tried it with that weak combat division. Caused destruction, not chaos. Tomorrow morning, we're gonna give it a push. But if you don't do your part, I can't do mine."

Bucky shook his head. "But I knew him."

Pierce sighed, knowing there's no other way out than the only option. "Prep him." He commanded.

The others were skeptical. "He's been out of cryo freeze too long.."

"Then wipe him and start over." Pierce pushed, not even hesitating nor stuttering a single word. He knew what he wanted, and he didn't care what it took.

This was one of the times The Soldier was now giving in looks of Emotion. You could see it in his eyes. He didn't utter a word, he had no choice.

He had to comply.

--

FURY HELD UP A PICTURE OF PIERCE, shaking his head. "This man declined the Nobel Peace Prize." He clenched his jaw the more he looked at it. "He said peace wasn't an achievement, It was a responsibility."

Y/N scoffed.

"See, it's stuff like this that gives me trust issues." Fury continued.

"We have to stop the launch." Romanoff pointed out.

"I don't think the council's accepting my calls anymore." Fury then lifted a case, revealing three boards.

"What's that?" Sam asked.

"Once the helicarriers reach 3,000 feet, they'll triangulate with Insight satellites, becoming fully weaponized."

"We need to breach those carriers and replace their targeting blades with our own." Fury continued. "One or two won't cut it."

"We need to link all three carriers for this to work." Hill explained. "If even one of those ships remains operational, a whole lot of people are gonna die."

"We have to assume everyone aboard those carriers is HYDRA." Fury suggested. "We have to get past them, insert these server blades. And maybe, just maybe, we can salvage what's left-"

"We're not salvaging anything!" Steve interrupted. "We're not just taking down the carriers, Nick. We're taking down S.H.I.E.L.D."

"They have nothing to do with this!"

"You gave me this mission. This is how it ends." Steve spoke, but he had a point. "S.H.I.E.L.D's been compromised and you said so yourself. HYDRA grew right under your nose and nobody noticed."

"Why do you think we're meeting in this cave? I noticed." Fury defended.

"How many paid the price before you did?" Steve asked.

Fury took a glance at everything, piecing things as he did. "Look, I didn't know about Barnes."

"Even if you had, would you have told me?" Y/N rose his brows from Steve's remark in a bit of surprise, he was actually not wrong. "Or would you have compartmentalised that, too? SHIELD, HYDRA, EIGHT, it all goes."

Y/N looked down at the mention of his origin. "He's right." He spoke out, everyone snapping their heads at him.

Fury furrowed his brows, glancing at each person. All having the same response.

"Don't look at me." Sam warned, a bit frightened from the glare he was receiving. "I do what he does, just slower."

Fury sighed. "Well... It looks like you're giving the orders now, Captain."

Steve shook his head.

"No." He spoke, surprising everyone else. He took a quick glance at Y/N who was as confused as the rest. "I trust you, You're running point."

L/N's eyes widened. "Huh?" He let out, pointing at himself. "Me?"

"We saw what you did in New York.... Different situation, doesn't mean we need a different leader." Steve then walked up to Y/N, reaching his hand out. "What do you say?"

Y/N looked around the room, all smiles, even Fury. All nodding at him.

And that was enough for him.

He looked at Cap, shaking his hand sternly.

"I won't let you down."

Steve nodded at him, proudly.

All eyes on Y/N.

His eyes landed on Nat, both giving each other a warm smile.

Fury pointed at Y/N, looking at Hill. "Give him his suit."

Y/N SLID HIS GUN DOWN HIS HOLSTER, a smirk appearing on his lips. Hill, Cap and Sam all stood next to each other, Y/N on the center.

A sigh escaped his lips as he admired Washington for possibly one last time.

He would be lying if he said he was a bit pressured.

Steve sensed this, patting him on the shoulder. "Don't worry, we got your back." he reassured. "As long as we do this together, we'll be fine."

Y/N nodded, flashing a small smile.

He slid down his mask as Steve, Hill and Sam smiled proudly, watching Y/N. The Shadow turned around, nodding at them.

"Let's do this..."

--

A/N: HERROW AGAIN!

-Thanks again for making the suit!SEKRETONGMALUPYET

-Arc is almost coming to a close. Thoughts on chapter?

-Any suggestions? Things I could work on?

-If not, don't forget to vote, possibly share this book around. I'll See ya in a bit!

-Forti