Lead the Way // TFATWS

05

[The Star-Spangled Man]

Bucky and Nessa sat in their apartment as they watched the reveal of the new Captain America. Bucky had his hands to his knees while Nessa had her hand on his shoulder to try to comfort him as they stared intently at the TV.

"Did you know Steve Rogers?" the announcer asked.

"I was two years out of West Point when Steve came back on the scene," Walker replied. "I followed his career very closely as an Avenger. I like to think that I modeled my work after his."

"So, you've always wanted to be a hero?"

"I liked that what I was doing would make people feel safe. Steve Rogers was the kind of guy who could do that, he gave me hope." Bucky tilted his head with a slightly seething expressions. "So, even though I never met him, he feels like a brother." Bucky pursed his lips and a small frown crossed Nessa's face.

"Wow."

Nessa glanced at Bucky. "You look like you're wanting to check this out."

Bucky nodded. "Yeah. I do. Coming, Ness?"

"Of course. But promise me I'll be safe."

"I can't promise that, but I'll do my best to keep you and our child safe."

She nodded and placed her hand to his cheek.

---

Sam looked at a poster of the new Captain America which read 'CAP IS BACK - JOHN WALKER'.

"Seems like a good guy," Torres commented. "You met him?"

"No," Sam said. "Thanks for doing this on such short notice."

As the two walked away, Torres replied, "Yeah. No sweat. I'm just, uh, finishing up the checklist. You'll be all good to go once you land in Munich." They walked down the metal stairs.

Bucky and Nessa stalked up to Sam and the former said, "Shouldn't have given up the shield."

"Good to see you too, Buck, Nessa. Nice to see you're still together."

"This is wrong."

"Hey, hey, look, I'm working, all right? So all this outrage is gonna have to wait." The three walked towards a plane.

"You didn't know that was gonna happen?" Bucky asked.

"No, of course I didn't know that was gonna happen. You two think it didn't break my heart to see them march him out there and call him the new Captain America?"

"This isn't what Steve wanted," Nessa told him.

"Oh, my God. So, what do you two want me to do? Call America and tell 'em I changed my mind? Huh?" He chuckled. "Yeah, right. It's a great reunion, buddy, Nessa, be well."

"You had no right to give up the shield, Sam," Bucky retorted as the three of them stopped.

"Hey. This is what you two are not gonna do. You two aren't gonna come here in your overextended lives and tell me about my rights. It's over, Bucky, Nessa. Besides, I have bigger things to deal with now."

"What could be bigger than this?" Nessa asked with a frown.

Sam pulled out his phone and showed them a picture of a masked man, the leader of the Flag Smashers. "This guy. His connections with rebel organizations all over Eastern and Central Europe, and he's strong. Too strong."

"And?" Bucky and Nessa pressed.

"Well, he's been connected to this online group called the Flag Smashers. Now, Redwing traced them to a building somewhere outside of Munich. So that's where I'm going."