Seize the Day

05

[The Star-Spangled Man]

Bucky and Helen sat in their apartment as they watched the reveal of the new Captain America. Both had their hands to their knees 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."

Helen frowned. "I don't like how he talks about Steve as though he knew him."

Bucky nodded. "Me neither, doll."

"So, you've always wanted to be a hero?" the announcer questioned.

"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 heads with a slightly seething expression and Helen frowned. "So, even though I never met him, he feels like a brother." Bucky pursed his lips and Helen's jaw clenched slightly.

"Wow."

Helen glanced at Bucky. "I think we have someone to talk to."

"Yes we do," Bucky replied. "Is this gonna be too much stress for you and baby? I know the doctor was worried about stress."

"I sincerely hope not. Not working right now is helping I think. But you'll watch out for us both, right?"

"Of course I will."

---

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

"Good to see you too, Buck, Helen. 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?" Helen 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."

"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, Helen, 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, Helen. Besides, I have bigger things to deal with now."

"What could be bigger than this?" Helen snapped.

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."