On Command ~ Sequel to Lost Heros

Call it a Reunion

Steve waved his hands in front of me, "No, no, no. That's not what this was supposed to be at all." I raised an eyebrow at him. "Claire, I'm you're brother." I gave him a skeptical look. "Hey I know this sounds crazy but hear me out."

     He told the story from the beginning. From how we met,  how as children we were inseparable with our friend Bucky, how the whole adoption thing went down and how I was taken away. All I could do was listen. How can I add something if it feels like he's talking about someone else? I don't remember any of this.
Steve told me about Bucky and how we were completely and utterly in love. I laughed every now and then. That man sounded like a real character. But do you remember? No.
He also told me more about how I joined the army and expressed on how I was one of the best ones there. He kept stressing how all this information came from Bucky. Every time Steve talked about him he'd get this look on his face like his mind was a million miles away.
Finally, he told me how I went missing. A mission went wrong that I never came back from and was presumed dead. Death would've been better than Hydra. Steve told me how Bucky grieved and how surprised Steve was that I had joined the army but had died before he got the chance to see me again.

     He looked at me for any recollection but I just shook my head. "Hydra really messed with my head, Steve. I'm not so sure you're even talking to the same girl you spent the past hour telling me about." Steve took my hand and held it tightly, "You're still in there. I know it." I just shook my head and stared at the table.
"C'mon," he said getting up from the table and throwing a 20 dollar bill to pay for the little food we ate. "Where you going?" I asked also getting up with my duffle bag. "I want to show you something." "What is it?" He chuckled and led me outside, "It's a surprise now get on!" I rolled my eyes and hopped on the back of his motorcycle holding onto him tightly. We sped off and in a matter of minutes we were in front of the Smithsonian Museum.
I followed him inside through the small crowds of busy people until we stopped in front of the entrance of the exhibit that I knew he was going to show me.

     "Wow, Steve," I said sarcastically. "You brought me here to show me an exhibit. . . About yourself?" He laughed, "It's not all me. Let's go, I'll give you a special tour." I rolled my eyes at him and smiled.

     As we went inside he explained to me his previous health issues and life before the serum. It even showed a picture comparison of before and after. The before one was even shorter than I was, and that's saying something. I was led to movie rooms and rooms that were all about him. Steve of course kept most about himself brief and talked about his life when I was in it.
"Here's what I wanted to show you," he told me and led me to where there was a picture, well several pictures, of several important people. I walked behind Steve until we stood in front of a picture of a woman. I almost didn't recognize her as myself.

Claire Allison Doyle
1921-194?

Claire Doyle was coincidentally the adopted sister of Captain America. After being separated at an early age, Doyle joined the U.S army and became on of the first women to ever have a leading role in any war. She worked alongside with Margaret Carter when training the new recruits and also worked on strategic military planning. At the camp is where she also reunited with her childhood sweetheart, James Barnes. Her death is unknown to historians. Claire Doyle is was presumed dead after not being found as a prisoner at a Hydra base.

I read and reread the small paragraph until I felt Steve's hand on my shoulder.
"It doesn't do you justice," he commented,"But it's a start." I looked up at him and smiled while wiping away the few tears that I felt trickle down my face. "It's basically everything you already told me," I commented. "But I'm extremely grateful you showed me this. Thank you, Steve." He came in for a hug and I accepted it hugging his strong frame. "Hey," he said, "wanna see Bucky's section?" I pulled away and laughed, "He's got one too?" "Yeah," he said leading me down a couple more paragraphs and pictures of people, "All of the Howling Commandos have one." Judging by the blank and confused expression I gave him he just shook his head and told me that he'd explain later.
"Might as well put a face on my 'childhood sweetheart'," I smirked. Steve laughed.

I read his paragraph before I looked at the picture but when I looked up my eyes widened and I realized that he was not the only Howling Commando to give up his life in the war. No. This can't be him. Anyone but him.
"Claire you okay?" Steve asked me. I hardened my gaze again and kept my eyes to the floor. I felt like ice was running through my veins. "I take it you already know that he isn't dead," I said. Steve turned his whole body to me. "You know him?" He asked me with a worried tone in his voice. "I don't remember a thing about James," I said. "The Winter Soldier on the other hand I'm more acquainted with." I spoke to him with a low voice. "We were sometimes paired as partners when we worked for Hydra. One day he went a bit rouge and helped me escape. He saved my life, Steve."

"I'm sorry I showed you this," he apologized, "I had no idea you knew him." I shook my head, "I only have very little memories of him too. It's okay." 
"How long ago did he help you escape?" He asked. "Around seven years ago," I looked to Steve than back at the picture of James. They both looked so different yet exactly alike. "I tried to get him out of there. Didn't exactly end well for either one of us. I'm sorry, Steve. I should've known to try again."
"Hey," he said softly, "You did what you could. I know it must've not been easy for you. But the important thing is that you're both out now." I nodded sadly.

     "That brings me to my next point, Claire," Steve started. "Look, Fury already told me how you don't want to get into this kind of life and how you want to start new. But I don't want you to go away all over again. We're the only family we've got here and I'd like to help you get your memories back. I know that time has changed you and I'm not forcing you to be the you that you used to be. But I'm willing to try and give you back some of your old puzzle pieces."

As soon as he finished his words I hugged him closely and tried to hold back the tears that were threatening to spill. "I'd like that, Steve."