EVELYN EASILY ducked behind some crates as people began to shoot at her. She sighed, grabbing her large gun from off her back and aiming their way. She could see Steve and Sam making their way to the Helicarriers, so she took off running as well. She knew she had to get on one of the Helicarriers before it was off the ground.
"They're initiating launch!" Maria called in their communication devices.
Evelyn managed to jump onto one Helicarrier before it could take off the ground. Turning, she began shooting at anyone shooting at her.
"Hey, how do we know the good guys from the bad guys?" Sam asked them.
Evelyn smirked. "If they're shooting at you, they're bad," she replied, holding onto the metal wall as the entire Helicarrier began to shake from lifting into the air.
"Hey, Cap, I found those bad guys she was talking about," Sam called. Evelyn stuck her head out to see Sam flying in his suit with fliers on his tail. Evelyn aimed at the jets, shutting one eye to make sure she aimed correctly. She grinned as one exploded into another.
"You okay?" Steve asked.
"I'm not dead yet. Hey, Stark! Do that again!" Sam called with a laugh. Evelyn managed to shoot one more jet down.
"How's that?" she called cheekily.
"Much better."
Evelyn climbed up the Helicarrier's interior, jumping over a railing to get to the control center. "Venus, status?"
"Aha, the name is in play. Not going to lie," Evelyn began as she saw a few jets fly her way. "I think I'm about to be locked in, but hold that thought."
Evelyn twisted midair, dodging bullets from a jet that spotted her. Evelyn shot back, breaking the glass windshield of it. Hiding behind a metal wall, she looked over while Maria was asking Sam for his status. She leaned out, poking her tongue out just barely to shoot the man flying the plane. She cheered silently as the man was killed.
Just as he disappeared, another two jets took its place. Evelyn groaned.
"Eight minutes, Cap."
"Working on it," Steve responded, a bit out of breath. After a few moments, Steve breathed, "Alpha locked."
"Falcon, where are you now?"
"I had to take a detour!" After a moment, Sam called, "I'm in. Bravo locked."
"Two down, one to go. Venus!?" Maria called.
"Need a wee bit of air support, Sam!" Evelyn shouted back before yelping as a bullet grazed her thigh. "Mother fu—"
"We're coming!" Steve called.
"Six minutes," Maria said to the group.
Evelyn managed to get by the console where she was supposed to plant the chip as she saw Sam and Steve end up on the main aisle of the Helicarrier. Sam had taken out the enemies in the air. "You know, you're a lot heavier than you look," Sam quipped.
Steve shrugged. "I had a big breakfast."
Suddenly, Bucky appeared and knocked Steve off the edge. Evelyn lost focus, turning to yell, "Steve!"
Sam began to fly off to help, but Bucky grabbed one of the Falcon's wings. Sam was shooting at Bucky, but Bucky simply broke off one of Sam's wings as if it was nothing. Bucky then kicked Sam from the Helicarrier.
Evelyn knew she should just put the chip in and end it, but watching Steve hang like Bucky had not so long ago had her hands shaking as she jumped over the edge to land behind Bucky. "Cap? Cap, come in. Are you okay?" Sam asked.
"Yeah, I'm here! I'm still on the Helicarrier. Where are you?"
"I'm grounded, the suit's down. Sorry, Cap."
"Don't worry, I got it."
Bucky turned to face Evelyn, a blank look on his face. She saw his eye twitch once as he stared at her. He made no move to hurt her, so she walked forward. "Hey, sweetheart," she whispered, her voice soothing him without the soldier even realizing it. His brain shouted at itself. One side said to kill her while the other screamed to protect her. Evelyn smiled at him. "You gotta let us finish. You can't hurt Steve."
As if she summoned him, Steve appeared behind Evelyn. Bucky's knuckles clenched as his hands drew to fist.
"James," she whispered as his eyes did not move to hers anymore. She knew he was too focused on Steve. Neither Evelyn nor Steve knew it, but Bucky's main problem was how close Steve stood to Evelyn. He did not want anyone near her, but his brain would not tell him why.
"People are gonna die, Buck. I can't let that happen," Steve said, clutching his shield tighter. "Please, don't make me do this."
"Steve," Evelyn started, but Steve shook his head. Evelyn ducked just as Steve threw his shield at Bucky.
"Get the chip in!" Steve shouted at her as the best friends fought each other.
Evelyn took a deep breath before nodding. She climbed back up the rail, throwing herself to the targeting system. She pulled out a chip just as a gun shot landed near her head. She jumped, turning to see Bucky tackled by Steve again. With shaky hands, she found the chip in her pocket.
"One minute," Maria called desperately.
She heard another gunshot, turning again to see Steve clutching his stomach as he punched Bucky off. "Now, Eve!"
Evelyn placed the chip into the targeting system, watching the Helicarrier accept it. "Charlie locked," Evelyn called.
Evelyn turned to see Steve had moved away from an unconscious Bucky. She knew he would not stay unconscious for long. "Okay, Cap, both of you get out of there."
Steve clutched his stomach as Evelyn landed next to him. "Fire now," Steve said.
"But, Steve..."
"Do it! Do it now!" Evelyn shouted with a heavy heart. They felt the Helicarrier power up as the three large vessels began to shoot at each other. "We gotta get you out of here."
"I need to talk to him," Steve grunted, standing. "I need you to help me. He won't hurt you."
Evelyn nodded, gripping Steve tightly as the Helicarriers were destroying each other. Rubble fell around them, and she gasped when a piece landed on Bucky's arm. Both supersoldiers carefully made their way through the rubble. Once they got to Bucky, Evelyn and Steve lifted the pile on Bucky as his eyes opened. He shoved it off the rest of the way as he stood. Anger was in his eyes as he stared at Steve.
"You know me," Steve said. "You know her."
Bucky ran forward, and Steve pushed Evelyn aside as he hit Steve. "No, I don't!"
"Bucky, you've known me your whole life," Steve said as Bucky continued to fight him. Steve stopped fighting back. Evelyn could not bear to watch it. "Your name is James Buchanan Barnes. You were going to marry Evelyn Stark."
"Shut up!" Bucky yelled and hit him again.
"Bucky!" This time, Evelyn tried to grab his metal arm—this caused Bucky to accidentally hit Evelyn. The sheer force sent Evelyn flying. Steve saw remorse fly through his eyes as he watched Evelyn's eyes fall shut. Steve tore off his mask and let his shield fall out of the Helicarrier.
"I'm not gonna fight you. You're my friend," Steve said as Bucky shoved him to the ground.
"You're my mission," he whispered in a grave voice before he began to mercilessly punch Steve across the face. "You're... my... mission!"
"Then finish it," Steve said, his face swollen and bruised. Bucky hesitated, holding his fist up as he stared at the familiar face. "'Cause I'm w-with you to the end of the line."
Bucky had a surge of memories break through just as the bottom of Helicarrier busted. Steve fell through, straight to the water below. Turning with wide, frantic eyes, Bucky searched for Evelyn to see her slip through as well. He wasted no time, jumping from the Helicarrier after them.
Bucky landed in the water with a loud splash, his movements erratic as he searched for them. He found Evelyn's body sinking first. Grabbing her under her shoulders, he helped get her on the shore. He turned and dove back in, finding Steve and his shield.
Evelyn coughed, her head pounding where Bucky's strike had hit. Her eyes were fuzzy as she stared at Bucky dragging Steve onto the shore. Her body was soaking wet as she pushed back the hair out of her eyes.
She pulled the communication device from her ear as she tried to stand. Immediately, a hand kept her steady.
When her head rose to meet his eyes, she saw how scared and worried he was. He touched her face with his flesh hand, gently caressing her cheek. He turned abruptly, beginning to walk away.
"No!" she shouted, hurrying after his footsteps. He paused, frozen in fear. "I came back to you, James. Now, I need you to come back to me. D-Don't disappear again, please."
"I need to go."
"Then, let me come with you."
"I-I can't let you get hurt."
"You don't get to make that choice for me. I'm coming."
Bucky turned, eyeing her warily. He saw nothing but love in her eyes. He could not believe she could love him after everything he had done. He could hardly remember anything as it was. What if he never remembered everything? What if he disappointed her?
Evelyn walked forward, reaching for his metal hand. He cringed as she grabbed it, wishing she would stay far from it. She only smiled. "Come on."