U P S T A T E N E W Y O R K
October 19th, 2023
"Sam, I don't think coming here was a good idea." I repeat to him as we walk down the path that will direct us to the house. I don't care if we've had to drive two hours here, I still don't know who invited us to the funeral nor why.
"C'mon, Anna..." Sam answers in a very serious tone. Bucky and I, dressed in all black, continue walking next to him even though what I really want to do now is turn around and leave.
"Stark hated us." I lower my voice to make sure no one else hears. "Bucky killed his parents and I abandoned his surrogate daughter."
This is when Sam stops to look at me. "Look, I wasn't exactly close with him either, okay?" He pauses. "But I still think we should show support to those who cared about him. I'm here for Steve." I hadn't realise how close we were to Stark's house until Sam nods his head, pointing at something behind me. Or someone, better said. "At least do it for her..."
I turn my head and I see her. Jessica is on the front porch, in a grieving outfit, greeting every guest into the house. Although we're still pretty far away, I can see how red and puffy her eyes are. It's obvious she cared for Tony and I don't want to walk out on her in a moment like this, even if she doesn't know who I am.
"Okay, you win..." I sight and Sam pats my shoulder. Once we restart our way, Steve approaches us. He's arrived here much earlier than us.
"Hey, guys..." He hugs Sam first, then Bucky and finally me. "Thank you for coming."
Sam raises an eyebrow at me, what only makes me roll my eyes. Yeah, yeah... He's got a point. I give him a look meaning to tell him that I get it.
"Should we go in?" Bucky points at the house at the end of the path. Once again, my sight falls on my long lost daughter.
"Look at her... She's so grown up." I sight as I observe her. She's talking to Pepper Potts when a little girl runs to her and tugs on her black skirt. Jessica picks her up and the toddler caresses her face, making her smile. At that moment I realize what's my role in her life.
"Are you gonna say anything to her?" Bucky places his arm around my lower back.
"No, I don't think I will." I answer without looking away from Jessica. "She's got a new life, a new family,... I would just mess that up." Another person approaches Jessica and both Bucky and I recognize who is it. He hugs her for more than a few seconds before pulling away. Bucky's eyebrows frown. "Is that the kid who shot sticky webs at us in Berlin?"
"Yeah, I think so..." I say with a light chuckle.
"Good, you're right. It's better if we wash our hands off them." He almost hisses as his hand turns into a fist. "Can't stand that guy..."
"I'm sure he's not that bad." I look at him. "Besides, you hate everybody."
"No," He drags his answer. "I don't hate you." And then he adds. "Nor Steve."I smile. "That's good to know."
"Rogers, they found a recorded message from Stark. You might want to hear it, they're waiting for you inside."
Behind us, a dark-skinned man dress in all black leather suddenly calls for Steve. The Captain sights and nods without hesitation. "Alright."
I don't need to be introduced to the stranger since I've recognized him from the moment I've noticed his eye patch.
"Ms. Zemo." He nods in my direction. He's done his research, as well as I have. I've never been called by my real family's name and after everything that's happened, I don't think I want to."I think I'll stick with Lewis." I greet the one eyed man back. "Glad to meet you, Agent Fury."
"I'm looking for new recruits." He sighs while putting his hands on his front pockets and looking away from me. "I thought maybe the three of you would be interested in working with us. You wouldn't be marked as criminals, that way."
"It's a good offer." I nod before I decline it. "But it's a solid no for me."
I don't think I'll like to keep this lifestyle. I'm done with the fights, the violence and the death. I like the fact that Fury doesn't ask for an explanation. Instead, he looks at Bucky for his answer.
"I'll think about it." He tells him and the agent nods, ready to leave. But right before he can turn around, I stop him.
"Fury. Could I ask you for a favor?"
"That's a risky move." He comments but awaits my reply.
"Will you keep an eye on her?"
I was trying to refer myself to Jessica, since I know Fury will be in contact with her but, as soon as I say that, a laugh escapes Bucky's mouth and he tries to retain it, failing miserably.
"I swear there was no pun intended..." I excuse myself.
Unlike Buck, Fury is mature enough to ignore what just happened and he answers my question.
"I will."
"We're about to start, guys." Steve comes back and we follow him into the house.
T H E D A Y A F T E R
"Remember, you have to return the stones at the exact moment you got them or you're gonna open up a bunch of nasty alternative realities." Dr Banner explains to Steve as he opens up a suitcase with the six infinity stones. We had met him in the forest nearby Stark's home for a final mission. Apparently, to save us they had invented time travel. But they wanted to make sure they hadn't disturb the past, and for that reason the stones had to be returned to their original time.
"Don't worry, Bruce." Says Steve as he closes the suitcase. "Clip all the branches."
"You know, I tried. When I had the gauntlet, the stones, I really tried to bring her back." They had lost the Widow in the process, and it had taken its toll on them. "I miss them, man."
"Me, too." Says Steve before he turns to Sam.
"You know, if you want, I can come with you." The Falcon tells him, only to earn a chuckle from the Captain.
"You're a good man, Sam." He pats his shoulder. "This one's on me, though."
He then approaches Bucky and I with a smile. I smile back at him and hug him before he leaves. "Thanks for everything, Steve." I tell him while we embrace.
"Don't let him do anything stupid 'till I get back." He nods in Bucky's direction once we're apart.
"How can I? You're taking all the stupid with you." Bucky replies and Steve hugs him too. "Gonna miss you, Buddy."
Steve nods and turns to the platform that's going to send him back. I look at him just to find him gazing at his oldest friend. "It's gonna be okay, Buck."
"I know it will." He says under his breath, not looking away.
"How long is this gonna take?"
"For him? As long as he needs. For us, five seconds." Bruce explains. "Ready, Cap?" Steve nods. "Alright. We'll meet you back here, okay?"
"You bet." Steve smirks.
"Going quantum in three.. two.. one..." Bruce does something and Steve disappears. "And returning in, five, four, three, two, one..." The machine that has sent him away sounds like it is still working, but nothing happens.
"Where is he?" I ask. I thought he was supposed to come back.
"I don't know. He blew right by his time stamp. He should be here."
"Well, get him back." Bucky says, his tone a bit anxious.
Bruce is typing on his computer and pressing buttons as fast as he can. "I'm trying."
"Get him the hell back!"
"I said, I'm trying!"
I hear them still arguing but I'm not paying attention. My focus has fallen upon a figure seated in a bench that looks incredibly familiar.
"Sam." I call for him to come and see what I'm seeing. He does but looks as confused as me.
Bucky has come also, and I think he's understood what is going on. "Go ahead." He encourages the Falcon to approach the man on the bench.
"Cap?"
Sam looks at us in confusion before making his way towards the old man. We all know who that is. There's no doubt Captain America would leave us like that. We see Wilson approaching him and start conversing with his elder fellow.
"He's alright." I'm surprised by Bucky. "I guess I don't hate him either."
That gets a smile out of me. "What are we gonna do after this?" I change the subject, wondering about our current situation. "Are we going back to Wakanda?"
"What about we stay here?"
"In New York?"
"I was thinking Brooklyn." He says, turning his gaze to meet mine. "We could get an apartment, you know, one that doesn't smell like goat shit." That makes me giggle, and he does too. Both of our previous living places smelled like goat shit. "Maybe Sam and I can work with Fury..."
"Yeah..." I nod, remembering what the agent offered me a just few hours ago. "I'm gonna start considering it, but he's gonna need to make me a really good offer to get me to work with him."
"Do what you think it's right." He tells me, being supportive. I rest my head on his shoulder, feeling grateful to have him by my side after all we've been through. "Well, what do you say? Do you want to live here, get our own place to raise our children?"
"Whoa, there..." I pull away from him to stare straight at his face. He's going way too fast. "How about we start with a cat?" I suggest. "Or at least a wedding?"
"Are you proposing?" He raises an eyebrow at me, smirking.
"Well, I know it's not the end of the world anymore..."
He shrugs his shoulders. "We could wait for the next apocalypse."
"No, I don't want to wait." I smile, wrapping my arms around his waist.
He wraps his around me. "Good. Me neither."
"So, does that mean we're...?"
"Engaged?" Bucky finishes the sentence for me. "Only if you'll have me."
"I love you."
"I love you too, doll."
We lean in for a kiss, enjoying and celebrating probably the nicest thing that has happened to both of us in years. Unfortunately for us, Sam has finished to talk to Steve and is already on his way to interrupt us.
"Hey, hey... Please don't do this here." He approaches us with the famous shield in one arm, lifting it up for us to clearly see, although it is pretty hard to miss.
"Well, sorry Captain." Bucky says to him with a huge smile on his face. It's hard to notice he's talking to Sam when his gaze is fixed on me. "It looks good on you. Congratulations."
"I know, right?" Sam continues. "I can't believe he actually gave it to me. I just feel like this is such a big responsibility and I'm afraid I won't be..." He trails off when he sees neither of us are looking at him. We keep beaming at each other in pure bliss. "You're not even listening to me, are you? What's going on with you two?"
"Sam, we're getting married." I'm the one to give him the news. His mouth drops open in disbelief, I only laugh more.
"Shut up."
"We are." I reassured him. He puts on a saddened face and hugs me, as if he was worried.
"Oh God, Anna, has someone brainwashed you again?" He exclaims jokingly, but when he lets go, he looks at us truly excited. "Congratulations you two!"