Two Ghosts

Chapter 6

So Fury's alive. He pretended to be dead so Pierce would not chase him anymore. Well, so Bucky wouldn't chase him anymore. It turns out Alexander Pierce and a bunch of other S.H.I.E.L.D agents are actually Hydra agents, and they have a plan to murder millions of people that are or could be a threat to Hydra, now or in the future. I know, it's messed up.

-We're not salvaging anything.-says Steve. Nick wants us to take down the carries and try to save what's left of S.H.I.E.L.D., but my friend disagrees. And he is right, we don't know who we can trust anymore.-We're not just taking down the carriers, Nick. We're taking down S.H.I.E.L.D.
-S.H.I.E.L.D. had nothing to do with this.-Fury defends.
-You gave me this mission, this is how it ends.-now he is acting like a captain.-S.H.I.E.L.D.'s been compromised, you said so yourself. Hydra grew right under your nose and nobody noticed.-he's raising his voice now, so I discreetly take his hand. He calms down instantly.
-Why do you think we're meeting in this cave? I noticed.-Fury strikes back, but I think it only pisses Steve off more because he lets go of my hand to answer.
-How many paid the price before you did?-Nick stays silent for a second.
-Look, I didn't know about Barnes.-hearing his name makes my heart jump inside my chest. He's alive...
-Even if you have, would you have told me?-Steve shrugs.-Or would you have compartamentalized that too?-I look at Fury, he's about to surrender.-S.H.I.E.L.D., Hydra, it all goes.-Nick looks at Maria.
-He's right.-then he turns to Nat, who doesn't speak but her face shows that she stands with Steve, and then he looks at Sam.
-Don't look at me. I do what he does, just slower.-I laugh a bit, right before he turns to me. I know him, he won't be completely convinced until I am on board.
-What do you think?-he asks, he already sounds defeated.
-I've been inside S.H.I.E.L.D. longer than any of you.-I start.
-In the shadows.-Nick adds.
-But still.-I shrug and smile. I smile to try to make this less hard and heartbreaking than it is.-This is not what S.H.I.E.L.D. stands for, Nick. You know that.-he looks down.-I mean, a weapon that could kill millions of people at once? Our name is literally 'shield' not 'gun'.-Nat smiles, but tries to hide it. Fury looks at me and also tries not to smile.-Deep down you know this is what we have to do.-he sighs. He has made up his mind, he just wanted to make sure we are all on the same page.
-Well, looks like you're giving the orders now, Captain.

Steve nods and asks for a moment alone, so he leaves us and walks outside. After a while, I end up following him. He's never been good at being alone.

-What's on your mind, Rogers?-I take slow steps on his direction, I've learned that the best way to approach Steve is by giving him space, so that's what I'm doing.
-You remember the day of my mother's funeral?-his eyes stay on the view in front of him: a lot of trees and the wind dacing through their leaves.
-Of course.-I reply softly.
-Bucky offered me your couch and said I could stay with you two for as long as I needed.-I nod, even thought he can't see me.-I told him I was okay with being alone, and he said...
-You didn't have to.-I complete for him.-I remember.-Steve goes silent.-He was...-I sigh.-such a hypocrite.-my friend turns to me and looks at me with his eyes wide open.
-Not the word I had in mind.-we both laugh.
-But he was.-I wrinkle my eyes.-Is.-I correct myself.-He told you that you didn't have to be alone through that, but he would never let us in to help him with his crap.-Steve seems to think about that, frowns and nods.
-Huh, you're right.-he smiles.
-He said those things to you cuz he didn't want you to feel what he felt.-I say, and I feel like my voice is about to break.-He felt he was bothering us when he asked for advice or to be heard, he thought he should solve his problems all alone, and he didn't want that for you.-I finally get to Steve's side.
-And now he needs us.-I nod as he surrounds my shoulders with his arm.
-And now he really can't ask for help.-we both laugh, but stop quickly.
-We've got this.-he assures me, and I nod again.
-He's gonna be there, you know.-Sam appears from behind. He seems anxious.
-We're counting on it.-I say.
-Look, whoever he used to be and the guy he is now, I don't think is the kind you save: is the kind you stop.-Sam looks pretty serious about that, which scares me a little bit.
-I don't know if I can do that.
-Well, he might not give you a choice.
-Why can't we do both, then?-I smirk.-Stop him and save him.
-He doesn't know you.-Sam insists. I roll my eyes, and Steve asnwers for the both of us.
-He will.-Sam is still not convinced, but he drops it.-Gear up, it's time.-Steve starts walking away. Sam looks at me confused and then back to Steve.
-You gonna wear that?
-No, if you're gonna fight a war, you gotta wear a uniform.-he replies.
-Such a drama Queen.-I say as I follow him with Sam behind me.