The Promise

A New Promise

3 years later, I am working alongside Howard Stark to restart the super soldier serum program. We have almost developed the exact replica of the serum, but are falling short of volunteers to test it on. Very few people who do volunteer actually meet the criteria. Stark and I both agreed that it would be best to follow in the footsteps of Dr. Erskine, even if it proves difficult. We gave a premature version of the serum to a candidate 6 months ago, who has since passed away because of it. Ever since then, our volunteer lines haven't exactly been the longest.

I myself have been doing okay. I'm with Stark a lot more now which I appreciate. I haven't really met anyone new, but I'm doing okay. I have been working on a seperate project of my own focusing on cryogenics. I'm nearing a breakthrough that will hopefully make it possible for terminally ill patients to be frozen until medicine develops, allowing them to be saved. The process is risky, but I haven't tested on anyone yet. I am optimistic that it will work, until Stark informed me of bad news later this morning.

"Our funding is being cut. For the serum, for the freezing. All of it. We lost it all. And I don't have enough to bankroll either of them. They're requesting we shut it down." I look at him with devastated eyes. "Y/N, there's nothing I can do. Without any tangible results, they won't fund it. And we can't find anyone willing to take the serum." I stop a minute.

"I will. I fit all of the criteria. I've been telling you for month's that I will."

"Y/N that's ridiculous. We don't know what it will do to you. We don't even know if it's safe."

"Steve did it. There's no reason I can't."

"Y/N, that was the original serum. This is a close replica at best, but it's not perfect." He pauses and looks at the floor. "Even if you take this, it still won't bring either of them back. Bucky will still be dead." Anger floods my body and my eyes narrow.

"Howard. Don't you dare try to say that because I want to help our project, it means I'm still grieving about the person I loved most in this world!" I yell at him.

"But you are still grieving." He says quietly. "And you might never stop."

"It's just that they joined the war to fight for their country. And to be of service. And they both risked their lives on a daily. And I joined because I was lonely and didn't care about my outcome. I just did it because I didn't want to live in this world alone. But I got out unscathed. And unharmed. The person who just actually wanted to help was pushed off a damn train. But my selfish ass is fine." I yell at him, my voice beginning to break.

"You feel guilty. I get that, but.."

"Hell yeah I feel guilty. Guilty because Steve is dead and I'm not. Guilty because Bucky died and I didn't. Of course I feel guilty. So just let me help, please. The serum will stop so many wars before they happen." He stands silently. "Whatever." I roll my eyes, grab my coat and begin to storm off.

"Fine." He finally says, right before I reach the door. "Meet me in the lab at 5." He nods and turns around. I exit the room.

When five rolls around Stark finally arrives. I've already been there, working on my project. A small audience arrives with him.

"Are you sure you want to do this?"

"Yes. I'll be fine." I assure him. I'm not nervous at all. I climb into the pod and he starts his announcement. He explains exactly what he is doing and why. His speech reminds me of Dr. Erskine and it makes me smile. The serum is injected into my arms, and makes them burn instantly. The pod begins to close and rotate. The blinding vita rays begin to shine upon me. My entire body burns, and then goes numb. Is this normal?

"Her vitals are falling! She's losing consciousness. Get her out of there." I vaguely hear someone scream.

"It's at 100%. Get her out." A man who I believe to be Howard says. The pod releases and I fall to the floor unable to stand. My heart begins to flutter, and my eyes roll back. It's hard to get a full breath in.

"Everyone out!" Howard yells at the gallery, trying to hold me up.

"Her vitals are low. I'm not sure what to do. I don't think there is anything we can do." I look up at him as all the people file out. I try taking a deep breath but it won't work. My body is numb and won't move.

"Cryo. The pod." Is the only thing I can muster out. I glance over to my cryogenics pod. It's still in the beginning stages, but it's the best thing I've got. He nods his head, and drags me over there. He leans me inside of it.

"Are you sure about this?" I barely make out a nod. He runs over to my bag and grabs a picture of it. It's a torn picture of Bucky from forever ago. He places it in my hands and closes the door. He hesitates for a moment, but soon I feel my body go cold. I close my eyes and think of Bucky.