Stars Stripes and Metal

Truth Time

Stark Tower, New York City. February 2025.

Ana sits with Natalie nursing at her breast, Steve at her right, his hand resting on Ana's thigh. James on her left, his arm wrapped lazily around her shoulders. His fingers tracing lines up and down her shoulder and arm. Sam stands across from them, watching the video surveillance from out side of the T.W.C. building prior to the explosion.

Ana sighs, noting that nothing suspicious has happened the entire time Sam's camera were recording. Until 45 seconds before the first explosion. Two men, dressed in light tan matching the surrounding landscape jump clear over the 25 foot security wall, landing in a crouch. Each holding an enormous gun, the barrel glowing bright red.

Steve and James both sit up in their seats, backs completely erect. They watch as the two men run too fast for the average human until completely out of site. A small explosion happens, taking out the left side of the building followed by the explosion that nearly killed James and all the people inside. Sam pauses the video.

Steve pushes to his feet. And looks at James, the two super soldiers exchange looks.

What is happening? Ana asks.

Those guns, I've seen them before. Steve answers.

So have I, in 1943. James adds. Only the barrel was blue, not red.

What? Ana spins on him, her eyes searching his face for answers.

When I was captured the first time, before Steve rescued the 107th. Ana grabs James' thigh.

Ana's shoulders slump, somehow she forgot James had been experimented on at a HYRDA base before he fell from the train in 1945 and became the Winter Soldier.

Ana looks to Steve, baby?

The first time I saw them was in 1945, when I went after Schmidt. After Buck... he trails off and looks at Bucky. Still blaming himself for James falling from the train.

The second time I saw them was in 2012, when Loki attacked the city.

Ana's eyes automatically lift to the ceiling, not forgetting about the portal Loki the God of Mischief opened 300 feet about the top of Stark Tower. Although she wasn't there for the attack, she wasn't even in the United States at the time, she was given an extensive education on the attack thanks to Steven's ridiculous memory.

Sam sighs. So what are two super soldiers doing with weapons created by HYDRA 80 years ago.

Those aren't HYDRA. James points to the picture. HYRDA's were blue at the barrel, not red.

Everyone's eyes fall on Steve, it's S.H.I.E.L.D. He shakes his head and juts out his bottom jaw.

Ana and Sam meet eyes over the table. And she swallows hard. Steve doesn't do well with idea of corruption within Shield. Steve's first love, helped found SHIELD. He is still ferociously protective of it's legacy.

Who else knows about these weapons? Besides you two. Sam asks.

Stark. Steve answers too quickly.

Ana exhales slowly. Who else baby?

Steve rubs his hand over his face before running his fingers through his hair, messing up the perfectly layered dirty blonde work of art on top of his head.

Banner. And Barton. He was part of Project P.E.G.A.S.U.S. that's what this is.

Ana nods. F.R.I.D.A.Y. please get Bruce in here.

Yes, Mrs. Rogers.

Someone get this video to Clint. I want to know everything he knows.

Ana unlatches her sleeping daughter from her breast, and pulls her shirt down. She stands and puts Nat in the portable bassinet in the corner of the room, before she walks over to Sam. She lifts her hair from off her shoulders and ties it in a mess knot at the top her head.