Rise Above

15

The two Avengers looked, but didn't find Karli. They found an unconscious Zemo and Žofia trying to wake up, along with Lemar and John instead.

Sam spread his arms a moment before dropping them and asked, "What did we miss?"

John glanced at Lemar who looked up at the Avengers.

They woke Zemo, which annoyed Žofia that she hadn't been able to wake her father, and made their way back to the house.

---

Žofia looked over her father and said, "You have a concussion, but otherwise you should be fine." She handed him a cold cloth. "This should help."

"Darling-" Zemo began.

"Take the cloth," Sam said as he sat at a computer and typed a message to Sharon.

"Very well." Zemo did as instructed, then asked Sam, "Were you ever offered it?"

"What?" Sam questioned.

"The serum."

"No."

"If you had been, hypothetically, that is, would you have taken it?"

"No."

"No hesitation. That's impressive." He removed the cloth from his head. "Sam, you can't hold out hope for Karli. No matter what you saw in her, she's gone. And we cannot allow that she and her acolytes become yet another faction of gods amongst real people. Super Soldiers cannot be allowed to exist."

"Isn't that how gods talk? And if that's how you feel, what about Bucky?" Zemo didn't answer. "Blood isn't always the solution."

The door opened and closed.

Bucky walked across the room and took off his jacket.

Žofia, upon seeing his expression, asked, "What is it?"

"Something's not right about Walker."

"You don't say?" Sam replied.

"Well, I know a crazy when I see one," Bucky replied, making his way to the cabinet. "Because I am crazy."

He poured himself a drink.

"Can't argue with that," Sam said.

"Shouldn't have given him the shield."

"I didn't give him the shield."

"Well, Steve definitely didn't."

Before anyone could answer, the doors flew open and John and Lemar strutted in before John said, "All right. That's it. Let's go. I'm now ordering you to turn him and his daughter over." Zemo stood.

Sam walked up to John. "Hey, slow your roll. And let's be clear, shield or no shield, the only thing you're runnin' in here is your mouth. Now, I had Karli and you overstepped." He pointed to Zemo and Žofia. "They've actually proven themselves useful today." He walked closer to John. "We're gonna need all hands on deck for whatever's comin' next."

"How do you want the rest of this conversation to go Sam, huh?" Sam didn't answer. "Yeah." He chuckled softly. "Should I put down the shield? Make it fair?"

John set the shield down and Žofia rolled her eyes, knowing they could beat him.

A spear came between them, embedding itself into the wall. Žofia glanced back to see that one of the Dora Milaje had thrown it.

Two more Dora Milaje walked in. Ayo said in Xhosa, "Even if he is a means to your end... Time's up." She switched to English. "Release him to us now."

John turned and smiled. "Hi. John Walker. Captain America."