Serenade in Blue

11

Fury looked at a photo of Pierce. "This man declined the Nobel Peace Prize. He said, "Peace wasn't an achievement, it was a responsibility." See, it's stuff like this that gives me trust issues."

"We have to stop the launch," Natasha said.

"I don't think the Council's accepting my calls anymore." Fury opened a case containing three chips.

"What's that?" Sam asked.

"Once the Helicarriers reach three thousand feet, they'll triangulate with Insight satellites becoming fully weaponized," Hill answered.

"We need to breach those carriers and replace their targeting blades with our own," Fury said.

"One or two won't cut it. We need to link all three carriers for this to work, because if even one of those ships remains operational a whole lot of people are gonna die."

"We have to assume everyone aboard those carriers is HYDRA. We need to get pass them, insert the server blades, and maybe, just maybe, we can salvage what's left..."

"We're not salvaging anything," Steve argued. "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 it."

"You gave me this mission, this is how it ends. S.H.I.E.L.D.'s been compromised, you said so yourself. HYDRA grew right under your nose and nobody noticed."

"Why do you think we're meeting in this cave? I noticed."

"And how many paid the price before you did?" Bucky shot back.

"Look, I didn't know about Barnes."

"Even if you have, would you have told me, Bea or Steve? Or would you have compartmentalized that too?"

Steve glanced at him, then turned back to Fury. "S.H.I.E.L.D., HYDRA, it all goes."

"He's right," Hill agreed. Fury looked at Natasha, then Sam.

"Don't look at me," Sam protested. "I do what they do, just slower."

"Well... Looks like you're giving the orders now, Captain, Sergeant Barnes."

---

Steve, Bucky and Bea stood on a bridge and had a flashback to the time they spent with Phillip after Steve's mother's funeral.

"We looked for you after," Bucky said. "Phillip's and my folks wanted to give you a ride to the cemetery."

They walked toward Steve's apartment.

"I know, I'm sorry," Steve apologized. "I just... kind of wanted to be alone."

"How was it?" Phillip asked.

"It was okay. She's next to Dad."

"I was gonna ask..." Bucky began.

"I know what you're gonna say, Buck, I just..." Steve was cut off.

"We can put the couch cushions on the floor like when we were kids. It'll be fun. All you gotta do is shine Phillip's and my shoes, maybe take out the trash." As they got to the apartment door, Steve tried to find his keys, Bucky kicked a brick aside, picked up the apartment keys from under it and gave them to Steve. "Come on."

"Thank you, Buck, but I can get by on our own."

"The thing is, you don't have to." Bucky gave Steve a friendly pat on the shoulder. "Phillip and I are with you until the end of the line, pal."

Phillip smiled at Bea. "Anytime, anywhere you need me, I'll be there."

Steve, Bucky and Bea's thoughts of Phillip were interrupted as Sam joined them on the bridge.

"He's gonna be there, you know?" Sam said.

"I know," Steve, Bucky and Phillip replied.

"Look, whoever he used to be, the guy he is now, I don't think he's the kind you save. He's the kind you stop."

"I don't know if I can do that," Steve admitted.

Bea shook her head. "I can't."

Bucky nodded. "Me neither."

"Well, he might not give you three a choice," Sam warned. "He doesn't know either of you."

"He will," Steve, Bucky and Bea replied in a determined tone.

Steve added, "Gear up, it's time." He turned and started to walk off.

"You gonna wear that?"

"No. If you're gonna fight a war, you gotta wear a uniform."

Bea followed her friends and a small, genuine smile crossed her face for the first time since she'd first heard of Phillip's incorrect fate.

---

As a guard walked in the Smithsonian Museum, when he looked over to the Captain America, Maverick and Sergeant Barnes exhibit, he noticed the Captain America, Maverick and Sergeant Barnes WWII uniforms that were on the dummies had been stolen.

"Oh, man. I am so fired!" the Smithsonian Guard said.