A Hero Will Rise // TFATWS

15

The two Avengers, Audrey and Jace looked, but didn't find Karli. They found an unconscious Zemo, 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. Audrey frowned as her eyes flicked between them and she took Jace's hand.

They woke Zemo and made their way back to the house.

---

Jace handed Zemo a wet cloth. "Mama always gave this to help when I got hurt."

Zemo smiled at the boy. "Thank you."

Sam sat at a computer as he typed a message to Sharon.

Zemo 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 caught Jace's eye and said, "Hey, bud." He glanced up at Audrey with a small smile and she smiled back.

Bucky walked across the room. He took off his jacket and she asked, "What is it?"

"Something's not right about Walker."

Audrey scoffed. "You're only figuring this out now?"

"Do you know him?"

"We dated before he married his wife."

"I'm sorry for you."

"Thank you, but it's in the past."

"You don't say?" Sam replied, turning back to Bucky.

"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 as Audrey walked closer to Jace who had pulled out a small chapter book.

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

"Shouldn't have given him the shield," Bucky told him.

"He 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 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. "He's actually proven himself 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 Audrey sighed, motioning for Jace to hide.

A spear came between them, embedding itself into the wall. Audrey glanced back to see that one of the Dora Milaje had thrown it. Her eyes widened as she debated whether to stay back with Jace or to fight.