Scars Run Deep

Chapter II

July 4th, Present Day

Bucky, Steve, Sam, and Natasha were scouring an abandoned HYDRA facility in the German countryside. Bucky and Steve were doing their whole "I'm-going-to-argue-with-you-and-call-you-names-and-I-totally-mean-it-but-I-really-don't" conversation while Nat and Sam stood by, laughing at the super soldiers. The friendly chatter died down when the group saw a freezing tank, like the one the Soldier was kept in. Steve immediately stopped talking and rushed over to the tank.

"The frost is too thick over the window for me to see who it is" Steve reported.

Sam picked up the file laying next to the chamber. "Lady and Gentlemen, you are looking at the Midnight Soldier, who has 11 assassinations and many other kills under her belt." He announced like a tour guide. "Not bad lookin' either. That's pretty much all I can read, the rest is in German or something."

Steve was still examining the chamber "Can you see what was she originally known as?" He questioned.

"Here it says she was originally known as..." Sam's voice dropped off.

"What is it?" Nat peeked over his shoulder and paled.

"Cap? You might want to see this, cause she got the same last name as you" Sam said hesitantly and Steve took the thick file.

"Eleanor Grace Rogers?" Steve's voice rang with disbelief.

Bucky, who was quiet since the discovery, spoke up. "I feel I should know that name."

"She's my sister" Steve nodded. The comment sent Sam and Nat into a stunned silence. Steve took a picture from out of the file and gazed at it sadly "My baby sister"

"So, hypothetically, if she were to come out of the freezing thing fine, would I have a chance with her?" Sam questioned and Nat rolled her eyes.

"You learn that Steve has a sister in HYDRA, who has been brainwashed and tortured, forced to kill, and he hasn't seen her since the 40's, yet the first question you ask is about dating her? Seriously Wilson?"

"Can you blame me? I mean, look at this adorable little bundle of 40's cuteness!" Sam took a different picture that was clipped to the file. It depicted a petite woman with light, long hair and sparkling eyes.

Nat's expression softened when she saw the picture "She must have been a beauty"

Steve nodded in agreement but was glaring at Sam. "She was."

The group went quiet out of respect for Steve

"I'll call Stark, and tell him who we're bringing back." Nat walked a few paces away and made the call.

Sam was still looking at the file. "She was only 5'2?" He exclaimed and Steve had the ghost of a smile on his face

"Elle was a tiny little dame" Steve becomes lost in memories of his sister. Her smile, her laugh, and the twinkle of life in her eyes.

Nat approached the group. "Stark told us to take her back on the Quinjet immediately; he and Bruce will be waiting with the lab prepared to defrost her."

Steve nodded "We gotta figure out how to move her. Bucky, do you know how these things work?"

Bucky quickly explained how to safely move Eleanor without killing her in the frost. The two super soldiers picked up the chamber carefully and slowly but surely moved her to the Quinjet. Sam and Nat flew the plane to give Steve and Bucky time with the frozen Rogers. The 7-hour trip seemed long for Steve, but it was even longer for Bucky. The ex-Winter Soldier was trying to remember why he felt so attached to her. His mind only provided him with small details, rather than complete memories. He quickly associated her with chess, dancing, baking, sewing, and strangely, roses. All Bucky really, truly knew about Elle was that she was a sweet, cheerful little dame who didn't deserve what HYDRA did to her. He started to get angry at HYDRA for doing this, then worried that he might never meet her again. The freezing could kill her.

"Buck" Steve spoke softly and Bucky looked up. "Stark and Dr. Banner will defrost Elle and whatever HYDRA did to her, we can help her recover. Just like we did for you."

Steve's words did little to untangle the knot inside Bucky's heart, but he nodded anyway. "Thanks, Steve."

The rest of the plane ride was silent. When they landed, Dr.Banner plus Tony were waiting on the dock. Bucky and Steve each carried an end of the chamber down the landing ramp.

"This the subject?" Banner asked and Steve nodded. The two men out of time carefully laid Elle on the heavy-duty stretcher Bruce brought.

"Let me guess, another ghost story from HYDRA?" Tony asked and Nat handed Tony the file.

"Yes. This is the Midnight Soldier. She has 11 confirmed kills, all high-value targets dating back to 1956. She was never seen or heard from again after a failed assassination attempt on a scientist. The file also mentions that she was an accomplished spy."

Tony skimmed the file. "Rogers, huh? Anything to do with your Capsicle?"

"She's my baby sister" Steve put his hand on the window of the tank.

Tony looked up, obviously startled. "Really Cap? And you didn't think to tell us-"

"We'll take care of her." Dr. Banner broke in.

Steve nodded mutely and Bucky looked lost in his thoughts. Tony and Bruce began discussing the best way to take Eleanor out of the frost coma without killing her. The procession made its way to the lab where Clint was waiting.

"What's going on?" he questioned

"We found another Soldier of HYDRA's" Nat replied. "And she's Steve's sister"

Clint's eyes widened "I didn't know you have a sister." Steve and Bucky nodded grimly

"Her name was-and still is-Eleanor Grace Rogers, my little sister. She was the nurse in the Army Nurse Corps." Steve told Clint "At the time, it was truly surprising. No predicted that tiny Elle would volunteer to be a field nurse in one of the bloodiest parts of Europe."

"She shipped out right before I did" Bucky spoke quietly "To France-or was it Italy?"

"France" Steve confirmed. The clicking of heels announced Pepper's arrival.

"Steve? Bucky? Tony told me that you found your sister" Both men appreciated Pepper addressing Elle as a person, and not what HYDRA made her.

"That's right" Bucky responded

"Well, I hope she gets better and we can find out more about what she has been through."

"Thank you Miss Potts" Steve looked relieved and Bucky echoed his gratefulness "Thank you"

Pepper nodded "Of course. And you two can call me Pepper."

"Will everyone who is not assisting me and the jolly green giant Brucie please leave? Thank you." Tony herded the rest of the Avengers out of the lab and shut the double doors.

The group slowly dispersed, but Bucky and Steve stayed at the closed-off entrance.

"This is some birthday," Steve said randomly. "But the best present I've ever received"

Bucky replied slowly "On your birthday...She would always make a big deal about it. She would spend all day making a cake...and would decorate the doorway of your room"

Steve lowered his head "Yes, yes she would."

The two super soldiers sat down on a bench outside the lab. Silence reigned as they and their minds swam through memories.