It's Been a Long, Long Time

07

Captain America and his Howling Commandos fought HYDRA.

While watching a movie of Captain America and his Howling Commandos, Bucky appeared on screen next to Steve and Frank.

Peggy noticed a picture of herself in Frank's compass. Colonel Phillips glanced at her and she looked away.

---

Bucky, Frank and Steve were on a snow-covered mountain while the Howling Commandos prepared to zipline onto the train.

"Remember when I made you and Frank ride the Cyclone at Coney Island?" Bucky asked.

"Yeah, and I threw up and Frank nearly screamed his head off?" Steve replied.

"This is payback, isn't it?"

"Now why would I do that?" Steve answered in a smug tone.

Frank frowned. "I didn't nearly scream my head off. But that doesn't mean I was freaked. We all know Steve's a punk though. Right, Buck?"

Bucky nodded. "Right."

"We were right," Gabe Jones said. "Dr. Zola's on the train. HYDRA dispatcher gave him permission to open up the throttle. Wherever he's going, they must need him bad."

"Let's get going, because they're moving like the devil," James Montgomery warned.

"We only got about a ten-second window," Steve informed. "You miss that window, we're bugs on a windshield."

"Mind the gap."

"Better get moving, bugs!" Dum Dum Dugan said.

"Maintenant!" Jaques Dernier yelled as Steve, Bucky, Frank and Gabe ziplined onto the train.

(Now!)

Dr. Zola, watching Steve and Frank on a monitor as they fought their way through the train, cried, "Stop him! Fire again!"

Steve and Frank noticed Bucky on the other side of the door.

Bucky shot the man coming for him. He continued shooting and soon ran out of bullets. He ducked behind a pile of crates, choosing to greet death as an old friend rather than a bitter enemy.

Steve and Frank opened the door, nodded to their friend, and the former tossed Bucky the gun. Bucky caught the gun.

Steve and Frank darted forward and pushed a crate, causing the HYDRA soldier to move to one side.

Bucky shot the HYDRA soldier and killed him before saying, "I had him on the ropes."

"I know you did," Steve and Frank replied as another trooper with a blaster appeared. "Get down!"

"Fire again!" Dr. Zola ordered. "Kill him! Now!"

Bucky picked up the shield and continued firing.

The robotic man fired again and he was blasted through a hole.

"Bucky!" Steve and Frank yelled, moving to get their friend. "Hang on! Grab my hand!" Bucky tried to grab their hands, but couldn't and fell. "NO!"

Steve and Frank rested their heads on the side of the train, fighting against the forming tears. Their best friend was gone. They had failed.

LONDON - BAR

Steve and Frank made their way to the bar where Steve had enlisted his Howling Commandos.

Peggy followed the voice of a radio through the rubble.

A man on the radio said, "Blackout is still in effect throughout the London area. Please wait for the all-clear. Your attention, please. All citizens shall remain indoors until further notice. Blackout is still in effect throughout the London area."

Peggy found Steve and Frank pouring themselves a drink.

Steve glanced up and said, "Dr. Erskine said that... the serum wouldn't just affect Frank's and my muscles, it would effect our cells. Create a protective system of regeneration and healing. Which means um... Frank and I can't get drunk. Did you know that?"

Peggy looked at them before saying, "Your metabolism burns four times faster than the average person. He thought it could be one of the side effects." She changed the subject. "It wasn't your fault."

"Did you read the reports?" Frank asked bitterly.

"Yes."

"Then you know that's not true."

"You did everything you could. Did you two believe in your friend? Did you two respect him?" Steve and Frank looked at her as if to say yes. "Then stop blaming yourselves. Allow Barnes the dignity of his choice. He damn well must have thought you two were worth it."

"Frank and I are goin' after Schmidt," Steve decided. "We're not gonna stop till all of HYDRA is dead or captured."

"You won't be alone."

Frank glanced at Peggy and gave a small nod.