Mister Rogers ⍟ || Steve Rogers

XII. Goodbye, S.H.I.E.L.D.

Watching the film of Natasha's conference showed me all of the freedoms I had with S.H.I.E.L.D. and HYDRA's files leaked. I was completely free from S.H.I.E.L.D.

I would always be thankful for S.H.I.E.L.D. giving me a chance to start over and a part of me didn't want to let it go. I had grown so comfortable with being an agent to the point where the future scared me.

One of the benefits of losing S.H.I.E.L.D. however was that I could use my abilities publicly. Fury and I had worked for months trying to cover up the initial revelation of my powers and that weight had always sat with me since. It felt good to no longer live in fear of destroying the name I had made for myself with just one slip up.

The second Steve was discharged from the hospital, Fury requested our presence at the graveyard he was "buried" at. Sam parked in the empty parking lot outside and we all exited the car, spotting the grave immediately. The breeze blowing the American flags surrounding it as white flowers towered over and around the soil.

Fury emerged from the side of the tree, stopping at his headstone. It read:

Col. Nicholas J. Fury

"The path of the righteous man..." Ezekiel 25:17

"So you've experienced this sort of thing before?" Fury said, peering over his sunglasses at Steve.

"You get used to it," said Steve with a small shrug.

"We've been data mining HYDRA's files. Looks like a lot of rats didn't go down with the ship," Fury explained. He crossed his arms, "I'm headed to Europe tonight. Wanted to ask if you'd come."

Steve was the first to answer. "There's something I got to do first."

Fury's head turned to Sam, "How about you, Wilson? Could use a man with your abilities."

"I'm more of a soldier than a spy," declined Sam.

Fury nodded and then gestured ahead, "Walk with me, Marrese."

I smiled, walking by his side through the graveyard. We walked about 20 feet before Fury spoke.

"Figured Europe wouldn't be a good fit for you after all of this but I thought I'd ask anyways," he said.

My brow furrowed, "You didn't?"

"I know you Marrese. Seeing you out there, I mean, it would be a waste to keep you as an agent. You're a fighter. I think you're ready."

I nodded, hesitating to find the right words. With a sigh, I started, "I thought I wouldn't know who I was without S.H.I.E.L.D., and I don't, yet. I need to find that."

"You were someone before S.H.I.E.L.D. too. And you will continue to be someone going forward, with or without S.H.I.E.L.D."

I looked at him, sadness in my eyes, "I just don't know if I'm ready to lose this life I've made for myself here."

"You're made for greater things, kid," he stopped walking and turned to me, extending his hand for me to shake.

There was a happy sadness in my chest. I looked at Fury with gratitude and appreciation. He was the only person there for me when I had nothing and had given me everything since then. Who knows where I would have ended up if he hadn't come into my life.

I ignored his extended hand and gave him a brief hug, "Thank you for everything," I whispered.

He pat me on the back awkwardly, a smile in his voice, "Alright."

Satisfied with what I thought would be our last conversation forever, we walked back to the grave where Sam and Steve still stood, engaged in a serious discussion.

Their heads turned up at the sight of our return. I left Fury's side to stand between Steve and Sam.

"All right, then," Fury shook hands with Steve and Sam and then pointed to his headstone. "Anybody asks for me, tell them they can find me, right here."

With no other words needing to be exchanged, Fury left my sight. It felt strange to see him go. A part of me felt I should have followed him but his words rang through my head, I was made for more.

"You should be honored. That's about as close as he gets to saying thank you," said Natasha, sauntering up from behind us.

Her and Steve stepped away for a private talk, leaving me to talk with Sam.

"Surprised you didn't go with Fury. Thought you would be all for a mission," said Sam.

His question was answered when my gaze unintentionally lingered on Steve for longer than I had planned.

I met Sam's eyes with a shy smile. He chuckled, amused, "I get it. Your place is near him."

"That's where I'd like it to be," I said quietly with a light laugh.

Natasha took a few retreating steps backward. Our eyes locked and we exchanged a polite wave. Another smirk was thrown to Steve, and then she was gone; a leave of absence well deserved.

The remaining three of us stepped together to close the distance between us. Steve held a Manila folder in his hands.

"You're going after him," said Sam.

I looked up at Steve, whose gaze remained set on the folder. He opened it for me to see, a picture of Bucky immediately catching my attention.

Steve picked up the picture and held it in his palm, "You don't have to come with me."

"We know," I said.

I caught Sam's eye, seeing nothing but a determined look staring back at me. He then uttered the phrase that started a new journey for all of us: "When do we start?"