Remnants of Time

Chapter 8

Steve and the others stomped through the darkness, keeping away from the Autobahn and sticking to the line of shrubs next to it. Of course, they were exposed, but Augsburg was just a little over 10 kilometers away. Luckily, Sam was fine and able to walk, so they didn't have to carry him.
But while they were not talking, paranoia grew with every car that passed, every car that could've been CIA or Hydra. Two cars had stopped already in emergency bays, offering a ride, but the four of them had just stayed away, not given in to the temptation. Maybe people were nicer here, Steve thought for a moment, but realized how much damage he'd left behind in Berlin and decided that every offer they denied meant a little more safety for himself. Hydra could come in any size and shape and a fight would crash them right now.
Apparently, he wasn't the only one exhausted. Nat started to limp, maybe the car crash had done more damage than they'd thought. Bucky supported her, an arm wrapped around her waist, but this was no solution. And this was all that stood between the world's safety and a resurrected Zola. They'd need one hell of a plan.

So, when the next car stopped to offer a ride, Steve wasn't that fast in declining the opportunity. Had there been a radio note about them yet? Would the CIA put an official warrant into public media? This was a gamble and Steve had no idea about the odds. His heart was beating fast when he stepped towards the car, watching the passenger's window open. They would've shot us already if they were CIA, right? But no shots were fired. A young man stuck his head out with a curious smile. Steve thanked T'Challa for his stealth uniform that was in dark blue. Nothing like the stars and stripes, fewer chances of being recognized.
But as soon as they'd all climbed in, there was no chance of not being recognized anymore anyways. Nevertheless, the man didn't mention it, just nodded and started driving after asking where they were headed. All Steve discerned in that stranger's face was genuine concern.
"Augsburg", was the simple answer that the driver was not satisfied with.
"Wohin nach Augsburg? Die Stadt ist nicht gerade klein." (Where to in Augsburg? The city isn't exactly small.)
Natasha, in the front seat, replied in German, and Steve let her handle this. In secret, he wondered, however, if this was the guy she'd talked to on the phone. If he and Bucky and Sam were being delivered now. If this was some kind of trick.
"What are you doing, exactly?", Bucky furrowed his brows when he'd finally found a halfway comfortable position. Steve was surprised he'd found a comfortable position at all, being squished between Sam and him. Bucky mustered him.
"Saving time, saving strength. Look at Sam and Nat - they need to rest."
Bucky grunted.
"We all need to rest." He mustered the man, who was checking the rearview mirror, smiling kindly. Bucky wondered if the blonde driver or if maybe there was the possibility that he actually hadn't recog-
"Thank you for what you did in Stuttgart. And New York, I guess. Never been there, but well. Thank you." Yeah no, Bucky hadn't thought so.
The man's words had been directed at Steve and Natasha and surprised them both equally. Stuttgart. That had been a long time ago. The beginning. Their first mission together.
"Yeah, I - uh. Thanks", Steve whispered. This was strange. The man wasn't an annoyed politician, or a pissed off Senator, throwing complaints and whiny profanities at him, just a civilian expressing his gratefulness, but Steve wasn't sure how to deal with that.
"But, uh, why? Why do you care for New York and-"
"Many of our soldiers here in Augsburg come from New York."
"Are you part of the stationed US forces?", Sam asked, because the man's English sounded American, but one could definitely hear a hunch of German thrown in there. It wasn't like Zola's or Zemo's German, though. It sounded nice.
"No. Does it matter?"
"Why are you thanking me then?"
The man eyed him through the rearview mirror, probably astounded by this version of Captain America sitting in his car. Not the wonderful war- hero anymore, huh? Great. Just another one to add to the long line of disappointed citizens. Bet he wants to take his thank you back.
"Because I see no one else doing it."
Steve swallowed. When had been the last time that someone noticed that he needed something, even if it was just a word? Peggy? No, Natasha, on the way to Belgium. Maybe family wasn't that far after all. Bucky patted him on the shoulder.
"Hey", the man said, looking at the brunette, "sorry for what happened to you. Good thing you're back."
"Thanks. It's appreciated."
"Okay, we're getting closer to the city. Are you visiting someone? Maybe some old fella in the barracks? I can drop you off there if you'd like that."
Steve hesitated but answered after a second, throat thick and voice clouded.
"A friend of mine was from here. The barracks are fine, thank you."