'Til The End - Bucky Barnes Fanfic

10. Revealing a Secret

Nick was looking at pictures from the past, talking with Steve, Natasha, Jessie, Sam, and Agent Hill. He held a picture of Pierce.

“This man declined the Nobel Peace Prize,” he spoke. “He said, Peace isn’t an achievement. It was a responsibility. See. It’s stuff like this that gives me trust issues.”

“We have to stop the launch,” Natasha said.

“I don’t think the councils accepting my calls anymore.” Nick opened a briefcase with three microchips.

“What’s that?” Sam asked.

“Once the Helicarriers reach three thousand feet,” Hill began saying, “they’ll triangulate with Insights satellites becoming fully weaponized.”

“We need to breach those Carriers and replace their targeting blades with our own,” Nick said.

“One or two won’t cut it. We need to link all three Carriers for this to work. Because, even if one of those ships remains operational… a whole lot of people are going to die.”

“We have to assume everyone aboard those Carriers is Hydra. We have to get past them, switch those server blades, and maybe, just maybe, we can salvage what’s left-“

“We’re not salvaging anything,” Steve said. “We’re not just taking down the Carriers, Nick, we’re also taking down S.H.I.E.L.D.”

“S.H.I.E.L.D. had nothing to do with this.”

“You gave us this mission, this is how it ends,” Jessie said. “S.H.I.E.L.D.’s been compromised, you said so yourself. Hydra grew right under your nose and you didn’t even notice.” Steve put his hand on her shoulder.

“Why do you think we’re meeting in this cave? I noticed.”

“How many paid the price before you did?”

“Look, I didn’t know about Barnes.”

“Even if you had, would you have told me? Or would you compartmentalize that too? S.H.I.E.L.D. Hydra. It all goes.”

“She’s right,” Hill said. Nick looked at Agent Hill. He then looked to Natasha, then Steve, then Sam.

“Don’t look at me,” Sam said. “I do what she does, just slower.”

“Well,” Nick began saying looking back to Jessie. “I guess you and the Captain are giving the orders now, Sergeant.” Jessie looked down at the table. She stood up and walked outside on the bridge of the dam. She remembered a memory from her past with Bucky.

~1935~

Seventeen year-old Jessie had left her mother’s funeral. She invited Bucky and his family, along with Steve. She had walked home alone.

“Hey,” Bucky had said walking up behind her. “You know we looked for you after. My folks wanted to give you a ride to the cemetery.”

“I know, I'm sorry, I just kind of wanted to be alone.”

“How was it?”

“It was okay. She’s next to dad.”

“I was gonna ask.”

“I know what you were going to say, Buck. It’s just-“

“We could put the couch cushions on the floor like when we were kids.” Jessie began looking for a key to the door. “It’ll be fun. All you gotta do is shine my shoes, maybe take out the trash… Be there as someone for me to take care of.” Bucky kicked a brick aside revealing a spare key. He picked it up handing it to Jessie. She took it. “Come on.”

“Thank you, Buck. But I can get by on my own.”

“The thing is. You don’t have to.” Bucky walked closer to Jessie, bringing his lips to her forehead, pulling her into a hug. When he pulled back, he looked her in the eyes. “I’m with you till the end of the line, Jess.” She looked up at him and smiled.

~2014~

Steve walked over to Jessie who was staring ahead of her. She had her hands in the pockets of her jacket, the left sleeve ripped off. Jessie looked at Steve from the corner of her eye.

“It was him,” she whispered.

“I know,” Steve replied in a whisper. “I know Bucky when I see him… Something bothering you?”

“It’s just he- I-“ Jessie sighed, then turned to look at Steve, tears in her eyes. “I began to feel sick before he died. Howard did tests and came back saying I was pregnant, but later came out to be a miscarriage after Bucky died. Howard and I kept it secret. I didn’t want to tell anyone because I was scared. I didn’t even want to tell Bucky even when I knew he was the father. I just wasn’t ready, and I didn’t want a kid during the war with Hydra.” Steve pulled Jessie into a hug.

“It was brave of you to keep that secret for so long, Jess. But I will tell you that Bucky would’ve been happy. He always wanted a kid, he always wanted you to live your life and have kids. He would’ve been especially happy knowing that his kid was yours. And I know I would be happy for both of you.” Jessie looked up at him, a tear dropped from her eye. Steve wiped it away with his thumb. “So, would I have been the Uncle?” Jessie cracked a smile and laughed while nodding, wiping her eyes.

“Yes, yes you would.” Sam walked up to the two, a questioning look on his face.

“I’m not going to ask what’s funny. But, he’s going to be there you know.” Jessie and Steve looked to him knowing he was referring to Bucky.

“I know,” Steve replied.

“Look. Whoever he used to be… The guy he is now. I don’t think he’s the kind you save; he’s the kind you stop.”

“I don’t know if I can do that,” Jessie spoke.

“He might not give you a choice. He doesn’t know you or Steve.”

“Gear up. It’s time.” She began to walk away.

“You going to wear that?”

“No. You gonna fight a war, you gotta wear a uniform.” Steve knew what she meant and began to follow her. They went to the Smithsonian, sneaking in without being caught, and took their uniforms from the war. Steve took his old Captain America uniform, but left the shield. Jessie took her old uniform but left the jacket. Jessie kept the one she was wearing from the fight with Bucky. She thought she could use the torn sleeve instead of having a sleeve cover her arm. They headed to the Triskelion.