11. C.A. Winter Soldier (1)

"Come on, Pumpkin. Time to get up," Dad said to me gently as he brushed some of my hair out of my face. My tired eyes fluttered open to see my dad crouched beside my bed.

"Morning, Dad," I replied while stretching.

"Morning, Katie. Get dressed, we're leaving in 10 minutes."

"Yes, sir."

Once Dad had left my room, I got out of bed to get ready for our morning run. Dad and I had found a great routine for the two of us. Every morning at 5:00 am, we would go for a run and then come back to have some breakfast. If Dad had a mission, then I would go to S.H.I.E.L.D headquarters, do school with Uncle Nick, and train with Aunt Nat or Aunt Maria. If he didn't have a mission, I would stay home to train and do schoolwork with him. While Dad couldn't help me with school very often, training with him was very fun. We had been able to come up with multiple ways that we could work together to take someone out, and he was able to help me use my strength and force fields to my advantage.

FLASHBACK

"That was great!" Dad said proudly once I had knocked the punching bag off its hook. I smiled brightly at my dad as he walked over to me.

"Hey, Dad, can I try something?" I asked.

"What is it?"

"It's a strategic move, can you stand there?'

"Should I be worried?" Dad chuckled.

"Only if you think I can't do this," I joked. Dad stood where I asked him to, and I stood a few meters behind him. I started to use my force field powers to make platforms for me to walk up like stairs. Increasing my pace as I got more comfortable on the platforms, I stopped when I was right behind Dad and released the platforms. As I released, I flipped forward, placed my hands on Dad's shoulders and pushed off. I landed on the floor in front of Dad with my left foot first and slowly stood upright. I had successfully carried out the move just as I had imagined and beamed up at Dad. He had a shocked expression on his face for a moment but then spoke,

"That was amazing, Katie! Where did you learn that?"

"It was just an idea I had. It's kind of like a sneak attack," I grinned. Dad gave me a high-five, and we continued training.

I put on a pair of sports shorts and a white, long-sleeve sport shirt. My hair was braided into two braids on either side of my head. Lastly, I put on the that Dad had gotten me for my thirteenth birthday. I had a glass of orange juice, and then we left. Together, we started running. I wasn't as fast as Dad since my strength didn't completely match his, but I had enough that I could comfortably follow him. As we were running, I noticed there was someone else ahead of us, jogging in the same direction. Dad and I were faster, so we ended up passing him, but as we did, Dad said to him,

"On your left."

I didn't think much of it and simply smiled at the man as I passed him. We came across the man a second time and passed him again with Dad repeating, "On your left."

"Uh-huh, on my left," the man replied, making me giggle at him and my dad. When we saw the man for the third time, he heard us coming and turned to glance at us.

"Don't say it, don't you say it!" he said with a frustrated tone.

"On your left," Dad calmly said.

"Come on!" he shouted and tried to catch up to us but failed. After Dad and I finished our run and started walking, I spotted the same man and called out,

"Need a medic?"

He chuckled at my question from his position against the tree and on the ground.

"I need a new set of lungs," he responded as we stopped beside him, "Dude, you guys just ran, like, thirteen miles in thirty minutes."

"Guess we got a late start," Dad said, looking down at me with a smile.

"Really? You should be ashamed of yourselves. Should take another lap," the man joked, and I giggled. "Did you just take it?" he asked after a moment, "I assume you just took it." I shook my head with a smile.

"What unit are you with?" Dad asked.

"Fifty-eighth pararescue, but now I'm working down at the VA," he put a hand out for Dad to help him up. "Sam Wilson," he told us.

"Steve and Katie Rogers," Dad answered, gesturing to me when he said my name, and I beamed brighter.

"I kind of put that together," Sam said, returning my smile and looking toward Dad, "It must have freaked you out, coming home after the whole defrosting thing."

"Takes some getting used to," as he said that, I grabbed Dad's hand, "Good to meet you, Sam."

We started to walk away, but Sam asked another question,

"It's your bed, right?"

"What's that?" Dad asked, turning us around.

"Your bed, it's too soft. When I was over there, I'd sleep on the ground, use rock for pillows like a caveman. Now I'm home, lying in my bed, and it's like-"

"Lying on a marshmallow, feel like I'm going to sink right to the floor," finished Dad, and I squeezed his hand to comfort him. Sam nodded, and Dad continued, "How long?'

"Two tours. You must miss the good old days, huh?"

"Well, things aren't so bad. Food's a lot better, we used to boil everything. No Polio is good. Internet, so helpful, I've been reading that a lot trying to catch up. And, of course, I have this cutie," Dad wrapped his arm around my shoulders and pulled me toward his chest.

"Daddy," I jokingly whined while trying to suppress a smile, and Sam smiled at us. Sam looked as though he was thinking for a moment, then said,

"Marvin Gaye, 1972, 'Troubleman' soundtrack. Everything you missed jammed into one album."

Dad nodded and took out his notebook,

"I'll put it on the list."

After he had written the name of the album down, Dad's phone rang with a text. Dad pulled it out of his pocket, and I read the mission alert: Extraction imminent. Meet at the curb. :)

"Alright, Sam, duty calls. Thanks for the run, if that's what you want to call running," Dad joked, shaking Sam's hand.

"Ouch," I said, laughing.

"Oh, that's how it is?" Sam smiled,

"Oh, that's how it is," Dad mocked jokingly,

"Oh, okay," Sam laughed, "Anytime you want to stop by the VA, make me look awesome in front of the girl at the front desk, just let me know."

"I'll keep it in mind," Dad replied as Aunt Nat pulled up in her car. I let go of Dad's hand and walked ahead of him to get in. Aunt Nat rolled down the window as I got closer,

"Hey, fellas, either one of you know where the Smithsonian is, I'm here to pick up a fossil," she joked, and I giggled, looking back to see Dad's reaction.

"That's hilarious," he said.

"You're right, Dad. Best joke ever," I laughed as I climbed into the backseat. I looked out the window to see Sam crouched down, looking in the front seat window, and Nat returned his gaze.

"How you doing?' Sam asked, to which Nat replied,

"Hey."

"Can't run everywhere," Dad stated with a smile.

"No, you can't," Sam said as we drove off. During the drive, Aunt Nat complimented my two braids.

"It's much easier to do by myself than the single braid in the back. I don't have you or Aunt Maria to do it for me anymore," I answered.

"Well, I like them," Nat replied, "They suit you." I smiled.

When we arrived at S.H.I.E.L.D headquarters, we met up with Aunt Maria. She explained to Dad and Aunt Nat what their assignment was while I waited patiently, eating cereal for breakfast. Once they had their directions, Aunt Maria turned to me and Dad so that we could decide what I was going to do. Dad wasn't going to be back until tomorrow, so I would have to stay with Uncle Nick that night and go through my usual day at HQ. When Uncle Nick came in, he said that he wouldn't mind having me over for two nights and giving Dad a day to himself. We continued to discuss it and finally agreed. I would stay with Uncle Nick that night and the next night, and Dad could pick me up the next morning. While Dad was preparing for his mission, I trained with Aunt Maria and then did schoolwork. Soon, sooner than I would have liked, it was time for Dad to go. I gave Aunt Nat a hug as she got on the plane, then walked over to Dad.

"Be careful, ok?" I told him.

"I always am, Katie."

"I know, but still. Come back alive, please," I partially joked and hugged him.

"I love you, Pumpkin," Dad said as he returned my hug.

"I love you too, Dad."

After Dad left, Uncle Nick and I went to his place. We had a great night watching movies and playing card games to keep me distracted. I did miss spending a lot of time with my uncle Nick. I went to bed, less worried about my dad than when he had left, and slept peacefully.

The next morning, I focused on training so that I wouldn't be too worried about when Dad would be back. I started by doing push-ups, sit-ups and planks, then moved on to hitting the punching bag. Once I had knocked the bag off its hook, Aunt Maria came in to spar with me. We were finally on the last few minutes of training, and I was sweating. My baby hairs had fallen from my braids and in front of my face as Aunt Maria and I went at each other.

"You're holding back, Katie," she warned me.

"I don't want to hurt someone I care about," I explained.

"Don't think about it like that. Just come at me."

I did as I was told and ended up beating Aunt Maria. I helped her up, and she glanced behind me. I followed her gaze,

"Looks like your dad is back," she said with a smile, and I beamed as I ran out of the training room into the hall. When I was close enough, I jumped into Dad's arms, and he caught me, squeezing me tightly. Dad put me down, and I noticed he looked a little tense.

"How was it?" I asked, looking up at him.

"Not too bad."

"Then why do you look like it went horribly?"

"Just a little tired," he sighed.

"If you say so. What are you going to do today?"

"I was thinking that I would run some errands and then go see Peggy."

I smiled as my dad said, 'Peggy.' He had told me all about her and Bucky one night at dinner. I was told that Agent Carter had looked after me for a little bit when I was a newborn, and although I didn't personally know her very well, Dad helped me feel a little closer to her.

"Just make sure to enjoy yourself, ok?"

"Yes, Ma'am," Dad said, "Go wash up and do your schoolwork. I will see you tomorrow morning."

"Yes, sir," I mocked and gave Dad one last hug. Once I said goodbye to Dad, I showered, changed and walked into Uncle Nick's office to have a bit of lunch and do my homework. Uncle Nick helped me with a couple of questions that I had, but I mostly sat quietly so that he could do his work. After a bit of silence, Uncle Nick spoke,

"Secure office." I watched as the office was secured, and I questioned my uncle,

"If you're securing the office, should I be in here?"

"I'd trust you with anything, so I think it's ok for you to stay."

I smiled and continued to do my quiz. "Open Lemurian Star satellite launch file," Uncle Nick continued to speak to the computer.

"Access denied," the computer said, and I looked up at Uncle Nick with a confused face. He seemed confused as well and walked around his desk, closer to the screen behind me.

"Run decryption," he instructed.

"Decryption failed,"

"Director override, Fury, Nicholas, J."

"Override denied. All files sealed."

That caused me to turn around in my seat and look at the projected computer screen with a very confused expression.

"On whose authority?" Uncle Nick asked.

"Fury, Nicholas, J."

I turned and looked over at Uncle Nick, who was standing a few steps to my right.

"I'm assuming that is not supposed to happen?" I asked him.

"We're going for a walk. Come with me," Uncle Nick ordered.

"Yes, sir," I responded, following him out the door. The two of us got into the elevator, and Uncle Nick told the computer to take us to the floor where the World Security Council was located. When we arrived, I stood quietly behind Uncle Nick as he did all the talking. Secretary Pierce walked into the hall after his assistant had called him out.

"I work forty floors away, and it takes a hijacking for you to visit?" he asked Uncle Nick.

"A nuclear war would do it, too," Nick responded while shaking his hand. Mr Secretary then looked toward me,

"Good to see you, Miss Rogers."

"You as well, Mr Secretary," I respectfully said with a nod.

"Busy in there?" Uncle Nick asked Mr Secretary.

"Nothing some earmarks can't fix,"

"I'm here to ask a favour. I want you to call for a vote. Project insight has to be delayed."

"Nick, that's not a favour. That's a subcommittee hearing, a long one."

"It could be nothing, probably is nothing. I just need time to make sure it's nothing.

"But if it's something?"

"Then we'll both be damn glad those helicarriers aren't in the air."

I looked between both men, feeling anxious.

"Fine," Mr Secretary said after a deep breath, "But you have to get Iron Man to stop by my niece's birthday party."

"Thank you, sir," Uncle Nick said as they shook hands again.

"And not just a flyby. He's got to mingle." Mr Secretary gave me a nod that I returned and left us in the hall.

"What now?" I asked Uncle Nick.

"Now, I need to take you to your dad's apartment early," Uncle Nick responded, and I followed him to his car.

Uncle Nick and I had been driving for a few minutes, my hands were in my lap as I looked straight ahead.

"Activating communications encryption protocol," the computer said.

"Open secure line 0405," Uncle Nick instructed the car's AI.

"Confirmed,"

"This is Hill," Aunt Maria answered the call.

"I need you here in D.C. Deep shadow conditions," Uncle Nick told her.

"Give me four hours."

"You have three. Over."

I looked over at Uncle Nick, twiddling with my thumbs.

"Is it really that bad?" I asked him, worry laced my tone. He glanced at me briefly as we came to a red light.

"I don't know, but it's better to be sure."

I simply nodded and stared at my hands sitting in my lap. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Uncle Nick look at something out of my window.

"Want to see my lease?" he asked, causing me to look up at where he was looking. Beside us, there was a cop car, and the driver was looking at the two of us. He turned on his red and blue lights and drove off. The traffic light turned green, and we began driving again. All of a sudden, another cop car crashed into the driver's side of Uncle Nick's car. The airbags popped out, and I created a force field to stop myself from hitting the side too hard on impact. Uncle Nick's car slammed into the sidewalk and came to a stop. The police car from earlier and two others came at our front and back, barricading us from driving off. I was feeling a little dizzy but tried to focus when the car's AI spoke,

"Fracture detected. Recommend anaesthetic injection."

I looked over at Uncle Nick to see his hurt arm and went into the glove compartment to grab the anaesthetic for him. I quickly handed it to Uncle Nick as he reached for it with his good arm.

"D.C. Metro Police dispatch shows no units in this area," the computer noted. I started to panic as I saw the "police" aim their guns at us.

"Uncle Nick?" I said with pure fear.

"Get us out of here," Uncle Nick ordered the car's AI.

"Propulsion systems offline," the AI warned, and the men began shooting the bulletproof car.

"Then reboot, damn it!" Uncle Nick raised his voice which did not help me feel any better. I grabbed ahold of Uncle Nick's good forearm tightly and watched as the men closed in, continuing to shoot. Then, from out of a black van that pulled up, the men brought out a large machine that was meant to break the car's window.

"Warning. Window integrity compromised," the AI stated.

"You think?" I sarcastically said as the men lined the machine up to hit the driver's window. I unbuckled my seatbelt and moved over so that Uncle Nick could sit in my chair, away from the window that could break at any moment.

"How long to propulsion?" Uncle Nick asked the AI.

"Calculating," it responded, and the first hit came, causing the car to tilt and fall back down. "Window integrity 31%. Deploying countermeasures."

"Hold that order!" Uncle Nick ordered, and I looked at him as though he was crazy. The second hit came, and I squealed with fear.

"Window integrity 19%. Offensive measures advised."

"Wait!" The third hit came, and I shouted,

"What!"

"Window integrity 1%," the AI warned.

"Now!" Uncle Nick roared, and a gun popped up from the centre console. I covered my ears as Uncle Nick started to shoot the men through the now-broken driver's window.

"Propulsion systems now online," the computer told us.

"Full acceleration! Now!" Uncle Nick commanded, and the car started to drive away while Uncle Nick continued to shoot. "Initiate vertical takeoff!"

"Flight systems damaged."

"Then activate guidance cameras!" Uncle Nick moved over to the driver's seat again and groaned when his injured arm bumped the door. He told me to put my seatbelt on, and I followed his orders. "Give me the wheel!" Uncle Nick shouted to the AI and started to drive us.