Chapter Text
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“THESE ARE THE TIMES THAT TRY MEN’S SOULS. THE SUMMER SOLDIER AND THE SUNSHINE PATRIOT WILL, IN CRISIS, SHRINK FROM THE SERVICE OF THEIR COUNTRY; BUT HE THAT STANDS BY IT NOW, DESERVES THE LOVE AND THANKS OF MAN AND WOMAN... "
- Thomas Paine
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FADE TO BLACK:
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SILENCE—-
An old radio static crackles to life.
STEVE ROGERS (O.S)
Peg—-y. Th–s—-- my cho-ce.
The Valkyrie rattles sickeningly. The wind from the speed of the dive blows so hard it drowns everything out.
Radio Static.
STEVE ROGERS (O.S)
I’d hate—-- step on—-- your—-
PEGGY CARTER (O.S)
Steve? St—eve-
The radio cuts off. Ending the line between the two worlds. The static morphs into the godawful sound of the Valkyrie crashing into the Arctic.
The audio cuts off completely. It’s silent for an uncomfortable amount of time.
CUT TO:
Then-
A raving gasp.
INT. VALKYRIE
Steve Rogers resurfaces. The Valkyrie has embedded itself deep into the ice and freezing water. The whole plane has flooded. It’s chaotic. Steve, who has a gaping wound above his eyebrow and head, which smashed into the front panels when the plane crashed, gasps a primal gulp of air. His right eye has gone temporarily blind from all the blood in it. The water has reached the top, filling up exponentially. Only his head is above water.
He did not die from the crash.
Steve desperately brings his arms up to the top of the plane, trying to anchor himself. The water is to his chin. The ceiling preventing him from swimming any further. There’s a cord wrapped tightly around his ankle.
Steve sucks in a huge gulp of air and dives underwater. He tries to pry it off, giving him the ability to escape. But it doesn’t budge.
There is no way out.
Steve resurfaces with another raving gasp. He tilts his head all the way up. The water is up to his nose. A second later, he’s completely engulfed by the Arctic Ocean.
He is going to drown. Or he’s going to freeze to death. Either way, he’s going to die.
But the people are safe. The world is safe. That is all that matters to him at this moment.
Steve has accepted his fate.
This is my choice.
He wills himself to stop struggling, though his body instinctively protests against the icy waters that burn his skin and lungs worse than Hell.
His life flashes before his eyes.
PEGGY (O.S)
You won’t be alone.
ERSKINE (O.S)
Not a perfect soldier. But a good man.
He sees his mother. Beautiful and lovely. Her smile is all he’s got of her now. Forever a memory. It fills him up with warmth that rivals the bone-chilling cold.
He sees Bucky Barnes. Smiling sweetly at him back in Brooklyn. Covered in sweat and grime from a long day of working at the docs. The golden rays of the sunset paint his face in ways that always made Steve itch to draw him. To capture that moment forever in his sketchbook. Frozen in time.
Steve.
Bucky calls out to him.
Stevie-
STEVE (O.S)
Where are we going?
BUCKY (O.S)
The future.
Steve succumbs to the water. There is nowhere to go. He grabs onto his Shield, hugging it close to his midsection, bending down so his heart presses against it. It’s all he’s got now. He clings onto it.
It’s all he’s got.
Bucky’s words distort and fade.
I’m-... till...end of- ine-
I will see you soon, Buck.
That’s the last thought Steve Rogers has before he drifts unconscious from the suffocating water in his lungs. The last thought he’ll have for the next 70 years.
CUT TO BLACK:
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CUE MARVEL TITLE CARD:
CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE WINTER SOLDIER
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PEACEFUL MUSIC
2014
FADE INTO:
EXT. WASHINGTON D.C- EARLY DAWN
The sun is just barely rising over the horizon, painting the sky a pretty pink and blue.
A lone man jogs blissfully across the Washington Monument and Reflecting Pool. Then, all of a sudden, from off the path, runs in another man. He is fast. Super fast. It’s Steve Rogers.
Steve wears a very tight compression shirt with the SHIELD logo faded on the shoulder. The other man wears a hoodie. It’s clearly chilly outside despite Steve’s choice of clothing.
Steve passes the man, running close enough to brush against him, and the man glances at him before returning his attention to his workout.
CUT TO:
The sun has risen a little more, and the world becomes a little brighter. There are more people out and about jogging, but we still focus on one man in particular. From behind him, we see Steve Rogers running closer and closer-
STEVE ROGERS
On your left.
As soon as the words leave his mouth, Rogers is gone, several yards ahead in the blink of an eye. The man doesn’t even have time to register what just happened, as Steve is long gone.
The man huffs in amusement and keeps running.
CUT TO:
From the Lincoln Memorial, we see the man running in the distance. Steve enters the frame super fast, passing the man again.
STEVE ROGERS (CONT’D)
On your left.
Then Steve is gone again. This time, the man slows down, a little boggled, before he shakes it off and picks up his pace.
CUT TO:
The sun is up completely. It is a beautiful day. The man is now passing the Washington Memorial in the background with Steve right behind him.
STEVE ROGERS (CONT’D)
On your left.
THE MAN
Uh, huh, on my left. Got it.
There is amusement and annoyance in his voice. Very playful.
CUT TO:
The man runs another lap around the Lincoln Memorial. He hears the insanely rapid pounding behind him that he’s grown familiar with. The man glances behind himself nervously, and lo and behold, Steve Rogers is behind him. He gets closer and closer, and the man risks more and more glances behind him, running faster and faster-
THE MAN
Don’t say it. Don’t you-
STEVE
On your left.
THE MAN
Oh, come on!
The man runs as fast as he can around the corner to catch up, but Steve Rogers is long gone. And the man swears he can hear the ghost of a laugh in Steve’s wake. He groans and stops, leaning on his knees.
CUT TO:
EXT. WASHINGTON PARK- DAY
The man sits down, leaning heavily against a tree, trying his darn hardest to catch his breath. He clutches his stomach, face contorted in exhaustion.
STEVE (O.S)
Need a medic?
The man looks up to see Steve Rogers walking up to him. He looks innocent, but the smugness is not lost on him.
The man chuckles, which then turns into a laugh as Rogers stops in front of him with his hands on his hips.
THE MAN
I need a new set of lungs.
Steve smiles.
THE MAN (CONT’D)
Dude, you just ran like 15 miles in what? 20 minutes.
STEVE
Guess I got a late start.
THE MAN
(Chuckles) Well, then you should be ashamed of yourself, young man. Go take another lap.
The man looks to the side, still catching his breath, and he looks back to see Steve still there, watching him. He vaguely registers that Steve is looking at his sweatshirt.
THE MAN (CONT’D)
Did you just take it? I assume you just took it.
Rogers points to the emblem on the sweatshirt.
STEVE
What unit you with?
THE MAN
58th Pararescue.
He squints his eyes as he looks up at Steve. The sun is shining just above him, painting a halo around the crown of Steve Rogers’ head.
THE MAN (CONT’D)
But now I’m working down at the VA.
Steve nods. The man extends his arm.
SAM
Sam Wilson.
Steve smiles and claps his arm, pulling Sam effortlessly off the ground.
STEVE
Steve Rogers.
SAM
Yeah, I kind of put that together.
Sam rests his arms on his knees, still trying to catch his breath.
SAM (CONT’D)
Must have freaked you out, coming home after the whole defrosting thing.
Steve takes a deep breath.
STEVE
Takes some getting used to.
They share another smile. After a while, Steve nods his head and makes a move to leave.
STEVE (CONT’D)
Good to meet you, Sam-
SAM
It’s your bed, right?
Sam calls out to him. Steve pauses in confusion and turns around. He sees that Sam has already made his way to Steve.
STEVE
What’s that?
SAM
Your bed. It’s too soft. When I was over there, I’d sleep on the ground and use rocks for pillows like a caveman.
Steve breathes deeply, feeling a spark of connection immediately. Sam speaks so openly, easily, truthfully- there’s a part of Steve that wants to be like that. It’s hard for him to openly talk about his problems, especially mental ones. It wasn’t something that was socially acceptable when he grew up. And when you’re a scrawny (‘He’s not scrawny!’ Bucky would always defend) kid who always got bullied, anything but being a hardened, reserved man would get him more broken noses than necessary.
He even had problems talking to Bucky, and later Peggy and the Commandos. They had to practically corner him like an intervention to get him to spill what’s bothering him. And when they were younger, Bucky would always spend his hard-earned, barely there money to get Steve a special treat (which Steve always refused cause he didn’t like Bucky spending his money on him), to get Steve to vent.
Something starts to bloom inside him as he watches Sam talk- he realizes it’s admiration.
SAM (CONT’D)
Now I’m home, lying in my bed, and it’s like-
STEVE
Lying on a marshmallow. Feels like you’re gonna sink right to the floor.
He remembers Falsworth would always complain when the Commandos went back to London after months out in the field for R&D. He was never fully rested, and they’d catch him sleeping on the floor rather than the bed. Dugan made fun of him for it, but they all knew he did the same from time to time.
Even now, Steve sometimes sleeps on the floor. No one knows this. He’d been so afraid people would pity him and think he was odd or broken. There is a huge wave of relief and comfort knowing he and Sam go through the same thing.
Steve can tell Sam feels the same when he smiles and huffs a laugh.
STEVE (CONT’D)
How long?
SAM
Two tours.
Steve nods understandingly.
SAM (CONT’D)
You must miss the good old days, huh?
STEVE
Well-
Steve sucks in a breath and he looks around at the other joggers.
STEVE (CONT’D)
Things aren’t so bad. Food’s a lot better- we used to boil everything.
That gets a chuckle out of Sam, who’s listening to Steve like he’s saying the most interesting things ever.
STEVE (CONT’D)
No polio is good. Internet- so helpful. I’ve been reading that a lot, trying to catch up.
Sam nods.
SAM
Marvin Gaye, 1972, Trouble Man soundtrack.
Steve’s eyes light up a little, grateful for the recommendation.
SAM (CONT’D)
Everything you missed jammed into one album.
STEVE
I’ll put it on the list.
Steve fishes a small notebook from his back pocket and starts writing it down. There are several things on his list.
Moon Landing- Friends (Television - T.S/C.B)
- Berlin Wall (Up+Down)
Cold War
Steve Jobs(Apple)
- Thai Food (N.R)
- S
tar Wars/Trek (Movies)
AC/DC (Band - T.S)
- Rocky (Movie - C.B)
Forrest Gump(Movie - B.B)
- Jurassic Park (Movie - N.R/T.S)
- Trouble Man (Soundtrack- S.W)
Sam leans in and cranks his head to get a peek at Steve’s list, but before he can get a clear look, Steve’s phone starts to ring. It’s a unique-looking phone. SHIELD issued.
The message pops up as soon as he unlocks it.
NATASHA ROMANOFF: Mission Alert. Extraction Imminent. Meet at the curb. :)
STEVE (CONT’D)
All right, Sam, duty calls. Thanks for the run.
He turns to Sam, and he moves closer to give him a handshake. And then they do, Steve traps Sam’s hand with both of his.
STEVE (CONT’D)
If that’s what you wanna call running.
Sam’s eyebrows lift up to his forehead, and he scoffs in bewilderment.
SAM
Oh, that’s how it is.
Steve laughs.
STEVE
Ohhh, that’s how it is.
SAM
Okay...
He gives Steve a second to realize what he’s gonna do with a mischievous smile.
Sam stomps on the ground, feigning a tackle, and Steve quickly moves out of the way on reflex, laughing. Then Sam starts to chase him, and they’re dragged into a short game of tag around the park until the loud rev from a Corvette forces them to stop.
They both turn towards it, panting and smiling, when the window lowers and there sits Natasha Romanoff in the driver’s seat. Her hair is a little longer than the last time we saw her, straighter too.
She gives them both an unamused, but also very amused look as they straighten up, embarrassed.
NATASHA
Hey, kids. You boys know where the Smithsonian is, I’m here to pick up a fossil.
Steve stops himself from rolling his eyes.
STEVE
That’s hilarious.
He and Sam start walking towards the curb.
SAM
Anytime you wanna stop by the VA, make me look awesome in front of the girl at the front desk, just let me know.
Steve nods.
STEVE
I’ll keep it in mind.
Steve opens the passenger door and slides in. Sam crouches to catch his breath again, but he also catches Black Widow’s eyes. She tilts her head to look at him past Steve. She smiles.
NATASHA
Hey.
SAM
(Smiling) How you doing?
Steve turns his head to look at Sam.
STEVE
Can’t run everywhere.
SAM
(Amused) No, you can’t.
With that, Natasha revs the engine again and accelerates out of there.
The car, never slowing down, merges gracefully into traffic.
INT. CORVETTE- CONTINUOUS
Steve is pushed back a little from the force and speed at which Natasha is driving. Steve makes no attempt to hide his stress.
STEVE
Nat- Nat, slow down-
NATASHA
Oh, please, Stark is worse.
She turns the steering wheel sharply.
EXT. D.C ROADS- CONTINUOUS
From above, we see the Corvette maneuvering through the cars effortlessly as if traffic laws are optional.
CUT TO:
EXT. INDIAN OCEAN- NIGHT
A Quinjet soars through the cloudy night sky. Despite the speed, it’s soundless.
INT. QUINJET- CONTINUOUS
The interior is encased in darkness, the only light coming from the moon and the screens. Captain America, now in a new navy, stealth suit, stands among Black Widow and several other SHIELD agents as Brock Rumlow debriefs everyone on the mission.
He taps on the screen in front of them and zooms into a massive ship.
RUMLOW
Target is a mobile satellite launch platform, The Lemurian Star . They were sending up their last payload when pirates took them-
Steve squints his eyes.
RUMLOW (CONT’D)
93 minutes ago.
STEVE
Any demands?
RUMLOW
Billion and a half.
Steve turns to Rumlow. He’s all business, no play, slipping easily into his Captain America role.
STEVE
Why so steep?
RUMLOW
Because it’s SHIELD’s.
Rumlow’s tone has an underlying annoyance to it, like he expected Steve to know this obvious fact.
Steve furrows his brow and pauses. The gears in his head are turning. He exhales loudly and shakes his head, annoyed as well.
STEVE
So it’s not off course. It’s trespassing.
He leans close to Natasha and looks at her to see what she thinks. Nat, however, never takes her eyes off the screen.
NATASHA
I’m sure they have a good reason.
Steve lifts a brow.
STEVE
(A little forcibly) You know, I’m getting a little tired of being Fury’s janitor.
NATASHA
Realx. It’s not that complicated.
Natasha dismisses his concern easily. Now is not the time to doubt, and Steve needs to understand that. Especially when Steve’s doubts could potentially compromise her mission. She finally turns to Steve and gives him a teasing smirk to ease his mind.
Steve immediately looks away and addresses Rumlow.
STEVE
How many pirates?
Rumlow glances at him before moving his attention back to the screen.
RUMLOW
Twenty five. Top mercs led by this guy.
He swipes the screen. A mugshot-like picture of a French man with a cropped, military-style buzz cut.
RUMLOW (CONT’D)
Georges Batroc. Ex-DGSE, Action Division. He’s at the top of Interpol’s Red Notice.
Steve narrows his eyes again, nodding along. He risks a quick glance to his side to see Natasha’s reaction. Nothing. She’s a black slate and as still as a statue. It’s as if her mind and priorities are somewhere completely different.
Steve turns back to Rumlow, eyeing the picture of Batroc up and down.
RUMLOW (CONT’D)
Before the French demobilized him, he had 36 kill missions.
Steve hears a quiet snort come out of Natahsa’s nose.
RUMLOW (CONT’D)
This guy’s got a rep for maximum casualties.
STEVE
Hostages?
Rumlow swipes the screen again, revealing pictures of all the SHIELD hostages.
RUMLOW
Oh, mostly techs. One officer.
He clicks on one man’s picture in particular.
RUMLOW (CONT’D)
Jasper Sitwell. They’re in the galley.
Steve’s seen this guy. And not just in passing at the SHIELD headquarters- no, he’s seen him on the Helicarrier when SHIELD was trying to track down Loki.
Steve shakes his head.
STEVE
What’s Sitwell doing on a launch ship?
Widow finally turns to him.
STEVE (CONT’D)
All right, listen up, I’m gonna sweep the deck and find Batroc to keep him occupied. Nat, you kill the engines and wait for instructions.
Steve starts tightening his gloves.
STEVE (CONT’D)
Rumlow, you sweep aft, then find the hostages. Get them to the life pods, get them out. Let’s move.
Steve starts moving before he’s even finished his sentence.
RUMLOW
STRIKE, you heard the Cap gear up.
EXT. INDIAN SEA- NIGHT
The Jet flies through thick fog. It’s the perfect cover-up. The Lemurian Star will never see them coming.
INT. JET- CONTINUOUS
Steve makes his way to the back of the jet and messes with his comm device. He’s gotten pretty good with the new technologies of the 21st century. Steve’s always been a fast learner.
He’ll never admit it, but Steve feels proud of himself.
STEVE
Secure channel seven.
He passes Natasha, and she tilts her head to look at him through the corner of her eye in the way she always does.
NATASHA
Seven secure.
Steve can feel her eyes on him even though she’s not looking at him. It always made Steve feel like he was on display.
NATASHA (CONT’D)
(Playful) Did you do anything fun Saturday night?
STEVE
Well, all the guys from my barbershop quartet are dead, so-
He places the comm device gently in his ear and secures it. He turns to Natasha with a smirk, and her eyes light up.
STEVE (CONT’D)
No. Not really.
NATASHA
Boring.
Nat rolls her eyes as she puts the comm device in her ear as well.
NATASHA (CONT’D)
Betcha sat on your couch watching Wizard of Oz all day.
STEVE
Bingo.
Natasha eyes him up and down.
NATASHA
You know, a couple of SHIELD guys would kill to grab drinks with you.
Steve adjusts his uniform and tightens all the straps.
STEVE
Can’t get drunk.
NATASHA
Doesn’t seem to stop Thor.
Steve chuckles, and when he looks up, Natasha is more serious than she was a second ago. Steve slows his movements as he reels back, feeling a little ashamed. He turns around to grab his cowl and Shield, thankful for a reason to hide his face.
This conversation has made him kinda sour, forcing himself to once again confront his lonely life.
MALE PILOT ON RADIO (O.S)
Coming up on the drop zone, Cap.
Steve punches the button to open up the hangar a little harder than needed.
NATASHA
You know, if you ask Kristen out from Statistics, she’d probably say yes.
STEVE
That’s why I don't ask.
He tightens the chin strap on his cowl and attaches his Shield to his back, making his way towards the edge of the hangar. The wind is loud and strong. It excites Steve.
It shouldn’t. But it does.
NATASHA
Too shy, or too scared?
Steve glances over his shoulder before turning around, smiling at Nat.
STEVE
Too busy!
He gives her a salute before spreading his arms out wide and falling backwards gracefully out of the jet.
He can hear Natasha’s laughter even through the powerful winds.
Rumlow walks over to stand next to Natasha, looking out the jet with a pleased grin. The grin you have when you know your childhood hero is more of a badass than the stories make him out to be.
Jack Rolins, however, joins them with a concerned look.
ROLINS
Is he wearing a parachute?
Rumlow’s smirk widens.
RUMLOW
No. No, he was not.
EXT. SKY- CONTINUOUS
Through the dark night and thick clouds, we see Captain America fall down. Below, the Lemurian Star finally comes into view. The floodlights are the only reason it can be seen in the dead of night.
As Captain America gets closer to the water, he changes position so that he breaches the water legs first. Every muscle is tensed up and he falls like a fucking missile.
The ship looks like a ghost in the night, but it’s crawling with guards and soldiers armed to the gills.
Steve Rogers silently climbs up the side of the massive ship using the chains keeping the boat in place.
He jumps over the railing, landing soundlessly on his feet as a soldier walks past him, oblivious.
Steve creeps up on him and grabs him in a choke hold so fast that the soldier had no time to even utter a single sound. Steve holds the thrashing man still, tightening his hold until the soldier passes out within seconds.
Steve gently lays him on the ground before running full speed down the length of the ship. He’s not a monster to just toss the soldier like he’s seen the other STRIKE agents do. He’s still got morals and a heart.
Steve clocks three soldiers on his way. They turn when they see a navy blue man running full speed in their direction, but Captain America is just too fast. He pulls out his Shield mid-run and chucks it full force into a soldier’s chest. The man goes down instantly with a choked grunt.
Steve slides down under a wire and catches the Shield ricocheting off the side of the ship. He grabs it and swipes another soldier off his feet. He goes flying five feet up before slamming onto the ground. Steve throws his Shield at the soldier, making sure he won’t be getting back up for a few hours. Steve secures the Shield onto his back and keeps running. He never stops moving.
Captain America jumps over rows of cargo, not letting anything slow him down. The clock is ticking. If one pirate sounds the alarm, the mission is a bust.
A guard turns around only to be met with Captain America’s powerful front kick to the chest. He goes flying back and falls off the ship.
The other guards catch wind of the commotion and rush forward. Steve intercepts but drops down and sweeps his leg. The man falls onto his neck. The sick sound of bones cracking registers in Steve’s mind, but he doesn’t let himself get distracted.
A guard comes at Steve with a wide right hook, which Steve quickly blocks. Steve grabs the man by his arm and slams him over his back, then punches the guard's face.
The other man who should’ve stayed down gets up from pure adrenaline and stubbornness. Steve knows the feeling. He lives and breathes that feeling. But if it’s him against his opponent, Steve never doubts he can out-stubborn a god.
Steve delivers a nasty roundhouse kick straight into the man’s face. He feels more bones cracking. Steve looks down at the man for a split second, and finally stops, even if for a second. He stares at the dead man, and something awful twists in his stomach.
But he’s in the middle of a mission. Steve’s done this before. He’s shoved down his feelings for the sake of a mission during the war. It’s second nature now. Steve doesn’t know how to feel about that.
So he continues to run. He’s already wasted a second. As Steve runs down the length of the ship, he sticks out his arm, knocking a man off the ship without having to stop. There. Second gained back.
Steve jumps forward, catching himself in a roll. He gets back up and knocks out a guard with one punch. He whips around and kicks another through the railing. Steve turns back around and sees a guard pulling out a knife.
The man lunges forward, but Steve blocks it and shoves his arm down. The man strikes again with the knife. Steve grabs the arm and twists. The guard cries out in agony. Then Steve tosses him over his shoulder. The guard is now out cold.
The other guard Steve kicked, blinks back into consciousness. He shakingly looks up above him. An alarm. Bingo. The guard focuses all of his energy on reaching up to pull the alarm
SLICEEE!
A knife embeds itself into the man's hand, pinning it to the wall. Thrown by Steve Rogers. The guard cries out in pain but is put to rest by another one of Steve's kicks.
That was close.
Captain America jumps off the top level onto the deck below, landing softly on his feet, but also right in the center of a group of soldiers.
Steve swings his Shield at Soldier #1, then whips around to front kick Soldier #2. Soldier #2 goes flying back and off the deck.
Soldier #3 and #4 come at him from the left and right. Steve jams his Shield into Soldier #3’s stomach, then turns and drops to jam it again into Soldier #4’s knees. Steve turns back around and shoves the Shield into Soldier #3’s face, and again at Soldier #4, sending that soldier flying to the side.
He sees another soldier at the far end of the deck. Steve lunges forwards and flips in the air, using the momentum to send the Shield flying into that soldier, ricocheting off the wall. In the meantime, Captain America grabs another guard from behind, kneeing him in the back, then the face, then back again before tossing him over his shoulder just in time to catch his Shield.
Steve blocks a kick directed at his stomach, then blocks a punch with his Shield. Steve turns around and elbows the soldier before jumping up till he’s horizontal, wrapping his arms around the soldier, and dragging him down hard over his shoulder.
Steve hears rather than sees someone running up to him from behind. Steve simply turns and holds up his Shield, punching it. It slams into the man’s head, and he falls back with a groan.
CLOCK!
Steve stands still, and a gun is aimed at Steve’s head.
SOLDIER
[French] Freeze! Don’t move!
Steve lowers his head and catches his breath.
BAM!
The soldier drops dead as a man descends onto the ship with a parachute.
Rumlow.
Steve turns to see the man freeing himself from the chute.
STEVE
Thanks.
Rumlow rolls his eyes and huffs a chuckle.
RUMLOW
Yeah. You seemed pretty helpless without me. You’re a beast, Cap.
Steve lifts an eyebrow and tilts his head.
STEVE
Thanks again. I think.
A compliment like that from Brock Rumlow isn’t really a compliment. Rumlow is a good soldier and fighter, Steve can admit that, but he’s cruel and shows no mercy.
Rumlow’s words leave something bitter in Steve’s mouth, even though he probably didn’t mean it in that way.
More STRIKE agents descend quietly onto the ship. Among them is Black Widow. She lands gracefully next to Steve, and they immediately start walking side by side without missing a beat.
NATASHA
What about that cute nurse who lives across the hall from you? She seems really nice.
Steve shakes his head in good nature.
STEVE
Secure the engine room and then find me a date. Deal?
NATASHA
I’m multitasking.
STEVE
No such thing.
Natasha chuckles, and she jumps over the railing.
NATASHA
Stark would disagree.
Steve smiles despite himself. He likes the missions he’s sent on with Natasha Romanoff and/or Clint Barton.
CUT TO:
INT. GALLEY- CONTINUOUS
All 13 SHIELD hostages are tied up and are sitting on the floor surrounded by soldiers, ‘Pirates,’ keeping watch. Unlike typical hostages, they look unamused instead of terrified.
These are SHIELD personnel. They know who’s coming to get them out. All they have to do is wait.
FRENCH PIRATE
[French] I told Batroc, if we want to make SHIELD pay us, start sending them bodies. Now!
Jasper Sitwell purses his lips and stares at the Pirate. Cockiness oozes out of his posture and expression, as if SHIELD is three steps ahead. And they are.
One of the Pirates walks forward and extends his gun intimidatingly.
FRENCH PIRATE 2
[French] I have a bullet for someone.
He starts to threaten each and every one of the hostages, shaking the barrel of the gun dangerously close.
FRENCH PIRATE 2 (CONT’D)
[French] You want a bullet in your head? Huh? Move that foot!
He kicks someone’s leg until they bring it back in line.
FRENCH PIRATE 2 (CONT’D)
[French] You want a bullet!?
STILWELL
No, sir.
The Pirate straightens and looks over at Jasper Sitwell, who’s watching the Pirate with an unintimidated expression. The Pirate bristles and flares his nostrils. He steps forward and shoves the barrel of the gun into the center of Sitwell’s forehead.
The rest of the hostages gasp and turn away, whimpering silently and begging.
The Pirate snarls, disgusted.
FRENCH PIRATE 2
[French] Did I say you could talk to me? Hm?
He shoves the barrel further in, and Sitwell continues to stare at him, unworried.
CUT TO:
EXT. DECK- NIGHT
Steve Rogers continues to sprint very quietly, surprising for a man his size. He jumps and pushes off the wall with one leg to reach up and grab the top railing. Steve climbs up until he stands on the railing with one leg and extends his arm as far as it can go. Then he fires a small radio device.
It shoots across the ship and sticks to the window of the Captain’s Quarters. It’s so small, you can barely notice it unless you’re looking for it.
As soon as it turns on, the conversation happening inside becomes crystal clear.
BATROC (O.S)
[French] I don’t like waiting.
The camera spins to reveal Georges Batroc, The Leaper. He sits relaxed, but ready to pounce, on a chair overlooking the deck of the ship. His eyes are calculating as he gently toys with the stubble on his chin.
BATROC
[French] Call Durand. I want this ship ready to move when the ransom comes.
The radio crackles quietly next to him.
RADIO PIRATE (O.S)
[French] Understood. Call the Engines.
INT. CORRIDORS- CONTINUOUS
The Pirate on the other end of the line nods his head and mutters an ‘okay’ before he quietly hangs up the phone. He turns around and freezes.
In front of him, casually leaning against the railing with a lethal grin on her face, is the Black Widow.
She winks at him.
NATASHA
Hey, Sailor.
That was all the warning given before Natasha just her leg out and bashes the sailor’s knee. With a cry of agony, the sailor goes down. Nat unhooks a grappling hook from her utility belt and extends it, snapping it with no mercy.
It curls around the sailor’s neck. His arms instinctively go up to ease the choke hold, but Natasha Romanoff uses the railing as leverage to boost herself onto the man’s shoulders, tightening the rope. Then she kicks his back to give her enough force to fall backwards down the height of the interior deck. Nat whips out two guns and shoots any pirate she passes with 100% accuracy.
As she descends upside down, she spies a sailor right below her pulling out his gun. He doesn’t get far as his chest is decorated with bullet holes.
Natasha gracefully spins upright to land on her feet in her signature Black Widow pose.
There’s a small movement below her. Without having to look, Nat moves her arms to the side and shoots the pirates through the tiny holes of the walkway. She didn’t even need to see to know she’s got them. Clint Barton taught her more than the Red Room ever could.
CUT TO:
INT. GALLEY- NIGHT
The Pirates continue to circle the hostages intimidatingly, spitting out insults and threats.
PIRATE #1
[French] You want to be a hero? Is that it?
The hostages deliberately avoid eye contact with bated breath, not wanting to provoke the already pissed pirates.
PIRATE #2
[French] All right, I’ve waited long enough.
The senior pirate grits his teeth impatiently and heads over to the back door where the guard was supposed to inform them.
The senior pirate bangs on the door.
SENIOR PIRATE
Hey!
On the other side of the door, the guard leans in, listening to the senior.
SENIOR PIRATE (CONT’D)
[French] Find Barton! If I don’t hear anything in two minutes-
GUARD
[French] I’ll find him.
He turns around and is immediately met with a stun baton to the head. So sudden, the guard had no time to make a noise.
Rumlow catches the limp guard by the collar before he hits the ground and makes a sound.
The senior pirate wakes away, unaware of the commotion on the other side, though he does pause and slightly tilt his head towards the door.
Rumlow stands still, the guard in his hand. Rollins stands at attention, weapon drawn and aimed.
After a beat, the senior pirate continues on after not hearing anything else that would indicate something’s wrong. He announces to the rest of the pirates in the kitchens.
SENIOR PIRATE
[French] Two minutes!
Outside the door, Rumlow and Rollins don’t even breathe. They hear the senior officer shout the minutes through the door, and only then do they move.
It’s crazy how matriculate the STRIKE team is.
Rumlow glances behind him and catches Rollin’s eyes. He smiles, all teeth, and Rollin’s smile back, mirthful. This is too easy.
Rumlow eases the guard onto the floor. Quietly, though not gently.
EXT. DECK- NIGHT
With the deck now cleared thanks to Captain America, the rest of the STRIKE team are able to equip themselves to hang off the side of the Lemurian Star.
Without making a sound, the agents, guns drawn, step off the railing on the side of the ship. They fall down the length safely, stopping on the bottom level that houses the galley where the hostages are.
CUT TO:
Rollins walks back, face grim and serious. He removes a bomb from his weapons vest, staring ahead.
CUT TO:
The agents on the side of the ship inch closer and closer to the opening.
CUT TO:
Rollins crouches down and starts setting up the bomb. In front of him is Rumlow, gun aimed. He stares through the rifle, and stills himself not to move a single muscle.
Rollins gets up and strides over, carefully and metrically attaching a round disk to the center of the heavy doors leading to the galley. Rumlow watches everything through the rifle.
The disk lights red and expands.
CUT TO:
EXT. DECK- CONTINUOUS
Steve Rogers crouches and presses himself flat against a wall. He peeks, ever so slightly, around the wall towards the Captain’s Quarters. Though he’s too far away and blended for Batroc to see him, Steve sees him clearly as day. Can hear him too, even without the small radio disk. That’s there for the other SHIELD Agents to hear.
RADIO (O.S)
Radio silence from SHIELD, Batroc.
Steve hears it, all the way through the radio and the window and the space between the quarters and himself.
CUT TO:
The SHIELD Agents spy into the kitchen through their rifles on the side of the ship.
SHIELD AGENT
(Whisper) Targets acquired.
CUT TO:
RUMLOW
STRIKE in position.
CUT TO:
Steve brings his wrist up to his lips.
STEVE
(Whisper) Natasha. What’s your status?
CUT TO:
INT. ENGINE ROOM- CONTINUOUS
The engine room is swarming with guards. When three of the guards round the corner and only one is left in the main room, Natasha Romanoff drops down from the ceiling, softening the fall by landing in her iconic pose.
As soon as she touches the ground, Natasha breaks into a sprint towards the lone guard.
STEVE (O.S)
(Softly) Status, Natasha.
NATASHA
Hang on!
She launches herself onto the guard’s shoulders, wrapping her legs around his throat. The guard cries out in pain as Nat uses her Widow’s Bites to send electricity to his jugular.
He falls limp, but Black Widow rolls off his body easily and lands on her two feet.
As if on cue, the other guards come rushing in. Nat wastes no time as she grabs a guard's arm, which has a gun, and twists. She twists and pulls hard enough till she hears the pop of the man’s shoulder and his groans of pain.
Nat lets go of the arm, and the guard cradles it instinctively. Natasha uses the opening to deliver a nasty kick to his face, then drops down to sweep him off his feet.
She hears more footsteps and flips closer, kicking the gun out of the other guard’s hand. She then pulls herself closer to him, elbowing him hard in the nose. With his arms still around her, Nat uses his weight and strength against him by grabbing his head, pushing herself up and back into him, and shoving him to the ground.
Nat kicks herself back up, grabbing a gun in the process, and shooting the last guard in all the non-lethal areas.
She finally slows down to a stop, 4 bodies lying around her.
Nat breaths in and out, staring at the floor, and brings her wrist to her mouth.
NATASHA
Engine Room secure, Cap.
There’s a small movement behind her, and wordlessly, Nat reaches for a discarded metal pipe on a rack and swings it at a guard’s face who was trying to get back up. He falls limp, knocked out.
Nat allows a satisfied grin to creep on her face as she strides out of the room
CUT TO:
INT. GALLEY- NIGHT
Sitwell catches something in the corner of his eye. He flicks his eyes up and sees the barely noticeable head of a SHIELD agent peeking through.
It's time.
Sitwel’s expression doesn’t convey anything his mind is thinking, but inside, he cannot help but smirk in victory.
PIRATE 1
[French] Time is up. Who dies first?
He looks back up at the pirates spitting threats in French, unbothered.
PIRATE 1 (CONT’D)
[French] You! Get that one.
EXT. LEMURIAN STAR- CONTINUOUS
The SHIELD agents hang off the side of the ship, evenly spaced. They’re so still, you’d never see them in the dark. They patiently await orders.
EXT. DECK- CONTINUOUS
Steve, still crouched and wrist raised to his mouth, breathes in and out. His eyes are trained on Batroc, watching him like a hawk.
STEVE
(Softy) On my mark.
INT. HALLWAY- CONTINUOUS
Through the heat vision on Rumlow’s gun, we see him track the pirates' movements.
Targets locked.
STEVE (O.S)
Three...
EXT. LEMURIAN STAR- CONTINUOUS
The SHIELD agents gently lay their fingers on the trigger, applying just enough pressure.
STEVE (O.S)
Two...
INT. GALLEY- CONTINUOUS
The Senior Pirate grabs one of the hostages and drags her in front of the group-
He doesn’t get far-
STEVE (O.S)
One-
Bullets rain through the air. Lightning fast. The Pirates gasp and try to pinpoint the attacker, but don’t get far. Each one drops dead in a matter of seconds.
The heavy doors blow open, revealing Rumlow on the other side with his weapon raised. The Senior Pirate whips around and pulls out his gun, but he’s met with several bullets to the chest.
The Senior Pirate drops at Sitwell's feet. He simply looks at the dead man and finally allows himself to plaster a smug smile on his face.
SITWELL
I told you. SHIELD doesn’t negotiate.
Sitwell extends his legs and pushes the body away from him in disgust.
CUT TO:
INT. CAPTAIN’S QUARTERS- NIGHT
Batroc stiffens near the radio. He clenches his jaw painfully hard.
His second in command lowers the phone after attempting and failing to get someone on line.
2ND IN COMMAND
[French] Batroc. I’ve lost contact with them.
Batroc inhales sharply and paces slowly. He pauses in front of the windows and runs a hand down his face.
2ND IN COMMAND (CONT’D)
[French] The line went dead...
Batroc freezes. He blinks and strains to listen. All of a sudden, the hairs on his neck stand up, and his body screams of a threat nearby.
Then, just as suddenly, Batroc whips around just in time to see Captain America printing in front of the window, jumping, and launching his Shield all within the blink of an eye.
Batroc drops to the floor to dodge the Shield by a fraction of a second. Glass shards rain everywhere, and the Second in Command flies backwards. The Shield pins itself into a metal cabinet.
Steve jumps through the shattered window, ignoring the glass shards piercing his palms.
Steve hops into the quarters and is immediately met by a kick from Batroc, who’s hidden beneath the panels. Cap stumbles back, but that’s all the distraction Batroc needed to head off sprinting. He kicks open a door and escapes.
Steve quickly runs towards his Shield, yanking it from the wall and running after Batroc.
CUT TO:
INT. CORRIDORS- NIGHT
Rumlow and Rollins stalk through the hallways, covering each other's six. They’re followed by Sitwell, then the rest of the hostages.
RUMLOW
Hostages en route to extraction.
EXT. DECK- CONTINUOUS
Steve rushes out and looks over the railing.
Nothing. Damn, Batroc is fast. Steve read his file, but you never know what to expect unless you’re in the moment.
RUMLOW (O.S)
Romanoff missed the rendezvous point, Cap.
What?
Steve tries to push down the nausea of worry that fills his stomach at the possibility of Natasha hurt, or worse...
He jumps down the full height of the flight of stairs and looks around frantically for any sign of Batroc.
RUMLOW (O.S)
Hostiles are still in play.
Steve, still looking around, lifts his wrist to his mouth. Ignoring Rumlow, he goes straight to Natasha.
STEVE
(Quietly) Natasha. Batroc’s on the move.
He breaks into a small jog.
STEVE (CONT’D)
Circle back to Rumlow and protect the hostages.
There’s no reply. Not even empty static.
Steve clenches his jaw, letting the worry seep through.
STEVE (CONT’D)
Natasha-?
He isn’t granted time to dwell on the status of Natasha as a flying kick from Batroc comes out of nowhere. Steve instinctively raises his Shield to block the attack.
It knocks Steve off his feet, and he rolls back. Cap immediately gets back up, only to have a powerful side kick knock him back down.
There’s a split second when Steve notices a blur of Batroc’s next move- an axe kick- and Steve falls with his legs spread.
The kick lands in the place where Steve’s crotch would have been if it weren’t for his quick thinking.
The two men look at each other with wide eyes. Then a second later, they’re back in action.
They both dance around each other, trying to get up. Batroc kicks Steve, but he blocks it with the Shield. Batroc the Leaper drops down for a sweep kick, and Captain America jumps over it, but then is met by a back kick to the chest.
Steve stumbles back again and looks up to see a flying kick from the Leaper again. Face settling in determination, Cap drops and rolls out of the way. He gets up and spins, face to face with Batroc.
A punch. Jap, hook. Jump kick into another punch. Roundhouse, tornado.
Block. Block, block. Dodge, block, block.
On the last missed kick, Steve rams forward into Batroc with his Shield.
Batroc goes flying back to the opposite end of the deck. Steve follows slowly, stalking forward.
Unfazed, Batroc kicks himself up, face to face with Captain America once again.
The two stare for a moment. Then Batroc pounds his chest with a grunt and lunges back towards the Captain.
Jump kick. Front kick, leading to a side kick. Roundhouse. Back kick. Tornado.
Block. Block. Block. Block.
It’s a beautiful mixture of martial arts moves displayed by Batroc the Leaper. But Captain America dodges and blocks each and every single one of them. They move like they’re dancing. Never missing a beat, never out of line.
Then Steve grabs Batroc’s head, yanking him down to knee his stomach.
Once. Twice. On the third knee jap, Batroc leaps over Steve’s knee. Steve quickly moves out of the way to avoid getting tackled.
Batroc performs several stunning gymnastic moves, flipping and leaping high into the air before landing perfectly on his two feet.
Despite the situation, Steve’s impressed. He hasn’t fought someone with this level of skill and athletic ability in a long time.
The two glare at each other, glowering with despise.
Batroc smirks wickedly, despite Steve’s death stare.
BATROC
[French] I thought you were more than just a Shield...
Steve tilts his head and straightens, never breaking eye contact with Batroc.
Steve breathes deeply as he reattaches his Shield to his back, then reaches up and unclips the chin strap to his cowl, slowly and deliberately removing it.
Steve Rogers' hair is messy and matted, giving him a rugged, handsome look. He narrows his eyes at Batroc whose smile has grown even wider.
Steve doesn’t care if he’s giving in to Batroc’s taunts. Normally, he refuses to give in to the bait of his bullies. But right now, Steve doesn't mind. It’s not going to hinder his abilities.
He hears Bucky’s voice quietly in the back of his mind.
You always have something to prove, don’t you?
Steve’s lips curl up minutely.
STEVE
[French] Let’s see.
Steve can see the quick surprise in Batroc’s face before he readies himself. Steve tosses his cowl and does the same, waiting for Batroc to make the first move.
Bartoc moves. Roundhouse kick. Cap blocks it. Steve swings a hook. Batroc blocks. Steve swings again as Batroc kicks, and Cap redirects his swing to block the attack. Steve drops low. Punch to the gut. Batroc grunts. Cap stands back up and jabs his elbow into Batroc’s temple. He stumbles back.
Batroc growls and lunges forward again. Steve intercepts by kicking his knee. Batroc cries out in pain. Cap kicks him again in the chest and Batroc stumbles back further in a daze.
Then Captain America rushes forward and flips in the air, ending the fight with a back axe kick. Batroc the Leaper falls to the ground. Steve steps back, panting, as Batroc gets back up, spitting out blood.
Wow. This man can take a beating.
Steve growls as he tackles Batroc into the next room, through the metal doors, and slides across the floor. Steve finally knocks the man out with a punch to the face.
Steve stays there on top of Batroc’s passed-out body, breathing heavily.
NATASHA (O.S)
Well, this is awkward.
Steve whips his head to the side, where he sees Natasha leaning over a computer. She smirks at him playfully, but there’s a tightness to it that tells him that she’s not really happy that he’s caught her in the act.
Steve gets up.
STEVE
What are you doing?
NATASHA
Backing up the hard drive.
She turns her attention back to the computer.
NATASHA (CONT’D)
It’s a good habit to get into. You should try it.
STEVE
Rumlow needed your help. What the hell are you doing here?
He comes to a stop behind her, peering over her shoulder to look at the computer. It finally dawns on him.
Steve sighs, resigned.
STEVE (CONT’D)
You’re saving SHIELD intel.
NATASHA
Bingo. Whatever I can get my hands on-
STEVE
Our mission is to rescue hostages!
Steve’s not proud of the anger in his voice, but he can’t help it.
STEVE (CONT’D)
You can’t leave us in the dark and go off on your own. This is a team.
Nat’s face falls into a harsh frown, and she lifts an eyebrow at Steve. Something tells him that there’s more going on, and he’s the only one in the dark.
A small beep from the hard drive breaks the tension.
The playful, dry teasing Steve associates with Natasha is replaced by a tight, dismissive voice.
NATASHA
That’s your mission, Rogers.
She ejects the hard drive and pockets it, turning to him. She gives him a humorless smirk.
NATASHA (CONT’D)
And you’ve done it beautifully.
Nat makes a move to leave, but Steve grabs her arm, stopping her. He leans in close.
STEVE
Natasha . You just jeopardized this whole operation.
She eases up in his grip.
NATASHA
Steve . I think that’s overstating things.
CLANK!
Captain America and Black Widow both whip around to see Batroc the Leaper back on his feet. He sprints out of the room, but not before tossing a grenade at the two Avengers.
Steve hits it to the side with his Shield.
The beeping counts down their seconds. The blast, inevitable. Like they’ve done this a million times, Natasha wordlessly moves towards Steve and he wraps his arm around her, clinging her close to him. They both make a dash towards the adjacent room. Steve jumps onto the table as Natahsa fires at the window, shattering it so Steve can push them both through.
The grenade goes off. The blast shoves them through the shattered window a lot more harshly.
The two go crashing into the room as flames consume the computer lab they were just in.
They both cough raggedly as they crawl back underneath the window and lean against it.
Natasha pinches her face in pain, groaning loudly. Steve quickly peeks over the window and collapses back down when he sees no more threats. He groans as well at the feeling of a bruised rib.
The two sit there for a moment, just panting and trying to catch their breath.
NATASHA
Okay, I’ll admit.
She rolls her head to the side and looks at Steve, whose eyes are shut closed.
NATASHA (CONT’D)
That one’s on me.
Steve doesn’t answer for a few breaths.
STEVE
You’re damn right.
He gets up sharply and leaves the room to check on the hostages.
Natasha watches him go with a guilty expression mixed with pain. Steve is angry. She shakes her head and silently scolds the man who gave her this side mission. Steve would have found out one way or another whether she finished the mission without him catching her or not. And both ways would have ended with him pissed at being left in the dark on the mission he’s leading.
CUT TO:
INT. QUINJET- NIGHT
The hostages sit quietly and safely to the side. Some have fallen asleep. The STRIKE team winds down and puts away their weapons while some write up a mission report.
Steve Rogers sits in a corner aside from the rest. He’s stiff and unmoving, frowning deeply at a random spot ahead of him.
Natasha Romanoff sits across from him. She’s on the phone with someone. Steve tunes it out; it’s not his business, but he can assume it’s Clint Barton.
Despite being on the phone, she stares at Steve with an unreadable expression. Some STRIKE agents glance at him too, whispering to each other at what got the Cap so worked up.
Steve is mad. He’s been played. Made a pawn by SHIELD, who promised full transparency when he first joined. He expected better. It shouldn't surprise him that his expectations have been met with disappointment. His first encounter with SHIELD during Loki’s Invasion has proven that they’re a secret-keeping organization even within themselves.
Nat ends the call but doesn’t move her wary eyes away from Steve.
A small movement drags him out of his trance. He watches Natasha get up and sit next to him. Her expression is stoic and unreadable.
NATASHA
Brooding is not a good look on you.
She looks ahead and pats his leg. She doesn’t look at Steve, and he watches her this time.
NATASHA (CONT'D)
You're bleeding.
Steve looks down at his hands and sees that there are glass shards under the skin of his palms. He's healed over it, and his body pushed some shards out, but with it being trapped between his palms and his gloves, the wound keeps opening up, leaving a bloody mess. Steve stares at his blood-soaked gloves numbly.
He blinks when Natasha grabs his hands and takes his gloves off, pulling out tweezers and starts to carefully remove the shards. Steve didn't even notice her grabbing the MedKit.
NATASHA (CONT'D)
You're supposed to let us know when you're injured.
STEVE
(Stiffly) I'll heal.
NATASHA
Clearly.
He stares at her. She has a deep frown.
NATASHA (CONT'D)
(Mumbling) You're a mess.
His eyes soften. Steve is not angry at her. He's upset at the fact that he was left in the dark so easily, and he's upset with himself for what he said to Nat in the computer lab. She was just following her mission, her orders. And, there’s only one man who’d give the Black Widow orders unbeknownst to Captain America on a mission he’s leading.
Nick Fury.
Steve’s angry with Nick Fury.
(TO BE CONTINUED)