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Sam Wilson and I were jogging around Washington, D.C. memorial when Steve Rogers quickly catches up to us and runs past us. He does this every morning for the past year. Every morning Steve runs past us and yells "On your left." I think that's why Sam goes here. He likes to tell everyone that he runs in the morning with Captain America, but it's more like every morning Sam gets lapped by Captain America.

After what felt like a minute, Steve came around again quickly and said again "On your left." Sam Wilson groaned and said,

"Uh-huh, on my left. Got it." I laughed as I watched my best friend Sam get frustrated. Sam and I continued to jog when Steve comes around again from behind us from another lap. I could see Sam get tense.

"Don't say it! Don't you say it!" Sam yelled with a smile on his face. He tried to look angry, but I could tell he was enjoying this banter.

"On your left!" Captain America said with a smile on his face as he runs by us.

"Come on!" Sam said angrily trying to catch up to him, but only after a few seconds, Sam was unable to carry on and stops to rest. I caught up with him and started to laugh at him. He was so out of breath and frustrated. As Sam rested and was catching his breath by a tree and I stood there making fun of him, Steve walked over to us.

"Need a medic?" He said to Sam, causing me to let out a loud laugh.

"I need a new set of lungs. Dude, you just ran like 13 miles in 30 minutes." Sam said as he sat up from his resting position.

"I guess I got a late start." Steve Rogers said with a laugh.

"Oh, really? You should be ashamed of yourself. You should take another lap. Did you just take it? I assumed you just took it." Sam said with a smirk.

"Ya, he definitely just took it," I said lightly kicking Sam's leg as he still laid on the ground.

"What unit you two with?" Steve asked.

"58, Pararescue. And she, well she is unit 67, classified. But now we are both working down at the VA." Steve reached down and picked Sam up off the ground.

"Sam Wilson. And this is Hayes Kennedy." Sam said once he was on his feet.

Steve turned to me and gave me a little nod.

"Steve Rogers." He said back.

"I kind of put that together. Must have freaked you out coming home after the whole defrosting thing." I said as we walked towards the entrance to the Washington Monument.

"It takes some getting used to. It's good to meet you two, Sam, Hayes." Steve said as he turned to leave.

"It's your bed, right?" I said causing Steve to stop and turn around.

"What's that?" He said back.

"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. Now I'm home, lying in my bed, and it's like..." I trailed off

"Lying on a marshmallow. Feel like I'm gonna sink right to the floor." Steve Rogers finished for me.

I smiled and nodded my head at him.

"How long?" Steve said looking at the both of us.

"Two tours. And Hayes her, three. You must miss the good old days, huh?" Sam said.

"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." Steve said

"Marvin Gaye, 1972, "Trouble Man" soundtrack. Everything you've missed jammed into one album." I said back.

"She gets her taste of music from me," Sam said proudly.

Steve smiled and nodded in approval.

"I'll put it on the list." He said. Steve took out a small notebook and pen. He began to write it down in his notes. I took a step closer and looked at the list which included I Love Lucy (Television); Moon Landing; Berlin Wall (Up + Down) Steve Jobs (Apple); Disco; Thai Food; Star Wars/Trek (with Star Wars crossed out, indicating that he has seen it); Nirvana (Band); Rocky (Rocky II?)

I was startled when Steve received a text. I took a step back to be next to Sam as Steve looked at his phone.

"Alright, Sam, Hayes, duty calls. Thanks for the run. If that's what you wanna call running." Steve says as he shakes both of our hands. He held on to my hand a little longer as we both stared at each other. We were interrupted when Sam laughed and said

"Oh, that's how it is? That is called running for us humans."

"Oh, that's how it is," Steve said as he released his grip on my hand and stepped away.

"Okay. Any time you wanna stop by the VA, make me look awesome in front of the girl at the front desk, just let me know." Sam said laughing.

"I'll keep it in mind."

Soon a car pulled up and the window rolled down.

"Hey, fellas. Either one of you knows where the Smithsonian is? I'm here to pick up a fossil." The woman said. I looked harder and saw it was Black Widow.

"That's hilarious," Steve said as he walked over to her car and got in.

I turned to Sam and saw him giving Natasha and her car an appreciative look.

"How are you doing?" Sam said as he tried to act smooth.

"Hey," Natasha said back with a smile. I hit Sam in the arm to snap him out of his trance.

"Can't run everywhere," Steve said to us as he climbed into the car.

"No, you can't," Sam said as we watched Natasha quickly pulls away and drive off.

Sam and I stood there for a second before deciding to go home. We lived together here in Washington. He was my brother's best friend and when he died, Sam ended up filling in the role of my brother in my life. We both had trouble with nightmares and flashbacks about our times overseas. We chose to live in a house together after we both ended up getting a job at the same place. He lived downstairs and I lived upstairs, but we still had to share a kitchen and living room.

When we got home I decided to take a shower. I let the water hit me as I tried to relax. People always say they do their best thinking in the shower, but I always try not to. I always find myself thinking back to when I was overseas. While my brother and Sam were Pararescue, I was a U.S. assassin/ special ops. My group called ourselves assassins since we were the ones going in and taking out threat after threat. It was a long story how that happened, but when I was in the army with my brother, someone higher up saw my abilities and turned me and my group into what I am today. With nothing to come home to, my brother and I dedicated our lives to our country.

Once I got out of the shower, I got changed and headed to work. It was nothing special and Sam and I both hated it. The only thing good about it was people were not shooting at us anymore.

It was the next day and Sam had gone out for a run. I didn't feel like going today and wanted to sleep in. When I woke up, I took a quick shower and then got changed into a tank top and sweatpants. I headed downstairs to the kitchen to see if Sam made anything. Once I saw that Sam did not make anything and he was passed out on the couch from the run this morning, I decided to go out and get breakfast. As I walked around, I passed the Smithsonian Museum. I decided to walk in and check it out. I hadn't been in there for a while. I found myself going towards the exhibit dedicated to Captain America.

"A symbol to the nation. A hero to the world. The story of Captain America is one of honor, bravery, and sacrifice." The Smithsonian Narrator over the speaker said. I slowly started to walk around and just take in the exhibit.

"Denied enlistment due to poor health, Steven Rogers was chosen for a program unique in the annals of American warfare. One that would transform him into the world's first super-soldier." The Smithsonian Narrator continued.

As I walked around, I noticed someone that looks familiar. I walked up to him and nudged his arm. I startled him as he turned to look at me.

"Captain," I said with a small smile on my face. I stared at the exhibit ahead as he looked down at me.

We were standing in front of the display where there are mannequins with costumes of Steve's old commando squad.

"How did you know where I would be?" Steve said as he looked back at the exhibit.

"I didn't. Just thought I would come to see the dinosaur exhibit."

"You're at the wrong exhibit," Steve said with a small, knowing I was making fun of his age.

"Am I Captain? I'm pretty sure I'm in the right place." I said looking up at him.

"Haha, very funny." He said with a smile.

We began to walk around together. Listening to The Smithsonian Narrator over the speaker.

We walked into a showing of some of Steve's old companions.

Steve watched as a woman named Peggy Carter being to speak.

"That was a difficult winter. A blizzard had trapped half our battalion behind the German line. Steve...Captain Rogers, fought his way through a HYDRA blockade that had pinned our allies down for months. He saved over a thousand men, including the man who would...who would become my husband as it turned out. Even after he died, Steve was still changing my life."

I turned to look at Steve and could tell his expression had changed. He really knew her or even loved her. He took out his compass and looked at the picture of her.

"It's always hard to let go of your first love," I said reaching out to give his arm a reassuring squeeze. He cleared his throat before standing up. I followed him as we left the video exhibit. We walked around for a bit before I felt like it was time for me to go and give him space.

"I'm gonna head home, Steve," I said to him as we stared at a picture of him and Bucky.

"I can walk you home." He said looking at me.

I turned to face him.

"No, it's ok Steve. I'll hopefully see you soon." I said and turned to leave.

"Thank you, Hayes," Steve called out to me. I stopped and turned back to give him a small nod before leaving the Smithsonian. I stopped at a cafe to get a coffee and some food before heading back to my house. The whole time on my way back home, I thought about Steve Rogers.

When I got back home, Sam was dressed in casual clothing and in the kitchen drinking a glass of water.

"Where did you go?" Sam asked as I entered the kitchen.

"To the Smithsonian and to get a coffee," I said as I placed my coffee and food down on the kitchen island.

"My PTSD group meeting starts soon and I want you to come with me. You haven't been there in a while." Sam said leaning forward and resting his forearms on the kitchen island.

"I don't like going there. It makes me think about things I don't want to and I haven't had a nightmare in weeks."

Sam let out a scuffing noise.

"Weeks? That's not what I wanna hear cause when you say weeks that means a couple of days." Sam walked over to the side of the kitchen island I was on and stood next to me with his back resting on the kitchen counter.

"Just come ok. I won't have you talk or anything if you don't want to." Sam placed his hand on my back.

"Fine. Let's go." I said as I headed outside to our car.

I've been sitting here in this stupid circle with all these people for what felt like hours. As I listen to the person speak, I glance up and saw Steve walk into the group meeting as Sam continued to counsel the other veterans. He leans against the door frame and I gave him a nod when we made eye contact and went back to listening to the veteran's story.

"The thing is I think it's getting worse. A cop pulled me over last week, he thought I was drunk. I swerved to miss a plastic bag. I thought it was an IED." She said with sadness in her voice.

"Some stuff you leave there, other stuff you bring back. It's our job to figure out how to carry it. Is it gonna be in a big suitcase or a little man-purse? It's up to you." Sam said as he looked around the room.

The meeting soon ended. Steve stood there waiting for Sam and me as Sam finishes saying goodbye to the veterans.

"I'll see you next week." One of them said to Sam.

"Yeah," Sam said with a reassuring smile on his face.

"Yeah." The veteran said back as Sam placed his hand on her shoulder and watched her walk away.

Sam then turned to me and gave me a nod. I followed him as we both walked over to Steve.

"Look who it is. The running man." Sam called out to Steve.

"Caught the last few minutes. It's pretty intense." Steve said as he leaned against the doorframe.

"Yeah, brother, we all got the same problems. Guilt, regret. More than others." Sam said glancing at me when he said the last sentence. I averted my gaze and looked at the ground.

"You lose someone?" Steve asked. Those words caused me to look up and try to keep a stern face to show no emotion.

"My wingman and her brother, Riley. Flying a night mission. Standard PJ rescue op, nothing we hadn't done a thousand times before, till RPG knock Riley's dumb ass out of the sky. Nothing I could do. It's like I was up there just to watch."

I hadn't heard his name in so long. I tried to keep my emotions to myself.

"I'm sorry," Steve said sadly. He reached out and grabbed my hand, giving it a little squeeze. I looked up at him and saw he was giving me a reassuring smile. He then released my hand and gave me a quick nod.

"After that, I had a really hard time finding a reason for being over there, you know?" Sam said as he pulled me into a sideways hug.

"As I ended up coming home, Hayes here went out and did another tour. I eventually convinced her to come home." Sam said rubbing his hand up and down my arm that he used to pull me into a hug. I then cleared my throat to talk,

"I needed to go on that last tour to know what I was missing back here. And it just started to get to me over there, you know? You lose one person of your group and you think well I lost one, but at least I saved one or two or how many you did, but you still lost someone and even though it's one person, It always feels like you lost 10 people and that emotionally starts to add up." I said with a sigh.

"But you're happy now, back in the world?" Steve said looking at me.

"Hey, the number of people giving me orders is down to about zero. So, hell, yeah. You just try not to think about it and ask for help. You thinking about getting out?" I said trying to act like I wasn't affected by the topic of this conversation.

"No. I don't know. To be honest, I don't know what I would do with myself if I did." Steve said honestly.

"Ultimate fighting? [Steve laughs] It's just a great idea off the top of my head. But seriously, you could do whatever you want to do. What makes you happy?" Sam said trying to lighten the mood.

"I don't know," Steve said quietly.

"Stop interrogating the guy and let him be," I said elbowing Sam in the side.

"Well if you ever need anything, I mean anything. Don't be afraid to call or come over." Sam said. He handed Steve a piece of paper with our address and the phone number's on it. He then said his goodbyes and left. Sam and I hopped in the car and left to head home.

When we got home, I turned on the tv for background noise. I laid down on the couch and pulled out my phone. I was scrolling through social media for hours when the news suddenly caught my attention.

"We have some sad news to announce. As of 1:03 pm. Nickolas Fury, the director of S.H.I.E.L.D. was pronounced dead after a gunshot wound. No further details have been released, but we will keep you posted." The news lady said.

"Sam!" I called out from the living room. He came running into the living room. I pointed at the tv before he could say anything. He read the news headline that flashed at the bottom of the screen.

"I hope Steve is ok," I said as I looked at Sam.

"Me too." He said back. I went upstairs to my room after that and laid down on my bed, facing the ceiling. I thought about Steve and our conversations today. I hoped that he was alright and that he knew that I cared about him, just like Sam.