SPOV (Steve)

The battle of New York was about a year ago and I just recently found out my dearest friend in the world is alive. Bucky is alive. He survived the fall from the train.

I know he is alive because he just tried to kill Natasha, Falcon, and I. We foiled HYDRA's plans to eliminate millions of 'targets' that they seemed to think were a risk to their plans. We have since rounded up nearly all of what was left of HYDRA.

I now have a new mission, finding Bucky. You see he disappeared after he saved me when I fell off of the helicarrier. Just because he was the one who pushed me off means nothing to me. I know the man I once knew and loved is still there somewhere; otherwise he would not have pulled me out of the river. He saved me.

I have no idea where he could be now. Sam, the Falcon, and I have been looking tirelessly. But we have had no luck in finding him. I am at my wit's end. I think I may have to call in reinforcements. I would ask Stark to help, but I don't want to bring the other Avengers into this.

When I first woke up from the ice, Fury had me in SHIELD. I didn't fully trust them so I decided to work some missions with the Army and government while I learned to trust them. I did these types of missions for six months to a year at most.

I still have a few old Army contacts I could try. I once did a mission in South America with one of the best Army Rangers I have ever met. We were there to take out a Brazilian gun runner.

This guy had a 'nose' for finding people. He was truly amazing to watch. His team and I easily found and eliminated the target within three days.

The more I think about this guy, the more I think he would be able to help me. I haven't spoken to him in a few years. The last I heard about him, he was just starting out his own business. A few of the guys he served with and he started up a security company in Trenton, New Jersey. I wonder if he is still there?

I walk to my home office. I took Stark up on his offer of a place to stay after the battle of New York. I found myself no longer wanting to wander around, after I did so for 6 months. And besides Stark tower has the absolute best security measures.

"JARVIS, I need a phone number please." I speak into what appears to be thin air. JARVIS is Stark's AI. He runs the building and is immensely helpful in these type of situations.

"Yes, Captain Rogers, the name?"

"Manoso, Carlos Manoso. He should be in the Trenton, New Jersey area. There may also be a security company associated with the name." I inform JARVIS.

"Just a moment sir." I hear above me. "Yes, found him. You are correct Captain. Mr. Manoso owns and runs a security company in Trenton, New Jersey called 'Rangeman'. Do you want the main company number?"

"That's fine JARVIS, just send it to my Stark phone please."

"Done sir."

I hear a beep from my pocket. I pull out a clear cell phone. I am almost used to the strange contraptions that are so popular now-a-days. I tap the screen and easily find the number that JARVIS has pre-programmed into it for me.

I sit down in my desk chair and pick up the phone on the corner of my desk. I carefully dial the number on my cell phone's screen. After three rings someone picks up.

"Rangeman, this is Cal. How may I help you or direct your call?"

"Yes, thank-you, I would like to make an appointment to see Mr. Manoso as quickly as possible." I tell the voice on the other end of the phone.

"Your name please, and the nature of the business?"

"My name is Steve Rogers and I would rather discuss that with Ranger please, if you don't mind." I inform him.

"Steve Rogers, Captain Steve Rogers? Ranger is actually in the building. One moment please and I'll connect you to his cell phone." Cal says excitedly.

"Well, thank-you," I say just before hearing a click in my ear and soothing 'elevator music' begins.

Moments later I hear Ranger's voice in my ear. It's been so long since we have spoken.

"Captain? Are you there?"

"Yes, Ranger, I'm here. It's good to speak to you again. How have you been?"

"I've been doing well. What can I do for you?"

"Down to business huh, Ranger, you haven't changed much." I chuckle into the phone. "I need your help. I need to find someone and you are the best."

I hear what sounds like an alarm blaring in the background. Ranger curses under his breath and comes back on the line.

"Cap, I'll be happy to help you. Come by my office tomorrow morning at 0900, I'll leave word with the front desk to be expecting you. I have to go. I just had a fire alarm go off. I'll see you tomorrow, Captain."

"Sorry, I hope it turns out OK. And if you don't mind I will be bringing my partner with me, Sam Wilson, AKA Falcon. Is that acceptable?"

"Fine." He answers, then promptly hangs up on me.

Well that was rude, but he did have an emergency to attend to. I'm sure he didn't mean anything personal by it.

I call Sam and tell him my plan to go to talk to Ranger tomorrow. He, of course, agrees. He has been so helpful to me the past few months with my search for Buck. I hope Ranger will be able to do what we have not been able to do, find my friend. I have confidence in his abilities. He will find him, he has to.

I head down to the gym to work out some of this stress. The nightmares from the war have started to come back also. I think this is because of Bucky. The memories of him and the Howling Commandos and all of the missions we did, came flooding back to me. A few hours punching the bags should do the trick. It always helped me before.

After pummeling, and breaking; five different bags for 4 hours, I feel somewhat better. It is also getting late. I need to try to get some rest.

I head up to my apartment, taking up an entire floor of the building; to take a shower and relax.

The next morning

Sam and I head out at 6 a.m. I decide to take one of my motorcycles for the trip. Sam insists on taking one of Stark's SUV's. I ask JARVIS to program the address for Rangeman Securities into the SUV's GPS system. I'll follow behind Sam.

Sam tries to argue the point of taking the SUV, more room for our gear he says. I indulge him in this. I refuse to start the day off on the wrong foot with an argument.

We hit I-95 south toward Jersey. The whole trip shouldn't take more than a couple of hours. That's with the pit stop I know Sam will want to make for food. I'd swear he was a super soldier the quantities he eats.

We are on the road for almost an hour when Sam pulls off of the highway and into a small diner. It took him longer than I thought it would.

After a quick breakfast, we are on our way again. We should be arriving in Trenton shortly. According to the GPS, we are only 30 miles away now.

Twenty minutes later, we are pulling into the underground garage of an unassuming 7 story building on Haywood Street. We park the vehicles in two spaces designated for 'visitors'.

By the time I climb off my bike and Sam has exited the SUV; we have been joined by a couple of men in black uniforms. I step up beside Sam and face the two gentlemen. The taller of the two speaks up.

"Captain, Ranger sent us down to escort you up to his office. If you will follow us please."

We follow them to the elevator a few yards away. We all step in and as the doors close, the taller one addresses us again.

"I'm Hal and this is my partner Cal, you spoke to him on the phone yesterday I believe."

"Yes. It's nice to meet you both." I respond to Hal. I have to turn my eyes away from Cal's forehead. He has a rather large flaming skull tattoo smack dab in the middle of it.

"It's an honor to meet you sir." Cal states as he reaches his hand out for me to shake. I take it and give it a firm shake as I reply.

"You too. This is my partner Sam Wilson, he is known by 'Falcon' where we come from."

"We heard all about the brave things you all did to save the planet. First the aliens in New York, then those HYDRA people in DC; trust us sirs, the honor is all ours."

I nod my head mutely as the elevator dings and the doors re-opens on the fifth floor. Hal and Cal lead us across the hallway and to a large office door. Hal knocks loudly and opens the door only when he hears the gruff "enter" from the other side.

Hal and Cal leave and shut the door back behind us. Ranger is sitting behind his large oak desk working on what looks to be paperwork. His head snaps up when the door closes behind us. His gracefully eases up from his seat and walks over to us.

"Cap, it's great to see you again." Ranger starts. "Have a seat. You remember my partner Tank?" He adds.

"Yes of course. Sherman, how are you?" I inquire.

"Doing well sir, and call me Tank please."

"Now what can I do for you Captain? You said you wanted me to find someone for you. It's Barnes isn't it?" I nod in response.

"Sam and I have been trying unsuccessfully to locate him for nearly six months. I need some professional help. Bucky is good at hiding when he needs to do so." I admit.

"We were all trained to hide when needed. You know it will be like finding a needle in a haystack, getting a position on Barnes." Ranger argues.

"But you are the best Major!" I implore.

"I am not currently active, so there is no major here, just an old friend. Yes, I would be the best to go bring Barnes back in once he is located, to extract him. But if you want the best at 'finding' him, I have just the person for the job." He grins. He then picks up the phone on his desk and dials. "My office, now," he barks.

The click of the door knob catches all of our attentions. I turn to face the noise. My jaw literally hits the floor. I can't believe it. Standing in front of me is the most beautiful dame I have ever seen. ###########################