Steve Rogers is a passenger on a small military plane that is heading for a landing in Washington (D.C.). A sudden unexplained disaster cripples the ship in midair, and Steve is forced to take the controls. As he radios for help and tries to steady the plane, he has a flashback to the War, when he and Bucky were attempting to rescue GIs from a similarly disabled aircraft….
Flashforward: Steve meets with Presidential candidate Lester Paley and his campaign strategist Harry Camus, who mentions that Matt Drudge is raising the idea that Steve’s accident was a publicity stunt. [Steve narrowly misses two other aircraft.] Camus goes on to explain that Captain America’s actions reflect on Paley’s campaign if he is associated with Cap, especially the recent events at Guantanamo Bay (issues #21-25). The real issue though is charges of child endangerment brought against Captain America. [The disabled plane is heading straight for the Washington Monument.] Flashback: Brought before Military Intelligence, Bucky explains how he discovered that Steve Rogers was Captain America. Colonel Price informs Bucky that, as a countermove to the Nazis’ Hitler Youth, he will be Cap’s new partner. Cap explains the boy’s new responsibility to be a beacon of liberty for the USA. [Steve manages to steer around the massive Monument.] Flashforward: Steve explains to Paley and Camus that Bucky knew the risks—guarding the new drone plane, Cap and Bucky see it hijacked; the two race after it and Bucky leaps aboard only to find a booby-trap which explodes…. Steve explains "Bucky Barnes didn’t die because he was a kid. He died because he was a hero."
Back in the present, Steve wrestles the plane into a landing on the reflecting pool in front of the Lincoln Memorial. As the crowd gathers around, he is asked how he was able to do that. He replies, recalling Bucky’s sacrifice, "I didn’t do anything. I was lucky."