Thanks for reading my story. I really hope you enjoy it.

Disclaimer: I do not in any way own Captain America or the characters... please don't sue

Chapter 1

Disappointment present on the narrow face of Steve Rogers as he was once again rejected from the army. His brows furrowed, lips down turned as his slouched, petite form tread to the door of the recruitment centre. The knowledge that he was unable to fight for his country whilst others lost their lives tore Steve up with guilt. His sinking shame suddenly evaporated from his body as a feminine voice sounded in his ear, "Again Steve?" Steve's small frame tensed until his brain recognised the pitch of the voice. He gradually twisted around with a remorseful expression to the individual. He meet eyes through his sunken eyebrows that were similar to his own icy blue but differed in the golden flakes scattered within. Steve's mouth opened and closed, mouthing words that he couldn't find the ends to as the teasing face of his younger sister studied him.

She patiently waited for her brother to articulate his excuse as she was accustomed to Steve's difficulty with communication in awkward situations. Now when it came to motivating people that was another story. Eventually Steve stuttered, "Annie, I- um what are you doing here?"

Annie's eyebrows remained in their questioning placement as she quipped, "Well I was looking for a Steve from Brooklyn but the only Steve I can find is from Jersey."

Steve's face twitched as he rubbed his pants nervously offering no answer so Annie continued, her expression turning to one of concern, "Steve, you know it's illegal to put false information on your recruitment form. If you get caught you could end up in jail."

Annie's hand irritably combed through her silky golden hair out of habit as Steve finally responded, "Annie you know I have to do this, I can't just stand by while you and Bucky fight a war, its my responsibility as well." The end of quieting with his desperation. The need to defend his country from the German bullies gnawing within him constantly.

Annie signed, her head falling limp in resignation, "I get that Steve, no one more than me but I'm just worried about you. Who knows if you can survive war especially with your asthma and heart condition. And I'm not technically fighting; I'm just a strategy consultant- not actually on the field." Steve gives his little sister a deadpanned expression at her blabbering.

An uncomfortable silence settles among them as both their minds search for a solution that doesn't end in death or imprisonment. The answer still eludes them. Annie wishes that Steve could help in the war, he has always had a strong sense of right and wrong and the will to up hold it. Conflicted as she recalls the dangers and horrors of war and how unprepared Steve was for them. Her insides grip with terror at the thought of anything horrible befalling her brother.

The two had always been very protective of each other especially after their father's death. Steve flawlessly taking on his role as the protective older brother, able to take on a surprisingly intimidating demander when it came to boys and Annie. While Annie used her wit and sometimes strength to save Steve from situations his morals got him into. In this respect Annie and Steve's best friend paralleled.


Bucky Barnes had always been a confident and mischievous yet furiously loyal boy. Befriending Steve during middle school, he protected the slim boy from a large amount of schoolyard bullies. When Bucky wasn't around Annie threatened a bully or two. As if they were a tag team.

The dark haired boy though contrasting the fair family was treated as if he were part of it and in turn treated them the same. On the year Bucky experienced the growth-spirt that granted him superior height to Annie, Bucky and Steve raced through the door into the Rogers' apartment. The apartment as much a home to Bucky as it was to Steve and Annie. It was small but pleasant as the faded walls were unnoticeable with the steady stream of warm light and the homely atmosphere that always existed in the space. The two teens were laughing and panting at a bunch of classmates they had just outrun. Bucky quickly regained his breath and patiently waited for Steve, though not without a jest. Bucky noticed Annie home as he always did and shouted out proudly, "How does the world look from down there;" still very excited about his new advantage in height, one which had been held over his head in the past by Annie when she had reigned above his measly 5ft .

When Bucky heard no reply he assumed it was due to Annie's ignoring of his teasing as she sometimes did to annoy him and gain the upper hand. Determined not to let her win Bucky turned back to the now recovering Steve and began lounging and comfortably conversing. A sense of dread and lack of contentment filled Bucky suddenly. His mind scrambled to discover its cause. After he finally gave up he noticed the silence.

The silence unsettled him, the Rogers' home was never silent whether it be the chattering of Mrs Rogers or the clattering of pans. But most of all he noticed and missed the sound of Annie's light singing as she helped Mrs Rogers with dinner. So used to the sound of Annie softly and delicately stringing mindless or rhythmical notes together as she moved around the kitchen whilst he and Steve entertained each other.

Annie had a very classical voice to which Bucky and the rest of the family enjoyed. Bucky wasn't sure about the rest of the Rogers but he was almost certain that Annie had stolen the voice of an angel because there were times when he was sure she wasn't one but the sounds she made whilst floating around the room begged to differ. Bucky had noticed that normally Annie was anything but graceful as she often got nearly as many scrapes and bruises as Steve from falling over. But when she went away to her own world, a small smile blooming on her face, she glided about as graceful as he imagined a forest creature would be completely in their element.

Those moments often set a small but warm flame kindling in his chest which had him flustering and quickly wrestling with Steve to stop anyone from noticing. But with it gone a deep dread settled there. He had been tuned out to what Steve was saying but he thought it was about some playing cards. He cut off Steve unable to push down the sinking feelings, "Steve, is Annie okay?"

Steve hadn't noticed the changed atmosphere of the home but he quickly caught on his glaze searched for Annie who trudged across the opening to the kitchen. The two stood up and approached studying her downward gaze and reddened eyes. Both frowned at this and drew near to Annie as Mrs Rogers exited to the garden for some herbs, the smart woman fully aware of the situation.

"Annie?" Steve called out uncertainly looking to Bucky, "Are you okay?"

Annie turned and wearily looked at them, she put on a horribly faked smile and murmured, "Yes, of course."

She then drifted to the cabinets collecting plates for the table. The boys trailed after her, Steve gently placing his hand on her shoulder when they reached the table. "Annie we know that's not true."

Bucky placed himself in her line of sight and offered a rare soft smile saying, "Come on Annie, we want to help." He slowly reached out to her and lightly shook her shoulder affectionately.

Her smile become slightly more convincing due to how heart-warming it was that Steve and Bucky were so worried about her but she insisted, "No, I'm fine."

The two boys looked at each other and returned their unconvinced gaze back on her. Annie opened her mouth to continue but her eyes insisted this was the best time to well up and overflow. She raised her hands to hide her face as tears escaped. Bucky and Steve wore shocked expressions, unsure of what to do.

Steve instinctively pulled out a chair and helped Annie onto it as Bucky placed himself in the seat in front of her. He bit his jaw down, his eyes darting about desperately search for his next move. His gaze landed on the buried face of Annie. Hand kneading into her damp eyes as her hair hung like a long golden curtain, hiding some of her face. Bucky could clearly see the edges of her mouth turned downwards letting quiet sobs out.

Steve being almost completely useless in these situations left Bucky to comfort Annie.

He carefully reached up to her hands and consumed them in his own. He added slight pressure, Annie allowing him to lower them. The effect of the tears on her face tightening his chest and unconsciously causing is brows to furrow. She looked up at his warm but awkward face with swelled eyes. His smile genuine as he asked, "Please Annie, tell us what's wrong."

Annie looked down and sighed starting," Harvey…he-um he broke up with me for Cathy. I know it's stupid-" Bucky and Steve tensed as hot rage flowed through them.

Bucky cut off Annie with a deep, reassuring tone, "No, it's not stupid…" His tone then changed to that of rage as he muttered more to himself than to Annie, "But that twit is gonna get it."

With a look Steve and Bucky knew the plan and stormed out the door. Bucky and Steve had never liked Annie's first boyfriend Harvey McCalester. Steve was always suspicious of the sweet talker especially when he started to take an interest in Annie. Bucky didn't like the guy even more, seeing him talking to Annie consistently fuelling his anger. Now learning of how Harvey had ditched and hurt Annie the two experienced a new depth of anger.

Annie waited anxiously for Steve and Bucky to return. She sat on the couch staring at the door they had left through an hour ago. Wondering whether she should wonder the streets for them or wait for their return. As the handle twisted and the old hinges creaked open Annie jumped up and tackled the boys shouting, "Where did you go?!" half angrily and half relieved.

Her crushing hug was answered with muffled groans causing her to back up and observe the split lip of Bucky and the black eye and bruised arm of Steve. She half-heartedly glared at them before sitting them down and tending to their wounds, lightly saying, "You're still both idiots but thank you."

This earned a pleased smile from both Bucky and Steve.


Steve and Annie walked to the Pictures to watch the new mover as Annie questioned, "So what did you get?"

Steve deflated, "4F."

Annie look out to the sky and truthfully stated, "I don't know whether to be sad or relieved about that."

The sibling smiled at each other as they entered the Pictures.

Finding their seats in the centre of the theatre Annie slowly turned to Steve with a guilty expression. Steve noticed it and frowned knowing the likely reason.

"I have to go to the ladies room…" Annie proceeds to smile shamefully at her brother.

Steve good naturedly rolled his eyes signalling for Annie to go. She rose and exited the theatre leaving Steve to watch the beginning war promotions without her.

At one of the viewer's disrespect towards the effort of soldiers in the war, demanding that they get on with the mover, Steve lost his temper demanding, "You mind shutting up!"

Steve's heart sank as the individual stood up to his significant height. Steve never one to back down from a fight followed the man and his challenge into the alley.

The man threw a hard punch with his solid arm, flinging Steve's tiny frame to the dirty ground. Steve clutches onto a trash can lid for protection but it is quickly ripped from his grasp and he is delivered another punch.

He then hears the welcome voice of his best friend who confidently mocks, "Hey, you want to pick on someone your own size?" Bucky proceeding to punch the bully and childishly kick his behind as the man scrambled away.

He turned to Steve with a winning smile teasing, "Sometimes I think you like getting punched" Bucky offered his hand helping Steve up.

"Don't tell Annie", Steve truces with Bucky.

Bucky nods his head agreeing, "Don't tell Annie." Bucky frowned at Steve's split lip continuing, "But with that busted lip you may not be able to hide it "

At that moment Steve heard his name being called shortly followed by Annie entering through the heavy crimson door of the Pictures.

When her cyan eyes fell on a dirtied Steve her lips twisted into a frown, "What happened?" She pulled Steve's face towards her, pulling a handkerchief of her pocket and lightly dabbing the cut after inspecting it.

"Some idiot", Bucky answered for Steve as if that was enough.

Annie placed her hands on her round hips and waited for Steve who elaborated, "The guy was disrespecting the soldiers so I stood up."

That was all Annie needed to complete the picture and shook her head endearingly.

She turned to Bucky over-exaggeratingly dragging her eyes over him before teasing, "Seeing how many dames you can pick up with your uniform?"

Bucky just stared down at her offering a smirk instead of a response. Annie smirked back and asked, "So got any plans for our last day before the army base?"

"I've got a double date planed for Steve and me at the Science Exhibition," Bucky answered.

Annie's smile faulted an inch before she turned to Steve and smiled saying, "Good luck."

He returned the gesture and patted her arm before leaving with Bucky, the two chatting happily as they exited the alley.


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