It happened to her when she was 25, young and full of life, her whole future in front of her. She could go anywhere if she had the determination, well that's what her grandma used to say before she passed.

She was young and will forever be young for all her life. She didn't realise her life would go on and on. Lovers and friends disappearing into the dark grip of death. Heartache and heart break each time, a new life and a new start every time.

It happened on a cold winters night, the weather already showing the sign for something bad.

The 1920's was the time to be alive in America. The roaring 20's they were nicknamed. Flapper dancers, booze, clubs and jazz were all popular in those years.

Maria remembered coming home from her dancing job at the club. She loved the atmosphere of the clubs, the music and smell of cigar smoke hung in the air, making it thick and cloudy.

She pulled her black coat further across her chest, protecting it from the harsh Brooklyn temperatures. The night sky was dark, "it's dangerous I tell you, never walk home alone my dear" her grandma's voice echoed in her mind.

Dangerous in what way, she would always question. She knew the answer, it didn't need to be spoken. A young woman alone in the city, always dangerous.

She huffed, this was her city, she was fine.

She looked both ways as she came to the sidewalk before beginning to cross the road.

She heard it before she saw it. The tyres screeching on the ground, leaving thick black marks on the road. The moon reflected from the smooth black surface of the hood of the new car.

Her life, 25 years of it, though it may be short, lasted longer than a flash in her mind.

Pain. White hot blinding pain took over her body as she hit the hood and rolled, collapsing onto the floor next to the black car.

She didn't hear anything, just managing to pull her eyes open to see the driver lean over her, a look of concern covering his face. The world and what she thought was death took her, everything black and the last thing she could remember was pain.

She woke up in hospital and a two months later was back to normal. It wasn't until ten years late when she noticed she hadn't changed. Not a single hair colour had changed, no greys. No sign of wrinkles touching her face to show her past life. She was 35 yet still looked 25.

She hadn't aged.

The music pounded in his ears and the air was thick, his small lungs barely managing to breath. He knew Bucky wouldn't have brought him here for no reason, however he couldn't help wondered why. It was the year 1942 and Bucky was dragging him to nearly ever new bar opening up in Brooklyn.

"Trust me Steve," Bucky said, placing a hand on his shoulder and squeezing it. "This one dancer here is perfect for you," Bucky told him and Steve flinched.

"I can't dance," Steve told him.

"You don't have to dance to be able to talk to a girl," Bucky told him with a smile as they walked to the bar. "Though in this situation it would help," and Steve just sighed. Bucky ordered drinks and Steve held his drink in both hands.

"Charlotte, meet my friend Steve," Bucky introduced him. Steve turned around to see a lovely dame, blonde wavy hair down to the shoulders with a beauty blue dress on.

"Steve," he said, holding his hand out. He didn't realise how sweaty he was until the woman pulled a slightly face as she shook his hand. Straight away, she moved her attention to Bucky. Steve expected nothing more, Bucky had it all and Steve... Well he had nothing. He turned away from the two and back to the bar, looking down at his drink.

"Why so sad?" Someone asked to the right of him. He jolted his head up to look at the woman. Her brown hair pulled back in pins with a short but classy red dress on that fitted perfectly. Steve swallowed before smiling. She smiled back, revealing her pearly white teeth.

"H-Hi," Steve stumbled to say.

"You haven't answered my question," she said with a smirk.

"Erm... Nothing," Steve told her and she raised an eyebrow.

"Maria," the dame introduced herself, holding out a hand. Steve whipped his hand on his trousers before shaking her hand, making sure it wasn't sweaty.

"Steve," he told her and she nodded.

"That's a nice name," she said before taking a seat next to him. "By the way, has anyone told you that you're a terrible lair?" Maria asked and Steve laughed slightly, trying to calm his nerves.

"N-no, that would have to be the first," Steve said a little breathless as Maria took a sip of her drink.

"Well, you're a terrible lair," Maria told him and Steve smiled.

"Steve," Bucky turned to talk to him but spotted Maria. "Oh, doesn't matter," Bucky said and turned away.

"He your friend?" Maria asked and Steve nodded. The end of the song came and another one started to play. It was more upbeat and Maria smiled as she recognised the tune.

"Care to dance," Maria asked him and Steve hesitated slightly. "I'm a professional so I can help you," Maria said with a smile, holding out her hand. He saw Bucky and Charlotte get up to move to the dance floor. Maria raised an eyebrow in question, trying to edge him on and Steve sighed.

"Ok, but just one dance," Steve said and Maria smiled at him, his hand slipping into her.

"Of course," she said. "My one lucky tip is to always keep your head up and beware of where your feet are," she said as she led him to the dance floor.

"That's seems like a lot to take on. I'm an awful dancer," Steve said as they stopped in one of the free spaces on the dance floor.

"With me by your side I think you'll be ok," Maria said with a smirk and took his other hand in hers.

It took him awhile, a long time in fact to get used to the music and by then the end of the song was near. She managed to get him to stay on for another three songs, and he managed not to step on her feet more than four times. He did glance down a few times but she always would lift his chin back up with a smile on her face.

Steve had never seen someone so beautiful before. Her eyes shone, capturing him in her gaze. Her lips were so soft, he wished to kiss them but knew that would never happen.

The song came to a close and Steve dragged himself off the dance floor before Maria could persuaded him to have another dance.

"Are you sure?" Maria asked him as she leaned on the bar next to him.

"I'm all danced out, but thank you," Steve said. "Can I buy you a drink?" Steve asked her and Maria smiled sadly at him.

"I better be going," she said instead, a more gentler way off saying no. She had had enough and really should get home. She never allowed herself to get this close to someone, but something about him drew her towards him like magnets.

"Oh, I erm... I understand," Steve said, looking down at the bar.

"But maybe if you come another night I might just let you," Maria told him, trying to not make him upset. She shouldn't be doing this, getting his hopes up, he was just going to be disappointed when she ran.

She always ran.

"I'll keep you to that," Steve said and Maria gave him a smile, his face warming her heart after so many years of being alone.

"I'll see you soon Steve," Maria said and leaned forward, placing a soft kiss on his reddening cheek. She pulled away and then she was gone.

Steve was so flustered he had to stay seated at the bar until Bucky came stumbling over.

"Steve," Bucky announced, grabbing Steve by the shoulder with a massive smile on his face. "You have finally gotten the courage to talk to a woman I see," Bucky said with a smirk as he sat down next to his best friend. Steve tried to cover his blush but Bucky knew him too well.

"So is she going to meet up with you again?" Bucky asked him.

"She said I could buy her a drink sometime. That's a good sign right?" Steve asked Bucky, who nodded and smirked.

"My little Steve, all grown up," Bucky joked and Steve rolled his eyes but the smirk on his face gave it away. He was happy, he just hoped he would see Maria again.