Hello all! Welcome to the rewrite of my first Marvel story, "A Chanced Meeting" and the first in my Superhero Gospels series. This story is a revision of Captain America: The First Avenger, and will follow the movie as well as have some original content and chapters. This story is a Steve Rogers "Captain America" and OC pairing.

The OC is a woman named Zemira. She is short, with long black hair, pale skin, and silver eyes. Zemira is Erskine's research partner and friend as well as a United States Army Captain, for reasons you will discover later in the story. She is talented, intelligent, and a bit mysterious. She's dedicated to both her work and her friends, and is a fierce fighter. Things about her will be gradually explained over time, and not all of them will even be explained in this story, but I hope you like her :)

~)8(~ is a scene break

This story will be told in third person POV

Disclaimer: I do not own Marvel, Captain America, or anything associated.

Note: The edited and revised version of this chapter was uploaded on May 7, 2019

Chapter 1: Introduction

June 1943
New York City

"O'Connell, Michael." Steven Rogers was surrounded by men, most of whom were waiting for their names to be called. He was one of them, and he sat in his chair patiently, reading the newspaper. Outwardly, Steve was calm and collected, unlike some of the other guys in the recruitment room. Inside, he was praying to God and every angel he could think of that he would get into the Army.

"Kaminsky, Henry." The recruiting office Steve was in was one of many in New York City alone. Men flooded to all of them on a daily basis. Many of them felt it was their duty to sign up. Others were proud to. All of them held hopes of doing their part against Hitler and the Nazis, whether at home or overseas.

"Boy, lot of guys getting killed over there," the man next to Steve commented, reading an article from his own newspaper.

"Rogers, Steven." Steve put down his newspaper, standing up.

"Kinda makes you think twice about enlisting, huh?" the guy continued.

"Nope." Steve walked into the line of men, all of them towering above him. Standing at 5'4" and clocking in at 90 whopping pounds, Steve was extremely small compared to the average American man. That wasn't stopping him from enlisting. He just hoped his size wouldn't mean another rejection. He'd been turned away four times already. But he wasn't giving up. He was going to try enlisting until he was accepted, or caught and arrested for lying on his enlistment form.

After minutes in line, Steve was finally at the podium where the official was looking over his form.

"Rogers," the man mused. He raised an eyebrow at Steve, taking in his meager form, but turned back to the form. "What did your father die of?"

"Mustard gas," Steve answered. "He was in the 107th Infantry. I was hoping I could be assigned —"

"Your mother?" the man asked, cutting Steve off.

"She was a nurse in a TB ward," Steve said. "Got hit. Couldn't shake it." Steve watched as the man looked over his unfortunately lengthy medical history.

"Sorry, son." Steve knew what that meant.

"Look, just give me a chance," he begged.

"You'd be ineligible on your asthma alone," he was told.

"Is there anything you can do?" The man's expression softened, as did his voice.

"I'm doing it. I'm saving your life." Steve received his form, the black ink reading "4F" glaring him in the face and digging a hole in his chest. A hole filled with disappointment and frustration.

~)8(~

The movie theater was completely full. Elderly men, women of all ages, and children filled the seats as well as some young servicemen getting in a last flick before they shipped out. Steve was among the crowd, having decided to go for a movie to soothe his disappointment after being turned away from the army… again.

A newsreel came on. They were frequent in the past years. A year and a half now the war had been raging, so most were accustomed to newsreels now. This particular one featured an upbeat narrator pontificating about the way "Everyone could do their part in the war!" Even little Timmy, who collected scrap in his little red wagon.

Steve looked away from the screen, his disappointment and frustration welling up again. All he wanted was to do his part. To join. To fight. And yet no one was letting him. And at every turn, there was a new poster, a new newsreel, a new stand on the corner, calling for volunteers, reminding him of how big the war was. He was constantly trying to help. And no one was letting him.

Why didn't Steve deserve the chance, the right to fight?

"Who cares? Play the movie already!" Steve snapped from his musings, a frown immediately on his face. Someone had yelled out at the newsreel a couple of rows in front of him. Steve heard the sniffles of already teary women, the newsreel having reminded them of brothers and husbands who maybe weren't coming home. The disrespectful words of the young man in front of him only exacerbated this.

"Hey, you want to show some respect?" Steve whispered firmly. The man ignored him, and the newsreel continued.

"Let's go! Get on with it! Hey, just start the cartoon!" People all over the theater were staring towards the rude man and Steve leaned forward, a snap in his tone.

"Hey, you want to shut up?" The man slowly stood, looking down at him. He was big. And tall. The opposite of Steve. Reaching forward and grabbing Steve by the shoulder, the young bully practically dragged him from the theater into a back alley. Knowing what was coming, but still not fully prepared, Steve was quickly knocked down by the first punch. He fell, knocking over trash bins. Anger welled inside him, so Steve quickly stood, donning a trash bin lid in front of him like a shield and fierceness on his face. The young man was smirking, unable to believe he was being taunted and fought by a man half his size. Pathetic.

The trash lid was ripped from Steve's grasp, his weak grip nothing against the strength of a healthy young man. Another punch was delivered, and Steve was once more on the ground. And yet again, Steve got right back up. He felt the blood on the corner of his mouth and ignored it, raising his fists defiantly. No way he was surrendering to a backstreet bully like this guy.

"You just don't know when to give up, do you?" the bully taunted.

"I can do this all day." His breath was heavy, and though Steve knew his asthma would flare up, he was not letting this guy get off without a fight. No. He wasn't getting off so easy. He'd been blatantly disrespectful in that theater, rude and arrogant. If Steve was the only one willing to stand up to him, despite his size, the beating was worth it. Even if it only meant the bully was simply gone from the theater so everyone else could enjoy the cartoon.

Steve threw a sloppy punch. The young man easily blocked it, retaliating with a punch of his own.

"Hey!" Steve knew that voice. And the bully was screwed. "Pick on someone your own size!" James Buchanan "Bucky" Barnes, Steve's best friend, punched the bully, and when his back was turned, swiftly kicked his ass. The bully went running. Bucky sighed.

"Sometimes, I think you like getting punched."

"I had him on the ropes," Steve insisted. Steve's eyes suddenly widened. "Bucky!"

The bully had snuck up on his friend, his fist raised. However, before the guy could get the drop on them, another fist appeared out of nowhere, clocking the bully so hard he went sprawling. The click of heels was heard as the mystery person appeared. Steve watched in blatant awe as the dame picked up a pipe and swung it at the bully's head. Previously groaning and trying to pick himself up, he was now knocked out. The dame dropped the pipe, smoothing her skirt, not a curl out of place.

Steve was in awe.

"Who is that?" he whispered to Bucky. His best friend was grinning at the dame.

"The most badass woman you'll ever meet." The dame, no… the woman smacked Bucky over the head, startling him.

"You can stop that and introduce me properly now, Barnes." Bucky was grinning and gently rubbing the back of his head. Steve observed the ease with which they interacted.

"Did you just hit on me?" Steve snorted at the horrific pun. The woman herself looked hard-pressed to resist a grin of her own. But she looked conspiratorially at Steve and lowered her voice as if sharing a secret.

"I should know by now that as a world-class bonehead, hitting Bucky does nothing to him."

Steve openly laughed, already liking the woman. She'd knocked out a bully in two strikes, bantered with his best friend like it was her job, and seemed good-humored enough to put up with his puns. Bucky threw an arm around the woman, leaning on her heavily. She took it like he weighed nothing, a smile on her lips.

"All the dames love me," Bucky said, winking at Steve as if sharing an inside joke. Steve shook his head, smiling. The woman looked at Steve, suddenly frowning.

"Are you okay?" she asked. Steve nodded, nervously clearing his throat and smoothing his hair at her stare. Her eyes… they were silver. Breathtakingly silver, contrasting perfectly with her flowing black hair, which was curled and draped around her shoulders, falling to her waist. Her skin was unpowdered, but perfectly porcelain. She was the same height as him in her heels and wore a dark brown uniform. It wasn't a military uniform. Not one he recognized, anyway. Steve found his cheeks heating as he realized he was staring at her. She was beautiful.

"Here," she said gently, a handkerchief offered. Steve took it, dabbing at the blood in the corner of his mouth. She smiled softly. Steve's breath hitched. He covered it by coughing slightly, as if clearing his throat.

"Steve." Bucky's firm voice suddenly jolted the pair of them. He was bent over, picking up Steve's fallen enlistment form. "How many times is this?" Bucky unfolded the form and read over it. "Oh, you're from Paramus now? You know it's illegal to lie on an enlistment form. And seriously, Jersey?"

"Bucky, leave it," the woman scolded lightly. Steve was internally alarmed. Bucky had just blatantly talked about Steve breaking the law. Numerous times. What if she turned him in? What if she turned Bucky in for helping? Steve turned to her, readying excuses and even a plea, but then paused. She didn't look angry or shifty. And he had to wonder… If she was as close to Bucky as she seemed… would she rat them out? Would a woman who helped him and Bucky get them arrested? He sure hoped not. Forcing his gaze away from the woman, he finally registered what Bucky was wearing: an army uniform.

"You get your orders?" Bucky inhaled, raising his chin as if proud. Internally, he was most definitely not.

"The 107th. Sergeant James Barnes, shipping out for England first thing tomorrow." Steve knew this day might come. He'd only hoped the two of them could be fighting side-by-side when it did.

"I should be going," Steve muttered. Bucky looked sad, knowing just how much his best friend wanted to fight. But he forced a smile and swung an arm around his shoulders.

"Come on, man! My last night. I got to get you cleaned up."

"Why? Where are we going?" Steve wasn't sure he wanted to know.

"The future." A newspaper was slapped into Steve's chest. He saw the announcement of the Stark Expo. A science fair. "We're going on a double date." Steve frowned slightly at that. He was never comfortable with the way Bucky always set him up. It seemed all the women were more interested in Bucky than himself, or simply didn't want to be there. Most of their double dates only served to disappoint Steve.

"Come on, Bucky," he protested.

"You're going to love her," Bucky said with a grin.

"You're an idiot," the woman remarked, walking beside them. Steve was surprised when she looked at him. "He's told me about some of the dates you guys have been on. I'm sorry they haven't really worked out." She looked genuinely sympathetic, as if actually sorry that the dates hadn't panned out. She wasn't mocking him. Steve found himself appreciating that. He looked between her and Bucky.

"Are you two —"

"He should be so lucky," she said playfully. She looked at Bucky, smirking. "I prefer my men with a little something other than bone in their head." Steve laughed and Bucky scoffed.

"Isn't she a peach, Steve?" Steve ignored him, grinning at the woman. He definitely liked her.

"Steve Rogers, ma'am," he introduced. Her eyes twinkled as she shook his hand.

"A real introduction," she observed, "and a proper gentleman." Her smile widened and she side-eyed Bucky. "Tell me, Steve, how'd you come to be friends with this idiot?" Steve laughed again and Bucky rolled his eyes.

"Why do you have to flirt in front of me?" he moaned.

"This is coming from the man who flirts as easily as breathing," she shot back. Steve started when he realized she hadn't denied flirting. With him. With him? His heart skipped. And not in a way that was related to his health issues. The woman suddenly glanced at her watch, her expression turning serious. "Sorry to cut this short, guys. I've got to run. Bucky, I'll see you tomorrow morning. Steve, it was nice to meet you." He met her eyes and she smiled softly. "I hope tonight goes well for you."

And she was gone.

Steve and Bucky walked down the street, Bucky telling Steve what time to be ready and making idle chit-chat. Soon after, Steve and Bucky went their separate ways, promising to meet later. The whole walk back to his apartment, the woman was on Steve's mind. He hadn't even learned her name.

~)8(~

"The woman" donned her lab coat, despite her intentions not to stay for more than a few minutes. Though her demeanor looked normal and neutral, there was something in her eyes that spoke of excitement. She quietly approached one of the men in the lab, him noting her expression.

"I've found one," she whispered to him. The scientist's eyes widened, and he quickly ushered his partner to a corner where they could talk without being overheard.

"What do you mean?" he asked, his German accent thick.

"I found someone who could make a good candidate for the project." Her silver eyes shone with excitement and certainty.

"We already have many candidates."

"Not like this guy," she said with an immediate shake of her head. "This guy… He's little, kind, a gentleman. He's a buck twenty soaking wet yet I found him standing up to a bully twice his size in some back alley. He just… he kept getting back up. No matter how hard the bully hit him, he just kept getting back up. And get this. He's tried five times to enlist, rejected all five times due to health problems. But he keeps trying." The scientist's eyes shone with a similar light to the woman's. He was intrigued. This man… he sounded promising.

"Tell me more." And she did.

~)8(~

"I don't see what the problem is," Bucky said to Steve as they walked through the Stark Expo together. "You're about to be the last eligible man in New York. You know there's three and a half million women here?"

"Well, I'd settle for just one," Steve replied. The woman from earlier was still on his mind. He just couldn't get her out of his thoughts.

"Good thing I took care of that," Bucky said with a grin, not noticing where Steve's thoughts had gone. He waved over at two girls, both of them waving back enthusiastically.

"Hey, Bucky!" One girl, Connie, called. Steve sighed, looking at the blonde, Bonnie.

"What'd you tell her about me?" he asked.

"Only the good stuff," Bucky assured him. Steve fixed his hair, getting ready to greet his date. She was very pretty, he couldn't deny that, but still, his mind was on the black-haired woman from earlier.

The group of four wandered the Expo together, marveling at the technologies and inventions they saw around. They were wandering towards the main stage, where a demonstration with Howard Stark himself was to take place.

"Welcome to the Modern Marvels Pavilion and the World of Tomorrow," an announcement sounded. "A greater world. A better world."

"Oh, my God," Connie gushed, "It's starting!" She ran off, Bucky being dragged behind her by their joined hands. Bonnie ran beside them. Steve wandered behind them, joining them as the demonstration began. Showgirls lined the stage with a car and a microphone.

"Ladies and gentlemen, Mr. Howard Stark!" Applause filled the air as the man himself came on stage. Howard Stark, one of the most famous men in the world. A genius. Responsible for many technological advances in today's world. Weapons designer and engineering whiz. Everyone watched in palpable excitement as Stark firmly kissed one of the showgirls (drawing gasps and cheers) before wiping his mouth with a smirk and taking the microphone.

"Ladies and gentlemen," Stark began, "what if I told you that in just a few short years, your automobile won't even have to touch the ground at all?" Steve offered his date a nut, being met with a scowl from her. Steve immediately pulled his arm back in embarrassment. Up on stage, the showgirls removed the wheels from the car to show four shiny replacements. They looked nothing like tires and were emblazoned with "Stark Industries."

"With Stark Gravitic Reversion technology," Stark continued, "you'll be able to do just that. The man turned to a small control board, pressing a few buttons. Then, everyone watched in shock and reverence as the car began to lift from the ground.

"Holy cow," Bucky breathed. The car hovered in midair for several seconds and then — Sparks flew, and the car fell back on stage. Everyone jumped and nervous laughter rang out along with shaky applause.

"I did say a few years, didn't I?" Stark spoke. The applause became more genuine and Steve looked around. He spotted an "I Want You" sign.

"Hey Steve, what do you say we treat these girls to…" Bucky trailed off when he turned to see his best friend was no longer there. Sighing, he immediately knew where he had gone. So he briefly excused himself from Connie and Bonnie, following after his best friend.

Meanwhile, Steve walked into the recruitment station. He stepped up onto a platform, one that would project his face into the image of a soldier in uniform. He sighed when he saw his head was barely visible in the image.

"Come on," he heard just before his shoulder was pushed lightly. Bucky. "You're kind of missing the point of a double date. We're taking the girls dancing."

"You go ahead. I'll catch up with you." Steve glanced back towards Connie and Bonnie. While Connie got on well with Bucky, it seemed Bonnie didn't like him very much. Honestly, he couldn't say he liked her either. In front of him, Bucky was sighing with frustration.

"You're really going to do this again?"

"Well, it's a fair," Steve shrugged. "I'm going to try my luck."

"As who, Steve from Ohio? They'll catch you. Or worse, they'll actually take you."

"Look, I know you don't think I can do this —"

"This isn't a back alley, Steve. This is war."

"I know it's a war."

"Why are you so keen to fight?" Neither man was aware of the older gentleman watching the exchange. "There are so many important jobs."

"What do you want me to do?" Steve asked, a little bitter. "Collect scrap metal in my little red wagon?"

"Yes!" Bucky said. "Why not?"

"I'm not going to sit in a factory, Bucky. Bucky! Come on. There are men laying down their lives. I got no right to do any less than them. That's what you don't understand. This isn't about me."

"Right, cause you got nothing to prove," Bucky shot back. Steve didn't reply. The man observing them was intrigued by Steve's argument, waiting patiently to see what would happen.

"Hey, Sarge!" Connie suddenly called. "Are we going dancing?" Bucky slapped on a smile as he in her direction.

"Yes, we are!" The smile fell as he returned his attention to Steve. With a sigh, he said, "Don't do anything stupid until I get back." Bucky began to walk towards the girls.

"How can I? You're taking all the stupid with you," Steve jabbed half-heartedly. A small smile grew on his face. Bucky fought a smile of his own as he resolutely returned to Steve.

"You're a punk." And the two hugged each other, knowing this would be the last time they saw each other for several months. Maybe ever.

"Jerk." They pulled away. "Be careful." Bucky nodded, finally turning away and walked to the girls. Unable to resist, Steve called, "Don't win the war till I get there!" Bucky gave a sarcastic salute before disappearing into the crowds. Steve walked further into the recruitment office, determined to try again. The man who'd watched his argument with Bucky disappeared, a small smile on his face.

~)8(~

Steve sat on the bed in a medical examination room. He took off his jacket, tie, and shoes as the doctor got ready for the examination. Suddenly, a nurse walked past the curtain, whispering something in the doctor's ear. He nodded, making to follow her from the room.

"Wait here," he told Steve.

"Is there a problem?" Steve asked.

"Just wait here." Panic swelled through Steve. He spotted the sign on the wall, saying that it was illegal to lie on an enlistment form. It was happening. He was being caught. It was bound to happen. This was, after all, his sixth try. Steve quickly sat down, moving to pull on his shoes and bolt when a soldier entered the room. Steve froze. But seconds later, a well-dressed elderly man also entered, dismissing the soldier and smiling lightly down at Steve. He opened the file in his hand.

"So, you want to go overseas. Kill some Nazis." The man's German accent was very evident. And though he was startled by it, Steve made no move to show it.

"Excuse me?"

"Dr. Abraham Erskine," the man introduced. Steve shook his offered hand. "I represent the Strategic Scientific Reserve."

"Steve Rogers." He couldn't help it. He had to ask. "Where are you from?" To his credit, Erskine didn't seem offended, but Steve also meant no offense.

"Queens. 73rd Street and Utopia Parkway. Before that, Germany," Erskine said. He looked at Steve. "This troubles you?"

"No," Steve immediately assured.

"Where are you from, Mr. Rogers?" Erskine asked. He looked down at the file again. "Is it New Haven? Or Paramus?" Yep. This was it. He was caught. He was going to be arrested. "Five exams in five different cities."

"That might not be the right file." A weak attempt and Steve knew it.

"No, it's not the exams that I'm interested in. It's the five tries." This confused Steve. "But you didn't answer my question. Do you want to kill Nazis?"

"Is this a test?" Steve asked. Erskine shrugged like it was obvious.

"Yes." Steve gathered his thoughts, answering honestly.

"I don't want to kill anyone. I don't like bullies. I don't care where they're from." Erskine nodded.

"Well, there are already so many big men fighting this war. Maybe what we need now is a little guy," he replied. "I can offer you a chance. Only a chance."

Steve's heart leapt.

"I'll take it."

"Good. So, where is the little guy from? Actually?" Steve smiled.

"Brooklyn." Erskine stamped his form and handed the file to him.

"Congratulations, soldier." Erskine began to walk away. "By the way, you might want to thank my partner. She's the reason you're getting this chance."

"She?"

"Yes, I believe you two have met." Someone walked up beside Erskine and Steve's eyes widened. Erskine fully walked away, leaving Steve with the same woman from earlier. The one who had helped him and Bucky in the alley. The one who had stricken him with her looks and made him laugh with her words.

"Well, Steve," she started, "did tonight go well for you?" Her eyes were shining and Steve laughed lightly. Though rhetorical, Steve still answered the question.

"Very well," he admitted. He proudly showed her his enlistment form, stamped with a big "1A". The woman grinned.

"Congratulations," she said warmly.

"I never got your name," Steve told her. Her eyes widened, and she looked horrified with herself.

"Idiot. I'm an idiot. A great big idiot named Zemira." Steve laughed.

"Any idiot who gives me this kind of chance has got to be all right," he remarked, smiling at her. "Besides, Bucky seems to like you." Zemira smiled.

"I sure hope so," she joked. "Otherwise he's had me going for months now." Again, Zemira glanced at her watch. "I've got to run, Steve. But I'll see you soon. And again, congrats!" And with that, Zemira was gone.

Steve smiled after her, his heart beating a bit faster than normal. Maybe it was just his excitement. He was finally joining the army. After six tries and months of lying. He was finally getting a chance. All because of Zemira.

Hey guys! So here's the first chapter of this rewrite. I hope you all like it!

-Sammiemoosam