Hey everyone! This is my first fanfic on this site so it might be a little rough with the editing and such. :)
These chapters take place during the events of Captain America: The First Avenger and will continue to the other sequels. I welcome reviews and criticism, anything to keep me going really. :D
The rating might change with incoming chapters and such, so I hope you all enjoy and if you need to ask me any questions just PM me. :)
New York - 1942
"Anything else you need Doc? I might just take a walk and relax for a while." Bethany Summers sighed, purposely sagging her shoulders in an effort to conceal her excitement. Acting tired after a long day of examining potential Super Soldiers might make the Doctor feel a little bit of sympathy. Her efforts seemed futile, however, as Doctor Abraham Erskine seemed to know exactly what she had planned.
As always.
"I never said that I would agree with you going, Miss Summers. You know how I feel about-"
"But I can't hurt anyone tonight!" she exclaimed, excited at the prospect of him even considering, quickly toning down as the passers by stared confused by her sudden outburst.
"I won't hurt anyone tonight." she corrected quickly, her eyes quickly fixated onto the marbled floor.
"Please, it's just one night Doc, before we leave, I just want to explore New York one last time."
He looked up from his clipboard, his large, tired brown eyes curious, yet careful. He looked older than he was in that moment, an aged man who kept a dark history locked behind those glasses. The Doctor gave her a look she had grown to accept not as an offense, but as a sign of fatherly affection; worriedness.
Bethany made sure she stared long and hard at him, willing every bit of hope out of herself for the Doctor to just say yes.
After a moment of silence, filled with consideration and suspense, the Doctor paused at the edge of the Enlisting facility entry.
"Just this once." he finally sighed, removing his glasses to rub his weary eyes.
Overcome with excitement and disbelief, Bethany nearly screamed of joy, but restrained herself, instead squeezed the Doctor, ignoring the wrinkles her nurse attire would soon present.
"Thank you thank you thank you! I promise you won't regret this my good Doctor." she grinned, her cheeky smile spreading to his.
She slipped her arm into his, giddy and joyful, heading towards the two open doors welcoming them into New York City.
The pulse of the city was deafening, she could feel everything and everyone's being just by focusing. If the Earth could feel it, she could aswell.
It was a warm, noisy night in New York, full of laughter and music, full of hope and ambition from every citizen. The Exhibition of Future Technologies was right on the Enlistment Center's doorstep, revealing bright lights and machines that the population seemed to occupy. Couple's with fingers laced into each other were making the most of the time they had together, as most of the men wore the traditional soldiers attire, green-grey pants with a folded coat, and a nice little caps with the America army emblem proudly printed on the front.
They seemed happy to Bethany, not a care in the world, enjoying their loved-ones company before they get shipped out tomorrow to face all sorts of danger. Most of them weren't coming back, and they knew that.
They were doing their country proud and that's what mattered to them.
"Inspiring, really." the Doctor smiled, interrupting Bethany's analysis.
He always seemed to know what she was thinking, just by looking at her. She wouldn't be surprised if he actually did.
"I don't know, this all just seems too fake to me. They know what will happen when he goes to war. Not everyone comes back."
"They aren't thinking the same thing, Miss Summers. Hope is what will keep them going, up until the very moment they receive the confirmation letter. It's all they have. It's all we have." he said, his linked arm tensing slightly against hers.
Her wide eyes scanned his face worriedly, as she felt a pang of guilt reside in her chest.
"We'll find the best candidate for your experiment Doc. Trust me. I'll even find him myself tonight." she said with a smirk, hopefully changing the topic and focus. Instead, he looked down at her with a confused yet stern expression.
She suddenly regretted opening her mouth, ever.
"Steve c'mon this is ridiculous, it's my last night in town. Let's enjoy it. I gotta take these girls dancing anyways, that should be your responsibility right now." a voice cut through the tense silence, turning the Doctor and Bethany's attention towards the steps below them.
Two young men stood facing each other, one small and frail with short, sandy hair. His face unreadable, apart from his eyes, full of sadness and surprising determination.
"You know I have to try Bucky, I can't pass up this chance, even if it's not even a big one. I have to do something." the small one named Steve said, his words full of inspiration and hope.
He has such a presence for a small man, Bethany acknowledged with an raised eyebrow.
The other young man sounded frustrated, but seemingly accepting. Steve obscured the other man from her position on the edge of the footsteps.
"Fine, if its what you gotta do, then that's what you gotta do. You're missing out on the dancing though." the man named Bucky chimed, walking slowly down the steps towards two giggling girls in pretty dresses.
"Don't win the war without me." Steve called after him, his words causing Bucky to pause.
Bethany's stomach flipped unexpectedly as Bucky turned around with a smile playing against his lips.
Observing the conversation suddenly felt like an memorizing experience, her wide eyes locked onto his being. His eyes were grinning at Steve, the color of a chilled breeze, so blue she could see through them. His small grin was playful and teasing, ready to joke back to his small friend.
He wore the typical enrolled soldier outfit, tightly fitted against his bodice. It was such a nice fit, Bethany couldn't stop staring.
Her eyes were glued to him, as she just couldn't help wondering-
"Jerk." Steve tore her out of her imagination by embracing Bucky, waving him off as he descended the steps again, towards the stupid, cackling girls waiting for his presence.
"Miss Summers? Bethany, can you hear me?" the Doctor untangled their linked arms, touching her wrist slightly in an attempt to wake her from her hypnotized state.
His words fell flat against her ears as she watched, a sudden craving feeling infecting her stomach. Bucky walked off, one girl in his arm and the other girl buzzing excitedly on his other, disappearing into the busy crowd and towards the Exhibition. Steve let out a sigh he thought no one else could hear, and began towards the Doctor and Bethany, entering the facility to supposedly sign up.
It took a moment for Bethany to come back to her senses, suddenly realizing she had held her breath in the entire time. She looked up at the Doctor with an dazed expression.
"What?" she breathed. "Did you say something?"
The Doctor sighed, but smiled, an unfamiliar shine forming in his dark, calculating eyes.
"I think I've found the solution."
Bethany nodded, not taking any words into account, and began to change her attire into something more comfortable.
"Well I'm off, I'll only be out for a little while. See ya Doc." she said, removing her apron and nurse cap, handing the pile to the Doctor. She lightly patted his shoulder with a grin, surprisingly not as excited but more reserved than before, and started down the steps towards the Exhibition.
As she left, the Doctor looked down to sigh once more, as Bethany had left two deep cracks in the earth where she had stood.
Singing crowds, loud music and cheering audiences filled up the Exhibition of Future Technologies. Bethany didn't know what to feel.
Excited? Nervous? Hysterical?
It was much different than what she was used to. Examination rooms, training grounds and dirt. So much dirt. The ground beneath felt tight and claustrophobic. Covered in concrete, but sleeping soundly underneath the roaring city. It was comforting, yet her chest felt unreasonably tight.
Was it the ground? Or the young man that literally took her breath away just by smiling?
She couldn't tell.
Walking past the various signs advertising 'Stark' industries made her nauseous.
So many bright lights on one sign? Why would he want to do that?
She stared into the sign beside her, acknowledging her appearance for the first time that night in the reflection.
Long, bouncy hazel hair strayed down her left shoulder when she took it out of its bun. A tightly fitted plain white dress hugged waist and chest, no one would think to notice it was a nurses uniform without the apron. Bethany just shrugged, it was the best she could do at short notice. Bethany continued on, delving deeper into the throng of people, pushing past excited couples hurrying to get to the Stark presentation. She didn't really care, she liked how peaceful how it was.
She willed herself to be more excited, but she just couldn't shake off Bucky's face from her memory.
It's not like I'll ever see him again, she thought, biting her lip with sunken desire.
Just a memory perhaps.
"What the hell are you doing with my girl?" a shout split the crowd, forming a circle around a small group of people.
Bethany, curious, walked up to the crowd.
Anything to keep my mind off- her thoughts halted.
Inside the circle stood 3 young men standing down 2 girls and another young, familiar man. The three imposing boys looked angry, glaring at the one man holding the two, embarrassed young women.
Bucky smiled.
"I don't think these girls are exactly "yours"..." he commented with a smirk, but Bethany could see the small fear suddenly blossoming in his clear eyes.
"Well, we are engaged Margaret aren't we? Come here now so I can beat the crap out of this chump." the main boy growled, holding his hand out to the girl around Bucky's arm. She whimpered and complied, trotting pathetically over to her fiance, her friend high on her heels.
Bucky stood up straight, straightening his soldier jacket, obviously uncomfortable but keeping his composure.
The crowd ooed in anticipation.
Bethany looked on in horror. She was used to fights but this was unfair.
"You're a soldier? I don't think I'll sleep right tonight after knowing you like sleeping around with married women." the bully crudely commented, an smirk rising on his twisted face.
"Look pal I didn't know, I must've-"
"Must've what? Actually, I don't care. This'll teach you not to mess with me-"
Bethany suddenly found herself in the middle of the circle, holding onto Bucky for dear life.
"Honey! What are you doing? I know it's your last night but I told you not too much alcohol!" she giggled loudly, slapping his chest lightly, but hard enough for him to notice.
She looked up at him with a wide smile, completely fake, her eyes telling another story to his.
They were large and alert, signaling escape. Bucky looked down at her with complete bewilderment, but his eyes grew in sudden realization.
He grinned.
"Wow honey, you got me. Jeez, what a night." he blurted out, abruptly leaning against her with enough weight for Bethany to stumble. She glared.
"Sorry about the confusion, uh, sir, he must've thought it was me. What a stupid soldier you are my little Lucky Bucky." she apologized with a shy smile, struggling to keep him up straight. The bully stared in utter disgust and confusion, but shrugged them off without another word.
Bucky stumbled and sagged against her, really exaggerating the "drunk" act for their audience. She put his arm around her shoulders, and began to carry him out of the saddened crowd, disappointed with the outcome.
As she carried his weight he would continue to purposely droop his faceinto her bare neck, causing Bethany shiver at the touch of his soft lips smile against her skin. She would've clocked him square in the jaw, but to her horror, she embarrassingly adored it.
They carried on with the charade until they were out of sight of the promenade. They turned a corner into a quiet side alley, finally letting go of each other.
Bethany thanked the darkness, as she was hot and flushed from touching him for that long. Bucky turned around to face her, his smile brightening the empty lane.
"Thank you, that was an experience-"
"Don't mention it. I mean, ever, to anyone, please." she muttered, quickly noticing how silent it was, the music and noise playing in the distance.
He raised his eyebrows at her flustered state, but his grin persisted.
Bethany suddenly felt nervous, as an countless amount of people had noticed her. She wasn't suppose to draw a crowd, the Doctor would be furious.
"I uh, didn't catch your name." his gentle, raspy voice was suddenly so close she jumped. The ground shook ever so slightly in co-lesion with her shock.
"Bethany Summers. Nothing special, just your normal gal in New York City." she laughed nervously, edging slightly away from Bucky.
"James Barnes, friends call me Bucky. But we aren't friends are we?" he teased, his smile growing with the rise of her heartbeat.
He was so close to her, her hands clasped each other tightly as she stared at him.
"I need to go now. Very nice meeting you. Oh and next time you fancy a girl, please check if she's married or not. I won't be there all the time to get you out of a rut." she blurted with a flash of a smile, and began to quickly walk out of the dimly lit alleyway.
She couldn't look at him anymore. He gave her hope.
"Wait Beth, don't you want to talk? We are practically married now so I insist we spend the night together." Bucky called out jokingly, as she heard his footsteps follow closely behind her.
He lightly grabbed her hand to stop her hurried pace. Bethany turned around, her hand still in his. His eyes were luminous against the lights in the distance. Bucky looked so hopeful and young, holding her hand in the darkness.
It was too quiet, as she could feel the heart of New York pulsing under her feet, in the ground where a part of her belonged. What she was doing didn't belong, that wasn't her nature.
She WAS nature. This moment felt too dramatic and unreal.
"I can't James, it was nice meeting you." was all she said. Letting go of his hand, she walked off, once again clasping one hand in the other.
She couldn't just for one night. It wouldn't make sense. She would never see him again anyway, even if he thought it was a bit of fun.
As she clutched onto her hand, she could still feel the warmth of Bucky's touch against her skin, and made her way back to the Enlistment Center.