A/N: Hello faithful readers! Here is the newest story. Named after the Linkin Park song, What I've Done. We pick up in June 1943, where a pre-serum Steve Rogers is set to meet our lovely OC, Elizabeth Stark, even as Bucky already met her ;) As a twin to Howard, she's been through it all. But don't take my word for it, take hers. Elizabeth took me for a ride as I began to write this story, and I'm excited to see how things change, alter and some just don't happen. But I won't spoil anything for you. You'll have to read to discover where her path leads us.

Elizabeth Stark is portrayed by Marie Avgeropoulos.

Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own Marvel, Disney or the Avengers.

Hell always seemed like a vague concept to me. A place of suffering, where circumstances never changed, and you couldn't escape. I didn't need to die to know Hell. I was living it.

My brother would say that while he was born first, I lived first. I was the first to walk, the first to talk, the first to discover everything. Howard was the one allowed to go to school, to create a company by designing weapons, and I was expected to settle down, have a couple kids and keep a home. I basically said, "Fuck that," because I worked right alongside my brother, keeping him from killing himself or blowing up another lab.

The world wasn't my speed. The antiquated laws and rules weren't changing fast enough for me. So I didn't give two shits about what was expected of me when the war broke out. Most women signed up to be nurses, or aids to the brass, and the ones left at home took up the men's jobs in the factories. I didn't want any of that. I wanted to fight, to do something worthwhile in the war. While Howard was demonstrating a new weapon at an army training camp, I was lecturing the troops who would be using it about not being jackasses with said weapon. I took the weapon right out of Howard's hands, yelled, "Fire in the hole!" and proceeded to obliterate the target board.

Colonel Phillips gave me a smirk and said, "How would you like a promotion?"

And just like that I was a Major in the SSR. Well, a bit of basic training and a shrug of Howard's shoulders, I was in the Army. Phillips liked the way I talked to the men, and pushed them, so he promoted me from my starting rank of 2nd Lieutenant to Major within the first year. It was a huge honor to be trusted with something so important, and given more responsibility along with my rank. And I was brought into the SSR right away, just as Johan Schmidt started making his way into our intelligence briefings more and more.

Howard hired a new assistant that I trained to watch him like a hawk. I met Edwin Jarvis when I was in London once, and I wrote Howard asking for help with getting Ana out of the Third Reich after his failed attempt at forging travel papers for her. I had no pull over this particular General that was court martialing him, but Howard was able to twist his arm. Ana sobbed in my arms after she was reunited with Jarvis, thanking me profusely, and I gained a friend.

I was working with Phillips in Camp Leigh, training recruits, and simultaneously developing tech with Howard. My days were long and the amount of bullshit I dealt with from stupid men wasn't enough to make me quit. I loved what I was doing, and I would prove to everyone that I deserved to be there. I earned their respect.

And then, I met Peggy Carter. She was a force of nature; blowing through the SSR and instantly making me love her. She took no shit from anyone, especially Colonel Phillips. Howard called us both bearcats and I promptly smacked him upside the head. We were as thick as thieves from day one.

Peggy came back from a mission in the Bavarian Alps with a German scientist named Abe, who was brought into the SSR in exchange for his project, to create a super soldier army, to aid the Allies in winning the war. Abraham Erskine was a tough nut to crack, but once I did, he brought me in to the lab and explained some of what he was doing with the serum. Most of it wasn't written down, so it was interesting to watch him pull everything out of thin air. But the serum wasn't quite perfect.

After a drunken evening, I was usually regretting my behavior. But this was past regret. I was in deep shit and I had no way out.

"We should have tested it on an animal first. I cannot believe you talked me into this," Abe said, monitoring me as I went through a bout of wicked cold sweats.

"Anyone can be talked into just about anything when they're that drunk. You're not infallible Abe," I grimaced as my muscles constricted painfully, "I'm also to blame for this."

"I really need another set of eyes on you," He sighed, "And a medical doctor in case you turn for the worst."

"Hey, what did we say? No one must know. Howard will kill me, and Phillips will flip his lid. It's one thing for him to have taken a chance on a woman, by taking me into the army, but to take away the first subject spot from one of his recruits? I would like to live a little longer," I said, taking a sip of water and gasping in pain, "I'd rather die this way instead in front of a firing squad. I'll write a note so they go easy on you if I die."

"If this kills you, I will bring you back, just to kill you again," He sighed, taking my pulse for the second time in fifteen minutes.

I lived. Only, not the way I would have liked. I had a boost of endurance and strength that helped in training, but when I was injured, the injury would heal much faster than it should ever heal. Howard found out one time, after seeing me get a cut in the morning in the lab, and then seeing the healed forearm later that night at dinner. He demanded to know what I did. So I took him to Abe and had him explain.

"She isn't perfect-"

"She's my sister, you don't think I don't know that?" Howard joked, making my punch his arm. He grabbed it immediately and said, "Fuck, how much are you training?"

"That's a side effect Mr. Stark. She has been given one of the first test samples of the Serum."

"Holy shit, the Serum?"

"We were drunk, and thought it would be funny. Cold sweats, every muscle in my body screaming, and now I can't get drunk. Kind of the universe's joke on me for a drunk decision," I said, sighing. What I wouldn't give for a drink for this conversation.

"Her metabolism burns off the alcohol before it can effect her. But Mr. Stark, had she been saturated with the proper radiation afterwards, she would have been perfect!"

"So what you are saying is that-"

"Yes Howard, I'm a super soldier," I deadpanned. He was silent a moment before saying, "Phillips doesn't know?"

"Do you think I would still be in the army if he did? I would be in Alamogordo so fast, your head would spin!"

"Please, Major Stark, Mr. Stark. This cannot get out," Abe said, seriously.

"I know," I sighed, rubbing my forehead and closing my eyes.

So, we kept the secret. We kept it close to our chests, and I was going to be the 'template' that the actual first subject would be measured against.

Peggy and I worked flawlessly together, not letting our ranks get in the way of our friendship. We trained recruits, put them through their paces, and made them absolutely perfect for shipping out. We expected perfection, and if you weren't, you stayed until you were. The men liked to make jokes at the beginning, that they'd take the torture to be around the pretty women a little longer, but eventually they realized they would rather fight a war than go through my training course one more time.

I had a small furlough, enough to go see Howard in New York for a week. I was supposed to be heading back tomorrow, but I was allowed one more night of fun, according to Ana and Jarvis. Ana had made me a stunning dress for my last night, because Howard was supposed to take me out dancing. Of course that wouldn't happen until after he announced his latest brainchild, a flying car. Whoopty-do. And even then a girl or two might distract him.

It was Flag Day, and the festivities were in full swing at the World of Tomorrow Expo. Howard liked to call it his expo, but I would tell him he was a glitterati, and the attention was making his head disportionate.

"Take it in Lizzie," Howard said, smirking at a group of his 'show girls'. One of them gave him a little wave and I internally rolled my eyes.

"How about you keep it in your pants brother?" I suggested, flicking his ear for calling me Lizzie. He knew I hated that nickname

"Ouch. Why don't you go find some poor guy to abuse? You need a fella."

"Oh god. I have plenty of men in my life, I don't need another," I said rolling my eyes.

"Phillips, myself and your maggots, as you so fondly call them, are not the kind of guys I was talking about."

"Well, I was going to go find Abe after your show. He wanted me to test something," I said, backing up from where I looked out over the crowd from backstage.

"Go, on. I know I bore you," He sighed.

"Love you big brother," I said, hugging him tightly. He hugged me back just as fierce and said, "I love you too Lilabit."

After wiping a quick tear away, I gave him a winning smile and said, "See you in a week... Howie."

"Tell Erskine to pick the right guy, will ya? We need a good one to do his predecessor proud," He teased, tugging on a stray curl, before he got his queue to get ready. I walked out the door of the stage to the crowd, mind wandering over who could be worthy of the Serum. I certainly wasn't. I was drunk and thought it would be funny. I didn't do it for my country or for honor.

"Major Stark," I heard as I weaved my way from the crowd. My heart fluttered, seeing one of my favorite recruits, standing at attention. He hadn't openly flirted with me like some of the other recruits, but the kiss he gave me on the last day still made my knees weak thinking about it.

"At ease, Sergeant Barnes," I said, noting the women on either side of him, feeling my heart sink a little bit. His friend was hovering behind the trio, giving me a respecting nod.

"Here to see your brother, ma'am?" He asked, as the girls tried to sidle up closer to him, threatened by how he was treating me. I gave a smirk, noticing how his eyes were soft on me. Maybe he wasn't lying when he said he'd wait for me. But I couldn't think like that, as he was still an enlisted soldier.

"Yes, but my furlough is up tonight. Enjoy the show, Sergeant," I smiled, before looking back at his friend. He was cute too. Not in a, "I want to put him in my pocket." kind of way though. He was cute in a "Doesn't have self-confidence, even thought he certainly is handsome," kind of way. Most girls would have looked right past him due to his height, but I was only about an inch taller than him and it didn't bother me.

"Buck up soldier, you'll get your shot yet," I said to his friend as I passed him. I had seen that look on many guys that wished to enlist, but were rejected. He looked up at me and with bright eyes, he said, "Thank you Ma'am."

"Don't thank me yet. War is a bloody affair, and I hope you have a strong stomach," I smirked, "What's your name?"

"Steven Rogers, ma'am."

"From your attitude, I'd say you have the heart, not just in it for glory. Just remember, we need good men in this war. Anyone who willingly enlists is good in my books," I said, before giving him a small smile.

"If I get in, I'll do you proud," He said, before adding quickly, "Ma'am."

"Well Rogers, I'll be seeing you," I smiled softly. I looked back at Barnes and his dates. They were watching the show, but Barnes was watching Rogers and I, practically green as he observed us.

He stood at attention as I nodded to him in goodbye.

"Rogers," I said, before turning to walk back to the enlistment office in the Expo. I got nods from the MP's and a nurse told me that Dr. Erskine had just finished up with his last patient. Abe was just gathering his things as I walked into his office, and smiled at me in greeting.

"I'm here, what's this test?" I asked, before scrunching my face up in pain, "What's that noise?"

"That is the test. Your hearing, as you mentioned is another effect of the Serum, "He said, flicking a switch and making the noise stop, "That was a small device your brother made for me. The noise attracted dogs, who hear much higher frequencies than humans."

"I have dog hearing? And I thought I was going crazy, hearing voices. That's it, I'm a freak of nature," I sighed.

"Our next subject will be able to as well. So, no, you are not a freak," He smiled, "Come, let us grab dinner."

We started walking out, when I noticed certain conversations around us were louder than usual. I started focusing on certain people, hoping to fine-tune this better, when I heard two men arguing. Men I had just been talking to.

"As who, Steve from Ohio? They'll catch you, what's worse, they'll actually take you," Barnes said to his friend, sounding angry.

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

"This isn't a back alley Steve, this is a war," Barnes said as Erskine and I rounded the corner to the front hall.

"I know it's a war-"

"Why are you so keen to fight? There are so many important jobs," Barnes said, and I watched him as Erskine slowed to eavesdrop. I pretended to face him to give the pretense of us having a conversation, to cover up the fact we were eavesdropping.

"What? Collect scrap metal in my little red wagon?" Steve bit back.

"Yes, why not?"

"I'm not gonna sit in a factory Bucky. Bucky, there are men laying down their lives. I've got no right to do any less than them. That's what you don't understand. This isn't about me," Rogers said.

"Right, cause you've got nothing to prove," Barnes said, and I saw Abe quickly look back at me. Bucky also took a quick glance around before stepping closer to Steve.

"Steve, I love you," Bucky said softly, but loud enough that I could hear it plain as day from where I stood. My eyes widened, and I risked a quick glance up as Bucky continued. Abe asked what I had heard, but I shook my head to wait, as Barnes said, "I wish I could kiss you right now, to say goodbye like I want."

"I know Buck, I love you too. I wish we had one last night together," Rogers said, and I covered my mouth in shock. Barnes had seemed like such a ladies man, that I never suspected… Was all his flirting a lie? But that kiss had seemed so real, no hesitation…

"You know why we can't. We said we needed to stop, to find girls and not give anyone a chance to think we… I can be kicked out of the army for it."

"Bucky, you don't think I saw you checking out the Major?"

I blushed hard, hearing Barnes's response of, "You're clobbered by her too."

"She's beautiful. She seemed to like you," Rogers said, sounding a little bitter.

"You too Punk. I wasn't sure if I was jealous cause she was talking to you, or you were talking to her. She's a bombshell, and a bit of a bearcat. She took no shit from anyone back in training. You know I love you, but I was falling for her as well," Barnes said, as Abe asked, "What are they saying?"

"Something personal," I whispered back. Barnes was falling for me? So the kiss was real and the flirting was genuine.

"Hey Sarge, are we going dancing?" I heard one of Barnes' dates call out to him.

"Yes we are," He said, as I turned to see him look back at his dates. He looked back at Steve and said, "Don't do anything stupid until I get back."

"How can I? You're taking all the stupid with you."

"You're a punk."

"Jerk," Steve said as they gave a hug.

"Ask her out," Barnes said lowly to Steve, "If I can't have either of you, I would hope you had her, and she had you."

"I will try, but I'm telling you, she wants you."

"We'll see about that," Barnes said, before backing away.

"Be careful," Rogers said, "Don't win the war till I get there."

I watched Barnes give him a salute, and I gave him a small smile, when he caught my eye turning. Bucky walked back to his dates, saying, "Come on girls, they are playing our song."

Rogers turned and walked past Abe and myself, not seeing us as he went to enlist, for what sounded like not the second time. Abe gave me a look and said, "It's him, isn't it?"

"Maybe. I think he deserves a shot."

"A chance," Abe smiled, "I shall only be a moment."

"Go get him," I smiled, nodding towards the hallway Steve just turned down.

It was the next afternoon that I saw Rogers again, my mind was still reeling from the conversation he and Barnes had at the Expo. It was immoral; in fact, most of the US thought it was illegal. The Nazi's were arresting them and putting them into concentration camps. But as I walked towards our newest batch of greenhorns, I watched Steve catch sight of me and stand at attention before Peggy could yell, "Recruits, attention."

"Gentlemen, I'm Agent Carter, and this is Major Stark. We supervise all operations for this division. Major Stark has designed this training program to test your endurance, agility and ensure you are the best equipped for wherever you are stationed in the theatre."

"What's with the accent Queen Victoria? I thought I was signing up for the US Army," One man said, before looking over at me, "And what's a women know about being a soldier?"

"What's your name soldier?" Peggy asked, ignoring his comments.

"Filmore Hodge, your Majesty," He said sarcastically.

"Step forward Hodge. Put your right foot forward," She said, and he did as he was told, sharing looks with a few of his fellow recruits.

"Are we gonna wrestle? Cause I got a few moves I know you'll like," He said, giving a small wink to Peggy. I rolled my eyes and waited for the inevitable. She pulled back and gave him the right hook he deserved, before I walked over to pick him up by his shirt collar. He was dangling just off the ground, so no one got suspicious of how a woman my size could be so strong.

"The next time I hear you or anyone else disrespecting Agent Carter, I am going to make you eat your teeth. I will make your life so miserable here, you'll be begging Hitler to take you as a POW. Do I make myself clear?" I said, starting out softly and raising my voice to a yell, addressing the recruits with the question.

"Yes Major!" Steve barked out first, making me smile internally as the rest of the recruits answered in the same manner.

"Agent Carter, Major Stark," A voice said behind us as a Jeep pulled up.

"Colonel Phillips," We responded as I dumped Hodge back in the dirt, and turned to face him.

"I see you're breaking in the candidates. That's good," I heard Chester say, the amusement in his voice obvious as he strode towards where Hodge was still laying down in the dirt at our feet.

"Get your ass up out of that dirt and stand in that line at attention, until somebody comes and tells you what to do."

"Yes sir," He said, sniffing back the blood that threatened to fall from his nose. Peggy and I backed up to give the Colonel some room to inspect the recruits.

"General Patton has said, that wars are fought with weapons, but they are won by men. We are going to win this war, because we have the best… men," Phillips said, eyeing Steve, and glancing at me. I smiled and nodded that he was my pick, and he shook his head slightly.

"And because they are going to get better, much better. The Strategic Scientific Reserve, is an Allied effort, made up of the best minds of the Free World. Our goal is to create the best army in history. But every army starts with one man. At the end of this week, we will choose that man. He will be the first, in a new breed of super soldiers," Phillips said, and I locked eyes with Abe, who's flashed at me.

"And they, will personally escort Adolph Hitler, to the gates of hell," Chester said, before nodding to me.

"Alright, ladies," I said, "Get ready to puke your guts out, because this course isn't going to be easy. You will run it, everyday, until you are perfect. I like to call this course, the Absentee Father. He's tough, brutal even. His presence in your life is brief but it will scar you and instill a toughness in you, that will carry you through birthdays, Christmases and the rest of this war when you are pinned down by the enemy just waiting to die from dehydration or starvation," I shouted. The men seemed to realize that I wasn't joking, because they looked a little scared.

"Out here, you have no one but your fellow soldiers. Those that work together will succeed. Those who don't play by my rules, will be running it again and again, until your muscles are crying out in fatigue and your feet bleed. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes Major!" They yelled.

"Good. Now ladies, follow Drill Sergeant Foy here, to get fitted for packs and rifles. Once you have, report back and we'll begin the torture. I mean, testing," I smiled sarcastically, as Foy nodded at me. I caught Rogers' eye as they handed back their clipboards and sent him a little wink when no one was looking. He blushed red, before I turned to speak with Chester.

"Who is that?" He asked me lowly.

"Steven Rogers, our future super soldier," I smiled knowingly at him.

"He won't last the first twenty minutes."

"Sir, if you like to make that a wager, I'd be happy to put in 20 dollars that says your wrong," I said, making Peggy smirk.

"You've got a gambling problem Major, if you think that boy will survive your program. The big one, that Agent Carter knocked into the dirt maybe, but not the twig," He said, seriously.

"People can surprise you," Abe said, "He was very adamant about enlisting."

"Doctor, I think you may have just killed him by allowing him in here. His dead body is on both of our hands," Chester said to us, as I internally rolled my eyes at his dramatics. He walked away and I said, "He won't die. I won't let him."

"Don't be too hard on him."

"Hey, just because I like the guy doesn't mean I can give him special treatment. You heard him yesterday. He wants the same chance as anybody else. And I'm gonna give it to him."

Slang translation:

bearcat (1920's term): a kickass woman, who takes no shit (I may be paraphrasing lol)

brainchild: Someone's creative idea

glitterati: rich famous people who love bright lights and cameras

bombshell: attractive female