"Ms. Richards," Amelia's head shot up and immediately, she stood up from the metal bench at the front of the convention center and extended her hand towards the old man.
"Dr. Erskine, it's a pleasure to meet you," She smiled brightly, her bracelet jingling inaudibly as she shook the man's hand with a firm grip.
From her appearance alone, she looked like any other woman at the convention. She donned a simple red dress with modest black heels. Her brunette hair was pinned back in a classic up-do. Amelia looked like an ordinary citizen enjoying the festivities that the convention had to offer, and she wanted to keep it that way. If anyone knew the true reason as to why she was at the convention, she'd be fired even before she could blink.
"Likewise, Ms. Richards," Dr. Erskine replied politely. Amelia shook her head as she waved a passive hand.
"Please, call me Amelia." She looked away from the doctor and proceeded to survey the crowd entering the center. There were mainly families that wanted to see Howard Stark's newest invention and couples that were on dates.
"Have you spotted someone yet, Dr. Erskine?" Amelia leaned towards him when she talked. She had always been cautious of speaking about Project: Rebirth out loud. The doctor shook his head nonchalantly and began walking towards the recruitment building. Amelia followed right behind but not without stopping a few times to stare at the exhibits and skimming through a few pamphlets.
"There's time for working later. Would you like to watch the show?" Dr. Erskine held out his arm which Amelia gladly took.
They approached the stage where Howard Stark would be presenting his newest invention. Amelia smirked knowingly at all of the women in the front who were chattering animatedly about Howard.
"If only they knew Howard personally, they'd be singing a different tune." Amelia muttered sarcastically to Dr. Erskine who only gave her an amused look. Soon, showgirls began strutting onto the stage in their cheesy costumes with lively music playing in the background.
"Ladies and gentlemen, Mr. Howard Stark!" An announcer shouted happily.
The previously-mentioned group of women in the front let out loud cheers when Howard came into view. Amelia had to stifle a snort at the sight of them drooling and aweing over the inventor. The showgirls extended their arms to motion towards Howard's approaching figure. He grabbed a microphone from one of the women but not without planting a large kiss on her mouth.
"That's Howard for ya. Always the ladies' man." Amelia snickered. Dr. Erskine slightly smiled and moved beside her with his hands folded behind his back in a casual manner. His lips flattened into a thin line once Howard starting speaking into the microphone.
"Ladies and gentlemen," Howard began. "What if I told you that in a few short years, your automobile won't even have to touch the ground at all?" The showgirls then took away the wheels off the car and rolled them backstage. Amelia watched on with amusement, one eyebrow raised in suspicion.
"With Stark's gravitic reversion technology, you'll be able to do just that," Howard smiled and started pressing controls on a panel. Suddenly, the car jolted and began lifting up into the air. Amelia's jaw nearly dropped to the ground.
"What the hel-," Amelia started to say. Suddenly, the car collapsed back to the ground in a rain of sparks. The group gasped but their gasps were soon replaced with mild laughter and applause. Howard looked embarrassed that his invention didn't work as planned, but he masked his faltering face with a half-hearted laugh.
"Well, I did say in a few years, didn't I folks?" The crowd just laughed alongside Howard and continued clapping. Amelia shook her head in a loving manner as she clapped for her old friend who walked off backstage, presumably to cavort with one of the showgirls.
"Amelia," Amelia's thoughts were interrupted by Dr. Erskine lightly tapping her arm. Amelia shook out of her trance and started after the scientist whilst admiring the fireworks and the whole Modern Marvels Pavilion. All of the sudden, she felt herself collide with someone much larger than her.
"Oh, I'm sorry!" They both said at the same time. Amelia looked up and found herself staring into the blue eyes of one of the most handsome men she'd ever seen in her life. He was dressed in an army uniform, complete with the hat and all. He gave the young woman a crooked yet charming smile when he noticed her flushed face.
"It was my fault. I wasn't watching where I was going," The man said smoothly. Confidence practically radiated from his body, and Amelia was feeling its effects rather quickly.
"Um, it's n-not a problem, sir-," Amelia spluttered out and felt even more embarrassed when he laughed.
"The name's James, but friends call me Bucky," He grabbed her hand and without hesitation, placed a feather-like kiss on the top of it.
"I'm Amelia." Amelia breathed.
Oh god, he's so attractive.
Right when Bucky's mouth opened to say something else, Amelia felt a hand lightly pulling on her arm.
Damn. Damn. Damn.
"Amelia, they're expecting us," Dr. Erskine said pointedly. He didn't seem to pay any mind to Bucky who exchanged an awkward glance with Amelia.
Thanks a lot, Dr. Erskine.
Amelia nodded with a slight pout. She literally met one of the most handsome men in New York, and now their half-decent conversation was ruined. Well, 'ruined' might be an exaggeration but Amelia was going to hold it against Dr. Erskine if that was her last conversation with a slightly decent and fairly attractive man.
Amelia turned to Bucky with a sorry smile. "I'm sorry, I have to go."
"Hope to see you soon," Bucky drawled, sending her the same enthralling smirk from earlier.
Before she could embarrass herself even further, Amelia turned to follow Dr. Erskine back to the recruitment building. She couldn't help but pivot her head to have one last look at Bucky. He seemed to be searching for someone, his relaxed features contorting into a look of frustration. Bucky soon became another person in the crowd, and Amelia turned back around to focus on catching up with Dr. Erskine. For a somewhat old man, he could have been mistaken for the Flash.
"Dr. Erskine, they want me to let you know that—" Amelia was greeted with a sharp shush and a hand flying up in front of her face.
Her eyes widened in surprise at the harshness of his voice but the response rolled off her back like water on wings. She saw Dr. Erskine staring closely at two men who were talking heatedly in front of the posters that lined the walls of the recruitment building. Amelia recognized one of the men as Bucky, but the other was a mystery to her.
"Bucky, c'mon! There are men laying down their lives! I got no right to do any less than them." The smaller man stated confidently.
"At least try eavesdropping with some discretion," Dr. Erskine commented sassily. Amelia's cheeks burned, and she pretended to read some papers that were on the front desk. Occasionally, Amelia would look up from "reading" her pamphlets to glance at the two men.
"Don't win the war till I get there," Amelia picked up the last piece of Bucky and his friend's conversation.
She watched as Bucky saluted his friend and disappeared from view without another word. Amelia opened her mouth to speak but Dr. Erskine sent her a look that put her back into silence. Dr. Erskine and Amelia continued to fake their obliviousness as Bucky's friend passed them to enter one of the rooms. Amelia eyed Dr. Erskine closely as he glanced at the man with a certain something in his eye.
"You're not thinking-"Amelia stopped short when she saw the determination in his eyes. It was him. Bucky's friend was going to be the candidate for the serum.
"But why?" Amelia furrowed her eyebrows with confusion. The man (more like child) was scarily skinny and looked as if the wind could knock him right over. He did have determination and the right attitude so Amelia had to give him some kind of credit.
"It's not the size of the person that matters, my dear. It's their heart." Dr. Erskine's words echoed in her ears as they gathered the man's information and were guided to the room with a police officer.
The military police officer stood stoically at the opening of the room until Dr. Erskine shooed him away. Dr. Erskine was examining the man's file, flipping through some papers that held important documents and information. Amelia glanced at the folder and learned that the man's name was Steven Rogers. But the most interesting thing about him was how many times he tried to enlist. Amelia had to hand it to the little guy; he had a lot of courage pulling those kinds of stunts considering the consequences.
"So," Dr. Erskine broke the silence. "You want to go overseas, kill some Nazis."
Steve was hesitant to answer. "Excuse me?"
Dr. Erskine began walking around the room while Amelia made herself comfortable in one of the chairs against the wall. She could feel Steve glancing at her curiously, but his eyes were focused back on Dr. Erskine in a matter of milliseconds.
"Doctor Abraham Erskine," The scientist shook hands with Steve. "I represent the Strategic Scientific Reserve."
"Steve Rogers." Steve replied back. He glanced back at Amelia and this time, Amelia stood up and held out her hand.
"My name is Amelia Richards. I work alongside Dr. Erskine." He nodded his head politely, slipping his hand into hers and giving her a firm handshake.
"It's nice to meet you, ma'am." Amelia nodded back politely and sat back down in her seat, waiting for Dr. Erskine to continue.
"Where are you from?" Dr. Erskine looked up from perusing the papers. "Queens, 73rd street and Utopia Parkway. But before that, Germany."
Steve didn't say anything back but instead stood there quietly. This prompted Dr. Erskine to ask why. "This troubles you?"
Steve shook his head casually. "No."
Well, that's a relief. Amelia sighed inwardly.
"Where are you from, Mr. Rogers?" Dr. Erskine adjusted his glasses that were beginning to hang low on the bridge of his nose. Amelia could see Steve's shoulder tense from nervousness. He watched Dr. Erskine with an uneasy expression as the scientist flipped through the documents in the manila folder.
"Is it New Haven?" The doctor asked, leaning in closer to read the small print on the papers. "Or Paramus? Five exams in five different cities,"
Steve shook his head anxiously, "That might not be the right file."
Dr. Erskine finally peered up at Steve. "It is not the exams I'm interested in. It's the five tries."
Amelia remained silent, occasionally checking the wall clock for the time. She was meeting Peggy at the Stork Club at 10 o'clock for some drinks, and it was going to be their last night out together before they had to go to Camp Lehigh in a few days.
"But you didn't answer my question. Do you want to kill some Nazis?" Dr. Erskine questioned, now standing a few feet away from Steve. Steve still held an expression of bemusement on his face.
"Is this a test?" Dr. Erskine scrunched his eyebrows.
"Yes," He replied back like it was the most obvious thing in the world. Steve sighed softly before looking back at Dr. Erskine.
"I don't want to kill anyone. I don't like bullies. I don't care where they're from." Steve said with finality.
Amelia studied Steve for a brief second. After overlooking his file, she was surprised that he was still able to stand on his own. He did have the fighting spirit but doubt still lingered within Amelia. Even though she didn't know Steve Rogers, she worried for him. But from the look on Dr. Erskine's face, there was no going back now.
"Well, there are already many big guys fighting this war?" Dr. Erskine slightly smiled. "Maybe what we need now is a little guy."