Memories clouded his mind, dragging him to the end and the beginning just a few months prior.
Doctor Erksine… his serum… Stark… the Captain…
The Captain.
Steve's memories focused on Captain Jack Harkness, providing a hallucination so real that the pressure on his ears, the icy wind clawing his face, and the strange heaviness in his heart was the only things that spoiled his illusion.
They stood single file, some talking and some not, with the sun battering them from up high. That was when he strolled into their line of vision. Tall, with a strong jaw line that supported a confident flirtatious grin. He was easily the best looking person on the base, man or woman.
"Listen up boys and girls, I'm Cap'n Jack Harkness and I'm in charge of everything that goes on around here…
"Steven! Get your arse off that ship right now!"
"Sorry Captain. I need to make sure that she goes down.
"I got beat up behind that diner… in that alley way… and behind that shop…" Steve rambled. Sitting next to Jack Harkness did the same thing to his nerves as pretty girls did.
"You got something against running away?" Jack asked, eyeing Steve in that less than virtuous way of his.
"Well, once you start running you can never stop. You can't keep saying 'no' forever right" Steve cautiously explained, looking at the Captain. A shadow covered Jack's usually frivolous and mischievous eyes, bringing an aged and haunted look to the handsome man's face. It's there barely a second, replaced by his standard cocky/flirtatious expression. Before Steve had the time to ponder such a look, Jack spoke up.
"What about that dance hall?"
"The dance hall? Nah, never had any reason to go there."
"So… You've never danced?"
"No. I guess I'm just waiting for the right partner."
As Steve said that, he risked a look at Harkness. Jack was staring at Steve with bright, curious eyes that sent shivers down Steve's spine.
His ears popped.
"We never did get that dance" Jack said in his ear. His usually lively voice sounded hollow and weary.
Steve had just put his team together, and his best friend was going to be among them. He and Bucky were at the bar and the rest of the team was at a table nursing beers when Jack walked in.
Steve and Bucky stood to attention and then the trio of defense force men sat at the bar and ordered. Two beers for Steven and Bucky and a glass of whiskey for Jack.
And then they talked. And talked. And talked.
They spoke about Hydra, upcoming missions, the rest of the war, baseball, and then broached the subject of dancing and dames. It was Bucky who asked the question that had been a nagging presence in Steve's mind for a while.
"Is there anyone you're gonna take dancing after the war?"
Jack took a gulp of his drink, scotch this time, and seemed to be lost in memories. He took another sip before looking at Steve and responding.
"No, I guess I'm just waiting for the right dance partner to come along"
"How about next week?" Steve asked, injecting as much hope as he could into his voice, wishing and praying that his hope would rub off on the older man.
"Seven pm, Saturday, Officers Club. Don't keep me waiting" was Jack's reply. Steve closed his eyes. Jack's voice this time was worse, desolate, weary, and old. A hand clenched Steve's heart. A hand belonging to fear and despair, colder than the ice that was rushing up to meet him.
I'm not going to make it…
-2012-
"You gonna be ok?"
"Yeah… just, I had a date"
