Thank you all so very much for reading all of my stories so far. I wasn't sure when i wanted to publish this one, but right after Facing Death seems like a good spot. I'm changing up the time when Captain America awakes to fit this story, but it won't actually change anything. This story will end up going back and forth between '43 and '10. I hope you enjoy!
1943
Steve and Bucky made their way down the bustling London sidewalk. When Steve had joked about Peggy having a friend he didn't think that she actually had a friend for Bucky. Peggy thought it was quite adorable when she told Steve that she had a close friend that would be willing to go out with his friend. Steve had begun stumbling over his words, trying his best not to call her or her friend 'dames'.
"So what's her name?" Bucky asked, fidgeting with his uniform.
"Maria," Steve replied.
"I can't believe that you actually found me a date. I really am becoming you," He joked.
"It's not so bad. This is the place," Steve stopped, nodding with his head the pub they stopped in front of. "We're just here for drinks, so if you aren't having a good time we can always leave."
"I can get almost any girl back home, I don't think I'll have a problem here," Bucky smirked.
The pub was poorly lit, a few corners were darker than comfortable. In the front near one of the windows was a piano. From the looks of a half drunk pint, the pianist had gone to the bathroom. The two strolled in, Steve immediately recognizing Peggy but not the blonde sitting next to her. Peggy sat up from the booth and waved them over. Bucky had stopped when he saw the blonde in the darkened pub. He quickly forced himself to move so as to not let the others know what was going on. His heart beat a little faster, his eyes taking everything in; wanting to remember this moment forever. Steve let Bucky slide in first, allowing the super soldier to sit across from Peggy.
"Hello boys," Peggy smiled, once again taking her seat.
"Hello. I'm Maria," the blonde stated, reaching out to shake Bucky and Steve's hands.
"You're American," Bucky stated.
The young woman let out a small giggle causing her 'date' to smile, "Yes I am. It seems that Captain America really has the best and brightest on his squad."
"Ouch," the brunette man replied, placing his hand over his heart and feigning an injury.
"You know who I am?" Steve inquired, slightly worried about who knew about him.
"I thought she should know what kind of riff-raff we would be associating with tonight," Peggy quipped.
The barkeep arrived, shooting a dirty look at the men after hearing Peggy call them 'riff-raff'. He placed pints in front of the women and taking the men's drink orders before he left again.
"So what brings you over to London," Steve asked, curiosity getting the better of him.
"Well, I was studying journalism at Oxford. I met Peggy when I studying over here. She's been a sort of liaison for the military for myself," Maria answered before taking a drink of her cider. "Also I have an uncle who lives in London."
"She's a correspondent for the International News Service. You're from New York aren't you?" Peggy asked, trying to keep the conversation flowing.
"Yes, but I was born and raised in Idaho," she replied.
"Oh really? Where in New York?" Bucky asked, piquing his interest.
"I have a small apartment in Brooklyn," Maria smiled.
"Steve and I are from Brooklyn," he smirked.
"We're practically neighbors," Maria quipped, taking another sip of her drink.
"I'm going to see where our drinks are. I'll be right back," Steve announced.
"And I'm going to use the ladies room," Peggy added, following him from the table.
"So, do you have a guy back home?" Bucky inquired.
"No, I don't. I've never really had any luck with men," she answered.
"Perhaps your luck is about to change," he smirked.
Maria laughed at his response, her light giggle once again causing him to smile.
"Is it safe to assume that you don't have a girl back home then?" She asked.
"I never found the one before I left," Bucky replied, staring into her eyes.
He tried to make out what color they were, but couldn't quite tell. As he opened his eyes to ask her Steve had returned, placing a drink in front of him.
"I caught one of your shows over in the states before I left. It was something. Was every performance like that?" Maria curiously questioned.
"Yeah, they really went all out," Steve answered, rubbing the back of his neck.
"Sorry I took so long, I ran into an old friend and they wouldn't stop chatting," Peggy apologized as she quickly glanced to Steve.
Before Steve had a chance to respond a shrill siren echoed through the pub. The lights were shut off as a man started shouting. His voice was muffled by the siren, but people seemed to be moving quickly towards the back of the bar. Steve was already up, ready to bound out the door with Bucky hot on his trail. A hand grabbed his arm and pulled him into the mass. They followed the rest of the patrons down into the basement under the bar.
It had become crowded as everyone had filled the small room, leaving almost no room to move. Maria's hands were shaking, her nerves had become frayed. They began to play with the hem of her baby blue blouse, occasionally attempting to smooth the nonexistent wrinkles on her dark grey skirt. There was a faint sliver of light that highlighted a piece of the stairs. The walls shook and dirt fell, illuminated from the light. Maria felt a hand touch the small of her back, causing her to jump at the unexpected touch. Her body tensed up to the stranger.
"It's just me," Bucky whispered.
Her body relaxed a little into him as the walls shook again. Dust fell from the ceiling and onto everyone. The huddled mass of bar patrons stood in silence, awaiting their fate. Minutes later lights started to turn back on, signaling that the air raid had ended. As he four returned towards the booth Maria stopped.
"I think I'm just going to go home," she informed them, her voice uneasy.
"The night's barely started," Bucky grinned. "Just stay for one drink."
Maria looked at Peggy quickly, "I'm sorry, but I can't. I don't do well after an air raid."
Maria swiftly walked back towards the booth to grab her purse. When she looked back at the group she only found Bucky there.
"Where did Peggy and Steve go?" She inquired.
"They decided to return back to the base. Steve wanted to help in any way possible and Peggy followed. I told them I would walk you home," Bucky answered.
"Thank you," Maria smiled bashfully. "I don't live far."
The two walked on silence, occasionally glancing at the other when they thought they weren't looking.
"I really loved that place," Maria commented, stopping as she stared at a corner cafe.
The front of the cafe was in a heap of bricks with splintered tables and chair sticking out.
"They had the best sandwiches. Almost as good as the sandwiches at Daisy's Diner back in Brooklyn," she wistfully commented.
Bucky turned to look at her, "You've been to Daisy's?"
"They have the best pie in Brooklyn!" She exclaimed, the two starting to walk again.
"Ever since I left the states I haven't been homesick at all. But now that your talking about the pies at Daisy's Diner, I'm now feeling homesick," he said, pretending to pout.
"Oh you poor thing," Maria played along. "Is there anything I can do to make it up to you?"
"Well, you could always go out to dinner with me tomorrow," Bucky smirked.
"If that'll help," she smiled, stopping in front of a building and looking up at it. "This is where I live."
"You and you're uncle, right?" He inquired, trying to show that he payed attention to her earlier.
"Correct! So I'll see you tomorrow then?" Maria replied, nervously biting her lip.
"I'll be here at seven," Bucky smirked before gently grasping her hand and kissing the back of it.
"Good night," she stammered, turning on her heels and entering the building.
"Sweet dreams," he called out before she shut the door.
2010
Steve stared at the brunette that he had just met in disbelief. When he saw her his jaw dropped, she looked identical to a woman he had known in the forties. He knew this couldn't be the same person, but the resemblance was perfect.
"Why are you staring at me like that?" She asked, slightly paranoid.
"You look like a friend of mine," he explained, closing his mouth. "Well, a friend that I had, but she's probably gone. Are you related to Howard?"
Aria watched the man who she thought of as an idol, analyzing every move and watching the heartbreak in his eyes as he brought up his past.
"He was my father," Aria explained. "He and my mom died in a car accident."
"I'm sorry," he replied, looking down at his hands.
"Aria is being brought in to help you get comfortable with the present. Shield thought it was best to bring in someone who would be easy to get along with," Fury explained from his corner of the room. "I'd like for this to go smoothly,"
"Yes sir," Aria replied. "You hungry? Let's go get some food. I know a few good places that you might like."
"Yeah, that sounds good," Steve replied.
"Director Fury, anyway you could lend us a car and perhaps someone to drive? Because well, ya know," she motioned to her leg.
"They'll be waiting for you when you get downstairs. This has the address and keys to your new apartment, as well as other important information," Fury said, handing Steve a large envelope.
The two headed towards the elevator, Fury watching from the door. While waiting for the elevator Aria glanced at the man standing next to her. Steve was wearing boots, khaki pants, and a blue button up shirt; his blonde hair combed back. The young woman was beyond anxious. She was next to the icon who helped her survive boarding school when she was younger. Now she was going out to lunch with her idol and hero.