"Hey kid, how're you doing?"

Bucky Barnes stepped into his sister's room, observing her as she crouched over the notes on her bed. A grunt resounded from her form, and he closed the door behind himself before moving to sit at the edge of the bed.

"You know, Suzy, it's good to take a break now and then. Take some time and let all of the information settle. Who knows, it might be helpful to get up, take a walk."

His twin looked up at him, her hair falling from its braid and her hazel eyes noticeably tired. Sighing, she set her book down, "Bucky, you just- I'm sorry, but you don't understand. You're a man— you don't have the same competition that I have. I appreciate the sentiment, but If I waste any time by taking a break, I could end up losing this position to another girl who has studied harder. You know how important it is that I do this."

Bucky groaned, leaning back on her bed. He seemingly chose to ignore her former comments as he proceeded, "To be honest Suze, I don't really get why it's so important. Don't take this the wrong way, but you would be fine here. You'd be taken care of here; Miss Brown is just next door— besides, I'm still going to write you. It's not like coming overseas is going to keep us together. They send troops where they're needed, not where they wanna go. " His prompts were met with rolled eyes.

"Yes, Bucky, because you're the only reason that I want to join the war efforts. Use that big brain of yours and figure out that as much as I will miss you, it's not just about that. I can't just sit here and do nothing, Buck." Suzy looked away from her brother, before starting to aimlessly play around with the pencil in her hand. "I want to be a nurse, I want to help people, and I most certainly will not allow myself to sit around during a war without some kind of effort to contribute. It'll drive me crazy. I don't want to be one of those girls working in a factory, or knitting scarves for cold soldiers. That isn't enough for me."

Bucky huffed, his hand coming up to scratch the back of his head, "Alright, you got me there. You really can't knit worth shit…" Laughing, he reached over and smacked her lightly on the back. "You and Steve are a real pair, you know? It's okay not to join the forces."

She switched from staring at a frayed spot on the blanket to scowling up at him, "Says the boy who got in." Bucky decidedly looked away, not ready for another argument over the matter, "Yeah, okay. You and I both know that I won't stop you— I mean, it's your life. Just know that I worry. And don't you dare get hurt, or else I'll have to come and kill you myself." He laughed half-heartedly, going to stand. "And I swear, if one of those soldiers hits on you…"

Suzy looked up, her eyebrows raised. "You'll what? Kill them? Buck, I'm gonna have to fall in love some day."

"Yeah, maybe, but hittin' on a girl isn't any way of going about it, trust me. Especially not my sister. They need to treat you like a princess, or whatever. " He paused for a moment, a smirk ever-present on his face as his eyes twinkled up toward her. "And besides, someone's gotta be here for Steve. I mean, I always figured that you two might end up getting together and-"

"Buck, stop!" Her cheeks grew warm and she kicked lightly at him, throwing her papers everywhere. Groaning and tidying them up, she laughed lowly. "You and I both know that Steve deserves the world, and I'm not the dame that's going to make him happy. If I was, we would have been together a long, long time ago. He'll be fine without me, I'm sure. Now please, stop being ridiculous and let me work. Please." She rolled her eyes lightly, piling the papers back in front of her lap again.

Her twin groaned, smacking his forehead. "You're both as bad as each other!" She gave him a pointed glare and he stood, hands up. Looking at her hunched form one more time before moving to open the door, he smiled. "Fine, fine. But just a tip—don't get stuck sitting like that— then you'll never be on the front lines," Winking at her, he turned to leave, "Love ya, Suzy-Lu."

As he shut the door behind him, he heard her mutter, "Yeah, yeah. You too, Buck."

Another day and another booklet to teach her about the replacement of severed limbs. Suzy felt her heart tugging at her to get up and move, but as she flipped through the booklet, she knew that there was barely enough time in the day to get through it. Let alone to take a walk.

Looking at this monstrosity of a book, Suzy-Lucille Barnes wouldn't be honest if she said that she wasn't the tiniest bit uncomfortable. To read about the injuries was one thing, but to go into the field and to help the injured, that would be a different thing entirely. Nobody could truly prepare themselves for the war, that much was a surety. And she may not have become a nurse yet, but she had worked in a hospital as a receptionist for about a year before the war had begun, and she had seen a large number of casualties. Some of which had made her sick to her stomach- or worse, actually sick. It had been her first day, but heavens, she would never live that moment down.

Though, stubbornness was a Barnes family trait, and soon, the ripped ligaments of a man's femur were dinnertime conversation for her (much to Bucky's dismay.)

Flipping through to the next page of her work, Suzy almost didn't notice the knock at the front door. Looking up and pushing her hair away from her eyes, she called to her brother, "Bucky! Get the door please!"

Silence.

"Buck? Are you there?"

Again, no reply.

"Okay, never mind! I'll get it!" Suzy yelled to her absent brother before pausing and shaking her head, realizing that she was speaking to thin air. "Okay, maybe he's right— I need to take a break. Geez, I sound crazy."

Another light knock sounded at the door, and she rushed to get her appearance straightened, "Sorry, sorry! I'm coming! Just a minute!" Reaching the entrance of the apartment that she and her brother shared, Suzy smoothed down her dark hair once more before unlocking and opening the door. Only allowing for it to be opened ajar, she looked outside into the hallway. Unsurprisingly, Steve Rogers stood small and awkward at their entryway.

Grinning fondly, she greeted their third companion, "Stevie! Good morning! I'm really sorry, let me just open this." Suzy began to fumble at the lock, opening the door wider for their long-time friend. "Hi Suzy," He smiled, nodding his head to her. "Is Bucky here today?" Steve quickly looked behind the girl, knowing that his best friend was most likely not there, but looking for him nonetheless.

"How about you come inside first, you know, before we worry about Bucky?" Suzy laughed lightheartedly, gesturing Steve inside. He smiled gratefully and entered into their home, wiping his shoes on the mat as he did. "Thanks, Suze." She smiled widely, moving towards the kitchen. "Do you want a drink, Steve? We don't have much, but we just bought some new milk, so that should suffice."

He shook his head, declining the offer. "No, thanks, but that's alright. I was really just looking for Bucky. I need to get a book back from him."

At the look on her face, Steve laughed. "Before you say what you're thinking, I'm going to assure you that it was merely used to weigh down a few of his bent playing cards." Suzy snorted, fully aware that her brother— while smart— did not like to read books. In fact, the only thing that he had been reading lately was newspaper clippings about the war efforts. Since his return from training, he had been rearing to go back.

"He's been so focused on that lately that I've barely seen him," She complained distractedly, taking a cup and pouring herself some water, "but then again, I shouldn't speak. According to good ol' Buck I'm now a recluse. Because, you know, wanting to help our country is so bad. Well, for a girl, apparently…" Her comments were met with silence, and she looked up at her friend. "Oh, Stevie. I'm really sorry, I didn't mean to—"

"It's okay, Suze. It's not your fault. Besides, my luck will come eventually, right? Honestly Suzy, if anyone at all, you deserve this."

Suzy looked into Steve's eyes, her face downcast. "Well, I'd say the same about you, Steve. And if I could give you my place, I would, one hundred times over. I hope that you know that." He looked down, rubbing the back of his head, "You're a sweetheart, Suze, but I'd never let you do that, and you know it."

The two stood still for a moment, their eyes meeting, before Suzy decided the silence to be unsavory. Brushing off her skirt, she moved to the cupboard. "Well, my good sir. There's absolutely no use in sitting around moping. I think that it's high time that we bake some cookies and lighten up the place with the smell of chocolate. Take a seat, Rogers." Steve sat at the table, as she grabbed the few ingredients left in her home, piling them together on the counter.

"I thought that chocolate chips weren't selling anymore?" Steve cut in, eying the half-empty bag that sat with the rest of the ingredients. Suzy grinned, placing her hands flat on the counter and looking down at him, "You're not wrong. I've been saving these for the last few months- you know, for when the occasion called. And I think that you and I deserve chocolate chips right now." Steve laughed, and nodded. "I'm not going to complain, if that's what you want. But I'm definitely not going to accept any of your hard-earned chocolate chips without a bit of help."

Suzy's giggle echoed throughout the kitchen for the next half-an-hour as Steve helped her prepare the cookies. The two worked quickly together, and by the time that they had placed the cookies into the oven they stood with flour covering their clothes and stomachs rumbling.

Taking a spoonful of the remaining cookie dough, Suzy walked towards the couch, gesturing for Steve to join her. "Are you going to the Stark convention tonight? I've heard some amazing things about it."

Steve sighed, sitting down beside her and leaning back into the couch. "Yep, I'm coming. Your brother invited me along, but I have a bad feeling that it's another one of his double dates. I don't know if he sees that he's just wasting his time; not one girl in Brooklyn is looking for a guy like me." He paused, looking warily at Suzy's frowning face. Somehow, throughout all of their years together, he had always felt comfortable opening up to her. And today he definitely needed to.

"I don't know, Suzy… They all want a guy like your brother— strong, good looking- a soldier through and through. I don't know if he sees it, if he sees the way that those girls look at him— the way that they don't look at me. But I suppose that I shouldn't complain. I mean, one of these days Bucky could end up introducing me to my future wife. I just need to keep on trying. Maybe one of these days I'll end up doing something right."

Suzy stayed quiet for a moment, playing with the ends of her dress. Looking up, she looked her friend in the eyes, "Have I ever told you just how much I admire you, Steve? I mean, you're always so optimistic. Enlistment says no, you try again. Other men try to beat on you, and you get back up. I wish that I had half of the strength that you do. If I don't get this nursing opportunity, I don't think that I'll be able to get back up again. I've put almost all of my chips into getting in. But Stevie, you don't give up. Any dame would be lucky to have you."

Looking down, his cheeks warm from the compliment, Steve shuffled his feet, "I guess that over time I've learned that I have to keep getting back up. If I don't, I… Well, I don't know. All I know is that I don't want to stay the underdog. My time will eventually come, and that's why I need to stay standing." He looked back up, smiling bashfully, "But thank you. I know you may not see it, but you're stronger than you think, and you will make it into the forces."

Suzy smiled back hopefully, placing a hand on his hunched back as she went to stand, "Well, I know that some day you'll make a girl very, very happy with that sweet talk of yours. If only I was so lucky!" As she spoke, they both froze. Blushing, she coughed and stretched out, looking around the room before she turned back to him. His eyes were a bit wide, but otherwise, he seemed to not have really noticed her comment.

Trying to move on, she reached for his hand, pulling him up from the sofa. "Okay, let's finish these cookies before Buck gets back. You two have an event to go to, and what kind of sister would I be if I didn't send you off with cookies?" Steve's small head nodded, and he looked at the clock. "That sounds perfect. He'll love it."

Suzy moved toward the kitchen, "And I'm positive that your date will as well! Do you mind just taking the cookies out of the oven? I'm going to check Bucky's room for your book quickly." Running into her brother's room, she went to look for it. Steve moved to check on the cookies, listening to her rustling around, before she resurfaced with an unhappy look on her face. "Hey, Steve. When you're out tonight, tell the kid to clean his room. It's absolutely disgusting!"

He laughed, and placed the cookies on a cooling rack. "Sure thing, Suze. I mean, you're giving me chocolate, so it's really the least that I can do. Now come on, and let me help you."

After the cookies were cooled and packed away in bags for the boys and their dates, Suzy led Steve's smaller frame to the doorway, "I'm sorry Steve, I really thought he'd come back home before you guys head out. But you never know with my brother— we should have known better than to wait on Bucky Barnes."

Passing him his book and his cookies, she moved to hug his smaller frame. "Promise to come over soon Steve, you know that you're always welcome in our home. And don't let those silly applications get you down. I know that you'll get in. I guess you could say that I've got a hunch."

Steve returned the hug, and moved towards the door, a final smile on his face as he turned around, "You know, it was good to see you, Suzy. I sure do know that I've missed your beautiful face; it's not quite as bright around Brooklyn without it,"

She felt her face heat slightly at the compliment, and laughed. "Always the charmer."

He winked, pulling his jacket on as he spoke, "I've got to bring something to the table, don't I? And hey, if you're up to it, maybe I'll see you tonight."

With that, he nodded again, and walked away down the hallway. As his figure turned the corner, Suzy closed the door. Leaning back against it, she let out a heavy sigh and closed her eyes.

"Yeah, okay. Maybe you will."

Welcome to the Modern Marvels Pavilion, and the World of Tomorrow…

The intercom played repetitiously, blending in with the noise of the crowd and the music that played.

Suzy looked around, trying to grasp everything that she was seeing. All of the inventions, the lights, and the flashiness drew her breath away. She must have looked ridiculous, her mouth open in disbelief, and her small figure planted still, unmoving as the crowd maneuvered around her. This was amazing.

A voice on the intercom drew her away from her stupor as Howard Stark was announced to the stage— pushing into the crowd, and she stood to get a glimpse of the infamous young inventor. As he stepped out onto the stage, girls screamed and he descended quickly toward one of the show girls, kissing her eagerly. Suzy blushed, looking down at her feet. She would have felt mortified if it had been her.

The crowd listened closely as Stark introduced his big, show-stopping invention— a hovering car. Gasping at all the right times, they fed into his overwhelming stage presence, one which could only be attained through an enormous ego. Despite Howard Stark's obvious self-infatuation, Suzy felt herself grin in amazement when his hovering car began to lift. This was beyond anything she had ever seen before. It lifted higher and higher, until, with a sudden cough, it fell to the ground in sparks.

Stark stood still, suddenly looking much more out of place. The crowd froze for a moment as well, before cheering even louder (if possible.) This seemed to give the young inventor the push that he needed to regain his composure, and with that, he went back to speaking animatedly about the flying cars of the future.

Suzy stood listening for a while, before moving along. Something about standing there in the crowd made her feel lonely, and the only thing she wanted to do was get away from the dozens of couples lined up to watch. Speeding up her pace, she held onto her bag tightly as she pushed through the throng of people.

She was just about out of the crowd when she was suddenly pulled back. Her hand tightened on her bag, and in following her instinct, she moved to elbow the person that had pulled at her shoulder. The culprit stepped back quickly, and she looked to see their face.

"James Buchanan Barnes! If you do that again I swear I will not hesita—" Suddenly, his hand was on her mouth and his face had a look that screamed 'Please, shut up!' Gesturing behind himself, her brother elaborated that he was in the company of two young women, and with that, she closed her mouth. With her compliance, he released his hold, and politely waved his hand to the two, "Sorry girls, my sister here was just teasing! Please, excuse us for one moment."

Grabbing Suzy's arm, he pulled her off to the side, looking back once more with a smile. "Okay, where have you hidden him?" He spoke quietly, and looked down at her in suspicion. "I swear, just because you happen to like him doesn't mean you can—" At this point, her hand went flying over his mouth, "Bucky, I can only assume that this 'him' you refer to is, in fact, our friend Steve Rogers. And if it is, in fact, Steve Rogers, then I can assure you that I do not like him in the way that you're implying."

"Oh, I'm sorry, I meant to say that you were madly in love with him, my sincerest apologies." He grinned in satisfaction as his sister grew red, her mouth opening silently, waiting for a retort that was yet to be found. "I don't— just, please shut up Bucky!" She looked around quickly, glaring at him.

"So what if I do? Which I, once again for clarification, don't. I made one comment years ago, and it goes down in history, for goodness sakes."

"Yeah, one comment that may or may not have been you admitting your undying love for my best friend."

"Our best friend, and I was twelve years old. I had a crush, and it was years ago." Seeing that her defenses were going unnoticed, she reiterated her argument, "You know what Bucky? So what if I like him; He's the only guy who I happen to know that isn't a complete scumbag. You would be so lucky that your sister would find someone as caring as him. So please, just hush, and stop giving me that look."

The smirk remained, but Bucky put his arm tightly around her shoulder, pinching her, "Yeah, yeah. You can say it, but it doesn't mean I'll stop bugging you. No matter how young we were." Squeezing her arm lightly once more, he let go and turned to look around the room. "But seriously Suze, Steve has vanished and if I don't find him soon my date will vanish too." He looked at his sister expectantly, and she crossed her arms, "Bucky, I haven't seen him. I've only been here for a short while. You shouldn't have let him walk away in the first place."

"Yes, I'm aware of that. Kind of past it, actually. Now if you don't mind, I need your help finding him. I think that I have an idea of where he could be-"

"The recruitment centre."

Suzy may not have known Steve in quite the same way that her twin brother did, but anyone that knew Steve well enough knew that he was obsessed with joining the forces along with his best friend. Bucky's face straightened out from its grin quickly, as it always did when the conversation came up; he didn't speak about his feelings much, but she had a sense that Bucky had grown increasingly worried about his best friend. Seeing his face, Suzy didn't hesitate to start walking away in search of the enlistment lineup. Her brother quickly made an excuse, and within seconds he followed close behind, two bewildered girls left standing behind him.

"Steve! There you are, thank goodness! Buck, he's over here!"

Motioning her brother over, Suzy jogged up to the form of Steve Rogers, a smile on her face. "We thought we'd lost you for good, you know." Joking lightly, she stopped beside him. He didn't look at her, but rather, down at his feet. A silence settled around them for a moment, and Suzy felt the urge to reach out to him.

Placing a hand gently on his back, she asked, "Steve? Are you okay?"

He sighed, looking up and staring at the image of the soldier in front of him with pained eyes. "I don't know, I feel like—" A voice cut in, as Bucky came up to grab him by the shoulder, his voice cheerful, "You know, I wouldn't usually complain about being left alone with two girls, but I told 'em we'd all go dancing, and I can't keep 'em both busy!"

If Suzy didn't know better, she'd think that her brother was an idiot. But she could sense the worry behind his words. Bucky didn't treat problems in the same way that she did; he would either confront them with an almost painful honesty, or he would simply push them away. She, on the other hand, had always been more of a gentle touch. Especially when it came to Steve.

"Bucky." With her hand still on their friend's back, she took a step towards her brother, her eyes warning him to stop. "I don't think now is the time."

"Dear sister, let me assure you, any time is a good time to spend with beautiful girls. Especially now. So Steve, you got your dancing shoes on?"

Steve lifted his shoulders and stepped aside from their grasping hands. "You know, you go ahead Buck. I'll catch up with you." His voice held a level of determination that the Barnes siblings knew well, and Bucky's face grew more serious as he faced his friend, "You really going to do this again?" His voice was quiet, loaded with unspoken thoughts.

Suzy wanted to stop her brother, she wanted to tell him to lay off. But when Bucky got serious like this it was sometimes best not to cut in. He needed to have the confrontation.

Steve didn't back down, however, "Well, it's a fair, I'm gonna try my luck." Bucky's voice rose from before as he began his lecture, "As who, Steve from Ohio? This is illegal, Steve. Illegal. They'll catch you if you keep it up. Worse, they might even take you. Is it really worth it?"

The smaller boy's face was adamant as he continued to argue his case, "Look, I know you don't think I can do this—" His voice was cut off by Bucky, "This isn't a back alley, Steve! This is a war!"

Steve began to reply, "I know it's a war." But he was interrupted again by Bucky, "Why are you so keen to fight?"

The banter continued, until Steve had his voice raised, his eyes tired of the constant badgering, "Bucky, come on. There are men laying down their lives. I got no right to do any less than them. That's what you don't understand— this isn't about me."

"Right. Because you've got nothing to prove."

Suzy saw her brother's eyes look towards her, and just for a second, down towards the sickly frame that had for so many years troubled Steve. The unconscious action didn't go unmissed by Steve's eyes, and the three stood in silence for what felt like just a moment too long.

"Hey Sarge, are we going dancing?" The girls called from the background, eager and unaware of the tension that had just formed between the trio. Bucky turned, as Suzy had expected him to, and called back, "Yes, we are!"

Typical Bucky, she thought. Walk away from the argument. Accept no defeat tonight.

Shaking his head, he began to walk away, looking directly at Steve. "Don't do anything stupid until I get back." And as the two had always managed to do, they recovered.

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

"You're a punk."

"Jerk."

It was time for Bucky to leave, and as he did, he gave a tight hug to Steve, and one to his sister. "So long, sweet pea." He murmured her nickname as he squeezed her goodbye. Bucky only called her that on special occasions, and as he said it, she knew all of the unspoken words that he had wanted to say. She hugged him just a bit tighter, as if to return the sentiment, and then he let go. "You too, big brother. Write me." He smiled warmly as she used his nickname in teturn, and he kissed her briefly on the temple. "Born first, and I'll be damned if I'm not the first to go. Don't do anything that I'd do, okay?"

She nodded, her eyes wet as she laughed. "I'll try. Write me!"

As he walked away, Steve called back to him, "Be careful," and with a second thought, he added, "don't win the war 'till I get there!"

With a smile and one last salute, Bucky was off.

After Bucky had left with the girls, silence had settled once again. Steve didn't need much time to contemplate things before he turned to her. "You know where I'm headed. Interested in joining? I'd be more than happy to walk you home after I'm done." He offered up his arm, smiling gently. Without question, Suzy walked up and took it, her body overshadowing his in size and stature. "You know that I'd love nothing more than to come and give you my support, Steve Rogers. Lead the way."

As they walked, she watched the people loitering about. A few boys scoffed as they saw them walking together, obviously confused as to why such a fragile man would have any kind of girl on his arm. A few folks smiled at them, being polite. And many girls looked away in disdain, almost as if they could catch sickness just by staring at her companion. At this point, though, they were both used to stares such as these. Having grown up as one of the only females in his life, Suzy had often faced the criticisms that he had to deal with every day. Early on in their friendship she had gotten into many arguments over the matter, but as she grew she began to quiet down, perhaps because she had grown used to the stares, or perhaps because she was in no position to fight anyone anymore. Either way, she now took it as Steve tried to often do— by simply walking away.

Of course, Steve stood his ground if confronted, as could be seen by the many fights that he had gotten into throughout his life. Heaven forbid anyone insult his friends- he had gotten himself hurt far too many times in the pursuit of justice. While Bucky grew frustrated with his habit of standing up to the bigger guy, Suzy found it sweet. It was one of the many things that the loved about Steve. He knew the difference between right and wrong, and he would always fight for it.

And so, while Bucky had been less than understanding of his need to fight in the war, she had understood completely. This was his nature. Steve Rogers wanted to fight for what he felt was just, and she knew that not even heaven nor hell could stop him. He was a force to be reckoned with.

Even if he didn't look like it.

She took her time enjoying his company, returning his jokes, and spinning haphazardly with him as the music grew louder. They both laughed merrily, enjoying the last night before Bucky was gone, and it was the two of them. Even if it was just them already.

She squeezed his arm lightly as they reached the front of the line, her eyes sparkling as she looked at him. "I'm gonna be your good luck charm tonight, Stevie. You can do this."

He grinned, his white teeth standing in stark contrast to the red of his cheeks. "As long as you believe in me, I'm willing to believe in me." He winked, moving forward as they called his name. She grabbed at his arm, pulling at him for just a moment before he moved to enter the examination room. "Steve, whether or not you get in, just know that I'll be with you. For good luck."

A brief smile was all that she saw before he was pulled behind the curtain. Crossing her arms, she moved out of the line, awkwardly looking around as she waited.

"I got in!"

The excited voice of Steve Rogers pulled Suzy out of her daze as she looked toward the tent. She had been watching the various men (and a few women) stand in the large mirror that showed them as a soldier.

"Did you just say what I think you said?" She blinked, wondering if she'd misheard. He nodded happily, moving quickly to help her up from her seat. "I'm going to be a soldier, Suze!"

Laughing, she allowed Steve to pull her up and instantly moved to hug him, kissing him briefly on the cheek as she did so. "Congratulations Steve! I told you it'd happen tonight!"

He looked bashful, his hand rubbing the back of his head. "I don't think it would have without my good luck charm. Thanks for being here, Suze." She grinned, hugging an arm around him as she led him out of the tent. "I wouldn't miss it for the world, Stevie."

I started writing this FF a long time ago (I think 2015...) and have only just returned to it. Hopefully it can keep it true to what I want it to become. I don't own anyone but Suzy. :) Also, I will try to keep timelines and everything accurate, but may make a mistake or two along the way. If you notice any problematic timelines or things that aren't matching up, please politely let me know. :) Thank you, thank you! Feel free to review if you'd like- although I'll keep writing either way.

Stay tuned for the next chapter:

-Steve enters training
-Suzy enters her papers for nursing
-Disaster strikes

Bye for now! :)