An orange glow descended upon the seemingly everlasting skyscrapers as all around the city, lights began to flicker on in what would eventually illuminate the entire night sky. During this moment of change a red haired women with black jeans and a leather jacket could be seen admiring the view from the balcony. She gave a small sigh as she turned around and headed back inside but not without her hands slowly lingering on the railing as if a part of her wanted to stay there forever and watch the sunsets and observe the endless amount of people that would pass below her wondering about their lives, who they were, what they did, and where they were from, what was their story? It would almost be normal but Natasha Romanoff was everything but normal at least to the eyes of everyone else.
She closed her eyes and quickly banished the foolish thoughts from her mind as she sat down and laid out the various papers to study her target. She had learned early on that preparation was key in anything and everything as it limits surprises and increases efficiency. This target had a story just like everyone else and it was her part to play a character that would seemingly blend into this tale without question.
Target Name: Steven "Steve" Grant Rogers
Birthdate: July 4th, 1918
Events Today: September 17th 1940…
*Somewhere off in Brooklyn
"So you're from Wisconsin?"
"Yes sir, cousin deployed out here a couple months ago and I'm just looking to do the same."
The officer gave the frail looking man who could easily be mistaken for a small child a long hard look before shaking his head and grabbing his stamp slamming a giant red "denied," onto the form.
"Come on sir! I can fight! I want to help!"
"Trust me son, you'll thank me for this later on. It's not pretty out there and I may as well have just saved you from a death sentence."
With a resounding sigh the young man thanked the officer for his time before heading back outside towards the bustling street where a line of young men varying from prideful and excited to downright terrified and dismal were waiting in line to be enlisted. He wasn't naïve, he knew how bad it was out there and could see past the war propaganda but he just couldn't bear the fact of innocent people dying overseas and the threat of it reaching America. He looked out on the bustling street and imagined screaming soldiers and bombs falling as buildings burned and the cries of women and children could be heard off in the distance. It wasn't the life he would want others to live. His life might not have been that spectacular so far but that would be a fate much worse.
"Still trying to enroll Rogers." Said a familiar booming voice
"Won't stop until I'm in Germany," said the man simply
"Don't expect there's any way I can talk you out of it?"
"What do you think Bucky?"
"Thought so, it was worth a try. But listen I'm getting deployed, tomorrow."
"Oh," was all he was able to say, as he was never good with words as far as he thought.
"Glad to know you'll miss me too, but tonight I've met these two lovely ladies and we're going on a date."
"Did you tell them you're wingman is barely 5 feet 95 pounds and incredibly socially awkward?"
"There's that sense of humor that will shine right through and into the hearts of these lovely ladies!" Said Bucky excitedly as he clasped his shoulder around Steve and the duo headed down the bustling street just as the sky turned orange and the sun began to set.
It was all rather boring to Steve as he watched the over the top extravagance play out all around in the world of tomorrow festival. Things played out just like he planned as the two women paid him no mind as they had their attention on Bucky. Steve didn't really care or did he bother to introduce himself or pay attention to the girls as he quickly excused himself after one of them gave him a disgusted look. He looked around and noticed a tent that had a small sign labeled "Army Recruitment Center."
"Come on Steve, the ladies want to go dancing!"
"You guys go ahead I think I'll stay for a little while longer."
Bucky followed Steve's glance towards the recruitment center and gave a long sigh "Come on Steve, not this time."
"Then what time Bucky? When the Nazi's are at our doorsteps and their handing rifles to children cause all the men died overseas?"
"We're closing in on the enemy, in a couple months this war will be over and everything will go back to normal you don't need to risk you're life.
"Maybe I do, I just have a feeling that things aren't as simple as the propaganda makes it, and I want to help."
"Always so stubborn." Muttered an annoyed Bucky as he gave a disgruntled wave "Do what you want."
Steve sighed as he looked over at the recruitment center. This would mark his 15th attempt. It was always a risk to enroll as forgery could lead to years in prison. It was amazing he wasn't caught yet but Steve felt it was to their sympathy more than anything else. But he had to try right? Or maybe Bucky was right, maybe he was blowing things out of proportions and he was just stupidly throwing his life away.
"Hey soldier." Said a smooth velvet voice causing Steve to turn around.
"Art student, excuse me but do I know you? Said Steve looking at the woman who had piercing green eyes and crimson hair.
"No, but you seem like you could use a friend. Name's Natalie, Natalie Rushman." Said the women offering her hand.
"Steve Rogers."
"So are you going to enlist?" Asked the women taking a step closer and giving Steve a questioning glance
"For the first time, I'm not really sure."
"Well, why do you want to fight?"
"So other people won't have to."
A look of surprise appeared on the women's face for a brief millisecond before disappearing as she gave a small smile.
"So go in there so I don't have to, art student." Quipped the women with a smirk
For the first time that day Steve laughed and nodded his head "Yes ma'am."
He walked towards the tent and began to fill out the form and go through the process of submission. There was no line as a tech expo would probably be the last place people would want to go to enroll in the army. Once again Steve walked up to the recruitment officer and handed him the form. The officer looked over it and gave him a glance before standing up and ushering him into the next room.
"Wait here."
Steve wasn't sure whether to feel excited or nervous as on one hand they might be giving him a closer look and on the other hand he might be on the verge of getting arrested. Before he could really begin to panic and old man with glasses and a gray suit came in with a briefcase, which he set onto the table. He looked over at Steve and proceeded to look him over up and down without saying anything before finally into his eyes.
"So you want to kill Nazis hmm?" Said the old man picking up Steve's enrollment form and waving it.
"Well, to be honest sir, I don't want to kill anyone. But I don't like bullies and it doesn't matter where they are from," Said Steve resoundingly.
"A noble answer indeed, Dr. Erskine by the way." Said the old man offering his hand out to Steve. "And whom do I have the pleasure of meeting, you're real name please."
"Steve Rogers, Sir." Said Steve getting up and shaking the man's hand.
"Well Steve, I will see you in a week's time at camp Lehigh." Said Dr. Erskine stamping an approved onto the form and handing it back to Steve with a warm smile on his face.
"Thank you, sir." Said Steve with a nod as he tried to contain his excitement. After processing the paperwork Steve walked out of the tent and was surprised to find the women still there and seemingly waiting on him.
"Well how did it go?"
"I can't believe it but.." Steve flashed his form with the green approved stamp eliciting a grin from the red haired woman.
"Well, I'll sleep easier tonight knowing that I won't have to go to war."
Steve grinned again as he put the paper back in his folder "How can I thank you?"
"Thank me? I didn't really do anything?" Said the women who had a confused expression on her face.
"You did more than you could have imagined, sometimes it's the little things." Said Steve with a nod.
"Well, if you insist I am new to town and I've been dying to find a good place to satisfy my sweet tooth around here."
"You know think I just might know a place." Said Steve with a grin.
Authors Note: And that's chapter two folks, Let me know what you guy's think!
