*Hola! I just wanted thank you for your kind reviews on the last chapter, as they made me smile C: I'm really excited to keep writing for you guys! Oh, and just so you know I'll be posting a new chapter every OTHER day. Thanks, enjoy number two and leave review... oh my gosh that rhymed aha! -Noor xx*

Marty

My mind was set. There was no one on Earth who was going to make me change my mind about joining the army, and I wasn't going to take no for an answer. Despite the river of tears I cried last night, I did a hell of a lot of thinking. It was known, to join the army a man must pass a physical exam. He must be able bodied, healthy, tough, and again, a man. So, being a girl, I was going nowhere near that physical exam. I needed a guy to take it for me. A guy I trusted, a guy that wouldn't be afraid to break the rules; and I knew just who to pick.

His name is Joey Brooks. He's kind of what we call a rebel, an outlaw, but he's the greatest friend I've ever had and the perfect guy for the job. I met Joey after Bucky enlisted. I always kept him a secret when Bucky would come back for visits. I knew that Bucky, being his overprotective self, would've gone insane and stopped me from seeing Joey. Keeping him a secret was for the best, it's not like he's been getting me into any trouble…You know it's kind of funny, Joey's supposed to be the crook but I'm about to ask him to commit the biggest crime of his life; if he agrees that is.

Despite the grave headache I was suffering with from the crying, I hopped out of bed with great energy. The thought of being able to finally prove myself to the world, to avenge my brother, to serve my country set a wild fire through my body and as I rushed over to my closet to change I could feel the adrenaline surging through my veins. I put on my favorite white button down shirt, my dark blue capris, a pair of flat shoes, and tied my hair up into a bun leaving my bangs down. Lying on my dresser was the one piece of clothing I couldn't live without. I found it hanging around in my mother's room after she died. It was a bandana, a ribbon with stars and stripes. It was my American flag bandana and I wore it every day. I picked up the bandana in my hand and tied it around my head, leaving a little knot at the top. I took a very quick look in the mirror and walked out of the house; it was time.

I strolled down the street, making my way to Joey's house, wondering how he might react when I tell him my crazy proposal. What if he said no, then what? Would I just give up? No, no I couldn't give up. I'll find another way— I'd have to find another way. I approached his small home with determination and knocked on the door three times. I waited, looking around the street as people passed by. Then the door swung open.

In front of me was none other than Joey Brooks himself, messy hair and all. He looked down at me and a smile came across his tired face. "Hey Marty, how's it goin'?" He asked in a thick Brooklyn accent, leaning against the door frame.

"Not so good, Brooks," I said with a sigh, looking at him seriously. He raised a dark eyebrow, he knew something was off. "Got a minute to spare?" I asked. He nodded his head, staring at me curiously before stepping out of his house and closing the front door.

"What's the matta, ace?" He asked, taking a seat on the front step of his home. I sat next to him, rubbing my hands together.

"Got a letter from the army yesterday," I said, looking off into the street.

"You don't say."

"Mm, I did…," there was a long silence where the only sound we could hear was the bustling street ahead, "Bucky's dead." I spoke in a quiet voice, but those two words seemed to be louder than the cars, the horns, and the people. I kept my eyes fixated on the concrete step. I could feel Joey's eyes on me.

"Damn…" he whispered, running a hand through his hair. He pulled out a box of cigarettes from his pocket, placed one between his lips, and lit it. He took a long drag and exhaled, releasing a thick puff of smoke into the city air. "I'm sorry, Marty. He sounded like a good guy." He said, finally. I nodded my head and looked up from the concrete.

"Yeah, you have no idea," I said, feeling tears brim my crusty eyes. I sunk my teeth into my chapped lip, refusing to cry. I didn't have to cry, Bucky's death would be avenged, and I was going to make sure. Silence followed once again in which Joey took more drags from his cigarette and puffed out more smoke. I had to ask him about the test, delaying wasn't helping anyone. "Can do you me a favor?" I asked suddenly, getting his immediate attention.

"Anything for you, Barnes," he said, throwing his cigarette into the bustling street. That made me smile; it was good to know someone was on my side.

"It's a bit out of your usual regime," I said, biting my lip nervously. Joey looked at me and nodded his head slowly.

"Oh, so it's that kinda favor, huh?" he said, catching my drift. This wasn't some little casual favor, this was business. "Lay it on me."

This was it. I'd have to tell Joey my plan, my crazy, out of this world plan. "Joey…I" I hesitated, pushing any last second doubts that rushed into my mind, "I wanna join the army." There, I said it. It was done; there was no way to take back my words. My farfetched thoughts were out into the world and it was permanent.

With all the seriousness that hung above our heads Joey reacted the one way I thought he wouldn't. He burst out into a fit of laugher. I crossed my arm over my chest, offended and angered. "Oh Barnes, you crack me up!" he said as he cackled.

"Sorry, I don't remember saying a joke," I spat. He gained composure.

"Oh, you were serious?" he asked, rasing his eyebrows.

"Yes, I was. Joey I need your help with the physical—."

"Wait, wait, wait Marty this is insane, even for you. You don't actually think you'll get away with it, do you?" he asked, cutting me off.

"That's what I was about to tell you," I said impatiently, "Hear me out, okay?" I said, he sighed, a sly smile still on his lips as he nodded his head. "Okay, you go do the physical tests for me and pass. You following?" I asked, he nodded his head again. "Okay, then I disguise myself as a man, use your name, and go to the army." He stared at me blankly, probably taking in what I said.

"That's a big thing to ask of someone, Barnes." He said, rubbing his hands together. "I don't know…it's crazy."

"Joey, please you're all I have left," I felt the waterworks coming back, but I held them in as much as I could. "M-My parents are dead, Bucky's dead," my voice was cracking now.

"I can't Marty!" He said standing up off the step and turning his back to me, and heading for his front door. I wasn't leaving here without a yes, no way. I stood up and grabbed his wrist, pulling him back.

"You're my best friend," I stressed, he looked down at me, "I don't except you to know what it's like to have everyone tell you that you're not cut out to be something, for them to tell you that you're not good enough, that you're weak! I am good enough and I damn sure I make a better soldier than half of those men. I want to prove myself; I need to avenge my brother!" I felt so emotional, so serious about this. Why couldn't he see? Why couldn't he understand?!

Joey stared at me; he stared at me for a long time. Then his lips curved into a small smile, "Whoa, I've never seen you cry, Marty," he said with a chuckle, taking his thumb and wiping away a tear on my face. Through all my explaining I didn't even notice that I was crying.

"Well there's a first time for everything," I said laughing softly, wiping away my tears fully. "So what do you say?"

"I say," he said, "What are we waiting for, soldier?"