Chapter Two

Jazz and burlesque shows were the epitome of everything she had lived for up until she was sixteen years old. The smell of handmade lace garters and expensive perfume still lingered in the back of her mind, bringing her a feeling of contentment and a strange longing for the past. Nostalgia would overwhelm her as she looked on at what was the exact contrast to her innocence – her mother's hugs. She missed those nights where she'd play some 12's of her beat up vinyl on her record, the scratches adding to Eliza Fitzgerald's voice a twinge of imperfection that made it the perfect tone.

With nothing on but her undergarments, and a pair of leg garters accompanied with knee high black stockings, she'd open her closet to a huge collection of gorgeous cocktail dresses. A couple handful landed just above her knees, not many past her mid shin - Scandalous and mildly scandalous. Her parents would kill her if they ever found out she even owned them (let alone have them in their home) so she kept those hidden in a little pile in the back corner of the wardrobe.

She had every right to be terrified for many reasons. It's not that she was not loyal or a rebel, per say. She was born and raised into a Christian family, all strict rules of modesty and heavy morals applied to her daily life. She was always daddy's little girl in the simplest sense possible. She wouldn't ever dare roll her eyes at him or purposefully make him disapprove of her, ever. Sure, she was raised in a rich family, so she was used to getting everything she always wanted. Material things being at the top of the list. Even then she remained as humble as possible. Especially when she thought her strong faith was behind it all.

Do well for God, he gives back in return, right? At least that's what her naïve self believed at the time. But she'd never admit it to her family that she now thought otherwise, especially to her mom.

If anything, God was now banning them all to Hell anyway.

Her vanity was those of every girl's dreams. Drawers filled with everything you could only wish of having. Inside were lingerie of every shade (from fiery red to pure jet black, like the night sky in the city), style, and earrings of every pearl and diamond crystal variety you could think. Her favorite would always be the garters. She'd clip each of the four clasps into place just above her knees with her nimble fingers and then she'd sit opened legged in front of the mirror.

Diligently, and with prestige dexterity, she'd apply her blood red lipstick and her four inch black heels.

After an o shape with her lips around her fingers and a loud pop, she'd walk around her room and close her eyes, envisioning herself as a burlesque girl and a sensual song playing in the background. After all, she had all the right in the world to be the exact opposite at night than what she was during the day. Morally, at least.

She still remained as the same sweet, innocent, and faithful young girl she always was. But she had big hopes and dreams, especially in film and dance. God should be okay with dreams, she thought.

When she had learned the truth it was just short of her 20th birthday. She unwontedly found out that her father and brother were different souls at night, too. She wished she never found out that everything that had been lying in front of her had been a lie, and instead of life being a gifted blessing it was instead a bloody carcass hades.

Their life wasn't one she liked to admit to partaking in. There were times where she would trick into telling herself that they weren't doing it. She'd trick herself into thinking that way so that when she saw her dad that night, she'd be able to surpass the strong smell of whiskey and gun powder and kiss him goodnight.

Jimmy would roll his eyes with a shove past her shoulder.

As much as she detested it, she knew that without them, they wouldn't be living in one of the most beautiful homes in all of Manhattan in complete safety. It was because of them that she wasn't living out in the slums. She tried to divide that part of harsh reality from her brain as much as she could. Eventually, the pros outweighed the cons.

Maybe it was the fact that her body had finally developed into a women's body. Her breasts were now fully perked and her legs were long and porcelain gorgeous; all she knew was they figured she could be put to good use.

At first she was repulsed by her own father's comment, but if it meant having dinner that night and not getting killed, she would swallow those nagging feelings and take it head on. It never lasted too long anyway, and all she had to do was stand there and be her brother's accessory.

When her father brought her into the business, he told her she would thank him one day when she had children of her own- she'd have all the men of the lower east side wrapped around her pretty little finger.

She was alright with it, until something happened that she would never forget. She had to swallow the repulsive bile and control herself not to run away then and there. She was too far in and knew way too much.

It was just another Tuesday night and she had been sitting at the dinner table, when both her mom and dad had stepped out of the dining room and into the kitchen. She ate her soup quietly, not being able to stop thinking about going back to her room to play burlesque, when Jimmy had turned to her.

At first it was the sudden motion that caught her attention, it had made a strand of blonde hair fly off her arm. Then it was the feral look in his eyes.

"Daisy," his voice was low and dangerous. Daisy knew that tone very well because it was the tone all the other men used on their nights of missions. She was terrified and disgusted. Wide eyes trailed from her eyes to her full red lips and she felt a cold rigid finger against the heat of her skin on her upper thigh, pushing the fabric slightly up. She gulped.

Jimmy smiled, "You gorgeous thing."

She thought about telling her father but she knew that if he found out, the one partnership that was bringing them the most cash would be jeopardized and it would have to be terminated and he'd be more then upset. She knew when her dad got angry, it was not good. It's was messy and bad.

Back at dinner, her father would say grace before they ate, all of them hand in hand, and her mom would sit there quietly, a terrified and exhausted look in her smiles. She had heavy bags that weren't there years ago, and her hair that used to always be done was now up in a messy clip, the baby hairs hanging against her wrinkled forehead, messy and unruly. But still she managed to smile, even if it wasn't a real smile. It was all a stupid act.

It reminded Daisy of how she herself was when she was 16 - pretending to be oblivious to what her family were doing to the innocent. And so she hated her mom for that, for being just like her.

She felt disgusted in herself, she felt disgust for her family. Oh how she missed those days of when she was a child, before she even knew the truth. It was all so much simpler back then and she was so much happier. The worst it used to get was when her mother would tell her stories about when she was a nurse back in WWI.

She had wanted to be like her mom at first. Her mom was quiet, humble, caring, and extremely gracious. It's what made her such a good person to have back in the war to help the soldiers- she was strong willed and knew she could help and would in her best ability do so. But those stories made Daisy question why any man in his right mind would want to do such a thing to their own body- putting themselves at such a risk.

Sure, she was privileged by riches, but problems didn't have to be solved by violence. There must be other ways, like prayer or simply believing.

Her mother would tell her the graphic stories of the injuries that made Daisy queasy and fidget in her seat. She loved her mom's qualities and how willing she was to help others who were injured and almost dying, but it still made no sense to her.

When daisy questioned her concerned to her mother she had simply said:

"Don't question insanity. Simply thank the courages ones for their heart and strong character, for not all are willing to do the good and get destroyed in the worst way, not for their own benefit, but for others."

To this day, Daisy wondered if her mom was indirectly referencing her own father- him lacking thereof.

Next, she wondered about when her mom stopped believing her own words.

Daisy wondered if she'd ever meet one one day - a soldier. Someone willing to get destroyed. Or if her mom had been lying and all men are the same, evil like her father and brother.

1938 Cotton ClubManhattan, New York City

She's completely silent as she stares at his face, as if she was allowing this moment, this feeling, and his name all to sink in at once at its own pace. She could feel herself trembling underneath his gaze and she wanted it to never stop.

He wasn't batting an eye lash, but instead just staring into her blue orbs. It was as if the tremor that left her somehow entered his own heart, because he pulled her in closer with a small gasp. She hadn't realized their hands were still tightly intertwined and she swears she feels him squeeze when she pulls away for a moment. Don't.

She wasn't pulling away to get away but just simply leaning back on her heals to take a deep breath. She blinked wildly, her gaze drifting from his eyes to his lips and back again.

His eyes were pleading, this couldn't be over.

She pulls her face away just far enough to where she can finally take in a deep breath.

Bucky is about to pull her in close once more, since their hands are still attached, but her hand is sharply removed out of his, leaving them both cold and empty. It was a harsh slap and what was once the sound of just their breathing and heart beats, was now a yelling and the loud commotion of the club on an average night. She literally feels like she was ripped out of his arms.

Bucky's eyes quickly dart up to the intruder and he's about to say something when Daisy quickly backs away from her brother, her gloved hand going straight to his to his chest and pushing him away. It takes her a moment but her gaze finally adjusts.

Her brother takes her hand and holds it against him, "Robert's a sleazing liar, Daisy. If dad finds out about this we're both dead. Les' just get out of here before they get onto us." Daisy's silent, her mouth still agape. Emotions from moments ago are still washing through her system and she barely has anything else left to react to her brother's statement. She could honestly care less bout what was supposed to go down tonight anymore.

She looks over at Bucky. Her brother follows her eye flicker and looks back at Bucky and then back to her. He lets out an exasperated chuckle and points at Bucky with his thumb, "Who's this? Another one of them twits, Daisy? Imma lay a hand on him, you know these guys want nothin' but one thing. Let's go. Now." Her brother starts pulling her behind him.

Once he's about to pass Bucky, he shoots him a dirty look, "Suggest you get out of here, pal."

Daisy looks like she's about to cry as she pulls up the side of her dress to not trip behind her brother. He's rough as he pulls her behind him towards the exit.

"Jimmy, you gotta wait. You're gonna' make me fall!" Jimmy rudely let's go of her and watches as she takes a deep breath and dusts off her dress. Bucky is still voiceless, trying to process his heart's emotions and what the hell was going on.

Suddenly, Daisy runs back to a table by the lounge where she was sitting at previously and grabs a random straight pen that she remembered had been carelessly left behind by someone else. She silently thanks heaven for it. Both Bucky and Jimmy look at her speechless as she grabs Bucky's limp hand in hers and starts writing quickly. Bucky winces at the object's sharp edge against his soft skin.

Jimmy rolls his eyes, "Hell. Come on, Daisy."

She closes Bucky's hand and gives him one last emotional look that said too much yet not enough before she runs out with her brother.

Bucky looks down at his closed hand, heavy emotions still crashing through his body.

Slowly he opens it up revealing 5 small yet powerful words that he knew would change everything. He smiles softly to himself.

dumbo. under the bridge. 8.

He's momentarily startled out of his trance when he feels a small hand grab his elbow. He looks down and his eyes meet a small concerned Steve. Well, to be fairly honestly, he looked more pissed than concerned.

Bucky doesn't feel the patience to deal with talking anything out, he's too busy thinking about Daisy. But he feels like he should at least say something so he can get everyone off his back, "What is it?"

Steve looks at him likes he's crazy and then manically gestures towards the entrance of the club, probably pointing to where Daisy just left through.

"Bucky, what the heck was that? Who was that? You know her?"

Bucky laughed at Steve's overly concerned reaction and grabbed him by his shoulders, "Steve. Steve," he's says one more time, more sternly when he doesn't seem to stop talking. Bucky figured then and there he shouldn't tell Steve just yet about what he's feeling for the girl because he knows he'll be judged majorly because one- he just met her, and two- he did bring two other dates, "I just met her. It was nothing, we just danced, okay? You need to calm down, kiddo."

Steve gave him a serious look and shook Bucky's hands off his shoulders. Steve hated when Bucky called him kiddo. He was only a year younger than him. He wasn't a child, and he hated being lied to. He knew something was up with Bucky ever since this morning. He wasn't being himself since he got back from the office. Bucky gulped at Steve's serious face.

"Steve, come on."

"Let's not pretend we didn't see those two men take you away today and you coming back with fresh tears in your eyes." Bucky looked away embarrassed, swallowing hard on more time, "I'm one of the few people who have ever seen you cry, Bucky, and I know what you look like when you do."

He let out a long sigh and licked his lip. He tried to laugh it off, shaking his head while looking down, "First of all," He looks Steve dead in the eye, smirking, "lets not talk about that. That was one time."

Steve cut him off sharply, "Come on, Bucky. Cut the crap."

Bucky looks up at him through his gorgeous thick eyelashes, his smirk falling off and humor no longer tainting his face. He shakes his head accordingly and runs a hand down his face.

Steve was a good friend. He was always trying to make Bucky feel better when he knew something was up. He deserved better from him, he deserved to know everything. Bucky reached up to the corner of his eyes and rubbed it. He was getting tired of this day, there were too many emotions for him to handle.

"You're right, I'm sorry." He dropped his hand to his side, clicked his tongue, and looked away from him. He had to or he would lose it again, "My dad's gone."

First came unbearable silence and then it was the shuffle of Steve's shoes as he moved closer. "What?" His question was a whisper. Steve's apprehensive eyes turn sad and then very upset, hid eyebrows narrowing tightly towards his nose. Bucky hates this, "Why didn't you tell me?"

"Because. It's not something I want to talk about right now. I don't want to think about it."

Stevie's face falls, "Bucky…"

Bucky's eyes finally meet his and his face is serious. It was obvious he was trying to push down any sign of pain, "Seriously, Steve. I lost Mom, then Becca, and now Dad. I'm used to this. The only thing I have to focus on now is my country. That's what dad would have wanted."

Bucky's answer makes Steve sad to the core, Bucky was a great guy and he never deserved to go through so much loss, but he knew how Bucky dealt with this kind of stuff – he didn't. So he decided to move on with the subject and just pry later, "So you're goin' backta' Jersey?" He was referring to the camp his father was last training at.

Last thing he wanted was to think about as his next steps he would have to take in life, and so soon, but he had to face reality as soon as possible. He would have to go the camp and see what would be going on.

Bucky nods and then looks back over Steve's shoulder towards the door of The Cotton Club, "Look, I gotta go."

1938 Dumbo, Brooklyn, New York City

His feet took him to a place he'd been to everyday since he's lived in Brooklyn. Although this time, this day, it was insanely different. He couldn't imagine that he had been awake right now, everything felt too surreal. He couldn't believe that he had the balls of steel to actually walk up to her. Thank god he did because whatever it was that was felt between him, he knew it was what he was looking for his entire life.

Daisy.

The sides of his lips twitched as he let out a long sigh. He walked back and forth between the same building in dumbo and ran a hand through his soft hair, pulling slightly at the ends. He was trying his best to calm down even though he knew he had a good hour until it was 8. He wasn't sure he could wait.

He didn't know what to say when he would see her again. This was probably a stupid question but did she like him? What was the commotion back at the club with her brother? What was she planning on doing with him when she met up with him? There was so many questions going through his head and not nearly enough answers.

He didn't know if he was scared or anxious, all he knew was he wanted it to be 8 o'clock already.

He was thankful that the rain had stopped a while ago, the pavement was now mostly dry but some mist was still dangling through the air by it being pulled up from the puddles by the wind. He found the driest corner of a building that he could find and he sat there. He rested his arm on his knee and looked around.

Deep in the Hudson below was soon to be the bridge, what Daisy had been referencing to. He looked at the pieces of sharp metal rising from the deep river, up into the air. It was massive and terrifying. When the wind would blow through the iron steel it would make a haunting howling sound that sent shivers up his arms.

He didn't get it. It was only recently that people had begun expanding the city upwards. There weren't that many tall buildings in New York up until a few months ago. It was only seven years ago that they finally finished the Empire State Building, and even that was some getting used to. He thinks they even made some movie about it.

He looked at the skyline from across the river, that beautiful building standing tall, lighting up the sky.

A sense of sadness overwhelms him suddenly as he remembers the events of the day. It's not common that he gives himself moments to allow himself to reminisce and feel. He reaches into the chest pocket of his dress shirt and pulls out a small locket with a chain. He clicks it open revealing a small beat-up black and white photo of his family. His little sister Rebecca stood in the front by his side. He admired her cute short brown hair and her brown eyes. She was always a sweet little girl, anything would make her laugh, and her laugh was always genuine and extremely contagious. Bucky frowns.. She was so heartbroken when her mom passed away. Seeing Rebecca sad was not something he liked to think about, ever.

Bucky frowned as he passed his thumb over her picture. He hasn't seen her since they got separated back at Camp Lehigh before returning to Brooklyn one last time. He wondered how she was doing. He wondered if she knew about dad.

He feels a tight pang in his chest and sighs. Two out of he three people he loved the most were all dead. He looked back at the skyline before shoving the locket back in his pocket, refusing to look at his mother and father.

He took in the cool air and let the wind momentarily flick his hairs onto his forehead. He closed his eyes tightly together and took a deep breath.

Shit, for all I knew i could be next.

He hoped things would change now that he met Daisy. Maybe he wouldn't have just one person left that he could love. Maybe God was giving him another chance. At least if only for a little while. He had to be optimistic, no matter how hard it would be and how unrealistic it felt for him.

He remembers his past lovers, how there were some he wished would've become something more but they just weren't. It was rare that he fell in love, to be honest he thinks he's actually never really felt it before. Heavy lust? Sure. And yeah, he's screamed it a couple of times during harsh love making, but those don't really count. So yeah, maybe he never has been in love before.

He'd slept with maybe only 4 girls this year since his arrival back in Brooklyn. It was a lot less of a number than what he normal would do. But he had too much going on in his head right now. A glimpse of gold and blue flickers in his brain and he smiles.

Daisy seemed like a sweet girl, and he almost felt embarrassed having to speak about his sexual past to her. She didn't seem like that type of girl that would jump at the thought of a guy that was popular with the girls. But he had to prove to her what he thought the moment he laid eyes on her - he knew that everything he would have with her would surpass every memory he ever had with another girl.

It was brisk and his bones had begun to hurt as he huddled against the building. He must've blacked out somehow, because the next thing he heard aside from the river crashing against the shore line and howling wind was the faint clacking of heels on pavement.

It took him a bit of time to open his eyes, and as he did the sound got closer and closer. His eyelashes must've glued onto the top of his cheeks or something because he was struggling to return to reality. Fear fell deep in his gut and he wasn't sure what to expect the moment his vision came back. And so he mentally prepared himself to attack. He squinted his eyes as his head tilted back against the cold brick, looking to his left. He peaked his eyebrow at the blurry silver glimmer coming into view, followed by a head of blonde.

The shadow was standing in front of him now and he was looking up with no emotion on his face as he gazed at her features. She was smiling at how adorable he looked, shivering from the cold and legs bent against his body. He looked lost.

He noticed she had removed her accessories, both fleshed hands now out. She wore an over sized wool coat and her hair had been pulled out from the pin, both sides now framing her beautiful face. She looked less formal and, if possible, even more like the girl of his dreams. Maybe this was a dream, maybe he was still dreaming. Huh.

He tilted his head, wondering. She tilted her head back, mimicking him. But she was doing it out of concern.

Was he okay?

"Is this a dream?"

His innocent and genuine tone made her chuckle. He was being serious, she noted, not a tinge of humor visible on his face.

Part of her became ecstatic at that fact that this also felt like some kind of dream to him as it did to her earlier that night. On her way to her apartment with her brother, all she kept thinking about was James. Her brother held a disapproving look when she told him she'd be out for the night. But he followed it up with a "be safe."

She remembers their dance back in the city, the moment she really looked at him and saw him for the first time. Her smile dissipates as well when she sees he's still not himself and completely serious.

His question was serious.

"No." So was her answer.

Reality hits him for the fourth time that night like a slap to the cheek. This was real, she was real. He eyes her up and down and her cheeks flush a deep pink. He needed to make sure.

She watches him intently as he stands up slowly. His cute boyish lips pursed out, as if wanting to say something else. He licks it instead and steps up to her, leaving little space between them. She gulps at the proximity.

His eyes drift over her now covered shoulders, and allows his hands to go there. This makes her jump slightly, she wasn't expecting touch so soon. She examined him this up close and she knew immediately that she loved his eyebrows for some reason. Hell. This boy was beautiful. His perfect stained lips that looked so soft, and that nose that was begging to be brushed up against her own.

He dragged his hands up the sides of her neck, slowly; painfully slow. Her breathing was beginning to pick up as he kept looking at the skin his hands drifted over. She's never felt so naked but yet so comfortable in her life. His hands were soft but yet determined. they knew what they were doing.

He brought them to her jaw line and he cups her cheek.

She swallows once more and he notices. He delicately caresses her left cheek with his thumb and then the small trail of hair that was her eyebrow. Her eyes glistened, her blue matching his. He was so caught up in her, so fucking caught up.

The silence was broken by his strong voice.

"You're real."

She smiles in a way that makes him smile too. It was contagious and bright. He caresses her skin one more time.

He felt her own hand come over his and she whispers, "I'm real."

They're so focused on one another that when a strong wind comes through, pushing some of the water from the river against their exposed skin, it makes them simultaneously close their eyes in pain and laugh out loud. He quickly pulls her into his arm and to one of the corners of the building, trying to hide her as much as possible. They were both laughing so hard that she started getting tears, but she wasn't sure if it was from the laughter or the bitter cold. They were both so caught up in the events of the night neither noticed how cold it really was.

Once their laughter dwelled down, she continued to stare at him in total admiration. He was something else for sure. She wanted to feel his arm around her again. She looked down at his freezing hand and took it into her cold one.

"Tell me about you, James."

He smiled when she looked back up and he gave her a squeeze.

"First, tell me what a fine dame like you is doin here in Brooklyn." A playful smile plays on her lips, but it's a rhetorical questions so he continues, "What do you wanna know?"

She smiles even wider and this time it reaches her eyes, "Everything. I want to know everything about you by tomorrow mornin'."

The fact that she suggested spending the night with him made him gulp. He looks down at her lips and nodded slowly.

He followed up by telling her that the apartment he had rented out for the next few weeks was just a couple of blocks away. On the walk there she had questioned what he meant by rent for a couple of weeks to which he responded with that he would explain there, but that they should get warm first.

When they arrived, his door ended up being three floors up. His dingy beat-up door made her smile inside. He gave off a classy, rich, stuck up vibe, but really he was simple and not much for being out there. She liked that he seemed so original.

He inserted the key into the normal door lock and bolt lock and opened the door for her to let her in first. She stepped into the "foyer", if it could even be called that, and took a look around. It was more like a two by two feet space. She walked in the rest of the way and took a look around. It was basically a small studio, but a lot smaller. It was one room, inside there was a tiny kitchen on the left corner, a window that looked out to another brick wall, and to the right a metal bed with a white blanket.

But it was made, military style.

He walks over to his record player and places the needle gently down on the vinyl. If You Only Knew by Ella Fitzgerald starts playing quietly. He looks over his shoulder and her and notices her facial expression.

"Yeah, sorry" he chuckled dropping his keys by his iron stove, "I know it's not much, but it's temporary. You should've seen my old place before I left for training."

He catches himself when he says it but it's too late. Her head snaps to his direction and her face holds an emotion that he can't really pin point. He can't tell if it's fear or surprise. He swallows hard and tries to direct the conversation to a different direction.

He curses himself in his head for his stupid slip up. He goes to the far kitchen and opens the cupboard, "I got some cookies, uhm," he doesn't know what to say with her staring at him like that. He closes the cupboard and runs a hand through his brown hair. It's silent.

It's so quiet you could hear a pin drop. A car honks outside after it runs through a puddle and Ella's voice is haunting.

"You're in the army."

He's caught off guard and his eyebrow raises at her voice. He looks at her. It wasn't fear or surprise that she had felt when he said that, it was sadness. It was the one feeling he was afraid she'd feel, it was the reason why he didn't want to tell her just yet. But it was too late, she knows now.

He nods.

He sees visible tears build up in her eyes. He doesn't want this, he wanted this to be happy. Just a half hour ago they were laughing and now she's in his apartment, shattered. She nods quickly and crosses her arms across her chest.

She was different and he knew it the moment he saw her. Any normal girl would love to be with a soldier, but not in this case. Not when it was something like this.

She looks at his bed and his window and shakes her head. This was a damn pit stop.

The made bed revealed just how loyal he was to what he had signed up for and she knew there was no backing out. But he was perfect, she couldn't lose him. She had to at least stay for the long hall, she thought. It wouldn't last forever anyway.

Her eyes meet his again. The tears had been blinked away and evaporated and her strong satire was back.

He had been waiting patiently for her response. Whatever she said would ever make or break this, and for God's sakes if there's anything he didn't want to do it was break this.

"How long?" Her tone was strong.

He was a bit confused by the question, "How long till I leave?"

She nodded.

Bucky felt his heart sink. It wasn't long. She would not like the answer. It was not good. She concluded this herself by his delayed answer and his stare at the floor beneath him.

She let out an exhausted sigh and a click of her tongue as she turned away from him. Now she was angry.

"Five days."

They're silent, standing there letting reality sink in. Minutes pass by. She takes a seat on his bed and takes off her coat. He watches her every move intently, wondering if she would decided to stay for the long haul or run out of his cheap room he dared call an apartment.

"Like I said. I want to know you."

He heart soars and he smiles. He re opens the cupboard and takes out a box of cookies. He fills up two jars with milk and hands one of them to her as he practically dances over to her. He sits criss crossed on the bed. She chuckles at how innocent he looks just sitting there like that in his dress shirt and suspenders, like a kid.

It's awkward at first, trying to sit cross cross with a long dress on, but eventually she manages by pulling her dress up around her thighs. Bucky blushes at this. She brings him out of the moment.

"So what are you doing in Brooklyn?"

He smirks, "I live here, Doll." She gives him a confused look. He takes a deep breath and decides to start from the beginning, "I moved here when I was a teen. My father was in the army since we used to live back in Indiana. I used to go with him to camp, I loved everything about it. The respect those men held, the strong mentality they had, there's was so much about what they were doing that made me see there was something greater to live for. To make this country better for us, so we can live and be peaceful and happy. There are way too many nasty people out there who don't deserve to breathe our air. We are good people and I want to save the good people. It's something serious, putting your life like that on the line. Unfortunately not all are willing."

Daisy smiles at him talking about his love for the military. She remembers her mother's words at that moment.

It really was in his heart, his love for humanity, "it's in my blood, just like dad. I did training in New Jersey where he was stationed." Mentions of his father makes him trail off for a second and Daisy notices. She places her hand on his, "and then they sent me back here for some additional work just until our physical forms go through to see who gets accepted. Who does leave in five days."

Daisy perks at this, "So you're not actually certain if you will leave?"

Bucky chuckles to himself and looks down. He reaches for another cookie, "Doll, my dad was well respected on the forces. They raised me to do the same. They practically have my name already there ready for me. I know I'm not staying."

Daisy stays silent again. Bucky tosses the cookie back down and reaches for her cheek. She gasps and looks up at him, her blue eyes soft, "I'm not saying this to make this harder. I'm being honest with ourselves, because," he looks at her eyes and then her lips. She swallows hard when she sees him looking there. Her heart starts to race in his chest as he moves in closer, "because I know all we have is five days and I want to make the most of it. I've only known you for a few hours but what I feel with you is something I know will last forever."

The moment he says this he feels like he's just put his heart own on his sleeve. Something he has never done. There was no taking it back now. He's never had a relationship like this before, he prays to God he didn't just mess it up. He starts getting afraid when she doesn't respond, she just stares up at him. His eyes swell up slightly and he wants to add that it's okay if she didn't feel the same.

But No. he didn't not want to lose this. So he slides his hand from her cheek even higher up the side of her head through her hair and watching her, "Please tell me you feel the same." His voice is low and full of emotion. Hopeful.

She's never felt this. This had to be the boy of her dreams, and now she felt like the one that was dreaming all over again. Just three hours ago she never even knew this man existed, but all of a sudden she felt like she's known him all her life.

She moves in closer and watches his Adam's apple bobble up. The proximity was too much to bear. He was too much, and yet she wanted more. She wanted him.

And she only had five days. They had five days.

And they were going to make the most of it.

The moment her lips crashed onto his was a moment he wouldn't forget. The fire that exploded inside of him was a bright red flame and it burned through his heart. Instinctively, he brings his other hand up as well and slides it to the other side of her face. She slides her left hand up his thigh and he growls against her mouth, their tongues meeting for the first time. It was fast, hard, and needy.

He raises himself up onto his knees so he's towering above her still criss-cross body. Her hand raises up higher up his thigh and he feels her delicate fingers reaching in his waist band. He growls against her mouth once more.

She uses his belt loop to bring his body downwards as she uncrosses her legs and lays herself down onto his bed. Bucky's right leg drops down the side of the bed and accidentally kicks the glass over. They're lips still stay connected and he's bringing his right hand to the strap of her dress, and now Ella's voice sounds like a goddamn melody.

He's about to pull her strap further down but he stops himself.

He pulls away and they're both breathing heavily, Daisy whimpers at the distance he puts between their lips. The sound makes him want to go back to what he was doing, but he stops himself.

She's about to question him when he places her strap back against her clavicle. He pats it down gently and the act makes her laugh. His lips are swollen and she kisses them one more time. He moans into her mouth. She pulls away and lets him speak.

"I want to know you, too." He says.

"We will. We have five days."

Her legs had curled up against her chest as she laid on her side, a single finger making soft patterns against his chest. It moved up and down sharply as his breathing became affected by what her touch was doing to him. He had stared down at her finger and then grabbed it diligently. She watched silently as he used his right hand to unfold her twirling fingers and fold it with his, holding it against his body.

She looked up at him incomplete awe, her eyes drifting down to his approaching lips. He dipped his head just slightly as he brushed his lips against hers.

They had stayed up all night talking about their goals, and what they loved to do. Daisy was a simple, innocent,, young girl. She loved dancing and flowers and she also admired the simplicity of innocence. She grew up in a Christian household and her morals were up there. They both laughed together when she brought up the fact that she never would've had thought she'd be cuddled in bed with a man she met only hours before.

They commented about their families, how Bucky's little sister had been taken away from him not too far back, about his mother's death.

"What about your father?" She had asked.

Bucky remained quiet as he stared up at her. She noticed his change in demeanor and her eyes squinted. Bucky let go of her hand and switched his position from on his side to on his back. He brought his leg up and folded his hands on his chest.

He felt her shift and lean against him. He looked over and saw her resting on her elbow, her left hand drifting up his neck and into his hair. She pulled on it slightly making him close his eyes.

"James." She whispered, pleadingly. He opened his eyes and looking into hers.

"He passed away," he could tell she was going to start saying condolences as her mouth opened but he beat her to it, "this morning."

He thought she was going to start giving him sympathy, he expected it. But instead he felt her rest her head on his sturdy chest. He was taken aback at first, but then smiled softly and took in a deep breath. He allowed his hand to snake in through her soft blonde hair.

"You'll get through this. You're strong." He swallowed as he felt her hand skim against his chest, feeling him. He didn't want to push her into anything and was thankful that her hand just went to his waist, pulling his body closer to hers, "I can tell."

"I want to be with you. And when I get back from war, I want to be with you again."

He felt her smile against his chest, "Tomorrow we will start."

Next day,Manhattan, New York City

They did just that. They spent that early morning walking around the city laughing and eating. When Bucky asked about her brother and what that whole commotion back at the club was she was blatantly honest with him.

"My father's a mobster. He's been wanting some money from one of these performers that was suppose to be there last night, but turns out they weren't even on the set list. He had lied about it, we don't know where he is."

Bucky raises a brow at this, "You do his dirty work for him?"

Daisy chuckled, "No, I don't like to get involved in that. It's a dangerous lifestyle. I have to think about my future family. I was only there yesterday because my brother wanted to get me out of the house for once."

Bucky isn't too gleam on the fact that her family are borderline criminals and that she basically supports it, and for a fraction of a second he almost doesn't buy it, but he decides to mention this later on, not wanting to ruin their moment. She was perfect, after all.

Bucky smiles at her comment, but then his brows furrowed together in an adorable way that made Daisy giggle and bring her hand to his cheek, "What is it, James?"

She just looked so beautiful like that, her little white French bonnet handing off her head and her swollen lips from the harsh cold. Daisy notices him looking at her mouth and bites down on her bottom lip. When he dips his head in and captures her lips for a long kiss she kisses him back just as deeply. She grips his jaw in her hands and then tilts her head in the other direction, trying to get a better angle. Bucky moans into her mouth and grips her neck hard, this makes her mouth open and he takes this as a moment to ask permission to slide his tongue in. He notices that the moment is getting heated and pulls back. They were in the middle of manhattan, and this wasn't exactly PDA appropriate.

He laughs as he pulls away, and then pecks her one more time when she whines from lack of contact.

He had a feeling that him and Daisy would be a hell of a story.