*Hi! Okay so your reviews make me very, very excited. I'm glad you guys like it so far and I hope and I can continue to keep you guys happy, haha. So here's number three, don't forget to leave your hopefully not to harsh opinion as a review and remember kids...in the end, you will always kneel C: -Noor xx*

Marty

I took Joey downtown, that's where the physicals were being held. I couldn't believe he was actually doing this, but I'm glad he was. Joey's reaction made a lot of sense to me now that I thought about it. He laughed because my idea, my plan to get into the army was actually crazy. He would've never thought anyone would actually try it. I'm not a mind reader, but I know Joey's pretty shaken up about this; it's the biggest crime he's ever going to commit. That's why I need to be the best man I can possibly be, for his sake.

We approached a building like any other building in Brooklyn, brick walls and all. Beside was a sign telling us that that's where the tests were being held. I turned to him, "Okay, this is it," I said nodding my head.

"A'ight, I just go in there and take the test, right?" He asked, looking down at me.

"That's right, they'll pull out your medical record," I informed him.

"Good, that's the only clean record I have," he joked; at least I hoped he was joking.

"Yeah," I laughed, "Whenever you're ready."

"You owe me big time, Barnes," he said before walking through the door and into the building. I would owe him, I would owe for the rest of my life if I got in.

The test seemed to take ages. I just sat on the curb of the sidewalk, thinking about Bucky. Everything was moving so fast, it hadn't really sunk in that my only brother was actually gone…he was gone for good. I wish I could've at least said goodbye, just one last word to him, but it's too late now. Memories of Bucky and I as kids began to fill my mind. I wanted to wash them away, get him out of my mind, but despite how sad the thoughts made me they also brought a slight smile to my face.

As one hour turned into two, man after man began to walk out of the building gradually. I was beginning to think Joey made a break for it and ran home, but then as the clock struck three the door of the building opened again and out walked Joey, a manila folder in his hands. That was his medical record, his pass or fail. I sprung up from the curb and hurried over to him.

"All done," he said, handing me the folder. I took it from his hands without saying a word, this was it. I opened it up and in the bottom right hand corner of the page was a 1A. A wide smile spread on my face. He passed…

"Joey, you passed!" I said, looking up from the folder and to him.

"Really, is that what that 1A meant?" He asked scratching his head.

"Yes, you did it!" I wrapped my arms around his neck and hugged him tightly. He hugged me back, "Thank you so much." I said, releasing him.

"No problem, ace," he said as if it was no big deal. I looked back down at the paper in my hand, dazed by the 1A. I was going to be a soldier, and it was all because of Joey. "Now what?" he asked.

"I gotta make myself look like a guy," I said, beginning to think over the next part of my plan. "I could use some help, from a guy like you…" I said looking up at Joey. He sighed.

"Lead the way," Joey said.

"You gotta stay still Barnes, c'mon I don't wanna screw this up," Joey said, a pair of scissors held tightly in his hands.

"You better not screw up or I'll kick your ass," I muttered.

It was about midnight, Joey and I stood in my bathroom. It was small, badly lit, and stuffy, but it had the biggest mirror in the house, and we needed to see what Joey was doing. This was part of the plan, cutting my hair. From what I knew, Joey had never cut a strand of hair in his life. I wanted to look like a guy; I didn't want to look like a guy who couldn't afford a good barber. Even though, technically I couldn't. This was part of the plan, making myself look like a guy.

"Okay, I'm gonna start," Joey warned, opening the scissors threateningly.

"Okay," I muttered, shutting my eyes tightly. "Just be careful." I could hear the sound of the blades slicing through my hair. "Oh boy…," I whispered.

"Relax, I got this," Joey said, taking another wad of hair and cutting right through it.

As the minutes went buy I felt my head grow lighter and lighter. I eventually got used to the feeling of Joey's hands slicing my hair, but I didn't open my eyes, not even a peek the whole time. After about an hour of snipping and slicing, Joey put the scissors down on the sink. "A'ight, take a look."

I slowly opened my eyes. I looked into the mirror, but couldn't myself. I saw a stranger. The person in the mirror didn't seem to know me either; this stranger looked at me with confusion. "Oh my goodness, Joey," I said, breathlessly. My blue eyes went wide, that stranger was indeed me.

"What do you think?" he asked, crossing his arms over his chest.

"I think…" I looked deeply into the mirror. I ran a hand through my thinned hair, it was so short. Its former curls and long bouncy locks now littered the bathroom floor. "I think I look like a man." I said, turning to face him.

Joey nodded his head, smiling to himself. "Damn, I'm good at this." I laughed softly and looked back at the mirror, at the new me.

"Yeah, not bad, I'm impressed." I said, ruffling my newly shortened hair. "You could have a future in this, Joey. Ever thought of that?" I said, turning to him.

"Nah," he said as he shook his head. "It isn't ever gonna happen." He said doubtfully, looking to the floor.

"They said a woman would never get in the army," I said, and his head shot up. "You never know, is what I mean," I opened the bathroom door and stepped out.

"Yeah…" he replied casually, shrugging.

Joey and I cleaned up the bathroom. We put away the scissors and retired to the living room. I threw myself on the couch, exhausted by the day's events. So much had happened in such little time. Time became an illusion, the numbers on the clock didn't mean much anymore. It was strange, sitting down and just thinking about everything that had happened in the past 24 hours. It was all so fast. I was still in shock over Bucky's death for crying out loud.

Joey wandered around the room, looking at old family pictures of Bucky and I, cracking a smile here and there. I wasn't in the mood to talk about Bucky, I had already cried in front of Joey once that day and I didn't want to do it again. I cleared her throat, getting his attention.

"So, question, how am I going to cover up my chest?" I asked, personally looking desperately for an answer. Joey shrugged and joined me on the couch.

"You could...uh...no that's dumb. Well you could always…wait, that wouldn't work," he said, thinking hard. "Oh! You could use a wrap."

"A wrap; what do you mean?" I said, tilting my head slightly.

"You could take a wrap and wrap it around yourself real tight. I've seen it in movies before. It might work."

I thought, it was an iffy idea, but it couldn't hurt to try. "Yeah, okay let's try it. I think I have a wrap in my room. I used it for my arm once; I'll go try it real quick." With that, I rushed over to her room. I threw open the door and hurried over to one of the drawers. I opened it up, rummaged through the clatter, and pulled out an old, raggedy looking wrap from the bottom of it. It was long and when fully unraveled it could stretch across the whole room. I locked my bedroom door and hastily removed my shirt and bra. I took the wrap in my hand and began covering my chest with it. I unrolled it around and around myself, pulling on it as tightly as I possibly could, squeezing my chest. By the time I unrolled the whole thing, I could barely breathe, but it would have to do. I pulled on my shirt, leaving my bra stranded on the bed and walked back out to the living room.

I planted myself in front of Joey and put her hands on her hips. "Normally I wouldn't let you stare at my chest, but you have permission this time, Brooks," I said. He rolled his eyes at her. "Can you see anything?" I asked, looking down at my now flat chest. He got off the couch and walked towards me, cocking his head to one side, taking a long look at my chest. He was messing with me now. "Joey, you have five seconds or the next thing you'll be looking at it the bottom of my foot." I warned. I hated it when guys played me like that. He just chuckled.

"Can't see anything, you're good," he said shaking his head. "Can you even breathe?"

"Not exactly, but I'll get used to it." I said, relieved that the issue was dealt with. "Guess that's all, I'm ready." I spoke, saying the words that I had been dying to voice. I was ready. I had been ready for a long time.

Joey nodded his head then looked over at the photos again. "Bucky would be proud," he said, looking back at me. I turned to the picture frames.

"Let's hope so," I said, my eyes landing on a photo of Bucky beaming happily. He seemed to be staring right at me, and I couldn't help but crack a smile…

"Well, I should be going," Joey said interrupting my little moment. I turned my attention to Joey and nodded my head.

"Yeah, it's pretty late." I said glancing at the clock on the wall. I then realized that this would be the last time she might ever see Joey again. This thought hit me like a mountain of bricks. My best friend, the reason I would now call myself a solider. I would have to say goodbye now, but what are your finals words to the person who you shared so many memories with.

I walked Joey over to the front door, opening it for him. He stepped out into the dark night, and turned to face me. "Barnes," he said, softly, "Good luck, go win us this war."

A lump formed in my throat, this man was the only reason I was able to go to the army. He was the only reason this crazy dream of mine was becoming a reality. I owed him so much, I was feeling so grateful for him at that very moment that I didn't know quite what to say or do. "I will." I decided would suffice. Then I leaned over and gave him a gentle kiss on the cheek. "Thank you so much, Joey." I said will all the sincerity I had in me.

Joey gave me a smile, "No problem, it's what I do, babe," he said coolly with a shrug. Joey raised his hand to his forehead and saluted me. "See you around, soldier." He gave me wink, and I took the last look that I ever would at Joey Brooks.

*LOKI'D! -Noor xx*