Winter turned to spring and eventually to summer. It had almost been a full year since Ororo had been dropped into the past. She'd regained control of her powers, practicing mastering them in secret every night on the roof of Steve and Bucky's building. Her class had grown to 10 students. With the three salaries coming in from Bucky's odd jobs, her teaching, and Steve's job at the store life at the apartment began getting easier. When Steve got sick, it no longer came down to a choice between food and medication. It was the end of June, 1940. Paris had been invaded and the French had no choice but to surrender to the Germans. Nights at the apartment were spent in front of the radio, alternating between listening to reports coming in from Europe and music when things got to be too heavy.

Steve was beginning to become agitated, angry that the United States was continuing its neutral stance in the face of such blatant injustices. While Bucky wasn't as vocal as him, Ororo knew he agreed.

"What's it going to take?" Steve said, one night slamming his hand on the table in frustration. It was June 30th and Germany had just invaded the Channel Islands. "They've got France, Poland, Norway…" He broke off glaring at the radio. "And now they're moving towards England. Are we seriously not going to do anything?"

"Germany hasn't threatened the US." Bucky said quietly. "They said they wouldn't attack us if we stayed out of it."

"What does that have to do with anything?" Steve growled. "We shouldn't only care about war if it directly affects us. Plus I seem to remember them saying they'd stay out of Poland and we all know how that turned out."

"I agree with you, Steve, but unless you've got a direct connection to Roosevelt himself there's not much you can do." Bucky grumbled.

"That wouldn't do much good either." Ororo said. "Only Congress can declare war and most people in the government don't favor US involvement."

Steve huffed and crossed his arms. "It's not fair." He said softly. Ororo stood and grabbed the plates. It was her night to take care of the dishes. Bucky went out to see if he could score any night work while Steve continued to glare at the table.

"I agree with you too." Ororo said softly. "It's wrong that we waited as long as we did…have." She corrected. Steve didn't seem to notice her slip. She turned her attention to the plates. After a few minutes where the only noise was her cleaning and drying the plates he finally spoke up.

"I want to fight."

Ororo put down the rag she'd been using on the plates and turned slowly. Steve was looking at her as if daring her to contradict him.

"I know." she replied. He seemed taken aback by her sincerity; probably expecting her to come up with a million reasons for him not to go. He nodded.

"So how's work?" He asked, trying to change the subject. Standing he came next to her and took the rag from her hands and finished drying the dishes.

"Good." She said, leaning against the wall. "The kids are progressing."

"And Mrs. Jones?" Steve asked. Ororo had told him about her, though she'd been careful not to mention Gabe. She cracked her neck and smiled. "Still the same. She keeps asking me to bring by the girls I live with."

Steve laughed. The people in Harlem had assumed she had two female roommates and she hadn't done anything to deny that assertion. She shook her head. "I think she finally figured out that I'm not interested in being married to her son. So she wants new victims." She froze as Steve became extra focused on the plate in his hand.

"Son?" He asked, mildly, but Ororo wasn't fooled.

"Yeah." Ororo said, trying to divert the situation. Steve and Gabe were supposed to meet on a battle ground in France. She could not have them interacting before that. "He's nice, but I'm not interested."

"In him or in marriage?" Steve asked.

Ororo bit her lip. "Both" she said, pushing away from the wall. "Anyways it doesn't matter. Summer vacation is starting for the kids after tomorrow and I won't see them again until September." She moved away from the kitchen.

The next day, she was walking to the subway with Gabe only to find Bucky waiting by the station. She turned to Gabe. "Thanks, Gabe, but I'm fine from here."

"Aw, come on Mz. Munroe." He said, teasing her with the title the students used for her. "It's your first night of freedom; I was going to try to convince you to go out with me. Maybe see some music."

She closed her eyes and shook her head. "I have plans tonight." She said. Bucky was looking at them with feigned boredom, but Ororo wasn't fooled; he was assessing Gabe as a potential threat. Gabe glanced at the subway station.

"I don't think it's a good idea for you to go there just yet." He murmured, shooting Bucky a pointed look. "And even if you just turned me down, I don't think he's going to be as understanding."

Ororo felt nauseated. She understood Gabe's meaning all too well. It wasn't uncommon for young women of color to be raped by white men and the victims never got justice. Bucky's presence next to the station was worrying Gabe. How could she explain to him that she knew Bucky wasn't a threat? Gabe moved closer and put his arm around her waist; a signal to Bucky that she wasn't available. All pretense of disinterest fell from Bucky's face as he watched them. Then he turned and went into the subway.

Gabe walked Ororo into the station and went onto the platform with her. Bucky boarded the first train in the direction of Brooklyn. Gabe stayed with her until the next one came. She forced a smile. "Thank you." She said, waving at him as the doors closed and the train pulled away from the station. Sitting down, she closed her eyes and exhaled. What had Bucky been doing there? And what would he tell Steve?

When she got back to the apartment he was waiting for her.

"So that's the reason Steve spent the whole night sulking." He said. "Don't worry, he's not here."

"James."

"I get it; you're you and he's him, but Stevie's one of the best guys…hell the best man I know. If you're going toss him out with the trash, at least have the decency not to lead him on." Bucky growled.

"I'm not." Ororo said.

"Oh really?" Bucky said. "Is that why I found the two of you cuddled up that night after you put on that very impressive vocal performance? Do you think I don't notice the way the two of you look at each other? The way you awkwardly bump into each other and turn red. That you've all but given up on buying that apartment you were so ready to abandon us for once you got enough money?"

It was true. She'd slowly forgotten about the plan to move out, though it had been a conscious choice. "James." She began.

"I know about the sketchbook." He said softly. Ororo froze. Steve had let it slip that he wished he could have a sketchbook of his own instead of handing them over to other artists. During one of his allergy attacks in May she'd ducked down to the art store and bought him one with the intention of surprising him with it on his birthday in 3 days.

"James." She said.

"He's a good guy, Ro." Bucky said.

"Believe me, I know that." She said. "but…"

There was a knock at the door. Bucky walked to open it. "Punk, did you forget your key…." He trailed off. A police officer was standing at the door.

"Evening." He said, tipping his hat. He looked inside the apartment and fixed Ororo with a barely concealed look of contempt. "Can I come in?" He said.

Bucky blocked the entrance by leaning against it. "Can I ask why, Officer?" he said.

"Been hearing rumors about….unnatural happenings here." The officer said, looking at Ororo.

"Unnatural?" Bucky asked, gritting his teeth.

"What's the nigra to you, Barnes?" The officer growled. Bucky looked over his shoulder at Ororo. The gesture seemed casual, but when his eyes met hers there was a plea for her to remain quiet. Ororo breathed slowly, the sky outside darkening as large storm clouds rolled in.

"She cleans." Bucky said shrugging. "Nothing unnatural about wantin a clean place."

"So she isn't living here and warming your bed?"

Bucky's shoulders tightened. "If that were true, it wouldn't be against the law."

A thunderclap made both men jump. Ororo closed her eyes, trying to get her emotions under control.

"True, but there's those that would talk." The officer said. "And those that would do more than talk."

"Is that a threat, officer?" Bucky growled.

"It's an offer." The policeman said. "If you would be willing to share your…cleaning lady," he looked Ororo up and down, "then I'm sure I could dispel any rumors going around."

Bucky ground his teeth. "I thought it was unnatural." He said softly, his crossed arms tightening as though he were trying to hold himself back from attacking the other man.

"Sleep on it." The officer said, before turning and walking away. Bucky slammed the door.

"He's lucky Steve's not here." He growled. "The punk would have tried to strangle him and for once I wouldn't have held him back." He ran a hand through his hair. "Hell, I'd have helped."

Ororo was shaking. Outside winds picked up and rain began to pour as lightning struck and thunder roared.

"Hey, hey." Bucky said, leading her to the couch, all his anger at her from a few minutes before seemingly gone as a result of the police officer. "Nothing's going to happen to you, Ro"

"He just threatened to lynch you if you didn't let him rape me." She said, the words sounding even more horrible spoken aloud. Bucky flinched back.

"Like I said, we aren't doing anything illegal." Bucky said. It was true; New York was one of the few states that had no laws against interracial marriage. But the chasm between what was legal and what was socially accepted was very wide.

"That won't matter to them, and you know it." Ororo closed her eyes. "How could I have been so stupid?" she hissed.

"Ro." Bucky said, putting a hand on her leg. The door opened and Steve walked in.

"Did anyone make dinner because I'm star-" he froze as he saw Ororo's stricken expression and Bucky kneeling in front of her. "What happened?" he growled.

"Someone made a stupid threat." Bucky said.

"It wasn't stupid." Ororo said. "He was serious and –"

"It doesn't matter." Bucky said, cutting her off. "We can just go to the police station and –"

Ororo let out a humorless laugh. "You think they'll listen to you?" She said, "do you think they'll turn on one of their own by the word of a man who's suspected of having sex with a …." She closed her eyes.

Steve's fists clenched. "What happened?" He said slowly. Bucky explained the situation. Steve listened, then nodded stiffly.

"It's going to be okay." He said, sitting next to Ororo. She looked at him in disbelief

"How can you possibly believe that?"

"Because he's not a real police officer." He said simply. "I saw him walking away from the building and taking off his uniform. It's a fake." He looked at Ororo. "He probably saw you and well…" He looked at the ground. "You're kinda striking which is what made him come up with that excuse." Ororo clutched her stomach. Stave sat next to her and put his hand on her shoulder. "You'll be okay." He said. "When he comes by tomorrow, Buck and I will give him a piece of our minds. Show him what it means to mess with our girl."

"You mean I'll do it and you'll watch from the sidelines until I let you have the last punch." Bucky muttered. Steve glared at him. "Though from the looks of things, that storm might take of him for us." Bucky glanced outside.

Ororo closed her eyes and willed the rain away. She leaned her head on Steve's shoulder.

"They'll be more." She said, coming to the horror filled realization. "He won't be the last." She pulled away from Steve, the comfort of his shoulder not enough to overcome the guilt she felt at allowing herself to get closer to him. "He won't be the last." She said quietly getting to her feet.

"Ro, where are you going?" Bucky asked.

"You can't go out there." Steve said.

Ororo ignored them, their protests growing faint. She clenched her fists and walked out of the apartment. It took a few minutes, but she tracked the false police officer. He was standing at a street corner cat calling two girls that couldn't be more than 16. Ororo's blood boiled. She darkened the sky again. The man ducked into a side alley in order to avoid the down pour she caused. She followed him.

He jumped as she cleared her throat and turned to look at her. His face contorting into a perverse smile. "Couldn't stay away, could you?" He asked.

"You think you could handle me?" She asked softly. "Do you have any idea who I am? What I am?" She tilted her head and her eyes went white. The sky turned almost black. Lightning struck the ground right next to the man.

"What?" he said, tripping over his feet in an attempt to get away from her. He backed into the alley way, trembling in fear.

"Among my people, I am considered a goddess." Ororo said. "And you threatened my friends. Tell me; what happens to those who anger a goddess?"

"I'm sorry." He said, falling to his knees.

"Who else knows?" She demanded.

"Nobody." He whimpered, covering his head.

"Do not lie to me." She demanded, lightning coming down to strike next to him.

"No one, I swear I…" The man crumpled to his feet, covering his face. "I'm sorry goddess. I won't hurt you. I won't come near you again. I won't let anyone come near you again."

Ororo lowered her hands and felt a swooping loss of energy as she released the clouds from her command. She stepped back and turned in the alley. A small figure stood at the end. Though the sun was still obscured by clouds and the light rain blurred her vision, there was no mistaking who it was.

"Steve." Ororo said softly.

He looked at her in confusion and fear. "Ororo….what did you do?"