Hey guys.

*laughs nervously* I don't think my haiku had the proper number of syllables on one of lines...but that's not what you guys are all mad about, right?

*dodges flying fruit*

Eep!


The soldiers either didn't appreciate Carrie's words of honesty, or didn't hear them. To be honest, Carrie wasn't a huge fan of walking all of the five miles back to came either.

Someone gave Bucky and assault rifle, and Carrie moved to stand next to him, giving him a smile he returned.

After a few minutes, Steve took t he lead, with Bucky and Carrie at his right. With a yell the freed soldiers marched through the forest.

Nothing attacked them. Nothing jumped out of the depths of the dark trees. Not even a butterfly.

It wasn't until they were well into the third mile that her legs began to ache. She wrinkled her nose, gritting her teeth. Bucky had suggested climbing in/on a tank, to which Carrie refused.

She wished she were born a little less stubborn. But then again, she didn't exactly regret arguing Bucky out of the last cookie every time Christmas rolled around.

At around daybreak was when the posse of liberated soldiers reached the camp. It was only after a few moments that they were swarmed by allies. Friends. Well, mostly friends, anyway. She caught Hodge peeking out of his standard-issue canvas tent, scowling.

Steve stopped before Colonel Phillips, giving him a crisp salute. "I'd like to surrender myself for disciplinary action."

The colonel's face twisted, whether it was a smirk or a scowl, Carrie couldn't tell. "That won't be necessary."

Steve smiled. "Yes sir."

The colonel walked away, the crowd parting for him amidst the cheers. Once he disappeared into his large canvas command tent, Bucky raised his fist. "Let's hear it for Captain America!"

The crowd roared in response, and Carrie smiled, slipping away. She retreated into the medical tent. Only after she collapsed on a chair did she realize how exhausted and sore she was.

"Long night?" It was Walsh, standing amidst the moaning soldiers.

Carrie allowed a small smile to show. "Yes. I can take over the next shift, with the batch of soldiers we saved coming in."

"We?"

"St—Captain America and I."

"You?" A note of incredulity crept into Walsh's voice. "And the war bond boy? You two a couple?"

"What, us? No, no. we've been friends since we were kids! It would be awkward if things didn't . . .work out." Of course, the same would apply to Bucky too, wouldn't it?

"Oh good." He started towards her, squatting unprofessionally close to her. "Well then, I'll just—"

"Don't even think about it." Carrie said sternly, kicking out her legs to keep him at bay. "We're on duty."

Walsh smirked and walked out of the tent, palms raised in an "oopsie" gesture.

Carrie groaned, running her hand up her hairline, jumping when she heard clapping.

Great job, Carrie. That's the first time that's happened in, what? A week?"

Carrie sighed inwardly at the familiar voice. "No," she said, turning to face Bucky. "Three months, actually."

"Great. New record. I heard that Hodge's been eyeing you and Agent Carter for a while, I've heard. Is he the —"

"Same guy from the alley?" Carrie finished for him. "Yes. And Agent Carter took care of him. Punched him in the face."

"Then I imagine he hasn't tried anything since."

"Or anything else."

Bucky nodded, pulling up a chair next to Carrie. "In a few weeks, they're bringing in a new officer, new troops. Phillips is heading back to New York."

"Oh."

"And he's taking you, me, Steve, Agent Carter, and a few other guys with him."

Carrie, who had fallen into a slump, sat bolt upright. "What? Why?"

"I don't know." Bucky grumbled. "But you've got soldiers coming in for a checkup, and Walsh bailed out on you."

Carrie sighed. "Don't remind me."

What felt like a month passed by like a blink of an eye. Carrie found herself staring at a glass of water, untouched. She sat next to Bucky, who sat at the very right end of the bar, and who had already ingested a couple shots. She snuck a few glances at Bucky, and winced in surprise as Steve just appeared in the stool next to her.

"You guys ready to follow Captain America into the jaws of death?"

"I wouldn't saw I'd follow you into the jaws of death," Carrie said, glancing at Bucky with a "You're in, right?" face. "But I'd sure as hell give him the bait."

She glanced at Bucky pointedly.

"Aw hell no." He muttered, slamming his empty shot glass on the counter. "The little guy from Brooklyn who was too dumb not to run away from a fight. I'm following him. But you're keeping the outfit, right?"

Steve laughed. "You know what? It's kinda grown on me."

The trop laughed before coming to an awkward silence. Carrie tapped her toes insistently, taking a few slow sips from her glass of water.

"Well," Carrie said. "At least we're fighting together in the same unit." She smiled. "Who would've thought?"

"Here, here!" Bucky exclaimed, downing another shot in a single swallow.

"Ahem." The trio jumped when they heard someone clear their throat.

Steve was the first to jump up, clearing his own throat. "Agent Carter."

Bucky too had gotten up, addressing the woman. "Ma'am."

Agent Carter turned to Steve. "Howard has some equipment for you three to try. Tomorrow morning?"

Steve glanced back at Carrie and Bucky, both nodded. "Sounds good."

Carrie watched as Peggy tilted her head, listening to the men Steve recruited. "I see your top squad is prepping for duty."

"You don't like music?"

"I do, actually. I might," she paused, smiling, licking eyes with Steve. "When this is all over, go dancing?"

"Then what are we waiting for?" Bucky cut in.

Carrie wrinkled her nose, grasping the rim of her glass with her fingertips.

Peggy's gaze locked on Steve. "The right partner." She turned to Bucky, but her gaze flickered to Carrie's. "Oh-eight-hundred."

"Yes, ma'am," Steve said. "We'll be there."

Peggy nodded, walking out.

"I'm invisible," Bucky's tone was somewhere between distraught and joking. "I'm—I'm turning into you." Its like some horrible dream."

Steve chuckled, clapping a hand on his best friend's shoulder. "Don't take it so hard. She's got a friend."

Bucky laughed sarcastically. "Maybe you could introduce us?"

"I don't think that's necessary."

As Steve walked out, Bucky retook his seat, ordering a couple more shots.

"I swear if you get drunk, I'm not dragging you back to your room." Carrie said."

"You're joking."

"Not really." She paused, raising an eyebrow. "Are you trying to drink your sorrows away? Your sorrows being that for once, a woman would be interested in Steve instead of you, Brooklyn's ladies man! I thought you were trying to get Steve a woman! You should be happy!"

Bucky turned to her, with a smirk and a twinkle in his eye. Carrie learned from a young age that this was his "I know something and you don't" face.

"I am." Bucky said, halfway between finishing a shot. "If fact, I fee like celebrating. Let's say you and me head down to the Stork Club?"

Carrie swallowed, though whether it was from the nerves or to make sure her jaw hadn't dislocated and dropped to the ground, she couldn't be sure. "I —I think the alcohol's gotten to you . . ." she trailed off as Bucky gave her a "Really?" face. Carrie raised an eyebrow. "What brought about the sudden change of interest?"

Bucky shrugged, finishing off his last shot. "I wouldn't call it sudden, although I'd say I'm suddenly outspoken about it."

Carrie couldn't help but gape as the big picture finally pieced itself together in her mind. All those years, she thought Steve and Bucky shared an unbreakable bond of brotherhood. She figured she had it awkward, the girl who'd rather be in the medical field instead of the kitchen. The girl who got in a sort-of fistfight with the orphanage's overlord.

But then again, they were known throughout the orphanage's social ladder as something of an awkward trio.

Better that than a bully.

"And I'd say it was a mutual feeling."

The sound of Bucky's voice snapped Carrie out of her thoughts and back to reality, which, she'd admit, was looking pretty great at the moment.

"So . . . how about after our, ah, appointment with Stark . . .? Bucky suggested.

Carrie felt a grin split her face in half. "You got it."


AHAHAHAHAHAH

But the amazing thing is that this story has as many reviews as my most popular story, Project Gemini, and a third of the views. This is amazing. I'm feeling confident. Let's say we go for 35? Who knows, that might encourage me to update faster next time, hehehe.