Seven years later-1943
"Dr. Erskine, are you sure this is a great idea?" Amora relaxed her arm as Dr. Abraham Erskine drew blood from her arm.
"This is a once in a lifetime opportunity, Miss Incantare. I take it General Phillips didn't tell you that you would be more than involved in this top secret experiment." Dr. Erskine drew out the needle and examined the small tube of her blood.
"Seven years ago your General told me of a top secret experiment, I did not think that it would take this long." Amora sat up and put on a white lab coat, "I did not think I would be an assistant to you though." Amora walked over to her small desk in the corner and pulled out her purse for a piece of gum. "And you should be honored that I allowed you to use my blood."
"I am more than thankful, Miss Incantare. It is not everyday that I work with a Norse goddess." Dr. Erskine smiled, still examining her blood. "Do you ever miss where you came from?"
Amora popped a bubble and wheeled her chair over to Dr. Erskine, gently taking the tube of her blood and examining it herself. "I never thought of staying this long, that is for sure. I have found comfort here and companions that I can trust in. Yes, I do miss Asgard at times. I was raised there and that place was the only home I ever knew of. Being here on Midgard and learning all these new customs and ideas has really grew on me and it would be hard to leave now." Amora handed the tube back to him and wheeled back over to her desk, "Besides, I am still moving into my apartment. It took a lot of persuading to let me leave base, but I have my ways." Amora winked at him and popped another bubble.
"To let an Asgardian roam around is dangerous, Miss Incantare. When I was told who you were I knew that we would be able to unlock the Super Soldier Serum with your help. We will give men the strength of the gods."
"I will warn you doctor, my blood is not to be toyed with. Do not let this get out of control. Remember, I am allowing this for only one dose. No more. I'd rather not get sent to an Asgardian prison." Amora face went from cheerful to concern, "I do not want anything bad to happen. You are a good man, Abraham. But please, explain to me more about this Hydra?"
"Long story short, Hydra is a division of the Nazi government that specializes in deep science. Their leader, Johann Schmidt, is a dangerous man, Miss Incantare. He was so obsessed with power that he tried the Super Soldier Serum on himself. The result was...horrific." Dr. Erskine wiped his lens on his lab coat before putting his glasses back on.
"With your blood donation we will help many people and we will have an advantage to this war," Dr. Erskine jotted some notes down in a file and slightly looked up at her, "I can finally analyze what makes you gods...gods. Speaking of being a goddess, how does one go from being a goddess to a doctor?"
"Not a doctor," Amora spun around once in her chair, fixing the pins in her hair. "I consider myself just a being at this point. I do not really feel like a powerful goddess anymore. I don't know what I am actually. Perhaps confused?"
"Then tell me, how does one get to the point of boredom where she reads all the medical books, takes all the medical exams, and passes?"
"I was interested in the Midgardian medical ways and I was, indeed, bored. Do you know how many wounded warriors I had to attend to in Asgard? Tis funny to see grown men cry at times." She checked her watch and nearly swallowed her gum. "Shit, I have to go!"
"Plans tonight?"
"Yes...no...um I have a lot of unpacking to do and I-"
"Miss Incantare," Dr. Erskine smiled and placed a hand on her shoulder, a guilty look came across her face. "Just be careful. Hydra is getting stronger and we do not want to risk anything."
"I know, I have stayed under the radar for seven years. I think I will be okay." Amora smiled and patted his hand, removing the lab coat and throwing on her cardigan sweater.
She exited the lab room as herself, but once she stepped outside she was a black haired, brown eyed woman that went by the name of "Lenna Moran." The lab was hidden under an old antique shop in downtown Brooklyn. She intended to keep her identity a secret on Earth for as long as it took. Amora rented a small apartment under the identity of "Leena." The apartment was on the quiet side of Brooklyn, placed behind some buildings. It was just want Amora wanted. Once Amora got to her apartment she immediately changed back into her gorgeous, blonde, self and went to the refrigerator, a look of disappointment came across her face.
"Damn, I forgot to buy ice cream!" She pouted her lip out and tapped her foot softly against the wooden floor, debating on what to snack on. "Why is deciding what to eat so hard?" Amora rolled her eyes and closed the fridge door, still feeling slightly sad that she had no ice cream.
"Let me guess, the world is coming to an end because we are out of ice cream?" Bucky came out of the next room, adjusting the tie on his suit. "Sweetheart, there is more to life than just ice cream." He placed a soft kiss on the tip of her nose, chuckling at Amora's pouty face.
"It will be the only comfort I have once you leave tomorrow." Amora placed her chin on his chest and looked up at him with her big, green, eyes. "I don't want you to go."
"You know I hate leaving you, sweetheart. I don't have a choice in this, I have to do this." Bucky stroked his thumb gently across her cheek, "I promise I will write to you whenever I get the chance."
"I don't know if I'm feeling this double date right now. The Stark Expo seems fun, but can't we just stay in for the night?" Amora kept the pouty look on her face. She knew that sometimes it would work on Bucky, hoping today would be the day that it worked.
"You promised your friend...well 'Leena's' friend a double date and remember, you never break your promises."
"It's hard enough to change my appearance for every double date that we went on with Steve for these past seven years, James. He's your best friend. Why haven't you told him the truth yet?" Amora took her chin off him and headed towards the bedroom, Bucky following close behind her.
"You know how much it kills me that I can't tell anyone about you? Especially my best friend?" He gently grabbed her arm and spun her around to where she was facing him again, "You are my priority here, Amora. As much as it hurts to hide such a thing from Steve...I can't risk anything. I know he would do the same if he were in my place."
"I'm sorry...I've just caused hurt and lies and I don't want that. You deserve better than me, James. You deserve a normal woman, one you can show off to the world and-"
"Amora!" Bucky grabbed both her arms firmly, shaking his head, "We've been together for seven years and you think you are causing me hurt? Fuck no!"
"James...language..."
"Sorry, but listen," Bucky placed his hands on her face, pressing his forehead softly against hers, "I love you and nothing will ever change that. You think I want to go out every single time with a 'different' woman and not just the natural you? We have both made sacrifices for each other and after this war is over you can come out of hiding and we can finally live the life we have been always talking about." Bucky placed a soft kiss on her lips, which Amora returned.
"Fine, I will still go on this double date. On one condition!" Amora placed her hands on her hips, blowing a piece of blonde hair away from her face.
"Name it."
"You get me that lovely Midgardian ice cream afterwards." Amora tried her hide her smile and hold up her "tough girl" stance, but just crumbled in laughter. "Why can't I ever keep a straight face in front of you?"
"Because you just can't resist me, sweetheart." Bucky pulled out a small box from his suit pocket and immediately Amora's eyes widen with surprise. "I had this made for you and I wanted to give it to you before I left."
Amora loved surprises, especially from Bucky. She snatched the box out of his hand and opened it slowly. "Oh my gods!" Amora looked up at him, her eyes lit up. "James..." She pulled out a long pendent necklace, made from gold. On the pendent was a saying written in Norse runes that said " I Will Love You, Forever and Always." She immediately put it on and ran in front of her vanity mirror. "I love it! You didn't have to do this."
Bucky picked her up and spun her around, placing a passionate kiss on her lips, "Yes I did. Anything for my enchantress."
"No! I'm just Amora!" She laughed and squirmed around in his arms, only making him hold on to her tighter.
"Soon you will learn to love that name, darling." He playfully kissed around her face before putting her down. Amora jokingly put her hand up to her head and saluted him, "Anything you say, Sergeant Barnes!"
"You are a tease aren't you?" Bucky gave her a smirk, playing with a strand of her hair, "You remember what happened the last time you teased me?"
"Hmmm...was that the time we did it in the shower or on the living room floor? I must of lost track." Amora raised Bucky's hand and twirled underneath it, "If you don't mind, I have a date I have to get ready for and he doesn't like to wait long for me."
"You are gonna get it later," Bucky grinned as he pulled her in for a kiss, "I have to go find Steve, shouldn't take long. You going to be okay meeting us at the Stark Expo?"
"I am a strong, independent, Asgardian!" Amora opened up the closet, and picked the first dress she saw. "I will be fine, go get Steve and I will go get Pam."
"Pam...that's her name!" Bucky snapped his fingers, and grabbed his military visor hat, "Well, darling, I will see you there! Remember, only say the good stuff about Steve to your friend," He gave her one last kiss before heading out to get Steve.
Amora changed into pink button up dress and tightened a small belt around her waist. She stood in front of the mirror and slowly watched herself transform into "Lenna Moran." Amora pinned her hair up in a bob and put some bold red lipstick on her plump lips. "Just a couple hours, that's all."
As Amora made her way down the sidewalk as Leena, she saw her friend, Pam, waiting for her at the end of the block. "Pam!" Amora changed her voice into Leena's high pitched squeaky voice. "Are you ready to see Mr. Howard Stark?"
"Yes! He's so handsome, don't you think? So, Lee, tell me about these guys we are meeting,"
"Oh my gosh, they are both amazing gentlemen! I met Bucky and his friend Steve while taking my morning stroll." Lies. "You are going to love Steve! He's so polite and is such a sweetheart. He may be a little awkward at first but, you just gotta bare with him." Her huge smile started to shrink a little, Leena noticed that they were started to approach the extravagant expo, "Hey, Pam?"
"Yeah, Leena?"
"You know the saying, don't judge a book by its cover?" Leena played with her necklace that Bucky gave her, before tucking it under her dress.
"Of course, I live by that saying. You know that Leena." Pam looked at Leena with a slightly confused look on her round face.
"Okay, good. Oh, I think I see them now!" Leena raised her hand and started waving it in the air, "Bucky! Over here!" She jumped slightly off the ground, still waving her hand in the air until she got their attention. The two gentlemen started to walk over and Leena noticed the shock in Pam's face, "Is the small one Steve?" Pam quickly said, a look of worry on her face.
"Remember, don't judge a book by its cover! Please, just give him a chance tonight."
"Fine...he's just so...small." Leena noticed Pam becoming slightly uncomfortable with the appearance of small and scrawny Steve. She knew she would never hear the end of the double date for as long as "Leena Moran" was around.
