Steve sat on his cot in the empty tent after being told he had been chosen for the super solider program. They were too head out to an undisclosed location tomorrow morning for the procedure. He hadn't seen Iris since earlier that day, he was worried about her after the incident with the wounded soldier. He also wanted to be able to say goodbye.
As Steve sat there he noticed Dr. Abraham walk into the tent and watched him sit across from him with a bottle and two glasses in his hand.
"Can I ask a question?" Steve spoke up.
"Just one?" Dr. Abraham asked back and Steve nodded his head.
"Why me?" That was the question of the evening. Why had the doctor choosen Steve? He wasn't strong and fit like the other soldiers.
"I suppose that is the only question that matters." Dr. Abraham started. "So many peopel forget that the first country the Nazi's invaded was their own. My people struggled after the last war. They felt weak and small. And then Hitler comes along with the marching and the big show and the flags." The Doctor paused and waved his hand around. "And he hears of me, my work and he finds me. Well, I am not interested. So he sends head of Hydra, his research division. He sends Johann Schmidt, a brilliant scientist. He hears about my formula and what it can do, he cannot resist. Schmidt must become that superior man."
Steve glanced down at his hands as he thought over Dr. Abraham's story. He was still questioning the Doctor's decision. He was still questioning himself.
"Did it make him stronger?" Steve asked. The Doctor nodded his head.
"Yeah. But, there were effects." He started. "The serum was not ready. But, more important, the man. The serum amplifies everything that is inside. So, good becomes great, Bad becomes worse. This is why you were chosen. Because a strong man, who had known power all his life, will lose respect for that power. But a weak man knows the value of strength, and knows compassion."
Steve mulled over the Doctor's words in his head. Was he really worthy enough for such strength and power? Would the serum even truly work on him?
"Thanks. I think." Steve said. The Doctor looked at him with a serious face.
"Whatever happens tomorrow, you must promise me one thing." He started. "That you will stay who you are. Not a perfect soldier, but a good man."
Steve nodded his head in understanding. He was starting to get why he was chosen for the project. The doctor then took the two glasses and filled them with the bottle of liquor he had brought with him. He handed one to Steve and raised it.
"To the little guys." Steve said as he raised it his glass and went to take a drink.
"No, no. Wait, wait." Dr. Abraham quickly took the glass from Steve. "You have a procedure tomorrow. No fluids."
"All right. We'll drink it after." Steve offered.
"I don't have a procedure." Dr. Abraham shrugged. "Drink it after. Drink it now."
Steve smiled as the doctor poured his drink into his own glass and drank it. Just then a motion caught his eye and his head shot up as a figure walked into the tent. It was Iris. Steve felt his heart skip at the sight of her. She was dressed in a fresh uniform and her hands were now clean of blood. Dr. Abraham looked over his shoulder and noticed the petite nurse.
"Well then, I think I shall take my leave." The Doctor stood and patted Steve on the shoulder as he got up. "Nurse Rey."
As Dr. Abraham passed by he winked at her and Iris couldn't help but blush and look down. Steve watched as Iris walked over and sat down across from where the Doctor was just sitting. It was silent for a moment as Iris looked down at her hands and thought over what she was going to say.
"Steve." She started to say; her eyes never leaving her hands. "I have something to tell you."
"What is it?" He asked. Steve started to grow worried as Iris visibly grew uncomfortable. She took a deep breath before speaking again.
"Dr. Abraham has asked me to join his team for tomorrow as your nurse." She told him. "He, um, noticed me do something this earlier today to that man who was shot."
Steve looked at Iris in confusion. He wasn't understanding what she was saying. He obviously understood that she was going to be his nurse and he couldn't help but feel elated at the news that he would have her next to him tomorrow. But he didn't understand why she seemed so upset at that moment.
"This is something I should have told you a long time ago, but I was afraid. I didn't want you to see me as some freak." Iris said as she slowly looked up at Steve. "I've had this gift since I was a little girl. I don't know how it happened exactly, but one day I was just able to do it."
Iris rung her hands together as she spoke, her nerves were out of control as she spilled her secret to her closest friend. Steve reached forward and took her hands in his.
"It's okay, I would never think of you as freak Iris." He vowed to her. Iris could only nod and look into his eyes. She knew he was telling the truth. Steve was never one to lie.
"I saved that man earlier today, not because of my medical knowledge, but because I healed him." She spoke lowly as her gaze shifted back down to Steve's hand that she clutched. "I don't know how I do it, but it's something that I've kept hidden for so long."
Steve stared at his friend for a moment as his brain processed her words. He didn't doubt any of the words she had said to him. He completely believed her, he would always believe her. Steve opened his mouth to say something, but he couldn't quite form the words.
"You don't have to say anything, I just needed you to know." Iris started. "I was tired of hiding"
Steve shook his head and clutched Irises hands a little tighter.
"Iris, you don't have hide. I will never think of you as a freak." Steve started. " You are so much more than that, and this gift is a part of you. You'll be able to do so much for people."
Iris could almost cry. It felt like a weight had lifted off her shoulders. She never knew how satisfying it was to finally be able to tell Steve the truth. She looked into his blue eyes and suddenly she felt the need to tell him everything. She felt safe here with him.
"Steve, there's something else I have to tell you." As soon as the words left her mouth, Iris wanted to run away. Her heart began to pound fiercely in her chest. She felt so complete and safe that at that moment her mouth moved faster than her brain.
"What is it Iris?" Steve looked worried, he could see the stress written all over Irises face. He kept her hands in his as she fretted with her next words. His concern was soon dashed away at the words that spilled from her mouth.
"Steve, I love you." Her voice were soft, but honest as she brought her eyes up to meet his. "I've always loved you, but I could never tell you. I was so afraid."
Irises words suddenly started to fall out of her mouth as Steve stared at her with wide eyes. His brain seemed to halt all activity as it tried to process those three words. She loved him? He wanted to pinch himself, he feared that this was all a dream.
"You love me?" He asked in awe.
Iris blushed fiercely at Steve's question. She couldn't seem to bring herself to speak so she simply nodded her head and looked down at their hands
"Iris." Steve said softly as he gently lifted her head. She loved him, and he looked into her eyes all he could see was that truth. "I love you."
To think that three words could affect someone's whole world seemed impossible. But as they left Steve mouth he could feel his world shift. His tongue felt like lead, but his heart was ready to fly out of chest. Iris seemed to feel the same as she stared at him wide eyed. He loved her.
"Really?" She couldn't help but ask. She searched his face, but found no lies.
"Yes, I just never thought you could love someone like, well, me." Steve admitted.
"Steve." Iris shook her head at the blond soldier. "I've loved you since the day you walked into the shop, and it simply continued to grow as I got to know the amazing man you are."
Steve felt his chest swell at Irises words. It seemed almost unbelievable, it was a moment he would never forget. His chest was full and that constant nagging in the back of his mind had finally ceased.
"I love you." Steve could help but say it again. The words felt so right coming out of mouth and they felt even better as a smile spread across Irises face.
"I love you too, Steve."
A/N: Wow, this chapter was difficult to write. I hope everyone likes it, it wasn't any easy confession to write. Thanks to everyone who has favorited and followed this story. Also a shout out to everyone who left a review. It keeps me going reading everyone's reviews. So please, let me know in how you like this chapter.