Author's Note:

Petit malin in French is like a nickname for a clever and crafty person.

On another note, would love to hear your feedback and reviews or questions! It may seem like this story so far is all Bucky and Christiane fluff but we'll get to the fork in the road soon. Just trying to go along the timeline, but I'm really excited to share with you what will happen in the next following chapters. Stay tuned and thank you for reading/following!

Kiara

April 1941

Bucky tore through his closet while Steve sat and watched him.

"We're going to be late you know," he chimed.

"You're a punk, you know that right?", Bucky sighed before ruffling through a drawer.

He tried to find the blue neck tie his mother had given him years ago, running his fingers through his groomed hair, ruffling it. "I can't find it!" he exclaimed before looking to Steve.

"You're hopeless." Steve shrugged towards him, getting on the floor beside him as he pulled out a box from the bottom of the closet.

"I swear I didn't put it in there." he looked at the box defeated and puzzled.

"Neck-ties are in here, and were always in here, Buck." Steve handed it to him.

"What would I do without you?", he grinned to Steve.

"Probably still be running after Chrissy and never confess your feelings to her." he sat back at the foot of the bed.

"About that...", Bucky hesitated, turning round to the mirror to do up his tie.

"It was clear as day, you liked her since we met her at the diner!" Steve got up, starting to pace the room. "Don't you tell me you stopped having feelings for her, Buck or I'm going to..."

"Steve!" Bucky exclaimed, a goofy smile on his face. "I think I love her."

Steve stared back at him, eyes wide and frozen.

"Steve? Hello?" Bucky waved his hand in front of him.

He suddenly came to his senses, color rushing back into his face and his smile growing, "Buck, I think that's wonderful! Have you told her yet?"

"I don't know how," he looked to his feet.

"Can't be that hard right? Just say the words?" he waved his arms in the air.

"Look at you, Steve Rogers giving me girl advice." he chuckled, putting a hand on Steve's back as they walked to the front door.

Steve shook his head chuckling, "She's special, and I truly think she's the one for you."

They walked down the stairs onto the road towards Christiane's apartment.

"What makes you say that?"

He hesitated, trying to put thoughts to words, "She makes you incredibly happy, I've never seen you like this before Buck and I've known you for a lifetime. Somehow after what happened," Steve hesitated again, "with your ma, pa and Rebecca, it was like something was missing and suddenly when you met Chrissy and got to know her, it was like that part which went missing was back in place. Your relationship is nothing to ordinary, some might argue you got in it too fast, but from my point of view, she's the one. All the other girls, Bonnie and Veronica, they're nothing like Chrissy. She's kind, loving, fierce, and she can take care of herself. She liked you from the first time she met us too. She's never been in a relationship before with anyone, and she's scared but she'll do anything for the ones she loves."

"How do you know all this?" Bucky looked to him eyebrows raised.

"Anya told me at the beach. She was rooting for you guys, and Anya really likes you around Chrissy. She said it makes Chrissy happy, like she came back to life after their ma passed away."

"Do you think she loves me back?"

"The world would be nuts if she didn't love you back! You went to wait for her at the station every day without even knowing yourself what you were doing in the first place! Remember that? I'm sure she loves you back!"

"It seems like a lifetime ago, but now that I look back on it, I felt like I needed to protect her, to look after her and make sure she was safe and alright."

"If it hadn't been for that darn map she was drawing on."

They stopped in front of Christiane's apartment as she stepped outside in a light yellow dress, skipping down the stairs. Her hair was down, swaying in the light breeze.

"Good morning!" she quickly hugged Steve and Bucky.

"Morning to you too," Bucky replied back, he felt like he was going to melt.

"What's up with him?", Christiane looked to Steve.

"The usual," Steve shrugged. "Let's go get you graduated, you're going to be late!"

Christiane looped her arm in Steve's as they walked to the station, leaving Bucky suddenly out of his daze jogging behind.

"That's my girl, Steve!" he called out, a bright smile on his face.

Howard sped through the streets of Manhattan, Anya quickly changing in the back out of her SSR uniform.

"Peggy's going to kill me if we don't get you here on time..." Howard muttered.

"What time is it?", Anya shouted out.

"Three minutes past nine! Are you sure you don't want to come dancing with me? We'll both be disguised, it'll be fun!", Howard swerved a corner, sending a flock of pigeons flying as he halted in front of the Lycée Français de New York.

"I swear Howard if this is another of your tricks to get me to spy on someone while they're out dancing, you'll hear it from me!" Anya raised her voice, glaring at him through the mirror.

Howard froze eyes wide, quickly shaking his head "Never mind! I'll do it alone! Go go! Give my congratulations to Christiane!"

Anya stood outside, saluting to him with a giant grin before running up the stairs.

Christiane was the last one to cross the stage of her finishing class. All her classmates were gathered with their families waiting for her to cross, before celebrations could ensue.

"Félicitations à Mademoiselle Christiane Gérard Bougourd!" (Congratulations to Miss Christiane Gerard Bougourd!)

Christiane stood at the steps of the stage, walking up to cross and receive her certificate. She stood at the top smiling, looking at the small crowd in front of her, smiling as she saw Steve and Bucky to the side. Just as she was going to turn to walk off, the back door swung open as a click of heels stopped.

Christiane's eyes grew wide, her smile turning into disbelief as she ran down the stairs past everyone.

"Anya!" Christiane jumped on her, hugging her tightly. "T'as venu! (You came!)"

Anya held her tightly, "I wouldn't have missed it for the world."

Steve and Bucky walked to them, engulfing the both of them in a giant hug.

Anya turned out to the two boys, hugging the both of them individually.

"Steve! It's so good to see you!" she fiercely hugged him.

"Bucky! You better have taken good care of my little one." hugging him tightly.

"Believe me Anya, they rarely spend a minute apart from each other!" Steve replied.

Her eyebrows raised with a look of amusement, as she glanced at both Christiane and Bucky, "Oh? Is that so?"

Bucky's cheeks flushed, looking down to the ground, "I um...we um...nothing's uhh.."

Anya put her hand on Bucky's cheek, bringing him to look at her, "Relax! I trust you. And thank you." she looked at him sincerely.

Bucky could only smile to himself shyly, before going back to Christiane's side and putting his arm around her.

She looked up at him, showing her certificate to him enthusiastically as he smiled back at her.

Anya leaned in to Steve whispering, "Still going strong?"

Steve nodded, smiling at the two of them, "Nothing could get between them."

"I believe that, she seems so much happier around him."

"He does too." he sighed, smiling.

Christiane pulled Bucky with her, skipping to Anya, "Bucky and I were thinking we could all go to the diner back home together!" she beamed.

"Lead the way," Anya followed behind. She leaned in to Steve walking beside her, "They do this often?"

"Go to the diner?" Steve leaned back.

"No! I meant just the two of them!" Anya chuckled.

"They like to go for walks together in the park. He keeps waiting for her after work or by the station, and we come by every evening to have dinner together," He smiled back.

"I'm so happy she has the two of you when I can't be here" she sighed.

"Work taking you places?" Steve looked at her.

Anya waved her hand in the air, dismissing the issue, "They've got me traveling around the country."

Steve looked at her questioningly, "I never knew what you actually worked…" before being interrupted by Bucky coming up to Anya.

"Just for safe measures, can I take her dancing this evening? I promise I'll bring her home by ten" he looked at her almost pleading.

"Of course! It better be nine, I've been meaning to go watch That Night in Rio with her, " Anya smiled, winking to Christiane watching behind.

"I can't find anything to wear!" Christiane huffed, tearing through her closet.

"You have plenty to wear," Anya replied, rolling her eyes as she watched her sister make a mess.

"But I've never been dancing properly here, what do they even wear to those dance halls?"

"Des vêtements, n'est pas? (Clothes, right?)" her tone sarcastic.

Christiane turned around, holding up a red dress, "Qu'est ce-que t'en pense? (What do you think?)"

Anya's eyes widened, smiling and nodding at the same time, "Alors ça, (Now this)" as she whistled out.

"Anya!" Christiane swatted at her sister.

"It would look beautiful on you, poulette!", Anya beamed as her head turned to the door knocking out front. "That must be him, finish dressing up. I'll get Bucky some coffee in the meantime."

She quickly gave a kiss on Christiane's cheek before closing the door behind her.

By the time Christiane buttoned up, put her hair up and smoothed her dress out, she looked at herself in the mirror, twirling around. Anya knocked on the door, poking her head in.

"Mon dieu! (my god!)"

"C'est pas trop? (It's not too much?)"

She went to stand behind her sister, resting her chin on her shoulder and hugging her. "Tu es parfaite (you're perfect)"

The two of them looked up as they saw Bucky move to the door frame, frozen. Anya tugged her sister by her hand up to him. "What do you think, hmm?"

Bucky was at a lost of words, stuttering and blushing, "You're…umm..pardon me..you're..". He took a deep breath, taking her hands into his, "You're beautiful," he whispered, smiling at her gently.

Christiane could feel her cheeks redden, hiding a shy smile creeping onto her face, "Merci".

Anya waved her hands to them, shooing them, "Aller, go! But you bring her back by nine, Barnes!"

"Yes ma'am" Bucky laughed, before taking Christiane's arm in loop with his as they walked down the stairs onto the street.

Bucky waved his arm for a cab, ducking his head to tell the driver the address, "Harlem, The Savoy, please."

He pulled open the door, giving a cheeky smirk to Christiane, "After you, Mademoiselle."

Christiane looked at him, her nose crunched up smiling, "Merci!" before getting in, her hands intertwined with Bucky's as the cab drove forwards.

They mostly sat in silence, watching Brooklyn pass by, crossing the bridge over to Manhattan.

"It's so beautiful, les lumières et les nuages (the lights and the clouds)" she whispered, her reflection against the setting orange sun over the bridge, casting a glow to her skin and hair.

Bucky looked over, watching her take in the scenery.

"Les lumières et les nuages?" he repeated.

She turned around to face him, the sunset casting against his eyes, a frosty cerulean blue.

"The lights and the clouds", she pursed her lips, "They bring out the blue of your eyes." she shyly whispered, turning away back to the window.

"The clouds bring out my eyes, doll?" he mused.

She shifted around quickly, her mouth open but no words coming out.

Bucky continued, scooting closer to her. Christiane only looked at his eyes, keeping them focused on his. The both of them felt as if everything around them had halted, a rush going through their ears, a course of electricity streaming between their fingertips edging closer to each other.

The cab abruptly stopped, the driver shouting over, "Here you go, The Savoy."

Bucky blinked twice, his eyes still focused on Christiane's, quickly taking out a few bills to hand to the driver.

He turned his hand to her, the cheeky toothy grin back on his face, "Come on, let's go dancing."

The two of got out, thanking the driver before they faced onto The Savoy, walking hand in hand into the dancehall. Already from outside, they could hear a swing band playing, a steady bass drum beat and the blaring of trumpets.

Quickly, Bucky pulled her onto the dance floor, spinning her first before pulling her in closely to him. Their fingers intertwined in one, Christiane's other hand on his shoulder and Bucky's hand on her waist gently. They moved together quickly, their steps in sync as Bucky twirled her again. She threw her head back through the spins, laughing till her sides hurt.

"How'd you know how to dance so well, doll?" Bucky spoke loudly as he twirled her to him, her back against his.

"Dances in Paris!", Christiane smiled, before twirling back out and pulled by her hands close to him again.

"My girl knows how to dance!", Bucky laughed, his eyes closed and head back before they moved together through the crowds.

Frenesi by Artie Shaw played, slowing the pace a little, the two were full of energy, keeping their eyes on each other, sometimes cheek to cheek. Electricity seemed to course between them, a charge that pricked their fingertips, tickling their arms and quickening their heartbeats. They would almost shyly look at each other at times, before looking at one another fiercely before he'd twirl her again.

The song eased into a slow melody, Only Forever by Bing Crosby, as he took her more closely, his cheek resting against her shoulder before they moved cheek to cheek.

"We danced to this before," Christiane's face lightened, whispering to him.

"I remember, New Year's wasn't it?", he smiled into her hair.

"I never got to say sorry for that day," her eyebrows furrowing, remembering the panic she had then.

"You don't ever have to say sorry to me, doll"

"I should have told you about that day in Paris, about what happened at the St. Germain Resistance cell", her voice faded off.

"Anya told Steve, and then Steve told me," his voice close and warm to her.

"I ruined that evening, didn't I..." her voice even quieter now.

Bucky pulled away to look at her in her face, his eyes soft but serious, full of adoration and love.

"You didn't do anything, these things happen. And you can always talk to me, I will always be by your side. I promise."

She felt her heart swell, placing a soft kiss on his cheek as they continued dancing.

"Christiane, I lo..." he stopped as a cheer came from the side of the stage, camera flashes following.

Christiane glanced over to the noise and flashes, gasps and small shouts of "Mr. Stark, Mr. Stark! Over here Mr. Stark!"

She gave a small smile before rolling her eyes.

"Le petit malin," she stood, her arms crossed.

"Is that Howard Stark?" Bucky laced his arm around her waist, tiptoeing above the gathering crowd around the inventor.

"The one and only," she smirked, turning back to face Bucky, "Do you want to continue dancing or are you hungry yet?"

He smiled, his nose crinkling with a toothy grin, "I'm always hungry."

"I saw a café just down the road, maybe we could have dinner there? Do you want to come watch the film with Anya and me later tonight?"

He pulled her in closer, walking together to the door as they left the dance-hall.

"I'll leave you two to have a sisters-night. We can catch a film together another time."

"Merci, chérie." she leaned into him before he pushed opened the door for her.

Later that evening, when Bucky sent Christiane home, and Anya and Christiane finished with their film, the two sisters walked back together back up their street to the apartment.

The night was frigid for spring, a cool wind blowing across, trees swaying, rustling their branches against each other.

The two walked arm in arm, their steps in sync.

"On n'a pas fait ça depuis longtemps (We haven't done this in a while)," Anya chuckled quietly.

"Regarder un film? (Watching a film?)"

"Oui, mais tu rencontre qu'on a marché bras-en-bras comme ça avant, quand on était en France? (Yes, but you remember when we walked arm in arm like this before, when we were in France?)"

"Je me souviens Madame Flore regarder par sa fenêtre en crient, "les sœurs Bougourd arrivent!" (I remember Madame Flore looked by her window shouting, "the Bougourd sisters are coming!")" Christiane laughed in a fit, trying to imitate the high pitched voice of their neighbor in Paris.

"Tu étais tellement le malin à Paris. Toujours en train de se bagarrer avec les garçons du Luxembourg, de jouer au foot avec eux et de faire du vélo sur ce machin-bicyclette rouge! (You were such the troublemaker back in Paris. Always going around getting yourself in fights with the boys around Luxembourg, playing soccer with them and biking around on that flimsy red bicycle of yours!)" Anya giggled, trying to catch her breath.

"Et toi? (And you?)" Christiane playfully slapped her sister on the arm, "Toujours en train de se faufiler la nuit à l'appartement de l'Adrienne avec tes amis. (Always sneaking out at night back to the Adrienne's apartment with your friends.)"

Anya sighed, shaking her head, "Éventuellement tu l'as fais aussi (You eventually did it to.)"

"Je devrais le faire, tu as était avec la Résistance (I had to then, you joined the Resistance,)" her voice quiet against the night.

"Je ne peux toujours pas croire que tu m'as suivi après le couvre-feu, tu es intervenu et tu t'es porté volontaire pour être le courrier (I still can't believe you followed me down after curfew, you stepped in and volunteered just like that to be the courrier.)" Anya's voice almost silent.

Christiane stopped in front of the apartment, taking Anya's hands in hers, "Je ne pouvais pas te laisser partir seul, nous avons promis que nous serions toujours là l'un pour l'autre, tu te souviens? (I couldn't let you go in it alone, we promised each other we'd be there for each other always, remember?)"

"Of course I remember, and you made me pinky promise," quietly laughing, she brushed a stray strand of hair from her sister's forehead. Her two hands went around Christiane's cheeks, "Regarde-toi, toute grande. Si courageux et forte, si belle et gentille. Maman, papa et baba auraient été si fiers de toi (Look at you, all grown up. So brave and strong, so beautiful and kind. Maman, papa and baba would have been so proud of you.)"

"Ils auraient été fiers de toi aussi (They would've been proud of you too.)" Christiane hugged her sister tightly, her words muffled by Anya's hair, "Je t'aime, Anya (I love you, Anya)."

She pulled away, a smile of pride, her thumb brushing over Christiane's cheek, "Moi aussi, poulette (Me too, poulette)"

They paused, taking in the quiet sounds of cars driving a few roads away, music playing in other buildings, the night almost empty against their ears.

Anya huffed, wrapping her arms around herself to keep warm, "Come on, let's go inside. It's late already." As she started walking up the stairs.

"You go ahead first, I want to see if I can see any of the stars tonight." Christiane looked behind.

Anya simply shook her head smiling, before going starting back up the stairs.

For a moment, Christiane sat by herself on the steps, looking up to the skies. She tried to take in the subtle silence of her street against the noises of Brooklyn, squinting up to the skies to find Ursa Major and Orion's Belt.

Her ears pricked at metal clanking further away towards the building where Bucky and Steve lived. She thought to herself it was probably only a stray cat until she heard Steve's voice from that direction shouting "Give it back!"

She felt her feet racing on the pavement, sprinting towards Steve, her fists were balled up, ready to fight. As she ran past Steve's apartment, out of the corner of her eye, she saw Bucky racing down the stairs.

Christiane turned the corner, shouting at the thief "Stop!". The man turned around with Steve's wallet, climbing up the fencing up over the other side. Christiane followed behind him, thinking to herself that she thankfully changed into her boots for the evening. Bucky and Steve's voices shouted after her but she could only hear her heart beating hard against her chest, focused on the thief who now turned onto the main road.

"Stop him! Stop!", Christiane shouted, her voice cracking against the strain of sprinting so long.

People on the streets only moved out of the way, looking in shock as she continued running after the thief. She could hear Bucky's voice far behind her, shouting her name. The thief ran across the road as she tried to follow him.

The next thing she felt was pain, her body automatically bracing against something that cracked against her impact. She felt herself fall down on the cold pavement, an older man looking over at her, asking questions. Bucky's face appeared in a blur above her, shouting her name as he came closer, holding her against him tightly. She looked up to the sky, seeing the brightest star, Sirius she slowly thought to herself, contrast against the darkness. The darkness that slowly seeped around her, until she couldn't see the lights anymore.