Author's Note: So the flowers in the bouquet Bucky gets for Matilda are red carnations, white lilies, and myrtle. Bonus points to anyone who looks up the flower language meanings!

I give you the fourteenth installment of Rage, Rage.

Chapter Thirteen - O.A.O.

"Sometimes, I think you like getting punched."

Steve dragged his wrist across his mouth. "I had him on the ropes." He sniffed and started brushing off his clothes.

Bucky frowned and then reached down, picking up the papers on the ground. "How many times is this?" He unfolded the forms and sighed. "Oh, you're from Paramus now? You know it's illegal to lie on the enlistment form. Steve, c'mon. This is ridiculous."

Steve groaned and looked up, but he next few words died on his tongue. He eyed Bucky's uniform. "You get your orders?"

Bucky looked down at the forms and then tucked them away in his pocket. "The 107th," he said proudly, straightening a little. "Sergeant James Barnes. Shipping out first thing tomorrow."

"I should be going."

"C'mon, man—"

"Does Juno know yet?"

Bucky glanced to the side and hesitated. "Um, not yet. I haven't got a chance to see her. I stopped by the office, but I guess she's over at the Expo. It's kept her pretty busy recently, and with it opening today I expect she has a lot of finishing touches to do."

"Right." Steve groaned and ran his hands through his hair to try to fix it. "That's tonight, isn't it?"

"Sure is." Bucky clapped him on the shoulder. "Let's get you cleaned up, okay?"

"Um, yeah, I can do it myself. Why don't you go ahead and head over. You don't wanna be late."

He squinted at him and then shrugged. "Okay, fine. Just make sure you show up, okay?"

"You think I wouldn't?"

Bucky turned and walked down the alley with a little wave. "I'm gonna be honest, I don't understand half of what you do anymore. Just show up!" He shoved his hands in his pockets and strolled off down the street, whistling. A few blocks later, he pushed his way into a shop.

The woman at the front desk looked up. "Good afternoon. What can I do for you?"

"I placed an order earlier," he said, digging out his wallet. "Barnes."

"Ah, of course. Let me get that for your, Mister Barnes. That will be one thirty-seven, please." With that said, she disappeared into the back room. Bucky counted out the money on the counter. When she returned, she was carrying a bunch of flowers. She passed it to him and the paper wrapped around the bouquet crinkled. The woman smiled. "Have a nice day, sir."

"Thanks." He left the store and turned towards the Expo before hesitating. It only took a few minutes for him to detour to get some food and coffee and then he headed off.

When he got to the Expo area, one of the security guards around the perimeter held up a hand. "The Exposition isn't open yet, son."

Bucky cleared his throat. "Barnes. I'm here to see Tilly. Er, Matilda Rogers."

The man frowned at him and then nodded. "Wait here with Hardin." He nodded to the other guard right next to him. "I'll go check."

Bucky nodded and tapped his foot nervously as he waited. He glanced at Hardin. "What's up?"

Hardin just raised an eyebrow.

"Right. Sorry."

"Miss Rogers will see you," the first guard said, returning. "Go right on through. You can't miss her."

"Thanks." Bucky stepped past them and listened for a second before following the loud voice. Turning a corner, he found Matilda yelling instructions to the people that were hanging up the curtain on the stage. He stepped up to her and looked up at where they were fastening the long curtain. After a moment, he cleared his throat.

Matilda jumped and then glanced at him. She grinned and brushed some of her loose curls from her face. "Bucky, you're early."

"Are you complaining about that?" He smiled. "Here, I brought you something."

Her eyes widened. "Bucky, you—" She grinned and took the flowers. "They're gorgeous."

"And food and coffee. Because you probably forgot to eat today, right?"

Matilda winced. "I had an apple at breakfast."

He sighed. "Better than I thought. You have somewhere to sit down and eat?"

"Um, yes, actually. I have a dressing room of sorts. I need to get ready soon anyway." She turned so she was side-by-side with him and put her hand on his elbow. "This way." And then she faltered for a moment before walking. "Bucky?" she asked softly.

"Yes?"

"You . . . got your orders?"

He glanced at her and pulled his arm away so that he could grab her hand instead. Lacing his fingers with hers, he murmured, "Sergeant Barnes. Leaving in the morning."

She looked at him and smiled tightly. "Proud of you, Sarge," she murmured. She squeezed his hand. "I'll miss you." She pushed open a door.

"Well, you'll write me, won't you?"

"Of course." Matilda stepped over to the room's desk and set her flowers down. Bucky closed the door and then moved to set the coffee and food down on the desk. "Thank you."

"Gotta take care of my girl, don't I? Now eat up." He pulled out the chair. "And promise me you'll take care of yourself while I'm gone."

She sat down and sighed, reaching for the food. "I'll do my best," she said. "That's as much as I can promise."

He took a deep breath. Then he leaned down and kissed the top of her head. "That will have to do. I love you."

"Thank you."

"About time you made it. Howard's about to open the Expo. C'mon." Bucky grasped Steve's elbow and steered him towards the large crowd as the woman on stage announced the Exposition's beginning. "You gonna be good with both of us leaving tomorrow? Matilda's got some military contract thing."

"Yeah," Steve said, pulling his arm away. "I'll be fine. Where is she, by the way?"

"Still running things behind the scenes. She said she'll be done soon and then the three of us can go dancing, since Howard is the one doing the presenting and she just had to get it all set up." Bucky straightened and then rolled his eyes as Howard strolled onto the stage and planted a large kiss on the woman before promptly wiping his lips with his handkerchief as he turned to the crowd. "Speak of the devil."

"Ladies and gentlemen!" Howard said, smiling out at the crowd. "What if I told you that in just a few short years, your automobile won't even have to touch the ground at all?"

Bucky straightened. "No way," he breathed, watching as the car's wheels were removed. "They didn't."

"Is this what Juno's been workin' on?" Steve murmured.

"She's been working on a lot of stuff. It's— Whoa." Bucky's eyes widened as the car lifted. "Holy cow, Tilly," he mumbled. "That's impressive. Steve, it's—" He looked to the side to find he wasn't there. "Steve?" He turned in a circle and Steve wasn't anywhere. And then he saw the sign for the recruitment center and sighed. "Punk," he muttered, pushing through the crowd towards the center.

He found Steve standing on a platform, staring at the way he was too short for his face to properly appear in the soldier reflection in front of him. "Come on," he sighed. "Tilly's almost done. We're gonna take her dancing."

"You go ahead. I'll catch up," Steve said, stepping down.

Bucky sighed and glanced around at the other people there. "You're really gonna do this again?"

"Well, it's a fair. I'm gonna try my luck."

"As who? Steve from Ohio? They'll catch you. Or worse, they'll actually take you."

"Look, I know you don't think I can do this."

"It's not just about me. She worries about you enough as is."

"I can take care of myself," Steve said, frowning. "I don't need her hanging over me."

"She's not—" Bucky sighed. "You can't do this, Steve."

"I can. You don't think I can, but I can."

"This isn't some back alley." Bucky took off his cap and fiddled with it nervously. "This is war. There's so many other things you could do. You don't have to fight."

"What am I gonna do? Collect scrap metal—"

"Yes!"

"—in my little red wagon? C'mon, Buck. There are men laying down their lives! I got no right to do any less than them. That's what you don't understand. This isn't about me."

Bucky stared at him for a long moment. With a sigh, he put his cap back on. "Right. 'Cause you've got nothing to prove."

"This isn't about—" Steve groaned. "I need to do something. There are people dying. Shouldn't I try to stop that if I can?"

"There's no point in arguing with you." Bucky glanced back as loud applause started. "I should get going. Try not to do anything stupid until I get back, okay?"

"How can I? You're taking all the stupid with you."

Bucky scoffed and grinned. He jerked Steve into his arms and hugged him tightly. "Take care of her while I'm gone. Okay?"

Steve hugged him back and, after a moment's pause, said, "Of course." As he pulled back, he flicked at Bucky's hat.

Bucky rolled his eyes and fixed his cap. "You're a punk."

"You're a jerk. Be careful."

"Got it." Bucky nodded to him and turned, heading off. When he glanced back, Steve was gone. With a tired sigh, Bucky glanced around to try to figure out where Matilda would be.

"Looking for me?"

He glanced behind him to find her standing there. "Tilly!" He reached out and drew an arm around her waist. "Of course I was."

"Hmm." She let him pull her to him. "Where's Steve?"

"Where do you think?" He gestured to the recruitment center. "I tried to talk sense into him, but . . . ."

"Yeah, I get it," she mumbled, eying the center.

"He already tried enlisting earlier today. Apparently he's from Paramus."

"Steven," she groaned, letting her head fall against Bucky's shoulder. "They're gonna catch him. We're both going to be gone so we can't stop him and he's just going to keep trying and trying and— Goddammit." She straightened and pulled away. "I've gotta stop him."

"Tilly." He reached for her as she started marching away. He rushed to catch her and looped an arm around her waist. "Whoa, Tilly, you can't stop him. You know that. He's made his own choices."

"But—"

"He'll just try again as soon as we're gone."

Her shoulders slumped and she turned to him. "Okay. I— Yeah, okay." She looked up at him. "When . . . when are you leaving?"

"Boat leaves at seven in the morning."

"Okay." She nodded, thinking it over. Then she smiled and rose up, kissing his cheek. "I promise you, then, that these last few hours in Brooklyn will be amazing, okay?"

He felt his face start to burn. "O-okay."

She grinned up at him and then took his hand, pulling him away. "Let's go dancing."

As she locked the door behind them, she said, "Shh. I think Stevie's sleeping."

"It is one in the morning," Bucky pointed out, grinning and playing with one of her curls. "That would make sense."

"Hmm." She turned and smiled up at him. "I have to pack C'mon, Sarge." She took his hand and led him down the hallway to her room. "You've got plenty of paper to write me?" she asked, setting her flowers on her nightstand. Then she pulled her suitcase out from under her bed. She opened it on top of her quilt and then went to her wardrobe, throwing the doors open.

He watched as she pulled out the things she needed and began fitting them in the bag. "Yeah. I've got plenty. How long are you going to be gone?"

"Week minimum. After that, it depends." She closed the suitcase and pressed down on it as she secured it. When she pulled back, she was rubbing her right shoulder. "You know, if you had told me three years ago that any of this would be happening . . . ."

"I know what you mean." He stepped forward. "Shoulder hurting you?"

"Um, just a bit. You hungry? I'm hungry."

He followed her back to the main room and pushed her towards the couch. "Rest," he murmured. "I'll get you something to eat."

"You don't—"

"Sit down." He stepped over to the kitchen and dug around before coming up with the right supplies. He made a sandwich and then moved back over to her. "Am I gonna have to ask Howard to make sure you eat while I'm gone?" he asked, setting the plate down on her lap. He stepped behind her and began kneading out the pain in her shoulder.

"No, you don't have to do that," she murmured, picking up the sandwich. "I'll be okay." She devoured the sandwich, listening to him hum as he worked. Matilda set her empty plate aside and rested her head back against the cushions. "I love you, Sarge" she murmured.

He leaned down and kissed her forehead. "I love you too, Tilly."

She reached up and tugged on his sleeve. "Come sit with me."

He laughed and the hopped over the back of the couch, landing on the cushions. Matilda took off his cap and ran her hands through his hand. Then with a grin, she put on the hat. "How do I look?"

Bucky smirked at her. "Fabulous."

Matilda jerked awake at the feeling of something wrong. She blinked, sitting up and rubbing her eyes. She winced at the feeling and wrinkled her nose. She hadn't taken her makeup off last night? Yawning, she glanced around. Confusion set in. Why was she in the main room? Why—

The heavy yawn caught her attention and she jerked her gaze to the side. Bucky dragged a hand down his face, sitting up. "Wha— Tilly?" he mumbled tiredly. "What's wrong?"

"I—" Okay, then, apparently they'd fallen asleep on the couch. The Expo had made her more tired than she thought. Matilda glanced towards the clock. "Shit!" She scrambled up. "I have to get ready!"

"Wh-what?"

"Where's your stuff? Is it at your place? Go get it! I'll drive you to the docks! We don't want to be late!" With that, she dashed down the hall and into the bathroom, slamming the door behind her. Matilda hurriedly rinsed off her face and scrubbed off her makeup. Her eyes tried to close and she yawned for a moment before shaking her head furiously to keep herself awake. After reapplying her makeup, she stepped out into the hallway, running her hands through her hair. A glance towards the main room told her that Bucky had already left. A few minutes later, she was dressed with her hair redone and hopping out of her room as she tried to slip on her shoes.

She was in the middle of making breakfast when the door opened. She glanced back to find Bucky stepping inside, uniform fixed back up and his bag over his shoulder. "Got everything?"

"Sure do?" He set the bag by the door and stepped over to her. Bucky slid his arms around her waist from behind and kissed her cheek. "I'm going to miss you so much," he whispered.

She shivered at his low voice and then dished out the eggs on three plates, alongside the bacon and toast that were already there. "I'll miss you too. Now eat up. You'll, uh, you'll definitely need your strength."

He took his plate with murmured thanks and she carried the last two over to the table. As he sat down, Bucky asked, "Steve?"

"Not up yet. He's probably just tired." She brushed off her skirt and stepped down the hallway. Matilda paused at Steve's door and knocked softly. "Stevie, food's ready when you get up, okay?"

There was no answer.

"I'll see you when I get back." With that, she returned to the table.

"Nothing?"

Matilda shook her head. "Like I said: tired." She took a bite of her toast and glanced nervously at the clock. "We've only got a few minutes. After you leave, Howard and I are—"

"You look nice."

She blinked, stopping short. "I—" She flushed deeply. "Yeah, I— Thanks." She sat down her toast. "C'mon, we need to go now. Let me grab my bag and—"

"You need to eat before—"

"We have to go now or you're going to be late," she interrupted, disappearing into her room. She returned a moment later, carrying her suitcase and her keys in hand. "Let's go." She waved him out the door ahead of her. "Bye, Stevie!" She closed the door behind them and locked it. "C'mon. You can't miss that boat."

"I won't miss it. We'll be okay." He took her suitcase from her and motioned her down the stairs ahead of him. "Where are you going, by the way? I know it's military business, but where are you being sent? Um, if I'm allowed to know."

She hesitated and glanced back at him. Then she unlocked the car before walking around to the back to open the trunk. "Camp Lehigh."

He blinked. "Really? That's where I was." He set their bags in the trunk and then closed it.

"I know. Howard and I have a working contract with Colonel Phillips." She slid into the front seat and then waited for him to get in. Then she took off. "Hey, Sarge?"

"What is it?" he asked.

"You—" She cut herself off as she took a sharp corner and narrowly avoided hitting another car. "You'll be okay, right?"

"Of— Car!"

"Yeah, I see it," she muttered.

Bucky took a deep breath. "Um, yeah. Of course I'll be okay. As long as you don't kill us before I even make it on the boat."

"Of course I won't. I'm a perfectly safe driver." As she said it, she swung in through a side street and sped down it before turning onto the last street to the docks. "I haven't killed anyone yet." She pulled to a stop and turned off the car. But even as Bucky got out of the car and closed his door, she didn't move. After a minute, his door opened again and he bent down so he could look inside, his bag slung over his shoulder.

"You know," he said softly, "I still have to leave even if you stay in here."

"Yeah, I know," she rasped, drumming her fingers nervously on the wheel. "I'm working on it."

He sighed and the door closed again. Matilda leaned her head forward against the steering wheel and took a long, shaky breath. Her door opened this time and a hand touched her shoulder. "C'mon, Tilly. Let's get you out. I want to say goodbye." He slid his hand down her arm and gently grasped her wrist. He pulled her out with a easy tug and she immediately curled into his chest, hiding her face in his shoulder. "I know," he murmured, closing the car door and then holding her close. "I know. I'm gonna miss you too."

She pulled back and sniffled a little, eyes shining even though her face was dry of tears. "I love you, Sarge."

"Love you too. You take care of yourself now, you hear me?"

"I hear you."

"Good." He glanced over his shoulder at the officer that was checking the soldiers in and then waving them on the boat. "I have to go. I'll write you." He pulled back and gave her a half-hearted salute.

Matilda tried to form the words to ask him to stay, but her voice died in her throat. She could only hug her arms to herself and watch as he left. She took a shaky breath and looked down. When she blinked, she felt the water roll down her far and off her nose and she watched as it splashed against the ground below.

Loud footsteps sounded and she looked up to find Bucky just a few feet away. He closed the distance and she opened her mouth to ask what he was doing when he grabbed her wrist and pulled her forward. He pressed his lips against hers and brought his hands up to her face, framing her jawline as they kissed. Matilda's eyes widened and then she realized what was happening and pressed into it, letting her eyes fall closed.

Far too soon, he pulled back and took a deep breath as he leaned his forehead against hers. "I love you," he said, voice raw. "I'm coming back to you. I promise that. Okay?"

She sniffed and this time couldn't stop the tears. She nodded and smiled blearily. "Okay," she rasped. "I love you."

The officer blew his whistle and Bucky hesitated. He brushed her tears away with his knuckles. "I'm coming back." The whistle sounded again. "I love you." Then he turned and, this time not looking back, took off for the boat at a jog. Matilda just watched, tugging out her handkerchief and using it to dry her tears, as Bucky spoke to the officer and then was waved aboard.

A hand touched her shoulder and she jumped, looking to the side. "Oh. Howie."

He smiled, though it was tinged with worry. "Sad goodbye, huh?"

"Um, yeah." She tucked her handkerchief away and cleared her throat, eying his suitcase. "Put it in the trunk. We need to get going."

"Tills, are you okay?"

"C'mon, we can't be late."

"Matilda, my dear, it is good to see you." Abraham embraced her and, as he pulled back, placed a kiss on each of her cheeks. "You are well?"

"I am. You seem excited," she pointed out, smiling.

"Ja! And I have every reason to be, fräuline! I believe we have found the man! The right man. The good man."

Her eyes widened. "Really? Just like that?"

"Yes, yes. I met him at the recruitment center at that Expo of yours. The colonel probably will not be impressed, but his concerns will disappear once he sees the effects of the serum."

"If it works," Howard pointed out. "We can't be sure until we actually use it. For all we know, it'll kill the poor guy right now."

Matilda winced and shook her head. With a sigh, she started walking to where Chester was speaking with the new recruits. "Abraham seems pretty sure about this, Howie."

Abraham stopped short where they were, looking ahead at where Peggy and Chester were speaking to the soldiers. He pointed. "There he is. Rogers, Steven."

And then Matilda felt her heart drop into a bath of ice and panic squeezed around her ribs as she stared at the last person she had ever expected to see at Camp Lehigh. "S-stevie?" she stuttered.

Abraham looked at her in surprise. "Ah, you know him?"

"Yeah . . . . Yes, I do. He's my brother."