Iris fidgeted in front of the mirror. Her hair was pinned back from her face and left to rest down her back. Her lips were painted a light pink and a light shade of blush was added to her already rosy cheeks. The midnight blue dress she wore was different from the dresses she normally wore. The beautiful fabric clung to her hips, instead of flaring out. Her feet were in a pair of decent sized heels and the bottom of her dress ended at her ankles. Irises heart thumped in her chest as she look herself over. She hadn't dressed herself up like this since Steve's birthday, but for some reason this felt different. This time Steve knew her feeling and returned them.
With a steady breath Iris walked away from the mirror and grabbed her clutch. Steve and Bucky had invited her to the pub not far from the base to celebrate Bucky's rescue and Steve bravery. Iris felt a little silly dressing up, but she wanted to.
Waving her hand she hailed a cab from the street and told the driver where to go. The pub was already full of rowdy soldiers when Iris arrived. She clutched the silver pendent that never left her neck as she entered the pub. At first nobody really noticed her as looked for Steve and Bucky, but as she walked further into the pub the chatter quieted down and the men all stared at her.
Iris face bloomed red as she took notice of the stares. Her mind wanted to panic, but once her gaze found the wide blue eyes she was looking for, her heart calmed down. Steve stood from a bar stool and greeted Iris as she walked up to him.
"Iris, you look, wow, you look beautiful." Steve told her. Iris smiled and returned the comment.
"Thank you, Steve. You look quite handsome yourself." Iris looked over the now larger man. He really did look the part of the dutiful American soldier in his uniform.
"You're one lucky man, Steve." Bucky stood next to Steve and patted him on the back. "You really do look beautiful, Doll."
"Thank you, Bucky." Iris smiled softly at him as he patted Steve one more time before picking up his drink and leaving the two alone.
"You really do look beautiful tonight Iris." Steve took her hand and lead her to an empty table away from all the noise.
The two were quiet for a moment. Just basking in each other's presence after being apart for so long. It felt nice, as if there wasn't a war happening, or that Steve would once again be in the middle of it any day now. It wasn't something Iris really wanted to think about, but that was the truth of it. This is why Steve underwent Dr. Abrahams super soldier experiment.
Irises eyes looked out over the patrons of the pub. They were singing and drinking away the frights the war offered them. It was nice seeing all those men from Italy let loose and relax, if only for a moment.
"They all look relieved to be away from the front line." She commented. Steve glanced at the men and Bucky and nodded.
"Yeah, A few of them agreed to join a team with Bucky and I." Steve said. Iris look back to Steve. His eyes stayed on the men for a moment before looking back at Iris.
"When do you leave again?" She asked. Steve sighed and took her hand in his. Her small delicate hand felt warm and safe held in his. It was calming effect on the both of them.
"In three days. Plans are being made over the maps I was able to bring back from that Hydra base." Steve started. "We'll be able to hit them where it hurts without them knowing were coming."
Iris nodded in understanding and her gaze went to their joined hands. Her hand held on a little tighter to his. Irises thought of the past, without war, but it was the future without war that truly held her thoughts. A life with Steve, her Steve.
"Promise me you'll come back." Iris whispered. "I know you have to do this, but just promise me you'll come back to me." Her eyes went to his and she held his gaze.
"I promise, Iris, I promise, I'll come back to you." Steve pulled her hand close to his chest and kept her gave. " I love you Iris."
Steve's eyes never wavered from hers and Iris felt her heartbeat pick up speed. He spoke so strongly and was so sure of his words. Iris couldn't help but fall even further in love with him in that moment.
"I love you too Steve." Iris cupped his cheek with her other hand. "I'll always love you."
The base was a flurry of activity when Steve arrived, once again dressed in his uniform. He wanted to go find Iris, but was reminded by Agent Carter that Iris has a job to do on base and he was needed by Stark and the Colonel. But, he kept in mind to slip away at some point and visit the tiny nurse.
The medical station had been empty for most of the morning, so Iris spent most of her time training other nurses and organizing the stations. When noon came around Iris sent the other nurses to lunch while she held down the medical station. Not long after that a soldier came in from training with a broken wrist.
The man had a cocky grin and hadn't stopped taking since the other men who brought him had left. His constant chatter and innuendos towered Iris made her uncomfortable as she hurried to treat him.
"So, Doll Face, I can show you a good time if you like." The man started at one point during his healing. "How about tonight? We go out into the city. Just me and you."
"This should only take a minute." She started. "Just hold still."
Iris did her best to ignore the man's comments as she set his wrists with a crack. The man grunted in pain and Iris smirked a little as she started healing the broken appendage. She wanted to be done with it as fast as she could, but the throbbing pain in her own wrist reminded her to do it right.
The soldier smiled at the pretty nurse as she concentrated her strange gift on his wrist. His thoughts drifted to an unwanted place as he reached out with his other hand to pull her closer. But before he could touch her a much stronger hand grabbed his.
"I think that's enough." Iris jumped at the sudden sound of Steve's voice behind her.
"Hey, listen here pal." The man started.
"There, all healed up." Iris was quick to finish healing the soldier's wrist and sending him on his way before he could do something truly foolish.
Steve watched the man leave the station and didn't relax until he was gone from the room completely
"Are you alright?" Steve asked, watching her rub at her wrist.
"Yeah, it was just a broken wrist." She told him. Steve stared at her for a moment, he didn't like Iris being in pain after healing someone, but that was the way her gift worked.
"Steve, are you alright?" Iris stared up at the super soldier with worry. Steve pushed his worries aside with a shake of his head.
"Yeah, I'm fine." He started. "Come on, I want to show you something."
Iris followed Steve with a happy smile, their hands still connected after they left the medical station. Steve was sure to show her his new shield made by Mr. Stark, as well has the new uniforms made for the team.
"Steve, these are amazing." Iris said as she gazed at the uniform. But something in her voice caught Steves attention. He looked down at her and saw the worried look on her face. Feeling his gaze, Iris looked up at the taller man. She tried to hide her worry with a smile, but it didn't quite reach her eyes and Steve saw right through it. Iris loved him, and the fact that he was heading straight into the eye of storm made her stomach twist.
"Hey, I made a promise, remember." Steve cupped her face in his hand. "I'll come back."
Iris held his hand to her face and gazed into his eyes for a moment. They were so blue, and so sure. Both of them had found something bigger than themselves, but that didn't mean she didn't want to be selfish, for just a moment.
"I love you." Her words were strong and true, and all Steve needed to hear.
Two days later Steve, Bucky, and the Howling Commandos were shipped off back to the front line. Iris had both Steve and Bucky vow to take care of each other and stay safe. Then she was left alone, her thoughts focused on doing her best to not think about the carnage of the war and Steve in the middle of it all.
While Iris was safe in London, Steve and his team were taking down Hydra bases, one right after another. During any time outside of the war Steves thoughts strayed to the tiny nurse back in London. He even kept a photo of her in his compas, something he kept on his person at all times. When he wasn't busy making plans or taking down the enemy, Steves mind wandered to what Iris and him would do after the war.
It warmed his chest to think about the future, a future with Iris. He had promised to take her dancing, but they both aren't big fans, so he spent his time thinking of something else. Steve was going to do everything he could to make her happy. When this war was over, he was going to take care of her; show her just how much he loved her.
Two weeks passed and Iris heard very little of Captain America and his team. She did her best to send Steve letters but, only ever got one reply. She knew he was busy, but not hearing from him made her worry.
With her thoughts constantly racing, Iris was surprised to hear she Colonel Philips was asking for her. She made her way to the debriefing room and found the Colonel along with Agent Carter.
"Hello Colonel, Agent." Iris greeted them. "Is there something you needed?" She wasn't often called away from the medical station.
"Nurse Iris." Colonel Philips started. "Were sending you back to Italy. We have soldiers in desperate need of your gift, and to few nurses stationed out there."
This came as a shock to Iris. They had been adamant about keeping her in London, but things must be bad enough to warrant sending her out so close to the front lines.
"Alright, when do I leave?" With that, Iris and Agent Carter left for Italy the next morning. Iris could only hope that she would get a chance to see Steve and Bucky, but her hopes were put to rest. She had a very important job to do, and a chance to save many lives in the process.
A/N: I apologize for taking so long to update this story. Its taken me some time to find some sort of muse to write at all. This chapter means a lot to me, it got me out of my funk and gave me some inspiration. It feels real good to write again. So thank you to all that still enjoy this story and I hope this chapter makes up for the long wait.