Steve smiled down at me as the music played in the hall. It was New Year's Eve and midnight had just struck. Most of the Commandos had asked for me to be their first kiss of the year, and I complied. But at the last minute I tricked them but moving my head at the last moment, opting for a kiss on the cheek. I hugged Will tightly.

However, Bucky wouldn't take no for an answer, since after his kiss on his cheek, he grasped my face in his hands and dipped me down for a passionate kiss. The soldiers around us cheered as we pulled up; I smacked him on the shoulder as I blushed.

"You seemed to enjoy that." Steve quipped as I walked to him, taking a sip of my scotch. I rolled my eyes as I sat next to him in a simple wooden chair.

"Whatever you say, Rogers." I shook my head and he laughed. "Now hold still." I mumbled as I grasped his chin. "You need a New Year's kiss." I gave him a smacking kiss on his right cheek, and he blushed as I released his chin. I laughed and asked jokingly, "You enjoy that, Cap?"

Steve turned to me and rested his hand on mine, he then leaned forward and kissed my cheek. "Happy New Year, Josephine." I felt my face heat up and redden as I smiled at my captain.

"Happy New Year, Steven." I grabbed my drink and leaned back in my chair, observing the rest of the soldiers in the corners, whispering and pointing towards me. "Geez, you'd think I was a kiss-o-gram." I muttered, sipping on the brown liquid. "The way that everyone else is looking at me." I glanced down at the simply designed glass that held my drink.

I didn't even think that I had dressed too untastefully. I had packed one skirt, aside from the one I wore on the plane ride to England, I was dressed in the cream knee-length A-lined skirt with black polka dots and a long-sleeve black blouse. My hair had been left untouched and there was only a swipe of red lipstick. I gazed at my glass in exasperation, "This doesn't help much either." I pursed my lips in frustration.

"Erskine had told me that it might happen, a side effect." I looked up at Steve, "Did he ever tell you?"

I shook my head, "I never really drank when I was around him, out of respect. And if he brought some of his own..." Steve smirked as I trailed off. "It's more for the taste now. I used to drink with my father when my mom had late nights at the bakery." I smiled, "I'm pretty sure to this day, she still doesn't know."

"You still miss him." I nodded, swallowing and thinking back to Isaak. It was very odd for me to think about him now, since it had been over a month since he had died, but every so often he pops into my head. I looked down back at my glass and traced the edge of it with my free hand.

"He taught me how to defend myself, how to shoot." I looked back up to Steve. "I wish I could say I was fighting for him." I swallowed heavily and began to chew the inside of my bottom lip.

I heard Steve sigh, "I wish I could say the same for my parents." I glanced up at him again and saw the sadness and heartbreak in his eyes.

I gave him a sad smile and raised my glass to my shoulder. "To those who raised us, teaching us inner strength and undying love." I took a sip as Steve nodded. I swallowed the liquid and widened my smile. "My dad would have liked you a lot, you know. My mom sure does." He smiled, "You'll most likely meet her, after this is all over. That is if you want to."

Steve smiled broadly, "I'd like that." Cheers from the men pulled us away from the conversation. "Do you think we should join them?"

I shook my head, "As much as I would like to, Steve, I think soldiers and alcohol don't mix too well, throw someone like me into that mix and it gets worse." I sighed before downing the remaining contents of my glass. I rose from my seat. "No, I believe I'll go and write a kind letter to my mother and retire for the night." I looked down at Steve, "And you, Captain?"

He looked out toward the troops, "I'll catch up with you in a bit, Josie." I smiled and grabbed my coat off the chair, sliding it over me and buttoning it up. "Lieutenant."

I smiled, "Captain." Shoving my hands into my pockets of the coat, I stepped out of the hall. I shuddered as the cold winter air shoved its way onto my bare face.

I walked quickly over the frozen ground and to the thinly covered tent. I changed quickly into a thick pair of pants and a tight long-sleeve shirt, attempting to protect myself from the weather. I reached for a pen and paper in my trunk to write to my mom. I composed myself, keeping in mind that I had to take on a different persona for her letter. I had always been formal with my mother after I had moved to New York, but I assume after the war, we could easily warm up to each other again. Well, I could try.

'Dear Mother,

Happy New Year! I hope that it's not too unpleasant back in Omaha, it's freezing here. I think that my captain might throw me out of the tent if I continue to complain.

I hope that the bakery had a good month, since you always sell out of cakes and cookies for the holidays a week before Christmas.

William and I are still healthy and uninjured, even after the secret attack on the camp after we had stopped at an RAF and Soviet bast. Our captain took quite a blow to his back when we where carrying out our first mission, but he seems perfectly fine.

I know that once our job is done, this war will end soon. So don't worry too much, mom.

Love,

Josephine.'

I sighed as I folded up the paper and capped the pen. I blinked my eyes a few times and stood up, stretching my arms and back.

"I'm surprised." I turned to see Steve enter the tent, "You usually wrap yourself in a blanket and start shivering and swearing." I rolled my eyes, but began to rub my arms.

"I wonder why I didn't feel it until you left the tent flap open." I smirked as he dropped the flap of the tent, closing it. "I hope I was civil enough for her." I sighed as I licked the flap of the envelope and pressed it closed.

"The last time you wrote to her was..." Oh, he had forgotten. I swallowed heavily as I began to her address in Nebraska.

"Before we shipped off. I used some very choice and colorful words in that one." I looked up at Steve. "Hopefully she'll find this one in better company." He gave me a hopeful smile. "But that's all I can do for now." I placed the letter in the trunk, then looked up to my captain.

"Right, I'll leave you to, well, that." I pointed to the pole of sleepwear, then turned around to face the other side of the tent. I bit my lip as I heard the rustle of clothes and Steve clearing his throat nervously. "I can leave." I hear the rustling stop. "If I still make you uncomfortable, I can step out for a bit, out of the tent."

I stood still in the silence, then heard footsteps move closer to me. "Josie, it's fine. Having you here make things a little calmer, since you're never nervous."

Confused, I whipped around, aware that Steve's chest was bare. "You don't think I ever get nervous?" I snapped at him. "Being here, fighting for my life and for thousands of others has never made me so nervous in my entire life! And then there's you!" I jabbed a finger at him, "You have it all on a damn silver platter. You're the one who seems so put together."

"Maybe out on the battlefield." Steve mumbled, his face turning red. "But this-" He gestured to himself and I rolled my eyes.

"Oh for God's sake, Rogers. I've already seen you without a shirt, twice. It just takes time to adjust, to adapt to these extreme social conditions. I've spent plenty of time being wooed left and right, so this is not of ill consequence." I sighed, "This is you chance to adapt. A blushing soldier can only be endearing for so long." I smiled at him, "It's your call, Cap." I turned back and placed my hands on my hips, waiting for a response.

There was a sigh from Steve, "You can turn around." I smiled and turned back to face him.

"I hoped you'd adapt. You're used to it." I winked at him and poked his chest. I blinked astonishment, "Wow, these are real." I watched Steve blush. "Sorry, I can't help but toy with you for a bit." I smiled apologetically at him. I walked to my cot and picked up my borrowed book from Steve, "Now put some damn clothes on. I don't want to sleep near a Capsicle." I hugged myself and felt myself shivering, placing the open book in my folded lap. "Is it me, or did it just drop another 20 degrees?" I turned to Steve, "And here I thought that New York was cold when I moved from Nebraska. This is nothing." I grabbed my folded blankets and tossed them over me. "I think I'll be the one turning into an icicle." Steve laughed, "I'm glad you find my lack of body heat funny, Rogers. Wait until you see me as blue as your uniform and we'll see how funny it is." I glanced as him as I lay down in my cot. "Sleep well." I turned over and closed my eyes, attempting to fall asleep.

"If you're gonna keep complaining." Steve mumbled. I heard the rustle of sheets and more weight was placed on me. I turned to look at Steve.

"Keep your sheets." I muttered, picking them up. Steve shook his head and I stared at him, confused on this extremely generous gesture.

"Adjustment, right?" He picked up both sets of sheets and smiled at me. "We'll share both of them."

My eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Well, someone's adapting quickly." I smiled back and tried to scoot over. "Come on, I can already feel the numbness spreading."

He shook his head and crawled into the sheets of the cot, his body heat quickly changing the temperature of the small bed. "Lift your head." I did as I was told, and his arm rested on the pillow, and I rested my head on it.

"You're so warm." I mumbled, a sleepy smile on my face as exhaustion finally caught up to me. I gazed sleepily at Steve, knowing that a goofy smile was on my face. "Happy New Year, Steve Rogers." I leaned forward and placed my lips on his for a quick moment. "And good night." I didn't move back from his face, but closed my eyes, allowing sleep to finally take over.

I woke with a startle, the yelling outside caused me to look around. I remembered Steve sharing the cot with me before I fell asleep, but that was it. That was all I remembered. I grabbed my boots and slid them on with my jacket, stepping out of the tent.

"What the hell is going on?" I yelled as silence fell over the campsite. "It must be pretty damn important, since you're all yelling loud enough for the Third Reich to hear us in Berlin." I glared at all of them again, "Fine, don't tell me. But I know that you haven't slept yet, and I can be very loud if I want to be." I turned back, but made a full circle as I face them again. "Has anyone seen Rogers?"

"He went for a walk, but that was an hour ago." Bucky said, "He looked like there was something really racking his brain."I stepped off the tent platform and walked down to him. "He didn't tell me what was wrong."

I smiled, "Just go get some rest, Barnes. I'll see what' troubling Steve." Bucky nodded and retreated to his tent. I stepped off the campsite to look for my commanding officer.

I wandered through the heavily wooded area and darkness until I saw a familiar figure sitting on what looked like a tree trunk. "Steven?" I called and I walked forward to face him. "What's wrong? The boys woke me up and Bucky said that you walked off." Steve's face flushed. Realization hit me, "Oh God, did I say or do something before I fell asleep?" I covered my mouth with a numbing hand as Steve's face darkened. "That's it, isn't it?" He was definitely red now. "Steve, whatever happened, you need to forget it. I wasn't myself." He opened his mouth to speak, "Please, Steve. Whatever I did is not nearly as important as what we have to do on the battlefield and we can't worry about petty think I did half-awake and partially drunk." I held out a had to him. "Just come back, get some sleep. Since you haven't yet."

"How did you know that?" He looked completely confused and astonished as he stood up.

"Being Irish has its downsides. I can see the bags and dark circles under your eyes." I pointed to his face as I spoke. "Come on, I need my cheap heater." He laughed and took my hand.

We returned to the tent in silence as everyone else had dispersed and were most likely passed out in their tents. Steve slipped into the cot first and hugged me close to him as I got comfortable in the small space between us. I closed my eyes and fell into a comfortable sleep.

"Josie, hurry up." A voice called out to me. "Hurry up or we'll miss it." I was moving up hill and it seemed much more difficult than usual, even with the packs I have to carry.

"Oh for God's sake, Stark. I'm pregnant with twins. I'm hurrying as fast as I can carry myself." I huffed as I went up the incline. My hand instinctively went to my bulging stomach, as I continued to ascend the hill.

"Give her a break. She can still take you down and you know it." I looked up to Steve, who placed one hand where mine was and the other arm wrapped around my waist, slowly pushing me up. "Some father I am, huh?"

I gave him a small smile, "I think fiancé is more appropriate. They haven't even come yet and I've never seen you this worried, not even in Germany." Steve continued to help me up to the top of the hill and I nearly fell over as I rested my hands on my knees, which was difficult enough already. "Alright, happy Tony? I'm here. What was I going to miss?"

"Just this." Lights in Flushing Meadows blinded us as the wind picked up, sending my shoulder-length dark brown hair past my face. I pulled my navy blue hoodie closer to me.

I watched in complete astonishment as I watched the lights. "Stark Expo." I murmured. "I thought you scrapped ever doing it again after Vanko."

"Well, I remember how much you wanted to be here for the last one." He looked like his father in the glow of the lights. "I thought that this would be a good wedding present for both of you."

Steve opened his mouth in protest, but I squeezed his hand to stop him from talking. "Before we accept it, is it-"

"It's opened to the public." Tony smiled, "You two would never be happy with it otherwise." Swept with emotion, I released myself from Steve's grasp and hugged Stark.

"Thank you, Tony. It's perfect."

I opened my eyes as Steve's arms tightened around me. Pursing my lips, I prayed that this moment would last a little longer. I brushed fallen hair from my captain's face. He looked so at peace, so calm and I couldn't sense any tension in his muscles as he slept.

My lips curled in to a smile as I squirmed around in the ungodly heat he was giving off. He was like a furnace. I saw Steve smile and I narrowed my eyes. "How long have you been awake?" I asked quietly, nearly an audible whisper.

Steve opened his eyes. "A little before you woke up. You looked so different, I couldn't bring myself to wake you and get up." I put my head on Steve's arm again and looked up at him. "You were talking in your sleep."

"Was I?" I remembered some of my dream and I felt my brows furrow, "I didn't say anything stupid, did I?"

He chuckled and shook his head, "Aside from the mumbling about being pregnant, that's all I got." he shrugged his shoulders. "And God help the poor man who's the father."

I laughed as I sat up in the bed, sending the sheets toward the foot of the cot. "I happen to think I can make some poor bastard happy." I slapped Steve's arm as he sat up. "And I'll be peachy keen through the whole process."

"A dollar says it can't be done." Steve rose out of the bed and went to his trunk, pulling out his choice of clothes for the day, before we set out later in the day.

"You're on, Rogers." I smirked as I took off my long-sleeve shirt and tossed it at his head. I laughed loudly as I grabbed a black shirt and threw it over my head as he tuned to face me, blush crawling up his neck. "I gotta find a poor bastard first." I stood up and patted his cheek. "But I'll leave you to Peggy." I smiled and stepped out of the tent.

"How did you figure that out?" Steve was the perfect shade of red. So the feeling was mutual, not that it was too difficult to decipher.

"The first night I met you. The look you two you gave each other could have set the bar on fire." We were the only two out on the campsite as I looked around. "I'll keep my trap shut. You just need to grow up and do something about it." I poked his chest and turned to the open tent.

"So, how about some food?" The open tent stored plenty of the provisions and ammunition, keeping us completely prepared in case we were stranded or were to run out of ammo or guns between missions. Both of which were highly unlikely, because of Steve's public profile and my paranoia to always be prepared.

"'Cause I have to admit, I'm starving." I called back as I grabbed the pan and a few eggs, which we had to use first before they froze. A bit of butter was placed in the pan as I took the eggs out and put the pan on the rest over the fire. I watched the butter melt and cracked the eggs into the pan, I listened to them crackle from the hear and watched the edges bubble.