Hi, DragonOfErebor here, this is my first story so I'm still learning the ropes. All comments
accepted as constructive criticism please review. Might take me some time to figure out how to
post another chapter…. Enjoy, I guess.
Just realised I forgot the disclaimer oops! I only own my OC. Everything else? Not mine.
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"Come on, please just give me a shot. I pass all the requirements" Grace pleaded with the man at the desk.
"Apart from this" He pointed to the small box she had written an F in, for female.
"Being a man isn't a requirement!" she retorted
"Trust me, I'm doing you a favour," he said, stamping a red 4F on her file "you could try being a nurse" he added.
"I tried" she growled "they sent me home" she stormed off before he could say anything else.
Lily-Grace Rogers, known mostly as Grace, was a petite young woman with baby blue eyes like her
brother and wavy golden hair that fell to her waist. Before the war, she had worked as a hairdresser,
until the salon was bombed. Then she had worked as a nurse overseas at the start of the war, but
that hadn't worked out too well. Currently, she was working with her brother at the comic-book
store, doing illustrations. With a sigh, she unlocked the apartment and switched on the lights before
setting about making supper. Steve would be back earlier than usual, which gave them time to
prepare. She made chicken stew and was just started on the cake when the door shut, showing
Steve had got home.
"You're late" she called to him, if the clock was right, he should have been home almost twenty minutes ago.
"I went to enlist" he replied
"Oh, any luck?"
"What do you think?"
Grace smiled and put down the flour, "if it makes you feel better, I tried to enlist too, I guess that
guy just has a thing against Rogers"
"Thanks, Lils. Now I'll set up the table and get the gifts, you finish the cake. I think we've just about
got time."
Grace nodded and the two got to work. By the time the clock struck five, the two had finished. They
waited and heard the bell ring.
"I'll see him in," Steve said, returning a few minutes followed by Bucky.
"Happy birthday, Buck" Grace yelled when he stepped in the room, engulfing him in a hug that Steve
soon joined in When they separated, Bucky looked around the room: the table covered with the nice
white cloth, the plates warming in the oven and the cutlery neatly placed. Then his eyes went to the
cake cooling on the side, the dish of chicken stew and the presents in the corner.
"Thanks, guys, you didn't need to do all this for me"
"But we wanted to," Steve said firmly, smiling with his sister.
They sat down and ate. They were halfway through the meal before Bucky gasped
"I almost forgot! I enlisted this morning and guess what? I got in!"
"no way! That's great Buck" Steve cried, Grace, saying something similar.
"it's sergeant Barnes now," Bucky said with a grin, Steve rolling his eyes in return
"When are you headed out?" Grace asked
"two weeks from tomorrow"
"two weeks!" Grace exclaimed before her features settled into a smile that showed she was
planning something. "The world fair is a day before, that should be as good a send-off as any"
"Sounds perfect." Bucky said with a grin "Would you give me the pleasure of accompanying me?" he
asked with mock politeness
"I'd be honoured, sergeant Barnes" Grace replied in kind before the two burst out laughing.
They finished supper and Bucky opened his presents; a set of handkerchiefs Grace had made and a
swiss army knife from Steve. The cake, despite not having enough sugar, was delicious, the
strawberries on top making it sweeter. At last, it was time for Bucky to go home as he had the early
shift the next morning.
After their friend left, Grace and Steve sat around talking for a while before Steve asked very
suddenly "you don't enjoy working at the comic store, do you?"
"well, I don't hate it and it brings in money" she replied, looking unsure as to where the conversation
was headed
"but if you could do any job, then what would you do?"
The question caught grace off guard and she exhaled before answering "If I could do any job, I'd be
an agent for the SSR." She tried to sound neutral but Steve could see the way her eyes sparkled
when she thought of it.
"So why don't you apply?" he asked curiously
"We're at war in case you hadn't noticed and besides, they probably wouldn't take me" she said,
slumping slightly
"Are you kidding? You were one of the smartest kids in school, you're the smartest person I know,
and you know tons of fighting styles. You'd be perfect"
Grace just shrugged and yawned. "I'm gonna head up to bed; need my beauty sleep," she said,
walking towards the door
"Night Lils"
"Night Stevie" she replied, disappearing through the door.
Two weeks later…
Bucky and Steve were waiting downstairs in the apartment wearing matching black suits.
"what's taking her so long?" Steve asked and bucky just shrugged in response.
At last, they heard footsteps on the stairs. The two looked over and their jaws dropped. Grace stood
on the stairs in a beautiful red dress with heels, nails and lipstick to match. Her curled hair rested on
her left shoulder and black eyeliner made her eyes seem bluer
"You look beautiful, Shortbread" Bucky breathed, using the nickname for her that only he could use.
"And you don't clean up to bad yourself, sarge" she responded, a cheeky smirk hiding her blush
"shall we go, gentlemen?"
They got into the car and drove to the world fair. Grace gasped at the sight of all the bright lights and
people.
"Shall we?" Bucky asked her once they had found Steve's date, extending his hand.
She smiled brightly and slipped her hand into his. They reached the floor and danced the foxtrot
together for a while before, when Grace was getting a drink, another girl had come over and Grace
told Bucky he might as well dance with someone else as she was quite out of breath. Grace was sat
near the bar when something caught her eye. A man not older than forty was sat by himself, looking
at a newspaper, occasionally glancing around the crowd as if checking for something. At first, she
shrugged it off as someone who, like her, was taking a break while his partner danced. However,
when the song ended and he didn't even look up, suspicions began forming in her mind. Placing her
drink on the table, she sauntered over to him
"Hey fella, how comes a handsome man like you ain't dancing?" she said, making her voice slightly
higher than usual and her accent more pronounced.
"I was waiting for the right partner, I suppose," he said with a smile.
She detected a covered German accent behind his words. It's probably nothing. Maman was
German, she reminded herself, but there seemed to be something off about him
"How about a dance?" she asked with a smile
He glanced around before looking back at her "I suppose it can't hurt"
He led her in the dance, though he was slightly stiff, he had clearly danced before and was rather
good. That wasn't what was occupying Grace's thoughts, however; he kept glancing around the room
still and every now and then he would lock eyes with other men who, like himself, were sat around
the room by themselves. Now, Grace was in no way a spy or an agent but her father had been and
had taught her many things before his death. They, whoever they were, were clearly waiting for
something. As they danced, Grace noticed a strange bulge in his suit which she suspected was a
pistol. Steeling herself, she waited until they did a complicated spin and slipped her hand into his
jacket and out again, clutching a small pistol in one fluid motion, the weapon slipping into a
concealed pocket in her dress. Luckily, the dance ended soon after
"You sure know how to cut a mean rug," she said with a smile, returning to the table by the bar.
Grace pulled out the pistol behind the cover of reading a newspaper. She noticed a small button on
the side. When she pressed it, a small compartment opened out with a piece of paper folded neatly
inside. On it, scrawled messily in German were the words
Find Dr Erskine. Disable but do not kill. Return him to Red Skull
Grace frowned and re-folded the paper, tucking it back inside the pistol's compartment. She looked
up and saw her brother leaving the enrolling office, grinning from ear to ear. She was walking over to
him when another, older man followed him out. Instantly, one of the suspicious men had pulled out
a gun and was discreetly aiming it at the man's shoulder. Without a second thought, Grace held up
the stolen pistol.
"Sie schießen und ich werde" she said fluently in German to the man with the gun
His head whipped around but he smirked when he saw who was holding the gun.
"nicht bewegen" she told him, pointing the weapon at his chest "die lassen Sie die Waffe fallen"
He put his hands up and dropped the weapon before leaping away. Grace's eyes widened and she
stumbled away, seeing the red flashing light on the side of the gun.
"grenade" she shouted, just as it exploded
She was thrown backwards, getting cuts on her face and arms from the shrapnel. It didn't look like
anyone had been seriously hurt, but there was a stampede for the exit. Searching the crowd, she
saw the man making his way towards the enrolling office. Quickly, she fired at him but missed. She
tried again and this time, she hit him in the shoulder, making him stumble and grip his arm. Kicking
off her heels, she sprinted towards him and punched him in the head. He spun around and the two
began to fight. It seemed the police had managed to round up the man's friends but the two fought
like wild animals. At last, he managed to kick her behind the bar and put her in a headlock, walking
out towards the police
"give me Erskine and the girl lives," he said in heavily accented english.
Grace was struggling madly and they had barely reached the end of the bar when one of her flailing
hands grasped an unopened bottle. She gripped the neck and brought her arm up, twisting it
painfully, before smashing it down on his head. He crumpled and she stepped away from his
unconscious body as the police handcuffed him.
"That was very impressive" a man with grey hair and a german accent came up to Grace who was
dabbing her cuts with a damp handkerchief. He was followed by a brown-haired lady with an air that
commanded respect.
"I suppose you're Dr Erskine?" she asked him "those guys apparently wanted to take you back to
red skull"
"How do you know that?" the lady asked sharply with a British accent
"Here" grace replied, pressing the button on the pistol and giving her the piece of paper
"Where did you get that?" Dr Erskine asked as the lady looked over the paper
"I saw all those men spread out through the crowd, not dancing. I asked one of them to dance and
stole it"
The two raised their eyebrows, looking impressed
"Have you considered joining an intelligence agency?" Erskine asked
"yes, but currently I'd rather join the army"
"What's stopping you" Erskine began walking back towards the enrolling office, the two ladies
following behind.
At his question, the other lady scoffed but Erskine ignored her, focusing on Grace
"well, they all seem to think that I wouldn't cope with the fighting"
Erskine hummed and walked behind the desk to where the applicant's files were stored
"Name?" he asked over his shoulder
"Rogers, Lily-grace" she replied, tipping her head slightly to the side
"Here it is" he pulled out a file, still with a large 4F on the front
He scribbled out the 4F and looked up at the brow haired lady who was watching with a cocked
eyebrow
"what do you say, Agent Carter?" he asked
"well, she saved your life and quite a few others, putting herself in danger. I think she'll make an
excellent soldier"
Grace's eyes lit up and she watched as Erskine took a stamp and pressed it to the file. He handed it
to her, showing a large 1A, slightly above the scribbled out 4F. She grinned and thanked him, staring
at the file in awe.
She walked out, stopping to pick up her heels as she walked towards the exit where her brother and
bucky were stood anxiously, limping slightly as a result of the fight. The moment Steve saw her he
rushed over and hugged her, telling her how apparently a girl had been fighting a man with a gun.
He paused mid-sentence, seemingly only just realising the cuts, her limp and the fact she was
holding her heels in her hand.
"the girl fighting the man, that was you, wasn't it?" he asked, eyes wide
"want a badge for that Sherlock?" Grace said drily
Steve frowned "you could have been hurt! What were you thinking?!"
"I was thinking that those men were trying to assassinate someone, someone I think is important."
She snapped waspishly, annoyed with her brother treating her like she was delicate "Though, I
appreciate your concern" she added, seeing his slightly hurt face. "Now come on, let's get home and
break out the beer, it's not every day the army gains two unbeatable rogers!"
It took a moment for the boys to work out what she was implying before they both grinned
"That's great Lils!" Steve hugged her again
"Good job, shortbread, who knows, maybe we'll cross paths at some point," Bucky said, clapping her
on the back.
The three spent an enjoyable evening, and well into the night, chatting and laughing and getting far
too drunk- though Bucky managed to restrain himself as he did not need a hangover on a ship the
next day. At last, when it was about midnight and Grace had fallen asleep on the armchair, Bucky
was about to leave.
"I should get back home," he said, picking up his coat "I need to get some sleep before tomorrow" he
said, giving his friend a one-armed hug.
"We'll come to say goodbye in the morning" Steve replied, opening the door
"wait" called Grace who had been stirred awake by the draught. She walked over to the boys and
took Bucky's hand, looking at the floor "stay the night" she looked up into his brown eyes "please"
she added quietly.
Bucky smiled "sure thing," he said, "but I still think it's about time to go to bed."
Steve nodded "you can take my room; I'll use the sofa. I insist."
Grace kissed her brother on the cheek and walked to the stairs, wobbling slightly. She was barely up
two steps when she fell. Bucky caught her and she smiled.
"Thanks, sarge," she said and moved to get up again only to have Bucky scoop her into his arms
bridal style.
"I don't think so shortbread," he said with a smile "we can't have you falling again" he began carrying
her up the stairs, aided by her small stature.
"James Buchanan Barnes! Put me down this instant!" she demanded.
"No can do," he said, walking into her room and lowering her onto the bed. He walked back to the
door and switched off the main light, the room illuminated by a small lamp "Night shortbread" he
said softly, closing the door behind him.
"Night Barnes" she replied, so softly he didn't hear.
It was almost seven o'clock when Bucky woke again. He padded out into the corridor and looked
around. To his surprise, he could feel a slight draught blowing. He quietly opened Grace's bedroom
door and found her stood, nightgown slightly off her shoulder, staring out of the open window,
clutching a picture frame. He walked over to her and put his hand on her shoulder, seeing the
picture was one from last year, of him, Grace and Steve. She leant into his embrace and to his
surprise, he could feel warm tears rolling down her face; she never cried, not even when she was
twelve and had broken her arm falling down the stairs. He turned to face her
"What's wrong shortbread?" he asked quietly, using his thumb to wipe away her tears
She sighed "I know this is a choice the three of us are making, but today might be the last time we're
all together. I guess I'm worried we might not make it home, that you might not make it home" she
sighed again
Bucky gave her a small, reassuring smile then noticed a record player from the corner of his eye.
Stepping away, he put a record on, one of Grace's favourites. It's been a long, long time, by Kitty
Kallen began playing, and gently, Bucky took the photo from Grace and placed it on the window sill.
He placed an arm around her and took her hand in his. They used to dance together a lot so Bucky
was used to having to dance slightly differently to make up for the height difference. Grace rested
her head on his chest and they began to slowly dance. By the time the song ended, Grace was
smiling and Steve was awake so Grace made porridge and the three ate together before it was time
for Bucky to leave. They had decided that Grace would drive down with Bucky as Steve had to be at
work earlier than her.
"Don't do anything stupid while I'm gone" Bucky told Steve as they were stood in the doorway
"How can I? you're taking all the stupid with you" Steve said
"you're a punk," Bucky said, giving Steve a one-armed hug
"jerk" Steve replied
Grace and Bucky got in the car and drove silently to the docks. Bucky stopped the car a few yards
away from where he was meant to go.
"This is it I guess," he said, slightly awkward.
Grace nodded "Here, I made you this" she passed him what he thought at first was a handkerchief
but then he saw she had stitched the three of them on it, very neatly in intricate detail.
"Shortbread! This is amazing"
"well, I couldn't have you forgetting about us" she replied, some of her cheeky smile returning
"I would never!" he feigned mock outrage "but I got you this" he handed her a silver locket
decorated with lilies carved into its surface.
Grace opened it carefully and saw that on one side was a picture of her, Steve and their parents
from when the siblings were about nine and on the other side, was a picture of Steve, her and
Bucky when they were seventeen, laughing with their arms linked around each other's shoulders.
She smiled tearfully before hugging Bucky fiercely
"I love it"
A bell rang and Bucky turned to go. Before he left, Grace grabbed his hand and pulled him back
towards her and kissing him on the cheek.
"good luck sarge, and save some Nazis for me"
She opened the door of the car and ducked her head getting in, while Bucky stood there, raising a
hand to his cheek where she had kissed him.
"you sure you know how to drive that thing?" he asked her, regaining some of his usual cockiness
"please, you have no idea how many times I've stolen Stevie's car. And his bike for that matter. Bye
sarge" she called, flipping down her sunglasses and pulling away
Bucky shook his head with a smile. She really was quite something.
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There you go. Like I said before, please review I'd love to know what you think. Have a nice life!
DragonOfErebor out