I don't own! Just continuing in my love for Bucky now that he and Sam have their own series! :D

This story takes place after my 'Infinity War' and 'Endgame' trilogy.

More backstory on Karen in my 'Before Infinity' story.

Thanks and enjoy! :)

Intro

New York City, 1941

At home, she was Carina. Elsewhere, she was Karen Granger. But, out here, during a night out on the town with her friends, she could be whoever she wanted to be.

The dance hall was pretty crowded, but judging by everyone's joy, you could hardly tell there was a war on (apart from the uniforms, of course. That was a dead giveaway).

Her friends were waiting for the guys to step in and make the first move, asking them to dance. But she wasn't about to wait around for some guy - unless he proved to be the right one, that is.

While her friends were now all occupied with guys, Karen scanned the crowd. She never liked to see anyone left out, and knew all too well how it felt when all your friends were asked to dance and you were not.

That was when she saw him, spotted him on the other side of the hall, watching the dancing couples. He was about her height, neatly dressed and with his blond hair swooped to the side. He looked very awkward standing there. This was clearly not his usual scene.

He looked like he could use a friendly smile, like he was in need of one.

So, making her way across the hall, she approached the young man.

"Hi, would you like to dance?"

He appeared slightly startled when she appeared and addressed him. "Um, no thank you. Not that I wouldn't like to dance with you," he was quick to add. "It's nothing against you, it's me. I'm a terrible dancer and I don't want to step on your toes." He cast his gaze to the floor in embarrassment.

She couldn't help but chuckle at this sweet, polite young man and gave him a smile of reassurance. "Oh, come on, I'm sure you're not 'terrible'. I've stepped on plenty of toes myself! You know what they say: practice makes perfect!"

"Thanks, but I'm good watching for now."

"Okay." She didn't like it when people were pushy, so she wouldn't be that to him. "You did find a good spot for watching."

"Yeah, it's not bad."

"I'm Karen, by the way." She held out her hand.

He smiled and shook it. "Steve Rogers."

"Nice to meet you, Steve."

"You as well."

"Hey, I see you made a friend. See, going out isn't so bad." They were joined by who must have been Steve's friend. This guy was tall, towering over both her and Steve, and wore a playful grin. "James Buchanan Barnes. But you can call me 'Bucky'." He extended his hand out to Karen.

"Nice to meet you, James. I'm Karen Granger."

"Well, Karen Granger, can I interest you in a dance so we can show Stevie here how much he's missing out?"

She chuckled. "All right - Bucky," she added, trying the nickname out.

He offered her his hand which she took and he led her out onto the dance floor along with all the other couples. She scanned the area for her friends and their guys, but couldn't see them in the flurry of movement.

"So are you a soldier?" she asked as they began their dance, noting his lack of uniform.

"Not yet - I'm awaiting my test results."

"Ah, well best of luck to you."

"Thank you. What about you?"

"I'm a scientist. Well, not officially, but self-proclaimed. But I want to help behind the scenes."

"We definitely need it, all the help we can get if we're gonna beat Hitler. The work done on the home front is just as important as the work on the front."

"Yes, I agree. However, not everyone shares our opinion."

"No, they don't, unfortunately."

At the end of the night, Bucky and Steve, who were also Brooklyn residents, traveled back to the borough with her. Steve went home while Bucky walked Karen to her apartment building.

"I want to tell you a secret," she said once they stood outside the door.

"Okay."

"My real name is Carina Granado."

"I like it. But why did you change it?"

"My family is dead-set on trying to fit in as much as possible, be as 'American' as possible. So we Americanized our names."

"What do you want?"

"To do everything, as Karen and Carina."

"What would you prefer I call you?"

"It doesn't really matter." She shrugged.

"How about, Carrie? For short."

"'Carrie'." She tested it out. "I like that."

"Carrie and Bucky, what a team."

"Yes, what a team. Thank you for walking me home."

"Of course. Goodnight Carrie."

"Goodnight Bucky."

I just started watching TFATWS - so good! :D Thank you so much for reading and I hope you enjoyed this first chapter! :)