Red was dreaming. She had to be dreaming. After losing her brother nearly 70 years ago, she didn't know what to believe when Fury had called to tell her that the ship he had taken down had finally resurfaced. And now here she was, standing on the other side of a wall, looking through a glass window at her brother who was on an operating table nearly completely covered in ice.

"I'm going to ask you to stay out of this." Fury said after a few minutes of letting Red stare. His tone was solemn. He knew how big of a deal this was for her and he knew that it wasn't going to be easy for her not to jump in and get involved.

Red's gaze shot to him. "Absolutely not. That's my brother and there's no way in hell that I'm not going to be involved. You called me here-"

"I called you here so that you would be aware of the situation. I know how much he means to you and I didn't want you to find out second hand. But I am the director you put in charge and this is my call."

"You might be the director, but I am still your superior. "

"Red, you taught me to stay objective. You teach the agents you train to be objective. Now, I need you to do just that and let me handle this. This is uncharted territory and I need you to trust me to navigate it. I will keep you posted on his conditions and I will inform you when he wakes up, but I need you to let me handle this. I want to break him into this new world slowly, before introducing him to the fact that his sister, who should be well into her eighties, still looks like she's 25."

Red clenched her fist and looked back at her brother. Fury had a point. She hated to admit it, but it was true. She wasn't going to be objective about any of this. She knew that about herself.

"Okay. Keep me in the loop."

"I said I would, so I will."

1943

Red had been sitting in the same spot on the apartment building roof, for the majority of the day. Bucky had left hours ago to receive his orders and she hadn't been able to bring herself to move. Too afraid that when she would, reality would set in and the war would become real. The fact that her best friend was leaving, to go fight in a second war, would be real.

The first war had taken both of her parents and now a second war was threatening to take even more. She couldn't understand why there was a need for a war in the same century. Only 21 years had gone by since the first war, and no one seemed to have learned a thing. Why couldn't everyone in the world just play nice with each other?

The sun was beginning to set when she remembered that Bucky had told her to find Steve and bring him to the fair. It sounded absolutely revolting, but she wanted to allow Bucky to have a good time before he shipped off.

Now she just had to locate Steve.

She spent a good twenty minutes walking the streets and looking down the usual alleys, until she finally heard the sound of a scuffle taking place. She followed the noise, finally coming to where her brother was currently getting beaten by a man twice his size.

"Hey!" She grabbed his shoulder as he swung to punch Steve, and yanked him away.

The man straightened and looked her over. "Who are you supposed to be?"

"His sister."

The man laughed, "I highly doubt that, sweetheart. You're too-" Red punched him, causing him to stumble back and grab his nose.

"How'd you like that, sweetheart. Pick on someone your own size." She kicked him in his back, sending him stumbling forward.

"You're crazy!" He said, before standing and taking off from the alley.

"I've been called worse," she muttered, turning back to her brother. "Sometimes, I think you enjoy getting punched." She pulled him to his feet

"I had him on the ropes," Steve replied, wincing as he felt his eye.

Red noticed a familiar paper on the ground and picked it up. She already knew what it was going to say, but decided to read it anyway.

The army had rejected him.

Again.

She scoffed and looked at her brother. "How many times is this?" She continued to read the form. "Ah, we're from Paramus now, that's exciting. You know it's illegal to lie on your enlistment form, right? And seriously, Jersey?"

Steve snatched the paper from her hand. "Where's Bucky?"

"No really Red, you shouldn't have stepped in when you did. Thank you for saving me from getting beaten to a pulp." She let the words fall from her mouth and held his gaze the entire time.

He sighed and met her gaze. "You know that I'm grateful. I'm always grateful. Now, Bucky hasn't left yet, has he?"

"No, he got his orders though. We're supposed to meet him at the fair in about 15 minutes. So we should probably go get you cleaned up."

"What are we celebrating this time?"

"Bucky said something about the future. I guess we'll just have to go and find out."

. . .

Soldiers in uniforms were everywhere at the fair. Young men were celebrating their last night, before they would be shipped off to fight in a war they had no hand in starting. They were spending their night with friends and girls. Mostly girls. It was probably the last night for most of them to ever utilize their chance to sweep a girl off her feet.

"I should be wearing a uniform," Steve muttered.

"This war shouldn't be happening," Red countered. "None of these men should be wearing a uniform."

"You know what I mean."

"Red, over here!"

Her eyes finally found Bucky. He was in uniform. Just like all other men. It was Bucky's last night.

"There you guys are," Bucky greeted, walking over to meet them. "You, Steve, are about to be the last eligible man in New York. You know, there's three and a half million women here."

"Well, I'd settle for just one," Steve replied.

"Good thing I took care of that," He moved and pointed to two girls waiting by an attraction.

Steve immediately began to tuck in his shirt, and attempt to fix his hair. "What did you tell her about me?"

"Only the good stuff," Bucky assured with a grin.

"Hey, what are your orders?" Red asked, before Bucky could continue.

He gave a weak chuckle and looked down at his uniform, before looking up and meeting her gaze. "The 107th," he looked at Steve, "Sergeant James Buchanan Barnes, shipping out for England first thing tomorrow."

Red exhaled slowly. Her throat and jaw were suddenly tight. "Oh...wow."

Steve scoffed and looked down, rubbing his hands together. "I should be going."

Bucky looked him over somberly for a second, before grinning and grabbing him by the shoulder. "Come on, man. It's my last night and we're at the carnival. Let's have some fun. And by the way," he looked at Red over again, "Red you look stunning. As usual."

Red felt herself blush, but shoved the butterflies aside. "As impractical as dresses are, this isn't the worst thing in the world."

He chuckled, "and don't think I forgot about you. Come on, I'll introduce you."

Red's heart sank slightly as she noticed for the first time a man standing next to the two girls. "Right."
"Come on, it'll be fun. When have I ever lied to you about that?"

Red reluctantly followed Bucky over to meet the new people, putting on a smile as she became the center of attention of the man.

"Jonathan Banks," he said, sticking his hand out to Red.

"Redalynn Rogers," Red responded, accepting his hand.

He brought her hand to his lips and pressed a kiss to her knuckles. "It's a pleasure to meet you."

"Likewise." She pulled her hand back and looked at the two girls, hiding a grimace as one of them grabbed Bucky's hand.

"This is Clara and Janice."

Clara spared Red and Steve a glance, before pulling Bucky away. "Come on. It's going to start without us."

They began through the carnival, following Bucky and Clara.

Red kept her arms folded to deter any advances from Jonathon.

"Welcome to the Modern Marvels Pavillion," a booming voice announced, "and the world of tomorrow. A greater world. A better world."

"Oh my gosh. It's starting." Clara took off running, dragging Bucky and Janice along with her.

Red glanced at Steve, who shrugged, before following. They pushed their way through the crowds until they were next to Bucky again, a clear view of the stage in front of them.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, Mister Howard Stark," a female performer announced.

A man came dancing out, grinning brightly as the audience roward in applause. He took off his hat and handed it to the female performer, before pulling her in and kissing her.

Red shook her head. She could never imagine being the type of girl that was on stage.

"Ladies and gentlemen," Stark began, "what if I told you that in just a few short years, your automobile won't even have to touch the ground at all." The female helpers removed the wheels of the car, as Howard walked to a stand, and pushed a few buttons. "With Stark robotic reversion technology, you'll be able to do just that." He turned one last switch and the car rose into the air.

"Holy Cow," Bucky said, as the audience clapped and cheered.

Red shook her head, staring in shock at what was happening. "No way..."

The car hovered for a few seconds, before sparks began to fly and it crashed to the ground.

"I did say a few years, didn't I?" Stark said sheepishly.

"Hey Steve, what do you say we treat these girls -" Bucky turned and faltered.

Red turned as well to look where Steve had been. He was gone. She looked around until she noticed an enlistment building not too far away.

"He won't hear it from me," she said, looking at Bucky. "But he might hear it from you."

Bucky nodded and pushed through the crowd towards the building.

Red hesitated, before following, trailing behind and watching Bucky approach Steve.

"You really gonna do this again?"

Steve turned from looking at a mural of men in uniform. "Well, it's a fair...I'm gonna try my luck."

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

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

"This isn't a back alley, Steve. It's a war!" Bucky said forcefully.

"I know it's a war. You don't have to tell me."

"Why are you so keen to fight? There are so many important jobs."

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

"Yes!"

"...in my little red wagon."

"Why not?" Bucky asked with a grin.

"I'm not gonna sit in a factory. Buck, come on! 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."

"Right. Cause you got nothing to prove."

They fell into silence, both unable to back down.

"Hey Sarge," the girls were waiting at the base of the stairs with Jonathan. "Weren't we going dancing?"

Bucky turned and opened his arms. "Yes we were." He turned back to Steve. "I've got to go. Don't do anything stupid until I get back." He began to back away.

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

Bucky turned back, and shook his head, going in for a hug. "You're a punk."

"Jerk..be careful," Steve watched Bucky walk off. "Don't win the war till I get there," he called.

Red backed out of the building, planting herself a few feet from Jonathon and the girls, waiting for Bucky to come to her.

"You heard all of that, didn't you?" Bucky asked, when he got to her.

"Absolutely."

"He's going to try and enlist."

"I know. I'll manage the fallout when the rejection comes, don't worry about us."

"I think I'm always going to worry about you two. It's what I do."

She chuckled, before taking a breath and exhaling shakily. They were stalling the inevitable.

Red had never been good with goodbyes. She hated them, actually. Too many people had said goodbye to her throughout the years and she couldn't believe that she had reached a time for Bucky to say goodbye.

"This is the last I'll see you for a bit, isn't it?" She tried to keep her voice even, but a tremble worked its way in.

Bucky nodded, and looked down at his uniform. "Yeah, I think it is," he pulled her into a hug, picking her off the ground. "I'm going to miss you. Red rose. My rose."

Red squeezed her eyes shut. "I'm going to miss you too."

"I'll be home in no time, though. Don't worry."

"Be careful. Please. I know it's ridiculous to ask, but please be careful."

He lowered her to the ground, but they remained in the embrace. Red wasn't ready to let go. "I'm going to be okay. Remember I made you a promise."

She pulled away, and looked up at him, memorizing his face. Every line, mark, and detail. Even the green flecks in his sea blue eyes. "Come back alive."

"I'll do my darndest," He met her gaze, his eyes twinkling slightly. "And you, Red, you be careful too. Don't get into something you can't get out of."

She laughed half heartedly. "Please, you trained me. I can get out of anything."

"I'm serious, Red."

"I know, and I will be," she attempted a smile. "I promise."

"And keep an eye on Steve. He's going to need you now more than ever."

"Always." Red smiled, and hugged him again, feeling as though her heart was going to climb out of her throat. "Now, go be a hero." She said, instead of the words she longed to say. The words that seemed impossible.

He continued to look down at her, seeming to memorize her face just as she had done his. She tried to put on a smile, wanting him to be able to have a happy memory to take with him.

"Yes ma'am," he finally said. He took her hand and brought it to his lips, pressing a kiss to the back of her knuckles. "So long, Redalynn Rosanne Rogers."

The butterflies went crazy and her heart began to pound. Why had she allowed herself to dance around these feelings for so long. Why was she letting him walk away without telling him how he made her feel. How every single moment that he had given to her, was a treasured memory.

Telling him now would be too painful; for both of them. So she did what she did best.

She smiled and pulled herself closer to him, placing a kiss on his cheek. Something she had done countless times before. "Goodbye, Bucky."

She then forced herself to let go of his hand and step back. "Get going. Those girls are waiting for you to show them a good time."

They held each other's gaze for another moment, before he grinned crookedly and tipped his hat. "I'll see you later."

She watched him walk away and disappear into the crowd, feeling as though a part of her and gone with him. "Please come home," She whispered.

It took her a few seconds of deep breathing, for her to remember that Steve was still in the enlistment building.

"What are you doing, Steve?"

She waited for what felt like forever, pacing back and forth and glancing at the building every few minutes. "Come one, how long does it take to say no?" She waited a few more minutes, hoping and praying that he wasn't getting arrested, before deciding to go in and see what he was doing.

She was halfway up the stairs, when he came running out, a paper in his hands and excitement shining on his face.

"Steve-"

"I'm in!" He yelled.

Red froze, her heart dropping down to her stomach."I'm sorry, what?"

"I got accepted," he said, bouncing on the balls of his feet.

"What? H-how?" In what world had her brother succeeded in getting accepted into the army.

"Some Doctor is giving me a chance...there's a test he wants to run and he...he offered me the chance to be the one they experiment on." He got out through breaths.

"Oh."

Just like that panic had set in. Her brother was going to the army. He was leaving her and going to the one place she couldn't protect him.

"Steve...this is-"

"My chance, Red. My chance to do what every other man in the country get's to do."

"The other men in this country aren't you."

Why couldn't he get that? Why couldn't he understand the countless efforts Red made every day just to keep him breathing? She had helped him through every asthma attack, had patched him up after every beating and had basically spent every hour of every day to keep him safe. Why was he so eager to throw that all away?

"I know, Red. But...come on, this is the chance I've been dreaming of."

Red looked down for a second, searching for both the courage and patience to support him. She knew that her brother wasn't going to give this up. He was going to go whether she liked it or not.

So, once again she had to ignore her instinct and do what was needed by the men in her life. She put on a smile and gave a nod. "Okay."