Chapter 2
New York City – SHIELD Safe House 2009
BEEP BEEP BEEP
Lucy reached out to hit the alarm clock and rolled smoothly out of bed. She had been in New York for two weeks. Director Fury, the man who had found her in Time Square, had given her use of a small safe house until she could get on her feet. To be honest, she had no idea how to get on her feet in this world. He said there would be some culture shock. That didn't begin to cover the changes the last 70 years had brought to the world. She slid into the clothes Shield has provided for her. The blue jeans still felt strange on her, but the black undershirt and black blouse made her feel at least a little like herself.
Director Fury was sitting in the living area waiting for her.
"What can I do for you Director," Lucy asked as she walked toward the kitchen in search of breakfast, "Can I interest you in some eggs or coffee?"
"No, thank you, Ms. Bryne. I just wanted to see how you were settling in."
"You and I both know that you are here for a reason. The director of a shadow intelligence agency does not stoop to checking on poor unemployed time travelers," Lucy said.
Director Fury sighed heavily pulling a folder from his jacket. "You would be right out about. I have a proposition for you."
The coffee pot beeped quietly. Lucy picked up her cup and sipped the hot liquid that reminded her of Dot and all-nighters at the Naval Building.
"What kind of proposition. You know where I'm from that word meant one of two things," Lucy said taking the outstretched folder in one hand and continuing to drink her coffee.
Inside the folder appeared to be a resume, full background, and even a picture of her.
"A job?" she asked. "What job can a 93-year-old possibly do for you?"
Director Fury remained stoic, though Lucy swore there was the tug of a smile on his lips.
"You'd be an Analyst. Think of it as the logical continuation of your previous position. You'd be part of a secret division that reports directly to me tasked with sifting through everything looking for threats no one has ever dreamed of," Fury said leaning forward, resting his forearms on his knees.
"Sounds interesting, but I'm not exactly up to date of the current status of the world. Still working on the 1960s," Lucy said tossing the folder onto the coffee table.
"Hence your cover story and two weeks to come up to speed. Anything else you need to know can be learned on the job. The section head is aware of your limitations, but I've assured them you'll catch on quick." Director Fury hoisted himself from his seat on the sofa.
"Good luck Agent Byrne, I expect to see you in Orientation soon," he said heading for the door.
"I haven't said yes yet," Lucy called after him.
"You will," Fury called back as he left the apartment. The door clicked closed quietly behind him.
Lucy sat down in the sport Fury had just vacated, opened the folder on the table in front of her, and began to read.
New York City – 1942
"We're finally free," Dot exclaimed as they left the campus of Hunter College on their shore leave. It was only 24 hours, but Dot and Lucy planned to make the most of it. So far they'd planned to see if the American Museum of Natural History, shop at Bergdorf Goodman, have a nice dinner out and dance the night away. They didn't plan on sleeping.
First on the list of some shopping. Their naval pay wasn't much, and they hadn't arrived with much money, but you couldn't blame a girl for looking. Bergdorf's was spectacular. Neither Dot nor Lucy could believe their eyes. Everything was so beautiful and stylish. They looked like cows in burlap sacks compared to beautiful silk and linen dresses on display. Even, the underwear made them feel inferior.
Lucy found herself counting the bills and ration stamps in her handbag to see if a simple silk girdle would be in her price range. Sadly, it was more than she could scrap together. Maybe after a few more weeks of saving she'd be able to call that beautiful undergarment hers, and hopefully before the summer heat hit. Dot seemed enthralled by the make-up counters. Apparently there was a new red lipstick on the market that made the boys in uniform weak in the knees for any girl they saw wearing it.
"Come on Dot, you don't need lipstick to get a beau," Lucy said dragging her away from the counter.
"But Luc, that is the perfect red color," Dot whined as they walked toward the exit.
"Dot, I promise you, there is a man out there that will love you red lipstick or not," Lucy said as they walked down the street.
Next on the list of the Natural History Museum. Since they were already by central park the pair decided to walk through the park on their way to the museum. The park was beautiful. The flowers were just starting to bloom, and the lawns were filled with mothers and children enjoying the first truly warm day of the year. A small boy ran past the pair as they walked carefully on the gravel paths. Both thankful that they'd chosen their low block heels for the day's excursions.
"Slow down," Lucy called after the boy. The boy turned a looked at the pair and kept running.
The pair winced as up ahead they were the sound of feet losing their traction, a crush, and the cry of a young child injured. Dot and Lucy looked at each other and sighed. They hurried forward looking for the boy.
They followed the cries along the path to a section where the path curves along a small ridgeline. The boy sat at the bottom clutching his ankle. He also seemed to have a scrape on one knee. The pair walked carefully down the hill to the boy.
"Are you ok?" Dot asked the boy. He shook his head, tears welling in his eyes.
"Let me see your ankle," Lucy said. The boy removed his hands to show that his ankle was red and swollen. Lucy winced at the joint before glancing at the boy's knee.
"Dot, pass me your canteen Lucy said. Dot passed the canteen over to Lucy and Lucy soaked her handkerchief.
"This is going to hurt a little," Lucy said before swabbing the boy's knee with her damp handkerchief. The boy winced as she cleaned dirt from the scrape.
"What's your name kid? Is your mom around," Dot asked trying to take the boy's mind off of the sting.
"Billy. My mom is over by the baseball fields," the boy said.
"Ok Billy," Lucy said, "we're going to help you up and back to your mom. Your ankle is sprained, and you'll need to stay off it for a few days." Billy nodded quietly.
"On three Billy," Dot said. The two women each put an arm under Billy's arms.
"One… two….," Lucy said. On three the pair lifted the boy up to his good foot.
Lucy straightened up and pulled her clothes back into their proper place.
"Ok Billy, hop on my back. I'll carry you back to your mother," Lucy said.
Dot helped lift the boy onto Lucy's back and the pair before to walk slowly in the director Billy said the baseball fields were.
"Are you going to be ok carrying the kid?" Dot whispered to Lucy. She nodded in reply.
It was slow going, but they made progress. Soon enough they could hear a woman calling out for Billy. As they came into view of the baseball fields, they could see the women. She was older than the pair, maybe in her 30s in a light blue dress.
"Oh, thank god. Billy are you alright," the women shouted running as best she could over to the trio.
"He's fine ma'am, just a sprained ankle, "Lucy said. She put Billy down softly and Dot reached out to help the boy balance on his once good foot. "Make sure he stays off it for a few days."
"Thank you, girls. Thank you," the woman said as she moved to take Dot's place helping the boy. She glowered down at her son as the pair moved slowly back towards the fields.
Dot and Lucy glanced at each other. "Your hair is out of place," Lucy said. Dot started to laugh.
"Is that our good deed for the day? Can we be terrible people the rest of the day?" she asked.
"I think so," Lucy said to Dot as they joined their arms are started off again towards to the History Museum.
After what felt like an hour, the pair left the museum, their stomachs rumbling. Everything in the museum was amazing. Lucy had been most taken by the dinosaur bones, a relatively new acquisition, and the body of a blue whale that hung from the ceiling. It was so big she could have lived comfortably in the bones and never want for space.
Back on the street, the pair stopped on a corner to think.
"Where is this dance hall we're supposed to be going to," Lucy asked.
"Brooklyn, I think. Maeve said something about it being near the Navy Yard," Dot said.
Lucy nodded, "lets hit the subway then. Brooklyn is a long walk from here and I need to be in top shape for dancing."
The pair beelined it for the subway and caught the IRT Division south towards Brooklyn.
As they sat in the subway car, the pair talked quietly between themselves about the possibilities of the night ahead of them.
"Come on Steve, you've got to come with me tonight," Bucky pleaded with his friend.
"Another double date Bucky," asked Steve, "What did you tell this one?"
"That my friend is the most eligible man left in New York," Bucky said, "now let's get you cleaned up for your big date."
"Fine, but this is the last time Buck," Steve said following Bucky out of the alley and back toward their apartment.
Dot and Lucy sat across from each other at a small table in a tiny Italian Restaurant. They couldn't believe their luck in finding the place just blocks from the subway. They were the only people in the place, but it still felt cozy. It was obviously a family-run place. The mother and father worked in the kitchen while the adult children ran the front of the house. Dot and Lucy smiled every time they heard the two parents arguing with each other.
Lucy played with the spaghetti on her work and Dot pushed a piece of cannelloni around her plate. Neither wanted to finish their meal and leave the small warm space.
"Hey Lucy, do you ever think you'll ever have that," Dot asked quietly, her head moving almost imperceptibly toward the kitchen. The soft sounds of the parents conversing without another in a playful manner would just be heard over the noise of the street outside.
"I hope so," Lucy said, "You?"
"I'm keeping my options open. You never know when the right guy is going to walk through the door," Dot said.
"Is that what they call five men writing letters and a more dance offers than you can handle," Lucy chided.
"Says the girl who doesn't have a single sweetheart to write to" Dot shot back, " you must be the only one of us not writing a serviceman right now."
The pair stared at each other for a few minutes, before Dot's face cracked causing them to dissolve into giggles.
"Come on, let's get out of here. The dance hall must be open by now," Dot said. Lucy nodded glancing out the large window that showed a street slowly filling with couples. Most of the men were in military uniforms.
Lucy rolled her eyes pulling some bills and coins from her purse to pay for the meal. She just wanted to have a fun time with her friend, there was no need to drag a man, let alone a solider into it. "Let's go find you a nice solider," Dot teased as they exited the restaurant and joined the other people in the street.
The two followed the couples several blocks over to a large warehouse looking building. Lucy marveled at the façade. There was a large well-lit marque that announced some band Lucy had never heard of. A line formed from a small glass ticket booth in the middle of the entrance down the block. Most of the people in line were couples, but there were some groups of enlisted men and some other groups of women.
"Oh, I hope all the good dance partners aren't gone yet," Dot whispered to Lucy as they stood in line.
"Dot, I have a feeling that a good dance partner will always find you," Lucy whispered back.
The pair surveyed the line and started to feel a bit inadequate in their simple cotton dresses. It seemed like all the women in line were wearing the most beautiful dresses either girl as seen an actual person wear. There were vibrant red velvets, cool blue taffeta, and green satins. Lucy also swore there was a butter yellow silk dress in line ahead of them. All the girls seemed to have nylons and make-up on.
"Maybe I should have let you buy that lipstick Dot," Lucy whispered.
"No, you were right Luc. We don't need lipstick to get a man," Dot said.
The line moved quickly and soon Dot and Lucy found themselves at the front of the line.
"Admission for two, please," Dot asked the man sitting in the ticket booth
"Put them on my tab Frank," a male voice behind the girls said. Dot and Lucy turned around to see young many in an Army green dress uniform
"You don't have to do that, we're happy to pay," Lucy said.
"Nonsense, beautiful ladies should never pay to go dancing," The man said. He slid a five-dollar bill through the slit. Frank slid three tickets back to the man who passed two of the red slips to Dot and Lucy.
Dot smiled at the man, "Well then, thank you...um… what's your name."
"Don, Don Beacham," the man said, "and I do ask for the first dance in return."
Dot looked at Don and smiled. "Well, I'm certainly up for a dance."
Don grabbed Dot's hand and led her inside. Lucy shook her head after her friend, following her friend into the hall. Of course, Dot was going to just up and leave her for the first good looking man around.
Lucy stuck to the perimeter of the dance floor and took in her surroundings. The hall itself was three stories high with railings running along the second and third-floor edges leaving a large open area in the center. It seemed like the third story was just staging for the red, white, and blue bunting that hung about the dance floor. The band was set-up along the back wall and playing swing music. Another wall had what looked like a long bar, the glass bottles along the back sparkled from the dancefloor lights. There were groups of people clustered around small tables laughing and joking. The dance floor seemed filled with people, mostly men in uniform with civilian girls. Lucy was sure most of them were women seeing their men off before deployment in the next few days.
"Might as well get a drink," Lucy said to no one in particular. She picked her way carefully among the groups of people to the bar. The barman, who had to be younger than her, looked her up and down once.
"What I can get you," he asked.
"Can you make a Manhattan," Lucy asked. The man nodded and turned to his work. Lucy leaned on the bar as the bartender made her drink, her head bobbing with the music. She loved jazz and swing, especially the Glenn Miller Band. The music playing was like Glenn, but different enough that Lucy enjoyed listening to the harmonies. It reminded her of winter evening with her father listening to old records and learning the piano. She'd never been a good pianist, but she enjoyed reading the music. Reading music brought her a bit of happiness, like her own secret language no one else at home understood.
The bartender left the Manhattan in front of Lucy with a small flourish. She dropped a few coins on the table and picked up the martini glass. She turned around to face the dance floor and took a sip of her drink. The taste of bourbon and vermouth brought a sense of warmth and reminded her of Virginia. Careful to not spill the liquor, Lucy moved around the hall until she found an unoccupied table.
She sat there and watched the dancefloor. She could just make out Dot and Don dancing on the far side of the room.
She wasn't sure how long she sat there just watching, enjoying the music, and sipping her drink. The whole spectacle was so enthralling to watch.
"Dancing not really your speed," a man said behind her. Lucy jumped a little at the unexpected noise.
"Just looking for the right partner," she said looking over at the man, "you?"
The man was probably her age, but much smaller than the other men in the hall. He had blonde hair and piercing blue eyes that Lucy could swear were looking into her soul.
"Most girls don't want to dance with a man they have to worry about stepping on," he said, "may I sit?" Lucy nodded her assent and the man sat in the chair next to hers.
"I'm Steve," he said sticking his hand out to shake.
"Lucy, it's a pleasure to meet you, Steve," she said downing the last of her drink.
"Can I get you another drink," Steve asked. Lucy shook her head.
"One drink is plenty for me thanks."
"You here with anyone," Steve asked. Lucy nodded towards Dot on the dance floor.
She wasn't dancing with Don anymore, instead, she was dancing with a tall dark and handsome fellow. Dot seemed to be completely enamored by the man. She could hear Steve exhale heavily next to her.
"Seems my date has moved on," Lucy joked, "where is your date. Surely a handsome man such as yourself didn't come to a place like this alone." Steve seemed to stiffen at her remark.
"My friend, the one dancing with your friend. He brings me along on dates, but they always seem to go about as well as my dancing," Steve said looking at his hands.
"Do you want to dance," Lucy asked him. The band had started to play a slower song. One that was easier to dance too. Steve shook this head. "Not really much for dancing at the moment."
"Then how about we get out of here then. Go somewhere a little quieter," Lucy suggested.
This was something Lucy had never considering doing before, but there was something about Steve that she just couldn't explain. She felt like he was the most trustworthy person she could have ever met.
"Sure, I guess," Steve said. His eyes betrayed a different story. They seemed brighter than when he introduced himself to her. Like he couldn't believe a woman wanted to be alone with him.
"Come on," Lucy said standing from her seat. Dot was a grown woman and a WAVE, she'd be able to get herself home safely and on time.
Lucy and Steve quickly picked their way along the wall of the dance hall towards the exit. Twice, Lucy stopped short as a couple cut in front of her unexpectedly. Both times, Steve didn't stop in time and found himself running straight into Lucy's back.
As they exited, a man stopped them and stamped both their hands with what looked to Lucy like an old postage stamp. The night was colder than when she had entered the hall and she pulled her sweater closer to her.
"Sorry for bumping into you back there," Steve said stepping up to her side.
"It's fine. The place was hopping," Lucy said.
The pair fell into easy quite as they walked down the street. Steve looking at his feet and Lucy looking at Steve. It was several blocks of walking before either of them spoke.
"Can I," "So..."
The two stopped for second and looked at each. "You first," Steve said.
"Can I ask you a personal question," Lucy asked.
"Um, sure," Steve answered.
"If you don't enjoy the double dates your friend sets you up on, why do you go?" Steve looked in dead in the eye, "Because he's my friend, and he could be sent to Europe or the Pacific at any moment. Can I ask you something?"
Lucy nodded pulling her gaze away from Steve and starting to walk again. "You're not from around here, so why are you in Brooklyn?"
"Did my drawl give me away," Lucy asked. Steve nodded in the corner of her eye.
"I'm actually in the Bronx for WAVE training. My friend and I are on Shore Leave for 24 hours. I wanted to see the Natural History Museum and she wanted to go dancing," Lucy said.
"A WAVE huh. Didn't realize they let such pretty dames in," Steve said. Lucy felt a brief flash of heat in her cheeks.
"They actually only pick pretty dames it seems. Something about moral," Lucy joked. Steve choked and Lucy was worried that he might has swallowed his tongue.
"Do you…. Do you have your assignment yet? For when you finish training," Steve asked.
"Not yet. We only have a week left before we graduate. Our CO said we'd get out postings then. Though I'm hoping for a European or Pacific posting," Lucy said.
They turned a corner together. Lucy had no idea where they were and hoped that Steve knew where they were where.
"Overseas huh," he said. Steve sagged at the thought of this beautiful woman leaving the states for a place he'd been trying to go for years.
"Yes, that's what I'm hoping for. There's almost no chance, but a girl can dream," Lucy said. "If you could deploy where would you go." Steve straightened up, his face changing to disbelief. This woman had just asked him a question that no one else had ever thought. Not even Bucky thought he should go off to war, no matter what he said, thought, or felt.
"I'm not really sure. Its never been a possibility. I guess I'd want to go wherever I can do the most good," he said. Lucy smiled to herself, was this man real?
"Would you mind walking me back to the subway? If you couldn't tell it's my first time in Brooklyn," Lucy asked. Steve chuckled but nodded looking at the building around them.
The pair lapsed into silence again and stayed that way until the lights of the subway station were in view.
"Thank you, Steve," Lucy said turning to him.
"It was my pleasure Lucy," Steve said.
"Do you think we'll ever see each other again," she asked looking up at the station. The low rumble of trains entering and leaving the station filled the space between them.
"Do you want to see me again," Steve asked, surprise dancing across his face. Lucy smiled, "of course Steve. I wouldn't have asked otherwise."
"Oh, right," Steve said rubbing the back of his next. "When do you have leave next?"
Lucy closed her eyes and pinched her nose with her thumb and forefinger. When did she have shore leave again? "I don't think I have leave again until I've reached my new assignment," she said. Steve noticeable sagged at the notion, slowly turning as if to leave in defeat.
"I have it, why don't we write to each out," Lucy exclaimed. Steve faced her again, a questionnaire look on his face. "Dot is always on me about not having a solider to write to. Steve, would you be my solider to write to?"
Steve's mouth dropped open in shock, "of… of course, you can write to me." Lucy beamed at him, and Steve could feel a little flutter in his chest at the look. Was this what Bucky meant about finding a person that saw him for him?
Lucy had opened her purse and dug around the small pocketbook looking for a piece of paper and something to write with. Why was it that whenever she needed something out of her handbag she could never find it? She dug move and her fingers brushed a pen at the very bottom.
"We're in business," Lucy said as she removed the pen and the pamphlet from the natural history museum from her bag and proffering them to Steve. Steve's smile grew as he accepted the writing material from her. Placing the paper up again a light pole, Steve scribbled his address on the paper for her.
He handed the paper and pen back and gave her a second to look over the paper.
"You know for a man your handwriting if downright readable Steve," Lucy said stowing the paper in a small pocket within her purse. Steve blushed. Lucy smiled.
Another train rumbled into the station above.
"That might be my train. I should go," Lucy said. She didn't want to leave this man right here right now. She wasn't sure why, but something told her they'd see each other again sometime in the future.
"Go, catch your train. I'll be on the lookout for your letter," Steve said. Lucy nodded, "give me a couple of weeks to write. I'm sure between training and getting to my first assignment I won't have time to write." Steve laughed a little, "Go Lucy, or we'll be out here for another hour waiting for the train."
Lucy started up the steps of the station and looked over her shoulder at Steve. He had already started to walk off, probably back home. She took a deep breath and hoped the train would be there another minute. She ran back down the stairs and hugged Steve.
"Two weeks Steve. I'll write in two weeks, and I expect a reply," she said quietly. Steve nodded meekly. Her hug was making it hard for him to breath. She let go and hurried up the steps back toward her train and the isle of Manhattan. Steve stood there watching until the rumble of a train leaving reached his ears.
He wasn't sure if he could wait two weeks for Lucy's letter, but he would do this best to try.
I hope you all enjoyed this chapter. I am working on Chapter 3 and hope to have it up in the next week or so.
