Italy, November 1943

Steve, dressed in an overcoat, sat on the edge of the makeshift stage as rain fell. He was sketching a monkey dressed as Captain America riding a unicycle when Peggy made her way over.

"That was quite a performance," she noted, clasping her hands together in front of her.

Steve turned around and immediately stood up, surprised. "Yeah, I… had to improvise a bit. The crowds I'm used to are usually more… twelve."

Peggy looked him over and raised her brows. "I understand you're 'America's New Hope.'" She noted.

Steve looked down at his Captain America suit and felt his face heat up in embarrassment. He closed his coat and sat down. "People buy bonds, bonds buy bullets, bullets kill Nazis. Sales rise ten percent in every state I visit."

"Is that Senator Brandt I hear?" Peggy mused.

"Hey, Phillips was going to stick me in a lab," Steve defended. "At least Brandt got me out here."

"Are those your only options?" Peggy questioned as she eyed his sketch. "Lab rat or dancing monkey? You know you're meant for more than this."

Steve pursed his lips tightly and was silent for a few moments as he absorbed what she said. He eventually let out a heavy sigh. "It's just, you get enough people telling you're a hero, after years of them telling you you're nothing…" he trailed off. "All I dreamed about was coming overseas, being on the front lines, serving my country… and I'm wearing tights."

Suddenly, Steve heard a commotion and looked up, only to see a platoon of wounded soldiers arrive. An ambulance rolled up to the hospital tent while corpsmen unloaded the wounded on stretchers.

"Looks like they've been through hell," Steve commented.

"These men more than most," Peggy replied as she watched the men.

Steve eyed her, understanding the undertone of her voice. "HYDRA?"

"Not officially," Peggy muttered vaguely.

"Back home, that's a yes," Steve replied.

Peggy fell silent and confliction flashed over her face as she considered protocol. She leaned closer to Steve after a few moments. "Schmidt was moving a force through Azzano. Two-hundred men went up against them, less than fifty came back," she explained. "Your audience contained all that's left of the 107th. The rest were killed or captured."

Steve felt his heart drop to his stomach. "The 107th?"

Peggy's brows furrowed slightly. "Yes, what?" she asked, perplexed at his reaction.

"Come on," Steve replied as he stood up and pulled her up with him.

~/~\~

Colonel Phillips was working on signing a stack of letters that needed to be sent out when Steve barged into his tent, Peggy close behind.

"Well, if it isn't 'the star-spangled man with a plan,'" Colonel Phillips greeted without looking up. "What is your plan exactly?"

"Azzano," Steve replied firmly. "I want to see the casualty list."

Phillips looked up and pointed at the rank insignia on his collar. "You don't get to give me orders, 'Captain.'"

"I don't need the whole list," Steve argued. "Just one name. Sergeant James Barnes from the 107th," he practically begged, his thought immediately going to Josephine.

Colonel Phillips turned his attention to Peggy and raised his brows. "You and I are going to have a conversation later that you won't enjoy—

"Just tell me if he's alive, sir," Steve pleaded, praying that he wouldn't have to tell his best friend that her fiancé was dead. "B-A-R—

"Do not spell at me, son." Colonel Phillips warned.

Peggy glanced at Steve and looked back at Colonel Phillips. "Sir, Rogers is only on load to the USO. Officially, he is still SSR."

Phillips stared at Steve and sighed heavily, finally relenting. "Barnes?" he asked, earning a nod from Steve. Colonel Phillips picked up a thick sheaf of letters, leafing through the first few. "I've signed more condolence letters today than I'd care to count. But the name does sound familiar. I'm sorry."

Steve visibly paled as he let Colonel Phillips' words sink in. He felt his stomach churn violently at the thought of having to tell Josephine that Bucky was dead. He stared at the map of Austria on the wall, alongside the aerial photos of the facility. "What about the others? You're planning a rescue mission?"

"Yeah, it's called 'winning the war.'" Colonel Phillips replied.

"But if you know where they are—

"They're thirty miles behind the lines," Colonel Phillips interrupted. "Through some of the most heavily fortified territory in Europe. We'd lose more men than we'd save. I don't expect you to understand that, because you are a chorus girl."

Steve's face hardened and he clenched his jaw. "I think I understand pretty well."

"Then understand it somewhere else. If I read the posters right, you've got someplace to be in a half-hour."

"Yes sir, I do." Steve narrowed his eyes as he left the tent, taking one last look at the map.

~/~\~

Steve was hurriedly buttoning his fatigues over his Captain America suit. Peggy sat across from him while she studied the map.

"The Hydra camp is in Krausberg," she started. "Tucked between two mountain ranges. It's a factory of some kind."

Howard Stark leaned back from the controls. "We should be able to drop you right on the doorstep."

"Just get me as close as you can," Steve replied before looking at Peggy. "You know, you're both going to be in a lot of trouble when you land."

"And you're not?" Peggy quirked a brow.

"Yeah, but where I'm landing, if anybody yells at me, I get to shoot them." Steve retorted.

"They're undoubtedly going to shoot back." Peggy reminded.

Steve showed her his shield strapped to his back and shrugged weakly. "It's got to be good for something."

"Agent Carter, if we're not in too much of a hurry, I thought we'd stop in Lucerne for a late-night fondue," Howard suggested with a grin.

Steve's brows furrowed in mild irritation as he felt jealousy bubble up within him. "Why is he saying 'fondue' like that? What's fondue?"

Peggy stifled her amused chuckle. "Stark's the best civilian pilot I've ever seen, and mad enough to brave this airspace. We're lucky to have him."

"Do you, are you two… fondue?" Steve stumbled over his words.

"Take this transponder," Peggy instructed, her tone all business. "Activate it when you're ready and the signal will lead us right to you."

"You sure it works?" Steve asked skeptically.

"It's been tested more than you have." Howard retorted.

~/~\~

Howard managed to maneuver through the explosive airspace. Steve strapped on his parachute and threw open the jump door, much to Peggy's dismay.

"Rogers, get back here," she ordered. "We're taking you all the way in!"

Explosions rocked the air and Steve hesitated, realizing what he was about to do. "Once I'm in the clear," he turned to Peggy. "Turn this thing around and get out of here!"

"You can't give me orders!" she argued.

"The hell I can't!" Steve retorted. "I'm a Captain!"

The plane lurched once more as another explosion rocked the air and Steve took his chance to jump out of the plane.

~/~\~

Azzano

Outside of the Hydra factory, Steve peered out at the guards patrolling the main gate. He immediately dropped as headlights swept the road. Three covered trucks rumbled toward the gate and the guard checked the drivers' papers. As they were distracted, Steve managed to sneak into the last truck.

At the last truck, one guard peered in, curious, noting the red, white, and blue shield amongst the supplies. Suddenly the shiel sprung out, smashing him in the face. The guard dropped to the ground and Steve emerged from the truck.

~/~\~

One of the guards stepped out to find his partner sleeping against the wall with his helmet over his eyes. He kicked his partner, but the guard didn't move. The man frowned and lifted his partner's helmet, only to see that he was out cold.

Suddenly, Steve snuck up behind him and hit him over the head, knocking the other guard out. Steve continued on, making his way toward the prisoners. Steve hit the warder over the head, and he dropped on top of the cage, unconscious. The prisoners jumped up and Steve looked down at them.

"Hi," Steve greeted.

The prisoners all stared, stunned. One of the prisoners, Jones, raised a brow at Steve's outfit and shield.

"And who the hell are you supposed to be?" Jones demanded.

"I'm… Captain America." Steve answered and the prisoners' excitement died down.

"Merde." Dernier muttered.

~/~\~

The freed prisoners followed Steve as he made his way down the row, opening cages with the guard's key. Steve searched through the throng of prisoners, praying that he would find Bucky.

"Are there any others?" Steve asked.

"They did take a number of the men to isolation ward," Falsworth answered. "I'm afraid we haven't seen them since."

Steve considered this as the prisoners gathered around. He needed to check the isolation ward, just to see if there was any possibility of Bucky being alive. He needed to do it for Bucky and he needed to do it for Josephine. Finally, Steve handed them a pistol and grenades.

"The tree line's northwest, about eighty yards from the gate. From there, just follow the creek bed." Steve explained before he turned to leave. "I'll meet you in the clearing with anybody I find inside."

Jones stopped him and frowned deeply. "Wait. You sure you know what you're doing?"

"Sure." Steve nodded. "I've knocked out Adolph Hitler over 200 times."

~/~\~

Steve stalked inside Zola's experiment room, wary of his surroundings. Past the scattered files and specimen jars, he spotted the large cage. One of the prisoners was lying slumped against the bars.

"Barnes, James Buchanan," Bucky groaned weakly. "Sergeant. 32557038," he recited.

Steve gaped, stunned. By some miracle, Bucky was alive and Steve couldn't believe it. "Bucky?" he asked, only to be met with a few beats of silence.

"Who… who is that?" Bucky asked, struggling to stay awake.

Steve bolted to the cage and looked down at his best friend. Bucky was beaten and grizzled, and his eyes were unfocused.

"Is that…" Bucky squinted.

Steve smashed off the lock and held out his hand. "It's me, Buck," he assured.

Bucky studied his friend's face, not believing it. "Steve?"

"I thought you were dead," Steve breathed out. "I thought I was gonna have to tell Josie that you were dead."

Bucky closed his eyes at the mention of Josephine's name. All he begged for was that he would be able to see her again. Bucky opened his eyes and looked Steve over. "I thought you were smaller."

Steve gently helped him down from the cage. Bucky just gaped at his transformed, much taller friend and shook his head in disbelief.

"What happened to you?"

"I joined the Army," Steve smirked back at his friend.

Steve and Bucky staggered out of the room as an explosion shook the room. He helped Bucky limp down the corridor as more bombs went off in the distance.

"Did it hurt?" Bucky questioned.

"Little bit." Steve nodded.

"Is it permanent?"

"So far."

Bucky smirked and chuckled lowly. "You are going to get so many girls."

"Yeah, well let's just focus on getting you back to your girl," Steve replied.

"Josie," Bucky breathed out. "God, I can't wait to see her."

Bucky and Steve managed to reach the stairs, but as they headed down, another explosion blocked their path. They headed back up, spotting a catwalk high above. However, when they reached the catwalk, they found Schmidt and Zola on the other side.

"Captain America. How exciting," Schmidt smiled darkly. "I'm a fan of your films."

Schmidt handed a titanium box to Zola while he and Steve slowly walked forward. The two studied each other suspiciously.

"So the old man managed it after all," Schmidt mused, almost impressed. "Not quite an improvement, but impressive."

Steve clenched his jaw at the mention of Dr. Erskine and hit Schmidt in the jaw, sending him reeling. "You've got no idea." Steve seethed.

Schmidt straightened up and an almost please smile spread across his lips. "Don't I?"

Schmidt swung, but Steve blocked it with his shield. When Schmidt's fist managed to leave a dent in the steel, Steve gaped in surprise. He looked up and Schmidt took his chance to take a hit at Steve.

Steve's wide eyes met Schmidt and he was completely stunned. "Erskine said your experiment was a failure," he noted before he kicked up, driving his feet into Schmidt's jaw.

Schmidt growled in pain as he tumbled to the floor while Zola scrambled to the controls. A gap appeared between Schmidt and Steve as both sides of the catwalk retracted. Schmidt sent a look to Zola and looked back at Steve, his face askew and red skin bulging from the torn seams.

"A failure?" Schmidt chuckled. "Oh, no, Captain," he stood up. "I was his great success," he assured as he peeled his face from the bone, revealing a red skull underneath.

Steve and Bucky stared in disbelief as Schmidt sent this a sickening grin. Bucky glanced at Steve worriedly.

"You don't have one of those, do you?"

Red Skull tossed his mask away and into the flames. "You're a liar, Captain. You pretend to be a simple soldier. But in reality, you're just afraid to admit we've left humanity behind," he sneered as another explosion rocked the floor below. "Unlike you, I embrace it proudly. Without the masquerade… without fear."

"Then how come you're running?" Steve challenged with a scowl.

Zola handed Red Skull the titanium box as the stepped into the elevator. Steve pulled Bucky away as the explosions began to rock the catwalk. The pair looked up and saw a gantry above. They made their way toward it and Bucky ran on, and it creaked as he went.

Steve stepped onto the gantry and cringed when it creaked again. "Hurry!" he ordered Bucky.

Carefully, Bucky limped across the gantry as rivets fell to the floor below. When he finally reached the end, Bucky jumped to the other side of the gantry. Another bomb exploded and the gantry collapsed. Steve swallowed nervously as he stood alone, trapped.

Bucky looked around frantically. "There's got to be a rope or something—

"Just get out!" Steve yelled as the explosions came faster.

Bucky shook his head. Josephine would kill him if he even thought about coming back to New York without Steve. "Not without you!" he yelled back.

The roof around Steve began to fall in and he eyed the impossible gap. "Aw, hell." He groaned to himself.

Steve backed up, then raced for the edge. Bucky's eyes widened to the size of saucers as Steve leaped, somehow managing to make it to the other side unscathed.

~/~\~

Italy

Colonel Phillips and Peggy stepped outside of the tent at a sudden commotion. They watched, stunned, as Steve and Bucky walked up the road, leading a squad of P.O.W.'s while vehicles followed, carrying the rest.

Steve's uniform hung filthy and torn, while his shield was battered and bent beyond repair. As the crowd cheered, Hodge stepped out of the barracks and his eyes widened.

"Rogers?" he asked in shock.

Colonel Phillips was amazed and looked to Peggy, who was discreetly wiping away relieved tears.

Steve saluted Colonel Phillips. "Colonel, some of these men need medical attention," he informed. "I'd like to surrender myself for disciplinary action."

Colonel Phillips eyed Steve and shook his head. "That won't be necessary."

Steve's brows furrowed in confusion. "Sir, I—

Colonel Phillips sighed heavily. "Just how many orders do you plan on disobeying, Captain?" he questioned, earning a small smile from Steve.

"Yes, sir." Steve nodded before turning to Peggy as Colonel Phillips walked away.

"You're late," Peggy chastised, trying her best to remain professional.

Steve sheepishly pulled out the destroyed transponder given to him by Howard. "Sorry, couldn't call my ride," he apologized. "Can I ask you for one more favor?" Steve asked hopefully.

"Name it." Peggy nodded.

~/~\~

Josephine sat on the plane, fidgeting nervously. Not only was this her first time on a plane, but she also had almost no information. All she knew was that someone had come to her on behalf of Steve Rogers and told her that she needed to board the plane and fly out to Italy immediately. She trusted Steve with all her heart, but she was going to give him hell for making her worry like this.

"Ma'am, we're about to land," the man who had flown with her informed.

"Thank you," Josephine smiled tensely.

She gripped the seat tightly as anxiety coursed through her. The landing went smoothly, but Josephine had no idea what she was walking into. A military base was nerve-wracking and she knew that she had no business being on one.

"Oh Steve, what have you gotten me into?" Josephine muttered to herself.

Josephine stood up when instructed and the attendant led her off the plane. Outside she was met with a woman in uniform, and Josephine's brows furrowed, her confusion growing.

"I'm Agent Carter," the woman introduced as she held her hand out. "You must be Josephine Howard."

"I-I am, yes," Josephine confirmed as she shook Peggy's hand. "I hope you understand, but I'm a little confused as to why I'm here."

"Steve will explain everything," Peggy assured.

Josephine perked up slightly at the mention of Steve's name. "I take it you're close with Stevie?" she asked curiously, taking note of the slight blush that crept up Peggy's neck.

"We've become close professionally, yes." Peggy nodded, clearing her throat. "He was adamant that we fly you out here."

"In the middle of a war?" Josephine quirked a brow, trying to fish for more information.

"I promise you it's worth it." Peggy smiled comfortingly.

Josephine just nodded, taking Peggy's word for it. She was right, Steve wouldn't have been so adamant about getting her over here if it wasn't important. She calmed ever so slightly when Steve came into view. God, she still wasn't used to how he looked now.

"Hey, Josie," Steve pulled her into a hug. "It's so good to see your face."

"I could say the same about you." Josephine chuckled. "But you've also got my nerves skyrocketing. Why'd ya fly me out here, Stevie?" she asked anxiously.

Steve took a deep breath and pulled away from the hug. "It's Bucky," he started, immediately catching the look of fear that crossed Josephine's face. "He's okay, I promise. He'll explain everything better than I can, but I think seeing each other will do you both some good."

Josephine felt tears well up in her eyes and her lips quivered. "Oh, thank God. He's alive," her voice cracked. "I-I hadn't received a letter from him in a little while a-and I was beginning to think the worst."

Steve couldn't bear to tell her just how close of a call it was. He just took her hand and squeezed it gently. "He's okay," he assured before he glanced up at Peggy. "Thank you," he told her sincerely. "C'mon, Josie, I'll take you to him."

Steve and Josephine headed toward the tent that Bucky was in. Josephine felt her stomach twisting into knots. She glanced up at Steve and narrowed her eyes slightly as she studied him.

"You're not telling me something," Josephine noted. "I won't press any further, but you are hiding something. Aren't you?"

"I just…" Steve sighed heavily. "It's Bucky's place to tell you. Not mine."

Josephine nodded in understanding and they stopped outside of the tent. Josephine swallowed nervously and glanced at Steve.

"Go on in," Steve smiled softly. "I'll give you two some privacy."

Josephine just smiled in thanks as Steve left. She took a deep breath and walked into the tent, relief immediately coursing through her when she saw Bucky standing there in the flesh. Bucky stared back at her, completely rendered speechless. He almost couldn't believe that Steve had managed to get Josephine out here.

Josephine ran toward him and hugged him tightly. "James," she let out a choked sob, relishing in the feel of him.

Bucky hugged her back just as tightly and buried his face in the crook of her neck. "Oh, Josie," his voice wavered as he tried to keep himself from crying. "Baby doll, I am so relieved to see you. I'm so… I can't accurately describe how happy I am that you're here."

"I was so worried about you." Josephine sobbed as she stroked his hair. "I-I hadn't heard from you in a bit. I was so scared that you… Oh, I'm so happy that you're alive, James."

Josephine sniffled as she pulled away slightly. She finally took the chance to get a good look at him and studied his face closely. Her brows furrowed as she noticed the scarring on his face and the deep bags under his eyes. Her heart broke at the sight of him, he looked so beaten down and tired.

"Oh Jamie," she cooed as she held his face in her hands gently. "What's happened to you, my love?"

Bucky blinked back tears and led Josephine to a nearby cot. "Sit down, baby doll," he murmured, only sitting down when she did. "I, uh," he cleared his throat. "I almost didn't make it, Josephine."

Josephine opened and closed her mouth a few times and shook her head slightly. "I-I don't understand, James."

"I was captured by this organization, HYDRA," Bucky started, rubbing his thumbs nervously over her hands. "And… God, I don't know what they were doing with us. It seemed like they were… e-experimenting on us."

Josephine's breath hitched in her throat and she blinked a few times, trying not to cry. Just the thought of Bucky being subjected to that sort of pain made her want to break down. Bucky closed his eyes and took a deep breath, almost as if he was trying to block the memories from resurfacing.

"I thought I wasn't gonna make it, Josie," he admitted softly. "I was so worried that Stevie was gonna have to tell you that—

"But he didn't," Josephine whispered. "Okay? He didn't have to tell me that. You're here, alive, and I'm so grateful that you are."

"I was scared, Josie," Bucky's voice cracked and he cleared his throat. "I was so scared, and I had no idea what they were doing to us."

Josephine immediately pulled Bucky into her embrace. He immediately melted into it and rested his head on her chest as he wrapped his arms around her waist. She stroked his hair softly and kissed the top of his head.

"I'm so sorry that you went through that, Jamie," she whispered, her heart breaking at his obvious pain. "And I wish that I could take on your pain so you didn't have to feel it anymore."

"I wouldn't let ya do that, baby doll," Bucky muttered. "Never want ya to feel like this."

Josephine smiled softly and shook her head. Bucky, always the protector. "Why don't we get some rest, hmm?" she suggested.

"Wanna keep lookin' at ya," Bucky mumbled, lifting his head to look at her. "Haven't been able to see your face in months, angel-face,"

"I know," Josephine murmured. "But I think we could both use the rest. I'll still be here when you wake up, I promise."

"Cross your heart?" Bucky pouted slightly.

"Cross my heart," Josephine assured. "I don't have to fly back to New York until tomorrow evening."

"Mm, fine," Bucky relented. "Guess we can sleep for a bit."

Josephine pulled him into a gentle kiss, holding his face in her hands. "Thank you, Jamie," she murmured against his lips. "I love you, so much."

"I love you too, baby doll." Bucky smiled softly. "G'night."