Steve and Bucky ended up in a diner and ate together. They talked about things after they got separated and reached high school. The blonde crippled man was intently listening and interested at the topic. He wanted to know all the things which his best friend had experienced.

" So, yeah, guess I got enlisted at the Army, " Bucky continued and finished drinking his glass of soda after eating his meal.

" Well, that was good for you, " his bestfriend replied. " Was it the war made you to sign up? "

" Yep, people nowadays are struggling to find a job. If you get yourself in the military, you'll get all the benefits. "

Steve smiled, consciously looked at himself, and heavily sighed. He understood that he had been handicapped since birth. Bucky noticed his long silence and waited for him to respond.

" Steve, what's wrong? " the brunette man asked.

" Bucky, I can't join the Army, " Steve sadly replied. " Look, I was born with Polio. You have already known this before. You may be helping me out to get a job there. Honestly, I don't have an experience in fighting and running in the frontlines. I might end up being terribly wounded or dead. You might find me as a liability, not an asset. "

Bucky understood of his friend's answer and sighed, " Steve, you're not gonna fight and go within the frontlines like I do. They might accept you for admin jobs. You have been dragging yourself finding a job, but nobody likes you. This is your chance to grab this opportunity. "

" I don't know, Buck..." he doubtfully spoke and finished his meal. " I'm not physically fit for joining the Army. "

" Bud, it's upto you. I'm sorry if I have been so pushy, but I just want to help you. I know how hard for you to lose both parents, but yours is a different case. "

" What do you mean? "

" Remember, I lived with my grandparents before? " Bucky opened up.

" Yeah. "

" My parents had been fighting a lot before I moved to Brooklyn. I didn't like in what I saw. That was damn horrible to live and grow up there. When I met you and your mom, I envied you. "

" Why? "

" I really wanted that life you had before. Now, you're still grieving for your mother's loss and struggling to find a job. I think it's my time to help you out. "

Steve understood what his best friend had said and still baffled to join with him in the Army. He knew he never wanted to be a soldier aside from his physical condition. His late father was a soldier in the First World War. Steve wanted to have a different future as an artist. Struggling to find a job that he had always dreamed of, it seemed to be bleak for him to attain it. Now, his best friend was recruiting him to be a soldier. Steve felt contemplated to say yes.

" Steve? " Bucky called his attention and curiously raised his tone.

" I'll think about it, Bucky. I'm not so sure, if I can enlist there, " he broke his silence. " Thanks for the dinner. "

" Sure, you're welcome, " his best friend smiled and gently patted his friend's back.

The two left the establishment and waved goodbye to each other. Steve was on his way to home and still thinking about the conversation of him and Bucky. He was still considering if he could go to the Military and serve for a while. He looked at the sky which it was about to rain. He rushed himself to the apartment and entered. The crippled blonde man instantly sat down and let his crutches and belongings down.

" What if I could go there? " he wondered and scratched his chin. " Is it possible for me to serve the Army even I'm crippled? Is this the right thing to do? I don't know if I could join or not. I just don't know if it's possible. I know Bucky wants to help me, but I'm not so sure if they would accept me. "

(NEXT DAY)

Steve and a crowd of taller and stronger men had gathered to enlist themselves to the US Army. The other people indifferently looked at him. Some of the men murmured and laughed at him, since his appearance was different from anyone else. The crippled blonde man felt ashamed and bowed his head.

" I felt so ridiculous here, " he thought and felt more uncomfortable for their unwelcoming glared. " Maybe, I should quit and go back in finding a job instead. "

Suddenly, Steve heard his surname being called and the others for a series of interviews and exams. He spent minutes and hours to do it. Until, he waited for the results and patiently remained sitting at the bench. The US Army Staff gave him a portfolio file and received it. Steve nodded and smiled him back. He opened it and read the results. He never realized he passed the psychological and IQ exams. He was still looking forward for the next thing he would do: PHYSICAL EXAM.

Steve was more nervous than ever while holding his file. What if the doctors and nurses would find out if he's unfit to serve. He was still silent and shaking.

" Mr. Rogers, you're next, " the nurse called him.

Steve nervously gulped and incessantly rolled his eyes. He was like a prisoner facing a death throw. If the medical staff would find out the truth, they would surely reject him. He entered at the clinic and sat down at the bed. Just behind him, there was a signage of falsifying one's condition is prohibited. The medical staff examined him when Steve became more anxious than ever. Minutes later, they kept whispering and murmuring. The crippled blonde man waited for them to respond and curiously raised his eyebrows.

" Is there something wrong? " he asked.

" One moment please, " the doctor answered when he and the nurse left the room.

Steve was not pleased which he couldn't comprehend what was happening in his results from the medical exam. He waited and sighed which it took minutes. Just then, a tall elderly man showed up. He was wearing a dark coat and a business suit, smiling at him. Steve doubtfully raised his eyebrows and got a suspicious to see him.

" So, you want to go overseas. Kill some Nazis, " the man gave the young man a suggestive look.

" Excuse me, who are you? "

" I am Dr. Abraham Erskine, from the Strategic Scientific Reserve."

" Steve Rogers. Where are you from?"

" Queens. 73rd Street and Utopia Parkway. Before that, Germany. This troubles you?"

" No, I was looking for a job before this one. "

" I see, " Erskine nodded and queried. " Where are you from, Mr. Rogers? "

" Brooklyn, sir. "

" Did you take the exams in five different cities? "

" No, sir. That might not be the right file. I just took the exams here. "

" No, it's not the exams I'm interested in. But you didn't answer my question. Do you want to kill Nazis? " the old man stressed his question.

Steve nervously gulped and asked, " Is this a test? "

" Yes, " he smiled.

Steve recalled those days when he was younger. He knew how was it like being bullied by his schoolmate. Indeed, he had enough of facing them anymore.

" I don't wanna kill anyone. I don't like bullies. I don't care where they're from, " he broke his silence.

" Well, there are already so many big men fighting this war. Maybe what we need now is the little guy with crutches, huh? I can offer you a chance. Only a chance."

" I'll take it."

" Good. So where is the little guy from, actually? "

" Brooklyn."

" Congratulations, soldier, " Erskine handed him the file and left the clinic.

Steve opened it and got surprised to see the results. He never realized he would pass the entire application and enlistment to the military.