January 3, 1943 – The Stork Club, Manhattan, New York
"I appreciate you taking me here, AJ, I really do, but—"
"It's not my scene either, Steve, trust me," I grumbled. I rolled around the ice in my glass as I took the last swig of whiskey, wincing a bit as it burned down the back of my throat.
I looked over to my left to find Steve smirking at me, nursing his own bottle of expensive beer that I still wasn't sure how to pay for. We were sitting in the Stork Club, a high end bar and dance hall in Manhattan. I wasn't a fan of bars or alcohol in general, so I certainly wasn't in my element. But, of course, Howard had insisted he take me along sometime, and that left me convincing Steve to come with me and keep my company. Coincidentally, I hadn't seen Howard since Steve and I sat down, which had to at least have been an hour ago.
I'd spent a lot of time with Steve lately, not because of James's request, but because I genuinely liked Steve. He'd met both Lydia and Jane and I was certain he had a thing for one of them, but he refused to tell me which one. We'd been out to lunches and dinners, went on nature walks in Central Park (when it wasn't below thirty degrees), and had gone to a few movies here and there. If I was being totally honest, I felt like I'd known Steve a lifetime and could call him one of my best friends. He finally could get through a conversation with me without stuttering or calling me a, and I quote, "beautiful dame" and I called that progress.
So there we sat, surrounded by socialites, a couple of out-of-place New Yorkers in one of the most prestigious clubs in the inner city. The bartender, a cute redhead (err, mildly attractive young man), came by and I signaled for him to fill my glass back up. Think of Frank, I idly reminded myself as the bartender shot me a little grin and headed off to the other side of the bar.
I groaned and took a small sip of my whiskey, wrinkling my nose.
"I thought you hated alcohol," said Steve. Humor was predominant in his tone and, sure enough, he was smirking at me when I glanced at him.
I rolled my eyes. "I do."
"Then why are you drinking?"
"Because, Steve, I'm surrounded by many attractive, rich, fancy men, and I am spoken for. It's kinda frustrating."
Steve frowned. "Shouldn't you...ya know, stay sober then?"
"I'm not gonna get drunk, Steve. Just...buzzed."
Steve chuckled. "Whatever you say, Jay." He took a drink of his beer and frowned a bit. "So why are we still here again?"
"Howard promised me he'd meet us," I growled. "But Howard is also a lying, cheating dirtball, so I highly doubt he'll be joining us. He probably got called away for work and forget to mention it."
"Right," Steve drawled. "Howard who?"
"Howard Stark."
Steve didn't respond and I looked over at my companion. The blond man had his beer bottle to his lips, his eyebrows raised. He swallowed his drink and set his bottle down, fixing me with an intense look. "Howard...Stark?"
I'd gotten used to spending so much time with Howard, I'd forgotten that he was somewhat of a legend to regular folk like me. Howard certainly didn't act like the social group he was a part of. At least they all acted their age. The closest thing I could compare Howard to was a spoiled child.
"Uh, yeah. Howard Stark."
"Ya know, you failed to mention we'd be meeting a millionaire here tonight."
I frowned a bit and threw back the rest of my liquor. "I think he actually might be a billionaire by now..."
"Oh, right, my bad," Steve scoffed. His expression was one of disbelief and he shook his head as he took another swig of beer. "How the hell do you know Howard Stark anyway?"
"We're working together on the polio vaccine," I said easily. The lie was in place now, there was no taking it back. At this point though, every person I told had some kind of connection to polio and I just knew it was going to come back and bite me in the butt at some point.
The bartender swept by, indicating to my glass and I shook my head, asking for a glass of water instead.
He took my glass and Steve's empty now beer bottle and drifted away.
"Polio vaccine, huh? A close family friend of ours, their son died of polio."
"Of course he did," I grumbled lowly. See? Repercussions, I could feel them building.
"What was that?"
"Nothing!" I said airily, smiling over at Steve.
He knitted his eyebrows together, cocking his head slightly. He kind of reminded me of a puppy dog in that instant, but I decided not to comment on it. The guy didn't need any more shots to his ego.
"So how did Howard Stark of all people get to working on a polio vaccine? Isn't he an engineer?"
"Yeah, Stark's just helping fund it. I'm actually working with another scientist. Nice older fella."
"You're enjoying work then?"
I shrugged, thanking the bartender as he swept by, dropping off a tall glass of water for me as he headed to the other patrons. "I mean, yeah. Between getting the men ready for duty and working on the vaccine, I'm pretty busy, but I don't mind it."
"You still seem to have time for me. If I didn't know any better, I'd say you're sweet on me, Jay," said Steve. He was grinning at me cheekily and I rolled my eyes.
I shoved the little man's shoulder lightly and chuckled. "In your dreams, Rogers. Besides, even if I was, I'm pretty sure James wouldn't be too thrilled with the idea."
Steve looked a bit confused for a moment before realization came to his eyes. "Oh, you mean Buck? Why—if you don't mind my asking—why don't you call him 'Bucky'? Everyone else does."
I shrugged, running my finger along the side of the water glass, collecting condensation my thumb pad.
"I guess I just don't know him well enough. I feel like I haven't earned that right yet."
"Do you really not like him? At all?"
I snorted at Steve's confused look. "You sound surprised, Rogers," I commented.
"I mean, yeah, I guess I am. Left and right, girls throw themselves at Bucky. I'm used to seeing it, being ignored. But with you...that didn't happen. I mean, you aren't throwing yourself at me, either—and I don't expect you to," he added hastily, "—but you didn't even give him a second look. That's never happened with an ordinary woman, and that isn't an exaggeration.
"Let me let you in on a little secret, Steve," I leaned over to the little blond's ear, and I swear, I could feel the heat radiating from his cheeks. "I'm not an ordinary woman. And besides," I said, waving a hand aside and leaning back, partially afraid that if I stayed in Steve's personal space any longer that he'd spontaneously combust, "I have this thing called common sense. When I look at a guy, I want to find someone who isn't afraid of commitment, someone who I could settle down with. I'm not looking for fun, and Bucky's definitely just looking for fun. I just can't do that." I took a drink of water and then winced as I set the glass down. "And Frank," I added quickly. "I'm waiting for Frank."
But Steve didn't seem to hear my last statement, as his eyes had lit up. "You just called him 'Bucky'." He smirked in triumph.
"W-what? No I didn't," I said.
"Yes, yes you did!"
"Don't you dare tell him! He is still James to me! It's just because you're saying it...it just came out."
"Fine, I won't. But you owe me." There was a pause before Steve said, "I don't mean to pry, but you don't...I mean, you don't find him the least bit attractive?"
I sighed. Damn Steve and those curious eyes. "I guess," I began grudgingly, "I mean, I suppose...James is—He's...I—Well..." I closed my mouth, stopping the horrible word vomit and wincing at Steve's amused expression. I took a deep breath to gather my thoughts before opening my mouth to speak again. "I guess what I'm trying to say is that I'd be lying if I said I didn't think he was cute. Which he is. I mean, it's not like I didn't notice. But it's his entire demeanor, his personality that turned me off. He's cocksure, he's arrogant, he's too big for his pants. He needed to be knocked down a peg and I think I did just that."
"That you did, AJ, that you did. You know, it's probably against guy code or something, but between us, Buck didn't stop talking about you for at least a week last year when you first turned him down," said Steve with a small smirk.
I felt the tips of ears heat up and I swallowed, taking a drink of my ice water to hopefully extinguish the growing blush that was running up my neck. "Ohh-kay, that's enough talk about me and James."
"You're blushing!" said Steve excitedly.
"I am a warm-blooded woman who was just told that a decidedly attractive man talked about her for a week after she turned him down! Don't act so shocked, it doesn't mean anything! It just means I'm not dead!" I snapped lowly.
My attitude did not knock Steve down, but he only grinned at me wider. "Whatever you say, Jay..." he singsonged.
"Whatever," I grumbled. My blood settled in the silence as it grew between us and I glanced over at Steve, whose amused expression was gone. He was staring at the table at his folding hands, a little scowl on his lips. I reached out and touched Steve's arm lightly and his eyes met mine reluctantly. "You miss him," I stated bluntly. "You want him back."
"No," said Steve quickly. "No, I don't want him back. I should be out there, with him at basic." He frowned, his eyebrows scrunching together as he rubbed thumb across his bruised knuckles. He'd gotten in a fight earlier that day, on my account, no less.
We'd been walking back to the Recruitment Center, me and Steve, when a passing guy catcalled at me and made a few choice comments that weren't very appropriate. It took all of three seconds for Steve to start an argument and for him to get punched in the ribs, but not without throwing a few swings himself. Luckily, a couple guys were coming out of the center and they pulled the offender off of Steve and sent him along. I'd wrapped Steve's midsection and offered him a bandage for his knuckles as well but he didn't take it.
Instead, there he sat, staring at his bruised fist, a look of disgust on his face. "Yeah, I write him letters, yeah, he responds, but it's nothing like actually being there, Jay. I should be out there, learning how to fight. I want to help my country. I don't like bullies, but hell, I'm five feet and four inches for Heaven's sake! What can I do about it? Nothing! At least, that's what I'm always told. I'm halfway to believing them, AJ."
I squeezed Steve's arm and flipped it over, threading my fingers through his. "Hey, Steve? Look at me, Rogers."
Steve's baby blues reluctantly met my eyes and I could see years of frustration built up in them. "Look, Steve, I know how you feel. I'm a female scientist! No one wants to see me succeed. And no one wants to see you succeed. You know why?"
"Why?" mumbled Steve.
"Because we have something that they don't. And everyone out there, they're all scared of it. We," I said, poking Steve's chest, "have heart. Steven Grant Rogers, you have the biggest heart I've ever seen on a person, and I'll be damned if you don't use it for something great. You're gonna change the world someday, Steve Rogers. Even while everyone tells you can't and you won't. You'll change the world, I'll bet my bottom dollar on it."
Steve looked at our intertwined fingers and then met my eyes. "You really think so?"
"No," I said adamantly. "I know so."
Before I knew it, Steve's bony arms were thrown haphazardly around my shoulders. I hugged the frail man tightly, as tight as I could without crushing him.
"You're gonna change the world too, Adelyn Juliet Frost. It's just a matter of time," Steve whispered and I felt tears spring up in my eyes.
We both pulled away and I quickly wiped my eyes, not wanting to smudge my makeup, but not wanting to be out any longer either. "Looks like we're a force to be reckoned with, huh?" I commented.
"Looks that way," Steve agreed.
"So how about us two unstoppable forces go get some pie, huh? Something tells me Howard's not showing tonight," I said.
"Oh, really? What was your first clue?" joked Steve.
I rolled my eyes, telling the bartender to put our drinks on Howard's tab. I looped my arm through Steve's as we walked towards the exit of the club. "You're lucky I like you, Rogers."
"Yeah," said Steve quietly. "Yeah, I am. Thanks, AJ. For everything."
I smiled at Steve and we stopped in the doorway. Steve opened the door, signaling through. "After you, m'lady."
I leaned in quickly and gave Steve a friendly peck on the cheek. "You're welcome, Steve. It's my genuine pleasure." I looped my arm through his once more. "Now. Let's go get some pie."
_
February 22, 1943 – AJ's Apartment
"You're sure you have everything?"
"Yes, Steve, I'm sure."
Both of us stood outside of my apartment, along with Lydia. My four suitcases, three overnight bags, and a couple of dresses on hangars were haphazardly thrown into my car, making the 1939 BMW a mess. The air was warm for late February and I was wearing a light cardigan over my dress to stay heated. There weren't too many cars going in the streets to early in the morning, which was lucky. I wouldn't hit traffic trying to get out of the inner city. The mood was a bit sullen and there were sad faces all around.
I had met with Colonel Chester Phillips and Howard just the other day. The serum was done. Or, close to being done. They wanted me to head out west to a little army camp in Wisconsin to look for candidates and make a few last touch-ups to the serum. I'd be with the soldiers for the last month of their basic training and hopefully have a complete serum and a candidate by the time it was over. I'd agreed, reluctantly, though. This meant leaving Steve, and I really didn't want to leave Steve. Not only had I promised James that I would stay with him, but the little man had grown on me in ways that I had never imagined. He was easily my best friend.
Steve's hands were shoved in his pockets and he was rocking back and forth on his heels. Lydia had already cried twice and was well on her way to doing so a third time. Jane was putting on a brave face, but I knew she'd probably be upset about it later in her and Lydia's joint apartment, like she'd done when I left our old apartment for another couple years at Harvard.
"So, uh, this is goodbye, then," said Steve awkwardly. He scratched the back of his head and looked down at his scuffed-up shoes. He hadn't looked me in the eye once all morning.
"Not goodbye," I said, pulling Steve into a hug. "I'll be back in a month or so." When I pulled away, I braced my hands on his shoulders. "That's not too bad, right?"
Steve met my eyes finally, his expression sad. "I guess not."
"And you have us, Stevie!" chirped Lydia through her tears. My blonde friend wrapped her arm around Steve's shoulders and pulled him into her. Lydia met my eyes with her watery gaze. "We're gonna miss you, AJ."
"Guys, it's not like she's going overseas. She's literally going to be in Podunk, Wisconsin for a few weeks, that's all," said Jane with a wave of her hand before frowning at Steve's face, which was now tinged blue. "Lyd, I think you're suffocating him."
"Oh, sorry!" Lydia released Steve, who inhaled deeply.
"No biggie!" he rasped, even though his voice sounded a tad strained.
Meanwhile, I wrinkled my nose at Jane. "I'm pretty Podunk isn't the name of the town. I'm not even sure I'm going to be near a town."
"No?" Jane grinned at me cheekily, folding her arms. "I'm pretty sure that's the name of every town in Wisconsin. Does anyone even live in Wisconsin?"
"Oh, come off it, Jane," I said with a roll of my eyes.
"I'm a city girl, born and raised, and so are you, AJ. I don't think you're gonna have as much fun as you think."
"Oh-ho, I never said I was gonna have fun. In fact, it's probably going to be a nightmare," I defended.
"Right, a nightmare," drawled Steve. "An entire squad of muscular army recruits fawning over you, how horrific. I-I mean, from a woman's point of view," he added hastily.
I slapped Steve on the chest and made a face. "Might I remind you, Rogers, that I'm going to be the first female they've seen in the past two months. They aren't exactly going to trip over their feet to take me out to a nice dinner. They're going to be dogs, Steve, the whole lot of them. Testosterone fueled, lust driven, animalistic dogs."
"Nice to know that's how you think of us guys."
"Oh, you know what I mean," I growled while Steve laughed, pulling all three of my friends into a hug.
"I'm gonna miss you guys," I whispered.
"We're gonna miss you too, AJ," said Steve.
We all pulled away after a few long moments, just enjoying each other's embrace for the last time for four weeks. I opened the door to my car and looked at each of them one last time. "I'll be back before you know it."
"Promise?" asked Steve and Lydia, their voices coming out in sync.
I laughed at the all of them: Jane rolling her eyes in reaction to the tips of Steve's ears turning a bright pink and Lydia's blush. "Promise. How could I ever stay away from you guys?" I smoothed my dress down as I sat in the driver's seat and Steve shut my door for me. "You need anything, just call," he said.
"I'll write, too," I said. "To all of you."
"Right, well. You best be on your way." Steve slapped the roof of my car. "Be careful."
"I will. Bye, Steve. Bye, guys," I said, looking past the little blond man who had become my closest friend, surpassing my other two best friends.
"Bye, AJ," said Jane. "See you soon."
"Yeah," I said softly. I started the engine of my car and pulled away from the curb, my free hand pulling out Frank's silver cross and rubbing it anxiously. It was a habit I'd grown accustomed to, doing that when I was nervous. I thought about Frank for a second, hoping he was okay, but I didn't want to dwell. If I dwelled, I'd end up worrying, and I didn't want to worry. Frank would be fine. He said so. He'd be fine.
I honked the horn one last time as I drove away from my friends, checking the rearview mirror. Jane and Lydia were headed up the stairs back to my apartment, but Steve was still standing at the curb, hands in his pockets, looking after me as I drove away.
I watched Steve until I couldn't see him anymore. He never once turned away.
