March 11, 1943 - Camp McCoy, Wisconsin

It had stared as a wonderful day. The afternoon had grown even greater when the head of Fort McCoy expelled Bateman as head scientist and told him to leave. Adelyn Frost finally felt as though things were falling into place. The weather was starting to warm, a beautiful blue sky with very little clouds to block the sun that shined above her. The female scientist was feeling content. After giving her statement, Adelyn felt strong. For once since coming to Camp McCoy, it felt as though her words mattered. The woman took a brisk walk from the cafeteria back to the lab where her co-workers and friends were already waiting for her. With Quentin Belfort no longer with them – the work load had already grown. And now that Dr. Erik Bateman had been expelled from the project- the three remaining scientists would need to be picking up the slack.

Nathaniel and Sully had offered to stay behind and work while AJ went to eat seeing as the female scientist had skipped her morning breakfast, her nerves for Batemans trial had gotten the best of her and made her stomach queasy. She hadn't wanted to add anything else that may upset her already aching belly. And she knew that the mush they served for breakfast at Camp McCoy would surely upset her. Adelyn had tried brush her co-workers off by telling them they had too much work to do but as the time passed, the hungrier Adelyn grew.

"AJ, I can hear your stomach from across the room!" Sully had laughed. It was the first time she had ever heard the tall man laugh since coming here the month before. "Go eat – Nate and I can handle an hour without you."

AJ had narrowed her eyes at him playfully. "I wouldn't go as far as to say that, Colin. You two, I'm sure, will be hopeless without me."

Nathaniel had laughed. "So helpless." He had joked along.

In the end, and after countless pestering, they convinced her to eat. "You two are worse than my Italian mother!" AJ laughed as she hung up her lab coat, picking up her normal jacket to bring with her outside.

A turkey sandwich, apple slices, and a handful of baby carrots later; AJ walked back to the labs with her coat resting on her shoulders only to have it yanked off of her by a strong grip that made her stumble backwards a bit. AJ turned to face a wrathful Dr. Bateman.

AJ took in a deep breath as Erik Bateman glowered down at her, his breathing was hard and his eyes were bloodshot. He had been drinking, the stench of alcohol was radiating off of his skin.

"Dr. Bateman," She tried to keep her voice from trembling.

"-You should have kept that mouth of your shut!" He seethed, spit flicked off his tongue and landed on AJ's cheek causing her to close her eyes for a moment. She moved her hand to wipe off the fluid only to have Bateman grab her by the wrist harshly and drag her closer to him.

"Let go of me!" AJ demanded, trying to pull away from him.

"You've ruined my life – all of you! You, Adams, and that spineless twit Smith!" His grip tightened on her wrist and AJ could already feel her skin bruising.

AJ managed to get the upper hand when she remembered something that Samuel had taught her once in her youth. He had been worried that some day her sharp tongue may get her in trouble and had taught his younger sister how to fight properly. Her knee moved up in a sharp motioned and collided into Dr. Batemans groin. The man stumbled forward a bit, dropping AJ's wrist as he groaned in pain.

The woman quickly turned, but not fast enough for her to get away and Dr. Bateman was able to pull her back by her hair, effectively pulling it out of her up-do she had put it in earlier. He yanked hard and AJ felt her scalp ache from the strength of his grip as he pulled her back to him.

"Let go!" She shouted, her voice higher than normal, the sound almost came out as a shriek. Bateman spun AJ around and backhanded her, causing her to stumble onto the ground.

But just as she fell to the ground, AJ watched as a body collided into Dr. Bateman as he moved to stand over her. But now Dr. Bateman had fallen to the ground as well.

It was one of the soldiers, that's all that AJ was able to see from the flash of the mandatory drill uniform when Bateman had been knocked to the ground.

"You son of a bitch!"

She knew that voice.

Bucky Barnes.

He hit Bateman in his face repeatedly until more soldiers came running over and pull Bucky off of the former scientist while others assisted AJ in standing. Nathaniel and Sully pushed their way through the crowd that had gathered to get to her, but AJ was trying to focus on getting to Bucky, who was being pulled away by a few Commanding Officers at Camp McCoy and his drill sergeant as well.

"AJ!" Sully was in front of her now, blocking her view of Bucky, who was currently getting screamed at by his drill sergeant. She winced when she felt a piece of cloth touch her cheek. When the cloth was removed, AJ felt her cheek sting harshly. AJ pressed her fingers to the spot that Sully had just put his cloth on and felt a warmth. When she moved her hand away from her face and looked down at her fingers she saw that there was fresh blood on them now.

Dr. Batemans ring.

It must have split her skin when he backhanded her.

"Come on, AJ," Nate said, moving his arm around her shoulder and pulling her close to him to get her away from all the commotion. Colin gave her his handkerchief that was now stained with her blood to press against her cheek to stop the bleeding.

AJ felt as though the world was moving slower than it truly was as her eyes searched the area for Bucky as Nate and Sully ushered her away. They were moving much faster than AJ was registering in her mind. But all of the chaos was causing everything in her sight to slow down.

But then she finally managed to meet Bucky's eye.

James Barnes was watching AJ as she was being ushered away. His expression clearly read that he was worried. He took a step forward to go to her but his drill sergeant grabbed him by the shoulder and forced him to stay put. AJ didn't know what to do – what to say. So, she let Nate and Sully lead her back to the labs.

_

For the remaining time he had left at Camp McCoy, Bucky would be doing heavy drills every single day. Which meant that his remaining time with AJ would be limited. But Bucky swore to himself that he would share a meal with AJ, even if it was only once a day, during his last two weeks at Camp McCoy.

Bucky, sadly, was unsure that when they returned to Brooklyn that their friendship would continue. AJ and Bucky hadn't really been close back in Brooklyn. In fact, Bucky was pretty sure she had detested him. But she was close with Steve. (Given the number of letters his oldest friend had sent AJ since she came to Wisconsin.) AJ would tease Bucky when she'd get a new letter from Steve, telling him that it was clear that Steve enjoyed her more than he did Bucky. And Bucky would shake his head with a smile in amusement at her teasing but he never corrected her.

Because who wouldn't like Adelyn Juliet Frost? She was a hell of a woman. A damn genius, clever as hell, a great sense of humor and the most beautiful green eyes Bucky had ever seen a person have.

Steve was lucky to have her in his life.

Bucky just wondered if AJ would continue to be in his life as well when they returned to Brooklyn.

He had found her under their tree during dinner. Russel and Anthony suggested that Bucky go to the lab to find her but his gut had told him that he knew exactly where she'd be.

Under her tree.

Their tree.

AJ had her back pressed against the tree, her knees pulled to her chest as she took small bites of an apple that she held in her left hand.

She looked different to him somehow. Not exactly vulnerable, but smaller. Not so much a damsel but Bucky still felt the overwhelming need to keep her safe.

Dr. Bateman was gone. Bateman and his bags were thrown into a car and all of camp had clapped when the vehicle drove away. The sound of hoots and hollers echoed throughout the entire camp. Bateman was gone. He'd never touch AJ again. But Bucky still found himself looking around to make sure that Bateman wasn't somewhere lurking around.

AJ turned her head in his direction while Bucky stood in place just watching her. He noted the piece of medical tape on her cheek and his jaw involuntarily clenched in anger. AJ must have seen him staring because her hand quickly moved up to her cheek to cover the piece of tape.

He could see the embarrassment in her eyes. "Not very flattering, I know." She said, ducking her head a bit.

Bucky's entire body relaxed at the sound of her voice and he let out a little sigh.

Bucky walked forward until he was at the tree and set down his dinner, taking a seat next to AJ.

"Nah," He disagreed, picking up his tray and shoveled a large spoonful of baked beans into his mouth. Bucky swallowed before speaking again. "You're still a looker."

AJ snorted in disbelief.

He looked down at the ground to try and find her tray of food but there was nothing there. Just the apple she was holding her hand.

"Not hungry?" He asked.

AJ shrugged. "Not really." He watched as she looked forward and across the field. "It's so quiet here." She said and then looked back at him. "You can hear crickets." AJ said with a small smile.

Bucky chuckled and nodded his head. There were definitely no crickets back in Brooklyn. "It'll be strange when we get back home." Bucky admitted. "No crickets...but there's this drunk who sits across the street of my house shouting all night about nonsense."

She grinned, "I don't think my neighbors sleep." AJ said with a little laugh. "I hear them walking around all hours of the night. The old man above me plays records all night too."

Bucky smiled at that. "But you wouldn't trade it for the world, would you?" He asked.

He looked over at AJ and saw her smiling, eyes closed as she spoke. "No. I wouldn't." She opened her eyes and looked over at Bucky. "Brooklyn is home. Even if you can't hear crickets."

Bucky agreed with her on that.

He ate, and after a while, AJ began to eat his food as well. She grabbed his roll off his tray and picked at it. She had even dipped bits of the bread into the baked beans before plopping it in her mouth. Bucky didn't ask her why she didn't go to the dining hall for dinner – he just happily let her eat his food off his tray.

When they were done eating and the horns had blown to let all the soldiers know they needed to head to the barracks for the night, Bucky got off the ground and held his hand out for AJ to grab a hold of, helping her off of the ground. He smiled while watching as AJ wiped off all the grass and dirt from the skirt of her dress.

AJ then looked up at him. "Do me a favor and, uh," she shifted on her feet, "-don't tell Steve about," AJ looked down at the ground before motioning to the bandage on her cheek. Bucky nodded, swallowing hard. He hated that Bateman had laid a hand on AJ. And Steve, as little as he was, would always defend someone against a bully. And that was what Bateman was. He was a bully. Bucky had no doubt that Steve would hop a train and try and find the disgraced scientist. Which meant Bucky would have to follow him to keep the kid from getting pummeled.

"I won't." Bucky promised.

AJ nodded her head slowly and Bucky watched as she fidgeted with the cuffs of her long-sleeved shirt. "Thank you, Bucky." She finally looked back up at him. "For...being there."

He smiled, pressing his hand down on her shoulder and gave it a little squeeze. "Always."

_

March 12th, 1943 - Camp McCoy, Wisconsin

Things had settled down at camp after Bateman had left. AJ took a small break from her colleagues to sit in her room going over more files alone. Next week she'd be interviewing the final candidate that Colonel Phillips had given her: Russel Caldwell.

Yet another friend she had made while working at Camp McCoy.

AJ often wondered why, out of all the candidates Phillips had given her, James Barnes had never made the list.

He was strong, brave, and kind.

And he was smart, too.

Why Phillips never put him on the list was odd to AJ.

But would she be able to objectively interview Bucky for Project Rebirth?

Of course! AJ argued with herself.

She had interviewed Anthony James and was able to be objective. Surely, she could do the same with Bucky.

They were both her friends.

That made her give into a little chuckle.

She thought back on when she first met Bucky. Back then, the thought of her ever considering him a friend was laughable. Now? It was just a fact. Pure and simple. James Barnes was her friend. He was...her friend.

AJ then frowned. Her eyes drifted to the box full of letters from her family and friends back home. Steve wrote her often to let her know about everything that was happening back home and all of the hi-jinks Jane and Lydia had been up to.

AJ really missed Steve.

Henry had written to his older sister and told her all about his schooling. His handwriting had gotten much better in the past year and AJ made sure that when she wrote back to Henry that she mentioned it; telling him that she was very proud of him the progress he had made.

Jane and Lydia had written a few letters to her, too.

Samuel had sent two letters.

But she had still only received one letter from Frank Jackson. It wasn't too long ago that she had received his first letter. But she held no ill will against him for not writing her more. Mail was easier to deliver from Brooklyn than it was from overseas.

Her relationship with Frank was more confusing and complicated to her than ever. AJ cared about Frank, yes. But she knew that she wasn't in love with the man and that he deserved much more than she could give him.

AJ set the box of letters down on her bedside table when she heard a knocking on the door. "Come in," She called out.

The door slowly opened and her eyes widened in shock when Quentin Belfort walked into her room. She pushed off her bed and flung her arms around his shoulders, hugging him tight. "You're back!" She breathed out happily.

AJ felt Quentin's chest rumble as he hugged her back.

She pulled away, keeping her hands pressed against his arms. "How?" AJ asked.

He smiled wide. "Colonel Phillips put in a recommendation for me to replace Dr. Bateman as lead scientist." Quentin told her. Adelyn laughed as she smiled happily, patting his arm affectionately. But then Quentin said something absurd. "But I told him that you should be given the position."

AJ quirked her brow up at him in amusement, not believing him. "You did now?"

"I did." He nodded. "Dr. Erskine agreed as well. The job is yours."

Her hands dropped from his arms and AJ had to take a step back. "What?"

"I know we only have two weeks left here at Camp McCoy – but you're the best man-woman," He correct with a smirk. "-For the job."

AJ smiled, shaking her head in disbelief. "I don't know what to say!" She said with a laugh.

"Say yes!" Quentin grabbed her arms and gave them a squeeze. "You deserve it!"

It would only be for the next fourteen days but that did not matter to AJ. This was all she had ever wanted to do in life! To lead her own team of scientist! The length of time she was able to do that did not matter.

"Yes!" AJ laughed. Quentin moved forward and hugged her again.

Later, AJ, Nate, Sully, and Quentin all celebrated together. Nate had found a hidden bottle of Vodka leftover from Bateman's stash. They had been wary to even drink from it at first but after Colin had poured the first glass, swallowed it in a quick gulp while wincing at the taste and giving into a yelp as he laughed – they all felt comfortable enough to drink from it.

AJ felt warm and light and her eyes watered from how hard she laughed when Nate put on a record and Quentin lead Sully in a dance. Nate had offered his hand for her and she grinned, standing up and let him lead her around, her already spinning head going into over-drive as he spun her around in a dance.

It was nice.

Here, right now, dancing with Nate while Quentin and Sully danced around them, AJ felt truly happy.

And then she had a strange thought; wondering what it may be like to dance with Bucky Barnes.

_

March 19, 1943 - Camp McCoy, Wisconsin

AJ was tired.

Since taking over as lead scientist after Bateman was terminated; her work load had doubled. Mostly because Erik Bateman only ever finished half of his work. There was always a point in the day where Bateman had been too drunk to continue on with his work so AJ now had to spend hours rewriting equations with Sully, Nate, and Quentin. They spent days correcting the notes and were finally on the verge of perfecting the serum for Dr. Erskine.

Today, AJ was conducting her last interview for Project Rebirth.

She sat up from her chair when Russel Caldwell entered the room after she had shouted for him to enter. AJ walked up to him and motioned for him to sit on the bench while she got ready to perform his physical.

They chatted for a bit, AJ specifically asking questions that were part of the interview and making a mental note of what Russell's answers were and occasionally scribbled into his chart if his answer to her question was noteworthy.

And then Russell said something that surprised AJ.

She kept her back to him while he pulled his shirt back on and Russell began to talk again. "Barnes hasn't eaten dinner with us for quite a few days." He said, a bit of mischief in his tone. "But when he comes into the bunks for the night...that boy is all smiles."

AJ felt her cheeks heat and was very glad that her back was still facing Russell and he was unable to see her face. "Interesting." AJ had made sure to keep her voice neutral when she replied. She kept her focus on Russell's chart, looking over it all to make sure she didn't miss anything while simultaneously avoiding looking back at Russell.

"Very interesting." Russell agreed stepping forward and around AJ so he could get a look at her face. "He also smells a bit like...vanilla...with a hint of citrus." He grinned. Russell then mock-gasped. "Matter of fact; I think I smell it right now."

AJ shook her head with a little roll of her eyes, knowing damn well that Russell was talking about her.

It was the smell of her perfume - a very distinct scent.

"Your mind is filth, Russell." She chastised him. "Bucky and I have had dinner together the past few nights as I'm sure you already know."

Russell shook his head and raised his hands up. "No, ma'am. Bucky doesn't kiss and tell." He smirked.

"Filth!" AJ laughed, swatting him with his own file. "Sit down."

Russell chuckled but did as she told him to and took a seat on the other side of AJ's desk.

She had just one more question left to ask to determine if Russell Caldwell would be a candidate for Project Rebirth.

"Do you want to kill Nazi's?" AJ asked him.

Russell frowned, his expression growing serious. He seemed to be thinking about his answer before he finally spoke up again. "If I could go the entire war without having to kill a single person...that would be ideal." He answered. "But the truth of the matter is that I want to keep my family, my friends, and my country safe. I want to keep everyone safe and if that means people have to die in order to protect innocent lives...I'll do my duty."

AJ was happily surprised by his answer.

For the very first time, she reached for the stamp on her right, pressing it into the ink before marking his file. "Thank you, Russell." She smiled. "You're free to return to your bunk now."

As Russell left the office, AJ looked down at his file with a smile. She'd send someone to deliver his file to Dr. Erskine in the morning.

Finally, AJ had found a candidate worthy of Project Rebirth.

In the end though, she would not be making the final decision.

_

March 26, 1943 - Camp McCoy, Wisconsin

The entire camp left early that morning for home.

AJ only saw Bucky briefly as she had been walking to her car with her luggage.

He had run over to her and offered to carry AJ's bag the rest of the way to her car. She had teased him, saying that how even on his last day at basic training; Bucky was breaking the rules.

"I just wanted to make sure I saw you before leaving." Bucky had said with a lazy grin as he leaned against her cars trunk.

"You do realize that we are heading back to the same city, yes?" AJ reminded him.

He seemed very happy with her response. "Yes, but then I'll have to share my time with you with Steve." Bucky smirked.

AJ smiled. She was really looking forward to seeing Steve Rogers again. It would be a long drive home, but Adelyn was looking forward to some time to herself. Her last two weeks at Camp McCoy had been long and busy but she had thoroughly enjoyed them. And though she was thrilled to go back home, she would miss the friends she had made at Camp McCoy.

Sully had already promised to visit Brooklyn in May and Nathaniel and Quentin would be visiting within the month to see her. Her goodbyes with them were sweet, each of them exchanging their information with the other with the promise of writing once a week.

It was particularly hard to say goodbye to Nate. He had become her closet friend here, her confidante, a man who never failed to make her smile and who had the kindest heart. She would miss him dearly. If it weren't for Nate, AJ didn't think she would have survived most of her days here.

Bucky, too.

But she would be seeing him back at home.

"I'm sure you'll be busy with all the girls you have waiting for you back home." AJ teased him. "You won't have any time for me, I'm sure."

Bucky shook his head. "No, Frosty. I'll always have time for you." He said with a soft smile that left her feeling warm.

Someone had called out Bucky's name and shouted at him that they needed to finish up before the buses left.

He pushed off her car and looked down at her with a smile. "I told ya."

AJ quirked her brow up at him. "Told me what?"

He grinned. "The day you did my exam. I told you that if I wasn't going off to basics - you and I would have become the best of friends."

AJ had chuckled, remembering the conversation very well. She had looked up at him with a small smile. "I'm glad you were right."

His name was hollered again.

"I'd hug you goodbye – but seeing as you have a fella overseas, I won't cross that line." He winked as AJ rolled her eyes at his comment but smiled nonetheless. "I'll see ya around Brooklyn, Frosty." Bucky had said with a grin as he stepped backwards.

AJ laughed, waving him off and turning towards her car to leave. "Goodbye, Barnes!"

She drove all day and just as the sky grew dark, AJ finally arrived back to Brooklyn. When she had driven to Wisconsin the month before, AJ had stopped over night at a motel from exhaustion – but now? The female scientist just wanted to be home.

Home, in Brooklyn, where her own bed was waiting for her in her apartment.

And now she was finally home. Thank God!

AJ parked her 1939 BMW on the street outside her building and grabbed her bags out of the car before heading inside. She took a moment to appreciate the fact that she was back in her building, looking up at the brick exterior with a smile. She set her bags down on the ground when she got to her door, pushing her keys into the door and unlocking it. AJ pushed the door open with her shoulder and then bent down to grab her bags. Once she was inside, AJ stopped at the sight of Steve pacing in the middle of her living room.

"Stevie!" She laughed happily, dropping her bags on the floor of her apartment. "Did you miss me that much?"

He spun around, nearly tripping over his own feet in the process, "Jay," He breathed out.

AJ giggled, walking forward and pulled her friend into a hug. She was about to tell him how jealous Bucky would be that Steve had come to see her first - but she didn't get the chance. AJ felt how tense he was when her arms were wrapped around him and the woman slowly pulled away from him, resting her hands on his shoulders as her brows furrowed in worry. "What's wrong?" She asked.

Steve sighed and closed his eyes. "AJ...someone came to see you while you were gone." He explained. "I told them you'd be back by tonight but they...they just left this,"

Her hands dropped from his shoulders, arms falling limply to her side as Steve pulled out a letter from his pockets as his hands shook the entire time. The look on his face was evidence enough that AJ knew already what the letter was about.

AJ was finally able to take the the letter from Steve after working up the courage to move her hands up to grab it. When she looked down at her hands, they were shaking just as badly as Steve's were.

"I'm so sorry, Jay." He whispered.

"Who?" She asked as she looked down at the letter. But she already knew. The writing on the envelope wasn't her mother's handwriting, so she knew her family was safe. That left one person.

Frank Jackson.

"I'm sorry," Steve said again as his small hand wrapped around Adelyn's wrist. He gave it a little squeeze before he let go of her and moved to walk past her to give her privacy to read the letter.

"No." she told him. Steve turned around just as AJ did the same to face him. "Stay...please."

Steve nodded his head and moved to sit with AJ on her couch as she opened the letter.

She must have gone over each word Franks mother wrote at least forty times.

The flesh wound Frank had written to her about was more extensive than he let on. AJ read the date his mother had written that Frank had died – three days after he had sent his letter to AJ. The wound had grown infected and without a proper medical team with him, Frank Jackson had died on February 21st, 1943.

By the time she had received his letter...he was already gone.

It left her feeling sick to her stomach.

AJ set the letter down on the small table in front of her and folded her hands together and leaned forward, resting her elbows on her knees as her hands laid under her chin.

"Do you want me to go?" Steve asked her after a moment.

She shook her head quickly, telling him not to leave.

They sat in silence before AJ finally began to talk. She expressed her guilt – how that when she first got his letter she had wished Frank was there with her but not so she could tell him that she loved him in person – but to tell him that she was not in love with him the way he loved her.

"I think maybe...given the time," She said while wiping away her tears. "-Maybe I could have loved him the way he deserved to be loved." She shook her head and wondered if she was only saying this out of guilt or if it was the truth.

Steve frowned at that. "I don't think you can choose who you love, AJ. I mean, you can pick and choose who you want to love, but not how you love them...does that make sense?"

AJ forced herself to smile and nod. Steve was trying to help – but the nagging guilt would not go away that easily.

Steve stayed the night at her place, falling asleep easily on the couch in her living room. AJ waited until she heard him softly snoring to let the big tears fall.

Frank Jackson was a good man.

He had deserved better.