The sense of relief she felt when she saw the base – and in the distance, Peggy and even Colonel Phillips made her throat tight.

Home.

Or as close to home as she would get now.

She chanced a look at the man leading them – the man she had never expected to save her. The man she now believed in more than anything.

Captain America.

Steve.

Next to her, on Steve's other side; Bucky walked – hiding his pain with a stoic look. As if he sensed her gaze – he turned slightly. He shot her a wink, and she hid her smile, turning back to face the assembled men. As they walked through, men who recognised her – recognised Steve began clapping. As some of the soldiers she had been with began to break off from the herd – and immediately begin talking; about Steve, about Bucky, about her. About what they had done – their names began to spread like wildfire.

And a feeling she'd never felt spread from the pit of her stomach, all the way up into her mouth – until she couldn't stop from smiling.

Proud.

For once, she was proud of what she had done.

But her smiled dropped at the look on the Colonel's face. Steve saluted, keeping his composure. "Some of these men need medical attention." Behind them, medics spread through the crowd, and Steve's gaze flickered to Peggy. "And I'd like to surrender myself for disciplinary action."

"That won't be necessary." Phillips said quietly, and Adeline felt her lips quirk again as he turned and made his way out of the crowd.

Peggy moved in front of them, and raised an eyebrow at Steve. "You're late." She said, smirking as Steve pulled out a broken device, returning her cheeky smile.

"Couldn't call my ride."

Peggy shook her head, and leant forwards – embracing him quickly. "At least you're here." She said, eyes lowering to the ground. She looked up at Adeline next, pressing her lips together. "I am so-"

Adeline interrupted her – and pulled her into her arms, hugging her tightly. Peggy made a squeaking sound, before she relaxed, patting Adeline's back. "It's good to see you, Peg." Adeline whispered in her ear. "Thank you for sending him."

They broke apart as Bucky began to shout – Peggy smiling warmly, and still clutching her hand. She squeezed it, mouth moving as roars from the soldiers deafened them. You're welcome, Ads.

June 22nd, 1943, London, England. SSR Base.

Adeline lent against the brick wall of the underground base, as Steve repeated his findings for the third time.

As he moved away with Colonel Phillips she peeled herself off the wall – there was nothing else for her to do, but to follow him. She meandered over to his side, eyes catching on a beautiful young blonde woman who was eyeing Steve suggestively.

Adeline bristled – and took a menacing step closer.

Then she realized what she had done – and brought herself up, standing to attention and pointedly looking elsewhere.

Peggy shot her a look, before looking at the blonde as well. Her eyes narrowed, and she took a tiny step closer to Steve. The blonde eyed her up and down before taking her leave.

Adeline let her still bandaged fists relax.

And she scowled inwardly.

What was wrong with her?

"Ads, are you coming with me?"

Adeline turned to face Peggy – catching her gaze in the mirror.

For some reason, the woman was dressed to the nines, finishing swiping on a perfect coat of red lipstick. "Where are you going?" she asked suspiciously.

Peggy smiled. "Howard's invited me out for dinner. I don't think he knows you're back. It would be a lovely surprise if you came."

Adeline grinned at the thought of seeing the brash little inventor. Then her face fell. "I don't have anything to wear…" she said dully, collapsing back on the bed.

Peggy made a shushing sound. "Nonsense! You can borrow something of mine!" She stood, red dress falling back into place. She examined Adeline with a practised eye. "I think you're just a touch smaller than me – so you can borrow the green dress."

Adeline sat up as Peggy buried herself in her large suitcase, murmuring to herself as she moved items around. Finally she stood, clutching a balled up wad of green material. She threw it at Adeline, along with some slightly darker heels. "Go and get dressed, and I'll do your hair." Adeline nodded, scurrying off to the adjourning bathroom.

There was a full-length mirror in there, and so she could see the immediate transformation as the form fitting dress replaced her loose uniform. It was made out of velvet, a dark emerald shade, and skimmed her bust, her collarbones and shoulders exposed. It ended where Peggy's did, just after her knees. She ran her hands nervously over the dress before slipping into the heels.

She didn't feel like herself.

She made her way out into the room again, where Peggy was waiting. The brunette clapped her hands together merrily. "You look stunning!"

She gestured to the seat in front of the mirror, and Adeline sat obediently, and Peggy worked her magic – smoothing out and curling her usually dead straight hair, and piling it into a neat chignon style, mostly on the left side of her head.

Then, she whirled the chair around and pulled out the lipstick.

Adeline blanched.

"Don't be silly! It would be a crime to leave you washed out in such a dress!" Peggy wielded the lipstick expertly, and within minutes, she had not only applied the lipstick expertly, but had lined Adeline's eyes in some sort of kohl stick, making the grey even harsher than before.

Adeline looked at herself uncertainly.

Peggy stood behind her in the mirror, smile soft.

"When was the last time you wore a dress, Ads?"

Broken glass –

The night air punctured by screams and shattering, and the roar of fire.

Blood spilled across the cobblestones.

And pain…

Adeline shuddered out of the flash of images as Peggy placed a hand on her tense shoulder. "Kristallnacht. The Night of Broken Glass." Her voice was hoarse, and she blinked away the wetness in her eyes as Peggy hummed sadly, and squeezed her shoulder.

"I am so sorry, Adeline. Truly sorry."

Her apology startled Adeline. "What for? You have done nothing?"

Peggy's eyes grew even sadder. "I'm saying sorry because I wish that what happened to you hadn't happened to you. I am saying sorry because you don't deserve what they did to you."

Adeline dropped her gaze. "It is… it is inescapable." She said quietly. She looked up, and Peggy was taken aback by the sudden change on her face. Any trace of emotion was gone, replaced by a bright smile. "Now quickly! I can hear the car outside."