20 February 1943

Christiane walked back to the changing room, stretching her arms out after a long day of training in combat and languages at the base. Anya and Peggy had left earlier in the morning to Camp LeHigh for supervision over the week.

Her hands fumbled to open the locker, taking her dress down from its hangar to look down to a note, flitting down gently to the floor. Printed in Peggy's cursive handwriting wrote: "He leaves on March 31".

She turned her back against the locker walls, sliding down to sit as she held the note gingerly between her fingers; the reality of him heading to Europe becoming more and more real.

30 March 1943

Steve agreed with Christiane and Bucky to meet each other at the cinema near their homes, a screening of Hello, Frisco, Hello.

Christiane came from the SSR disguised as an antiques shop, running as best as she could in the flared skirt she changed into from training. She quickly paid for a ticket before jumping the steps to the screening, poking her head in silently to try and find Steve.

"Steve?" she whispered, looking down each row with no avail before running back up the theatre steps, walking out to the street.

She heard metal clattering on her left, as she ran into the nearby alleyway, a man backing Steve up into the corner.

"Back off!" she shouted, her palms splayed out at her sides.

The man turned around, a filthy smile on his face as he looked at Christiane, stalking to her. Steve took the opportunity to jump and pull him at his collar, punching him in the cheek as he turned back to him. The man stuttered back, a fist flying towards Steve as he flew backwards into the pile of trash bins.

"I told you to back off!" she ran towards him ready to jump behind him and lock his throat for him to faint with her arm.

Christiane started to move towards him only to have herself yanked backwards, a strong arm around her waist pushing her behind as he caught the man's fist in the air.

She looked to a tall man she recognized in uniform.

"Pick on someone your own size," he twisted the man's arm and kicked him as he ran away.

Christiane watched the man run past her, ready to elbow him in the face only to have Bucky pull her away again, "Oh no you don't. That's enough fighting for the two of you."

Steve scrambled up panting, fists up ready, "I can do this all day," taking up Bucky's arm to stand as they walked out the alley, the sun shining warmly onto their backs.

"You don't think I don't know about this?" Bucky pulled out a piece of paper dangling out of Steve's pocket.

He turned to Christiane beside him, paper waving in his hand, "Do you know about this?"

"Almost every week," she looked at Steve, eyebrows raised.

"What's next Steve? You're going to get caught one of these days!"

"I won't get caught," he muttered, turning to get a good look at Bucky as they stopped on the sidewalk. "You got your orders?"

Bucky straightened up, pulling Christiane closely to him with one arm, the other tipping his cap, "Sergeant Barnes, 107th shipping out to England first thing tomorrow morning."

Christiane felt a sting to her heart, like a knife driven through. She glanced down, trying to recollect her emotions, deciding to look happy for Bucky's sake. She looked back up, "So where to now?"

"The future," he gleamed, taking out a pamphlet from his jacket as they walked up to the subway station.

"Breathe, Howard." Anya held him by his shoulders.

"I can't breathe! This is horrible, nothing is going to work!" his eyes wide, taking a sip of the martini in his hand.

Anya looked to him in disapproval, taking the drink out his hand and throwing the content's to a nearby tree.
"It won't be perfect, but it will work. This is the future we're talking about, nothing's perfect from the beginning."

Howard breathed out, smiling at her with loving eyes, "What would I do without you?"

She crossed her arms, rolling her eyes as she muttered under her breath, "Probably in California with yet another dame on your arm."

"Ha! California? I'd take her to Rio! What do you think?" he leaned in to her as he adjusted his bow tie.

"You'll be great," she kissed him quickly on the cheek before pushing him out onto the stage.

Howard walked on stage with the crowd applauding wildly, pulling a showgirl for a kiss as Christiane grimaced, scrunching up her nose.

Bucky leaned in, an arm around her waist, "What's wrong, doll?"

"Nothing," she turned around, "Nose's itchy."

He chucked kissing her lightly on her forehead before they turned their attention back to the showcase.

Anya rolled her eyes, classic Stark.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, what if I told you that within a few short years, your automobile won't even have to touch the ground at all," he charismatically walked around the stage, eyes fixed on him.

"With Stark Gravitic Reversion Technology, you'll be able to do just that," his eyes going to the crowd, scanning to see Christiane in the first few rows, his eyebrows raising as he smiled cheekily seeing Bucky behind her before going back to the control panels.

As the car started to gravitate, a hum echoing as there were 'oh's and ah's' amongst the crowd, Bucky stood watching. She could feel his heart beat fast, "Holy Cow. You're seeing this right, doll?"

Just as it short-circuited, the car falling to the ground.

"I did say a few years didn't I?" Stark swayed, smiling back to the crowd, laughing and applauding.

"Hey Steve, what do you say we…" Bucky turned around, trying to find him.

Christiane turned around with him, "Steve?"

Bucky pursed his lips, shaking his head disapprovingly as he took Christiane's hand, walking to the army recruitment block.
"Not again," she breathed out, walking in stride with Bucky.

"Come on," he gave Steve a little shove, "We were thinking of grabbing something to eat and maybe go dancing."

"You go ahead, I'll catch up with you." he looked to Christiane apologetically. She knew he wouldn't follow behind.

"You're really going to do this again?" Bucky shook his head.

"Well, its a fair. I'm gonna try my luck."

Bucky's voice raised, "As who? Steve from Ohio? They'll catch you. Or worse, they'll actually take you."

They stared at each for a few seconds, Bucky tensed before Steve continued, "Look, I know you don't think I can do this."

"This isn't a back alley, Steve. It's war."

They started arguing, Christiane taking a step to get at least put a hand on the both of them.

"I know its a war," Steve argued.

"Why are you so keen to fight? There are so many important jobs." Bucky shot back. Christiane turned her head to Steve, waiting to hear his answer.

"What do you want me to do? Collect scrap metal in my little red wagon?"

"Bucky.." Christiane warned him, his voice at the verge of shouting.

"Yes! Why not?" he waved his arms in the air.

"I'm not gonna sit in a factory, Bucky." Steve closed his eyes, trying to recollect his thoughts as Christiane squeezed tightly on Bucky's arm as he continued to argue.

"Bucky, come on. There are men laying down their lives." Steve spoke, finally silencing Bucky as he breathed heavily.

"I got no right to do any less than them. That's what you don't understand. This isn't about me."

"Right. 'Cause you got nothing to prove." Bucky defeated spoke, his eyes beginning to glaze.

Christiane stood by the both of them, Steve smiling softly to her as she started to feel her eyes water over, this was it. The heavy pit in her stomach and the stinging feeling in her throat started again, her two best friends were about to say goodbye to each other.

Bucky started walking backwards, pulling Christiane by her hand as she still faced Steve, "Don't do anything stupid until I get back."

Steve smiled, the boyish adventure in his eyes again, "How can I? You're taking all the stupid with you."

Christiane laughed, her eyes really beginning to tear up as she looked to Bucky stride to Steve.

"You're a punk" he stifled, hugging him tightly.

"Jerk," he hugged him back, "Be careful."

Christiane went to Steve, hugging him, "I'll see you at home later," she kissed him on the cheek.

Steve watched the two of his best friends walk hand in hand closely.
"Don't win the war till I get there!"

Bucky turned around, saluting him before walking off with Christiane.

He held Christiane even more tightly now, his head down as he tried to keep his a stray tear from his eyes. She held onto his hand tightly, leaning her head onto his shoulder as they walked into the bright lighted night. The amber luminescence casting gold reflections, a single drop on Bucky's cheek.

Steve sat on the examination bed, looking to the doctor whispering out the curtain.

He turned around, "Wait here."

"Is there a problem?" Steve sat upright, nervousness rising.

"Just wait here," before he left him alone in the room.

Steve looked to the sign about lying on enlistment forms. He jumped down, scampering to get his things just as an Enlistment Officer stepped in.

Another man walked in, turning to the officer, "Thank you," as he left. A woman walked behind the man, clipboard in hand.

"Anya?", Steve whispered, eyes in shock.

Anya stayed still, her eyes acknowledging him as Erskine looked between the two before continuing to Steve, "So, you want to go overseas. Kill some Nazis."

"Excuse me?" he put his head to the side.

The man outreached his hand, "Dr. Abraham Erskine."

"Steve Rogers," he shook the doctors hand, looking to Anya.

Erskine moved to the side to Anya, a ghost of a smile on her lips, "This is my assistant, Agent Geneviève Anya Bougourd. But I see you already know each other?"

"One of Christiane's best friends," Anya spoke, her smile growing slightly wider though she tried to keep herself professional.

"Good good," Erskine chuckled, picking up his file, flipping through the pages.

"Where are you from?" Steve leaned over, trying to see what Erskine was writing.

"Queens. 73rd Street and Utopia Parkway. Before that, Germany. This troubles you?" he looked up through his glasses.

Steve quickly shook his head, "No."

"Where are you from, Mr. Rogers? Mmm? Is it New Haven? Or Paramus? Five exams in five different cities," he flipped through the pages.

"That might not be the right file," he leaned in closer.

"No, it's not the exams I'm interested in. It's the five tries. But you didn't answer my question. Do you want to kill Nazis?", he flipped the file closed, adjusting his glasses.

Steve looked to Anya, then back to Erskine, "Is this a test?"

He nodded, a little surprised by his question, "Yes."

Steve took a breath in, looking to Anya then to Erskine, "I don't wanna kill anyone. I don't like bullies. I don't care where they're from."

Erskine gestured for him to follow out of the room, "Well, there are already so many big men fighting this war. Maybe what we need now is the little guy, huh? I can offer you a chance."

"I'll take it." He tried to keep up with the doctor and Anya.

"Good. So where is the little guy from, actually?" Erskine looked to Anya.

Anya smiled, looking to Steve to which he straightened up as much as he could, "Brooklyn."

Erskine handed back his file, stamping it. "Congratulations, Soldier. Geneviève will let you know the details."

The doctor walked away, leaving Anya and Steve alone. Anya pulled him to the side.

Her voice hushed and rushed, "I'm sorry I couldn't tell you,"

"I understand," he smiled gently to her, "Does Chrissy know?"

Anya let out a shaky breath, "She's about to be in it. She's been training as an agent these last few months."

His eyes flew open wide, "Does Bucky know?"

Anya shook her head, "We couldn't tell anyone. The SSR brought us here away from France, it's part of the deal."

Anya turned them around as a group of Enlistment Officers walked by them. Her voice was low, quiet, "Go home, Steve. Take the key under the floormat at our place, I'll meet you back there after I'm done."

Steve nodded, taking the file into his jacket as Anya quickly hugged him tightly, before she walked away, going to a waiting Erskine as he waved in the distance to Steve.

Moments deafened by the music, careful steps and light touches of skin. An electric danced between them, unsaid words and emotions.

Bucky had pulled her off the dance floor abruptly, eyes wild as he led her outside. They walked hand in hand to the subway station, standing in a crowded train so close yet without saying a word to each other.

Christiane pulled him by the hand up the stairs, turning around to face him as she fumbled for her key in her purse. Bucky couldn't resist, months away from her, with only hours spent with each other yet a promise to each other to spend their lives together.

His hands went to cup her face, pulling her up to him as he kissed her softly, gentle bruises to their lips as he back away, looking to her.

She pulled him by his necktie and collar, their lips crashing to each other, a tension building slowly being let out with each touch between them. Bucky pried his tongue gently to her lips, slipping his hand up into her hair, pulling out the ribbon that held her braid together. He shuffled the strands between his fingers, gripping and massaging to her scalp, Christiane's lips opening to him. With the kiss deepening, he pushed her against the door, quickly slipping his hand down her side to her leg as a way to release the tension building in him, only driving him wilder. He took a breath, Christiane catching his lower lip as she pulled away, looking at him through her lashes. The little height difference between them made Bucky able to lift her leg, smoothing his hand over her thighs as she pulled him closer to her. Her hands fumbled to his hair, trying to hold under the cap. Bucky smiled in the kiss, taking his cap off tucking it under one arm before he pulled away, Christiane quickly turning around to finish opening the door.

As the door opened, Bucky pulled her in closely again, tossing the cap into the dark void of the apartment, both hands holding her by her waist.

Christiane turned around, putting a hand over Bucky's hand as she pointed quietly to the sofa, Steve sleeping like a rock. They quietly took off their shoes at the door, lining them up at the wall.

She took his hand, both tiptoeing in their socks through as they reached Christiane's room. Bucky stepped in, turning to face her as she quietly closed the door, turning to him.

She pulled him close to her, smoothing her hands over his uniform until she pulled off his jacket, going for his necktie slowly. Bucky watched her, taking in the way the moonlight cast her skin like pearls, her hair and eyelashes dark.

His hands went to hers, helping to take off his shirt and belt.

Bucky stood shirtless in her room, his eyes looking to hers asking for permission. Christiane took his hands in hers, moving them to her waist before she moved hers to his shoulders.

He pulled off her cardigan, moving to unbutton her shirt until he hesitated, looking back at her.

"Bucky?", she whispered, a hand softly holding his cheek as he leaned in, eyes closing.

He kissed her palm, taking it in his hands and he held hers to his heart.

"We can't do this, not yet. I, you're..."

Christiane nodded, "Not ready, like doing this would be like the last thing we'd do together and you think you won't be coming back."

Bucky nodded, "I made a promise to you, that I'd come back to you." He leaned in, his lips trailing to your neck giving soft kisses, "Trust me, I want to do it, Christiane. But I can't help shake the feeling. I want it to be right, the right place and the right time. I want you to decide when you are ready."

He pulled away, forehead against hers, "I am yours, everything, my whole life is yours, Christiane."

She closed her eyes, taking his face in her hands before kissing him on his forehead softly, taking him to sit at the bed as she got her pajamas, taking the spare pajamas Steve and Bucky kept in the house in case of late nights, throwing one to Bucky. Christiane went to her bathroom, closing the door as she washed her face, changing in her night clothes to come out seeing Bucky changed, standing by the door.

"I'll go sleep outside with Steve then," he smiled to her, opening the door quietly.

"Bucky?" she whispered out.

He turned back to her, unmoving like a statue.

"Do you want to sleep beside me tonight?" She couldn't believe what she was saying, mentally hearing her Baba shouting at her about how disgraceful an unmarried woman sleep with a man. To be fair, she had seen Anya do it several times since they moved to Paris with friends but nothing more, Anya heart was with Loki.

She blinked again, seeing Bucky approach her as he took her hand, pulling her to the bed.

"You're sure you're okay with this?"

She nodded, getting under the covers beside Bucky as she scooted closely to him. Her head rested on his chest, his arm around her.

"I love you, Bucky." she whispered, her eyes closing. She tried to remember how it would feel, to be close in the arms of the person she loved. She prayed for him, asking her family and the All Father's to keep him safe. She hoped to see him again.

"I love you too, Christiane." he whispered back, kissing her head softly before feeling his eyes close.

Christiane shifted, feeling an empty space beside her. Her eyes flying open, adjusting to the still dark room as she realized Bucky wasn't beside her.

"Go back to sleep, it's still early" he whispered behind her, dressed in uniform and cap.

She jumped out of bed, running to get a skirt and shirt, "I've got to send you at the docks!"

Bucky tried to open his mouth in protest only to have Christiane push her jacket in his arms as she went behind the bathroom door.

They walked together, the morning air still fresh and cold. Their footsteps clicking on the pavement in sync, arms around each other.

She could hear the crowds of soldiers already, the smell of petrol and the sea wind. Men started to gather in the makeshift tents to put down their names to board the ship, a bundle of US Army grade clothing given to them in another duffel.

Christiane stood still, crowds of brown uniforms walking past her. Her heart raced, it ached.

"Hey," Bucky took both her hands, "Look at me, doll." He smiled, boyish under the big army cap.

Her eyes moved to his, taking into focus.

"Tell me about a star, a star to remember you by," he squeezed her hands, his eyes searching deeply to her.

She breathed finally, moving from her statue-like episode. "You know Ursa Major already, the Big Dipper?"

He nodded, smiling the same bright smile, "I remembered every star you ever told me about." He beamed, proud and confident.

Christiane smiled, starting to feel more comfortable around her. Bucky knew what effect it would have for her to come with him, the realization for her to have to say goodbye and him to her.
She continued, "The edge of that, put your thumb up like this," she tiptoed a little to get to Bucky's eye-level, "And that's Polaris, the northern star, it'll always guide you north."

Bucky took her hand down, pulling her in closely, his arms around her, warm and safe as he whispered to her, "I'll imagine it guides me home to you."

The ship blew its horn, indicating boarding. Men waved to their loved ones, their children as they turned their backs, waving to them.

Bucky breathed shakily, resting his chin on her head, a soft whisper against the crowd, "I wish we had more time."

"We will," she felt a sob coming, trying to stifle it back, "You better come back to me James Buchanan Barnes or I'll come get you over there myself."

He laughed, trying to hide back the unevenness of his voice, "Yes ma'am."
Bucky rested his head on her shoulder, trying to take in as much as possible in the embrace. His mind wandered to the night before; it was love. He could only love her with every breath, blood and fiber of him, he thought.

"I love you, go," she pulled away, kissing him on his cheek quickly, holding back tears and the choking feeling in her guts.

His whisper felt like a ghost, the warmth of his breath on her neck before brushing away with the sea wind, "I love you, Christiane."

He brushed his hand through her hair, to rest his palm on her face before walking backwards. His other hand saluted to her, trying to appear brave and confident. His eyes bore love and fear, taking a final look at her before dispersing into the crowd of soldiers.

Christiane stood there until the boat left, sailing away as it became smaller and smaller until she couldn't recognize the figures on the ship anymore. She walked back home, the sun still rising painting the sky a magnificent orange. She held on tight to the ring.