The entire week after the party saw Bucky walking on sunshine. He was walking with a spring in his step and had a grin permanently stuck to his face. Peggy stayed until the weekend, discussing all sorts of S.S.R. related things with Howard, which he either ignored or forgot. It wasn't that he was doing it on purpose (which he often did), he was just so close to finishing his hover car. The weekend had everyone cheering with glee because Howard had finally done it. The hover car was finished and was going for spins around the neighborhood.

Bucky was happy because it meant that Howard was going to take a break for a bit, which would give him some free time. Back before the war, when he'd had both the time and money, Bucky loved going to the pictures. Now, he was good and determined to take Rosie with him.

X-X-X

Rosemarie was working her usual Friday afternoon shift; restocking the shelfs and taking inventory on the things in the supply room. It was around one o' clock and she was almost ready to move on to her next task; counting the money in the cash register, when a big dumb man walked up to her with his big dumb smile and his big dumb eyes. Rosemarie was surprised to see him so early, but she wasn't going to say anything about it.

"Hello, James." She tried to sound as bored with him as possible.

"Good afternoon, Rosie." He sounded way too happy.

"What do you want?"

"Well, I was thinking that since I've got the day off and you get off at 5:30, then we could "engage in friendly conversation" tonight."

"What if I already made plans for tonight?"

Bucky didn't miss a beat. "Then I would wait until the next time I've got the day off and ask again."

"When will that be, James? I heard Stark keeps you pretty busy." She gave him a pointed look.

"I'm going to tell him to give me weekends off. Just think! We could spend every weekend "engaging in friendly conversation"!"

"Alright." Rosemarie said, accepting her fate. "What do you want to do tonight?"

"I can't tell you. It would ruin the surprise." Bucky flirted, eyes alight with mischief.

"Fine. Pick me up from here at seven." She wasn't going to admit she was intrigued. Because she wasn't. Not at all.

"Great! I'll see you then, doll." And with that, Bucky sauntered out of Jones' Fresh Market like he owned the place.

X-X-X

It was 6:45 and Bucky was dressed to the nines. He was wearing dark slacks, a blue button up and a jacket. He might have over done it a little, but he'd really wanted to impress Rosie. He hadn't ever felt like this about anyone before. Sure, he'd flirted a lot with the girls back in Brooklyn, but that had been just for fun. This felt serious somehow.

Howard had allowed him to borrow one of his cars for the night and, since he couldn't drive, Mr. Jarvis was his chauffer. Bucky felt a little weird about making Jarvis drive him around, but he said he didn't mind. In fact, he was ecstatic that Bucky was finally going out with Rosie. Apparently, Anna had been regularly updating both him and Stark about Bucky and Rosie's love life.

They pulled into the parking lot of Jones' Fresh Market five minutes early and Rosie was there waiting for him. Bucky grinned, she was here early too. Jarvis parked the car and Bucky hopped out to greet Rosie.

She was wearing a frilly pink dress matched with a pearl necklace and earrings. She looked perfect.

"Good evening, Ms. Jones." Bucky grinned boyishly as he offered his arm. "You look beautiful."

Rosie tried and failed to suppress a smile. "Thank you, James. You look rather nice yourself."

He led her over to the car and unhooked his arm from hers so he could get the door for her. She slid elegantly inside and Bucky closed the door after her before rounding the car to get in on the other side.

"So, where are we going, James?"

"Patience, Rosie." Bucky winked. "Mr. Jarvis, if you please."

"With pleasure, sir." Jarvis smiled as he pulled out of the parking lot.

The couple chatted happily until Jarvis pulled up alongside the city's resident movie theater. Rosie almost squealed in delight.

"How did you know I love the flickers?"

Bucky smiled broadly, they had something in common! "I didn't. I love them and was hoping you would too."

"I shall retrieve the two of you in precisely two and a half hours from now." Jarvis informed them as they got out of the car. "Have a good time."

"Thank you, Mr. Jarvis." Rosemarie said as Bucky went to go buy tickets.

Once they'd gotten their popcorn and sodas, they managed to find the perfect seats in the very center of the theater.

The movie was hilarious and had the both of them in stiches by the end of it. About half way through, Bucky casually reached his arm around Rosie's shoulders. She gave him what he had begun to call The Look, but didn't say anything. She'd even leaned her head against his shoulder. Bucky was glad the darkness could mask his goofy grin.

When the movie was over and the lights came back on, they slowly sauntered out of the theater, arm in arm.

"Well, we've got about 30 minutes before Jarvis comes back." Bucky said, checking his watch. "What would you like to do?"

"If you want, I suppose I'll let you buy me some ice cream."

"Yes ma'am!" Bucky cheered.

As they walked to the ice cream shop down the street, they talked about everything; the movie, their families, their jobs. They were so engrossed in their own little world that they were late to meet Jarvis.

X-X-X

Bucky walked Rosemarie up to the front porch of her parent's house with his heart on his sleeve. Rosie wasn't much better because she couldn't stop smiling for the life of her.

"Well, this is me." She said, even though she wasn't ready for him to go yet.

"I guess it is." Bucky answered, not ready to say goodnight yet himself.

"I had a fun time tonight, James. Thank you."

"I did too. Listen Rosie, there's something I gotta ask you."

"Hmm?"

"Could I have the privilege of going steady with you? Like, be your fella and all?" He was only a little nervous.

"I might have to think about it." Rosie said sarcastically, while her heart screamed yes, yes, yes!

"I'll buy you all the ice cream you want." Bucky sing songed.

"Oh, I suppose. If there's going to be ice cream involved." Rosie laughed.

Bucky was so happy, he forgot his manners and leaned down to kiss her cherry red lips. Rosie gave a squeak of surprise, but before Bucky could pull away, she wrapped both arms around his neck and pulled him closer.

Bucky pressed his hand to the small of her back and deepened the kiss as Rosie reached a hand up to play with his hair. They were so distracted that neither of them realized that the door had opened until a masculine voice loudly "ahemed."

The couple sprang apart and turned to look at the stern, balding man standing in the door with his arms crossed.

"Hi, Daddy." Rosemarie stuttered.

Oooooh. Someone's in trouble.