In the distance "Faster ladies, come on." Peggy drawled bored and pacing, "My grandmother has more life in her, God rest her soul. Move it!"
"You're not really thinking of picking Rogers, are you?" Colonel Phillips asked Lucy and Doctor Erskine in disbelief as they ambled toward Peggy and the men.
Erskine replied patiently adjusting his glasses, "We are more than just thinking about it. It is a clear choice."
Phillips shook his head in exasperation, "When you brought a modicum asthmatic onto my army base, I let it slide. I thought 'What the hell.' Maybe he could be useful to you, like a gerbil. Never thought you'd pick him."
"Up!" Peggy ordered sternly as the trio looked on coming to a halt beside the car. "Jumping jacks!"
"Stick a needle in that kids arm, its going to go right through him." The Colonel gestured to Steve as his arms flailed about like limp noodles in an attempt to imitate jumping jacks.
"Come on, girls." Peggy surveyed.
"Look at that, he's making me cry." Phillips tried to emphasize his point.
"Lucy, what do I always say?" Erskine looked over at her from under his spectacles.
"We are looking for qualities beyond the physical." Lucy replied nervously under the hard stare of the imposing Colonel.
Phillips bristled with impatience, "Do you know how long it took to set up this project?"
Lucy nodded meekly while Erskine breathed a weary and looked away, "Yes."
"All the groveling I had to do in from of Senator what's-his-name committees…"
Erskine interrupted, "Yes, I know. I am well aware of your efforts."
"Then throw me a bone." The colonel nodded toward the men, "Hodge passed every test we gave him. He's big, he's fast. He obeys orders, he's a soldier."
Erskine shared a look with Lucy before stating, "He's a bully."
The Colonel stood up straighter his feathers ruffled, "You don't win wars with niceness, Doctor." Then stepping around the two scientists to reach into a crate stored in the back of the car he pulled out an object. "You win wars," and he yanked the pin out of what Lucy could now see was a grenade, "with guts." And then swiftly threw it into the midst of the men yelling, "Grenade!" as a split second warning.
In a mad rush most of the men jumped away from the bomb fearing for their own lives whilst Peggy and Steve both dove toward it. Steve, who was closer, got there first and covered the tiny but deadly object with his frail body in an attempt to shield his comrades from its destruction. Lucy's eyes widened as she sucked in a terrified breath as they all waited for the impending explosion that would end Steve's short life.
"Stay away!" Steve yelled waving his arm with renewed energy to ward people off for their own protection, "Get back!"
After a few moments of stressed stillness a voice rang out, "Dummy grenade. Men, back in formation." And there was a collective sigh of relief as the men left their hiding spots and a few nervous laughs to relieve the tension.
Steve sat up confused and asked breathing heavily his veins pumping with adrenaline; " Is this a test?" his question went unanswered.
Lucy and Erskine gave the Colonel a few pointed stares as he sighed still discontented, "He's still skinny." Before walking off back to his office.
Lucy let out a relieved sigh then went over to help Steve up off the ground before giving him a tight embrace. "Don't scare me like that again soldier." She reprimanded him sternly while fixing his hair and feigning not to scour him for injuries.
Steve chucked, "Just doing my duty madam."
Pulling him close for one last hug she whispered, "I'll come by later tonight. I want to see you before tomorrow." And with one last pat of his hair she left to follow the doctor.
-permafrost-
Later that evening…
Steve was pursing his book distractedly when there came a knock at the door causing him to jump. Looking over in stepped the fatigued form of the good doctor.
"May I?" Erskine asked politely.
"Yeah." Steve nodded.
Sensing his distraction, Erskine asked looking around, "Expecting someone else?" receiving a quick shake of the head from Steve he continued amused, "Can't sleep?"
"Got the jitters I guess." Steve shrugged his shoulders.
Erskine laughed while sitting down, "Oh, me too."
"Can I ask you a question?"
"Just one?" Erskine replied entertained.
"Why me?" Steve questioned seriously.
The Doctor's lighthearted smile faded replaced with a somber expression, "I suppose that is the one question that matters." Then with a sigh he continued, "This is form Augsburg. My city. So many people forget that the first country the Nazi's invaded was their own. You know after the last war they, my peoples struggled, they… they… they felt weak, they felt, slow. Then Hitler comes along, with the marching and the big show," he gestured with this hands then adjusted his glasses, "and the flags and all that. And he, hears of me, my work. Then he says, 'You, you will makes us strong.' Well I am not interested, so he sends the head of Hydra, his research division. A brilliant scientist by the name of Johann Schmidt. Now Schmidt is a member of the inner circle, and he's ambitious. He and Hitler share a passion for occult power and titanic myth. Hitler uses his fantasies to inspire his followers. But for Schmidt it is not fantasy. For him, it is real. He has become convinced that there is a great power hidden in the earth, left here by the gods. Waiting to be seized by superior men. So when he found my formula and what it can do. He cannot resist. Schmidt wants to become that superior man."
"Did it make him stronger?"
"Ja. But it has other effects. The serum wasn't ready. But more important, the man. The serum amplifies everything that is inside, so, good becomes great, bad becomes worse." Erskine paused to allow for the information to sink in, "This is why you were chosen. Because a strong man who has known power all his life, they lose respect for that power. But a weak man who knows the value of strength, and knows compassion."
"Thanks." Steve acknowledged the doctor's backwards compliment, "I think."
Satisfied with his speech Erskine gestured for Steve to retrieve the glass tumblers, "Whatever happens tomorrow, you must promise me one thing. That you must stay who you are, not a perfect soldier; but a good man." He finished pointing at Steve's heart.
Steve breathed a tad amused and touched at the sentiments shared "To the little guys." And they raised their glasses in a toast.
But just as Steve was about to take a drink, "No, wait, wait. What am I doing? No, you have procedure tomorrow. No fluids." Erskine then poured Steve's untouched drink into his own glass.
A bit started Steve replied, "Alright, we'll drink it after."
"No, I don't have procedure tomorrow." The doctor shrugged, "'Drink it after' No! Drink it now." He then drank all of the alcohol and finished with a satisfied smack of his lips. "Sleep well Steven I will see you tomorrow." Steve nodded good night then Erskine gathered his things and left the men's quarters. As the door swung shut behind him, Erskine said to the seemingly empty area around him, "It is ok Lucy. You will not get into trouble with me if you want to go see him." The doctor then eyed the corner of the building hidden in shadow next to him as a slender shape emerged.
Then a sheepish Lucy solidified under the harsh light of the entrance. "It is nice to see you Doctor."
Erskine smiled at his pupil, "Just don't stay too long, we have a big day tomorrow. And remember no fluids!" he then nodded and strolled off toward his own quarters. But before he left entirely he turned around, "Oh and I forgot to tell Steven, Agent Carter will be taking him to the facility tomorrow as we need to be there early to set up. Tell him that wont you?"