Dusk was in the air. And the sky was a deep azure. Soon it was replaced with the inky darkness of the night. Gravel crunched beneath the boots of soldiers as they walked to and fro enjoying the party in the mess hall. Faint wisps of jazz music permeated the air around the camp lifting the mood of every soul it reached. The days were few when young people could enjoy being young these days. Nevertheless, there was one particular young lady who ignored the merrymaking and was instead lurking around the men's dormitories. Lucy shivered in the cool evening air. She was waiting for her boss to leave the building so she could go inside and visit her long time friend.
After Erskine left, Lucy entered the building and shut the door quickly behind her. Steve jumped up observing her chilled state and rushed to giver her his blanket.
His eyes crinkled with joy as he saw her. "Come in out of the cold." He led her inside whilst rubbing the warmth back into her arms.
Lucy straightened as she walked by the beds to sit across from Steve on his mattress keeping her distance. "Its lovely to see you Steve," she began at the same time she scrutinized his face. "Are you sure you want to do this tomorrow? You don't have to you know that right?" she then crossed her arms, "We can just as easily find someone else to…"
Steve puffed his chest out bit with confidence, "I can do this Lucy," then he leaned forward placing his hand on hers, "you don't have to worry about me all the time you know."
She swallowed and pulled her hand away to play with her hair, "I can't help it sometimes." she quietly admitted. Then looking back at him with reassurance "Not because I don't believe in you. Maybe because old habits die hard." She smiled nostalgically and reached out to brush a small scar hidden beneath Steve's eyebrow.
Steve looked up at her through his lashes then closed his eyes as her hands wandered to stroke his hair. He shook with slight laughter, "I remember that day."
"Hmm." She replied with a twist of her lips, moving to sit beside him. "Never could walk away from a fight."
"Not just any fight," Steve protested with a shake of his head. "They kept making comments about you!" then he turned to catch her eyes and continued earnestly "I had to defend you honor."
Lucy looked away bashfully and leaned back against the wall. "When will you learn Steven Rogers that I can defend myself? As you may recall I broke his nose."
Steve settled next to her and sighed, "And you need to learn that I can protect myself as well Lucille Barnes."
Lucy grimaced, "You know dislike it when you use my full name."
Steve raised one eyebrow and nudged her, "I know. That's why I use it so often. I think it suits you."
Steve and Lucy sat together for a while, sprawled across his bunk. And as the night went on they spoke of lighter topics. Just as a sleepy Lucy was succumbing to the urge of placing her head on Steve's shoulder, a shuffling came from outside the door. Steve and Lucy sprang apart. The door opened with a bang and in slouched the men from the party. The soldiers paused shocked into silence at seeing Lucy in their quarters and with Steve nonetheless.
Lucy cleared her throat awkwardly, "I just wanted to tell you Rogers, Agent Carter will meet you tomorrow to take you to the facilities. Be by the cars at 0900 and don't be late." With a nod good night she strolled from the building. "Evening gentlemen." She acknowledged the stunned recruits.
Some men muttered, "Good night." in response and a few nodded as she left.
When Lucy could no longer be seen Hodges let out a low whistle, "Damn Rogers." He looked over at the Steve. "Carter and Barnes? How did you get so lucky? I haven't seen them speak to any man here. And this is the first time I've seen her without that bulky lab coat." He gestured after Lucy. Shaking his head and muttering about the unfairness of life, Hodges rolled into bed. Within minutes he was deeply asleep.
Steve looked out the window in the direction Lucy disappeared. "If only I were so lucky." He slumped his shoulders and followed Hodges lead crawling into bed.
-permafrost-
The next day…
There was a bit of overcast. Children were playing in the street. And the car ride continued in silence until Steve remarked, "I know this neighborhood." He sat up straighter to get a better view, "I got beat up in that alley." He remembered pointing, "And in that parking lot. And behind that dinner." He finished slumping back into his seat.
Peggy stared in disbelief, "Did you have something against running away?"
Steve shook his head then looked out the window, "You start running they'll never let you stop. You stand up, push back. You cant say no forever right?" he shrugged.
"I know a little of what that's like." Peggy said empathetically. "To have every door shut in you face." She clarified.
"I guess I just don't know why you would want to join the army. If you're a beautiful dame." Steve stuttered realizing his mistake, "Or a beautifu...oh a woman. I mean… an agent. Not a dame. You are beautiful, but..." Steve looked away shyly trying not to meet Peggy's amused stare.
"You have no idea how to talk to a woman, do you?" Peggy challenged.
Steve let out a nervous laugh, "I think this is the longest conversation I've had with a woman." He thought, 'Besides Lucy.' "Women aren't exactly lining up to dance with a guy they might step on." He finished looking down at his hands.
Peggy probed gently "You must have danced."
"Well, asking a woman to dance always seems so terrifying." Steve sighed, "And the past few years just, didn't seem to matter that much. Figured I'd wait."
"For what?" Peggy inquired even though she already knew the answer.
"The right partner." Steve was staring out the window not seeing the shops pass him by, "Or at least for the right one to notice me." a faint tinkle of bell like laughter crossed his mind.
Peggy smirked thoughtfully turning back to her window, 'If only you knew.'
-permafrost-
The car smoothly pulled to a stop in front of a nondescript antiques store. "This way." Peggy called.
"What are we doing here?" questioned a puzzled Steve.
Leaving his question unanswered Peggy continued, "Follow me."
A bell chimed, signaling their entrance into the dimly lit shop. And from the gloom appeared an elderly lady "Wonderful weather this morning isn't it?"
"Yes," Peggy agreed, "but I always carry an umbrella."
The woman nodded and ambled over to the counter. Then there was an almost indistinguishable click. Peggy let Steve over to the back room and suddenly the bookshelves gave way to a set of hidden doors.