"How are we doing?" questioned Erskine looking over the various notes on Lucy's clipboard.

Startled at the interruption, she quickly recovered and replied assuredly, "Everything is ready for the procedure Doctor."

Before Erskine could reply, the doors to the lab opened. In walked Peggy, and following her was Steve. The hustle and bustle of the lab slowed for an instant. And in that moment, everyone regarded the poor brave soul whose life would change forever on that day. Whether it would be for better or for worse, no one could be one hundred percent certain. Then, time caught up to them. And they put the consequences out of their minds.

As Steve and Peggy traveled down the stairs, Doctor Erskine nodded to Lucy, "Ok, here we go." Then he turned to Steve with an encouraging smile and a handshake, "Good morning."

The flash of a camera ruined the moment.

"Please," the doctor scolded the cameraman, "not now." Then looking Steve up and down, "You ready?" he inquired.

Steve couldn't speak. He was too preoccupied studying the large contraption he could only assume was for him. Then, with a shaky breath Steve nodded his affirmation.

"Good." Erskine continued, "Now, take off your shirt, you tie, and your hat. And give them to Lucy here."

Turning around Steve came face to face with Lucy.

"Long time no see, soldier." Lucy beamed at him; then with a conspiratorial look she leaned in and whispered, "Do you come here often?"

Steve ducked his head with a slight chuckle. Then playing along, he handed her his hat and replied, "No, ma'am. You may have me confused with someone else."

Lucy smiled coyly, "Pity." She looked him up and down after he had taken off his shirt, "You should." She winked at him and proceeded to store his clothes. Steve stared slack jawed after her retreating figure.

Nobody really saw Peggy sniggering silently to herself in the corner.

-permafrost-

Howard slid next to Lucy as she placed Steve's belongings on a shelf. "Everything is in tip top shape, Captain." He joked giving her a mock salute. "Glad to see you're feeling better doll." He patted her hand in companionship.

"Thanks, Howard." Lucy smiled with her eyes.

"Mr. Stark." Erskine called.

"That's our cue." Howard muttered before the two turned to join the Doctor at the center of the room.

Erskine looked over, "How are your levels?"

"Levels at 100%." Howard responded, confidently placing his hands in his pockets.

"Good." nodded Erskine adjusting his glasses.

Taking a closer look at Steve, "We may dim half the lights in Brooklyn," Howard continued glancing at Lucy, "but we're ready. As we'll ever be." He tacked on as an afterthought, causing Lucy to 'tsk' at him.

Erskine noticing Peggy, "Agent Carter, don't you think you would be more comfortable in the booth?"

"Ah, yes. Sorry." Peggy apologized, leaving. But before she reached the stairs she touched Lucy's arm. "Good luck." She whispered to her friend.

Lucy nodded in gratitude before moving to retrieve the vials containing the serum.

Tapping the microphone Erskine began, "Can you here me, is this on? Ladies and Gentlemen. Today we take not another step toward annihilation, but the first step towards the path to peace. We begin with a series of microinjections, into the subject's major muscles."

Lucy reached into the container and pulled out three vials filled with clear blue liquid. "Hey Steve." She greeted, stepping over to his side and inserting the vials into their places.

The Doctor continued, "The serum infusion will cause immediate cellular change. Then to stimulate growth, the subject will be saturated with Vita rays."

Disinfecting his arm with alcohol Lucy whispered calmly, "It's going to sting a little." And proceeded to inject him with antibiotics.

Breathing deeply Steve reassured her, "That wasn't so bad." He looked up to see a weak smile gracing her lips.

From the other side Erskine clarified, "That was penicillin." And with a slight shrug he called, "Serum infusion. Beginning in, 5…"

"It's alright Steve." Lucy placed her hand lightly on top of his. "I won't be leaving your side. Besides," she smiled, "soldier like you can handle anything."

"4…"

And the machine snapped into place.

"3…"

Erskine placed a supportive hand on Steve's shoulder.

"2…"

Steve abruptly laced his fingers through Lucy's, gently squeezing her hand.

"1…"

Lucy squeezed back as Steve grit his teeth when the multiple vials were suddenly emptied into his veins.

"Now Mr. Stark." Nodded Erskine.

Howard pulled down a red lever. Lucy gave Steve one last squeeze. Trying to transfer all of her support through a single touch. Then the box began to rise, everyone backing away slightly in wonder. When it was fully upright, the final tubes were attached and Erskine approached.

Knocking lightly on the glass, "Steven?" he paused looking inside. "Can you hear me?"

Steve replied half serious, "Its probably too late to go to the bathroom, right?"

"We will proceed." Erskine affirmed to the rest of the lab with a faint grin.

Howard shifted then began to turn a dial before putting on his protective glasses. "That's 10%." He informed the rest of the lab. "20%, 30. That's 40%."

"Vital signs are normal." Lucy chimed in.

"That's 50%, 60." Continued Howard. "70."

From the depths of the box came a loud groan of pain.

"Steven! Steven!" Erskine shouted rushing to look in the window.

Lucy's breath caught in her throat.

"Shut it down!" Came a yell from the balcony, but Lucy was too worried to see whom it was.

Erskine continued to bang on the glass trying to get a response. "Shut it down Mr. Stark!" he decided pointing to Howard, "Turn back. Turn it off. Kill it! Turn back!"

"NO!" screamed a defiant yell from the depths of the box. "Don't! I can do this."

Lucy released a sigh of relief at hearing his voice, then turned back to monitor his vital signs. Howard paused then turned back to his wheel.

"80. 90. That's 100%!" Howard yelled over the noise.

After a few moments the displays started to short out. Lucy withdrew her hand from the screens and jumped back from the sparks. All the lights in the lab started to flicker when suddenly the machine powered down. Only the last remaining sparks broke the silence that ensued.

"Mr. Stark…" Erskine began to question.

With a whoosh the box opened and the smoke cleared.

"Steven?" questioned Erskine hastening to assist him out of the machine.

Breaking out of her shock Lucy stepped up in front of Steve, Peggy right behind her.

"We did it." Howard stated in awe.

Grinning Erskine agreed, "Yes, yes. I think we did it."

When Steve straightened Lucy cleared her throat, "How do you feel?" she questioned trying to keep her eyes from his newfound muscles, and taking notes on her clipboard.

"Taller." He replied panting, looking around the room with his improved vision.

From behind Lucy came Peggy's joking response, "Well you look taller." She nodded in approval then nudged her friend.

Lucy blushed and tucked her clipboard under her arm. Quickly grabbing the shirt an assistant brought to her, "Here," she said not meeting his eyes, "put this on…" she threw the shirt at him. Then with a nod, Lucy briskly walked over to Doctor Erskine to give him the report. "Doctor?" she questioned, seeing he was preoccupied looking at something in the distance.

BOOM! Suddenly, the viewing balcony exploded, shaking the entire building. Steve tried to reach over to shield Lucy but she lunged toward Erskine trying to protect him.

"Stop him!" Came Doctor Erskine's frantic call.

Lucy half stood up again to reach for the doctor when gunshots rang out. Both the Doctor and his assistant were knocked down. Blood started to spread over their pristine white lab coats as they laid there in shock.