Hello my darlings! Thank you to those who reviewed!
Ghost Angel14
SilverShadowWolf46
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VampWolf92
And a big thank you to those who've stuck around with me. A lot of stuff has gone on but I'm back and I promise I will finish this story! I swear I won't give up on it. Just bare with me for a time. So, not much to say but thank you and I love you guys so much! Enjoy!
"German speaking"
~oOo~
"I think of how perhaps the best way to fly would be with hands full of earth, so you always remember where you came from." ― Ally Condie, Matched
I'd never thought I'd see my home country again.
Now that I see it once more, I feel like I've never been here before. There was more sun, more clouds in the sky and it didn't stink of death. The air felt thick and disgusting and the people looked like lost puppies who have no where to run to. We arrived at the camp around dark, leaving us to unpack in the morning while we slept with what remaining strength we had left. Steve and I pushed our cots together and fell on them with groans as our aching muscles relaxed. The following morning Steve would be performing for the men, not that I knew for a fact they would enjoy it, but it made Steve feel good to do something for them since he's seen little action.
And I was right of course.
The soldiers could care less, only wishing to see the women once again with fake smiles galore. Steve looked crushed and I felt bad as I watched from the side; out of the light so the men don't see me. I left Steve alone for a while before sitting besides him after the men and stage were packed away. I rested my head on his shoulder, smiling lightly as every so often Steve would stop doodling to plant a kiss on my head or to wrap his strong arm around me for a side hug. In his arms it felt like nothing could go wrong and yet when I open my eyes all I see is the war around us.
"Hello Steve, Lily." We both turned around to see Peggy standing there with a coat over her arm. The rain was pouring over us but we stayed dry under a small canopy that sat over our heads.
"Hi." We both said and smiled at each other.
"What are you doing here?" Steve asked.
"Officially, I'm not here at all." She said, taking a seat next to me. "That was quiet a performance."
"Yeah." Steve said, looking down at the ground. "I had to improvise a little bit. The crowds I'm used to are usually more...twelve."
"And you did it perfectly." I said giving his cheek a kiss to which he smiled at me softly.
"I understand you're 'America's New Hope." Peggy said.
"Bond sales take a 10 percent increase in every state he visits." I told her.
"Is that Senator Brandt I hear?" She asked.
I was about to speak but Steve beat me too it, "At least he's got me doing this. Phillips would have had me stuck in a lab."
"And these are your only two options?" Peggy asked. "A lab rat or a dancing monkey?"
"A lab rat is worse than a monkey. At least they taken in your feelings. Take it from someone who has been a rat for a madman." I spoke and Steve took my hand, giving it a hard squeeze with a stern look. He doesn't like it when I talk about the time before I met him. He wants now and the future, not the past that's dark and horrid. "He's meant for more than this though." There was a silence before Peggy asked what was going on in his mind.
"You know, for the longest time, I dreamed about coming overseas and being on the front lines, serving my country. Finally got everything I wanted, and more," he gave me a glance. "and I'm wearing tights." A horn sounded and we watched a medical truck pull up, the wounded being pulled out on stretchers. "They look like they're been through hell."
"These men more than most. Schmidt sent out forces to Azzano. Two hundred men went up against him, and less then fifty returned. Your audience contained what was left of the 107th. The rest were killed or captured." She explained and Steve and I gave each other a look at made fear strike our hearts.
"The 107th?" Steve asked.
"What?" Peggy asked. We got up from our seats and rushed to the tent where Colonel Phillips was at.
"Colonel Phillips." Steve addressed the man behind the desk.
"Well, if it isn't the Star-Spangled Man With A Plan. What is your plan to day?" He asked Steve. He glance over at me and gave me a nod, our silent way of saying hello on a personal level. The man his written me a few times, telling me that he is sorry for my loss and how the war is going along. As of late, I haven't gotten any letters from him.
"I need the casualty list from Azzano." Steve asked but felt more like a demand.
"You don't give me orders son." Phillips said but Steve stood strong.
"I just need one name, Sergeant James Barnes from the 107th." He said.
"You and I are gonna have a conversation later that you won't enjoy." Phillips said and pointed with his pen at Peggy. She'll be strong. She always is.
"Please tell me he's alive sir, B-A-R.."
"I can spell." Phillips was quiet before he turned around to go through some papers. "I have signed more of these condolences letters today than I would care to count. But the name does sound familiar. I'm sorry." Phillips said with a face that meant that he truly meant it. Steve's face fell.
"What about the others? Are you planning a rescue mission?" Steve asked.
"Yes, it's called 'winning the war.'" Phillips said.
"But if you know where they are, why not at least..."
"They're 30 miles behind the lines through some of the most heavily fortified territory in Europe. We'd lose more man than we save. But I don't expect you to understand that because you're a chorus girl." Phillips said and I held my tongue, knowing fully well that if I did I could make matters worse.
"I think I understand it well sir."
"Well, then understand it somewhere else. If I read the posters correctly, you got someplace to be in 30 minutes." Phillips said and walked past us to one of his men. I watched Steve carefully as he memorized the map very well.
"Yes, sir. I do." Steve said and marched out of the tent. I followed him, getting dressed when we were in our tent in a pair of skin tight pants, combat boots, a white button up shirt with a leather jacket over it. I strapped on my pistols and waited for him by the jeep. When I saw Steve I saw Peggy with him and he looked not happy at all. "Lily told me that I was meant for more than this. I know she means it and I plan to do everything I can to get those men back." he looked over at me and I gave him a smile. "You gotta let me go." Steve and I got in the jeep but Peggy stopped us.
"I can do more than that." She said with a smile.
Next thing I knew we were in Stark's plane being flown over trees and valleys. Peggy was filling us in about the location, Stark telling us that he would be able to get on right on their doorstep but Steve told him to get us as close as we can, we can handle the rest. I told Peggy she would be in trouble when she got back to camp but she was more worried about us than anything. Steve told her that if anyone yelled at us then he can just shoot them. I smiled and closed my eyes, steeling myself away for when I needed to keep my mind focused. Stark made a comment about fondue and I smiled. I cracked an eye open to see Peggy's face go red, leaving me to silently giggle to myself. She shot me a look but I didn't care. If she found someone in this mess them I'm proud of her.
I managed to find someone close to my heart.
And I don't plan on leaving him any time soon.
Then we were fired upon and we had to leave the plane now. Steve gave me a look and I nodded to him before we jumped from the plane. Steve and I made it safely to the ground, getting rid of our parachutes. Within a half hour we came across the facility. Steve and I jumped in the back of the truck, meeting some unfriendly guests before knocking them out and throwing them out. We passed the checkpoint unnoticed and made our way inside quietly and quickly. Inside was nothing like I had ever seen before. He put Howard's lab to shame actually. We pasted by a few guards quietly, taking care not to be seen or heard as we moved about.
"Wait." I told Steve as we passed by some technology that was lying on a table. "Howard may want to examine this. This could help us." I said and took a couple, shoving them in my pack before we moved on. As we got closer I knew this was my only chance to finish what started all those years ago.
"Steve, go on without me. Get the hostages out and I'll meet you in the clearing where we jumped into the truck. There's something I have to do." I told Steve and me gave me a worried look.
"No, we go together." He said and I shook my head.
"Not this time, we'll cover more ground if we split up." I took his face in my hands and kissed him. "Good luck." With that I took off as quick as I could without looking back.
~oOo~
(Flashback)
I remember the days where my Uncle and I worked under the careful eye of Schmidt. The days were long and quiet and his visits were many. I hate how is eyes roamed and they weren't for pleasure but for torture. There had been rumors that Schmidt didn't take pleasure but got off from the pain of other. Seeing me hurt might make my uncle work harder. He wasn't making any progress so far and all the test subjects died...except one.
Me.
That thought of my uncle's life hanging in the success of the serum quickly went away when that night came.
The night I locked myself in the lab, downing the prototype serum.
I felt like I was going to die, everything was burning and I screamed in pain as my uncle pounded on the door along with some guards who came running.
"Open up! We order you! Open the door!" They called out but I couldn't move from where I lay on the ground. My body felt stretched out and everything hurt as I felt my body change. God it hurt so badly...
Glass broke and I was retrained on the ground while my Uncle helped me through the rest of the change. They got me to a bed and tightened leather restrains on me as Schmidt came into the room.
"What is going on here doctor?"
"It's my niece. She's taken the serum herself." He said with worry in his voice.
"Has it made any progress?"
"She is my niece!"
"And you are helping your country a better place Doctor, now tell me, will she survive or fail like all the others?" Schmidt asked, his voice steel, as he walked towards me. His eyes roamed everywhere and I groaned in pain.
"As of this moment she is surviving. If she manages it last in the next few hours I may be closer to the final form." My uncle said, writing down everything. He knew he could not waist any time, no matter if it was his very own niece laying on the bed, not knowing if I would die.
"Very good doctor. Keep me informed." With that the man left with a smile on his face.
My body changed in the next few hours. I lost weight, my body changed into a more curvy fuller size. My hair turned more honey gold color and my eyes stayed golden but they did darken just a bit. I look like perfection but I didn't feel like it.
I felt wrong.
A fake.
When the tests began I knew there would be set backs. Sure I was faster and my endurance was a lot higher but I also slipped into comas every once in a while when I felt sluggish or tried. I tried harder like any soldier would but I didn't do it for Schmidt but for the protection of my uncle.
I wasn't the perfection Schmidt was looking for.
But I was a start.
~oOo~
"Schmidt!" I called to the man standing a few feet away from me with his tiny doctor who was nothing compared to my uncle's genius. The man the leather jacket turned and smiled when we saw me standing a few feet behind him.
"Ah, Miss Summers. You look beautiful as ever; my condolences for you're Uncle. His brilliance will be sorely missed." Schmidt said with a smirk.
"Save your flattery you monster. I'm not allowing you to escape this time!"
"Still playing the man I see. You'll never get married with that attitude young lady." He chuckled and I felt my teeth grinding against each other.
"Shut up you cur!" I pulled out my gun and started to shoot but Schmidt just took cover. Once my clip was empty he made his move, rushing at me; knocking me to the ground. I got to my feet and we started to throw punches. Sure, Schmidt took the same serum as me but his had his height to match my speed.
"Practicing I see. You're getting better." He said as he blocked my kick. "However, you are still not perfect." He sneered and grabbed a hold of my neck before tossing me against the wall. Hard. "Stay there, I have a..." Before he could finish his sentence he noticed commotion outside.
"Do you really think I would come here alone? You must be getting senile in your old age Schmidt. Not to mention that skin you call a face would ever hide who or what you really are." I coughed and grinned, trying to get to my feet. I underestimated the man. He's gotten stronger...
I waited until Schmidt came back out to strike again. I put everything I could into my attacks but I knew just because he had an edge that we were almost evenly matched. That was until he pulled out a gun and shot me in the shoulder then kicking me in the stomach.
"Americans would call that a cheap move Schmidt." I hissed at him as he stood over me. He grinned and planted his large foot over my wound, pressing down hard so I called out in pain.
"Do you know what I enjoy Miss Summers? Pain. I love the sound of it, the smell, and watching people crumble pressure of the pain I inflict. I find it...invigorating." He purred at the end and pushed down once more. I hear more explosions and I start to worry. Schmidt wouldn't endanger his life like this but why is he staying so long? "You and you're little friend will not stop me." His whispered and turned his head to look up.
"Captain America!"
Damn it...
"How exciting!" Schmidt grabbed me and held me against him. The look on Steve's eyes made my heart hurt. "I am a great fan of your films!" He made me move forward as Steve did, his eyes never leaving the man behind me. "So, Dr. Erskine managed it after all. Not exactly an improvement from his other little test subject here but still, impressive." He said and while he was distracted I knocked my head back aganist his face, doging out of the wall of Steve's incoming fist against the man. I stood up behind Steve and cluched my shoulder, holding in the pain.
"You've got no idea." Steve answered him.
"Haven't I?"Schmidt asked and took a swing at Steve. Steve blocked it but Schmidt's fist made a dent in it. He knocked the gun out of Steve's hands and sent him down, giving me room to take hold of the railing, knocking Schmidt in the face with foot; forcing him away for Steve. Just by looking at Schmidt's face I knew his disguise was not holding up. His lackey pulled a lever to separate us both from each other.
"No matter what lies Erskine told you, you see, I was his greatest success after his niece failed to provide a more accurate result!" Schmidt then went to remove the horrid skin mask he was wearing.
Underneath was the man named Red Skull.
"You are deluded, Captain. You pretend to be a simple soldier, but in reality, you are just afraid to admit that we have left humanity behind. Just like the little girl standing next to you. Has she told you what she has done? All the people she has killed in order to simply save the man who did this to her?" He turned and walked towards his doctor. "Unlike you, I embrace it proudly. Without fear!"
"Than how come you're running?"Steve asked but Schmidt didn't answer but simply closed the doors to us.
"Steven we must leave." I called to him. Steve looked up and pushed us back.
"Come on, let's go. Up." He ordered and the other man and I followed him up the stairs. We came across a beam leading to the other side and for once I was more nervous than Steve was. "Let's go. One at a time." The other man went first while Steve and I waited for him to cross.
"Steven, I don't think I can make it." I told him, clutching my wound so the blood would slow down.
"I'm not leaving you behind Lily, you can make it." With that he kissed me and I was my turn to cross. I went slow, breathing slowly as I looked down at the raging fire below my feet. When I was about a foot to the end, the beam started to shake and fall. I made it with a scream of protest as my wound contacted with the pole but I had no time to worry.
Steve was on the other side without a way across.
"Steven!" I cried out.
"Go, get her out of here!" Steve called to the man.
"No! We're not leaving without you!" The man called. We waited with bated breath as Steve backed up as far as he could before taking a leap of faith.
"Steve!"
~oOo~
I woke to strong arms carrying me and my shoulder burning. I opened my eyes to see Steve carrying me with a stone expression. There were men talking behind him, trying to get him to speak but he wouldn't. He just kept his eyes forward.
"Steven..." I muttered and his quickly found mine. "Please tell me I did not faint in front of your men?" I asked, my voice horse.
"No, you fainted just as we left the building. You had me scared there Lily." He was quiet for a moment before he asked the question I knew he was going to ask. "Why did you lie to me?"
"I needed to confront him Steve. It was something I had to do alone but now I see that I was not match for him. Had had grown last I fought with him. The only reason he left me alive was that I would have live with the fact that I couldn't defeat him. That I would never get revenge for my family." I said. A tear escaped me as I clung to Steve's vest. "I've gotten weak." I muttered into his chest.
"You're not weak Lily. We'll stop him, I promise you. You're family will rest and I won't stop until that man is." Steve said. I looked up at him and smiled.
"How did I get a man such as you by my side?" I asked him and he chuckled softly.
"I think it's the other way around. I'm the lucky one." He planted a kiss on my shoulder. "Close your eyes and get some sleep. You'll need the rest." He said.
"Don't forget about me Steven." I said to him as I closed my eyes.
"Never."
~oOo~
So, that's it! I hoped you all enjoyed it! Please, review and let me know how you like it! Until next time!