Disclaimer: I own nothing you recognize. Only my OC, Agent Clarissa Melanie Connors and her story line belongs to me.

For the past few months, Steve has been leading the Howling Commandos, defeating the Hydra camps one by one on the map. It's been such a rush, being able to fight Hydra agents and such on the missions. Thankfully, nothing too bad has happened to me and the men that couldn't be healed. It's been 2 years since I've known Steve now and it has been great getting to know him more. Nothing has happened between us except a few kisses on the cheek and dinners spent together. After all, he is Captain America, we were too busy to do anything to deepen our relationship.

Right now the team and I are on a mountain, spying on a train that supposedly had Dr. Zola in. We were listening in through the radio transmission. The mountain side was cold, but nothing I couldn't handle. We set up a zip line from where we were all the way across the ledge where we would run and be able to land right on the train.

"Remember when I made you ride the Cyclone at Coney Island?" I overheard Bucky say to Steve

"Yeah, and I threw up," Steve replied.

"This isn't payback right?" Bucky asked, chuckling nervously.

"Now, why would I do that?" Steve asked jokingly.

"We were right. Dr. Zola's on the train. Hydra dispatcher gave him permission to open up the throttle." Gabe informed us.

"That means, wherever he's going, they must need him bad then," I commented.

"Then let's get going because they're moving like the devil," Falsworth said, looking at the train through his binoculars.

Steve put his zip cord on, preparing to go first.

"We only got about a ten-second window!" He yelled at us "You miss that window, we're bugs on a windshield!" He joked.

I smirked, snorting. "Mind the gap."

Steve looked over at me "Clary you're up next." I nodded in agreement.

"Bucky, will you go after her?" Steve asked his friend, making me roll my eyes.

I've noticed it a lot during our past missions, the way he tries to protect me and always pushes me back or closer to him when he senses danger as if I can't handle myself. If he only knew that it is physically impossible for me to get hurt... It's what the thought counts I guess.

"I can handle myself perfectly well, Captain," I told him with a smile.

"Doesn't mean I can't worry," Steve replied, grinning, readying himself to jump.

"Better get moving bugs!" Dum Dum yelled.

I quickly kissed Steve on the cheek and whispered "You better come back alright?"

"Don't I always." Was his answering before jumping after Dernier gave the signal.

Following in suit, all four of us safely landed on the roof of the train, staying low so the wind doesn't push us off by accident. With Gabe keeping guard on top, Steve, Bucky, and I entered the train safely. We walked through a few compartments before we got split up because the doors suddenly locked; me locked in a compartment with Bucky and Steve in the previous one.

Immediately agents were firing at us, making us fire back as well. Bucky and I stayed hidden behind a few crates. I yelled out in pain when one of the bullets managed to hit me on the shoulder. Bucky looked at me at my distress, but I signaled him to continue firing. I hid behind the crates, trying to find the bullet so I could heal faster. Once I dislodged the bullet from my shoulder, I walked across the compartment, making my way over to Bucky, still shooting at the agents in front of me.

"You alright, Clar?" He asked, concern all over his face.

"I'm fine," I assured him.

Bucky didn't look too sure. His eyes looked over to where I was shot but got distracted by the bullet that hit close to his head. He ran out of ammo a few minutes in.

"I'll push the crate and you fire him got it?" I asked, formulating a plan.

He nodded, taking the gun from me. I proceeded to run fast and push a crate as hard as I can, making the agent avoid it and Bucky shooting them. The other agent tried to shoot me, readying myself for a fight before a shield came flying through and effectively knocking the agent out.

"We had them on the ropes." I grumpily told Steve.

"I know you did."

I heard a gun being powered up, being too late to see the man, he fired at us, Steve quickly yelling for us to get down. He took the initial hit with the shield, not getting hurt besides us getting thrown across the compartment. My vision was still hazy, but I could hear the blast of the gun again and before I knew it, Steve was up and running towards his shield and throwing it to the shooter.

"Bucky! Hang on!" Steve shouted.

My vision started clearing up, I slowly pushed myself off the ground to see Bucky holding on to the wall of the compartment that's been blown wide open, and Steve carefully climbing on trying to get to him.

"Grab my hand!" He yelled.

I could hear the groaning of the metal from the weight on them. It was too much for it to handle, breaking as soon as Bucky shifted. I gasped when he fell as he tried to grab Steve's hand.

"No!" Steve screamed as he watched Bucky fall down the ravine.

I quickly grabbed onto Steve, scared that he might fall as well. I pulled him onto the train and hugged him as he sobbed on my chest, whisperingI'm sorry's and It'll be alright's in his ears.

~0~

After Gabe found the compartment that held Zola, I quickly radioed Howard telling him to pick us up. The ride back was silent and the plane full of tension. Nobody dared to speak about one of our fallen comrades. The only comfort I could give Steve at the time was keeping a hold on his hand, which he didn't seem to want to let go. The minute we landed, I went with Gabe to escort Zola to his prison cell but not before checking on Steve.

"I have to go take Zola to his cell... unless you want me to stay with you I'm fine with that," I told him, squeezing his bicep in what I hoped was a comforting manner.

Steve shook his head slightly, not looking up, but I knew why he wouldn't once I heard a sniffle.

"No, it's fine. You go take him in, I'll just be..." He trailed off.

I nodded, understanding how he felt. I pressed my lips on his cheek before saying a quiet see you later to him. I quickly ran to where Zola and the guards were, ordering them to follow me into the base and to his cell. The guard opened the door for us after Zola changed into a prisoner outfit. I handed him his glasses and followed him in.

I watched Zola with careful eyes as he looked around the room, taking in everything. His shoulder tensed as he spotted a few drops of blood on the ground. I smirked.

"The last guy was troublesome," I told him, humor clear in my voice.

I saw him gulp which only made my smirk wider. Zola's gaze drifted from mine to the door that opened, revealing Chester holding a tray of food and a file tucked in his arm. I walked towards him patted his arm.

"I'll be on the other side," I said, implying I'll just be watching from the other room through the two-way mirror.

He nodded briefly.

I knocked on the door, signaling the guard to open it. I made my way next door, the guard opening and closing it for me. With a simple thank you, he left me alone. I sat on the chair provided in the room and watched as Chester interrogated Zola. At first I thought Zola wasn't gonna budge but as Chester continued, Zola finally revealed what Red Skull's plans were. Once Chester stood up from his seat, satisfied with the information he got, I quickly exited the room, meeting him outside.

"I'm gonna call for a meeting in half an hour," He informed me.

I nodded, quickly understanding the situation we were in and how fast we had to act. I was about to leave and look for Steve, but I had no idea where he was.

"You wouldn't happen to know where a certain Captain is, would you?" I asked Chester.

"Last I heard, your little Captain was at a bar in town," He told me. "He gonna be okay?"

I thought about the question for a second, not knowing if what I answer would be the truth until I settled for one.

"He will be," I answered confidently before going to the bar.

I walked through the dark streets of London before I reached the pub. Carefully stepping around the rubble, I entered the wrecked and empty pub, save for Steve who sat in what seemed to be the only standing table in the room besides the bar itself. The soft sound of the radio fluttered throughout the room, advising the citizens to stay in their homes tonight. My foot accidentally moved a piece of wood on the ground, creating a noise that Steve looked up to.

The sight of him made my heart break. His eyes were a bit puffy and red, as was his nose, which only signified that he had been crying. Steve's hand reached up to wipe the stray tear that was falling before taking his glass and pouring more alcohol in it. He took a sip before speaking.

"Dr. Erskine said that the serum wouldn't just effect my muscles, it would affect my cells. Create a protective system of regeneration and healing. Which means um...I can't get drunk. Did you know that?" He asked me.

I bent down to grab a chair that was still intact and set it down next to him to sit.

"Your metabolism burns four times faster than the average person. He thought it could be one of the side effects." I informed him.

Steve looked upset at the information I gave him. He took another sip of the drink before I grabbed it and placed it on the table.

"It wasn't your fault Steve, you know that right?" I asked him.

"Did you read the reports?" He retorted.

"I did," I said.

"Then you know that's not true," He contradicted me.

"You also forget that I was on that train with you when it happened," I reminded him, placing my hand on his arm that rested on the table.

"I saw what happened and you did everything you could Steve, and as for that I am apologizing for not being able to do anything at the time," I said to him, my eyes watering ever so slightly, genuinely upset at myself for being powerless at the time.

Steve's head shot up so fast when the words came out of my mouth.

"No! You have absolutely nothing to apologize for Clary and you know it. You couldn't have done anything," Steve insisted.

"Then why can't you say that to yourself? Why are you beating yourself up about this when we're in the same position?" I questioned him, my voice soft.

He still had that determined look that was still blaming himself. I sighed and reached up to grab his chin force him to look me in the eye.

"Did you believe in Bucky? Did you respect him?" I asked him, looking deep in his eyes.

Steve looked at me as if he was saying yes.

"Then stop blaming yourself. Allow Bucky the dignity of his choice. He damn well must have thought you were worth it." I stated firmly.

I noticed that Steve's eyes were starting to water again, but he was holding back due to me being there, making me sigh once more. I took hold of his hands and brought them to my lips, kissing them.

"You don't have to be strong all the time Steve," I told him softly "You're gonna get tired if you do,"

That's when the dams broke. I swiftly stood up from my chair and sat on Steve's lap, wrapping my arms around him. He buried his face in my hair and neck and held my waist tightly. I can feel the wetness on my neck, but I didn't mind one bit. We stayed in this position for a good 10 minutes. When Steve calmed down, he looked up at me, his eyes red once again. I pressed the palm of my hand on his face, wiping away the tears that were still falling. My hands stayed where they were; on his face, leaning on it.

"I'm goin' after Schmidt. I'm not gonna stop till all of Hydra is dead or captured." He told me, determination fierce on his face.

I snorted, "I'd be surprised if you didn't," I told him, trying to lighten the mood a bit.

I smiled when I saw the corners of Steve's mouth twitch. His hands squeezed and caressed my side in an affectionate way.

"Thank you," He thanked me softly.

"For what?"

"For... everything really. This," He gestured to me sitting on his lap, "For you being here, for all the things you said and done, and most of all, for being you."

I smiled widely at him and pecked his cheek, loving the close proximity we were in.

"You're more than welcome, and just so you know, you won't be alone in this. I'll be there, every step of the way, right next to you."

This time it was Steve who kissed me on the cheek, very close to the edge of my mouth, making me blush. I stood up from his lap, offering my hand out to him.

"C'mon, we have to go. We're late to the meeting as it is," I said pulling him up when he grabbed my hand.

"Zola confessed?" He asked, looking at me as we walked back to headquarters.

"Oh yeah," I breathed out.

"What's Schmidt got planned?"

I looked up at Steve, seriousness in my eyes.

"Something big."

AN: So here's the next chapter! Captain America: The First Avenger is almost done! Maybe a chapter or two left, I don't know yet since I haven't gotten around to writing them. After this movie ends I'll probably take a short hiatus to get a few chapters written beforehand and start on the next part of this story! Thank you to all those who faved/followed this! I am extremely grateful! See you guys next week! -E

As for reviews...

-They did makeup woo! I didn't like it either when they were on the outs haha

-Thank you, I love Steve and Clary as well!

-You're welcome! I love writing moments between them and I also wanted Clary and Bucky to have a moment before... yenno he dies

-Really? I do read a lot of FF so it might be similar... I apologize to whoever you read it from, I didn't mean for this to be the same or similar.