Disclaimer: I Own Nothing

December 1941

Steve Rogers awoke to sound of banging on his front door, he got up and looked out his bedroom window and saw the sun peeking into his room with the buildings of New York lining the horizon and only let a little bit of sun through to his home. He wiped his eyes and walked towards the front door. As he walked he turned and looked into a mirror and looked himself over he was a hair over five foot and didn't even tip the weight scale over 100 pounds. He not only looked sickly but often he was battling one kind of disease or another. He had blond hair and blue eyes and he also was paler than the average person. He hated how small he was and how much it had held him back. The banging continued on his door which brought him out of his trance and briskly walked to the front door. He opened the door and spotted his best friend James Buchannan Barnes, his friends simply called him Bucky. Bucky was an average guy height wise but was in great shape thanks to his training in the Army. "I was about ready to bust down the door" he joked as he entered Steve's home. Bucky sat down he had some snow in his brown hair from the light snowfall that had been falling that morning. "So are you ready for tonight?" asked Bucky his voice filled with excitement.

Steve sighed and ruffled his own hair, Bucky had set him up with one of his current girlfriend's friends and this was not an uncommon move since Bucky always tried to help Steve meet a girl. These little dates never worked out for Steve which often ended with him walking her home and never seeing him again "Sure" Steve replied with far less enthusiasm.

Bucky frowned hearing Steve's answer "C'mon man Jessica says that Mary is quite the looker" he said trying to give his friend something to look forward too. Bucky had spent years trying to get Steve a girl and he had been trying even harder lately because of what his superiors had been saying about the chances the United States getting involved in the war in Europe and in the Pacific. They said that US involvement was inevitable and that the United States would show itself to be the dominant force in the world. Bucky knew that it was a matter of time before he would be called to fight overseas and that would leave Steve all alone which Bucky knew would be very bad for the young man.

The two men chit chatted while they waited for the football game between the New York Giants and the Brooklyn Dodgers to start at two o'clock. Bucky spent the few hours convincing Steve that everything would go great that night. The game started as scheduled and the two enjoyed until about a half an hour later when the game was interrupted. "We interrupt our scheduled program to give a special bulletin. The United States Naval base Pearl Harbor has been attacked by Japanese fighters. We will update as we receive more information regarding the matter."

The radio would repeat itself three more times before going back to the game which didn't matter to Steve who began to stare at Bucky knowing full well what the bulletin meant for him. The look of fear on Bucky's face scared Steve more than anything. There was no doubt in Steve's mind, Bucky was going to war.

February 1942

It took 2 months but sure enough Bucky's unit was being shipped to England for further training. Bucky was waiting to board when he turned and spotted Steve running towards him. Bucky smiled and gave Steve a hug as he approached "Don't go stealing all these girls' hearts while I'm gone."

Steve looked down at his feet "I just want to thank you for watching out for me all these years and that it means a lot to me."

"It's no problem. You're my best friend and you don't need to thank me for watching out for my best friend." The boats horn sounded signaling that the boat was about to leave causing Bucky to grab his bag and start heading towards the boat. "Don't worry I'll be back before you know it."

"I'm gonna be there right next to you" stated Steve as Bucky started to board. "I'm going to enlist and I'll find you when I get over there" he shouted so Bucky could hear him.

Bucky smiled and waved goodbye not even worrying about Steve getting overseas. There was no way that the Army would allow him to enlist, he was far too small and he was far too sickly. He turned and looked over the city as the ship made its way out of the harbor, he simply hoped to see the city again someday.

Steve turned and started running towards the local conscription building and started filling out the form. He waited in line as he sat amongst the 15 or 20 other people in the waiting room. He got called in after a little over an hour and went through the mandatory checkup. He left the room and sat back down in the waiting room as more men came and went after successfully enlisting but nobody came to get him. He sat until the sun went down when the doctor was starting to lock up "You can leave now son" said the older man wanting to go home.

Steve stood up quickly "Should I come back tomorrow and get my enlistment papers?" asked Steve wanting to get the process started as quickly as he could.

The doctor chuckled until he saw the serious look on Steve's face "I'm sorry son but you didn't make it." Steve was confused since he never heard of anyone being turned away by the army. "Now go on home. Not everyone can fight for their country on the frontlines" the doctor explained as he shooed Steve out of the building.

Steve walked home slowly, contemplating what he was going to do, he wanted to help and the best way to do that was by fighting. He stepped inside his home and sat himself down on a chair. He needed to help Bucky and he needed to help fight for the freedom of the world. He would not stop until he was accepted no matter how long it takes and how much risk might be involved.