Disclaimer: I Own Nothing

June 1943

Steve sat up from his bunk again just as he had over the last year, he stood and looked around the barracks. The cuts started soon after Peggy had shown up and according to her they were entering the final phase and that one would be chosen at the end of the week. He didn't expect to be chosen since he knew Philips preferred someone who had the physical attributes to be a great soldier. The others soon were up and got ready for the day as they did the same thing that they always had done. Peggy had ran their training after arriving and the men learned quickly to respect her or risk facing her fury.

Philips watched from his personal cabin in the camp as the last four recruits from operation rebirth. Erksine wanted Rogers and he wasn't sold even a little bit on Rogers but Erksine was the lead scientist and his opinion did matter. He was going to watch them for the day and ask Peggy her opinion since she had been training them since November.

Erksine approached and watched them from a supply truck as they did their morning exercises. Peggy came over to see him "Good morning Ms. Carter" he said with a smile.

Peggy nodded and turned to look "So what do you think?" she asked honestly.

"Everyone knows who my choice is" he said "Rogers is the man for the job but I think you already know that." He had seen how Peggy had warmed up to Steve after what happened at the obstacle course, he intrigued her. In a world where everyone was treating everyone else like the enemy this tiny man not only wants to fight but wants to do with some semblance of honor and concern for his fellow man that most soldiers didn't. "The question is does Philips realize how special Steve is?"

"Let him prove it" said Philips from behind them. Peggy and Erksine turned to Philips and noticed him rummaging through the supply truck where he pulled out a grenade "Grenade" he yelled out throwing it among the men. They all scattered except Steve who dove on top of it.

"Everybody get back" he yelled covering the explosive the best his small body could. He closed his eyes and waited for the end but nothing happened. No explosion, no pain, and he wasn't dead yet.

"Get up Rogers I didn't even pull the pin" explained Philips stepping back behind Peggy and Erksine. Steve got up and Peggy sent the recruits down to run the obstacle course. As the men ran off Philips sighed and looked at Erksine who had an I told you so look on his face "That doesn't prove anything" he said stomping his way back to his cabin.

The afternoon went like it always did and the men lined up in front of Peggy to end the day "You have all done very well and I have been authorized to give you leave for the night. Go out and have fun, tomorrow Colonel Philips will be choosing the candidate tomorrow after morning exercises. Good luck to all of you" she said looking as the men smiled and waited to be dismissed "Dismissed" she said letting the men go and enjoy the night.

Steve laid in his bunk as the other three recruits got dressed and headed out. Steve didn't want to go out, his only real friend was Bucky and he was somewhere in North Africa fighting for the allies. He didn't have a girl at home like the other recruits so he decided to just stay put and enjoy the silence and draw. Drawing was one of the view things that Steve was good at, he drew what he saw. He drew Erksine, Philips, other recruits but lately is drawing books were filled with Peggy Carter. She was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen before and more and more she invaded his thoughts. He was so engrossed in his current drawing of Peggy that he didn't even hear her enter the barracks.

"Rogers" she called out prompting Steve to stand at attention. "At ease" she said approaching him. "What are you doing here? You have leave for the night go out and have fun" she said taking a seat on the bed across from him.

Steve sat down and put his notebook away "I don't really have anyone to spend the night with and quite frankly girls don't really want to hang out with me" he said with a hint of sadness.

"May I ask you something?"

"Sure" replied Steve looking around to see if he was going to be surprised by a visit from Philips or Erksine too.

"What are you fighting for?" she asked looking him in the eyes.

Steve sighed and kept his gaze locked with hers "I'm fighting because I believe in the common good. There are bad people out there and someone needs to stop them and if I can help stop them, then it's my duty to at least try. I'm not the biggest and I'm not the strongest but I like to think that I do things for the right reasons" Steve could tell that Peggy was studying him intently as he spoke, trying to tell if he was being truthful. "I started out because I felt like I had no other choice, the only friend I've ever had is fighting overseas right now and I wanted to help him. Maybe I'm too old fashioned in my thinking to be a great soldier but it's the only way I know how to act and I will never give up" he explained.

Peggy stood "Goodnight Steve" she promptly turned and left the barracks and headed straight for Philips cabin. She knocked and entered to find Erksine and Philips talking.

"I understand that the boy is a good kid but come on look at him, I could throw him into Germany from here" remarked Philips who was annoying Erksine.

"The others are physically already capable any boost to them will appear minor and be seen as truly ineffective, Rogers would improve exponentially and would be far more indicative of what we are trying to accomplish" Erksine pointed out nodding to Peggy his greetings. "On top of all of that he is the best option as a man to be the next super soldier, I have seen what this kind of power can do to a man and I do not want to watch my work be used to create another mad man" he pleaded.

Philips sighed and took a seat behind his desk and looked at Peggy "What do you think Carter?"

Peggy weighed the options the other recruits were better suited physically but some showed a lack of intelligence and didn't seem to have the convictions of Steve "Sir, I think Rogers has intangibles that the other recruits have. Steve Rogers would be my selection." Erksine smiled and looked at Philips who was digesting what Peggy had told her.

"I will take both of your comments under advisement while I make my decision. Good night to both of you" he said sending the two of them on their way.

The next morning Philips called Steve and others to meet him in the area where they did their morning exercises. "I have made my decision regarding this program, it was difficult but I believe I have made the right one. Rogers!" he called out causing Steve to step forward "Stay here. The rest of you please head over to the armory where Ms. Carter will brief you on what happens next."

Steve's heart dropped, he wasn't even going to be allowed to complete the program with the others. Philips was sending him home right now just save himself the trouble. "Rogers come with me" he ordered leading Steve away from camp and taking him towards a building that Steve and the other recruits were barred from entering. The Colonel unlocked the front door and motioned Steve to enter. He followed in and led Steve towards an elevator and set the transport to go down. "You have been quite the thorn in my side Rogers" commented Philips and Steve dropped his head pondering his failure. "It's a shame really" he continued as the elevator dinged "It's a shame that I will have to deal with you a little longer" he finished with a smile as the door opened. Steve looked up and spotted Erksine holding a bottle of champagne and Peggy turning down a glass. They both turned and smiled at Steve who was in so much shock that he hadn't moved an inch since the elevator opened "Welcome to the SSR" said Philips.