1943.

The hall was full of young people smiling and dancing as problems did not existed. A blonde girl danced with a tall, ginger man who was whispering something into her ear. She giggled and punched him on his arm, staring at him lovingly. The band played a wonderful jazz piece and some soldiers danced with girls. The place was full of vibrant colours and the noise of different conversation filled the atmosphere.

A table near the dance floor was full with soldiers that drank and laughed as they told stories and remembered their last mission. Glasses full of dark liquor were on the table, near their caps. Sometimes girls approached the table and took some of the men to dance with them or to introduce them to other girls. On the corner, two men were sitting joining the jokes when necessary, but usually silent.

"Are they coming, Steve?"

"I think so" The blonde man took a sip of his glass and his old friend and mate sighed, doing the same. "It's not the end of the world"

"I know. But It may be for us, you know that" His blue eyes looked over the place. A group of young girls, probably around 20 years old were looking at them and waved their hands, inviting him to join them. He shook his head and shrugged, apologising.

"I can't believe it. James Barnes rejecting a beautiful group of girls. That mission has changed you" Bucky smiled as he recognised that sweet and melodic voice close to him. Steve stood up immediately and walked towards Peggy, who wore a red dress and was staring at the soldier. His chair was soon occupied by Elise, who raised her eyebrow as she looked to Bucky. "Are you injured or something?"

Bucky didn't answer the question. He had got used to her sense of humor and knew that Elise always wanted to bother him even though it was obvious she respected him.

"I just don't think they are the ideal partners for a dance"

"It's a shame. They look willing to try" Elise asked grabbed Bucky's glass and drank under the watchful eye of its owner, who giggled and shook his head, running his long fingers through his hair.

"You didn't write me back" She smiled and shrugged taking another sip of the liquor. Bucky moved his chair closer to her.

"I was busy. You know, saving your asses and that kind of things" Elise replied ironically and turned her head, fixing her eyes on his. "Who could say that you were dismantleling a Hydra base when I received letters from you everyday?

"You didn't like them or what?"

"They were interesting" She admitted and smirked at him. Bucky laughed and caressed her left arm with his index finger. He wasn't even touching her skin, but Elise felt a shiver going over her whole body.

"You owe me a dance"

"Nope, you're wrong"

"I wrote it"

"But as I didn't replied, I don't owe you anything"

They looked at the other, smiles painted on their faces and Elise sighed, shaking her head. She knew it was a lost battle. Moreover, dancing with Bucky wasn't a terrible thing after all. He took her hand and placed a soft kiss on it, without stopping looking at her with his blue eyes. Elise stood up and followed him to the dance floor, where the band began to play a slow song that she had heard on the radio before and she absolutely loved.

Bucky took her right hand and placed his free one on her waist as Elise grabbed his shoulder. Both began to move slowly, following the rhythm of the song. She even hummed the melody and he couldn't avoid smiling while looking at her. Elise's eyes were fixed somewhere across the room and Bucky followed her gaze. Steve was chatting with Peggy and both were looking at the other with lovingly eyes.

"They like each other" Elise whispered.

"Yeah, seems so. But Steve won't say anything"

"Peggy neither" She smiled and Bucky raised his eyebrow, being unaware why Elise was doing that. She raised her head and blinked innocently. "It's a shame but it looks like Steve prefers her"

"Yeah, but we know that"

Elise sighed dramatically and shook her head, twirling. Bucky pressed her against his chest and listened carefully to her.

"I thought he liked me"

Bucky stopped dancing and looked at her, trying to guess if she was kidding or not. Elise's eyes were fixed on Steve and she sighed again, turning her head. He felt something inside his stomach and a lump in his throat. Elise knew that would piss him off but she was willing to do it in order to know how far he could go. Bucky cleaned his throat and leaned to her, whispering to her ear. She felt his warm breath against her skin and a shiver run through her spine. His hand went down to her lower back and Bucky continued talking, his voice angry and husky.

"It's so bad that you prefer Steve, doll. I could make you things he never could"

"Really?" Her voice was challenging and her eyes looked into his. "And I suppose you've learned them with your little friends. Am I wrong?"

Bucky laughed and bit her earlobe causing Elise to moan slightly. His hand stroke her hair, forcing her to look at his face.

"Doll..."His whispers were sensual, full of lust and anger. It was exciting. "Believe me that I could have you squirming and screaming my name, begging for more and not being able to walk"

"I doubt it"

He was about to answer when Peggy's voice reached them. Both separated abruptly and Elise put his dress right. Her cheeks were blushed and her whole body was burning, eager and lack of Bucky's touch. He winked at her and disappeared, moving between the couples that continued dancing. Peggy hold her arm, smiling at her.

"Hey, are you alright?"

"Yeah, don't worry. Everything is fine" Elise assured her and Peggy nodded. "Let's go"

Both ladies walked to the main door but Elise turned her head, scanning the room until she found Bucky again. He was leaned against the bar counter with another glass between his fingers, staring at him. When he realised she was looking at him, he raised his glass and smirked. His eyes were focused on her and she shivered, turning to the door and following Peggy.

Elise could remember his words, filling her ears and his body near her. It wasn't a warning.

It was a promise.

Present.

"Alice, move quicker, c'mon!"

Natasha threw a punch and the girl stopped it, pushing her to the mat. They were in the training room where the Avengers improved their skills and, as the word says, trained. Tony had told Alice to join them as she was going to be a part of the team. He didn't want her to be hurt. He didn't want to lose her. Not again.

Alice enjoyed training with Natasha. She and Wanda had become her friends there and some nights after missions were completed, their laughs could be heard everywhere. Steve avoided it as he didn't want to hurt her neither. He was aware of his strength and how guilty he would felt if something happened to you. Steve had the feeling that he had to protect you. It was like he could protect Elise again.

Obviously, Tony had pointed that no men could flirt with her sister, as he usually called Alice. She and Pepper would often looked at him like if they were saying "Are you talking seriously?",but it seemed he was.

"Good job, Al" Clint said while cleaning his bow. Alice smiled and nodded, shouting.

"JARVIS, What time is it?"

"16.30 pm, Miss Baker"

"Shit!" She screamed taking her belongings and running to the door. "I'm terribly late!"

"Goodbye, Alice!" Natasha said smiling.

One hour later she was sitting on a chair, caressing the hand she was holding between hers and looking at the old lady who lied on the bed.

She wasn't that old in my memories, Alice thought as she scanned the woman.

Peggy Carter breathed calmly and slowly, staring at the young girl sitting near her bed. Her mind wasn't what it was before. She usually forgot things that happened just a few moments before. And what terrified her the most, was that she was losing her memories.

"Alice...it's been a long time" Peggy said with a shaky voice, smiling. "I remember you in my house, asking me for cookies"

"Good days, weren't they?"

Peggy nodded and moved herself on the bed in order to find a comfortable position. Her hand pressed Alice's and her brown eyes faced hers.

"Elise's box" She said and Alice shook her head, trying to move, but Peggy hold her stronger. "Tony has it. I said him to keep it until you were ready, Alice. You can't avoid it anymore"

"It was my grandmother's life, not mine. Why should I get involved into this?"

"Because what happened during WWII affects us now" Peggy put his elbow on the mattress and hold herself. "Hydra is bigger than they think. Something is coming to get us. And you, my dear, are a part of this"

"It's not my war, Peggy!"

"It is as long as Elise's blood is in your body. You can run, you can hide, but they will come for you as they came for her"

Alice looked into Peggy's eyes and bit his lip, trying to hide his nervousness. She swallowed to erased the lump in her throat, cleaning her eyes with her fingers. When Alice raised her head, Peggy's unfocused eyes looked at her until she came back.

"Oh, Elise, my dear! Are we going to the club?" Peggy smiled and her cheeks blushed as she was a young woman again. "I want to dance. And they will be waiting for us"

Alice frowned at what Peggy had said. They? Who the hell were they? Well, she supposed one of them was Steve, as Elise had told her they were in love but...who was the other one? A cough interrupted her thoughts and she saw Steve on the door frame, staring at the two of them. He smiled apologetically and sat down near Peggy's bed. The woman turned her head towards him.

"Steve! You came back! Are you taking me to dance, as you promised?"

"Yeah" he replied, caressing her cheeks. "I couldn't leave my girl"

Alice stood up and left the room, knowing that was a intimate moment. The fresh air touched her skin and she closed her eyes, breathing slowly. She opened them again and began to walk towards the Avengers' Tower, where she would have plenty of things to do. Tony would have made it sure.

She had come to visit Peggy after she had asked JARVIS. Alice wasn't sure if Peggy Carter would be willing to see her after all the time that had passed and all those things...those horrible things. She shook her head, trying to focus on other things. It was stupid. She didn't want to become part of that war. It wasn't hers. Alice couldn't do it just because she was Elise Baker's granddaughter.

Well, Elise. You fucked me up.

Their relationship was unbreakable or she had thought that in the past. The last three years of Elise's life she had run away from her and all the stories Elise told her. Alice couldn't stand it. She couldn't so she travelled across Europe with different names and being careful. Alice was sure that SHIELD could find her if Elise asked them. But something inside had told her that her grandmother wouldn't do it. Like if she had encouraged Alice to do it. To escape from that life so she could be safe. Something Elise Baker couldn't do.

So Alice broke all the bounds. Even with Tony, his brother from other mother as she usually called him. She knew that he was heartbroken and that was something she couldn't forgive herself.

She felt a shiver down her spine and looked around, like someone was following her. Alice speeded up her steps, trying to arrive to the Tower as soon as she could.

On the other side of the street, a man with a metal arm and a cap covering his face was looking at the girl. He frowned as something in his brain was saying that he knew her. He tried to remember, as he had being doing those weeks. As a reflex, he touched his backpack, where he kept his notebooks and notes. All the things he could remember were there, like a hidden treasure. The man couldn't allow to be brainwashed again. He couldn't lose the only thing he had.

Inside his head, his brain continued working as he tried to remember that girl. Suddenly, a whispered name came to his mind.

Elise.