Assignment Bucky Barnes

by SJSmith56

Ariel Black, a historian from 2142 is assigned to observe and interact with James Buchanan Barnes, the man formerly known as the Winter Soldier. She is sent to 1940, posing as the niece of her supervising historian, a man known to Barnes and his friend, Steve Rogers. Encouraged to become friends she finds herself drawn to the charismatic young man, becoming more than just friends.

17. Chapter 17 Letters

Chapter 17. Letters

It had been a month since Ariel, along with the Barnes family and Steve, said goodbye to Bucky in Grand Central Station. Two nights before he left, Bucky slept with Ariel in her room, with Merton's permission. When the morning came Merton went down to the store early so they could have breakfast without any awkward moments. On the way to the train station on the day of his departure Bucky's father stopped at the store to pick up Ariel, where Merton shook Bucky's hand, wishing him the best. Surprisingly Bucky hugged him, thanking him for being a good friend.

The terminal was packed with what seemed like hundreds of men, all of them in civilian clothes, carrying a small suitcase, hugging their wives, sweethearts and parents. Ariel gave him a small picture of her to carry in his wallet. Alma referred her to a photographer who could take a glamour shot of her, complete with a fancy dress. She herself was planning to get it done to give it to her boyfriend who was joining the Navy. They went together for the photo then giggled like schoolgirls over how glamorous he made them appear in the photograph when they picked them up two days later. As Bucky studied the picture his face became soft, and he looked at Ariel with both regret and longing.

"I'll miss you," he whispered, before kissing her tenderly.

His goodbyes to his parents was just as emotional, filled with hugs and tears from his mother. Rebecca received a quick kiss on the cheek and a pinky swear from her brother to write each other. Then he hugged Steve.

"Keep exercising," he said to his friend. "You never know. Maybe one day you'll wake up looking like Charles Atlas."

Steve blushed then nodded his head and Bucky picked up his suitcase, joining the queue of the other men also lining up. A big red headed man bumped into him from behind and Bucky turned to say something but the man touched his bowler hat in apology.

"Sorry about that," he said. "Sometimes I stumble over my own big feet." He offered his hand to Bucky. "Dum Dum Dugan."

"Bucky Barnes," replied Bucky. "Haven't I seen you before? You seem familiar."

"I was going to say the same about you," replied the big man, as they shuffled towards the gate. "You're a boxer, aren't you?"

"Yeah, YMCA welterweight champion for the past three years," said Bucky, then recognition came over his face. "You're the strongman at the circus. You really that strong?"

"Better believe it," smiled Dugan.

There was a confrontation ahead of them as a young black man was trying to get through the gate, but the MPs who were checking men's travel orders weren't accepting his papers, saying there was some sort of mistake. Both Bucky and Dum Dum came up to the MPs at the gate.

"What's the problem?" asked Dum Dum, drawing himself up to his full height, dwarfing the MPs.

"These travel papers are wrong," said the MP. "This guy said he was told to report to this train for Camp McCoy and we know all col..." The black man glared at him. "All folks of his type will have their own division, somewhere else."

Bucky put his hand out to look at the papers. "Gabriel Jones, birthday August 14, 1918, to report to Grand Central Station, Monday, January 5, 1942 for transport to Camp McCoy, Wisconsin." He handed the papers to the black man. "Looks just like my travel orders. If he doesn't obey them then he opens himself up to a charge of desertion, doesn't he?"

The MP scowled. "Technically yes," he said, then he lowered his voice. "But he can't be on the same train as you."

"Why not?" asked Bucky. "He's allowed on the subway trains with everyone else that lives in New York. We're all New York based boys on here."

"While I do live here now, I'm originally from Boston," interjected Dugan, "but yeah, I don't have a problem riding with Jones."

Several others in the line behind them said the same and began asking why the MPs were holding up the line, which was bunching up at the delay. With a shrug the MP let Jones through, then let Bucky and Dum Dum go once he confirmed their travel papers. They caught up with the young black man who stopped to fold his papers and put them inside his jacket.

"Stay with us," said Bucky. "We'll watch out for you. Once we get to the camp, we'll find out why they sent you there." Jones looked sceptically at Bucky. "I give you my word." He put his hand out and shook on it.

As they descended down the stairs to the trains level Bucky realized he forgot to look back and wave at Ariel and his family, but there were too many people behind him to turn around, so he kept going. The three men stepped up into the rail car and found four seats together, three for them and one for whoever chose to sit with them. Gabe Jones sat at the window, across from Dum Dum Dugan while Bucky sat next to Gabe in the aisle seat. For the next almost two days of travelling, they became acquainted with each other, forging a friendship that began over a clerical mistake that sent a black man into a white unit.

--

Merton noticed a change in Ariel's demeanour after Bucky left. She became quieter and more introspective, spending more time in her room when she was home. She rarely went out socially, except on the odd invitation from Bucky's parents for dinner. Without Bucky to interact with she decided to work on her side research project about the library itself, because of its importance as a Carnegie library. Mrs. Houseman supported her in it, seeing it as a good activity for the young librarian. Through her contacts the library manager was able to provide information on the construction of the library, blueprints, and history of its early staff. Merton also encouraged Ariel to keep up the friendship with Steve but with his travel to other locales trying to enlist on his days off from the diner they never seemed to see each other much. She picked up an extra day and a half of library work every week when Irina quit after marrying her boyfriend and moving in with his family in New Jersey while he was in basic training. Alma picked up the other day and a half when Mrs. Houseman convinced the library Human Resources department to provide extra hours to the two young women in order to entice them to stay with the library as there was talk of women's units forming in the military which paid much better than the library could offer.

The postman came into the antique store the second week of February and dropped off both the store's mail and some personal mail, including a letter from Bucky addressed to Ariel.

"Finally," said Merton out loud. "She'll be happy to see this."

When she arrived home just before Merton closed up she stopped in the store and he showed her the letter. Ariel gazed at it, her face lighting up then she looked at Merton.

"Do you mind if dinner is a little late so I can read this?" she asked.

He tilted his head towards her. "Seriously?" he asked. "I'm not a 1940s man. Take all the time you need. We can make dinner together when you're ready."

"I keep forgetting you're not a stereotypical man from this time," she smiled. "Thanks anyway. I'm going up to read this right now."

After putting her boots and coat away, then changing into something more comfortable Ariel sat on the couch and opened the letter. It was beautifully written, reminding her that the people of this time invested in the art of cursive writing.

--

February 3, 1942

My dearest Ariel,

Finally, we've been given permission to write our families and I've taken pen to paper to write you and my parents. It's been a hard slog since I arrived here after an almost two day train journey. Right from the start there has been some controversy in our unit due to a clerical error that saw a young black man, Gabriel Jones, enlisted in our unit. They were going to deny him entry onto the train but I pointed out that would put him into an AWOL category if he didn't report. Another recruit, Tim Dugan, backed me up and we've assigned ourselves as Gabe's protectors as there are several here who take Gabe's presence as an insult. Which is ridiculous as he is a college student, fluent in French and German, and is very well read. It's not his fault that some clerk in the enlistment office wrote him down as white instead of black. Even his dog tags say he is white. He filed a correction but the Army, being the efficient organization it is (it's not) says it could be months before they can correct it. Tim, or Dum Dum as he prefers to be called, was a circus strongman of some repute. I remember seeing him when taking a date to said circus, well before I met you. He is a big man physically and has a presence that is memorable. I'm sure you would like them both. There are others of my acquaintance, former high school classmates, and athletes I faced in sports.

The first week, after having our locks shorn and clothing allotment provided, was given over to physical training involving mostly marching. Marching to the mess hall, marching to the showers, marching everywhere. The drill sergeants say it is so we come to know our fellow soldiers like brothers so we can depend on each other. The first few days so many were stumbling over their feet, trying to learn the cadence and discipline to march in sequence, not to mention the numerous blisters acquired. We are much better at it now.

Since that first week we have undergone training in the art of self defence. My boxing skills have come in handy but they have taught us so much more in how to fight man to man. There have been fitness drills, and training over a course designed to push us to our limits. Full of barbed wire, ropes, mud, walls and requiring all manner of torturous physical effort. Several men sustained injuries and must begin the training from the beginning when they are declared fit to return. So far I have managed to keep up. Last week we began marksmanship. The days of playing at the shooting galleries at the arcades have served me well as it appears I am one of the better shots.

The drill sergeants observe us constantly, offering criticism disguised as encouragement, but it also gives them an indication of what further training of individuals would benefit the unit. Gabe's linguistic skills are an indicator of him being sent for further training in communications, Dum Dum in special forces training to take advantage of his strength, me further training in firearms. That is still some time away as the basic training portion takes 12 weeks in total. After that time, we will get leave then report for the next phase of our training.

I dream of the day we receive our travel orders to return home for that leave. I dream of you, every night and whenever my mind wanders. That small picture you gave me before I left is my object of worship as I kiss it every night before I close my eyes in sleep. You are my beautiful girl, my red headed goddess, and I miss you so much. I dream of having you in my arms, of kissing your pink lips and soft skin, of being alone with you oblivious to everything else. Please write back as soon as you can. Put a drop of your perfume on the letter so that I can remember the times I buried my face in your neck and breathed in your scent. You are my one and only love, and I long for the day when I can hold you again.

With all of my love,

Bucky

--

Ariel read it several times over, touched by the sentiments in it. In many ways she regarded letters as a lost form of communication, and felt civilization was a little the worse for it. Placing the letter back in the envelope she put it on her nightstand and went out to the kitchen to begin preparing the meal. Merton came up and helped, observing her while they worked. As they ate Ariel told him about the letter's contents and that she wanted to send Bucky another photograph to keep in his wallet. By the weekend she had a new picture for him, another glamour shot. Enclosing it with the letter, she put a drop of her perfume, Joy, on the paper before sealing it. Ten days later another letter was delivered to the shop. She smiled when she saw the envelope and hurried up the stairs to read it before beginning the meal preparations. Excitedly she tore open the envelope and pulled the letter out.

--

February 21, 1942

My darling Ariel,

There are no words that do justice to that picture you sent in your letter, except maybe I died and went to heaven. I am truly the envy of the other men in this camp. No one has a girl as beautiful as you. That picture affected me in the most basic of ways, if you understand my meaning. The longing for you is almost unbearable.

I received a letter from my parents saying you have visited several times for dinner and I am glad you have made the effort to see them. They are so fond of you and think of you as a daughter already. I am not happy that Steve has not been as eager to keep in touch as I asked him personally to keep watch over you. Although he didn't say I suspect he spends his free time trying to enlist, a behaviour that still concerns me. I wish he would accept that he can serve the war effort better at home. He is a stubborn man and I guess I should allow him to exhaust all efforts until he accepts the inevitable.

There is a rumour that we will be given leave for the week before Easter. I do hope the weather becomes more springlike so that we can go for walks, me in my uniform with my best girl on my arm. What a sight we will be. You might not recognize me. With all the extra food we need to compensate for our physical exertions I have put on some weight, and it is all muscle. I thought boxing and working on the docks made me fit but the physical training we are doing has surpassed that. I had to go to the quartermaster and exchange some shirts to get some that fit me better in the shoulders and arms.

Lights out is almost upon us so I will close this letter now. I miss your presence immensely. That drop of perfume in your letter set off so many memories in my brain, memories of us in your room, at the hotel on New Year's Eve, the touch of your hair in my fingertips, the beauty of your face when you look over me. I hope the rumours of our leave are true as the prospect of waiting even longer is unbearable to consider. You are my one love as I am yours, always.

I love you, my dearest Ariel

Bucky

--

The following day Ariel walked past the photographer's shop on the way to the library and he came out the door calling to her.

"I'm on my way to work, Mr. Kiser," she said, hesitant to stop and talk.

"Please, it will only take a moment," he said. "I want to show you a prop I just got. I ordered it last fall and I have a proposition for you."

A warning bell understandably went off in Ariel's mind, but he hadn't crossed any professional boundaries in the previous two photographs he took of her. Alma said he had been quite professional with her in their sessions. Nodding her assent, she followed him into his studio. The door was open and his assistant, a woman, was already there helping to reduce Ariel's distrust.

"I ordered this for some tasteful glamour photos with a St. Patrick's Day theme," he said, pointing to a very large green hat. "It's obviously larger than I was expecting but I couldn't return it. I'm talking to all the young ladies who have had photos for their beaus taken by me, offering you a free photo using this prop."

"Alright," began Ariel. "What's the catch?"

Mr. Kiser blushed. "I've also been asked to produce some posters that will be distributed to our boys in the military. Miss Black, you're one of the most photogenic subjects I've ever had the pleasure of working with. With your colouring, and considering the theme is St. Patrick's Day, I was hoping you would agree to pose in a bathing suit with this Irish hat prop. It's a one piece swimsuit and will have a shamrock appliqué on it. It's quite modest, I assure you and I will pose you modestly as well."

"Mr. Grisham, you know I'm engaged," countered Ariel. "I would want to consult my fiancé first and probably wouldn't get an answer before you needed to get these posters produced."

"What if ... I pay you, as a model?" he said. "I can pay you ten dollars. That's more than a week's pay for you in your library job."

Ariel looked at the clock on the wall, realizing she had to go. "I'll tell you what. I'll think on it, speak to my uncle about it on my lunch break and let you know on my way home from the library. That's the best I can do."

He agreed and Ariel hurried outside, picking up her pace to get to the library on time. When she arrived and started her regular duties, she took the opportunity to pull Alma aside. She asked the other woman if she had been asked to pose for a swimsuit poster for the military. The other young woman's eyes grew big.

"Mr. Kiser asked you?" she asked. "I don't know. That's sounds awfully suspicious."

"He offered me ten dollars payment to pose and a free photo to send to Bucky," replied Ariel. "Said it would be a modest swimsuit and pose. I mean all the Hollywood stars do it, even Katharine Hepburn did that type of photo, although not in a swimsuit."

"It would have to be very tasteful for you to continue to work at the library," said Mrs. Houseman's voice from nearby. She came around from the next aisle. "I'm sorry. I wasn't trying to eavesdrop. I know Mr. Kiser and he is a man of his word but it's possible it could affect your employment here if the upper management got wind of it and didn't approve. But then again, you could always say it's your contribution to our fighting men, you know, to help them remember the girl they left behind."

Mrs. Houseman left them with an enigmatic smile, and both Alma and Ariel looked at each other with a surprised face. At lunch Ariel phoned Merton and told him about the offer. At first his response was not to do it then he was quiet for a moment.

"I'm going to contact Peri on this," he said. "I'll try to get back to you before you leave work."

Throughout the afternoon Ariel continued her normal work routine. Shortly before closing Mrs. Houseman came to her and said there was a personal call for her in the office. Ariel went to the phone and picked up the receiver, saying hello.

"Well," said Merton's voice. "That was interesting. Peri did an extensive search of all image databases from World War II. Your poster was in it and although your name wasn't associated with it, you were identified as a Brooklyn librarian hoping to give the boys on the front line a glimpse of the girl they left behind. You have the green light to pose for the photo."

"Merton is Mrs. Houseman a historian?" asked Ariel in a whispered voice even though she was alone in the office, as a thought suddenly occurred to her. "Is she one of those who stayed? Your answer is very close to what she said about it."

There was silence on the other end of the line for several long moments. "I can't tell you that," he finally replied. "If she were, she would want her privacy respected. If she isn't ... well your inquiry about it wouldn't be well received, would it?"

Recognizing she had just been told to drop that inquiry Ariel said goodbye to Merton and returned to the library floor to prepare for closing. She observed Mrs. Houseman with some scrutiny but the woman gave no indication that she was anything other than a woman of this time period. When the doors were closed to the Library and they finished cleaning up Ariel dawdled a little bit. The library manager noticed and raised her eyebrows to the younger woman.

"I just wanted you to know that I'm going to do the photograph," said Ariel. "I won't do anything to bring the library into any disrepute."

"I'm sure it will be tastefully done," said Mrs. Houseman. "I mentioned your project about the branch's history as a Carnegie Library and they have asked for a copy for the archives. If you ever choose to stay with the New York Public Library as a career such a publication could pave the way for you to advance higher into library management. Something to consider. Now, you have a wonderful weekend, and we will see you Tuesday."

Heading out the door Ariel was pleasantly surprised to see Steve waiting for her. At the sight of her smile he smiled broadly as well and offered her his arm.

"I wasn't expecting to see you," she said. "You've been rather scarce lately. What have you been up to?"

"Work mostly," replied Steve. "I did go out of town to try to enlist elsewhere but got the same answers there. The last place kind of guessed and told me not to try for a while as it could lead to my arrest. Don't want that."

"I have to stop at the photographer's studio," stated Ariel. "I'm getting another photograph done for Bucky, and with it being St. Patrick's Day themed Mr. Kiser wants to take it sooner rather than later. Will you wait for me at the studio?"

He nodded and they walked in silence until they got there. Mr. Kiser brought her in and showed her the one piece bathing suit, which was quite modest. He also had a pair of white high heels to wear with it.

"If you have time we could do it now," he said. "Muriel can touch up your makeup so you don't look washed out in the lights as it will be a colour photograph."

Ariel looked at Steve. "This is for a photo for Bucky but they're also going to make a poster out of it for the troops. Do you think Bucky will be angry about it?"

"You wore a bathing suit at the beach," he stated. "It didn't bother him there. I think he'll like having a pinup girl as his fiancée."

"Okay, let's do it," she said to Mr. Kiser. "Steve, could you phone Uncle Merton and let him know I'll be late."

While she got changed and had her makeup intensified a little, Mr. Kiser set up the studio, and Steve phoned Merton. It took about half an hour to prepare everything then Ariel came out in the bathing suit and with Mr. Kiser's help, used a small step ladder to get on the hat prop and sit on the edge of it. Steve, who was watching, found himself caught between being fascinated by the artistic process of setting up a photographic shot and being slightly embarrassed at seeing Ariel in a modest but attractive bathing suit, posing for a pinup shot. She smiled lightly at him from her perch.

"Well, is it modest enough?"

"Yeah, yeah, definitely, but ..." He turned red. "You're so pretty, and ... you're in a bathing suit but you're not at the beach, and you're wearing heels ... and ..." Steve couldn't say anything more.

"Son, that's exactly what I'm going for," said Mr. Kiser. "Miss Black is still wearing her engagement ring so the soldiers that see this poster are going to know that some lucky soldier is her fella, making him one lucky son of a gun."

Nervously, Steve shook his head and continued to watch. Ariel knew exactly what was happening with him, as she knew Bucky asked him to watch out for her. He was torn between reacting the way a man normally would to the shot and the way Bucky's friend should be reacting to his fiancée. If Bucky was there he would likely be gently teasing Steve for responding to the pinup pose but she wouldn't do that to Steve. Instead, she focused on Mr. Kiser's instructions and prompts and gave several different poses for him before he called it a day and said he had enough shots to pick out the best one.

"Thank you for saying yes," he said. "Just so you know, there are four other young women who have agreed to do this. I'm not sure if the distributors are going to use all five of you or pick the one they want. Either way, I'll pay you the sitting fee and you'll get the wallet photos of all your poses for free."

Bringing the step stool over he offered his hand to Ariel as she stepped off. Waiting patiently as she changed Steve looked through the photographer's portfolio and realized that the man did more than just portraiture, that he also took photographs of life in that time. After admitting that he was an artist to Mr. Kiser, the older man encouraged Steve to stick with it, as the world needed people like them to show its beauty, in all shapes and forms.

Two days later Ariel picked up the photographs and inserted one into the letter she already wrote to Bucky. In it she told him about posing for the picture with the possibility of it being made into a poster for the troops. With any luck she would get a letter back from him before his leave and find out if her posing bothered him.

As March began she saw more of Steve. He even asked if she wanted to go see an art exhibit at a gallery in the city, featuring artists who were in exile because of the war in Europe. Marc Chagall, Max Ernst, and Piet Mondrian were among the artists whose works were displayed which pleased her as much as it pleased Steve, to see their famous works so soon after they were created.

On the war front things seemed bleak. The Japanese were plowing their way through southeast Asia, taking control of the Dutch East Indies. In the Atlantic, German submarines seemed to be sinking a tanker, cargo ship or war ship every other day, some of them almost within sight of the American east coast. Speed limits on the highways were reduced to decrease wear on rubber tires as the rubber was needed for the war efforts. Victory gardens were being promoted as ways for the average American to contribute to the war effort by growing their own vegetables. Empty lots in cities were being converted to the development of those gardens. Steve asked Ariel if she wanted to share a small plot of land to grow their own vegetables they could share. She agreed and they filled out the application to be assigned a plot. On March 24 she received another letter from Bucky.

--

March 20, 1942

Dearest Ariel,

Imagine my surprise when I walked into the barracks yesterday, after finishing the obstacle course and seeing some new pinup posters on the wall. The posters were rumoured to be supplied by a defence contractor and showed a very attractive red haired woman, in a bathing suit sitting on a green Irish hat, surrounded by shamrocks. Even though you warned me about the posters, seeing you on the wall of several barracks was still a bit of a shock. I'm not bothered as I am now the envy of many of my fellow soldiers and loving every moment of it.

When I said you were my fiancée many of them laughed at me, as it was the desire of many of the men hoping to have such a woman waiting for them. Then I pulled your other wallet pictures out and was faced with a barrage of good natured (and some jealous) insults. Most of them say I'm not good enough for you, which I agree with. They all say what a lucky man I am to have a doll like you waiting at home for me, which I am. Baby, you looked so beautiful in that poster and I can't wait to have my arms around you again, kissing your lips, and burying my face in your soft hair.

The word is that we will be given leave effective April 1, and it won't be an April Fool's Day joke. It will be a good two days before we pull into Grand Central Station at what will likely be a late hour. I'll ask my dad to pick me up but expect me at your door the following day, Good Friday, bright and early. It won't be long until we're in each other's arms again, I promise.

I'll be seeing you

In all the old familiar places

That this heart of mine embraces

All day through.*

I miss you more than you'll ever know and you're the only one for me.

With all my love,

Bucky

--

Ariel wondered if she could get that Saturday off, wanting to be with Bucky as much as she could. The library had hired another young librarian and perhaps she could switch her Saturday with her. Bucky was coming home and she wanted more than anything to be with him, at least for that weekend. Until she talked to Martha at the library she would be in limbo. She did tell Mrs. Houseman that the photo was turned into the poster. A smile, and a cautious warning to hope there was no fallout from the poster, was the older librarian's response.

Author's note: *lyrics from I'll Be Seeing You, written by Sammy Fain and Irving Kahal, 1938. Definitely a song they would have danced to before he left for basic training.