Sure enough, a couple days later, Bucky was ordered to ship out to training, saying that he'll be in the 107th Infantry, and he can't wait to read Steve's letters when he could, and Steve was sad to see him go, but he knew Bucky will take care of himself just fine.

Later that day, Steve was contacted by Erskine, and got arranged for basic training and logistics classes, and also memory training of reading maps and such, meeting Colonel Phillips as he headed out for the training camp in Virgina, and there he found out that Peggy is part of the commanders for everything, and so, his stint began.

Two weeks later, in Thaddeus's cabin, Thaddeus laughed as Erskine remarked on Peggy's grand and intimidating gesture in the training grounds, "And you should have seen Steven's proud yet amused smile when Carter had Hodge wedged down into the dirt, with Hodge begging for mercy!".

"Probably was a sting to his pride for sure...", Thaddeus chuckled as Erskine nodded, "Indeed. So was what Steven has been doing during basic as well. He's certainly thinking with his head even if he can't compete physically with the other recruits.".

Erskine took a deep breath, "Truth be told; Steven may truly be the one who's perfect for this project. That or perhaps Carter if I'm fully honest: though I don't know if the top brass would go along with that idea. They'd much prefer it to be an American that is reborn rather than one of our British allies... and that's nothing to say with the fact that she's a woman.".

Thaddeus scoffed, "That's just plain dumb. From what you told me, Carter isn't to be underestimated. After all, she trailed Steven in her disguise all day before coming up to him, and technically followed her orders while taking him out on a date afterwards. If that wasn't brilliant, I don't know what is.".

Erskine chuckled, "Very true. And I have checked her reports of her years as an agent. Very bright, strong-hearted, if a tad bold at times, and an adventurous spirit, much like Steven.".

Thaddeus nodded, "Similar yet different...Love's a funny thing.", smiling gently as he held Erskine's hand lovingly. Erskine smiled warmly, "That I can agree with...I hope you were okay with the fact that I technically referred you as a woman in front of Steven, though I really made sure he didn't see the words in the watch.", sheepishly chuckling.

"Hey, look at me, Abraham...Being referred as Thalia is not that bad, and besides, it's technically having some of my name. It's mostly truth compared to the story that you were visiting Pennsylvania here for the anniversary of Rachel's death. At least it's easier to say that you are now visiting for the reason of me incidentally when Thalia would be said to have met you then.", Thaddeus chuckled.

Erskine wryly sighed in relief, "You're brilliant on the pickup as always, Thaddeus, thank you...", before kissing him on the lips warmly, and Thaddeus whispered, "It's no problem...Anything for you, Abram...".

"Abram?", Erskine chuckled, and Thaddeus shrugged softly, "I hope you don't mind, and besides, it's a bit weird if I call you Abe, since it is practically a nickname for President Lincoln, not that you're not honest...".

Erskine shook his head, "No, I don't mind...I like it...And it's true that Abraham is a mouthful like yours...Is it alright if I occasionally call you Tad for short?".

Thaddeus smiled widely, "Even cleaner and shorter than yours, but it works...Tad...Yes, I'll take it...", and Erskine smiled brightly before Thaddeus hummed, "Where were we?".

"I believe you were about to kiss me back.", Erskine whispered, and Thaddeus nodded, "Oh, yes...", before gently wrapping his arm around his lover, leaning in as to kiss Erskine passionately on the lips, their eyes closed in content bliss, the faint music on the radio on nearby.

They were too distracted by the sound of the door opening as Preston Whitmore came in, anxious to tell the news from Washington and the small yet good progress of arranging everything for Atlantis, and his eyes widened in surprise and shock, quietly and quickly closing the door, seeing the happiness etched in their faces as they kissed.

Preston held his breath, not daring to interrupt the moment, waiting to say something, watching them pull away for air, leaning their foreheads together, as Thaddeus replied warmly, smiling so contentedly, "My holder of my heart...", and Erskine smiled blissfully, "My holder of my heart, always.", as they sat on Thaddeus's couch.

A voice then cleared his throat, "Been ages since I saw you truly happy, Thaddeus, old friend.", with a fond chuckle.

Both of them froze up before they saw Preston; he quickly held up his hands before they could say anything, "Listen, don't make excuses, I know what's going on, but before you say anything... just know that I'm alright with you two.". He assured them, "It's very abnormal; I'll admit, but I'm not going to judge the only two people I know as my closest friends.".

Thaddeus exhaled, "Preston...Thank you...", as he was unconsciously holding Erskine protectively, and Erskine asked, "How long have you known?".

Preston replied, "I noticed it first when Thaddeus was so hesitant to hide here in Pennsylvania after his little temporary stay in New York City when you saved him in that close call, as he had looked at you too long when you were distracted by helping me sign the cabin in my holdings. That was when I realized that something had changed, through you didn't seem to have feelings back all those months for Thaddeus...So, let me guess, you finally talked about it last time back on the day of the Infamy speech, eh?", with a wry smile.

Thaddeus nodded. "Yes... that was the day; well, the next day, but it might as well be all the same for sure.", he told him as Preston smiled and sat down.

Preston chuckled softly, "Ah, love somehow reaches lives; young and old. I'm happy being a bachelor, but I'd always make sure I will protect you two...Naturally, I'm a sucker for happy endings, and I intend to do my best. I'm a multi-millionaire, after all.", with a smile.

"Thank you, Preston... it comforts us both to know that.", Erskine said as Preston nodded. "Still, right now, we obviously have more important issues rather than simply keeping a homosexual relationship a secret.".

"Agreed.", Preston said. "Indeed, I've actually got some news that's very important. We've been given an audience with the President.".

Thaddeus's eyes widened. "We?", he asked. "Erskine and myself. I would assume it has something to do with Erskine's work, but the message I was given for my audience was regarding our little pre-war expedition plans.", Preston nodded.

Erskine replied, "Wait, wait, Atlantis? But how?", and Preston chuckled, "Let's say that Rourke was convincing.".

"Lyke Rourke? The very same Rourke who helped us out on the Iceland expedition?", Thaddeus replied, "But I thought he was in the Philippines?".

Preston replied, "Oh, he was, and he fought a nasty skirmish with the Japanese on the same day as Pearl when the Japanese tried their first landings. But after being forced to retreat when the Japanese returned with a larger force, he arranged things with a replacement for his unit, and returned about a week later. I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw him talking with Helga at the gate!".

"He was kept by the progress of the plans by coded letters, thanks to Helga, keeping in the loop, and now he has done us a favor.", Preston finished with a chuckle.

Thaddeus exhaled, "So, the president is going to hear you and Erskine out...Is he going to loan a portion of available people for the submersible?".

"That might be my guess.", Preston said. "And I get why he may also have Erskine come with... if we find Atlantis, it might just also play a major role in his project.".

"I've certainly been having my theories these past few years... especially after looking at the Shepard's Journal. Where is that, by the way?", Erskine looked to Preston and then back to Thaddeus.

Thaddeus smiled, "From what I've deciphered, Atlantis is located really deep just of the Mid-Atlantic Ocean Ridge. Preston is right. A submersible is definitely needed for the first part of the route, but after that, lots of area to cover with trucks and cars if possible.".

Preston then replied, "I thought so. And don't worry, Thaddeus. The Journal is kept in a personal safe, waiting for the day to meet with your grandson when he's ready. Helga tells me that Milo is currently working on how to find the Book, through he's still figuring the Viking runes language.", with a chuckle.

"I really feel bad that we're practically wasting his time...", Thaddeus sighed. "I feel like he should at least be told something...". Preston reassured him, "Well, depending on what happens at this meeting, Thaddeus... I think we'll let him in on a few things soon enough...".

Erskine nodded, "Preston is right. If Milo is anything like you, he'll just be fine, Thaddeus.", and Thaddeus smiled warmly, "You're right as always, Abraham...", squeezing his hand gently.

Erskine smiled, and then glanced at Preston, "If the president says yes, how do you think it will take to train and prepare all those people?", and Preston hummed, "It's true that the President would pick a portion of the navy to join up, but timing and training to handle a multi-millionaire submersible, maybe two months...After all, the waters would be too freezing to handle for most people.".

"And the preparations for fuel, food and such?", Thaddeus asked, and Preston replied, "A month, perhaps. And then of course, we'd have to figure how much time for the boat to sail before dropping the submersible...".

"You're going for something fast yet big enough to hold everybody, right? We can't risk another incident like the Titanic...", Thaddeus sighed deeply. The memory of the great Titanic is still fresh in the States as it only happened 30 years ago.

"Not to mention the worry of the Wolfpacks as well as the Kriegsmarine's U-Boats.", Erskine added. "If even one of those subs finds out; the whole mission might be over before it could start.".

"I'm sure we'll find out more tomorrow when we're at the meeting.", Preston said as Erskine game him a look, "Tomorrow?". Preston nodded, "Apparently it's very important that we only have less than a day to truly prepare.".

Thaddeus exhaled, inwardly screaming in anger at the timing...Erskine just got here this morning, and now...Oh, he wouldn't never blame the president as it's very important...

Preston replied, "I know that look, Thaddeus...", with a wry smile, "The meeting is at noon as it turns out that he's booked quite a bit. Since it's somewhat over a couple of hours by train, I'll give you two lovebirds this afternoon and evening, but you best be ready at the train station by dawn, doctor, and we have time to prepare ourselves on the train by then, with Thaddeus' notes to help out, of course.", with a nod.

Erskine sighed as he nodded, "Thank you, I was hoping for a few days, but... it's the price we have to pay right now with our work...", as he rubbed his temple for a moment.

Thaddeus rubbed his back, "It's okay, Abram, any time we can get is better than nothing.", and Erskine gave a small smile, "I know, Tad...", before glancing at Preston, "Is that everything in your news?".

Preston nodded, "Pretty much. If you can spare an hour or two between your lovey-dovey moments for working on the notes, I'd appreciate it.", with a wry smirk. Erskine blushed as Thaddeus chuckled warmly, "We'll do that, Preston...Thank you for giving us a window of time.".

"Ah, anything for my dearest friends. I'll see you two when you drop off Erskine at the train station.", Preston waved a hand as he stood up, "I'm really happy for you two. I have the strangest feeling that everything's gonna turn out alright for you guys.".

Erskine smiled gratefully, and Thaddeus nodded with a smile, and so Preston left, with the couple to spend their remaining hours together by eating lunch and dinner, listening to the radio to laugh at some funny stories, reading the newspaper Thaddeus occasionally picks up, dancing, holding hands, kisses, and of course, working on the notes and playing chess.

The only thing that's new is sleeping together. Erskine replied shyly, "You know I can sleep on the couch, Thaddeus.", with a nod.

"Nonsense, I won't hear it... besides if we're a couple now, I suppose it would make sense for us to both share a bed, wouldn't you agree?", Thaddeus asked.

Erskine smiled softly, "Tactical, aren't you?", before nodding, "Okay.", joining Thaddeus to the bed, glad that out of old-fashioned manners, they had changed into their nightgowns and all in turns back in the bathroom.

Thaddeus sighed deeply as he held Erskine around his arms, snuggling together, "This is really nice...I hate that I don't have the energy to truly make love with you...If only we're young...I'd really be eager to watch you undress and be attracted to your body...", smiling wryly as he saw Erskine blush so hard.

"Thaddeus!", Erskine stammered, feeling so happy to hear that, wondering if this was what his wife felt when he was rarely bold with her, yet Thaddeus is even more bold than he was.

"Sorry? Too much?", Thaddeus asked as Erskine shook his head. "Well, no, just... quite bold of you to say, that's all... especially so soon into this whole thing...", Erskine chuckled.

Thaddeus smiled, nodding, "It may seem like that, but honestly, I'd be thinking boldly here and there unconsciously about you after you saved my life, Abraham, and of course, I know you very well since those few years we had as great friends...It's strange enough that I feel right again with you, and yes, it's true I wish we had known each other earlier, but I wouldn't ever know if we were just friends all that time, while we had our wives and children...", with a sigh.

Erskine hummed, "Granted that I was in Germany almost all my life, with you here in America, unless it was on one of your archelogy trips or such, I don't think so...And I don't regret my wonderful years with Greta and the children...They gave me a life, an experience of being a husband and father, you know?".

"I hear you...I never regretted my amazing years with Grace and my son, and I never regretted raising Milo either as he has been more like a son than a grandson all this time...It's rare that he gets angry, and when it comes, it's like a volcano...Would he be upset at me for hiding Atlantis all those years from him? And of course, would he accept me having you as a forbidden lover?", Thaddeus spoke with a frown.

Erskine sighed as he shook his head, "I don't know... I would think he'd at least be understanding about why you kept secrets from him. All you have to do is mentioning the HYDRA agents and that'll probably do it...".

Thaddeus nodded softly, "Good point...", and Erskine then replied, "And as for us, if he's a lot like you, it might take a bit of time for him to get used to it, but if he sees that you're happy with me, he'd accept that, especially when we have such precious little time together...", kissing him on the cheek tenderly.

Smiling, Thaddeus whispered, "You're right...", kissing Erskine on the cheek, and Erskine smiled, "Why, thank you. Years of wisdom and experience, Tad...Speaking of which, if only we were young again, I'd be really eager to ravish all of you, to see if your sounds of pleasure in your American flair would be really exotic compared to the German flair...", with a smirk as Thaddeus blushed so hard.

"Abraham!", Thaddeus stammered, and Erskine smiled, "Too much?", and Thaddeus chuckled, "No...You're really crafty, you know that? Using my words back at me.".

Erskine chuckled before smiling and whispering, "Good night, my heart...", leaning up to kiss Thaddeus on the lips passionately yet lovingly, and Thaddeus held him closer as they kissed for a long minute before breaking away for air, "Good night, my heart.", looking at Erskine with a smile.

They then went to sleep, keeping each other warm in the bed, content and in bliss, dreaming peacefully of their future days together, and all so soon, it was dawn, and with most resignation, Thaddeus drove Erskine to the train station, with a longing smile and hand squeeze shared by the couple as Preston watched out for any other people, and then left on the train until Thaddeus couldn't see it anymore.

"Don't worry; you'll see him again very soon, I promise.", Preston said as he and Erskine were in their own cabin on the train. "I know... I just thought we had more time...", he sighed as Preston nodded.

"Yeah...", Preston then took a deep breath. "You know; even though Thaddeus won't be at this meeting... his own blood still will be in attendee... two generations below.". He had a small smirk on his face as Erskine raised an eyebrow, "Milo?".