Erskine looked both amused and so relieved, chuckling, "You're very much right on that. Steven is clearly a man in love, yet he hides it well for Peggy's sake, protecting her like a hero, but yes, regifting the pills to Steven would be better...I hope Preston will understand.", with a soft look at Thaddeus, as he closed the tin container, stowing it into a dresser out of sight.

"Hey, he said that he will understand, earlier on the radio, and he is even younger than us, but not much. And besides, I don't need any darn pills to remind me that I'm in love with the most incredible, kind-hearted, and bravest man I've ever met...", Thaddeus smiled lovingly at Erskine who widened his eyes, his heart beating steadily yet almost skipping in joy, whispering, "You love me?", as this is the first time Thaddeus basically said it.

Thaddeus blushed himself when he realized he said that. "Oh, um... shoot, would've thought it would be a much more deserving time to say something like that...", he bit his lip as he had thought something more special should've happened before he'd say those words to him.

Erskine smiled as he wrapped his arms around Thaddeus's upper body, "Tad, today is Valentine's Day, even if it's already late past dark, and it's the best gift ever given...", blushing deeply before whispering into his ear, "I love you, Thaddeus Thatch.", leaning back to see his expression with anticipation.

He really was surprised to hear that. Both of them honestly thought those words would be a bit more difficult to say but it just came so naturally to them.

Maybe because they knew they cannot waste time as they have so much remaining days of their lives...Thaddeus touched Erskine's cheek with his hand gently, whispering reverently, "I love you too, Abraham Erskine...", before leaning in to kiss him deeply and in love as he wrapped his arms around Erskine's upper body as well.

After a few moments, they broke the kiss as Erskine sighed. "So... any plans on your mind for what we can do to pass the time while I'm visiting?", Erskine chuckled as Thaddeus smiled. "I've got a few ideas...", he said.

Erskine smiled happily, "I can't wait.", and so, the couple went on to make food together, eat and dine together, dancing together, listening to the radio, cuddling together on the couch and bed while on the days, carefully went to forage in the forest and even chop down wood from good branches and all, and of course, increasing their affections for each other in a couple more different ways of kisses and such, yet with tender care, they are happy either way.

In short, the weekend was perfect for them, and of course, with bittersweet yet beloved hugs and kisses, Erskine left the cabin at sunset, taking the train back to Washington to give Preston's car back, and of course, retake the train again to the town near the base, with Milo in tow.

The next couple of months passed, and then it was April, and Preston finally announced that the submersible is ready, that all the required mini subs, fuel trucks, etc., is ready, and it's all waiting for the ship to sail off with people needing to board within the weekend which is ironically the weekend of Peggy's birthday.

Erskine had argued with Phillips, and even after a surprising appearance by Milo who proclaimed fiercely on Steve's sake, knowing that his best friend really wants Peggy to come along.

Phillips gave in and proclaimed that she is actually able to go on the expedition, and with an accepting look by Phillips, Erskine called Steve and Peggy to his office to reveal the mission, and that Peggy is now on Erskine's command, for Phillips had a feeling that many trained people, mainly the men, would be jealous and upset if they knew that Peggy was a full-on agent.

"So, they made you a full-on staff sergeant.", Peggy teased as Steve was brushing the new stripes on his sleeve. Due in part to such the vast swelling of numbers of troops as the US was quickly mobilizing and rapidly expanding; many high ranks amongst the non-commissioned troops needed to be filled.

Hence how someone like Steve, could quickly be promoted three plus levels in a single day; though Steve had a feeling it also had something to do with Erskine and why he was even here in the first place.

"Yeah, is that an issue for you, Flying Officer Carter?", Steve teased back; referring to Peggy's actual Royal Air Force rank which was the equivalent of a 1st Lieutenant in the US Army.

"No, not in the slightest, though I'm sure some of the boys in camp had their egos stunned.", Peggy said as Steve sighed.

"Well, it's more of just simply a good mark in command. I'm capable of at least keeping control and planning orders as well as any other non-com officer. It's just doing this all at a camp compared to being on the front lines is... well, obviously I'm unable to really serve on the front." Steve admitted.

"No shame in at least doing a base job if that's what fate has in store for you. At least you're serving, which is what you wanted, right?", Peggy asked as Steve nodded.

"Yeah... but I just kinda want to be more like Bucky though; he'll be shipping out for somewhere either in Europe or the Pacific.", Steve said as they headed for Erskine's office at the camp.

Things had been going fairly poorly for the Allies of late. The Japanese took Singapore; overwhelmed Burma already, captured the Philippines completely and just widening their vast web across the titanic ocean. In Europe, the Soviets were completely grounded to a halt and in North Africa, Rommel was on the offensive again and pushed the British back into another stalemate at Gazala. But, at least for the moment, the war wasn't already lost and hopefully the tide would turn soon when the US could finally put their full weight into the conflict as it was steadily gaining momentum in war capacity.

Peggy commented, "You think so?", and Steve nodded, "Yeah. He has been training with the 107th Infantry from what the letters said. Apparently, he's really good at being a sharpshooter, not that I am not too surprised about. He used to play with a slingshot, and he was really great at getting tin cans. Heck, the last time he did that was 15 cans in a single time. Oh, don't worry, it only happened in one of the alleys without windows or doors, as the cans fell over into a dumpster.".

"Whoa. That's really good practice. I'm sure he can do long-distance soon enough as there's good terrain for that, he can cover his unit's backs to keep them protected and safe.", Peggy complimented with a chuckle.

"Yeah... hopefully he'll stay safe...", Steve sighed before the two of them were outside Erskine's door. "Any idea what this meeting of his is about, by the way?", he asked her.

Peggy hummed, "I think it has to do with the few meetings I heard about; Erskine and Milo and Phillips in secret with the President over some things.", and Steve widened his eyes, "Golly, must be a big mission if Erskine wants us both here.".

A nod, "Yeah. Let's not keep him waiting.", Peggy replied, and she knocked on the door, and Erskine's voice called out, "Come in, and lock the door after you get in.".

That certainly was new. Erskine never did that with them before in the past months they were around with him. "Something the matter?", Steve asked as Erskine nodded.

"Well, yes and no.", Erskine said as Peggy closed the door and locked it. "It's important that this is kept silent since it's top secret of practically the highest order.". Both of them tensed up hearing that as it obviously was something very serious.

Erskine took a deep breath, "Now, Miss Carter, I have long argued with Phillips for him to let you go on this mission as you are one of the major aspects of this mission, protecting me, Milo, and Steven, even if you are trained already on small gun prospects and such, Steven, it's better to have more than one skilled.".

Peggy looked taken aback for a moment before being relieved, "And I am able to go?", and Erskine nodded, "Phillips gave in, especially after Milo came in to be on my side, for your sake, Steven. After all, you are one of the top prospects for my project. Two questions for you both. How much do you know of Hydra, Miss Carter, first of all?".

"That it's a scientific department of the Nazis, one of my first missions in late '40 was doing some sabotage work at one of the Hydra's bases in Holland. Led by a man named Johann Schmidt.", Peggy replied, looking over at Steve, "Schmidt, I heard, is a dangerous man with a smart mind, as he's a trusted ally of Hitler, but most of all, he believes in the supernatural; myths and legends from long ago, that sort of thing.".

"As does Hitler, as does Himmler.", Erskine added. "Heinrich Himmler, head of the SS, Nazi Paramilitary group, runs the Gestapo secret police too.", Steve spoke up. "If what I've read from the papers is true.".

"If only they knew the half of it...", Erskine grumbled. "Does Schmidt answer to Himmler? Is HYDRA one of those subservient groups to the SS?", Steve asked as Erskine took a deep breath.

"Well, on paper and to both Hitler and Himmler's minds, yes... but...", Erskine nodded as he closed his eyes briefly in somber grief and anger at the same time.

Steve blinked, connecting the dots, "The project you want me to be involved in, Schmidt had it too?", with a widening of his eyes.

Erskine sighed deeply, "Yes. You see, my project is a super soldier serum, transforming a normal man into a legendary man of great strength, speed, and more, sorta like Hercules in a way. My first run of it, it wasn't truly complete when Schmidt went against my warnings, and took it...It changed him terribly, for my theory of using the super soldier serum proved me right. A man of bad morals and disrespect for all people becomes a monster, a monster who doesn't care about lives as long as he gets to his goal in the end, but if a good man of a great heart and a strong will to help people of all races takes it, he becomes a hero of humble origins, a soldier who cares about lives.".

Steve leaned back in his chair as it practically all clicked for him, "That's why I'm here... that's why you chose me in the first place.". Erskine nodded when he said that. "The effects obviously would be much more profound and noticeable, for a start. It's called Project Rebirth for a reason.".

Peggy's heart skipped a beat at the thought of Steve being stronger, taller, and practically immune to diseases and illnesses. Steve had gained some weight and some definition to his body thanks to basic training and all, but not quite to the standards of a man who would be shipped out to war.

Steve exhaled slowly, "Wait, if Schmidt already had it, shouldn't he be on the way to infiltrating into the Nazis or something?", and Erskine replied, "Any other man would have thought of that, but Schmidt, he has a much bigger plan. As he's a believer of myths and legends, he has been looking into great powers behind those myths, like Ancient Vikings, Greece, that sort of thing, and now there has been rumblings that Hydra are trying to catch us by planting spies and such because we are looking for a myth of a place, a legendary lost continent; the city of Atlantis.".

Peggy raised an eyebrow as Erskine nodded, "Hence why we have Mr. Thatch around. His grandfather and now by extension... we perhaps have a true map to the lost civilization; and it's a place that Schmidt and the Nazis also want to find. We've found ourselves in more than one race with them...".

Steve gaped in surprise yet went to recompose himself slightly, "Then we have to beat them to the finish line.", and Erskine gave a proud smile, "And that's why a dear friend of mine and Milo has prepared the entire expedition in its transportation, supplies, necessary things to get through trouble like blockades and such, and of course, people. This weekend as of now, there's a ship awaiting to be aboard over the next couple of days including today before setting off on Sunday, which I hope many, many prayers of the unknowing public will give us the luck to sail on good weather, and upon sea, possibly a day or so before we drop the submersible into the sea, and to Atlantis way down below the depths.".

Peggy exhaled, "That is why you are in supervision over us, because you're coming along as well.", and Erskine nodded with another proud smile, "That's correct, Miss Carter. Now, today is your last day of basic training and such, Steven, along with your last day of office, Miss Carter, for tomorrow will be your civvies day, to take in the surface world on land for we wouldn't see it for quite some time, and then you board the ship on Saturday evening.".

Steve gaped in surprise, "Really?", and Erskine chuckled warmly, "Miss Carter, do you know what day tomorrow is?", and Peggy replied, "April 9.", before widening her eyes, "Bollocks, I nearly forgot my birthday!", as Steve remembered what she had said about herself in one of their random conversations, and his heart skipped a beat, looking at Erskine.

Erskine smiled wryly, "You two are lucky that I'm on your side. Your civvies day will be your third date, as I have a feeling that you two will be busy on making sure the expedition is doing well on traveling and such. No need to thank me, Miss Carter. I'm a sucker for romance, and romance on a birthday is precious as much as any other holiday and all.".

Both of them blushed hearing that as Erskine chuckled, "Don't worry, I won't be spreading it around the camp." Steve then suddenly thought of something when he looked back to Erskine, "Wait... I have to ask... the whole Atlantis thing and you... does it have a connection to your super soldier work?".

Erskine nodded, "Yes. The source of Atlantis's fame in its myth; how it got around by transportation, medicine, technology, and such, because a civilization cannot live without a way of having the basics for people. Milo says it's a power source, but not what kind as it's secretive, I suppose. This power source, if I could just have a silver of it, it would help the super soldier serum, boosting it up into completion.".

Peggy nodded, "That certainly makes sense why Schmidt, Hydra, the Nazi is desperate...especially with the United States going into war for the past several months since Germany challenged us.".

"That's very correct, Miss Carter. Any advantage on either side would change the war for the better or worse.", Erskine replied firmly. Steve and Peggy looked at each other before Steve replied, "We understand, Dr. Erskine. And where will we board?".

Erskine smiled, "As I have a feeling that you'd want to see New York again for your day tomorrow, we're boarding the ship in Cape May, New Jersey, so that's a breeze for driving, hmm?".

Steve smiled widely, "So, we can take the train to New York from town after our day is done...I've been thinking about taking you to Coney Island tomorrow, Peggy.", rubbing his neck nervously.

Peggy smiled warmly, "Sounds fun, Steve. I'd love to go with you.", and Steve exhaled in relief, smiling happily as Erskine chuckled warmly to see such a wonderful couple in love, and replied, "Steven, as you and a Mr. James Barnes have been paying rent on your apartment, it's still available. Miss Carter, I'm afraid that as the SSR and the army has been having more people and agents since the United States joined into the war, your apartment has become sold.".

"Good thing I got all the important stuff out here as the rest in that apartment was furniture and kitchen things.", Peggy smirked before glancing at Erskine, "Is that everything, Doc?".

Erskine nodded, "Yes, Officer Carter, you're dismissed. You go off and do your last day of office.", and Peggy nodded, "Yes, sir. I'll see you later after the day's done, Mr. Rogers.", with a smile before leaving Erskine's office, opening and closing the door.

Steve chuckled, exhaling, and Erskine smiled warmly, "I'll not keep you waiting much longer to go back to basic training...There's something else, but just between us men in a sense. You can relax now as it's personal, through you might be embarrassed, but remember, I'm just wanting to help you get your confidence, okay, Steven?".

"I understand, doc...", Steve replied, and Erskine turned to his secret drawer that contained his hobby of collecting baseball cards, his other case of glasses, his formula of the super soldier serum in code, and files of Schmidt, and the little blue bag. It was a miracle that it was tucked back inside his coat, undiscovered by the guards at the gate. He pulled the little blue bag from the drawer, and held it before Steve, placing it on the desk, "It'll be your decision in a few minutes as you don't have to take it after I tell you what this is, understand?".