Steve nodded, "I trust you, Doctor. I... I will try to make sure your faith in me is well placed. You're offering me something I have practically always deeply dreamed of... I'm not going to let that go to waste... nor let myself be corrupted by it."

"I have faith you won't, Steven.", Erskine smiled. "I think after these months, you've proved to be the perfect candidate in both body and soul.".

Steve gave a small thankful smile, "Thanks, doctor. So, what is it?", and Erskine replied, "In short, you will be relieved that I dismissed Miss Carter. In this little blue bag, there's a tin container full of booster pills for the bedroom and other, ah, intimate places.".

Confused for a moment, Steve then went so red as he clicked on what Erskine meant by that, and yep, he was extremely relieved that Peggy wasn't in the room. Erskine waited, giving him a few moments, watching him look at the blue bag on the desk, waiting for his decision.

"It's a recent thing, but honestly I can easily see some years down the road of this being about as common as a loaf of bread.", Erskine told him as Steve nodded.

"I... um... thank you very much, sir... though... if I'm fully honest, I think that stuff might not be needed for quite some time.", Steve explained.

Erskine hummed, "You might be possibly right, but it's a long way to Atlantis. And it's a gift to you, Steven. I have no need for it. Being a doctor, I'll be busy looking over soldiers on the ship and the submersible to make sure they're healthy and good, and I don't want anyone to chance finding them here in this office if someone takes over...You're less conspicuous...".

Steve looked surprised before nodding as he's underestimated by many people, understanding why Erskine said that in a polite way, and bit his lip as he looked at the unassuming blue bag...He knew that Peggy is going to go at Steve's pace, and she did for the past two dates...And of course, she wouldn't push him if the third date calls for the next step in their relationship, a steady make out with clothes on...

Yet it's Peggy's birthday tomorrow, and he wants to go at her pace...And Erskine said that he's just helping him to have more confidence, and a booster pill is a way of confidence...Steve took a deep breath, realizing that a long journey would be tense and all for everyone...Kisses has been addicting for him ever since the second date, and at every opportunity, he had a kiss on the lips when it's possible between shifts and all around the camp.

He nodded to himself, deciding firmly as he grabbed the little blue bag, tucking it way inside his boot, in his sock, keeping tight as he then tucked his pant sleeves over his ankles, and stood up, "Is that all, sir?".

Erskine nodded proudly and warmly, "Yes. You're dismissed, Officer Rogers.", and Steve nodded, leaving Erskine's office, going to resume basic training for his last day.

Several hours later, now in civvies, and packed up with essential clothes, some books, toiletries, and of course, their uniforms in their luggage, along with Steve's old and new sketchbooks and pencils including the colored set, the couple is on the train to New York.

Peggy glanced at Steve, "Been a long while since I saw you in civvies, Steve...Your new weight and slight definition are fitting them better.", with a smile as they sat in their private cabin, sitting next to him.

"Eh, not too much has changed though.", Steve admitted. "Still looks like everything's a bit too large on me.", with a shrug. "You're certainly showing some improvements though.", Peggy told him.

Steve's heart skipped a beat at the compliment, giving him a bit of confidence as he realized that Peggy is happy for him, and smiled softly, "Thanks, Peggy...", kissing her on the lips gently.

Peggy smiled happily as she was the one who often did the first move in things during their secret relationship when anyone isn't looking, and chuckled, "And of course, you're having more spunk and confidence, thanks to me...or was it basic training?", with a wry smirk.

Steve blushed yet smiled brightly, "Mostly you...through basic training and language classes with Milo helped out...And you look really lovely in your civvies too...", as that she's wearing a sleeved blouse in light blue and a long skirt in dark pink, with her casual flats.

"Thank you, Steve...So, are you going to show me the best stuff on Coney Island for my birthday? Been a long time since I was a little girl...", Peggy smiled, blushing, wondering if Steve's gonna try to win some games and give her a teddy bear or something.

"Well, I'll certainly try to make it a birthday you won't forget. But I'll admit, I wouldn't be too surprised if there's a lot of stuff that normally is at Coney Island might not open now what with the war and all.", Steve told her. He honestly had no idea since it had been some months since he was last in New York.

Peggy smiled gently, "Hey, it's okay, we will figure our third date out as we go. If there's less things than usual at Coney Island, we can make the best of it. After all, I got you...", and Steve smiled, "Yes, you're right...And speaking of making the best of it, I...I will give you my bed...I got the couch...After all, it will be after sunset when we get to Grand Central...".

"Steve...", Peggy honestly was touched that he'd offer; but also felt a bit of guilt since he was giving up his bed. "It's alright. Besides, that bed's honestly more your size than the couch.", Steve gave a nervous chuckle.

Peggy chuckled, "You're stubborn, alright...", before kissing him on the lips warmly, and Steve whispered, "Maybe I am, yet willing to be a man of respect, listening to his woman...", before kissing her back on the lips as he gently caressed Peggy's upper back, glad that the doors on their private cabin is locked tight with the curtains closed.

Blushing, Peggy whispered, "Yes...Steve...", surprised at Steve's increase of confidence yet loving it, "Please don't stop.".

"I'm afraid I might not be able to go much further...", Steve told her. "Not wanting to take things too fast, right?", Peggy smiled as he nodded.

Peggy whispered softly, "It's okay, just go at your pace...Please keep going...", and Steve nodded gently before landing kisses on her face lovingly and warmly as he held her closely, with Peggy sighing or moaning quietly, wrapping her arms around his neck.

Steve was in awe that he's literally in the arms of the woman he really loves in his heart and mind, and he took a deep breath before moving his lips past her jaw, keeping his hands still above her clothes, as he is still knowing that anyone would unlock the cabin door anytime.

Peggy gasped and moaned quietly, "Steve, yes...", as she moved closer, and Steve stayed above her top of the shirt, kissing every corner of skin he could, caressing her hair and skin through her clothes, and he was slow yet very passionate, amazed that he's doing this, but to his disappointment, he barely got aroused by the beautiful sounds of his woman, and internally battled in his heart before deciding to take one of the booster pills once he and Peggy's home in his apartment...

He will respect Peggy's wishes in doing a full, steady make out with clothes on, and despite the offer to stay respectful to sleep on his couch, he really wants to see how it's like to share his bed with a woman by just sleeping together, since he has a feeling that he will be in his own tent, and her to her own tent, since they will have to obey the rules around the new camp during the expedition.

After 20 minutes, the announcer voice in the intercom called out, "Grand Central approaching in five minutes...", and Steve pulled back after the light make out, along with a deep kiss, his heart skipping a beat at how Peggy looked, "Are you okay? Did I do alright?".

"You did perfect. You're getting better at this, Steve...", Peggy told him as Steve smiled. "I'm glad to hear that...", he took a deep breath, relieved to being told that.

Peggy smiled warmly, "Let's fix ourselves up. We may be civvies again, but better to be safe than sorry. I don't think I had ever blushed this much before...", with a little giggle.

Steve nodded, "Right. And you look beautiful, Peggy, mussed up or dressed up...", and Peggy blushed, smiling, "And you're getting better at being a flatterer too...", and Steve is relieved to hear that as well.

And so, the couple fixed themselves up, straightening their clothes and brushing their hair, and picked up their luggage from the racks up above them, and soon, the pair of lovers left Grand Central, with Peggy smiling, "Are you going to make some dinner, or shall we dine out?".

Steve exhaled, "Well, there's a cafe, and a diner near the apartment. If we check the time for the curfew and if they're open, we could take one of them after we drop off the luggage at the apartment, since it's a hassle of time carrying them all night.".

Peggy grinned, "Brilliant. Good thing that Phillips paid you for the basic training and Milo's classes.", and Steve chuckled, "Yeah, though we might be taking some of the deals if it's a Friday menu or something.", remembering that as the gentleman, he will pay for their dinner date...Gosh, they never had a dinner date before in a cafe or diner.

"Hey, it's alright to be cheap as long as the food's delicious, and of course, being with you, Steve.", Peggy smiled, reassuring him as she squeezed his hand warmly.

"Well, there's the rationing too and all; so honestly, it might not be as big of a meal as we probably could've gotten before.", Steve added as Peggy nodded, "Oh, know that all too well when the Blitz was happening; the Luftwaffe flying over our skies trying to claim air superiority...".

Steve kissed her forehead gently, "It's okay...It's not going to happen here either, especially with the President intent on helping the people strive through the Depression and using a lot of resources as much as possible despite the rationing and all.".

Peggy exhaled, "Yes, of course, you're right...Either way, we'll be okay.", with a nod, and Steve smiled gently, "That's right, Peggy.", as they strolled before Steve's eye caught a horse carriage, and asked warmly, "Shall we have a ride home?".

"Sounds perfect.", Peggy blushed, smiling, and so with a bit of pay to the coachman, the couple lugged their luggage in, and rode in the carriage, holding each other as the horse lumbered on through the park and some of the city, making it to Brookyln, with Peggy sighing contentedly, "It's so nice. Been a long time since I had a ride in a carriage. Last time I saw this mode of transportation was one of my best friends as a bride riding in one.".

Steve smiled, "It's really nice to know that some traditions still are around despite the new cars and everything changing...", and Peggy chuckled, "Indeed. England or America, some things are so much the same that there's hardly any difference, except, of course, driving on the left instead of on the right here.".

"Is that a bit confusing at times?", Steve hummed, and Peggy giggled, "Sometimes, but once you get into the habit of it, it's a breeze. Took me a few weeks to remember that driving on the right is normal around here, and ever since then, it helped out in a lot of things to blend in.".

Steve nodded, "Makes sense. Similar to speaking a different language. I and Milo have an American accent when we try to speak Erskine's language, and when he talks in English, he has his foreign accent.".

Peggy smiled, "Exactly.", with a warm nod as she rested her head on his shoulder, and Steve smiled, holding her closer, and eventually, the ride ended, with them thanking the coachman and his horse, and took their luggage up to Steve's apartment.

"I forget, you live in a bit of a cramped place.", Peggy admitted as Steve nodded. "Yeah; it's not the Waldorf Astoria; but it's still home and at least it does have a bit of familiar coziness to it.", Steve said as he went for his keys. "Feels so weird being back after being away for so long.".

Peggy replied, "Was the same for me when I occasionally visited England when I could.", with a smile, "Through I suppose it's a bit easier when you have a roommate renting the apartment even from training camp or overseas.".

Steve chuckled, "Yeah, Bucky lives here occasionally now since he's in training, but before, it was just us, being brothers and sure, we had to figure out the schedule between my art school and his previous job at one of the factories, but it was home either way.", before opening the door.

Peggy looked around, blinking with a hum, "I see by what you mean by coziness...It's rather humble. I like it.", with a smile, and Steve exhaled in relief as he put the luggage besides the back wall, "Thanks...", as Peggy joined her luggage by his luggage, smiling as she plucked her purse upwards, smiling.

"Shall we, Steve?", Peggy asked with a blush, and Steve nodded, offering his arm as she took it, and secured his wallet, his keys, locking the door again. Steve was beyond relieved that the diner is open, as the cafe was closed, and indeed, the rationing is at work, but luckily, the couple took to share a two-burger and fries deal, and a slice of pie, along with some soda, and of course, Steve paid for it an hour later.

They strolled home after that, and as Peggy went to fiddle with the small radio, Steve went to the bathroom, biting his lip nervously as he opened the little blue bag he had snuck into the luggage, taking it out when Peggy was distracted, and exhaled as he looked at the tin container, with Erskine's writing on the lid.

He followed the simple instruction, and took one pill, gulping it down with some water from a glass, and he knew he will have to wait, but the tough part's over. He closed the container and put it back in the blue bag and put it in the luggage as quickly as he got it out just as Peggy laughed, "Got a channel!", as music came on.

Steve gave a warm smile, "May I have this dance, milady?", and Peggy smiled, curtsying, "Oh, of course, sir.", before taking his hands as she kicked her flats off, now a bit lower in height than Steve due to his boots.

"Did they put lifts in my boots?", Steve asked as Peggy couldn't help but start laughing there as they started to dance. "Either that or my flats have got some serious height.", she said.

Steve laughed warmly, "I think it might be your flats.", smiling softly, "So this is actually where I can lead...Sure, the sand helped out last time, but it's not the same, as I had sand all over my toes...".

Peggy giggled, "I know...Had to wash them off before anyone asked too many questions...Still, yes, this is better...Maybe you might be a bit taller without the boots after all of this is finished...", with a hum of thought.

"Yeah? That would be great...But right now, this feels so perfect...", Steve whispered, kissing her atop her head as they swayed, dancing as they closed their eyes to the music, "Never thought I'd bring a beautiful dame home...".

Peggy whispered, "I wish I had met your mother before...That would have been quite a wonderful day for her if that happened...Probably gushing over how cute you are by my side, fussing over dinner, maybe sharing stories of you as a baby...", with a giggle.

Steve blushed, "I can see that happening...Oh, lord...She would be over the moon, that's for sure...She'd love you, Peggy...If you want, I could take you to her resting place tomorrow after Coney Island...It has been so long since I visited her...", with a sigh.

Peggy looked up with a gentle smile, "Steve, I'd love to visit her. After all, she might know everything already thanks to watching from the heavens occasionally, but it doesn't hurt to catch up on things, in a conversation to her...After all, she raised a wonderful, kind, and strong-willed son in you...".

"Peggy...", Steve murmured happily before kissing her on the lips tenderly, and Peggy smiled, kissing him back, as they slightly increased their pace from swaying into a waltz, giggling as Steve adjusted the waltz to fit the entire cramped living room for the next 15 minutes.

They then stopped, resting on the couch, with Peggy smiling wryly, "I'm so relieved that we got a place to rest our feet...Today at the office and your basic training sure was frantic and long. I never thought it'd end, you know?", seeing love, anxiety, excitement, happiness in Steve's eyes, unknowing that the pill is starting to work.