Bucky replied, "I may be on shore leave, but I got a training exercise with my team in the morning. Mind if I take the couch?", and Peggy smiled, "There's an extra pillow and blanket in the hallway closet. I'm going to wash up, luv.".
Steve smiled warmly, "I won't take too long, Peggy.", and Peggy chuckled, kissing him on the lips lovingly before leaving the duo, heading to the bathroom. Bucky looked at him, "You beat me in settling down with a dame, and I thought I had the odds before I left home.", with a laugh.
"There was a time I thought I didn't have the odds of making it even by the second date or third date, Bucky, but she proved me wrong, and she gave me so much more than I'd ever imagined...I really love her...", Steve sighed wistfully and happily.
Bucky chuckled, "You really got it bad, brother...I sure wish your mama could've met her...I can easily imagine her and Peggy cooking together for your birthday or something.", and Steve smiled softly, "I think you could have been right...Mom would've loved her for sure...And actually, there's a way you can be best man for me, Bucky.".
"How?", Bucky asked in surprise, and Steve smiled, "Peggy is a dual citizen of America and Britain, and we got married in New York City for the American part, but I was hoping if there's a shore leave for us both around Christmas, you could be my best man while I marry her again in the British countryside, enabling us to have been dual-married by then. I'm going to propose to her officially tomorrow at dinner after I get the info for my first mission with my colonel boss as the first time was impromptu.".
Bucky took a deep breath. "Well, I guess I'll have to check my schedule.", he joked. "For all we know, we might both be on the frontlines this Christmas. We might be trying a full-on naval invasion in the next few months.".
"Doubtful on that one.", Steve said. "Rumor is Churchill isn't game for an invasion of Europe this year; apparently we're not to the strength he would feel comfortable with sending across the Channel. But you do have a point there... hopefully, we'll both be having some R&R here by the time the holidays come around.".
Bucky nodded, "Amen to that.", before grinning lightly, "Still, I'm very happy for you, my man. You may be a punk from Brookyln, but you are the same punk who married a badass dame.", as Steve blushed, smiling proudly.
"Thanks, Bucky. And since you're on a bit of a shore leave right now, would you sometime check on Peggy if she's not at work or such?", Steve asked softly, and Bucky smiled warmly, "Steve, she's practically my sister-in-law. Anything for you, bro, and it shall be named. I'll be glad to distract Peggy with stories if she needs it and all.".
Steve looked relieved by that, "I really appreciate that.", and Bucky nodded, "It's no problem, really. Now, you better git. Your wife's waiting for ya!", with a wink, and Steve chuckled, getting up, and grabbed the pillow and blanket from the hallway closet, throwing them to Bucky who caught them, and with a two-finger salute, Bucky went to make himself comfortable on the couch while Steve headed to the bathroom, joining Peggy in a tender embrace in the shower, washing and cleaning each other, and then in their undergarments, with robes over them for the brief cross between the bathroom and bedroom, they then went to sleep in each other's arms, just content without needing to be really intimate, minding their guest in the apartment.
The next day, Bucky went to training practice, while Peggy went to spend most of the day with her parents, while Steve went to talk with Colonel Phillips and do some pre-reconnaissance.
He found out that his first mission is in France, and that he will bust up a minor Nazi presence in one of the small towns, not far from Paris, and he wonders if he would encounter Jacques sooner or later, as he hopes that he's doing alright. And of course, he cannot forget about Mole either, but still.
"The word is that the Gestapo has got some high-ranking meeting there.", Phillips explained to him. "A strike at the head of the Gestapo's French branch will certainly give the Marquis a little more breathing room; especially if the rumor is true that a list of cells and their leaders might be handed over at that meeting. All the more reason to break it up.".
"And how exactly will I get there?", Steve asked. Phillips said, "A de Havilland Mosquito fighter-bomber will fly low over the Channel and get you into the country; then there's the matter of leaping out of the plane...".
Steve replied, "I can handle a jump as long as it's good and low. My shield will help out in catching a tree to be my landing, and I'll be quick on my feet to duck out from any plane sight or any convoy on the roads.".
Phillips nodded, "Good. Now, there is a small group of revolutionaries, and the only hint I told them over radio, is that Uncle Sam will be there, and so, the Nazis will be guessing if it's a group of Americans or an American bomber, but they won't expect you, a sole person.".
"That's brilliant to keep them guessing.", Steve smiled respectfully, and Phillips chuckled, "Thank you. From there, you'll have to figure a plan, to hit them fast and low, or steady and high. I do not know how much ammunition the revolutionaries got, but I know this. Rumor is that the Gustapo is meeting in the mayor's place, but you have to presume that they might be lying, and they'd be somewhere else in town, so, best to have a backup plan upon a backup plan, if you must.".
Steve exhaled, "So, I'd make a Plan A, Plan B, and Plan C, then.", and Phillips nodded, "Exactly. And it won't be easy to witness the horrors, Captain, but you'll need to get over it, and not freeze, as long as the innocent in the town is safe as much as they can be.".
"Right.", Steve took a deep breath as Phillips nodded. "At least hopefully in this case; you'll not come across any of the horrors we hear from whispers deep in occupied territories... especially in the east. This mission should just be a dealing with a token force of garrison troops and secret police agents; we're not asking you to storm a U-Boat pen guarded by an entire elite panzer division.", Phillips chuckled.
"Yet.", Steve joked as Phillips rolled his eyes, "Better get your gear quick, that Mosquito's not having long to wait... Say your goodbyes now; it's going to be a bit before we can probably get coordinated with the Marquis in getting you back to England. So, once you meet up with them; give them a hand with whatever they need in the time between the mission and extraction.".
Steve exhaled, nodding, "Yes, sir. And sir, I would never thank you enough for giving me a chance.", and Phillips smiled, "Erskine was right...I thought I needed a guy to face the tough choices, to fight the enemy left and right, but I was asking for a bully...I was wrong...I wasn't looking hard enough to realize that we all need hope, hope a man represented in fighting for what's right, for all people who needed a miracle, a light to stand by, to represent family and love, and it's you. You are fighting for me, all of the Allies, your best friend, your wife, and the chance to be free and happy, to have a family and beyond, Steve.".
Steve stood up straight and proud, smiling, "I will not fail you, and I'll do my best with all my heart and soul by the strength of my family and friends. I can't promise I will come back unscathed, but I can promise that I will try to get this war ended sooner if I can help it, Colonel.".
"I believe you, Captain. Take care of yourself. Tonight will might as well as be your last dinner and all, as anything can happen.", Phillips nodded, and Steve saluted him, "Yes, sir.".
Phillips saluted him, "Steve, don't worry, I will look after your wife as much as I could without suspicion around. Dismissed.", and Steve smiled, "Thank you.", with a nod, and then left Phillips' office.
Steve returned back to Peggy's apartment where dinner was starting to be prepared, with Bucky telling stories about Steve to Peggy's parents, with laughter and smiles, as Peggy is cooking.
Steve soaked into the sight, smiling warmly with a sad tint to his smile, keeping it to memory, and exhaled before he came in, opening and closing the door, and all look to him, silence came, and Peggy whispered, "When?", yet it's so loud in the silence.
"3 in the morning while it's still dark.", Steve replied, and Peggy stifled a sob, and Steve gave a warm, sad smile, "Hey, it's okay, Peggy...Where's that smile just for me?", coming up to her into the kitchen, embracing her.
Peggy gave a small smile, and Steve replied, "That's my beautiful wife. No more sadness. Let's make dinner a really damn good one, eh? I think there's a couple of spices.", and Peggy gave a giggle, "Over there in that cabinet.", and Steve kissed her on the cheek, smiling.
They went to cook, with Bucky resuming his stories to Harrison and Amanda, as they also realized what Steve wanted for them, and they rolled with it for Peggy's sake.
Everything was forgotten as they soon enjoyed a delicious dinner, with conversation flying about, and Peggy replied, "It's not much, but luckily, I scrapped enough to make five cupcakes with Mum, and Daddy sneaked the sixth cupcake for a taste test.", with a pout at Harrison.
"I can't help it when my own daughter got trained up by her own husband for cooking and baking better than my wife did!", Harrison sheepishly chuckled, and Peggy rolled her eyes, going to get the cupcakes from the oven where they were keeping moist and all.
She walked to the table, placing it as Steve had grabbed the milk pitcher as well, and passed it around Peggy in an embrace as she giggled, "Steve!", as he then let go of her, and she spun around, about to tease him, before gasping with her hands covering her mouth as Steve is properly kneeling down, holding the anniversary wedding ring.
"I know it's not exactly the same as it was when I asked you all those months ago... and it is a bit weird since we're already married and all... but, would you be willing to say yes for us to do this all again a bit more properly this time?", Steve asked as Peggy started to chuckle.
Peggy chuckled, nodding, "Yes! Yes, I'll marry you again, Steve Rogers!", dropping to her knees to kiss him on the lips happily, and her parents/Bucky cheered for them as Steve returned the kiss with much gusto, gently sliding the anniversary wedding ring to join her first wedding ring as they got up.
"It's beautiful, Steve...How did you...", Peggy spoke in awe, and Steve smiled, "Your dad helped me out yesterday...I know it's not set yet in our schedules, but I really hope we get shore leave around Christmas, to marry you on a beautiful winter day in the countryside, for us to be properly dual-married of American and British citizenship, with your mum having time to make a wedding gown like she always wanted, and your dad to walk you down on the aisle like he always wanted to, and for Bucky to be my best man...I just wish my mom and your brother was there in physical form...".
Peggy caressed his cheek, "Oh, Steve...They will be there, and we will feel them once again, to know that they would be watching in joy...After all, they are always with us, even if we can't see them.".
"True.", Steve sighed as he stood up and looked at her. "Listen, Peggy, would it be alright if we go to bed early? Having to leave in the night so at least some sleep would help... and I'd feel much better if I was wrapped around you while doing it.".
Peggy's heart pounded and pained at the thought of her husband leaving her, and a couple of tears left her, and she looked back at her parents who gave her small smiles of understanding, with Harrison glancing at Bucky, "Would you be willing to be an escort for us to the inn?", with a nod.
Bucky smiled softly, "Sure thing.", and the trio grabbed their cupcakes, with Harrison squeezing Steve's shoulder with a proud smile, "Take care of yourself, son.", as Amanda gave a motherly kiss to his cheek.
Steve smiled, "I will, Harrison. And thanks for helping Peggy with everything, Amanda...", and Amanda nodded, "I'm her mother, Steve. Nothing will stop me from being there for her, from phone calls, letters, and seeing each other. You better stick to your missions and get back here for your wife when they are done, is that clear?".
"Crystal clear, ma'am.", Steve nodded firmly, and Amanda smiled warmly, "Good boy.", before taking up her husband's arm as they left the apartment with Bucky at their side.
Steve then exhaled, caressing Peggy's cheek, "I love you, Peggy...", and Peggy whispered, "I love you too...Please make me forget...", and Steve nodded, taking the last two cupcakes, and he took her to bed, instantly taking off their clothes while they fed each other the cupcakes by mouth, kissing passionately.
They took upon their presumably last time of lovemaking with such tender passion, with Steve staying inside Peggy as they wrapped each other in their arms, becoming one as they came, with their names echoing in the air of the apartment, and they went to sleep.
At 2 pm in the morning, Steve wearily left bed, sliding out of Peggy, with a gentle kiss to her forehead, and went to take a quick shower, getting dressed into his uniform, strapping his handgun and shield, and with a resigned glance at the bedroom, started to walk on before seeing Peggy in her robe, holding something in her hand.
"My brother gave me this before he left, telling me that with this, I couldn't feel lost, but I think he'll understand if I give you this..., No matter where you are, you damn find your way back to me, Steve Rogers...", Peggy whispered as she gave him a rough-looking yet durable compass with a closing/opening lid open to show Peggy's picture in the inside part of the lid, protecting the compass.
"Thank you, Peggy.", Steve leaned into kissing her deeply on the lips. "Please... try not to get yourself killed...", Peggy told him as Steve smiled.
"Believe me, I'll make sure to come back.", Steve assured her before he headed out, saying his last goodbyes. It was now several hours later as he kept looking at her picture while the Mosquito was flying low over the French countryside. Steve sat in the co-pilot seat since it was a two-seater while the pilot stayed focused ahead.
"Beautiful girl, chap...", the pilot said. "Yeah; my wife... I said goodbye to her a few hours ago.", Steve told him.
"Lucky man, I haven't seen my wife in almost three months since my last time on leave; been running these special operations for a while.", he explained. "Speaking of which... if I'm right with our heading, we're almost to the meet up point.".
"Yeah.", Steve glanced at the map he had. The meeting with the Maquis was in a tiny hamlet called La Neuville-Garnier before he would join with them on their mission to disrupt the Gestapo meeting in L'Isle-Adam.
The pilot replied, "You better get in the back. I'll flash the go button when we're there. You sure you'll handle it? You don't need a harness?", as Steve folded the map and put it in one of the pockets in his belt.
Steve replied, "I'm more durable than I look, and besides, being low, I'll catch into a tree good enough to halt my fall.", and the pilot nodded, "Alright, I'll not stop ya then. Good luck, captain.".
"Thanks. And I hope you'll get to see your wife soon. Nothing compares to being home in my wife's arms.", Steve said, and the pilot smiled, "Aye. I can see what you mean by that. Now, hurry!".
Steve nodded, and got out of his seat, strapping his shield back on, and holding tight to a sash on the ceiling every few feet, he made it to the back ramp, and took a deep breath as he tightened his googles, kissing Peggy's picture before putting the closed compass in his army belt, and then an alarm sounded out, a light flashing, and the ramp opened up.
As the ramp fully opened, Steve sprinted and jumped, diving with his arms tight to his body, using the gravity and speed to slice through the air, and as he got close to a tree, he then twisted around, whipping out his shield, to slam-jam into the strong tree, destroying a few branches on the way down before landing safely on a thick branch, and exhaled as he took out his shield from the torn part of the trunk as it was a tear in the bark, seeing that the shield wasn't even scratched.