23.

Brooklyn, New York City

June 29th, 1943

Becca ends up staying for three days, making herself comfortable in the bed with Isabel and entertaining herself with Isabel's books during the day while Isabel goes at work. One of the days she tags along and sits in the nurses' break room the entire day, keeping the women entertained when they go on their breaks. Isabel only takes her home once on the second day so that Becca can get a few sets of clothes before coming back to stay.

Isabel's got a bit of money left over since her grocery list had been much shorter with two people missing from the household, so she has enough to treat Becca to a trip to the cinemas, takes her to an exhibit at one of the art museums in Manhattan, and buys her a hot dog from one of the food stalls in the park near their house.

George drives past on his way home from work to pick Becca up the day before Steve is scheduled to come home. Becca protests a bit, but piles obediently into the car when he reminds her that she may be on holidays, but she still has chores to do around the house and a mother and brother to spend time with as well.

Isabel waves goodbye, feeling reinvigorated after Becca's prolonged visit. The girl never fails to put a smile on her face. She goes to bed early that night after cleaning the entire apartment of dust so that Steve doesn't get sick when he comes back. She sleeps a lot better that night and not just because she actually has room on the bed and isn't falling off the entire night. Steve is coming home tomorrow, and she won't be alone anymore. The thought makes her sleep, since she knows the sooner she does, the sooner she'll be awake and the sooner he'll be home. She feels a little pathetic for the way she's acted, but before she can ponder it much, she falls asleep.

When Isabel wakes the next morning, the sun shining through the window onto her, she hurries to get ready for the day. She rushes around once more dusting off the surfaces. Nothing would be worse than Steve having an asthma attack his first minute back.

Then, she's just got to wait. She sits at the kitchen table for the rest of the early morning. Her toast sits in front of her, uneaten, her stomach not settled enough to actually eat anything. The clock on the wall seems to be teasing her, ticking slower with every minute that passes, the tick-tocking of the hands echoing through the room.

When she hears the knock at the door, she moves faster than she thinks she ever has in her life, opening the door so hard it slams into the wall before she can stop it. She smiles wide when she finds Steve on the other side, standing in the hall with his hands in the pockets of his jacket.

"Oh, thank God you're back," she cries, throwing herself into his arms, finding herself laughing with relief. Steve hurries to get his hands out of his pockets and practically catch her. She squeezes her eyes shut and hangs on, Steve's arms wrapping around her waist in return. When she opens her eyes, they widen when she sees a figure standing behind Steve, and she jumps away from him, embarrassed by her behaviour.

"It's okay Belle, I missed you too," Steve tells her quietly, smiling at her. Steve turns backward to the man behind him, the elderly gentleman in the suit from the night at the Expo. "This is Doctor Abraham Erskine. Doctor Erskine, this is my friend, Isabel Barnes."

Erskine raises an eyebrow at the world "friend". "Miss Barnes, it is a pleasure to finally meet you properly," Erskine says, shaking Isabel's hand and thankfully not saying anything about her red cheeks. "I believe I saw you at the World Expo some weeks ago, but we were never acquainted."

"Yes, you did. You were the one who gave Steve the chance?"

"I was indeed."

"Is there any possibility I can ask what that chance is? Or is it still classified?" Isabel asks Steve in a slightly joking manner, not actually expecting an answer.

"You may ask, but that does not mean I need to answer," Erskine replies with a smirk. "To answer you're intended question: Yes, I can partly explain the project to you, especially since I want you involved." Isabel's eyebrows climb on her forehead.

"Uh o-okay. Would you like to come in?" She asks, stepping aside in the doorway and letting Steve and Erskine inside. She closes the door behind her, locking it. "Make yourself comfortable," she tells Erskine, ushering him to the kitchen table. "Would you like a drink? Water, coffee, tea?"

"Tea would be perfect, Miss Barnes. Blonde and sweet, please," Erskine says politely, taking his glasses off to clean them on his shirt. Isabel nods, quickly making his drink and setting the steaming liquid before him.

She takes her usual seat, Steve between them. "Now, down to business," Erskine begins, taking a sip of his tea. "Lovely. Your friend, Steven, has been chosen for a project. It has been named Project Rebirth. It is a government and Army-issued project, and therefore it is burdened by secret. There are still limits to what I can and can't tell you, and there are even aspects that I don't know, so I trust you to make educated assumptions to fill in the gaps. At its most basic description, the project is designed to create the perfect soldier. It requires someone of pure mind; a goal-orientated, ambitious person with little evil within him. Do you follow?"

"I think so," Isabel says, though she looks thoroughly confused.

"It will all make sense in time," Erskine reassures, patting her hand. "For the duration of the procedure and the aftermath, I require the help of a registered nurse. I cannot tell you what you will be doing, but in the success of the project, you would be required to follow Steven to conduct regular follow up examinations of his physical and mental advancement. I assume that, since you are so close to Steven and his departure would see you here alone, you would be open to take the position. Correct me if I am wrong…"

Isabel's eyes flick to Steve's, looking for confirmation, who nods encouragingly but keeps his distance, not wanting to persuade her from her own opinions. "You aren't wrong," Isabel eventually decides. "I would like to be a part of the project. But what about my job at the hospital? And the apartment?"

"Don't worry about your job, I will take care of it. As for your apartment, it will be paid for by the United States Army, so long as you both continue your allegiance to the project." Erskine stands, taking his empty mug to the sink.

"The personality characteristics you spoke of, the pure mind, the ambition. They're the mental requirements. What will there be physical changes that you anticipate, if any?"

"I anticipate many physical changes. Increased stamina, strength, the works."

Isabel looks wide-eyed to Steve, then back to Erskine. "Have you any way to measure these changes?"

"We've already taken base measurements of Steven's current abilities at basic, as well as the effect of his extensive illnesses on his performance. Once the experiment has been successfully completed, we can measure the physical improvements. Mental changes are a little harder to track. We're hoping this is where you will also come in handy. Surely you will be able to identify an increase in a personality trait within your friend? I understand some are already quite noticeable."

"Yeah, they are," Isabel agrees, eyeing Steve with a raised eyebrow. "Steve's favourite hangout is behind the dumpster in an alleyway with a black eye."

"Wonderful. A man with spark and guts. I am liking Steven more and more," Erskine smiles. He straightens his jacket, eyeing the exit. "Well, unfortunately I must be off, I'm required for a meeting regarding tomorrow. That is also all I can tell you for now as I'm unsure if your apartment is bugged and the agents would have my head if I leaked classified information. Steven has been informed more thoroughly, though I trust you to not give out any hazardous information until the experiment is conducted," Erskine tells them apologetically. "If you are certain of your choice, a car will be here to collect you at seven sharp tomorrow morning. Ensure you are ready in time, and make sure you pack your vital belongings. There is a chance you may not be returning for a while."

Erskine sees himself out, closing the door behind himself. Isabel stays in the kitchen, staring at the door in shock. Steve immediately retreats to Bucky's room, dumping his dirty clothes on the bed and getting out more clean clothes, everything else he owns, putting it all back in the suitcase.

"What the hell is going on? That was just… what?" Isabel flounders, walking into the room having found her voice again. "Please explain what happened while you were away."

Steve agrees to explain immediately, knowing how confused and overwhelmed Isabel must be feeling. He feels a little that way himself. "At the camp, we all participated in a condensed version of a basic training. They weren't looking for the strongest or most strategic person. Erskine was looking for the person with the best heart, with ambition, someone who would make a good soldier and not be corrupted by outside forces, or by anything menacing on the inside. In short, they're looking for someone who can personally escort Hitler through the gates of hell. They want to make an army of the best soldiers, which will start with one man, one successful candidate. Me. If the procedure works." Steve chooses to leave out the part where he jumped on a grenade, not knowing it was only a dummy one. "I don't exactly know what the procedure is, but they said it will make me a soldier, but with many physical enhancements. A super-soldier."

"It makes you healthier? Stronger? Most likely more durable to injury. A perfect soldier." Isabel guesses.

"I guess we'll find out tomorrow," Steve shrugs. He walks into Bucky's room with his suitcase, unpacking it to repack it again later after doing some washing.

"You aren't in the least bit nervous or suspicious about this. An experiment or operation that you know almost nothing about? Physical changes to your body. Who knows what they'll pump you with."

"A little, yes, but I'm willing to try anything," Steve admits. "I trust Erskine. He's a good guy."

"It's very easy to pretend, Steve," Isabel reminds him warily. "Would Bucky approve of whatever it is we are going to do?" She asks, her tone accusing.

"Most likely not," Steve says honestly. He turns to face Isabel. "But do you trust me?"

Isabel doesn't hesitate. "Of course I do. I just feel like we're walking into the unknown. Everything is happening so fast. I–"

Isabel cuts off, her eyes welling with tears. "Oh, Belle," Steve begins, stepping toward her.

"Don't! I'm fine!" She insists, stepping away from him and wiping roughly at her eyes. She diverts her attention away from Steve, her eyes falling on his suitcase, and huffs. "Your folding it terrible."

She takes everything clean out of Steve's suitcase and repacks it neatly, managing to fit another half of what Steve already had inside. She's busying herself as a distraction. Steve lets her, standing aside and passing her more things as they go. She pauses when Steve hands her his compass, the one he usually keeps in his bedside drawer for safe keeping.

"Your fathers'?" She asks, holding it gently in the palm of her hand, as if it were made from spider's silk. Steve nods. "Does it work?" Steve nods again.

Isabel sits on the bed, opens the compass, runs a finger over the glass. It's cool and sturdy in her hands, the gold metal smooth to the touch. She turns it, watching the needle zoom around back to point due North. She smiles sadly up at Steve, who stands over her. "You'll be careful, won't you? No matter what happens tomorrow, you won't do anything stupid."

Steve sits beside Isabel, the bed creaking under their combined weight. "I wouldn't dare not be. I'd never hear the end of it."

Isabel laughs, leaning her head on Steve's shoulder. "God, Bucky is going to kill you. And that'll be before my Mother has a piece of you."

"That sounds terrifying," Steve laughs.

"Speaking of, we should probably see my family tonight. Who knows when the next time will be."

The remaining Barnes family are quiet when Steve and Isabel deliver the vague news.

"What?" Winifred asks, her mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water.

"No!" Becca cries, plopping herself onto the couch next to Isabel and crying into her shoulder.

"Bec, baby, it's okay," Isabel whispers to her, petting her hair. "I'll be okay." Becca just holds on tighter. She lets go with one arm, reaching across to grab Steve's hand in her own and squeeze it tight.

"We can't say anything else about it, it's confidential," Steve says apologetically. "But it's a chance to do some real good. This could change the tides of the war."

"They'll make you a soldier?" George asks Steve, scepticism lacing his voice. Steve doesn't even look offended.

"I know, it's hard to believe. I don't even know how they'll do it. But they're confident the experiment will be successful."

"And you're okay with this? Walking into the unknown?"

"It's a price I'm willing to pay, Mr. Barnes," Steve says stubbornly. "But no matter what happens to me, you don't need to worry about Isabel. She'll be safe."

"Why do you have to go Isabel? You aren't a soldier," Winifred pushes, clutching George's hand tightly.

"Nursing. The operation requires a full-time nurse. They figure since I know Steve personally, I'm the best candidate for the job. I can monitor the changes and compare it to how he used to be. I'll notice the differences, no matter how small. And I won't leave Steve's side, I promise," Isabel explains, her heart breaking at her family's own heartbreak. She doesn't truly want to leave, but she also doesn't want to stay. She's torn toward two separate poles. She feels like she's going to be ripped in half.

"I suppose that's fair," Winifred eventually decides, looking worriedly to George Barnes. George nods to her, accepting.

Steve and Isabel depart early in the night, requiring a good sleep for their long day starting the next morning. The hugs goodbye at the end of their visit are heartfelt. Becca refuses to let go of Isabel, taking the departure even harder than she'd taken Bucky's. She clutches hard to Isabel around her waist and cries into her shoulder, refusing to slacken her grip. Robbie eventually manages to pry her hands apart and guide her away, giving Isabel a hug of his own before taking his twin sister to the couch, sitting her down with an arm around her shoulders.

Winifred holds her daughter tight against her, a hand holding the back of her head. "Please, don't do this," Winifred whispers to her.

"I have to," Isabel tells her sadly, pulling away reluctantly from her mother's embrace. "I'll write you, I promise." Winifred nods, moving away from Isabel to stand beside the twins on the couch, putting her hand comfortingly on each of their shoulders.

George steps up to his daughter, smiling at her sadly. "I never imagined a day in which my daughter would be exposed to such cruelty, but here we are. I suppose the world has sunk that low." He pulls her into a hug, kisses her cheek, then holds her at arm's length. "Good luck, my child. You'll do great," George Barnes tells her sincerely, cupping his daughter's cheek.

"Bye, Dad," Isabel says through her tears, hugging her father's waist tight again. Winifred hugs her again from behind, the family enjoying their last moments together for the undetermined future.

When they pull away, Winifred turns to Steve, who's moved away to the corner of the room to give them all privacy. He's standing quietly with his hands in his pockets, looking away from the family's moment.

"Oh, come here, Steve," Winifred says, her eyes welling again as she pulls Steve into a hug. Steve hugs back, his eyes screwing shut against tears that threaten to overflow. "You're so brave, Steve. Braver than I ever gave you credit for. And I'll always regret that. You're a sweet boy, Steve. I'm so grateful to say you're like a son to me." Steve's eyebrows raise at that, and he smiles lovingly at Winifred, who pinches his cheek. "Promise me you'll protect my daughter," Winifred asks of him.

"You have my word, Fred," Steve promises, kissing her cheek goodbye.

Steve and Isabel are out the front of the apartment building at five minutes to seven, just as a sleek black car rolls up to the curb. A brunette, well-put together woman steps out of the backseat, dressed in the woman's version of the Army dress uniform, her lips stained a dangerous red.

"Steve, nice to see you again," Agent Carter greets, reaching out a hand for Steve to shake. "Is this your friend? The nurse?"

"Yes, this is Isabel Barnes. Belle, this is Agent Carter," Steve introduces the two.

"Nice to meet you, Agent Carter," Isabel says politely, shaking the woman's hand.

"Lovely to make your acquaintance," Agent Carter says with a smile, her British accent rather strong. "Alright, in you get. The driver will put your suitcases in the back."

Agent Carter walks back around the car, getting into the back seat. Steve opens the door, beckoning for Isabel to climb into the centre seat. Isabel nods no, signalling for Steve to sit between her and the agent. Steve doesn't argue, sensing her discomfort, and climbs smoothly in next to Agent Carter. Isabel slides in and closes the door, just as the car speeds off down the street.

"Have you always lived in Brooklyn?" Agent Carter asks them both, looking out at the passing buildings.

"Yes, born and bred. We have a lot of memories here," Steve answers.

"Yeah, like Steve got beat up in that alley. And that parking lot. And behind that diner," Isabel says sarcastically, pointing out the areas. The sad thing is, she isn't lying.

Agent Carter looks at Isabel in search of a joking manner, but Isabel's face only betrays utter seriousness, and Steve's pinched expression confirms it. "Did you have something against running away?" Carter asks, bemused.

"You start running, they'll never let you stop. You stand up, push back. You can't say no forever, right."

"I know a little of what that's like. To have every door shut in your face," Carter thinks aloud. Isabel wonders what barriers such a successful woman would have overcome. She supposes she doesn't actually know Agent Carter, but she gets the vibe that she succeeds at anything and everything she attempts and doesn't let others stand in her way.

"I guess I just don't know why you would want to join the army," Steve asks. "You're a beautiful dame. Beautiful, oh a woman. I mean… An agent, not a Dame."

Beside Steve, Isabel rolls her eyes. "You have no idea how to talk to a woman, do you?" Agent Carter laughs.

"I think this is the longest conversation I've had with one. Women aren't exactly lining up to dance with a guy they might step on," Steve jokes, smirking at Isabel.

"Yeah, because I don't count, right?" Isabel deadpans.

"You seem to have no trouble conversing with Miss Barnes," Carter notes in agreement.

"Well, we grew up together. Would be rather awkward if he stammered through every conversation with me over the last fourteen years," Isabel laughs.

Agent Carter nods at that, smiling with amusement. "But surely you've danced?" Agent Carter asks, seemingly stuck on the topic.

"I have, wasn't any good at it. Dancing with other women just seemed terrifying, and didn't seem to matter that much. Figured I'd wait."

"For what?" the brunette agent asks curiously.

"The right partner," Steve says, smiling down at his clasped hands in his lap. He smiles shyly at Isabel, but she's looking out the window, watching as the car stops before an antique store. Peggy notices Steve's glances, seemingly deducing the meaning behind his words.

They all get out of the car, and Agent Carter leads them inside the antique store. The elderly clerk stands when they enter. "Wonderful weather this morning, isn't it?" She notes.

"Yes, but I always carry an umbrella," Agent Carter says robotically, then moves into an adjacent room.

They wait two seconds before the bookcase opens, revealing a secret passage. Isabel and Steve's jaws drop. They follow Agent Carter through the sterile metal hallway, and the brunette waves someone away from them. The trio emerge at the end of the hallway at a balcony, overlooking a circular room, a glass viewing box to their left and an odd-looking chamber sitting in the middle of the lower floor, surrounded by medical equipment and generators. There's people bustling around everywhere, moving equipment, handing over paperwork, putting on lab coats, holding cameras. Upon seeing Steve, all eyes in the room snap toward him.

Agent Carter looks around for a moment before descending the steps, heading for the familiar German doctor.

"Good morning," Doctor Erskine greets them all. The flash of a camera makes them all jump. "Please, not now," Erskine asks, sending the photographer away. "You ready?" Steve nods. "Good. Take off your shirt, your tie and your hat."

Steve does just that, handing them to a waiting attendant, who then leads him over to the chamber. Doctor Erskine stands beside Isabel, watching as Steve carefully climbs into the chamber, lying down.

"No offense, Miss Barnes. It's not that I doubt your nursing abilities, but think of today as a trial and introduction to your new career," Erskine tells Isabel, his accent thick.

"None taken," Isabel reassures. "Now that we're here, can I ask how this works?" Isabel asks, following Erskine to the desk containing his paperwork.

"Of course. Curiosity is the fuel for scientific breakthrough, my dear." He stops and faces Isabel. "Steven trained hard at basic, but due to his illnesses, he was not overly successful in the physical sense. He was often mocked, but his determination, quick thinking, and general "goodness" made him stand out from the crowd. And his self-sacrificing act of bravery was the tipping point, so to say."

"Self-sacrificing?" Isabel repeats with her brows raised, turning an icy glare toward the pale body lying down in the chamber.

"I believe I may have gotten young Steven in trouble," Erskine laughs. The German doctor puts a hand on Isabel's shoulder to steer her in the opposite direction, their backs to Steve in the chamber. "Steven has been chosen to receive a serum and dose of Vita-Rays, a process that I have invented. I cannot tell you the ingredients, but just know the vials of the compound are currently locked in that safe over there and the Vita-Ray dose will be absorbed through the chamber." Erskine points out the safe at the corner of the room. "The serum will not only enhance Steven physically, but also mentally. He will gain strength, stamina, an accelerated healing ability, among other things. But most notably, his mental strength will increase. He has a mind for tactics and strategy, and this will be excelled. He has no negative inner ambitions of power and obsession that will backfire. He only wants what is good for the world and for his own personal world."

"He'll be appreciative of the power he'll gain," Isabel deduces.

"Yes. He will most likely appear physically different upon emerging from the chamber. But you must remember, he will still be your Steven."

"I think it would take more than a serum and some radiation to change Steve, Doctor Erskine," Isabel tells him.

"I like that you recognise his stubbornness. It is almost a problem, is it not?" Erskine laughs.

"Oh, Doctor Erskine. That isn't Steve's only problem," Isabel laughs right back. "That boy is a concentrated ball of flaming fury."

Erskine bursts into laughter. "I like it. I'll be sure to get that as the caption on tomorrow morning's headlines." Erskine then grows more serious, aware of the time ticking away. "Now, here is what will happen." Erskine runs Isabel through the workings of the chamber, explaining its function and how she will help in getting it to work. She nods, taking it in, and repeats the process back to him confidently.

"You learn fast," he admires. "As for after the infusion, after the effects have taken place, I want you to monitor him. Take regular measurements of his vitals, strength, stamina, things like that. I want to analyse the effects over the long term to make sure they're permanent rather than temporary. But you must understand that the success of this project will see many more of its kind, under my leadership. We plan on making an Army. I won't have time to assess them all individually, naturally."

"Of course."

"So, this is where you come in. As someone who has known Steven for a vast majority of your life, I feel you are best suited to document the changes. I want to know the emotional, physical, psychological differences. How does the serum change him from what he is now, into what he will be? I also need to make sure it does not wear off. I trust you are up for the challenge."

"Yes, I am," Isabel tells him, though her voice lacks confidence, though not in her abilities. "Tell me the truth," Isabel begs of Erskine, lightly grabbing his arm when he turns away from her to approach Steve. "Will it work? Will Steve survive it?"

"Steven is a strong man. He may not look it from the outside, but he is," Doctor Erskine answers.

"I know. Everyone else overlooks it, but I can see it. Within him, I see it."

"Rest assured that he will be fine. He will survive because the fire inside him burns brighter than the fire around him," Erskine says proverbially, before turning away from Isabel again with a cheeky smile. "Be sure to change into your nurses uniform, Miss Barnes," he calls over his shoulder.

Isabel finds the uniform and hurries toward a small room in the corner to change. It's very similar to the uniform from the hospital, a plain white dress and a nurses cap that she pins into her hair.

Meanwhile, Erskine approaches Steve lying in the chamber, who shifts uncomfortably. "Comfortable?" He asks.

Steve laughs. "It's a little big. You save me any of that Schnapps?"

Doctor Erskine looks sheepish. "Not as much as I should have. Sorry. Next time," he admits. "Mr. Stark, how are your levels?"

Steve looks around worriedly, spotting Howard Stark walking toward them. He's reminded of the exploding flying car at the World Expo and shudders. "Levels are at one hundred percent."

"Good," Erskine says, turning away.

"We may dim half the lights in Brooklyn, but we are ready… As we'll ever be," Stark says, rather unsure of Steve's pale body in the chamber, before heading over to the control panel.

While Erskine sends Peggy up to the viewing booth out of the way, Isabel emerges in her uniform and approaches Steve.

"That was reassuring," Steve tells her. "I hope I don't turn out like his flying car."

"You won't, you'll be fine," Isabel reassures, grabbing hold of his hand, and holding it tightly. "You're a little less red than the car was anyway."

Steve manages a smile, but it doesn't hide the silent fear in his baby blues. "You know what you have to do?" Steve asks quietly.

"You don't need to worry about a thing. We've got it covered. I won't let anything happen to you, I promise. Just try to relax, let Erskine and Stark do their thing," Isabel tells him. She looks around momentarily, looking for any peering eyes or looming cameras, then leans forward to kiss Steve's cheek. Steve doesn't like how it feels like a goodbye.

Erskine taps the microphone loudly, jolting everyone to attention.

"Can you hear me, is this on?" The men and women in the booth take their seats. "Ladies and gentleman. Today we take not another step towards annihilation, but the first step toward the path to peace."

At Erskine's nod, Isabel carefully lowers the chest clamps down onto Steve, careful not to hurt him. His expression is steely, hiding his fear. Then, she goes to a closed box, opening it to reveal six vials of an electric blue liquid. She removes them, carefully carrying them to the chamber and placing them in their slots, three on each side. Her movements are slow and emphasised, as requested by Erskine, so that those in the viewing box can follow her actions.

"We begin with a series of micro-injections into the subject's major muscle groups. The serum infusion will cause immediate cellular change. Then, to stimulate growth, the subject will be saturated with Vita-Rays."

Isabel preps Steve's arm with an alcohol swab for the injection, pricking the needle into his upper arm and squeezing out the penicillin. Steve's eyes screw shut and he breathes out a deep breath.

"That wasn't so bad," he says with relief after Isabel removes the syringe. Isabel stares at him.

"That was penicillin," Erskine tells him, steely. Steve looks utterly terrified. Erskine shrugs. "Serum infusion beginning in 5… 4… 3…"

Isabel takes a step away from the machine, watching as Steve's breath quickens, the slow countdown building the awful suspense. The arm pads release small needles, the pad moving on its own to settle over Steve's arm, making him clench his teeth. Isabel gulps, crossing her fingers behind her back in prayer.

"2…" Erskine puts a comforting arm under the bar on Steve's shoulder. "1."

Howard Stark flips a switch, the blue liquid suctioned from the vials through the pads and painfully through the needles into Steve's arms. His face creases in pain, and he lets out a grunt, clenching his teeth harder.

Isabel moves around to the front of Steve as the chamber lifts into a standing position, the doors closing shut and blocking out the view. Men plug large hoses into the top of the chamber whilst Erskine climbs up at step ladder to peer in to Steve through the glass window at the top.

"Steven, can you hear me?" Erskine asks, knocking on the metal of the chamber.

"Probably too late to go to the bathroom, right?" Steve's muffled voice jokes from inside. Erskine smiles as he turns, signalling for Stark to begin the infusion of Vita Rays. The percentage climbs, and so does the suspense, everyone waiting as Stark calls out the increasing number.

At seventy percent, they hear a pained, terrified scream emerge from the chamber, Steve clearly in distress and pain. The room grows extremely loud, everyone shouting all of a sudden.

"Oh no! No, no, no!" Isabel cries. Erskine jumps back up the step ladder, calling Steve's name into the glowing chamber. There's no response, only cries of pain.

At that moment, Agent Carter emerges from the booth. "Shut it down! Shut it down!" She demands, as Erskine continues to bang on the chamber, calling over Steve's screams.

"Erskine, help him," Isabel pleads.

"Turn it back, Mr. Stark. Turn it off, kill it, turn back," Erskine demands, but he's stopped by Steve's muffled pleas.

"No! Don't! I can do this!" Steve insists.

Everyone pauses, in shock, looking wide-eyed at the glowing chamber. Then they continue, Stark turning the dial further up until it hits one hundred percent. Steve doesn't scream anymore, and Isabel doesn't know if that's good or bad. The light coming from the chamber becomes unbearably bright and she has to look away, shielding her eyes with her hand and just mumbling for him to be okay, please be okay.

The control panel circuits out, and all the lights, before the light within the chamber goes out too. Everyone stares at the silent chamber, anticipating the worst. Isabel buries her face in her hand, peering out between her fingers. Her heart beats furiously in her chest, her head pounding.

"Mr. Stark!" Erskine calls.

When the chamber opens with a puff of smoke, it reveals Steve standing up inside, his head tilted backward as he breathes deeply, fighting for air. His expression is one of extreme pleasure, it's almost one that shouldn't be seen in a public environment. Steve's experiencing, for the first time in his life, the sudden absence of both recent extreme pain and long-term low level pain, something he's lived with his entire life. He's so high on endorphins that his expression is completely accurate. It's also the first time in his life he's been able to breathe without that tightening of his chest. His lungs actually work, the sweet air filling him until he's full. He finally feels whole.

Isabel's eyes widen, because she's staring at Steve, but it isn't Steve. He's a head taller and at least one hundred pounds heavier, with arms and a chest made of pure muscle. He looks healthy and fit and different, and Isabel is grateful and shocked and disturbed all at the same time. She also doesn't understand how the same pants still fit.

Everyone makes their way down from the lookout, crowding toward the pod. Erskine and Stark rush forward to help the muscly blonde out of the pod, supporting his weight with of each of Steve's massive arms over their shoulders.

"I did it," is the first thing Steve mutters, his breathing still laboured.

"Yeah, I think we did it," Stark agrees, looking admiringly and proudly at the new Steve.

Isabel pushes through the crowd of people around Steve to the front, facing him with widened eyes. "Belle," Steve says, his own eyes widening as he realises he has to look down to meet her eyes. He looks around in amazement, his eyes finally seeing colour in a way he'd never been able to before and actually seeing over everyone else's heads.

Isabel's eyes travel up and down Steve's body, then back to his face. The utter relief rushing through her that Steve is okay is also up against the fact that he's shirtless and now built like a Greek god. Before she can think about it, her hand reaches out to touch him, hug him, what she doesn't know. Her hand stops just shy of his chin like she'd been about to cup his cheek, but then she remembers about the cameras and the fact they weren't actually supposed to touch him and she pulls away. Steve doesn't seem to notice, too busy looking around.

Peggy appears next to Isabel, looking just as shocked. "How do you feel?" She asks when Isabel's voice fails her.

"Taller."

Peggy looks at Steve and reaches out a hand quickly as though to touch him, her fingers just brushing his chest before she quickly pulls it back. "Well, you look taller," Peggy informs him, still awestruck.

She quickly hands Steve a shirt and he shoves it on, pulling it down over his exposed torso. Isabel can't even find in herself to feel jealous that someone else is staring Steve down like that because she whole-heartedly agrees. Her and Peggy share a look and both nod at each other, Isabel managing to smirk.

Suddenly, the booth above the room explodes in a gush of hot fire, glass raining down on the crowd. Everyone ducks away from the shards and the fire, and Steve grabs Isabel and Peggy and pulls them down, instinctively shielding their bodies with his own. In the corner, a dark-haired man grabs the last remaining vial of the serum, pocketing it as he points a gun at the group and makes his way up the stairs to escape. He shoots at Doctor Erskine as the German tries to halt his escape, lodging two bullets in his chest and stomach. Steve gets up in time to see the doctor fall to his knees and races to him. He ducks at the sound of gunshots from Agent Carter's own pistol, but ignores it, leaning over the fallen doctor.

Doctor Erskine's breaths are shallow as he just clings to life. He manages enough energy to tap Steve's heart before his eyes close, his head turning to the side, lifeless. Isabel falls to the ground beside Steve, immediately putting her two fingers to Erskine's neck to feel for a pulse, finding none.

She looks to Steve helplessly, but Steve is glaring up at the hallway the man ran down, Agent Carter following after him. Steve suddenly takes off up the stairs, sprinting from the room to the road outside. They hear the distant sound of gunshots, and then silence.

Isabel takes control, enlisting the help of some of the men to move Erskine's body to a medical room. They lay him carefully on the bed.

Isabel rips off Erskine's shirt, finding one bullet lodged in his stomach and the second embedded only millimetres from his heart, the force of the metal stopping the muscle's rhythmic beat almost instantly. There's nothing she can do. The blood pools out of the wounds, turning Erskine's pale skin a deathly shade of red, dripping onto the white sheet below him. She grabs another white sheet from the pile on the bench and carefully lays it over the doctor's still body, hiding him from view.

The door opens behind her as she drapes the sheet and an older man walks in, wearing an Army dress uniform. He stops beside Isabel, who takes a moment to gently closes Erskine's eyes with her fingers.

"He's gone?" The man asks in a deep, gruff voice. Isabel has no idea who he is. She only nods. The man stays beside her, and they both looking down sadly at the lifeless face of Abraham Erskine before Isabel covers him entirely with the bloodstained sheet.