The Promise

Camp Leigh

The rest of my day continued as usual. I lightly packed for the trip, in which I wasn't even sure where I was going. Honestly, I'm ready to see some new scenery. When morning came, I decided to eat just a banana for breakfast. It's not like I knew how to cook much else anyway. It took me a while to get ready. I'm not sure if it was the dread of a "first day" or leaving home. I don't want to embarrass myself in front of an entire science division. I already had a lot to prove by being a woman and being related to Howard, although if they knew how many of Howard's discoveries I was behind I'd be the famous one. But I'm not like that. The recognition, the parties, the expos. They suit him far better than me. I stand on my step in front of my house, finally realizing the life I was about to enter. I think I'm ready though. Steve and Bucky would be happy to see me getting out of the house. I get in my car and open the file Howard gave me yesterday on my way out. I drive all the way through city after city until reaching an army base called Camp Leigh. Howard, a gentleman who I believed to be Dr. Erskine, and a colonel who later was introduced as Philips awaited my arrival. I hopped out of my car nervously. Howard introduced me to everyone and I greeted them.

"Hello, Y/L/N. I want to go over my criteria for the candidate. Me and your cousin here have been working on this serum for sometime. It's a miracle Stark discovered the correlation to the vita rays." I shoot Howard a look and he becomes fidgety. "Shall we get started?"

"Of Course!" I say walking alongside him. I like Dr. Erskine. He seemed understanding enough and he never once brought up the fact that I was a woman, which I appreciate.

"So, I'm looking for someone who is not only physically fit, but more importantly obeys commands and wants to fight for the greater good of the country. I need a good man, rather than a strong one. The serum will enhance the physical attributes of the recipient, but the beliefs of one cannot be altered with such measures. I need a good man essentially. Howard tells me you're a good judge of character." I become irritated at this comment.

"Among other things, I guess." I smile at him politely. "I actually graduated at the top of our class at university. Stark was below me." I say trying to salvage what's left of my reputation. I didn't mean to brag, but I wanted Dr. Erskine to see that I was more than just a pretty girl who could bat her eyes and see if someone was an ass or not.

"Brilliant. In that case, I want you to not only decipher the interests of each candidate, but also monitor the physical attributes. I have a lot of prep to do. You'll be working alongside Colonel Phillips, and Agent Carter. You'll stay on the base as regularly. You alright with that?"

"Of course. Thank you very much, sir." He takes me outside to meet the candidates. We arrive just as, who I later learn to be, Agent Carter knocks one of the soldiers down. Colonel Philips introduced me and Peggy. He then continues to give a speech to the candidates. I tune out. I look at each candidate one by one, taking note of their physique. I get to the end of the line and see small Stevie. We make eye contact and I smile a bit, trying not to show favoritism. I wasn't exactly fond of the idea of Stevie becoming a super soldier, but I honestly didn't think he would make it.

Throughout the days, me and Peggy were frequently around the soldiers, trying to get a feel for them. I never got time to talk to Steve individually. I was okay with it though. The situation gave me a way to "look after" Stevie in a way, but I still had to be indifferent towards him. Steve obviously was the smartest out of all of them, and the bravest. Hodge was the obvious choice for the biggest soldier, but Stevie was the obvious choice in terms of characteristics. I gave my official recommendation to Dr. Erskine.

"Hodge." I say sternly. "That's who I'd recommend."

"I agree." Colonel Phillips replies.

"He's big, He's fast. He's a soldier." Me and Phillips wait patiently, staring at Dr. Erskine for his decision.

"Rogers, it is." My face frowns a bit, but I wasn't going to argue. I only said Hodge because I was scared of Stevie getting the serum. Without it, Steve would most likely never leave this base. If he was the new super soldier, it's a safe bet to say he won't be home before the war ends. Steve's the obvious choice of course, but I didn't want to lose my friend.