America's Sweetheart (Steve Rogers) - 1

9

There was another prod in his arm for the third time in the space of five minutes, and Steve looked at Bucky who was still looking confused as hell as to how his best friend had ended up taller, stronger and had been able to get four hundred of them out of there without so much as a cough of asthma to show for it. Even with the brief explanation as he'd been helped out of Zola's lab, Bucky knew this was exactly the kind of crap his friend would try to get himself into the army. Donating his body in the name of science.

Now they were on foot complete with souvenirs from the Hydra base that consisted of a couple of tanks, jeeps, ammunition, and plenty of weapons. The walk was a long one, however they'd make it back.

"Least I don't need to save your ass from getting beat up anymore." He said with another poke.

"It's permanent Buck." Steve said swatting away his friend's hand away.

Bucky kept a hold of the rifle in his hand, there would always be the chance of another ambush until they were back at camp. "I know I just...seriously what the hell? Are you mad?"

"Nope, just joined the army like I wanted to."

Bucky sighed. "Yeah but at what cost?"

"Sometimes my sanity if we're gonna be honest about it."

Both men smirked at one another as they led the others on. It would take days to get back, especially with the men who needed medical attention, but they'd do what they needed to in order to survive. At least they were able to take food supplies with them thanks to a few men who'd found the Hydra ration stash.

"Could've at least left us some whiskey or something." Dugan had grumbled as they walked. Jacques said something in French that no one could understand. "I second whatever the hell he just said."

"We're gonna need to make camp soon." Steve told them, looking at his compass to make sure that they were going in the right direction. "It's not gonna be ideal but what else can we do?"

"Beats a prison cell." Dugan put in helpfully and passed the message back so that the men could know they'd be stopping to rest soon.

**

Phillips had hauled Mo into the tent and was fuming. "Briefing on your surveillance flight, Captain." He demanded, knowing that he was going to launch into a full on rant when she'd done so.

"Nothing came up sir...I scanned the area three times over."

She watched him nod and then launch into his rant. "What the hell were you even thinking Carter!" Her mouth opened to say something, but he held up his hand before she could answer. "Wait, don't answer that because you weren't, were you?" Phillips glared at her. "How come whenever there's any trouble afoot it's always you that's causing it!"

"With respect sir, I do not regret my actions and neither did Steve." She bit back through gritted teeth.

"No, of course you don't, because in your moment of madness you take one of our planes and drop Captain Rogers in Austria, not only disobeying my orders but those that have come direct to me from above!" The cold stare never faltered. "Tell me why I shouldn't have your ass dragged all the way back to England?"

She smirked. "Because now that Jones and Smith were gunned down, I'm the only one capable of leading an air attack let alone flying a plane."

Phillips shook his head. "After the stunt you pulled, you are never flying again. Instead you're gonna spend the rest of your days helping me to type up all these condolence letters along with that of Captain Rogers. Another man's name has just been added to the body count, and all because you wanted to prove a point. Tell me, was it really worth it Carter?"

"It's always worth the risk sir, whatever the cost." She told him while trying to swallow the lump in her throat. If Steve was dead then it would be on her hands. Phillips had all but declared him that, however it was not yet written in black and while.  "I had faith that Steve..." 

Phillips silenced her, not wanting to listen to anything else that she had to say. "Well you're gonna need a damn lot of it, as we're now at risk of the division shutting down...get out of my sight." 

Mo turned and stormed out once more, irritated by Phillips words as well as his decision to now keep her grounded and to never fly again. He may as well have sent her home.

"Woah! Where's the fire?" Howard asked as she found him in the lab. "Face like that can only mean Phillips has pissed you off." 

"He's never letting me fly again." Mo told him angrily. "My punishment for apparently 'killing' Steve." 

Howard frowned. "Did he say that?" 

"No but he might as well have." She exhaled loudly and then looked at him. "He can't be dead. He's a super soldier for goodness sake." 

"Yeah, and I helped create him - he's out there somewhere." 

Mo picked at one of her nails. "So how come he hasn't used the transmitter that we gave him. It worked when you tried it didn't it?" 

"What do you take me for? Of course it worked!" Howard looked at her a little offended. "Look, there's probably a thousand reasons as to why he's not made it back...yet." He rounded the table and slipped an arm around her. "You did the right thing doll face. We did the right thing - besides he'd have only walked or run to Austria so I don't see why Phillips is blaming you. This is the kind of thing Steve was created for." 

"It's ok for you, they can't touch you because you're literally providing the weapons, but me? If the division shuts down because of me then that's it. My part in the war is over."

As she said this, the door to the lab burst open and Peggy stood there. "He's back!" 

"What!" They both turned and replied in unison.

Peggy said nothing else but gestured for them to follow where outside stood a sea of men and at the front of the them talking to Colonel Phillips? 

Steve. 

"Well I'll be damned." Howard grinned as the cheers for Captain America rang through the camp. 

Mo watched as everyone surrounded him, cheering, welcoming back friends and celebrating their return. She smiled to herself. 

It would always be worth the risk. 

As she looked back again, Steve's eyes caught hers and with a nod of acknowledgement, she returned to her cabin. Regardless of whether Steve and the men were alive, Phillips would still never allow her to fly again. 

None of that mattered though. Not anymore. She'd done her duty and if Phillips didn't like it, then so be it.