Finding Love in France (Alternate Version)

Part 17: News

The next 2 weeks blurred together. Mila went to town daily to check for intel, take care of patients, and go to market. Steve stayed behind and worked on the gardens, did minor repairs on the house, and tried to help Mila with anything she asked.

In the evenings, they cooked, drank wine, talked about everything, and screwed. She was happy for the first time in years, but she knew it was temporary. As soon as they could get through to the Allies, he'd be gone. She was trying her damnedest not to fall for him...

...but she was failing miserably. Every day they spent together, she grew fonder of the sweet, idealistic, gentle giant in her care. His wounds were completely healed and he was exercising daily to keep himself ready for when he had to go back to the front. She worried about him being in harms way and was quietly thankful for the lack of information coming in. She was trying not to get used to having him around, but he didn't make it easy.

Steve's birthday was the next day, but he didn't want Mila to know. He didn't want her to feel bad if she found out after the fact, or try to do anything to celebrate after all the other things she had done for him. He was still trying to reconcile his feelings for her while processing the likely loss of Peggy and Bucky. He knew his time there was limited and he was trying to enjoy it to the fullest. Plus, he really liked Mila.

It was a Tuesday, market day in town, and Mila was getting ready to head out. She had her basket of eggs and produce for barter next to her medical bag. She was looking for the notebook she used to keep records of patient visits when she heard a knock at the door.

Steve was out in the garden and noticed the visitor at the door. He waited for Mila to signal him if it was safe to come in, as she was still trying to hide him from the villagers. He saw her wave to him and headed back to the house.

Commander Lupin was in the kitchen, barely containing his excitement. "Bonjour, Captain Rogers! I have great news! We have made contact with the Allies!"

Mila froze. She knew it was coming, she just hoped for more time. "When?"

Steve was smiling broadly, shaking the commander's hand. "Thank you so much, Commander! Where are we with extraction plans? How can I help? Any word on my friends?"

"Four days from today. No word on your friends yet. I will bring you the rendezvous details as soon as I get them. Congratulations, you get to go back to saving the world, Captain Rogers!" Lupin exclaimed.

After the Frenchman left, Steve was excitedly pacing, talking a mile a minute. "This is incredible! Can you believe it, Mila?! They did it! It had been so long, I thought I might be stuck here! God, I was worried I'd have to learn to speak French soon..."

Mila was watching him, trying not to get upset. She knew he belonged back in the fight, back with his friends. But she didn't have to like it. The more excited he got, the worse she felt. "Will you excuse me for a moment?" She walked outside and tried not to cry. She pulled herself together, grabbed her items for going into town, and left for the day.