Finding Love in France (Alternate Version)

Part 23: Welcome to England

They hit an air pocket as the plane began its descent. "What was that?!" Mila had been on edge the entire flight.

"Welcome to merry olde England, kids!" Stark shouted from the cockpit.

As they deplaned, there was a couple headed towards them. A large man stepped in front of the other figure.

"Captain Rogers, back from the dead, I see?" said a gruff older man.

Steve saluted and replied "Yes, sir!"

The older man stepped towards Stark and grumbled "Howard, I see you enjoyed yourself on your latest mission" and he motioned towards Mila. "Even got yourself a little souvenir, huh?"

"Actually, sir, she's with me..." Steve said, trying not to sound insubordinate.

"Oh really, Rogers? And what makes you think you can just bring back random women to my base?" He got up in Steve's face.

"Uh, she's the doctor who saved me, sir." He was trying to stand his ground against his commanding officer.

"Also, Colonel Phillips, she's my newest recruit." Stark said triumphantly.

"What makes you think you can just bring guests here?" He had turned his attention to Stark.

"She worked with Erskine, Chester. Need I say more, or do you want her to pull a rabbit out of a hat, too?" Stark did not back down.

It was then the second figure stepped out from behind the gruff soldier.

"You worked with Dr. Erskine?!" Peggy Carter cried excitedly at Mila.

"Steve was not exaggerating. You are gorgeous." Mila gathered her courage and stuck out her hand to the glamorous brunette standing in front of her. "Dr. Mila Abrams, and you are obviously Agent Peggy Carter." As she shook her hand, she read Peggy's trepidation at her accent.

"You brought a damn German national to my base, Stark? Are you trying to piss me off?" Colonel Phillips yelled.

Before Stark could answer, Mila stepped towards the gruff man and said "Sir, with all due respect, Abraham Erskine was also a German national, and you had no problem accepting him or his help on your special project" she pointed at Steve.

Colonel Phillips got right in her face and shouted "Abraham Erskine was vetted and cleared by the United States government! BEFORE we were at war! What kind of clearance might you be able to provide, other than saving one of my soldiers, to make me think you are not just another defector looking for safe haven?!"

Steve had to physically hold Stark back. Peggy was frozen in place.

Mila glared back at Colonel Phillips, eyes on fire, pulled up her left sleeve, and shouted "How is this for vetting, Colonel?! My entire family was slaughtered in Auschwitz, how's that?! Does my two years in Bergen-Belsen count?! How about nearly two years working for the French Resistance?! Is that enough?! Is that what you are looking for?!"

The silence was deafening. Everyone except Steve stared at the numbers on her arm. Took in the gravity of what they meant. Realized how wrong they were.

After a standoff that felt like hours, Colonel Phillips blinked and said "Looks like we've got ourselves a live one, here, folks!" He backed down. "Agent Carter, please escort the frauline doctor to the medical center for intake. Rogers, head to debriefing with Stark." He shook his head, started to walk away and chuckled "Welcome to England, Dr. Abrams. You're in for one hell of a ride."

As soon as the Colonel was out of earshot, Peggy threw her arms around Steve. Mila could see the relief on both of their faces. She was trying not to watch, when someone else ran up behind them. He was a little shorter than Steve, dark hair, striking steel blue eyes.

"My turn, Peggy!" Bucky laughed as he put his arms around Steve's shoulders from behind. "I thought you were dead, jerk!"

Steve let go of Peggy to embrace his best friend. "And let you win this thing by yourself? I missed your dumb face, too, punk!" The two men laughed.

While this was going on, Stark noticed Mila looking uncomfortable. "You want me to do the honors, Rogers?" Stark quipped.

Bucky turned around to look at Stark and froze. Standing next to him was a small brunette with bright green eyes. She was the most stunning woman he had ever seen. Who was she?

"Sorry!" Steve walked over. "Bucky, this is Dr. Mila Abrams, the doctor who saved me. Mila, this is my best friend, Sergeant James Buchanan 'Bucky' Barnes."

Mila stuck out her hand to shake. "I've heard so much about you, Sergeant Barnes, it's good to finally meet."

He had his hand out, but instinctively pulled it back once he heard the accent. ""You're German?!"

"Buck, don't be rude! She's not that kinda German, pal." Steve intervened. He realized Bucky had missed the whole thing with Phillips. "She's one of us, relax...Mila, please excuse my idiot friend here, he's been through some...things."

Mila immediately read his mind and saw flashes of captivity and torture. "Please don't be afraid, Sergeant Barnes, I'm not Hydra. Steve thought the same thing when I found him."

The man's face darkened at the name, then he caught himself. "Sorry, Dr. Abrams, the accent still catches me off guard sometimes." He stuck out his hand to shake hers. "Thanks for saving this guy."

Howard broke the tension. "What's a guy gotta do to get a drink around here? Carter, take care of her, okay? Doc, see you at dinner." He slapped a hand on each of the men's shoulders. "Come on Rogers, time for our spankings...Barnes, you'll protect me, right?" He laughed as they walked away.

Peggy smiled at Mila, blissfully unaware of her relationship with Steve, and said "let's get you checked out, Dr. Abrams..." leading her to the infirmary for her clearance.