Finding Love in France (Alternate Version)

Part 39: Waiting

They were gone for 15 days. During this time, Mila barely ate or slept. She tried to focus on work, but was just counting down the seconds until dinner, when she could ask Peggy for updates. Thankfully, there were no casualties reported and no major setbacks, but that was all Peggy could divulge. She was grateful to have her and Stark as distractions, even though she couldn't stop worrying. It was torture and she hated every minute of it.

One night at dinner, Mila asked Peggy if she and Steve had any long-term plans. She still felt guilty about the affair and hoped she hadn't derailed anything for them. Peggy looked away and said quietly "I wish."

With a little more probing, Peggy opened up to Mila about her frustrations. "Do you think it's because he's still trying to prove himself? Or is it because, in his head, he's still the little guy? Or am I just pinning over a man who doesn't want the same things?" She sighed. "You and Bucky make it look so easy!"

Mila laughed. "Sometimes...however, keep in mind that James is the most infuriating man I have ever met!" She read her friend's longing. "From everything I know, Steve just needs time. You know how shy he is. And you are correct in your thinking that he still behaves as though he was the little guy around you." She paused and smiled. "Between you and me, I have it on good authority that the giant is absolutely mad about you, Peggy. Though, if you tell him I told you, I will deny everything!" She saw her friend's face light up with relief.

"Thanks, Mila..." Peggy sighed. "I needed to hear that."

On the day the men returned, Mila waited anxiously at the airfield, pacing for hours, until she heard the engines overhead. She watched as men wandered off the plane, some of them looking dazed. She was unable to spot Bucky, but she did see Steve towering over the guys, and knew her love would not be far behind. Peggy and Colonel Phillips pulled up in a jeep and made a beeline for the giant. Mila still couldn't see James. Where the hell was he? Almost everyone was off the plane, when she finally saw him helping an injured soldier out on a stretcher. The medics took over and he ran to her.

She started laughing and crying at the same time when he picked her up and swung her around. "Thank you. Thank you. Thank you." was all she could manage.

He kissed her face and said "See? I came back, as promised! Can't get rid of me that easy, Doc!" He kissed her lips and held her tightly.

The stubble on his chin scratched her face as he kissed her. He needed a shower badly. He had some dried blood and fading bruises on his face. His clothes were filthy. She had never been more excited to see anyone in her life. "Let's get you cleaned up, soldier! Are you hurt?"

"Nah, just a little banged up. Nothing serious." He put his arm around her as they walked back to the barracks. "Hey Mils, wanna get out of here for the night?" He winked at her.

"Can you do that?" He had her attention.

"Yup. Got 48 hours of R&R coming my way. Where should we go?" He was grinning.

"Anywhere! When can we leave?!" She was ecstatic at the thought of having time alone together, though she was still harboring feelings of shame about her situation when they met. She was unsure if he would want her like she wanted him.

He laughed. "Let me get cleaned up and make sure I don't have to debrief, then I'm all yours." He kissed her deeply and caught a whiff of himself. "Ugh, yeah, I definitely need a good scrubbing! See you at dinner?"

"I cannot wait, my love!" She kissed him gently on the lips and went right to the lab.

Stark was trying not laugh as Mila sauntered in, dirt smudged on her face from her reunion with Bucky. "Your hero returned?" He smirked.

"Yes! I feel like I can breathe again!" She laughed. Then she got serious. "Howard, you seem to know all the good places around here. Is there a decent hotel or inn nearby?"

"Someone's got their R&R, huh?" He laughed. He wrote an address down on a piece of paper and said "Don't do anything I wouldn't do, Doc..."