Finding Love in France (Alternate Version)

Part 46: PDA

Mila ran out of the infirmary, sobbing uncontrollably into her hands. She wasn't paying attention to where she was going and ran directly into Steve.

"What the hell happened now?" He wrapped his arms around her, trying to calm her down.

She buried her head in his chest and wept. He led her to a bench and she told him about the fight. He continued to hold her and rub her back as he listened, hoping her breathing would steady. "Did you figure out what caused this thing?" Steve was extremely concerned about Bucky, both because he was his best friend, but also because he felt responsible for his being targeted by Hydra in the first place.

"Some, probably not the entire picture, but enough to start." She forgot how comfortable he was to cry on. "I had gone to consult with a psychiatrist on this, but they had left already." She looked up at Steve. "Do you think we can actually save him? Do you think it will work?"

"I sure hope so, 'cause I don't know what else to do..." he kissed the top of her head and rested his weary head on hers. When he looked up, Peggy's striking figure was walking towards them. He didn't bother moving. He was too exhausted to care about appearances right now, plus Mila was finally calming down.

"What's all this?" Peggy asked, mostly out of concern, but tinged with jealousy, as he was not usually one for public displays of affection. Then she caught herself and sat down. "Sorry...is everyone okay?"

Steve grabbed Peggy's hand and kissed it, surprising all three of them. He kept hold of her hand and sighed. "On outward appearance, I'm the luckiest guy on base right now..."

Peggy chuckled and kissed his cheek, appreciative of his attempt to lighten the mood. "Weren't you already?"

Mila laughed at her friends and reached out to squeeze Peggy's free hand. "Sorry, I think I have soiled your man's pristine uniform with my blubbering..." She then filled Peggy in on her findings and the ugliness of their fight. "Still think me and James make it look so easy?" She quipped.

Peggy sighed thoughtfully. "I think that we all have our work cut out for us..." she smiled at the slightly confused look on Steve's face. "...but the more pressing matter is deprogramming Bucky. Let's go meet Howard for dinner and formulate a plan, yes?"

"Peggy, if you were a man, I would marry you!" Mila laughed, peeling herself off the bench, dusting herself off and wiping her face. "Steve, will you please tell this brilliant, gorgeous woman how amazing she is while I go clean up for dinner?" Mila winked at the giant as she walked away.

Steve wrapped his arms around Peggy and laughed. "Couldn't have said it better myself, Peg..." and kissed her lips, in public.