Bucky sat in silence as he tried to forget what had happened to him.
Steve watched his friend for a moment, then joined him as people sang There's a Tavern in Town.
"See, I told you," Bucky said. "They're all idiots."
"How about you ?" Steve asked. "You ready to follow Captain America into the jaws of death?"
"Hell, no. That little guy from Brooklyn who was too dumb not to run away from a fight. I'm following him. But you're keeping the outfit, right?"
"You know what? It's kind of growing on me."
The singing in the bar ceased as Peggy and Helen, in a tight-fitting, deep-red dress and a short, flowing deep-blue dress, walked in. "Captain."
"Agent Carter." He nodded to Helen.
"Ma'ams," Bucky greeted.
"Howard has some equipment for you to try," Peggy told Steve. "Tomorrow morning?"
"Sounds good," Steve replied.
"I see your top squad is prepping for duty."
"You don't like music?" Bucky asked, earning a small smile from Helen.
"I do, actually," Peggy answered. "I might even, when all this is over, go dancing."
"Then what are we waiting for?"
"The right partner. 0800, Captain."
"Yes, ma'am," Steve said. "I'll be there."
Bucky, referring to Peggy's comment, said, "I'm invisible. I'm... I'm turning into you. It's like some horrible dream."
"Don't take it so hard. Maybe she has a sister."
Helen smiled awkwardly. "About that."
Bucky tilted his head. "Really? I mean, I can see the resemblance, but why didn't you say anything earlier?"
"I did give my name. Just not my surname."
Bucky smiled and offered his hand. "May I have this dance?"
Helen nodded, accepting his offer.
As they danced, Bucky said, "What made you decide to become a nurse?"
"I've always wanted to help people. And when war broke out in England, I knew I needed to help in whatever ways I could. So I volunteered for the Red Cross and was soon sent to Camp Lehigh."
"I'm glad I met you, Helen."
"I am too, Sergeant."
"You don't have to be so proper, doll."
Helen frowned. "Doll? Is that a common American term?"
"Uh, yeah. If you don't like it, just say something."
"No, it's sweet. I may need time to become accustomed to it, but it's an oddly sweet term."
The two continued dancing and Helen said, "I wish this could last forever."
"I do too," he replied softly. "But unfortunately it can't. Let's just make it last for as long as we can."
"That sounds lovely."
He studied her, as though he was taking in all he could. Her curled brown hair, pinned in the back, looked pristine despite her work. Her warm brown eyes glistened in the light. Her hands were delicate, despite their callouses, and her touch was gentle. She smelled of vanilla; a smell that would always mean home to him.
A small smile crossed her lips as she danced in the arms of the man she found endearing. The fear that she might lose him when she'd just found him crossed her mind and she pushed those thoughts away as she gazed into his steel blue eyes. They held a harshness, but a gentleness that far outweighed the fear and anger. His touch, though it was calloused, was gentle and welcoming. She felt safe in his arms; safer than she'd ever felt.
The pair danced as the night carried on. Neither wanted to dwell on what might come, but simply wanted to live in the moment of a dance and quickly blooming feelings.
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YOU ARE READING
The Cross of Hopeful Sorrow
ActionA humble nurse catches the eye of a tortured soldier. Helen Carter has never been one for being the center of attention. She, in fact, despises it. Instead, she prefers to work in the background where she can help those who cannot help themselves...