Long Ago and Far Away

01

1943

Steve and Louise made their way to a movie theater and the latter said, "You did tell Bucky, right?"

Steve nodded. "Yes, I told him. He's on his way. I still can't believe you refused to."

Louise smiled awkwardly. "He's still not happy about the prank I pulled on him."

"It was a mean one, Lu."

"A little Nair in his shampoo isn't that mean. Oh, I'm really gonna get it from him, aren't I?"

"I'm sure you are."

The two entered the theater and watched as a commercial about the war before the movie. Louise subconsciously moved closer to Steve who noticed and smiled.

The commercial announcer said, "War continues to ravage Europe. But help is on the way. Every able-bodied young man is lining up to serve his country. Even little Timmy is doing his part collecting scrap metal. Nice work, Timmy!"

"Who cares?" a loud, jerky guy said. "Play the movie already!"

Steve replied quietly, "Hey, you wanna show some respect?"

"Steve, hush up," Louise said quietly said.

"Meanwhile, overseas, our brave boys are showing the Axis powers that the price freedom is never too high."

"Let's got! Get on with it! Hey, just start the cartoon!" the loud jerk cried.

"Hey buddy, you wanna shut up?!" Steve returned.

Louise shook her head. "Quiet, Steve. Please."

"He's disrespecting our troops, Lu."

The guy got up and looked at him.

The blonde slunk in her seat and let out a soft groan. "I know you won't be able to let this go."

"Together with Allied forces, we'll face any threat, no matter the size."

The three were soon in an alley. Steve pushed Louise behind him and tried punching the guy, but kept getting knocked down. Louise winced as she watched her best friend getting pummeled.

Louise grabbed a stick and went to hit the guy who said, "This ain't your fight, princess."

Her brow furrowed as she said, "I think it is. Why do you think it acceptable to pick on the weaker man?"

Steve picked up the top to a trashcan and the guy said, "You two just don't know when to give up, do you?"

"I could do this all day," Steve challenged, balling his fists.

Louise held up her stick and yelled, "Back off!"

The guy knocked the stick from her hand and hit her, causing her to stumble into the wall. She would have fallen had she not placed a hand against the wall to steady herself.

A young brunet man in uniform walked up to the fight and said, "Hey! Pick on someone your own size! Never hit a lady!" He punched the attacker, then kicked the man as he ran away.

Bucky looked back at Steve. "Sometimes I think you like getting punched. Did you bring Lu into this?"

"I had him on the ropes," Steve replied. "She chose to defend me." He looked at Louise's lip. "That should heal soon enough."

Bucky let out a sigh. "Lu, you gotta stop this."

Louise frowned. "Defending Steve? Never."

"No, getting into fights with him."

"That'll never happen either."

Bucky let out another sigh as he picked up Steve's enlistment form from the ground. "How many times is this?" He read from the enlistment form. "Oh, you're from Paramus now? You know it's illegal to lie on the enlistment form. And seriously, Jersey?"

Steve ignored Bucky's words and asked, "You get your orders?"

"The 107th. Sergeant James Barnes. Shipping out for England first thing tomorrow. "

"I should be going. Come on, Lu."

"Come on, man. My last night! Gotta get you cleaned up."

"Why? Where are we going?" Steve and Louise wondered.

"The future." He handed Steve a newspaper. Steve opened the paper to see an ad for World Exposition Of Tomorrow, 1943.

Louise looked at the newspaper and a light smile crossed her face.

Steve turned to Louise. "I'll pick you up at seven. If that's all right? With both you and your brother?"

Louise nodded and smiled. "It's all right with me. I'll see you then."

Bucky nodded and pointed sharply to Steve. "Don't you dare hurt her. I'll be making sure you don't."

Steve shook his head. "You know I never would."

Louise waved. "Hello, gents, still here."

---

Louise slipped on a navy blue dress and put on light makeup. She touched her lip gently and winced, letting out a light sigh.

She turned, hearing a knock.

Louise opened it to reveal Steve who was holding a bouquet of pink roses.

Steve smiled when he saw Louise. He opened his mouth to say something, but closed it with a nervous expression.

Bucky, who was taking them both, elbowed Steve. "Don't just gawk at my sister. Compliment her."

Steve stammered out, "You look... You look beautiful, Lu."

A foreignly shy smile crossed her lips as she replied, "Thank you."

Bucky looked between them a moment before saying with a small smile, "We should go."

Steve nodded and offered an arm to Louise who accepted.