Steve Rogers went back to the past to reconnect with his true love, Peggy Carter. That's what everyone in 2023 thought. The truth is he went back to right a wrong, several of them in fact. He went back to save his friend, James Buchanan "Bucky" B...
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This chapter is primarily a look at a particular day for Sergeant Bucky Barnes. Although nothing of consequence happens it does portray him as easy going with his fellow soldiers and with members of the opposite sex. In this AU Bucky has been able to adjust better to his new abilities, not trying to hide them from the doctors or his friends. This chapter also touches on the racism experienced by black servicemen, many of whom were there in an auxiliary capacity, rather than as fighting men. There was a definite anti-American sentiment expressed more by the older British generation, as the buoyant confidence of the Americans was seen as overbearing by some. To the younger British women an American boyfriend could mean access to better food, cigarettes and black market goods. As a descendant of a British ATS cook and a Welsh soldier it was explained more than once that everyone, both American and British, would use the black market to get goods that were inaccessible otherwise. Nylons, shampoo, perfume, and rationed foods were just some of the more valued items one could buy from their black market contact. I'm sure someone as popular as Sergeant Barnes would find a way to get those things to people he was friends with. 〰️➰〰️
While Steve Rogers recuperated in the infirmary from his fall the others in both the Howling Commandos and the Phantom Patrol were given several days of leave. Some of the married ones spent it on base, taking the opportunity to sleep in and relax, perhaps stopping in at a local pub for a quiet drink. Others spent it in London, making the rounds of the various pubs, starting with the Whip and Fiddle, basking in people recognizing them from the news reels, and buying them drinks. Two of the soldiers, namely Bucky Barnes and Gabe Jones, were invited to attend a dance in the small town near where their units were based.
"Sergeant Barnes," greeted Barbara, a barmaid at the local pub, as she placed a glass of whiskey in front of him. "There's a dance tonight. Some of my girlfriends are going. Perhaps you and Private Jones could show us how you Yanks dance. You both look like you know what you're doing on the dance floor."
Jones looked at Barnes and shrugged. "You don't mind my kind being there?" he asked. Barbara looked blankly at him, as if she didn't know what he was talking about. "I could get into trouble asking a white girl to dance."
"Oh that." She laughed and leaned close to him. "It doesn't bother any of us and I'm sure the Sarge will have your back, won't you?"
"Damn right, I will," replied Bucky. "Come on, Gabe. If I can dance with your girlfriends in a club in Harlem, surely you can dance with Barbara and her friends here if they're okay with it." He smiled at the barmaid. "I've seen him dance and he's almost as good as I am. Are you sure you can keep up with us?"
"You two just show up and maybe bring a couple of your friends," she said. "I wouldn't mind getting that Dum Dum fellow on the dance floor."
"Naw, he's married," replied Bucky. "He's in London, anyways. We'll see who we can round up, but you better make sure there's enough girls for us."
