Letters

Knight In Shining Armor

"Willow, you have a gentleman visitor." Mary whispered to her after rushing up to Willow's desk. Willow frowned, confused.

"Did he say who it was?" She questioned, standing. A gentleman? If it was Steve, Mary would have said so and anyways, Willow hadn't heard from him in three days. She was trying not to worry and it was proving difficult.

"I can't remember but go, he sure is a looker." Mary said, pushing Willow to the lobby with a giggle. She sighed and smoothed out her dress, wondering who the gentleman caller could be. As she stepped into the lobby, Jane waved Willow over immediately. She walked straight towards her coworker, barely noticing the man in uniform in front of Jane at the desk.

"Willow, this man is here to see you." Her voice was unusually high. She was really laying on the charm, or maybe she was trying to be flirtatious. Willow turned to look at the man. Broad shoulders and chest, he was clearly a soldier judging from the uniform he wore that was stretched tight over the muscles in his arms. A regular ole jock.

But as Willow caught his eye, she began to recognize him. The blonde hair and piercing blue eyes were too familiar. Willow's jaw dropped a little. "Steven?" She whispered.

"Did you get my letter?" Steve smiled at the look on her face. Complete surprise, and shock, like he had expected.

"Letter?" Willow whispered.

"I'm pretty sure I sent it. You might get it today actually." Steve continued, still smiling. Willow hit his arm and then she was hugging him. There was so much more of him to hug now though. She couldn't even wrap her arms around him like she used too.

"Steve! Oh my god." Steve laughed, Willow could feel his chest rising and falling. "How? You look so!" She stammered out, pulling away slightly to get a better look at him. He shrugged, his hands on her shoulders.

"Yeah, I know. I'm still not used to it." Willow started laughing and reached up to touch his cheek.

"I.. I can't believe it. You barely look like you." She murmured, staring at him intently.

"I'm still me." Steve murmured, catching her hand. Willow smiled at him, and pulled her hand down with his but interlocked their fingers. "It's just my appearance that's changed." Willow shook her head.

"Not really. I can still see.. You. You just now look like those guys who used to pick on you." With her other hand, Willow brushed back a strand of Steve's blond hair that had fallen in his eyes.

"I've become what I hated most, I know." Willow laughed lightly, shaking her head at him.

"So it worked then, this experiment. You had me so worried." She hit him.

"Ow! What the.." Another blow to the chest. "Willow!"

"What? I can't believe you would risk yourself like that! And that you told me over a letter." Willow scolded him, letting go of his hand.

"I'm sorry! There was no way I could see you in person and I couldn't just not tell you. I didn't want you to live your life not knowing how I died." Willow rolled her eyes.

"Wow, thanks. That makes me feel better."

"Ms. Peterson." A voice called out. Willow turned. It was one of her coworkers, Trent Mickelson. "I would just like to inform you that you have to get back to work." Willow glanced at the clock and smiled.

"Actually, I'm taking my lunch break."

--

"Did it hurt?" Steve chuckled, spinning the cup around and around in his hands.

"I was injected with twenty needles at once, yeah it kind of hurt." Willow smiled. "To be honest, I didn't even think it was working. I just felt really hot. I had my eyes closed the entire time so when I got out, I could tell it had worked when I was taller than Peggy."

"Was she surprised?"

"She was, yeah." Willow laughed but Steve was pursing his lips, thinking about what happened after he left the pod. Willow noticed and took his hand, stilling the cup.

"What happened wasn't your fault and you tried your best to catch the man Steve."

"But I didn't get to him. I didn't learn anything from him and now they won't let me go where I'm needed. Dr. Abraham believed in me and what I could do and all of his hard work is going to waste." Willow pursed his lips because even though he was now this big, broad super soldier she still couldn't help but see the Steve who used to be all skin and bones.

"You'll be on the front lines some day Steve." Steve arched an eyebrow at her.

"You don't want me to go though still."

"No." Steve sighed. "But I know it's something you want." Willow squeezed his hand and Steve smiled back at her.

After lunch, Steve walked Willow back to work and she kept staring up at him almost nervously. "Something wrong?" Steve questioned. Willow shrugged.

"I was so used to looking you in the eye and now I can't." Steve chuckled. "Now you're at least a head taller than me. It's a bit unnerving."

"Yeah I can imagine. You've only seen me as the scrawny bag of bones kid from Brooklyn."

"I never thought that about you Steve. I didn't care what you looked like then or now. You're still Steve." Willow said, touching his arm lightly. "I just can't look you in the eye now when we're walking." Willow laughed and Steve smiled at her. As they pulled to a stop in front of the building, Willow turned to Steve, slowly. She knew he had to leave. He'd told her all about his deal and the contract he signed to become the face of this war.

"I don't know when I'll see you again." Steve murmured, reaching out and touching her hair.

"That's okay. As long as I know you're safe and as long as you keep writing to me, I'll be happy." Steve smiled softly. "But I will miss you."

"I'll miss you too." Steve whispered. Willow pushed herself up and connected their lips. Willow would have never imagined she'd have to go on her toes to kiss Steve.

"I'll bring you back souvenirs from the places I visit." Steve murmured, stroking her cheek with his thumb.

"You don't have too. But if you want to take pictures, I'd like to see those." Steve smiled.

"I'll do both."

"Steve.." Willow began to scold.

"I have to go but I love you Willow." Steve kissed her again, making Willows heart flutter.

"I love you too Steve." Willow whispered as they pulled away. Steve smiled and waved as he began walking down the street. Willow waved goodbye and when he was finally out of sight, she pushed her way back into the building.

February 8th, 1943

Dear Steve,

I didn't need to see the pictures of you, you know. Despite your now outward appearance, you're still the same Steve I fell in love with on the inside. While you may have seen yourself as some scrawny teenager, I saw the man I loved. The man I grew up with. And that's never going to change.

I'm still sorry to hear about Doctor Abraham, I knew you were close to him and you'll be able to prove to those people in the army that you're more than just the face of this war. You're a soldier now Steve, whether I like it or not, and you'll do great things overseas.

I still haven't heard from Bucky and I'm really worried Steve.

As I've already told you, you don't have to buy me anything while you crisscross the the country. I'll be fine with any pictures you take and send back. And I really hope, that if you are in those big shot Hollywood movies, that we'll be able to see one of the ones you're in together. It would be a bit funny seeing you up on the screen.

Well, now I sure you'll be turning a lot of women's heads. And what exactly did you talk to Peggy with about me? All good things I hope.

It was so good to see you today and I hope we see each other again soon, I love you and I miss you.

Love,
Willow Peterson