Letters

Dancing Monkey

A/N: Just a heads up there is about to be a major time jump right now. Steve made it to Europe fine, obviously and they docked sometime at the end of June. Him and the dancing girls have been slowly working their way across the European countries and it is finally November, when Steve frees Bucky from the HYDRA facility in Austria.

November 3rd 1943

Dear Willow,

It's colder here than I expected. Thanksgiving is approaching fast. Maybe you'll get this letter the week of Thanksgiving. Remember last year how Bucky nearly burned the turkey. You saved the day and our stomachs that Thanksgiving. Please don't spend the holiday alone. Join some of your friends...

Steve put down his pen and sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. He had just been kicked off the stage by the soldiers in the audience. He knew they wouldn't greet him warmly but he didn't think they'd throw things at him and boo him off the stage. The men were here just to see the girls. That was fine with Steve. He had to reply to Willow's latest letter and hope that it made it home in time for the holidays. The chances of that though were slim.

Straying away from the letter, Steve began drawing in the small leather bound notebook. He didn't really know what he was doodling at first until it took shape. A monkey, with a shield on a unicycle. Sighing, Steve gave the monkey his outfit. This is what he felt like. A stupid dancing monkey. Below that, Steve began to etch out a couple audience members who were playing songs for him to get him to do their will.

"Hello, Steve." The voice startled him and he looked up to find Agent Carter hovering above him.

"Oh.. Hi." Steve arched an eyebrow. "What are you doing here?"

"Officially... I'm not here." She said with a sly smile."That was.. Quite a performance." Steve sighed and shook his head as Agent Carter sat next to him.

"I.. Yeah.. I don't usually deal with crowds of men.. My audience is usually.. Twelve year olds." Agent Carter smiled.

"I understand you're "Americas New Hope" correct?

"Bond sales are up 10% in every state I visit." Steve muttered out. Agent Carter pursed her lips. "At least I'm doing something I guess. If it were up to Colonel Phillips, I'd be a lab rat right now."

"Are those you're only two options?" Agent Carter asked. "Lab rat or.." She tapped the drawing on the page. "Dancing monkey." Steve sighed. "You were meant for more than this, you know."

"I know.. For the longest time I dreamed about being oversees, out on the front lines and serving my country." Steve paused. "And now, I'm here and I'm wearing tights." Just then, a convey pulled in carrying a couple dozen men who looked tired and shaken up. "Looks like they've been through hell." Steve murmured as the soldiers walked past them. Agent Carter nodded.

"These men more than most." She said, pointing at them. "Schmidt sent out a force to Azzano. Two hundred men went up against him, and less than 50 returned." Her voice got lower and she dropped her head. "Your audience contained what was left of the 107th." The 107th? Steve sat up straighter. "The rest were killed or captured." Steve's blood ran cold.

"The 107th?" Steve demanded. Agent Carter looked at him perplexed and nodded. Steve swore he was beginning to hyperventilate. Bucky. Was he still alive?