It was just the gang tonight. You know, Peggy and Steve, Bucky and me. We all decided to hit up the bar before we got sent out the next morning. I knew that Steve was trying his hardest to get together with Peggy, but I was really hoping that she would just ask him out. Steve was going to take forever and Peggy knew that. So maybe tonight she'd just get it over with before we left tomorrow.
The road we were on was poorly lit but we could see enough to get by. The musty air was making it harder than necessary to breathe and I could feel myself getting lightheaded.
The whole walk there, Bucky and I were screwing around in the back. Not paying much attention to the two lovebirds ahead of us and instead trying to avoid the thoughts of tomorrow. After bumping shoulders one too many times I finally forfeited and tapped him lightly on the arm.
Glancing up at our surroundings I notice that Peggy and Steve are a few feet in front of us, and we were only about two minutes from the bar. Glancing over at Bucky I only mutter a few words before I take off down the street. "Race you."
I look back to see the crazed grin on his face as he grows closer to me with each stride. Yes I'm short and not as fast, but I've got stamina and agility on my side. Bucky on the other hand is quick but a little clumsy. We continue to race towards the bar, our laughs echoing up through the air. Peggy and Steve shake their heads at our childish behavior but I can see they're enjoying themselves.
Only a few steps more and I'll be at the bar. I can hear the laughter and music pouring out onto the street, the light spilling through the open door. Just as I turn around to see how far Bucky is from me, someone runs straight into me, coming from inside the bar.
I yelp a little at the sudden movement but haul myself up as fast as I can. My military training kicking into gear and reminding me to keep standing up right. The guys are next to me in an instant and Peggy is standing in front of me yelling at whoever had slammed into me. I could hear him trying to apologize profusely and I feel a little bad for him. It was a complete accident. Bucky had pushed himself to stand in front of me, his fingers dancing around my face to make sure I hadn't been hurt. I brush them away and step around everyone just in time to see the man I had run into hurrying off down the street in the opposite direction.
I looked at Peggy and raised my eyebrows, questioning why he was running away.
"He was part of my unit, the first group leaving tomorrow. I told him to shape up before he joined us in the morning."
"Peggy, that wasn't necessary and you know it." I responded.
"I know, but the look of fear on his face made it all worth it."
Chuckling I grinned and turned to the boys, "Ok, who's ready for a drink?"
