If We Turned Back Time

Chapter 2- A Magical Night On The Town

Margaret Carter sat alone in a quiet booth near the bandstand in the Stork Club. She tiredly sighed for what must have been the 10th time that minute as she checked a small watch in her handbag. The small clock read 8:05. Peggy was growing impatient as Steve was already 5 minutes late to their date. She glanced around her at the people around her. The club was modestly crowded with mostly celebrities. She saw dozens of famous actors, politicians, and many others who were simply famous for their affluence. The crowd was dancing to the upbeat tune of Glenn Miller's "In the Mood". Carter took a small sip of her sherry and glanced again at the time. She fumed, wondering if he would even show. Thinking back on that moment, Peggy wasn't even sure why she was so mad; it was normal for someone to run a few minutes late- even if she had told him to be on time. Regardless, she didn't have to wait any longer.

The music suddenly stopped and with it, the crowd's activities. After a few puzzled moments of patrons glancing around, the band played a short fanfare and the leader spoke into the mic. "Ladies and Gentlemen! It seems we have a true spectacle in our midst this evening!"

At that point, Peggy began to tune him out; it was probably just another pretty-boy actor flaunting his popularity at the eligible women in the room. However, the band leader continued speaking and a familiar name caused her to pay attention again.

"The one- the only, Captain America himself- Steve Rogers!!" The crowd erupted in cheers and the band immediately started into the Captain America theme tune.

A few moments later, a very flustered looking Steve approached the table. He shifted awkwardly. "Sorry for being late, Peg. I really tried- but then I had to get this" he said, gesturing to a box in his hand. "And then the guy there was super slow, and then I missed my bus and had to take a cab...Sorry.. rambling...Here" He offered her the box.

She took it, with an amused look on her face, and opened it. Inside was a beautiful corsage. The flowers were mostly white with pink accents. "They're beautiful, Steve!"

He laughed, nervously, glad that she liked them. "I'm sure glad they match your dress- You look lovely by the way... Absolutely stunning." He took a moment to admire the beautiful red dress she was wearing. It was similar to the one she'd worn in the pub in England back when they were just starting their team. It was of a ravishing bright crimson color and made of pure silk. With intense rationing and shortages, even Steve knew the dress must have cost a fortune, but was he glad that she had splurged on it. "C'mere. Let me pin it on for you!"

She stood and brushed her long, silky hair out of the way so he could access the front of her dress. "Thank you. I must say, you do look rather dashing yourself, Captain Rogers." She smirked at his instantaneous blush. She glanced at his greenish-brown army dress uniform.

"Well I do try to pull all the best stops for my best girl." Steve said.

Peggy blushed as she found her eyes meeting his soon after. He suavely stepped around her and held out her chair for her. She sat, and he pushed in her seat, taking his own seat soon after. They gazed at each other for a minute before Steve noticed her empty glass. "I see you started without me." he said with a smirk. He beckoned the waiter with a smooth wave of his hand. "Champagne please." He ordered politely, when the man arrived.

The waiter nodded amicably and rushed off towards the kitchen. There was a slight awkwardness between the two soldiers; neither of them had ever done anything like this before- or at least not in a very long time. Peggy broke the silenced with a bemused grin.

"So... how 'bout that dance, soldier? Or are you going to chicken out on me?"

"You'll still have to teach me," Steve smiled back. "But I'm game if you don't mind a few squashed toes!" He rose from his seat and winked. "Hold on just a second..." He jogged off towards the bandstand and got the bandleader's attention. He spoke quietly in the man's ear for a moment, while at the same time slipping him a few discreet bills. As he walked away, the music stopped. By the time Steve reached the table again, they began to play again. The soft opening notes of "Moonlight Serenade" began to fill the room.  Steve offered a hand to Peggy and spoke. "Now, Margaret Carter, May I have this dance?"