Lady Liberty |1| The Liberty Saga (An MCU Fanfiction)

Chapter Two: Becoming

The next day was of course the day of the procedure, and it began with Steve being escorted to the SSR safehouse in Brooklyn which had been set up for the event. Escorted, that is, by Peggy Carter and Elke Fischer, both of whom looked a little nervous in anticipation of the day's excitement. Steve, meanwhile, seemed to be directing any anxious energy he had into making conversation.

"Hey, I know this neighbourhood," he realised, watching the streets of Brooklyn roll on by. "I got beat up in that alley. And that parking lot." He paused, not noticing Peggy and Elke sharing a raised-eyebrow look. "And behind that diner."

"Your friend Barnes said you had something against running away," Elke mentioned hesitantly. "I... thought he was exaggerating."

He shrugged. "You start running, they'll never let you stop. You stand up, push back... Can't say no forever, right?"

"I know a little of what that's like," Peggy admitted. "To have every door shut in your face."

"I guess I just don't know why you'd wanna join the army if you're a beautiful dame," Steve said, then blinked. "Or a beautiful... a woman. An agent, not a dame! You are beautiful, but—"

"Wow," said Elke, grinning. "You really have no idea how to talk to a woman, do you?"

"Women aren't exactly lining up to dance with a guy they might step on," he pointed out.

Peggy frowned. "You must have danced?"

Steve shrugged. "Well, asking a woman to dance always seemed so terrifying. And the past few years just didn't seem to matter that much. Figured I'd wait."

"For what?" she wondered.

He met her eyes. "The right partner."

***

A few minutes later, they pulled up outside an old antique shop. "This way," Elke said, heading for the entrance.

Steve frowned. "What are we doing here?"

"Just follow me." Inside, the lights were dimmed low, dust floating in the sunbeams from the windows. The floorboards creaked underfoot as they approached the counter, and an elderly woman appeared from the back.

"Wonderful weather this morning, isn't it?" she said conversationally.

Peggy smiled warmly. "Yes, but I always carry an umbrella." The unspoken contract fulfilled, the shop owner stepped out of the way, gesturing towards the back door, and Elke led the way through.

***

Five minutes later, they had descended into the lab hidden underground, where Dr Erskine and several other scientists were waiting for them. The machinery was all set up behind Erskine, and even the diplomats who were to observe the procedure were there. All they needed was Steve... and when he entered, they all stopped and stared.

"Hey, what's the matter?" Elke demanded. "You've never seen a skinny man before? Didn't your mothers ever tell you it's rude to stare?" She jerked her head towards the stairs, glancing back at Steve. "Come on." Together, the three of them descended into the lab proper as the scientists got back to work.

"Good morning," Erskine greeted, shaking Steve's hand. A flash of light hit them, and he turned to the photographer irritably. "Please, not now."

As the photographer walked away, Elke noticed Steve staring at the machinery, his eyes wide. "Steve? Are you okay?"

Steve nodded. "Yeah, 'course."

"Good," Erskine smiled. "Take off your shirt, your tie and your hat." Steve did as he was told, and with the scientists' help, clambered into the pod. Erskine helped him lie down. "Comfortable?"