Enemy of Silence

8 - Italy, November 1943

And once again, I am right. Senator Brandt's idea of a battlefield was Steve parading around as 'Captain America' in tights and a ridiculous headpiece. Although, right now it is truly a massacre. Steve stands awkwardly on the stage, not used to being in front of anyone over the age of 15, "How many of you ready to help me sock old Adolf on the jaw?" Silence permeates the room as Peggy and I glance it each other from our shadowed corner. Steve continues despite the painful silence in the room, "Okay. Uh... I need a volunteer." One of the men in the audience pipes up, "I already volunteered! How do you think I got here? Bring back the girls!" This causes laughter and cheers to echo in the room, better than silence I suppose.

"Peg, I can't watch this anymore. Why are we here?!" I ask, a sigh punctuating my question. "You know why, that Azzano mission. I just wanted to see Steve." Peggy explains, her eyes shamelessly roaming over Steve's new muscular frame. "Right of course, you came to admire your new hunk." I scoff. Peggy glares at me but never denies that those were her true intentions. We continue to chat and before I know it Steve has left the stage. "Go find him, I'll join you in a second." I go to check my mail, finding no reply from Bucky still. Dread fills me as a consider the possibility that he's in danger but it is quickly replaced with the thought of finding Peggy and Steve.

When I finally find them Steve is sat with his sketchbook on the ground next to him, Peggy leaning slightly towards him. The pair were framed by the hammering rain as I wear a soft expression, they truly deserve what the other provides. As I join the conversation Steve was just finishing up about wearing tights daily, which causes me to snort with laughter. "Sorry, it's just utterly ridiculous." I say as I calm down. Just then we hear the honking of an ambulance as men are stretchered out, a variety of injuries adorning their bodies. "They look like they've been through hell." Steve comments and I hum in agreement before Peggy adds, "These men more than most." I turn to her and furrow my brows. "Schmidt sent out a force to Azzano. Two hundred men went up against him and less than fifty returned. Your audience contained what was left of the 107th. The rest were killed or captured." She explains.

My stomach drops, heart pounding in my chest, mouth dry. "The 107th?" Steve shakily asks. "You didn't think to tell me that the force sent to Azzano was the 107th, are you kidding me Peg?" I mutter dejectedly. "What?" She asks, confused to both mine and Steve's concern. "Come on." Steve says as he runs towards the tent currently keeping the a Colonel dry. I have to drag Peggy slightly to get her to move as she stands staring at Steve as he runs. "Colonel Phillips." I say, grabbing his attention as he looks up to see the three of us, a little wet from the rain. "Well, if it isn't the Star-Spangled Man With A Plan." He says, his eyes landing on Steve, "And what is your plan today?" He mocks. "I need the causality list for Azzano." Steve states.

I stand next to the Colonel's desk, twitching my small dagger behind my back, the handle bringing me comfort as my mind skirts through the worst possible outcome. I grow frustrated as the Colonel continues to deny Steve and before I can register what I'm doing I slam the knife into the table. Steve and Peggy stiffen at the sound of the wood splintering. I lean in towards Phillips, "One name. Sergeant James Barnes of the 107th Infantry. Now." I snarl. He stands and sighs, "I have signed more of these condolence letters today than I would care to count. But the name does sound familiar. I'm sorry." My eyes close and my fists clench tightly as the thought of Bucky suffering a cruel fate, one easily preventable on my behalf, had I not been so hellbent on helping destroy HYDRA with the serum I could have been there to stop him.

I open my eyes as Steve queries, "What about the others? Are you planning a rescue mission?" And that's what I admire about Steve, in the face of the news his best friend may be dead he still concerns himself with the safety of those left. "They're thirty miles behind the lines. Through the most heavily fortified territory in Europe. We'd lose more men than we'd save. But I don't expect you to understand that, because you're a chorus girl." Phillips degrades. I scoff once again, something I fear is becoming a habit in Phillips' presence. "I can get through sir, you know I can." I say determinedly. Phillips glares, "You're not going." He continues to argue with Steve but I drown out the conversation, thinking of ways to convince Peggy to help. Phillips eventually walks away and Steve and I glance at the map before stalking out of the tent, Peggy in tow.

"What do you plan to do? Walk to Austria?" Peggy asks, concern lacing her tone. Steve stuffs clothes into a bag as I return with my getaway bag, an item I've made a habit of keeping. It contains my combat gear, a simple black ensemble with numerous holsters for my knifes and handgun, with two crossed holsters that previously contained my katanas. The weapons I haven't touched since the Red Room. "If that's what it takes." Steve answers Peggy's question. "You heard the Colonel, your friend is most likely dead." Peggy exasperates. "You don't know that." I say coldly. Peggy sighs and turns back to Steve, "Even so, he's devising a strategy. If he detectes..." She starts but is cut off by Steve.

"By the time he's done that, it could be too late." He walks out to a jeep as I get in, waiting for him to join me. "You told me you thought I was meant for more than this. Did you mean that?" Steve shyly asks. I smirk realising that I don't have to convince Peggy to help, Steve will do that just by being Steve. "Every word." Peggy reassures. "Then you gotta let me go." Steve explains, joining me in the jeep. "I can do more than that." Peggy says.

A smile spreads across my face as I realise what she means...