Sit still, look pretty
You toss and turn in the uncomfortable cot. It's been a month since the team started raiding Hydra's factories. There's still one left and the main base of operations, the one you're not nearly close to finding it.
Ever since the first raid, you had weird, vivid dreams more and more often. Most of them are like a picture of your life, but without you in it. Others, like tonight, are full of flashes of color, red, blue, green, violet, yellow, and orange bursts of light pop and dance around. It's so pretty to see all the colors moving around, going on and off. Until they suddenly halt. When they restart moving, all colors come together in a single ball of pure, radiant, and pulsing white light.
Even though you don't technically have a body, half of you feel inside a pool, the water at the perfect temperature, and the other half like it's kissed by a mild sun. A familiar aroma reaches your nose. Could that be coffee and toast? Your body relaxes even further when you hear your father's favorite song playing in the distance.
The light is pulsing at an increasing rate like it's about to burst, but somehow you know it won't hurt you if it does. As the last chords of the song sound, the ball explodes, and six human shapes in the colors that had previously formed it, stand before you. The red one is a little bit brighter than the others.
The blue form strolls towards you and grabs your hand. "The time is nigh, my dear." "Time for what?" Despite not being able to notice its features, you can feel the sad smile that it gives you. "The time to grieve, the time to fight, and the time for you and I to be reunited once and for all." Her voice sounds like yours, and you can't help but ask, "Who are you?" A slight twinkle shines from the area where her eyes should be. "We'll talk about that later. Now, wake up!"
The next thing you know, your eyes are fully open, your brain alert and rested without a trace of the usual morning fog. You sit on the bed, trying to make sense of the dream, but it slips through your fingers before you can fully grasp it, like sand.
A gentle knocking on the door pulls you out of your head. "Yes?" A soft voice calls. "Lieutenant, you're needed in Basement 8, at zero nine hundred." You shake your head, "Fucking Brandt," You mumble. "I´ll be there, thank you, officer!" You were successfully sneaking your way out of the propaganda films set by Senator Brandt. Maybe Steve has to do it, and Bucky may enjoy being in those awful, sappy movies, but you don't! Unfortunately, last week Phillips gave you an ultimatum, he dislikes those things as much as you do, but he likes even less to have to deal with Brandt.
That's why two hours later you set foot on Basement 8, sulking. "Cheer up Victoria! It's not that bad'' Peggy tries to comfort you when she sees the look on your face. "I don't know why I have to do this." She smiles, "Because you're part of the team" You give her a suspicious look "And why don't YOU have to do it?" Her smile doesn't falter "Because I'm NOT part of the team and besides, I'm British". When you're about to retort, a tall middle-aged man walks into the room, followed by a large entourage. "Well, look who we have here, America's bride"
You roll your eyes at Peggy and turn to see Senator Brandt with your biggest false smile. You may hate this man, but his war bonds are funding the entire operation, as today he calls the shots. "Senator, it is always a pleasure to meet you" You extend your hand for him to shake it, but instead he grabs it, leans down, and plasters an unnecessary wet kiss on the back of it. "Miss Davidson, the pleasure, as usual, is always mine" He straightens up but doesn't let go of your hand. "Lieutenant" You retrieve your hand from him.
"Oh, yes, yes, of course. Please excuse this old man" Nothing would give you more pleasure at this moment than to adjust the knot of the hideous tie he wears until his head turns blue. He thinks all women should look pretty and stay silent, patronizing prick. "I'll leave you with the crew, they'll tell you what to do"
A swarm of people gathers around you and escorts you to a dressing room, where for over an hour they dress you, do your hair and make up and fix you up for the cameras.
A wolf whistle sounds when you enter the plateau, you glare around to find the culprit, Bucky is trying to stifle a laugh and failing miserably. "And who are you supposed to be? Lady Liberty?" You roll your eyes with annoyance "I don't know, they keep talking about America's Bride, but damn if I know what that means. This dress is itchy and the shoes are too tall, I can't run with these'' Bucky is red from holding his laughter so much and you point a stern finger at him "James Buchanan Barnes if you so much as giggle I'll show every girl in this place your baby picture, the one with the mustache" He freezes "You wouldn't dare!" You give him a devilish smile "Try me, and see what happens"
"Miss Davidson, come here please you go first" The director calls you "Please step on the mark on the floor" You do as he says "Great, lights!" A blinding spot shines on your eyes and you try to use your hand to cover "Please miss, stand still to get you in frame" This guy is getting on your nerves "Perfect, now a guy will grab you from behind and you have to shout 'And now who will help me?' Then Captain Rogers will come in and rescue you"
"What?" The director rolls his eyes annoyed "Miss, this is simple, the guy grabs you, you yell and he saves you, easy peasy, now roll!" Without giving you a moment to process the stupidity of what you just said, a guy grabs your right arm and hooks his other arm around your neck. Instinctively you dig the heel of your shoe into his foot, grabbing the arm that holds you by the neck as you duck under him and jab your elbow into his stomach. Within seconds the guy is lying on the floor trying to decide if his ribs or foot hurt more.
"Are you crazy, Miss? What did you do?" The director yells horrified. You adjust your hair, straighten yourself up, and walk up to him glaring "Look, pal," your voice is filled with contempt "I'm no miss, I'm a United States Army Lieutenant and you will address me as such. You don't have a single clue about what I do, I don't need to be saved, I can save myself" Everybody is silent, and most of the crew is trying not to look you in the eye. On the back, you can see Bucky smiling proudly, as you're about to speak again "Lieutenant I see you're making acquaintances." Phillips's voice resounds in the room "What seems to be the problem?" He has a serious look on his face but on the sides of his mouth, there's a hint of a smile.
"Sir, I refuse to be the poster child for this mockery. It's an insult to everything we do on the field" Next to Phillips is Brandt with an ill-concealed sneer. "Miss Davidson, I'm sure you can understand the importance of our founding work." He's using the only leverage he has. "You don't want to disappoint everyone back home" The memory of your parents' faces on your last night at home rushes into your mind and a cold feeling clutches your heart. You breathe deep to control yourself, "Senator, with all due respect, why don't you take your fundraising and shove it..." "Enough! Senator, may I remind you that Davidson is an Army officer one more time?" The Senator has the dignity to blush "And Davidson, put on your uniform and report to Stark, he found the contact that has the coordinates of the next target. Hurry up and shut your mouth before you say something you'll regret."
Despite the harsh tone of voice, Phillips is helping you. You greet him and thank him with your eyes for the easy way out and quickly walk to the dresser with Bucky following behind.
"Are you ready to sunbathe on the beautiful beaches of Greece dear?" Stark greets you with a smile you roll your eyes at him "Do I look like someone who enjoys sunbathing Howard?" He lifts his hands in surrender "I'm sorry the whole movie fiasco got me all worked up, it's not your fault" He nods knowingly "I told Brandt that it wasn't a good idea, you don't have the right bone structure for films, you're no Marlene Dietrich" Howard gives you a cheeky smile and a wink and you can't help but laugh, which help you relax.
"So, Greece?" You ask "Yes, Greece. We have to contact Dimitri Papadoupolous, he has access to the facility and is willing to lend such access to us in exchange for a safe passage to Ally territory and a new life in the States"
"Sorry, did you say we?" His smile broadens "Yes, this mission requires finesse," he points to him, and then to you, "and stealth. So we'll travel undercover, meet the guy, blow up the facility, and get back in no time" You smell something fishy in all this "Howard, what are you not telling me?"
With a wicked grin, he starts walking back away from you "The best part is, we'll travel as newlyweds" He turns around and walks confidently to his lab while you stand there in shock "Oh, you cheeky ba..."