Her Chance With The Captain.

It would take two years for Erskine's super serum to be formulated correctly. In the mean time Leandra had been housed with Erskine, he had felt uncomfortable leaving her to live on her own, being so young and out of her own time he found it safer to keep her close by. Something he quickly took as the correct decision as, although she tried her best to keep her head down, and to work quietly unnoticed, this did not go according to plan. A fact that had irked her to no end. Despite what ever the squadron had made her in its attempts to improve upon her natural talents and instil their ideal traits, it had not removed her love for science, here she completely took after her father and her grandfather. This was helped by her being clever in her own right, although she would the first to freely admit that she was not the smarted person in the room when she worked beside Erskine and the other scientist on the serum. But her perspective was unique and her problem solving offered a otherwise unconsidered solution to the problems at hand. This way of thinking, although finding resolutions, also drew attention that she had been trying to avoid. At first she was watched with mere curiosity, a women in a science lab was unheard of, but one so young even more so. Leandra was laid under incredible scrutiny. Everything she did was reviewed and questioned all because she was a women. The comments, side ways looks and condescending manners she could ignore. She was not ignorant of how women where viewed during this time. She had learned enough about it in her historical education. But learning about it and living it where two very different things. 

It was due to this scrutiny not only from the fellow scientist but the Colonel and other army officials where Leandra started to slip up. Her unique view started to raise eyebrows, then it was her inhumanly quick reflexes, reacting far faster to situations, and mishaps faster then anyone else in the room, this had also unfortunately suggested at her increased speed, her sensitive eyes Erskine had taken care of by having a pair of glasses made for her that where tinted, only allowing a certain amount if light it that helped her immeasurably. Her far superior hearing was quickly became a problem however. She hadn't meant for this to be uncovered she had simply reacted before she had realised. She had been stood with Erskine on one side of the lab going over their latest results, and trying to work out the last few kinks before they started looking for possible candidates for the program when she overheard two of the other researchers whispering, what she had thought was near by, they where making what had become their usual comments questioning her methods, and where questioning her qualifications. These had become common gripes with some of the scientist, and where thankfully things she could easily ignore but when they had then started to state that Erskine must have had ulterior motives to having her about did Leandra snap, slamming her hand down on the table, she coursed Erskine to jump and the rest of the lab to stutter into silence as she said in a clear level voice, that should the two men have a real questions about her worth they should take them up with her, but they had no right to make such suggestions about Erskine because he had enough self awareness to have respect for her talent. It was only when she had turned round to face the scientist in question that she realised they had been on the other side of the room, she had felt her stomach sink at her very open mistake, but knew there was no turning back now. So she stated in a matter of fact tone, that should they wish to make such comments in future they would be better to do so outside with the door close and half way down the corridor that way they would be safe in the knowledge that they could not be over heard, but that it might be wise to whisper even then. With that said she had quickly turned back to her work, and as neither her or Erskine said anything further on the matter the rest of the lab also fell back into working. 

Despite the best efforts of both Leandra and Erskine to ignore such slips it had got back to Colonel Phillips, and when she had been called into a confidential meeting with him, she had Erskine had quickly fabricated a cover story. The basic of which was that she had been used as an example and a highly unstable serum had been used on her. Thankfully there had been no negative effects but had not had the full effect which they were seeking. By some insane miracle Phillips had believed the story. Thinking on it later Leandra realised he had no reason to believe they would lie, and as there wasn't anyone who could contradict their story, many of the scientist that had been saved with Erskine had chosen to go into hiding living normal lives, while the others had had stayed to help, had not worked within the same lab as Erskine, so far all they knew Leandra had been his assistant the whole time and what he said was plausible. 

Neither however had expected how this little story would back fire. They had imagined by stating that her abilities where due to serum failure they would pass her off and ignore her from there on out. That was not quite what had happened. No Phillips had decided to move her into the Strategic Scientific Research in her own right as an agent helping in the forefront of the project. Phillips had stated as she was best suited to know what failure could mean she would be best to be the liaison between recruits and the division. Leandra had tried to outright refuse but she had been ignored. When she had returned home that night she had locked herself in her room and proceeded to take her anger out anything and everything, for all intense and purposes trashing her room. When she had finally calmed down and managed to put her room in a relatively orderly state again she joined Erskine in the kitchen. 

He was sat at the little kitchen table, a steaming mug of tea sat on the table in front of him, and a second sat in front of the empty seat beside him awaiting her. Leandra sank heavily into this empty chair, her eyes red rimmed and puffy, hot angry tears still threatened to swell and cloud her vision as she took her tea and took a few warming sips. Erskine observed her in silence, working at his own tea as he gave her the time she needed to get her thoughts in order knowing that when she was ready to speak to him she would, and like always he would be ready to listen. Sometimes it would surprise Leandra just how much Erskine reminded her of her own grandfather, or more correctly her grandfather reminded her of Erskine as he technically came first. She had to laugh internally at that little correction of thought. Either way it worked out to be, it was definitely a comfort. 

Finally when she felt in control of her emotions Leandra said in a small, angry voice. "I messed up?" 

Erskine levelled a steady and calm stare at her. "What do you mean?" 

Leandra swallowed and wetting her dry lips, she took a steady breath. "Agent Carta is meant to be the one given this position. It's where she meets....She meets the man, she meets the man chosen for the programme and they, well they fallen in love, and it has a knock on effect. I know I could always actively try and push them in the right direction but how much more damage would I be doing if I did that?" 

For once Leandra was lost at what to do, when she had a clear opponent she knew how to beat the system, how to retain some small semblance of her humanity. How to fight silently from with in, but here, where every action acts like the flap of a butterflies wings, there where so many tiny factors that she could never calculate for or prepare for. 

Erskine considered this for a moment then asked simply "Is it really that important for you to make no impact?" 

Leandra nodded, and then as best she could explained Multiverse theory, or, she supposed would be reality but this point. Erskine, sat taking all this in. He got a distant look on his face that told her he was in deep thought problem solving. She had grown used to seeing it in the lab. Then finishing his tea he get his mug down on the table and not looking her in the eyes he stated. 

"You may have no choice but to continue to change history as you once knew it" 

This caught Leandra by complete surprise. Frowning she let out in a confused burst "What?" 

Erskine raised his eyes to hers. "You may have no choice but to continue to make changes" 

"But why?" Leandra asked not understanding. 

"Leandra, I am understanding you do not wish to change history because you are under the impression that you will return to your own time soon and you do not wish to effect your time. However, over the last two years we are no closer to finding you a way home, how long are you going to wait before you realise you may not ever be returning to your time?" 

Leandra felt like she had just had the air knocked from her lungs. She hadn't thought of that. She had been so wrapped up helping Erskine she had totally lost track of the outside world. Two years had passed without much to mark them except their progress on the serum. She had not really considered what might happen is they could not find her a way back. What was she to do then? Was she going to settle down into a life here in the 1940's, live how the rest of the world did? Her own life. Her own choices. Something twisted in her stomach. Her choice, her life. She could finally decide what she choose what she wanted to do. She could put the squadron to rest and walk away. Never looking back. Her heart jumped to her throat. She could be free. 

Her eyes met Erskine's again and there was a faint smile at the corner of his mouth as he watched her, the progression of her thoughts had played plainly across her face. "I think you may have just come up with a plan?" 

Gods he really did remind her of her grandfather Leandra, nodded slowly. "I think I may. I, I'm not sure" 

Erskine gave his own slow nod understanding the hesitation. "Well, if I where to advice you, the way I see it, there is no point in wasting your time keeping your head down waiting for something that may never happen. You are of course in a unique position, already knowing what happens, maybe, you can help change things for the better? You are, as I see it been given an amazing opportunity to put wrongs right, why not take it. It may not change your own past, but maybe it can help change your future?" 

Something jerked in the back of her mind, she can't change her past, but maybe, just maybe she can make sure it's no longer a possible future. A future without the squadron. Now that would be a truly bright future indeed. Leandra's mind started to race with all the possibilities. After a moment she had to rain in her thoughts, maybe she should start small and go from there, then looking to Erskine who was watching her with interest catching his eye she knew exactly where she was going to begin. She gave him a small smile. 

"I think your right, thank you" 

Erskine nodded a little more confidently. "You are welcome, I am always ready to assist where I can" He smiled softly. Leandra surveyed him a moment then curiosity got the better of her and she burst out with. "How can you take all of this so calmly?" 

Erskine gave a small chuckle and shrugged. "I see no point in panicking. I have no control over this situation, but I do have control how I react to it, and how I deal with it. So I learn what I can and make the best decision I can with the information I am given. It is all I can do" 

Leandra felt painful tears sting at her eyes, she felt for a moment that she had just been watching her grandfather again. His response had been so much like her grandfathers response to such things. She had to let out a shaky calming breath before she trusted her voice again, a sad smile tugging at the corner of her mouth. A teary chuckle left her.

"I think, you and my grandpa would have liked each other" She said without thinking. Erskine raised an eyebrow. 

"Well, if he had any part in raising you, I am sure I would" He said innocently. 

Leandra frowned confused, a worrying feeling twisting in her stomach. "What do you mean?" 

"I mean if he helped raise a young lady, who has been able to take being thrown back in time, settling in, and simply getting on with what must be done in her stride, showing a great intelligence, determination, and passion that outshines most, then well, he is a man I would like indeed" Leandra felt her cheeks burn at the compliment for both her and her grandfather, her sheepish smiling telling Erskine everything he needed to know. He chuckled. 

"If that is settled, we should have dinner and get a early night we are both needed early tomorrow morning" Erskine said moving from the subject and moving onwards. Leandra liked that about him ever the practical man, just getting on and getting the job done. Her smile turning a little brighter, she rose from her seat as he rose from his, nodding in agreement. 

"I'll get the washing done if you do dinner?" Leandra offered. 

"Deal!" Erskine said with a single nod of his head.  

***

When she had agreed to take an active role in changing the history of the world, Leandra had to admit surprise that some cosmic force had not stepped in to stop her. She was sure somewhere that was meant to be a thing. But it had yet to happen to her. Maybe, she hadn't just gone back into her own past, but into a universe where everything was meant to change, where this was how things where meant to happen. The What if? What if someone other then Peggy had been assigned that role? What if someone had been there to save Erskine? What if someone was there beside Steve who could keep up with him? It was a strange thought but one she did not spend much time thinking on it. Instead she became determined to do as much as she could with what ever time she had. 

That was how she found herself at Camp Lehigh, walking across the training grounds to meet the possible candidates for the super solider programme. Another solider walked beside her carrying a box of clip boards that had a questionnaire on it. This would serve as their personality test to see if mentally they where viable. She had spotted the line of recruits a good way back. She had easily spotted Rogers as he was the easily the shortest among the men, and painfully skinny. As she drew closer more and more details became obvious. The squadron programming in her started to scream its displeasure at seeing someone so unsuitable there on the training ground. She forced that part of her mind back for now. She wasn't here as a squad instructor. No she was here as Agent Schafer of the Strategic Scientific Reserve. Someone who had not had the same deadly training she had. Who would never imagine going through the things she did. So trying her best to forget that ingrained instinct she took the rest of Rogers appearance in. He was about the only one already standing ready, who wasn't in the middle of a conversation with the men next to him. His eyes where facing front and a set determination had set his young features. She had forgotten he was only about twenty five when he was given the serum. Only five years older then herself now. 

As she came into view of the men themselves her eyes ran across the line taking them all in. Her stomach dropping on seeing them. She was suddenly very glad it had been Steve that had been chosen. So many of those beside him reminded her of the men who had volunteered back home, she didn't have the greatest opinion of those back home and she definitely did not have the best opinion of these men. This did not bode well. She hadn't even spoken to them and already she didn't like them. She sighed, well maybe her instructor experience might actually come in useful after all. Putting her hands behind her back and clasping them in the small of her back as she walked to stand in front of the men. 

"Recruits, Attention" She easily projected her voice without much effort, allowing the men to hear her clearly without her having to raise her voice too much and strain it. The men snapped to attention. Good. This would make things easier, this way she would not have to battle too much within herself to keep herself controlled if they behaved and followed orders without question. A cold shiver ran down her back, noting the cold irony of that thought, she quickly changed her thoughts by announcing. 

"I am Agent Schafer. I supervise all operations for this division" She turned to the solider that had followed her and nodded at him, he nodded back and started to walk down the line handing out a clipboard and pencil. As this was happening one of the men pipped up with. 

"What's with the accent Queen Victoria?" Leandra's eyes snapped to the recruit in question, at the corner of her eyes she spotted Steve look down the line at him scowling him a little. The corner of Leandra's mouth quirked up for the shortest second. Steve clearly didn't have the highest opinion of the man either. She considered the mans comment, Queen Victoria? Accent? She frowned what accent? Then she realised, she grew up in Britain, she had a British accent. of course. It had never been mentioned before because all the scientist in the lab had come from all over the Allied forces and defecting Germen men. Her accent wasn't out of place in the lab. But here, here it was noticeable. She sighed, she was going to enjoy this, maybe a little too much, but enjoy it none the less. She moved back down the line to stand in front of him. He was tall, big, well built, and he might even be considered by some as handsome. She could see it as he continued on with his speech. 

"I thought I was signing up for the U.S Army!" 

Leandra keeping her face deadpan straight surveyed the man a moment. "What's your name Solider?" 

"Gilmore Hodge, your Majesty" 

Leandra bit the inside of her cheek stopping herself from cracking the mans nose right there and then. "Step forward Hodge, put your right foot forward" 

Hodge stepped forward throwing the man next to him a smug arrogant glance, then looking to Leandra with a cocky smile that make her want to knee him in the crotch. She really did not like the man and she hadn't known him five minutes, she sighed. This was going to make things tedious. She was also going to have to have complete self control here, if she let her annoyance get the better of her she was likely to do the man a serious damage. She was never considered super strong, but she was certainly stronger then the average person without trying. She had learned to pull punches from the beginning. She snapped her mind back to the there and then as Hodge had opened his mouth and was talking again. 

"Hmmm... we gonna wrassle? 'Cause I got a few moves I know you'll like?" Leandra fought the urge to roll her eyes, but when he had blown her a kiss something in her snapped. Her fist connected with his nose, then for good measure her hand shot downwards, grabbing his t-shirt front and pulled him back towards her she brought her knee up and slammed it into his stomach. Then she brought the heel of her shoe down onto the top of his foot. It was only when she heard Phillips walk up and call. 

"Agent Schafer" Did she stop, letting Hodge drop to the floor groaning curling up in pain. Phillips marched up beside her. Between the time she had accepted and her arrival at camp she had gone through basic training so Phillips was more then aware of what Leandra was capable of, or had allowed herself to seem capable of combat wise. This little display did not faze him in the slightest, if anything it taught the recruits that Leandra meant business and was not to be disrespected or messed with. He stopped beside her. "Colonel Phillips" 

Leandra said snapping to attention. Phillips gave her a nod that allowed her at ease, he surveyed Hodge a moment. "Heel to the foot? Really Agent?" 

Leandra had learned enough of the Colonel to know that this was a rhetorical question and simply chose to stay silent and to make sure not to smile to obviously. Just out the corner of her eyes she caught Steve watching her a smile on his face as his eyes moved back to watch Hodge roll about in pain. 

"Get your ass up out that dirt Solider and get back in line and stay silent until someone talks to you" Phillips snapped at the moaning Hodge, she scrambled up painfully and returning to the line tries to stand as straight as possible. While Phillips walked up and down the line talking to the recruits and explaining why they where there she moved over and stood next to Erskine. 

"He still moaning?" Leandra asked under her breath. 

Erskine snorted and threw her a sideways smile. "Of course" He whispered back. As Phillip walked this way and that, she watched Steve. Straight backed, head up, skinny chest out. Despite his short comings he was definitely determined she had to give him that, and he had an air about him that she just found....comforting somehow. That no matter what he faces, he will not let it stop him. Something about that warmed her, gave her hope. What ever it was, what ever it meant, Leandra was sure it would make the next week increasingly interesting.