Her Chance With The Captain.

The fist made contact with bone shattering force, the sensation vibrating up her arm. She could feel her opponents jaw crack under the force of the hit, felt it shift and dislocate with the follow-through force behind the punch moving slightly with the direction of her fist. The sensation would have made her sick if she hadn't gotten used to it. Her other hand coming round grabbing a fist full of hair yanking. She heard the crack in from the spin ring in her ears as the head twisted nastily. Pulling the body back towards herself with an inhuman ease, brought her knee up to connect with the persons stomach. Heard the gasp, felt the body curl around the knee, smelt the blood and vomit, saw the horrified look of terror. But it was too late, the body slipped from her grasp, collapsing to the floor, they curled up jaw askew, tongue lolling out a strangled gargling sound emitting from their parted lips. She stared down at the scene at her feet, felt the eye bare into her back, heard the barked order, felt her heart sink as bile rose in the back of her throat, felt her sweaty palms grow cold as indecision gripped her. She knew to pull a blow would be worse for her later, would be worse for them now. They stared up at her, eyes wide - or as wide as a heavily bruised and swollen eyes could get- the panic, fear, and pleading all clear in those misting eyes. She felt her breath catch as she saw herself reflected back in those eyes. Saw herself as she was seen by them. Her determination stilled and hardened. She raised her foot and...

Leandra sat bolt upright, her breathing heavy, a thin sheet of sweat covered her body and made the sheets of her bed damp and uncomfortable. Her eyes darted around the room trying to calm herself and reorientation her racing mind. It didn't take long for her to place where she was and what she was doing. It had been very easy to tell she wasn't back in the barracks back home, that much was obvious, but it had taken a few more moments for her to recognise that she was somewhere safe. She was in her privet rooms at the camp. Once her mind had registered those facts Leandra found it far easier to settle her mind and calm her heavy breathing and racing heart. She pushed herself back up against the head board and rested her head back against the wall as she processed her dream. Well more correctly her memory. It wasn't one of her worst moments but it also wasn't one of her best. The recruit had spent the next three weeks in the hospital bay recovering. He went on to be one of their best Agents. An achievement for him, a failure for her. Even back in those early days she had been trying to find a way to rebel that wouldn't instantly result in death. She had never liked her job, her position in that world, what was asked and what was expected from her. There had been very few things good about that future. Most of what had been good came from those few people who where willing to take a risk. Had it not been for her brothers, her father and her grandfather, she was sure she would not have made it as long as she had. She would not have been able to hold onto that small little bit of herself which was still hers.  

Leandra sighed and throwing back the covers stood up stretching. Glancing at the clock it was too early to go and get Rogers just yet. So she does one of the very few good things about her old life and begins a morning excurse routine to help keep up her strength, health and mind. She found these kinds of stretches and excurses help ease her mind, give her something to focus on then her racing thoughts. An hour later, she showers, dresses in her formal uniform and heads across the training grounds to the main offices where Rogers was due to meet her. It was still early and a faint fog rolled across the camp. Steve was already stood awaiting at the office doors looking rather nervous. Even now he seemed so small so fragile, yet so determined. It burned in him brighter then anything else. Leandra felt her chest clench, half wishing her had no idea what came next, what life he was about to live. Some part wanted to protect him against everything, just like she had on seeing those fresh faced recruits, eager to please and do their part for what they thought would be a better world. Some barely older then she, so green, so fragile, so breakable.

Steve spotted her approach and nodded at her with a weak smile. 

"Agent Schafer, morning" 

Leandra raises an eyebrow and makes a show of checking her watch. Before looking up at him and noticing him shuffle a little awkwardly. 

"Couldn't sleep I take it?" She asked gently as she came to a stop next to him keeping enough distance so she wouldn't be looking down on him. He gave a small scoff. 

"That obvious huh?" 

Leandra shrugged. "The bags under the eyes where a bit of a dead give away" She said lightly. 

Steve frowned at her curious. "You really think so?" 

Steve looked surprised and self-consciously rubbed at his eyes. "Is it really that noticeable?"  

Leandra watched him a moment with a serious expression before a smile cracked across her lips. "No, sorry I lied, your fine"

He stared at her confused then noticing her smile realises she was teasing him chuckled, the nervous line of his shoulders relaxing slightly. "Oh very funny thank you" 

He said in a mocking annoyed tone. Leandra's smile widened. "Helped lose some of those nerves though, made you think of something else didn't it?" 

Steve considered this then gave a small laugh not quite able to meet her eye. "yeah, I guess" 

Her smile softened. Looking at him she was strongly reminded of her dream memory. The young lad then had been very much like Steve, just wanting to do the right thing, to help people, to make the world better. Difference was, Steve would do just that. Her recruit would be blinded by the lies, and the manipulation and become part of the problem. She sighed, as she watched him shift nervously, fear, worry, expectation all weighing down on him. 

"You know" She begin "It's okay to be nervous, I know Erskine is, for you more then anything"

He had sat with her a while before returning home the night before after speaking with Steve, just needing someone to talk to about his fears for the procedure. 

Steve looked at her a slight frown knotting his brows. "Really? why for me?" 

Leandra nodded. "Really, and because he likes you, he talks very highly of you, I think more then anything, he hopes for your sake this works. He knows what it means to you to be able to do this" 

Steve let out a small sighing laugh. "Yeah, well I hope his faith in me is, is worth it" 

Leandra surveyed him a moment, over the past week Leandra had been witness to what it was that Erskine had seen, to what made Steve, Steve. The real man behind the legend. She understood, why now, that who Steve was had been so important. He was a good man. Not a good solider. She felt a smile tug at the corner of her lips. She sees why Peggy had fallen for him. Because she was doing it herself. Very softly she responded to him. 

"I know it was" Steve eyes darted to her, his eyes searching her face, surprised, as he opened his mouth to speak, their car arrived and the moment was lost. 

The ride to the secret lab installation was a done for the most part in awkward silence. The pair not really sure what to say, until they made it into the city and areas that they found familiar. Leandra and Steve had spent much of the time staring out their respected windows, watching as the scene turned from sweeping fields and general country side into small clusters of buildings, to tall apartment buildings and stores. Leandra had been lost in her thoughts planning through carefully the events that where to follow, setting out a plan, a route of attack, the exact moment to act in head. She had to give the Squadron one thing, they had the biggest archive of retrieved and resorted shield data and records, as well as first and hand second hand data that filled in a lot of the blanks. Leandra had taken to reading and learning as much as she could in her down time for something to do, that would not draw the ire of her mother.

"I know this neighbourhood" Steve said suddenly out the blue making Leandra look round at him in surprise, glad that he was still looking out the window and didn't see her check that her heart was still beating. He pointed out the window. 

"I got beat up in that Alley" Leandra's eyes followed his finger and saw the Alley in question. It was a dingy side road. She could almost imagine Steve trying to take on someone almost twice his size on mere principle. It didn't change however the sudden tight feeling she got in her chest at the idea of someone hurting Steve as he tried to do the right thing and stand up for someone for some reason or other. The idea of someone punching him makes her stomach twist. The feeling only got worse as he continued. 

"And that parking lot, and behind that dinner" His voice trailed off as he looked down at his cap which twisted nervously in his hands. Leandra surveyed him a moment. Small, fragile but he had this fiery determination and strong sense of right and wrong, that was endearing and charming and damn why had no one taken the time to stop and see it before? It made her heart ache to think that if some girl had actually taken five seconds to notice him, to sit and talk to him no matter how painfully shy he was, they would have fallen for him sooner or later. Damn, Peggy didn't stand a chance, and, well damn neither did she. 

Leandra sighed and trying to cut some of the tension that his admission had created Leandra asked "Did you have something against walking away? or running away? which ever would have been appropriate at the time?" 

"Walking away, running away, its all the same to them, once they get you started they will never let you stop" He shrugged lightly. "All you can do is stand up, push back, they can't say no forever right?" 

Leandra nodded, considering this a moment, remembering back home. How she had pushed and pushed and fought, and screamed and shouted, how they had tried to break her, and instead of making her bend to their well she had gotten smart about it, learned a way round their demands. Even here in the lab helping Erskine, the other researched had their reservations about her purely because she was a female. They had doubted her, questioned her and undermined her all the way along, but she had pushed back and worked harder, and talked louder to be heard. 

It wasn't quite the same, but she understood how it felt to be labelled something and for people to see nothing beyond that. Leandra sighed a little. 

"I suppose I know a little of what that's like. Having to fight to be heard" 

Steve looked at her his eyebrows a little raised at their shared understanding, then a little nervously said "I guess I just don't know why you'd want to join the army if you were a beautiful dame" 

Leandra's heart leapt as she felt a blush rise in her cheeks. Did he just call her beautiful? Just as she processed this, Steve seemed to realise just what he had said, and started to trip over his words as he tried to correct his statement, to explain it. 

"Or a, a Women, An agent, Not a dame! I mean you are beautiful, but" Leandra watched him grow increasing flustered, and was unable to stop the smile that tugged at the corner of her mouth, she gave a small chuckled that caught his attention his eyes darting to meet hers, and found her smiling brightly, if not possibly a little playfully at him. Leandra watched as his cheeks coloured. 

"You don't get to compliment women often do you?" Leandra asked, already knowing the answer. But it felt nice to just talk to him about something, anything. 

Steve dropped his gaze his eyes going to his hands again, as he gave that half smile again, raising an eyebrow. "I think this is the longest conversation I've had with one, let alone complimenting one!"

Leandra smiled weakly, it showed, but it was, well it was cute. Almost adorable. Leandra rolled her eyes at the thought, this man was almost five years older then her and she considered him adorable. 

"Women aren't exactly lining up to dance with a guy they may step on" Steven's words broke into her chain of thought and caught her off guard with how solemn they sounded, and the sadness that edged his tone made her heart skip and ache. She fought the urge to reach out and take his hand. To tell him it was alright, that it would get better. But she had to remember where she was, and the role she was playing. She wasn't completely sure how he would take it. 

"You must have danced?" Leandra asked casually clearing her throat of the lump that had formed, trying to keep the conversation up, not wanting to end on such a note. If she really thought about it this was the longest non-work related conversation she had with a man that wasn't related to her, Erskine or Howard. It was for very different reasons but the result was the same. 

"Well asking a women to dance always seemed so terrifying and the past few years, it just" He shrugged a single shoulder, as if to shrug the whole thought off. 

"Didn't seem to matter that much, I figured I'd wait" Leandra watched him a moment, curious, and admiring. A small smile turned up the corner of her mouth as she asked. 

"For what?" 

"The right partner" Leandra couldn't help the little leap her heart gave, and the clench in her throat. She wondered if Peggy had, had the same conversation back in her past. If Peggy's heart had given the same leap, if she realised she was in danger of falling for this man. If she knew then what he would come to mean to her. Just like he was very likely to come to mean to Leandra if she wasn't careful. Damn it, who was she kidding he already did. 

Leandra was saved from lingering on the thought much longer as they pulled up outside the lab's fronting. To the outside world it was just another shop in a row of unassuming everyday stores. It was dressed and functioned for the most part as an antique shop. They stepped out of the car onto the pavement, Steve looking round confused as he put his cap back into place. 

"What are we doing here?" He asked in innocent curiosity his eyes running over the shop fronts. Leandra moved toward the Antique shop. "Follow me" 

Steven fell into step beside her as she entered the small store. A bell above the door gave a light tinkle announcing their presence. A elderly lady entered from a back room and smiled at them sweetly. 

"Wonderful weather this morning isn't it?" She asked in a polite almost conversational way. Leandra responded in kind.

"Yes, but I always carry an umbrella" Leandra would never completely understand the need for such code phrases in places like this. The lab and all the staff had seen her before and the place was crawling with under cover agents, like the two gentlemen arguing outside, or the two across the road checking the newspaper. But she supposes security has to start somewhere, especially with how talented spies could get. Then she reminded herself of the Black Widow, Natasha, and realises, yes, yes phrases like this very most defiantly needed.

The elderly women smiled a little more brightly as she walked over to the counter and discreetly sounded the buzzer hidden underneath the counter, announcing their arrival. Leandra give the women a polite nod and started to head to the back, Steve following beside her a little confused. He took everything in with a nervous curiosity as they came to a stop in front of what would appear to be nothing more then a large bookcase, filled with old and sometimes very battered books. Leandra felt Steven shift nervously next to her, as a metallic click sounded and a second later the bookcase split down the middle and swung open, revealing a sec of double doors, which where swung inwards opening onto a long straight corridor beyond.

Leandra smirked slightly, as she caught Steven's jaw going a little slack in surprise. Then taking a breath bracing herself for what came next not just for him, but for her also. She stepped forward and lead the way down the corridor, past the curious personal that lined the corridor, towards the set of double doors at the other end. The walk seemed to take forever, dragging on unnecessarily. Leandra threw him a side ways look as they walked side by side, his expression was a generous mix of confusion, surprise, curiosity and nerves. Leandra battled with the urge to reach over and put a comforting, steadying hand on his shoulder like her brother had been used to doing for her, instead she balled her hands onto fists and walked through the double doors to the lab that where pushed open for them. 

They stepped out onto a small landing that over looked the main lab area. Everyone seemed to stop to turn and look at them. Steven started down with a increasing uneasiness, She watched him a moment letting him take it in, when he looked at her, she gave him a small reassuring smile, then turned and lead the way down into the lab floor. Erskine who had been speaking to two of his assistance quickly turned to greet them. She had been right, Erskine was nervous, and clearly had, had trouble sleeping himself. She could see it in his eyes. Working with him for as long as she did, she had grown used to seeing that look. 

He gave them a slight smile greeting them, taking Steven's hand and shaking it. "Good morning" 

Steve gave a nervous jerk of his head that passed as a nod, as he returned the hand shake. Leandra watched this little exchange and gave a small smile, it was painful to think before this friendship would be severed in mere moments if she did not step in. She was jerked from her thoughts by the flash of a camera bulb, which had her blinking blindly, incredibly thankful for the tinted glasses Erskine had given her to protect her eyes, or she would be seeing stars for hours, the flash had been that close and that bright. Erskine turned quickly and politely snapped. 

"Please not now" 

He quickly placed a hand on Leandra's shoulder, his voice soft with concern. "You alright?" 

Leandra nodded blinking rapidly to clear the starts. "I will be, don't worry lets continue" She muttered as she pushed up her glasses to pinch at the bridge of her nose as she squeezed her eyes shut in an attempt to clear her vision sooner. She heard Erskine shift awkwardly a moment, before clearly turning back to Steven directing him to remove the appropriate articles of clothing, ready for him to step into the pod. 

By the time Steven had removed what was required Leandra's sight had settled and when she opened her eyes again, she found Erskine holding out a lab coat to her, which she quickly took replacing her uniform jacket with the coat, handing the jacket to another assistant, she joined Erskine as he lead Steve over to the pod and helped him up into it. He was so short he needed a step to be able to get in. Erskine got Steve to lay back as Leandra moved to a nearby control next to were Howard was doing last minute checks. 

Howard had been an interesting on to get to know, she knew about his reputation as a young man for women, and money, and later as a rather, well cold hearted businessmen. But she had enjoyed finding out that there had been so much more to it. His passion for what he did, and his want to learn and expand and to better the life of others was really something to admire. He even had a sense of humour that you couldn't help but love. The pair had quickly got along when Leandra had shown a fast wit and ability with engineering that worked well with him.

As she stepped up beside him he threw her a look and a wink before turning back to his work. She just smiled and turned to her own station as she heard Erskine ask.

"Comfortable?"

Leandra looked over her shoulder and saw Erskine standing beside the pod staring down at Steven as he shuffled round trying to get comfortable.

"It's a little big" The pair share a chuckle before Steven askes;

"You save me any of that Schapps?" Erskine gave a slightly embarrassed tilt of his head, which made a smile break across her face to the point she had to turn her head to hide it, already knowing the answer. She had Erskine had both stayed up a little later then planned nervous for different reasons drinking a little more then possibly needed before Erskine returned home for the night and she her bunk. It probably didn't help that Leandra had not been of legal age when she arrived and had never drunk before and was unaware that people had limits. That being said she was yet to find hers.

Erskine gave a slight shrug. "Not as much as I should have, sorry. Next time" 

This tugged at Leandra and brought tears to her eyes, not only because she realised that later, would never come, but because over the last few years Erskine had come to mean a great deal to her, the thought that today was meant to be his last day was gut wrenching. She couldn't care the thought of losing him not just for Steven's sake anymore, but for her own as well. She would openly admit, she needed Erskine. Needed his guidance, and friendship and understanding. The calming force that was his reasoning. She gritted her teeth as her determination solidified into pure steel. She would not lose him even if it meant she would have to die trying. 

Leandra was brought to the task at hand when Erskine asked clearly; "Mr Stark how are your levels!" 

"Levels at 100%" Stark answers confidently as he steps up beside Erskine "Good"

Howard ran his eyes over Steve giving him the once over. "We may dim half the lights in Brooklyn, but we are ready as we'll ever be"

Howard and Erskine share a look then move over to the controls to do final checks leaving Steve on his own a moment. Leandra stood hesitating a moment until her need to know he was okay got the better of her and she stepped up beside him. He turned his head and gave her a nervous sort of half grin that made her heart melt and do funny things, she returned the smile with a comforting on of her own. Then unable to hold his gaze looked away taking in the pod, it was intimidating to her, what Steve must be feeling she had no clue. Her resolve broke when her eyes feel on his hands that he held at his sides. They where currently balled into fists, knuckles white with the effort. Leandra reached out and gently placed her hand over his, he flinched a moment and her eyes darted to meet his. He had been watching her expression the whole time.

There eyes meeting, Steve relaxed his hand, turning it slightly so that Leandra could slip her fingers into his hold, giving his hand a gentle reassuring squeeze. "You can do this, you will be fine, I have faith in you" 

She offered gently, her voice barely above a whisper so that only Steve could properly hear her. He looked up at her a small frown creasing his brows a moment, before a reassured smile touched his lips as she returned the gentle presser on her fingers.

"Thanks" He muttered in his own gentle tone. Leandra nodded gently brushing her thumb over the back of his hand, sensing he needed the comfort. Back home she wouldn't have been allowed to give gentle encouragement, no, it was the do or die method, there was no room for anything else. She had tried to be as gentle as she could be within the limits of what she was allowed. But here it felt rather nice to be able to express it properly.  Just then Erskine touched her gently on the shoulder, she looked round at him, his expression serious, but warm. "It's time" 

Leandra turned her face back to Steve gave him one last soft smile and squeeze of the hand then pulled away, turning her back on him so he could not see the fear on her face, as she returned to her station beside Howard.

Howard leaned over and not quite looking at her whispered. "Don't worry doll he will be alright" 

Leandra threw him annoyed look, then stuck her tongue out at him. He just let out a small chuckle. If Erskine reminded her of her grandfather, Howard reminded her of her twin, Viktor. Leandra quickly turned back to her controls and monitored the power levels as Erskine addressed those in the booth watching from above, as Erskine finished his speech he stepped up beside Steve once more, she could hear the pair talk as she took the pair of extra protective goggles Howard held out for her. Leandra quickly slipped the goggles on over her own protective glasses as she heard Steve said is a small nervous voice. 
"That wasn't so bad" 

"That was penicillin" Erskine said in a rather awkward tone, as Leandra threw a glance at the pair. the insecurity was starting to show on Erskine's face as he turned to a nearby nurse and technician. 

"Serum infusion beginning in five, four...three..two..one" 

There was a metal thunk as the switch was flipped and a liquid hissing as the serum was injected into Steve's muscles. Steve gritted his teeth a small grunt leaving him. Erskine turned to Howard. "Now Mr Stark" 

Stark nodded then throwing a look at Leandra, tapping her shoulder directing her to the switches he wanted her on. Leandra quickly moved to them awaiting his nod. Howard positioned himself at the pressure realise and nodded Leandra hit the switches, flipping them down carefully in order as needed. The Pod began to lift and straighten as the side doors and hood started to slide together gliding into place around Steve, coming together with a final thud. A technician connected the final valve and Erskine stepped up to the small observation window on the pod, giving it a quick rap with this knuckles. 

"Steven? Can you hear me?" 

Steve's voice came from within the pod muffled and a little nervous sounding, but humours as ever. "It's probably too late to go to the bathroom right?" 

Both Howard and Leandra shared a look and a smile as Howard said in a low laughing tone. "At least the Kid has a sense of humour" 

Leandra had to stick her fist in her mouth to stop herself from giggling too much. Nerves seeming to make her a giggling mess. It was a strange new sensation, knowing it was safe to have such a reaction here. Reminding herself it was meant to be serious she quickly refocused herself. Erskine had turned and informed Howard. 

"We will proceed" 

Howard his expression becoming serious once more began to turn the voltage dial and moving back to the flow realise started to turn it, announcing the percentage as it slowly began to build. A blinding bright light began to fill the pod, growing stronger by the second. Leandra had to throw her hand up to shield her eyes, even with the double layered glasses and the protective goggles the light had been too bright for her eyes and she was momentarily blinded by it. As the power began to press into the 70% regain Steve began to scream in agony as his body was being pulled and stretched and enhanced in a matter of seconds, Leandra shot forward slamming into the protective railing that surrounded the pod, grabbing hold of it anchoring herself into place before she had even realised she moved. Torn between letting what she knew must happen, and stopping it, wanting to spare Steve this excruciating pain. She knew he would be fine, knew he would survive but that didn't stop her heart aching at the sound leaving the pod. Erskine dove forward peering into the pod, knocking urgently on the observation windows glass. 
" Steven!? Steven!?" He pounded his fist on the hull of the pod. 

"Steven!!" When he did not get a response he turned barking at the nearest technician. 

"Kill the reactor! Mr Stark! Turn it off Kill it! Kill it" 

"No!" Steve's voice rang out through the pain. "Don't I can do this!"

Howard hesitated but then continued until he reached 100% . There was a moment where everyone held their breath, the only thing that could be heard was the whir and hum of the machine, a few sparks flew from the machines parts before it cut out completely and shut down. The Pod went dark and began to lower it's self. Once down the sections split apart, opening with a hiss, mist pulling out from between the opening sides until they completely parted sliding back to reveal a several foot taller, broader and far more muscular Steven Rogers. Leandra's heart jumped right into her throat and refused to shift as she and Howard rushed forward with Erskine to help Steve down. Erskine gently guided Steve forward. 

"Steven. Steven?" Howard moved forward taking Steve's other side as they helped him from the pod. Leandra quickly took the shirt from the waiting nurse and moved beside Erskine. Steve breathlessly muttered. "I did it" 

Erskine caught between wonder and excitement said "Yeah, Yeah I think we did" 

Howard sounding rather dumbstruck stared at Erskine in wonder. "You actually did it" 

Leandra shook her head, not caring about that just then, moved in front of Steven completely now staring up at him. "How do you feel?" 

For all their marvelling over what they had just achieved, rather rightly so of course, they had forgotten to ask Steven the most basic of questions. Steve started to straighten up slowly looking around a little confused taking a moment to adjust to the new reality.

"Taller" He finally answered simply. Well he certainly was that, Leandra couldn't help the relieved laugh that broke from her. Her eyes traitorously running over the bare well sculpted chest in front of her.

"Well you are that" She muttered to a bicep before quickly holding out the shirt to him, needing to remove the distraction of that view quickly. Leandra had  given Steve her full focus to the point she jumped when someone grabbed her arm. Her head whipped round body tensing, hands balling into fists until she spotted it was Erskine, her fists relaxed for the briefest of seconds until she realised he wasn't looking at her, but at someone just behind her shoulder. Her eyes followed his gaze, and she spotted him. A middle aged man, dressed in a grey suit, and a expression that gave him away easily. Her mind began to race, preparing her for what was to come next, as instinct took over and a familiar calm washed over her body. She ducked with everybody when the device in the booth exploded. Pulling Erskine towards and behind her. The pair rose together both making for the man as he grabbed the final vial of serum. Leandra saw the gun before Erskine, and quickly before either man could react, she spun, turning to face Erskine deliberately stepping in front of him, her hands going to his shoulders holding him in place as she shielded him with her own body. 

The shots sounded, 

One. 

Two. 

Her body jerked with each shot. It wasn't the first time she had been shot, and most certainly wasn't the first time she had been shot in the back. But that did not change the fact that it hurt, or make it hurt any less. Erskine instinctively grabbed her, a look of terrified horror on his face as he guided her carefully to the floor. 
"You stupid girl!" Erskine hissed. 

"Why?" His voice shook with shock and distress as he cradled her to him.  

"Because I promised" Leandra answered simply. Erskine frowned confused. "I promised I would change history" 

Leandra gave him a reassuring smile. 

"That doesn't mean you die saving me!" Erskine said with a pained anger, Leandra frowned she was about to say something but suddenly Steve was beside them. "What can I do?" 

The panic and worry plan in his voice. "Here help me, put pressure on the wound"

Erskine said urgently directing Steve's hand. 

"No!" Leandra said with panic realising they where wasting time. 

"No, go, go get him, he can't get away with the serum, please Steve stop him!" Leandra demanded nodding after the Hydra agent. Steve looked to Erskine unsure, but after a moments hesitation Erskine nodded. Steven quickly gave her shoulder a squeeze giving her a half smile. 

"I'll be right back just hang on!" Leandra nodded as Steve rose quickly and ran after the man. Being faster then the average man now, he quickly caught up. Once Steven was out of sight Leandra looked to Erskine as Howard rushed over to replace Steve. Reaching behind her to stem the flow of blood. Leandra looked to Erskine. 

"I need you to take the bullets out" She said in as level a tone as she could manage, knowing that she had to sound as calm and unpanicked as possible for Erskine's sake. Knowing from the pained look in his eyes he was expecting her to die. Erskine and Howard glanced at each other in worried confusion. 

"What?"  Howard finally managed, she looked between the pair, then focusing on Erskine she said carefully. 

"Remember the failed serum, it's side effects!" 

Erskine frowned a moment opening his mouth to question what she had just said, his emotions getting the better of him for a moment, then a light dawned behind the panic and fear, and understanding washed over his features. Between Erskine and Howard they where able to roll Leandra onto her side and dig out the bullets. She had to admit the older bullets hurt far more then one's she was used to. 
"Now" She said breathlessly. "We let my body do the rest" 

The room swam a moment then realising a mistake she grabbed Erskine's arm. "I may have miscalculated" 

Erskine's expression turned worried once more, as he started to check her wounds once more.

"No not that" She answered quickly. "Steve" 

She forced herself to focus past the painful fog clouding her mind. As people bustled around them and the Colonel barked orders, Leandra whispered a hushed explanation into Erskine's ear. Erskine frowned, his mind already working away, then quietly his said, as the nurses rushed over to help Leandra. 

"We will think of something, but now, you rest first, heal!" 

With that he relinquished her into the nurses care as they moved her to be seen she was very aware that it was her blood that now stained the front of Erskine's cloths. A fact she was sure would haunt him for a long time. Leandra felt a pang of guilt at the idea, but then again she realised she would rather he be haunted by such a thing then he be the one shot dead.