A Love Through the Decades

June 23rd, 1943

As the week passed on, they continued to observe the men even though they already chose who was going to receive the procedure. “Come on ladies, I could go faster half asleep!” (Y/N) barked out as he watched them run the obstacle course yet again. He frowned a bit when Peggy joined him, standing a bit closer than normal. “You know, you would be a wonderful drill sergeant.” She said with a small smirk. (Y/N) simply scoffed at her. “I would rather be captured behind enemy lines than be a drill sergeant. That would tear up my throat.” She chuckled a bit as she crossed her arms, letting the silence stretch between them as they watched the cadets. “Are you nervous for tomorrow?” she said as her voice wavered slightly. He gave her a half smile and shook his head. “Nah. I think it’s going to go according to plans. Abraham is a smart man and an amazing scientist.” she let out a small sigh. “Yes I know but there’s always a margin for human error, what if Steve.. What if Rogers gets hurt? What if he dies?” She said as she watched him struggle to climb the ropes yet again but this time by himself as the others continued with the drills he gave them. (Y/N) leaned into her slightly, giving her some form of physical support. “I don’t trust people easily, Pegs, and you know that but I trust Abraham. He wouldn’t run this if he thought this would kill someone. He’s not like that. It’s why he left this morning to make sure everythin’ is in proper order and his calculations, along with Stark’s, are correct. Everythin’s gonna turn out just fine. I promise.” He said in a soft tone. She held his gaze for a moment before nodding. “Alright. We leave soon, so don't forget any of your things. We might not be back here afterwards.” she said before placing a hand on his arm briefly, making him give her a small smile as she went to leave, presumably to triple check she has everything. He took a deep breath before making his way over to Sergeant Duffy. He gave him a tight smile and a nod when he looked at him, acknowledging his approach. “Sergeant, I’ll be taking my leave. It was a pleasure to work alongside you again, even if it was just training recruits.” he said with a small smile, trying to come off as genuine. Duffy scoffed a bit before crossing his arms and directing his attention to the recruits. “Likewise Captain. You take care now.” (Y/N) gave his shoulder a small pat before he made his way to gather his belongings and prepare for their departure. As he was packing his stuff in his duffle bag, he paused and smiled a bit before turning around. “Steve, you okay?” Steve let out a small laugh and shook his head as he walked further into his room. “How do you do that?” He tilted his head a bit and turned his attention back to packing. “Do what Stevie? I do a lot of things.” He said as he carefully packed the leather pouch in between his clothes so it didn't break. “How do you know when I’m there? When I come up behind you I mean. You’ve been able to since you first came back from deployment.” (Y/N) let out a small laugh before he zipped up his bag and sat next to it. “Well, I’m not sure? It’s just like a feelin’ is all. Like you know when somethin’ is a bit off? It’s like that.” He gestured for him to sit with him. “How you feelin’ Stevie?” He shrugged a bit. “Got the jitters.. S’why I was with the others not long ago.” he said as he took a seat next to him. “Can I ask you a question?” He said softly but firmly as he looked down at his lap. (Y/N) nodded a bit, turning to face him a bit more, giving him his full attention. “Are you the reason that I even got accepted in the first place?” he asked softly, not wanting to look at him. (Y/N) sighed and shook his head. “No Stevie. I didn’t even bring you up until after I was shipped out. Abraham told me he met with a promising man when he was in New York and told me his last name was Rogers. I didn’t want to have any sway in his decisions but he told me he thought that you were a great candidate right off the bat. I only made my standing with you maybe a day after we started assessing everyone. Abraham thought you were the only clear choice after observin’ the first day. Even more so after that stunt you pulled with the dummy grenade.” He said with a small laugh as he nudged him, causing him to smile a bit. “And what do you think..? Do you think that I.. that I should’ve been chosen? There are at least twenty other guys who would be a better fit.” he said softly, fidgeting in his spot. (Y/N) thought for a moment. “You spoke with Abraham last night, right?” Steve nodded and (Y/N) smiled softly. “Thought so. Well, I’m sure he’s given you his answer on why he chose you. The serum amplifies everything in you. Good becomes great and bad becomes worse. All that. In my what..? Six odd years here, with all these guys, I very seldom find someone like you here Stevie. Someone like you, so genuinely good and selfless.. You’re the best we could ask for when it comes to this. You're a good man Steven, I wouldn’t lie about that. You're somethin’ special.” Steve finally looked up at him and gave him a small smile before it turned into a confused look. “Why didn’t you take the serum? You're one of the best people I know.” he said with a confused tone. (Y/N)’s smile dropped a bit before he averted his eyes, finding the floorboards very interesting. “Steve.. I wouldn’t have been the best option. Sure, I’m a good soldier. I could be considered a good friend but.. I’ve done a lot of stuff I’m not proud of but at the same time I hold no remorse for it because it’s what I had to do or couldn’t change. There’s still good in me but there’s bad too. I wouldn’t have felt right asking to volunteer for it and I don't think it would’ve been a good idea either. I don’t know what would change in me or take over if I did take the serum so I didn’t bring it up.. Didn’t want the bad to take over like that Johann man.. And I think it’s a better option to give you the chance to. If anyone, it's a good man like you that deserves it. Someone who hasn’t been tainted by the evils of war and still has a clear mind and heart in everythin’.” He said softly before looking up to see Steve’s slightly sad but understanding expression. “Come on, if we don't leave now we’ll miss our ride and I dunno about you but I sure as hell don't want Carter to snap her cap and bite our heads off for runnin’ late..” he said with a laugh and a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes as he got up. Steve followed obediently behind him after (Y/N) slung his bag on.

As they drove through Brooklyn the following day, (Y/N) watched Steve gaze out the window, still a bit nervous about the procedure. He smirked slightly when he saw the look Peggy was sending him. “I know this neighborhood.” Steve said softly as he looked from Peggy to back out the window as he pointed. “I got beat up in that alley. And that parking lot, and behind that diner.” (Y/N) let a small laugh out as he looked out the window as well. “Don't forget the both of us getting our asses handed to us in the street and then in front of that house right there and the next one.” (Y/N) said almost fondly, making Steve laugh and Peggy to look unamused. “Did you two have something against running away?” (Y/N) just shook his head along with Steve. “You start running and they’ll never let you stop. You stand up, push back. Can’t say no forever right?” Steve said, looking over to her. (Y/N) smiled and crossed his arms over his chest. “Well, that and neither of us really knew the words “stay down”. Did we?” Steve just shook his head with a small laugh. Peggy hummed slightly. “I know a little of what that's like. To have every door shut in your face.” Steve gave a small confused look as he looked from her to the window again. “I guess I just don't know why you’d wanna join the army if you were a beautiful dame.. Or a beau.. A woman.” Steve said, stumbling over his words as he back pedaled. (Y/N) turned back in his seat to look at them again with an amused look. “An agent.. Not a dame. You are beautiful but..” Steve said as he dug himself a deeper hole for himself. Peggy looked between the two of the boys before giving Steve a slightly amused look. “You have no idea how to talk to women.. Do you?” she asked in a soft tone with a small smile. Steve huffed slightly with a lopsided smile. “I think this is the longest conversation I've had with one. Women aren't exactly lining up to dance with a guy they might step on.” He said as he looked down at his lap. (Y/N) turned around in his seat, giving the two some privacy to talk as they drove. “Well you must have danced?” Peggy said with a soft look that matched her tone. Steve shook his head a bit. “Well, asking a woman to dance always seemed so terrifying. And the past few years, it just.. Didn't seem to matter that much. Figured I’d wait.” he said before looking back out the window. “For what?” Peggy asked with a slightly raised eyebrow. “The right partner.” he said in a quiet tone that caused her to look at him so softly it nearly melted (Y/N)’s heart as he watched in the rearview mirror. She looked away and back out her own window and (Y/N) took a deep breath. “How about after this, we all do something? Maybe grab some dinner? There’s a good diner around her we haven’t gotten our butt’s beat behind yet. Kinda wanted to tick it off my list.” he said with an amused tone that had Steve laughing softly and Peggy shaking her head. “How about we see how this goes first. We have no idea how long this will take and what Doctor Erskine has planned after the procedure.” She said, giving (Y/N) her best mother-like look. (Y/N) simply shrugged. “Well I’m sure he wouldn’t mind joining us afterwards when it’s a success then, huh?” Steve spoke up before she could get another word in. “I think it would be a swell idea. Maybe we should go?” Peggy just sighed and looked out her window again. “Fine.. I suppose that It wouldn’t be such a bad idea.” and just like that, (Y/N) knew that Peggy did indeed have a soft spot for Steve, even if she didn't want to admit it to anyone, especially herself.

When they pulled up to “Brooklyn Antiques” he let out an amused huff, forgetting for a moment that this was where they had set up shop. “This way.” Peggy said when they got out, (Y/N) put his hat on, making sure it would stay in place while Steve looked around in a bit of confusion. “What are we doin’ here?” (Y/N) patted him on his back for a moment before walking ahead into the store while Peggy walked with Steve. “Follow me.” she said as she pushed her way into the store, only to find (Y/N) leaning against the counter waiting for them. “Wonderful weather this morning isn't it?” The lady at the desk asked in a soft tone. Peggy gave her a small smile and nodded. “Yes, but I always carry an umbrella.” (Y/N) silently mimicked her as she talked, causing Peggy to send him a slight scowl and Steve to hold back the amused smile that tried to make itself onto his face. The lady reached under the counter and pressed the button, giving them a slight nod, prompting Peggy to lead them to the back room where they stopped at a bookshelf. Steve raised an eyebrow and (Y/N) just smirked at him before the bookcase split in half, opening up and revealing an entire hidden system of rooms behind the steel doors. Peggy walked with purpose as the boys trailed behind her, (Y/N) giving the MPs a small nod as they passed them as Steve took everything in. When the doors at the end of the hall opened up for them, Peggy stood at the top with Steve as he took everything in as (Y/N) went down to join Abraham and Howard briefly. A moment later they both trailed after him. As Steve greeted Abraham, someone took a picture of them as they shook hands. (Y/N) huffed as he gently pushed the camera away from them as Abraham spoke to him. “Please, not now.” The man holding the camera gave a bit of a disappointed look as he walked away. Abraham gave Steve a small smile. “You ready?” Steve took a deep breath and nodded. “He’s about as ready as he’ll ever be Doctor.” (Y/N) said with a small smile and he nodded. “Good. Please take off your shirt, your tie, and your hat.” He said before walking away. Steve gave a worried look to (Y/N) who tried his best to give him a comforting smile and nodded. Steve couldn't help but look back at Peggy a few times, almost nervously, as he proceeded to follow his instructions and give his items to a nurse as he removed them. “Senator Brandt, glad you could make it.” Colonel Phillips said as (Y/N) looked up and saw him meeting with the senator, above the chamber in the booth. “Why am I in Brooklyn?” Brandt demanded before Phillips shrugged. “We needed access to the city’s power grid. Of course if you’d given me the generators I requisitioned..” Brandt promptly cut him off. “A lot of people are asking for funds, Colonel.” Brandt looked over and gestured to one of his associates. “Oh, this is Clem..” He said as he fell through on the man's name. He offered Phillips his hand and nodded a bit as they shook hands. “Fred Clemson, State Department. If this project of yours comes through, we’d like to see it used for something other than headlines.” Before he could give a response, Brandt cut him off. “Jesus.. Somebody get that kid a sandwich.” He said in a condescending but slightly worried tone. Peggy stood to the side as (Y/N) helped Abraham and fussed over Steve slightly before Steve waved him off, causing (Y/N) to huff, standing next to Peggy. “Comfortable?” Abraham asked as Steve laid down on the chair. Steve looked over at him and attempted to give him a smile as he chuckled softly at the question. “It’s a little big.” he said, causing Abraham to chuckle as well. “You save me any of that schnapps?” Abraham tilted his head side to side for a moment and gave him a sorry look. “Not as much as I should have. Sorry. Next time.” Steve nodded a bit before Abraham called out. “Mr. Stark? How are your levels?” He said before looking over his stuff one more time. “Levels at 100%. We may dim half the lights in half of Brooklyn, but we are ready as we’ll ever be.” (Y/N) laughed a bit at his response. “It might end up being more than half of Brooklyn if I should voice my opinion.” Stark looked over at him and gave him a bright smile. “Captain. Didn’t think I’d see you again so soon, how are ya?.” (Y/N) shrugged and held out his hand, letting him shake it in greeting. “Stark. I’ve been better. How’s the car? Agent Carter has told me in great detail how much of a distraction it’s become.” Peggy stifled a laugh as Howard huffed and let go of his hand before walking over to the control panels. “She isn’t a distraction and it’s going well. I've made progress on her but I’ll admit I could use help configuring some things and rewiring other things. It’s a bit of a mess.” (Y/N) shook his head with a small smile as Peggy nudged him. “Well, some birdy told me you might accept my help on the matter? I might not be a genius but I’ve worked on cars in the past so it might be a bit of help?” Howard’s attention snapped up to him and (Y/N) could practically see the gears turning in his head. Before he could reply, Abraham spoke up. “Agent Carter, Captain (Y/N). Don’t you two think you’d be more comfortable in the booth?” Peggy got slightly flustered and nodded a bit. “Oh, yes of course. Sorry.” (Y/N) watched Steve as he watched Peggy walk away towards the stairs. “We’ll talk later, Stark.” Howard nodded a bit before he went back to his work. He gave Abraham a small nod before he followed Peggy, slightly amused when he saw her look back to meet Steve’s gaze. She gave him a kind smile before retreating up the stairs. She took her place next to (Y/N) as he joined her in the booth. He gave the other men around him a small glare, save for Phillips, as he scooted a bit closer to her. Abraham nodded to himself as he took a microphone and tapped it a few times, causing some feedback in the booth, startling them slightly. “Do you hear me? Is this on?” he said, gaining everyone's attention. “Ladies and gentlemen, today we take not another step towards annihilation, but the first step on the path to peace. We begin with a series of micro injections into the subject's major muscle groups. The serum infusion will cause immediate cellular change. And then to stimulate growth, the subject will be saturated with Vita-Rays.” He said as everyone watched Steve being prepped on the reclined pod. “That wasn’t so bad.” He heard Steve say with a bit of pain in his voice before Abraham spoke up again. “That was penicillin.” He gave him a small shrug and redirected his attention back to everyone else. “The serum infusion begins in five, four, three, two, one.” Abraham counted down before placing a comforting hand on Steve’s shoulder before he was injected with the six vials of the serum. He went rigid when he heard Steve’s pained gasp. He felt Peggy’s hand grasp his own and gently squeezed it, earning him a worried smile. “Now Mr. Stark.” Abraham said before Howard reached over to his side, pulling down a small lever that sent the pod to life, moving until it was upright, enclosing Steve inside. “Steven. Can you hear me?” Abraham said, knocking on the pod slightly before attempting to peer into it. (Y/N) let out a small amused huff when he heard Steve reply. “It’s probably too late to go to the bathroom, right?” Abraham nodded to himself before turning to Howard. “We will proceed.” signaling Howard as he started turning dials and flipping switches. “That’s ten percent.. Twenty percent.. Thirty.. That’s Forty percent.” he said, pausing on the wheel before one of the doctors called out, “Vitals signs are normal.” Howard nodded a bit before he continued to twist the wheel. “That’s fifty percent. Sixty. Seventy.” he said just before Steve let out a painful scream that had (Y/N) standing from his seat and making his way out of the booth as Abraham called out. “Steven?” The door banged open as (Y/N) exited the booth with Peggy in tow. “Shut it down, Stark!” (Y/N) called out to them. Abraham ignored him as he approached the pod, knocking on it as he called out again. “Steven!” Peggy gripped the rails as she leaned over them a bit as (Y/N) disregarded the MPs as he made his way down to the lab area. “Shut it down!” Peggy called out before Abraham started shouting orders. “Kill the reactor, Mr. Stark! Turn it off! Kill it! Kill the reactor!” Abraham shouted as Howard went to turn everything off but everyone was stopped by Steve yelling out to them. “No!! Don't! I can do this!” Abraham looked over at Howard but he was staring at (Y/N) who had just made his way onto the lab floor. (Y/N) hesitated for a moment but nodded his head at him which prompted him to go back to the wheel, increasing the Vita-Rays. “Eighty. Ninety, One Hundred percent!” Howard called out as the electrical humming noise increased before everything overloaded and the reactor shut itself down. Abraham turned back to Howard with a concerned look when everything went quiet. “Mr. Stark?” he questioned him before he turned his attention back to the pod as it hissed out, revealing a conscious, very sweaty and built Steve. (Y/N)’s breath caught in his throat when he caught sight of him as Abraham and Howard rushed forward to help him out of the pod, leaving (Y/N) standing there a bit dumb founded as he heard the excited chatter behind him as the others joined him on the lab floor. “I did it.” (Y/N) smiled softly at Steve’s tired words. “Yeah, yeah I think we did it.” Abraham said proudly, glancing from Steve to Howard and then over to (Y/N). “You actually did it.” Howard said a bit breathlessly as Peggy rushed over and in front of Steve. “How do you feel?” Peggy asked softly as Steve heaved slightly. “Taller.” he said as he looked around before Peggy stopped herself as he reached out, nearly touching Steve’s chest then snatching a shirt from a waiting nurse. “You certainly look taller.” She said as she unfolded the shirt for him, letting him put it on. (Y/N) looked down as he tried to hide his smile that started to make its way onto his face. As congratulations were exchanged (Y/N) looked around at the group, finally having a moment to survey the people he was surrounded with before his eyes fell onto a man who hung in the back. He saw him make eye contact with Abraham as he pulled out a lighter. (Y/N) tilted his head a bit before he started to make his way towards him, only to stop abruptly and cover himself as an explosion was set off in the booth, causing glass to shatter everywhere. Clemson then rushed over and grabbed the last vial of the serum. Abraham stood up and yelled out, “Stop him!” (Y/N) immediately went to pursue him before the man shot Abraham twice then ran up the stairs, shooting men as he went on his way to escape. Yan and Steve ran over to him as he collapsed onto the ground while Peggy pursued the man. Abraham looked up at the two of them as they kneeled over him. He gave (Y/N) a meaningful look, silently reminding him of the promise he had made him before he looked up at Steve, weakly pointing at his chest a few times before he went limp, closing his eyes. (Y/N) cursed under his breath before he stood up and started to follow behind Peggy. He was determined to avenge his death. Steve had a steely look to his eyes as he met (Y/N)’s before he stood up and joined him on their pursuit. They arrived outside just in time for Steve to tackle Peggy out of the way of the taxi heading straight for her as she stood her ground with her gun pointed at him. “I had him!” she yelled out at Steve who had already quickly recovered and was making his way after the taxi. “Sorry!” he yelled out at her as he ran after the speeding taxi. (Y/N) shook his head before he paused for a moment and looked Peggy over, fussing over her slightly. “Captain.. Captain Cohen.. (Y/N)!” he paused before looking up at her face, his hands pausing at her shoulders. “(Y/N) I’m okay, go after Rogers. I’ll provide back up. Go.” She finished softly, causing him to take a deep breath. He nodded slightly before he chased after Steve. That idiot would probably need help.

When he finally managed to catch up to him, he was heaving and nearly keeled over dead when he saw the taxi Steve was holding onto flip over and crash. He let out a breath of relief when he realized that he wasn’t hurt. He took his chance and started to make his way around the building, knowing the man only had one way of escaping from there. He inched his way from out behind the building in time to see him throw the kid into the water (Y/N) rushed over, just behind Steve as the man ran away. “Go get him! I can swim!” he heard the kid say as he stopped next to Steve. “Go, I’ll help the kid.” Steve gave him a brief nod as he ran after the man. (Y/N) heard a splash in the distance as he jumped into the water to help him out. “Get on my back kiddo. Let's go.” He said as he steadied himself enough for the boy to climb onto his back. It took only a few minutes for him to get out of the water and safely back into the arms of his waiting mother. He gave her a bashful smile as Peggy and several other military personnel arrived. “Where is he?” Peggy asked with a worried look when she didn't see him with (Y/N). He pointed towards where he thought Steve to be. She nodded a bit and started to make her way down towards him, only to find him sitting with the body of the Hydra agent and the broken vial of the serum. “Steven..?” she said softly, causing him to look up at her and slowly stood up. “I tried to stop him.. He uh.. I think he took a cyanide pill. False tooth.” She looked him over for any injuries and only found splotches of blood on his white shirt, the wounds already closed. “Did he say anything to you?” She asked as she looked down at the body with drying foam on his mouth. “He said he was the first of many.. “Cut off one head, two more shall take its place.” he’s part of Hydra.. Or was sent by them at the very least.” he said in a slightly angry tone. She sighed softly and placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. “Come.. we need to be debriefed, The MPs will handle the body.” she said softly, gaining his attention. He looked at her for a moment before nodding his head silently and started to make his way to the waiting cars with her following behind him.

(Y/N) sat in the small medical room and watched a bit angrily as the nurse drew the first five vials of blood from Steve. “You plannin’ on bleedin’ him dry or somethin’?” he said with an irritated tone to his words. Steve gave him a small smile. “It’s alright, I don't think they’re plannin’ on taking many more.” he said in a comforting tone as the nurse gave (Y/N) a slightly uncomfortable look under his heavy gaze. “Yeah yeah.. Sure Stevie.” He said before leaning back in his chair, chin resting in his hand as his elbow rested on the small table next to him. About seven vials of blood later, Steve himself was more than a bit annoyed. Even after getting some juice and cookies from (Y/N), even though he didn't need it. He hardly felt the fatigue from getting that much blood drawn. “Think you got enough?” He asked Peggy as he rolled down his sleeve, standing up. “Any hope of reproducing the program is locked in your genetic code.. But without Doctor Erskine. It would take years.” She admitted as Steve stopped in front of her. (Y/N) stood beside Steve, with his arms crossed, a bit upset that this was all Peggy could think about after Abraham died. A part of him was a bit glad that he kept his promise to Abraham to himself. “He deserved more than this.” Steve said as he looked down at the floor. Peggy gave him a soft smile as she looked up from the folder she was holding. “If it could only work once, he’d be proud it was you.” At that, Steve finally met her eyes. “I know damn well we’re both proud it was you Stevie.. And I know that Erskine would be as well. He had a lot of faith in you.” Steve nodded a bit as he looked through the window and down into the tech lab, hearing slightly muffled voices no one else could. “Colonel Phillips, my committee is demanding answers.” He scoffed a bit. “Great. Why don’t we start with how a German spy got a ride to my secret installation in your car?” he sent a small glare to Brandt before addressing Howard. “What have we got here?” Howard looked up at them when they approached. “Well, speaking modestly, I'm the best mechanical engineer in this country. But I don't know what’s inside this thing or how it works. We’re not even close to this technology.” He admitted as he glanced over the submarine once more. “Then who is?” Brandt asked with an annoyed tone. Without missing a beat, Phillips answered. “Hydra. I’m sure you’ve been reading our briefings.” He said with a small amused tone to his voice. “I’m on a number of committees, Colonel.” he said trying to excuse the fact that no, he had not read any of their briefings. (Y/N) scoffed as they walked up to them. “That is no excuse for not reading them, Senator. I’m sure your other committees demand quite a bit of attention from you, however this is more likely of greater importance at the moment.” he said with a bit of anger to his tone, causing Phillips to raise an eyebrow at him and Brandt to give him a hard glare that (Y/N) was happy to return. He was just a senator to him. Not his boss, not a higher up, and certainly not the president. He wasn’t required to show the self entitled man any crumb of respect. “Hydra is the Nazi deep-science division. It’s led by Johann Schmidt, but he has much bigger ambitions.” Peggy said, interrupting them and dissolving any tension (Y/N) had created. “Hydra is practically a cult. They worship Schmidt, they think he’s invincible.” Phillips said, gaining Brandts attention again. “So, what are you gonna do about it?” He simply turned from him as he started walking towards the three of them. “I spoke to the president this morning. As of today, the SSR is being re-tasked.” Peggy tilted her head slightly at him. “Colonel?” He gave her a small smirk. “We are taking the fight to Hydra. Pack your bags Agent Carter, you too Stark. We’re flying to London tonight.” Steve gave (Y/N) a small head tilt before looking back at Phillips. “Sir, if you’re going after Schmidt, I want in.” Phillips gave him a look of disdain. “You're an experiment. You’re going to Alamogordo.” Steve looked between (Y/N) and Phillips, noticing how angry (Y/N) was becoming. “The serum worked.” He said as he defended his reasoning on going. “I asked for an army and all I got was you. You are not enough.” He told Steve with his own annoyance that was barely hidden. “Sir, Steve is more than enough and I think it’s about time you’ve acknowledged that fact. Yes he is just one person however, he's worth more than ten of your men. Yes he is inexperienced in combat and war but he has so much drive and intelligence. He has the potential and I want him to go after Schmidt and I’m going with him to see it through, Sir.” He said as Phillips shook his head and turned his attention to him. “No. That is my final answer, unless you wanna be demoted and reprimanded! He’s going to Alamogordo and you're going back to the 107th. You’re not here to play sitter, you're here to fight in a war!” He said nearly yelling at (Y/N) who clenched his fists, trying to push down his anger as Phillips walked away from their small group. When Phillips was out of ear shot, Brandt spoke up. “With all due respect to the Colonel, I think we may be missing the point. I’ve seen you in action Steve. More importantly, the country’s seen it. Paper.” He said as his aide passed them the newspaper. The headline read, ‘Nazis in New York, Mystery men save child.’ It had Steve holding the taxi door as a shield and (Y/N) soaking wet in his uniform, holding the equally wet child as he got out of the water. (Y/N) shook his head a bit. “The enlistment lines have been around the block since your pictures hit the newsstands. You don't take a soldier, a symbol like that, and hide him in a lab. Son, do you want to serve your country on the most important battlefield of the war?” He said addressing Steve. Steve looked from (Y/N) and Peggy to Brandt. “Sir, that’s all I want.” he gave Steve a nod and a pat on the shoulder. “Then congratulations. You just got promoted.” he told Steve as he shook his hand, a small smile growing on Steve’s face.