A Double Date & Witnessed Fate
Steve adjusts his tie and nervously runs his hands to smooth down his ruffled hair. He should have known Bucky had set them up with a pair of dames for his last night stateside. A part of him is jealous about having to share Bucky with anyone else, but he pushes it aside to focus on how nervous he is about making a good impression on the rather annoyed looking blonde that stands to Bucky's latest gal's side.
Bucky had met Connie only a few weeks before he had shipped out to boot camp and they'd exchanged letters almost every day while he was gone. Steve liked her. Sure, she only had eyes for Bucky. But she never talked down to Steve like so many other girls Bucky had taken out. Although, if they did it in front of Bucky, he seemed to lose interest in them quickly. Chances were the blonde was another in a long line of coworkers of Connie's and Steve would never see her again after tonight. He wondered how often he'd see Connie herself with Bucky being shipped out. Probably only whenever Bucky wrote her and tucked an extra page for Steve in with hers to save on postage. That is, until Steve gets himself enlisted.
He spots the Uncle Sam poster, giving it a pensive stare. He knows he could be of use, if only they'd give him a chance. And there is something in his gut telling him that this time will be different. He steps up onto the small platform that triggers the spotlight and sighs at the truth of his reflection. To wrapped up in his own thoughts, he doesn't notice several pairs of eyes on him.
Leaning as casually as he can under the circumstances, Sam tries not to gape at the former version of Captain America in the flesh. He's been to the Smithsonian. He's heard the story dozens, if not hundreds of times. The night Steve Rogers tried his luck and was accepted into Project Rebirth. Sharon nudges Sam and he turns to see the same stunned expression on her face. They watch as Bucky walks up behind Steve and smacks him in the arm.
"Come on. You're kinda missing the point of a double date. We're taking the girls dancin'."
"You go ahead. I'll catch up with you," Steve says.
"Are we really seeing this?" Sam asks under his breath. Sharon just nods, eyes glued to the pair before them. They watch as the two argue and Sam marvels when he realizes he's nodding his head in agreement with Bucky over Steve's foolhardiness. Sharon glances at him and he clears his throat and looks away for a moment.
The pair part as Steve calls out, "Don't win the war till I get there," and Bucky offer him a salute before he walks off into the night with their dates and Steve turns and walks towards his future. Sam nudges Sharon again when he spots Dr. Erskine watching Steve.
"This is amazing," Sharon says, slightly breathless.
"But what does it mean?" Sam asks, "Everything seems to be happening just as before. What's the point?"
"We'll just have to let it play out for now," Sharon says with a sigh.
"And then?"
"Maintain the integrity of the time line."
"I was thinking more about how the hell we're getting home. History is great. Love history. One of my favorite subjects in High School. But Sharon, we can't stay here."
"I don't think we have much of a choice. The cube brought us here. It's the only thing that can bring us back."
"The cube. The one that is in Nazi Germany right now?"
"That's our one hope. And we know where it will be in a year's time."
"Your plans are as bad Steve's. You know that, right?"