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zep-writings · 4 months

Text

You Feel Like Home

CHAPTER SIX.

Warnings: Bad words, mention of war and military, sickness and trauma.

Pairings: Steve Rogers x OFC Ellie Barnes.

Notes: I do not own any of the characters present in this story, except for Ellie Barnes, an original character. This is pure fiction.

This has not been beta and English is not my first language so be nice haha.

Please give me some feedback, even just a small comment is really appreciated!

I've been working on this one for a while, so please let me know what you think!

You Feel Like Home Masterlist || Main Masterlist.

Chapter five

Three days went by, and Ellie never received any news from Steve. Peggy had promised to keep her updated if she got a signal from the transponder but so far they had absolutely nothing and Ellie was starting to lose hope. Little positivity she had left thanks to her talks with Peggy over the last few days was now gone and she just felt lost and alone. She kept herself busy with her work, tending to the wounded the best way she could, and filling paperwork when everyone was resting. Things were quiet at the camp so far until Ellie heard loud claps coming from outside the tent. She frowned and turned to another nurse who shrugged as a soldier walked in, out of breath.

“We need medics, we have wounded soldiers who need medical attention!” A soldier announced.

“We’re coming.” Ellie simply said, whipping her hands and following other nurses and medics outside.

There were hundreds of men standing near the entrance of the camp, men who had disappeared weeks ago and for a moment Ellie didn’t understand. As people were rushing around her, she went into nurse mode, talking to a few soldiers and directing them to help carry the wounded to the medical tents. Quickly, her instincts took over and she grabbed a bag of medical supplies. She administered pain killers to those who needed it and started to take care of the wounds of others.

For the next few hours, she did her best to do her job, to patch bullets wounds, fix broken bones or tend to sick soldiers but her mind couldn’t help but wonder about Steve or Bucky. Where were they? Did they make it back? She hadn’t seen any of them and a part of her was still scared that neither of them had made it back.

“Leah, can you keep an eye on everyone for a minute?” Ellie wondered, looking up at her friend who simply nodded.

Ellie finished up a bandage on a young man, barely in his twenties before she stood up and walked to the entrance of the tent. She gave a quick glance around, the most seriously injured soldiers had already been taking care of and she needed to check on the others, but she also needed to find Steve. She needed to ask him about Bucky, she knew there was a chance he would bring back bad news, but she had to know.

“Hi, have you seen Steve Rogers?” Ellie asked the first soldier she crossed path with outside the medical tent.

“He was with Colonel Phillips, near the entrance of the camp.” The soldier explained, pointing out at the big tent and Ellie nodded.

Ellie thanked him, looked around and made her way through the small crowd still reunited. Her heart fastened in her chest; concern visible on her soft features as she searched for the captain. When her eyes landed on his dirt covered face, she let out a loud sigh she didn’t know she was holding. He was there, alive.

“Steve…” Ellie muttered, and the super soldier turned to her, a smile spreading on his lips. “Steve, is he…” But she couldn’t finish her sentence, her throat tightened at the thought of Steve telling her Bucky was gone for good.

Instead of replying, Steve moved a step to the side to let Ellie’s eyes fell on her brother. Bucky was there, dirty and smelly but alive. Her hands flew to her mouth, and she let out a sob.

“Bucky…” Ellie sobbed as she rushed to him, and he pulled her into a hug. For a moment they stayed like that, hugging each other. “I… I thought I’d never see you again…” Ellie admitted, stepping away a little and whipping her tears, sniffling a little.

“You won’t get rid of me so easily. We Barneses are tough, remember?” Bucky smiled, pressing a kiss to her forehead. “But what are you doing here?” Bucky frowned, a little confused.

“I graduated early. I’m officially a nurse.” Ellie stated as she observed Bucky a little closer. He was pale and weak, there was no doubt in that, but what got her worried was the sound of his breathing. “You’re sick.”

“I’m fine, Ellie.”

“No. You’re not. You need some medical attention, Buck.” Ellie observed and glanced at Steve. “Tell him to stop being so stubborn.”

Steve raised both his hand. “Hey, he always listened to you more than me.” He smirked but gave Bucky a knowing look.

“Okay, okay. Fine.” Bucky finally said with a sigh. “But I’m telling you, I’m fine.”

Ellie gave him a look, the one that resemble so much of the one their mother used to give him all the time, that he didn’t argue more and followed her to her own personal tent. He dropped on the camp bed. He was exhausted, struggling a little to breathe, but he would never tell Ellie she was right. Steve stayed in the entrance of the tent, not wanting to invade Ellie’s privacy.

“Okay, take of your shirt.” Ellie told her brother who did as he was told. She tried not to pay attention to the multiple bruises on his chest and grabbed a stethoscope, pressing it against his chest. “Take a deep breathe.”

Bucky took a deep breath but starting coughing, wincing at the pain in his lung. Ellie placed the stethoscope around her neck and touch his neck and forehead. He was burning up.

“You’ve got pneumonia, Buck. I’ll go grab some medication, you laid down and get some rest.” Ellie ordered and before he could reply, she walked out of the tent, Steve hot on her tail.

“Is he gonna be okay? He was in a lab of some sort when I found him.” Steve explained to Ellie, his hands resting on his buckle.

“He’ll be fine, he just need rest, a lot of it. Even if he says he’s fine.” Ellie took a bag and put a few needles, penicillin and other medications in it before she turned to Steve, hesitating a moment. “Do… Do you know what they did to him?”

“No. Not really. He didn’t talk about it. They were put to work, that’s all I know.”

Ellie nodded and for a moment silence set between them. Ellie’s mind went back to that kiss, the one she had initiated when she thought she would never see him again, and now that he was back, she felt awkward. And so did Steve. He didn’t have much time to think about what had happened between them before the plane ride and yet now that he was right in front of her, he couldn’t think about anything else than kissing her again.

“We should…” Ellie pointed at her tent.

“Right, yeah.” Steve nodded.

The captain followed her back to her tent where Bucky was now laying down on the bed, half asleep, his mind racing through what had happened to him over the last few weeks. However, as soon as Ellie passed the doors of the tent, he put a smile on his face. The smile was a fake one and both Steve and Ellie noticed as they exchanged a glance.

“I’ve got some penicillin and some antibiotics. That should help you.” Ellie said softly, sitting on the side on the bed.

“You know how much I hate needles.” Bucky pouted like a five-year-old boy.

“I know, but it’ll make you feel better, I promise.” Ellie explained, stroking his arm.

“Fine, make it quick.”

Ellie pulled a needle out of the bag, sterilized it and as gently as possible she administered Bucky with what he needed. She bent down and pressed a kiss to his forehead.

“Get some rest.” Ellie whispered.

It didn’t take long for Bucky to fall asleep, and Ellie stared at him for a few minutes, he looked so small… She stood up and walked to Steve who was unusually quiet.

“Thanks for saving him…” Ellie looked up at the captain and Steve simply smiled softly. “And for coming back.”

“I told you I would.”

“I know but I thought…” Ellie went quiet for a second and shook her head. “It doesn’t matter. You’re both safe.”

Steve nodded and pulled her into his chest. She snuggled against him for a moment, silence settling between the two. Things were a little awkward between them and for a moment Ellie was worried she had messed up everything between them. Why did she have to kiss him? Why couldn’t she just act like she always did with him? She finally pulled away and glanced at her brother.

“Just keep an eye on him, will you? I have to go back to the medic tent.” Ellie asked Steve.

“Of course.” Steve said, a soft smile on his lips and he watch Ellie walked out.

****

Weeks passed by quickly after Steve saved all those soldiers and he had brought Bucky back. Bucky had recovered from the pneumonia he had caught in Azzano and to Ellie’s surprise he had recovering faster than she expected. In barely two weeks, he had almost fully healed but Ellie still insisted on him resting, which he refused to do.

For the most part of that time, Steve had been busy with Peggy, some of the officers he had rescued and Colonel Phillips planning operations. From the little Ellie knew, he was now part of the fighting team going against Hydra, the Nazi Scientist Division and even if she worried of what it meant, she was relieved he was busy.

Ellie missed him, but since their kiss, she couldn’t keep Steve out of her mind. She wasn’t ready to face what she had done or what she felt for him, and she did her best to keep herself occupied and avoid Steve, which turned out to be easier than she thought as both of them were so busy. She knew she would have to face him at some point, to tell him why she had kissed him, but truth was, she was scared of telling him. She didn’t want things to change between them, she didn’t want to face the fact that she may have ruined their friendship.

Now back in London, Ellie was working in the same building as Steve and Bucky, but luckily their path didn’t cross much and when they did, she always found an excuse to leave. Bucky on his part had noticed something was up with Ellie, he knew her all too well not to notice, but he never pushed or never asked. However, Bucky wasn’t dumb, he knew how her sister felt about Steve, and he suspected something had happened for them to end up avoiding each other.

“Are you coming for a drink?” Peggy’s voice pulled Ellie out of her thoughts.

Ellie raised her head to look at Peggy, looking absolutely gorgeous in that tight red dress hugging her curves perfectly. “Wow, Peg you look beautiful.”

“Well, thank you.” The Agent smiled. “And soon you’ll look perfect, and Steve will only have eyes for you. Come on.”

“Peg… I don’t think I’m coming.” Ellie bit down on her lower lips.

“Oh yes, yes you are.” Peggy shook her head and went through Ellie’s small hotel room closet. She pulled out a very simple little pink dress. “Come on put this on.”

Ellie sighed but stood up from her bed where she was sat and grabbed the dress, walking to her bathroom.

“Have you talk to Steve yet?” Peggy asked a little louder from the room.

“To say what? I don’t know what to say, Peg, he’s my brother’s best friend.” Ellie took of her clothes and pull on the dress her friend had chosen for her.

“To say what you feel. I know Steve doesn’t know how act around women, but you have to talk to him.”

Ellie pulled her long brown hair back and walked back to the room. Peggy smiled at her, approving her outfit as she slipped on black shoes. “I guess I’m as bad as he is then.” Ellie admitted. “Look, in just a few days he’s going to be back on the front and I’m gonna be here, in London. What’s the point of telling him anything if he’s gonna leave?”

“So, you can have him when he comes back home.” Peggy simply stated as she gently squeezed Ellie’s hand in hers.

“I’ll think about it.” Ellie promised, giving Peggy a smile.

The Agent nodded and threw her arm around Ellie’s arm. Quickly, they made their way to the neighbor pub Whip & Fiddle near their hotel, the one where Steve, Bucky and a few other soldiers had decided to spend the night. As soon as the two ladies entered the bar, heads turned to look at them and Ellie felt herself blush. She never liked being the center of attention, but she knew Peggy often had that affect on men, she was a beautiful woman after all. Ellie silently followed Peggy to the back of the bar where Steve and Bucky were sat on stools, and she watched as they both leaned back to look at them approach. As soon as they noticed Ellie and Peggy, they both stood up, facing them.

“Captain.” The Agent Carter spoke.

“Agent Carter.” Steve replied, his eyes glancing at her before landing on Ellie, standing slightly behind the Agent.

“Ma’am.” Bucky saluted as looked up and down at Peggy.

“Howard has some equipment for you to try. Tomorrow morning?” Peggy announced as Steve couldn’t take his eyes of Ellie who felt herself blushed even more, pushing a piece of hair back behind her ear and looking down at the floor.

“Sounds good.” Steve replied, glancing quickly at Peggy.

Peggy looked to her right, her eyes falling on the men Steve had chosen to be in his team, where they resumed to their loud singing. “I see your top squad is prepping for duty.”

Bucky looked back and turned back to Peggy, a charming smile on his lips, a smile that Ellie knew all too well. “You don’t like music?”

“I do, actually.” Peggy turned to Ellie and smirked slightly. “And so does she.”

Ellie looked back up, her eyes landing on Steve who still hadn’t taken his eyes out of her. She is so gorgeous, he thought, his heart beating a little faster in his chest.

“We might even, when this is all over, go dancing.” Peggy added, offering a smile to Bucky.

“Then what are we waiting for?” Bucky asked, turning on his charm.

“The right partner.” Ellie spoke for the first time that evening.

Steve couldn’t help but notice this seemed to be aimed at him. Was she referring to the kiss they had shared? Was she trying to say something to him? Steve hadn’t stopped thinking about her since their kiss, he couldn’t and all he wanted to do at that moment was tasting her lips again. He missed her.

“0800, Captain.” Peggy ordered, taking Ellie’s arm back in hers as she started to walk away.

“Yes ma’am. I’ll be there.” Steve said, his eyes following Ellie as she walked away.

The last thing Ellie heard was her brother’s voice saying, “I’m invisible.”

Her heart was pounding loudly in her chest way and when she sat next to Peggy at the bar, she turned to her and shook her head. “What was that?”

“What was what?” Peggy said innocently, smiling at her friend and ordering them a drink.

“That. Saying we’ll go dancing.”

“Hey, you’re the one who said you were waiting for the right partner. But you know, Steve only had eyes for you in there, it was obvious.”

Ellie felt herself blush again and grabbed the drink the bar tender was handing her. “I’ve always felt invisible with Steve, I mean not in a bad way. He’s always been an amazing friend, we’ve always been close, but I never thought…”

“You never thought he could feel something for you?”

“Well, yes.” Ellie admitted, taking a sip of her drink, and looking up at Peggy.

“I think you have to get use to the idea that he does feel something for you though. And you should stop overthinking, just… Go with it.”

Ellie stayed silent for a while, drinking with Peggy before she got tired. Things had been crazy and busy over the last few weeks, and everything that was going on with Steve wasn’t helping Ellie who struggled to sleep. She wished Peggy a good night and walked out of the pub, wrapping her arms around herself to shield her from the cold. She jumped a little when she felt someone dropped a jacket around her shoulder.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you.” Steve softly spoke, offering her a soft smile.

“It’s okay. What are you doing here?” Ellie pulled his jacket around her.

“I was gonna go back to the hotel. Let me walk you back.”

Ellie smiled shyly. “Sure.”

Steve pushed his hands into his pants pocket as a silence settle between them. It was awkward, and for a moment Ellie’s remembered Peggy’s words: stop overthinking, go with it. Why was it so hard though? Why couldn’t she simply tell him how she felt?

“Are you okay, Angel?” Steve broke the silence, looking at the brunette by his side.

“I’m fine, just tired. It’s been a lot lately, you know.” Ellie admitted, glancing quickly at those blue eyes she loved so much.

“Yeah, I know how you feel. But you’re an amazing nurse, Ellie. I’m glad you were here after Azzano, and I know Bucky was too, even if he’s too proud to say it.”

Ellie chuckled slightly. “It’s Buck, I know he would never ask for help unless he’s dying. He likes to play tough.”

“He sure does.”

Silence fell between them again as Steve and Ellie entered the hotel. They reached out Ellie’s floor and stopped in front of her door before she took of Steve’s jacket and handed over back to him.

“Thanks for walking me back.” Ellie whispered with a small smile.

“Anytime.” Steve hesitated for a second before he spoke again. “You looked beautiful by the way, very beautiful.”

“Thanks.” Ellie placed a piece of her hair behind her ear as she always did when she was nervous and felt herself blush. “Goodnight, Steve.”

“Goodnight, Angel.” Without a second thought, he bent down and pressed a kiss to her cheek. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Ellie nodded and entered her hotel room, biting down on her lower lip. Maybe Peggy was right after all, maybe Steve felt more for her than she thought.

****

Chapter seven

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zep-writings · 5 months

Text

You Feel Like Home

CHAPTER FIVE.

Warnings: Bad words, mention of war and military, fluff, a little heartbreak and Steve being sweet.

Pairings: Steve Rogers x OFC Ellie Barnes.

Notes: I do not own any of the characters present in this story, except for Ellie Barnes, an original character. This is pure fiction.

This has not been beta and English is not my first language so be nice haha.

Please give me some feedback, even just a small comment is really appreciated!

I've been working on this one for a while, so please let me know what you think!

You Feel Like Home Masterlist || Main Masterlist.

Chapter four, part two

October 1943.

For the few months following his serum injection, instead of being stuck in a lab, Steve decided to make his part and go on tour to promote the war effort. Every night he was on stage selling bullets, pushing people staying in the United States of America to give money for the war effort and promoting war bonds for the Treasury Department. He went from city to city, sleeping in hotel rooms, far from the real action in the war and missing the comfort of his home in New York City, of Ellie. Truth was, he didn’t like his job very much, it wasn’t what he had imagined when he signed up for the serum. Sure, it was better than being stuck in a lab having scientist poking him and draining his blood, but he wished he could do more, he always wanted to do more.

Now he was sitting on the side of the stage he had been standing on a few moments earlier, in front of a crowd of soldiers, five miles away from the front in Italy. They had laughed at him, booed him and after dodging a few tomatoes he had simply walked out of stages as the chorus girls walked back on it. He had always wanted to be there, on the front but that was definitely not how he had imagined doing it.

“Hello, Steve.” A voice raised from behind him. He looked up, turned around and recognised Peggy.

“Hi.” Steve replied in surprise, she was the last person he was expecting to see here.

“Hi.”

“What are you doing here?” Steve wondered, while he stopped drawing.

“Officially, I’m not here at all.” Peggy sat on a box near him. “That was quite a performance.”

“Yeah. Huh.” Steve whipped his nose, bowing down a little to look at his shoes. “I had to improvise a little bit. The crowds I’m used to are usually more…” He looked up, searching for his words. “Twelve.”

“I understand you’re ‘America’s New Hope’.”

“Bonds sales take a 10% bump in every state I visit.” Steve announced, still not looking at Peggy.

“Is that Senator Brandt I hear?”

Steve licked his lips and glanced quickly at Agent Carter. “At least he’s got me doing this. Phillips would have had me stuck in a lab.”

“And these are your only two options? A lab rat or a dancing Monkey?” Peggy asked, looking at the drawing Steve had been working on a few minutes earlier. The drawing of a Monkey wearing his Captain America’s outfit, holding a shield and an umbrella and riding a unicycle. “You were meant for more than this, you know.”

Steve looked at her before he turned back to look in front of him, his mind wondering and getting lost. He hated that he couldn’t do more.

“What?” Peggy asked him, her eyes still on him.

“You know, for the longest time, I dreamt about coming overseas and being on the front lines, serving my country. I finally got everything I wanted and I’m wearing tights.” Steve explained before the horn of an ambulance van could be heard behind him and Peggy.

Steve turned around to watch the vehicle come to a stop in front of the big medical tent while the rain kept on falling heavily. A medic opened the back doors and two others walked out of it, holding a litter with a wounded man laying on it.

“They look like they’ve been through hell.” Steve observed, sadness in his voice.

“These men more than most.” Peggy hesitated for a moment, as Steve glanced at her. “Schmidt sent out a force to Azzano. Two hundred men went up against him, and less than 50 returned. Your audience contained what was left of the 107th. The rest were killed or captured.”

Steve’s face jerked up to look at the Agent as his heart seemed to stop in his chest. “The 107th?” He asked hoping he had miss heard.

“What?”

Without any hesitation, Steve stood up and started running to Colonel Phillips’s tent. “Come on!” He said to Peggy as he followed him, lifting her coat on top of her head to shield herself from the rain.

Bucky. It was the only thing on Steve’s mind at the moment. He needed to know if his best friend was still alive, he needed to find out he was okay. Then, his head went to Ellie who was probably back home missing him and his heart sank even lower. Steve walked into the tent, not even taking a look around him and walked straight to Colonel Phillips who was signing condolences letters at his desk.

“Colonel Phillips.”

“Well, if it isn’t the Star-Sprangled Man with a Plan. What is your plan today?”

“I need the casualty list from Azzano.” Steve explained.

“You don’t get to give me orders, son.” Colonel Phillips shook his head, but Steve was barely listening to him.

“I just need one name, Sergeant James Barnes from the 107th.” Steve replied, looking down at the desk.

The Colonel turned to Peggy who was standing by Steve’s side and pointed the pen he was holding in his hand towards her. “You and I are gonna have a conversation later that you won’t enjoy.”

“Please tell me if he’s alive, sir. B-A-R…” Steve insisted.

“I can spell.” The colonel cut off Steve and for a second, they glanced at each other. Phillips stood from his chair and turned around, looking at the letters in his hands. “I have signed more of these condolence letters today than I would care to count. But the name does sound familiar. I’m sorry.”

Steve heart dropped in his chest. His best friend was gone, probably dead and he had never felt more alone than at that moment.

“Colonel Phillips, we need…” A feminine voice raised as a familiar silhouette appeared in the tent. “Steve…”

Ellie was there, standing there, her hair pulled into a bun on top of her head, wearing a nurse uniform and her hands covered with dried blood.

“Ellie, what are you doing here?” Steve inquired, frowning and wondering what she was doing here.

“My job.” Ellie simply stated, offering him a shy smile.

Her eyes were red and a little puffy and it didn’t take more for Steve to realize that she knew Bucky was gone. He wanted to do was walk up to her and pull her into a hug, but this was neither the place nor the time. Instead, a plan started to form in his head, he wasn’t going to give up.

“What about the others? Are you planning a rescue mission?”

“Yes, it’s called winning the war.”

Steve tear his eyes off Ellie and turned back to the Colonel. “But if you know where they are, why not at least…”

“They’re 30 miles behind the lines through some of the most heavily fortified territory in Europe.” Colonel Phillips cut off Steve, walking to the map and showing an area on it. “We’d lose more men than we’d save. But I don’t except you to understand that because you’re a chorus girl.”

Steve jaw and shoulders clenched. “I think I understand it just fine.”

“Well, then understand it somewhere else. If I read the posters correctly, you got someplace to be in 30 minutes.”

Ellie looked at Steve, his eyes still staring at the map of the area. She knew him well enough to know what he was thinking, he was a stubborn man, and he wasn’t going to go give up that easily. But a part of her felt very uneasy about what he was about to do.

“Yes, sir. I do.” Steve simply replied as he started to walk out of the tent.

Ellie looked at the map, shook her head slightly and exchanged a glance with Peggy before she started following him to another tent containing the stage uniforms.

“Steve. Steve stop.” Ellie said loudly over the sound of the rain falling on the tent.

“Look Ellie, I’ve got to do something. And you. You shouldn’t be here. You should be home in New York, safe.” Steve said softly turning towards her. “You’re not even supposed to have graduated yet. Why are you here?” He asked, a point of worry in his voice.

“I graduated early. And I have every right to be here, just like you do.” Ellie replied, a little bit on the defensive. “I can help.”

“That’s not…” Steve sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose between his fingers. “That’s not what I meant, Ellie. You know that.” He took her hand in his. “But I got to do something. I got to try at least.”

Ellie looked up at him, eyes filling up with tears as she spoke, her voice shaking slightly. “I can’t lose you. Not you too, Steve.”

“You won’t lose me.” The soldier said, stroking her cheek gently before he pressed a kiss to her forehead.

Steve pulled her into a hug and for a moment, they stayed like this simply appreciating being with each other. Ellie was scared, terrified to lose Steve just as she had lost Bucky. She wasn’t ready to lose the only person she had left in her life, but she also knew he wouldn’t change his mind. Steve finally pulled away from her, grabbed a bag and a helmet as Peggy walked into the tent.

“What do you plan to do, walk to Austria?” The Agent asked him, taking of her coat and putting it down on a chair.

“If that’s what it takes.”

“You heard the Colonel. Your friend is most likely dead.” Peggy said calmly.

“You don’t know that.” Steve kept on packing his bag as Peggy exchanged a glance with Ellie who shook her head. She had tried to change his mind.

“Even so, he’s devising a strategy. If he detects…” Peggy tried to explain.

“By the time he’s done that, it could be too late.” Steve interrupted her loudly, anger coming through his voice. He put his leather brown jacket on, grabbed his bag and his shield and started to walk away.

“Steve!” Peggy exclaimed, following him outside of the tent as he headed toward the jeep parked in front of it.

Ellie followed them, feeling completely useless as she watched Steve throw his stuff in the back of a jeep. He stopped for a moment, looked at Ellie before he turned to Peggy.

“You told me you thought I was meant for more than this. Did you mean that?”

“Every word.” Peggy assured him.

“Then you got to let me go.” Steve admitted, stepping into the driver seat of the jeep and for a second Ellie contemplated the idea of going with him, maybe she could help somehow.

Peggy looked at her for a second, and both knew he would never change his mind, she stepped out near him. “I can do more than that.”

Steve looked at Peggy and turned to Ellie who unwillingly nodded. If he wasn’t going to change his mind, at least they could try to help him, make things easier for him. Steve was trained, he had the serum running through his vein, but none of them really knew what if fully did.

“Move.” Peggy told Steve, making him slid to the passenger seat as Ellie climbed into the back of the jeep. There was no chance she would leave them now, not until she knew exactly what Steve was going to do.

Peggy drove in silence. She took a road out of the camp and after about five minutes she turned left, taking a road Ellie hadn’t been on before. After a good twenty minutes, she came to a stop on a small airport tarmac and immediately recognized the silhouette standing a few meters away from them. Howard Stark. Ellie stepped out of jeep as Steve grabbed his stuff in the back and followed Peggy.

“Stark, we need your help.” Peggy announced, glancing back at Steve and Ellie.

“Well, hello there. I don’t believe we have met.” Howard pushed his sunglasses on top of his head, looking at Ellie. “Howard Stark.”

Howard offered Ellie his hand but before she could shake it Steve spoke loudly. “Stark. Now is not the time!”

“Right, right.” Howard winked at Ellie who blushed and Steve rolled his eyes, feeling slightly jealous. “What do you need?” The scientist asked, not even questioning Peggy or Steve’s intention.

Howard Stark was a genius, sure he was stubborn, hot headed and a womanizer but when it came to Peggy or Steve, he would do anything to help them and for that, they were both grateful. Peggy explained her plan to Stark, asking him to be their pilot and without even a second thought, he agreed. Peggy and Howard stepped away to prepare the plane as Ellie stayed back a little, sat on a large box in the air-shed, anxiety and fear running through her brain.

The soldier quickly glanced at the Agent and the Scientist who were both too busy to pay them attention and he stepped closer to her squatting down in front of her. He gently grabbed her hands to stop her from twisting nervously her fingers as she always did.

“Hey… Ellie, look at me.” Steve knew what was going through her brain, he could read her like an open book, always had. She looked up at him, her blue eyes meeting his. “I’ll be fine.”

“You don’t know that.” Ellie whispered, squeezing Steve’s hands as the man stayed silent. “Promise me…” She sniffled. “Promise me, you’ll be careful.”

“I promise you.” Steve gently whipped a tear from her cheek. “And I promise if I find Bucky, I’ll bring him back.”

Ellie nodded slightly and she pushed a piece of hair away from his forehead. She was so terrified to lose him too, and for a second, she wanted to tell him what he meant to her, she wanted to tell him how much she loved him, but she couldn’t find the words. Truth was, Steve was scared too. He didn’t know if he would make it out alive, he didn’t even know exactly what he was walking into, but he had to try to save those men, he would never forgive himself if he didn’t. He looked at Ellie, memorising her face, every single part of those features he loved so much.

“Please come back to me…” Ellie whispered.

Without realising, he brought his face closer to hers, but she was the one who made the first move. She shyly pressed her lips to his, closing her eyes. The kiss was tender, so full of emotions and fears on both ends.

“Hey Cap, we need to go.” Stark’s voice raised from behind, interrupting them and Steve pulled away.

The soldier stood up and gave a last look to Ellie before he walked to the plane. Ellie wrapped her arms around herself as she watched the plane take off, an unease feeling twisting her guts. She didn’t like this; she didn’t like this at all and yet there was absolutely nothing she could do. She wasn’t a soldier; she couldn’t go help Steve even when it was all she wanted to do. Instead, she had to stay back, she had to stay at the base, and she already knew she would be losing herself in her job. There were so many people injured, so many soldiers she had to help that maybe she would be to busy to think about Steve behind enemy lines, alone.

It was almost an hour later, when Peggy’s voice raised from the radio she had in her hand. “Steve’s been dropped behind the line. We’re making our way back.”

“I’m waiting for you at the hangar.” Ellie stated on the radio.

They landed back an hour later; it was completely dark out by then and Ellie couldn’t help but notice the graze of bullets on the Stark’s industries plane. She looked at Stark and Carter walking out of the engine and made their way towards her.

“I guess I’ll see you ladies later.” Stark shot a wink to Agent Carter and walked away.

Ellie followed Peggy back to the jeep. She knew they would both be in trouble as soon as they would be back to the camp, but honestly, they didn’t really care. It was Steve’s decision, and if he managed to save soldiers, then it was a risk he was willing to take and both women were ready to do anything to help him.

“So, you and Steve.” Peggy said quietly, starting the jeep’s engine and driving away.

“What about it?”

“How long have been in love with him?” Peggy kept her eyes on the road.

“I’m no…” Ellie sighed and closed her eyes for a second, there was no point of denying it. “A long time.”

“But you never told him.”

“No. He’s my brother’s best friend. If Bucky knew how I felt about Steve…” Ellie shook her head.

Steve probably didn’t even feel the same way, he had never seen her that way and he never will. Even when he was still a little guy, Steve had never had eyes for her, she had always only been Bucky’s little sister. Sure they had kissed, twice now, but they never talked about it and she knew it wouldn’t change anything.

“Wait. Barnes. Your last name is Barnes.” Peggy said, glancing at Ellie. “Sergeant James Barnes is your brother.” She had never made the connexion before.

“Yes. And it doesn’t matter how I feel about Steve because he will never feel the same way, especially not now, not with the serum.”

“That’s where you’re wrong. I see the way Steve looks at you.” Peggy parked the car and turned the ignition off. “And I think it’s been a while for him too. He already talked about you all the time, way before the serum.”

Ellie shrugged. “It doesn’t matter Peggy. We…” She hesitated for a second, stepping out of the car before she looked at the Agent. “We’re in a middle of a war. It doesn’t matter how I feel about him.”

“It does. Love in the time of war is something beautiful, Ellie. Don’t wait too long to let it come into your life, because I think it’s actually the best time to do it.”

With those words Peggy offered her a smile and walked away, leaving Ellie with her thoughts. Was she right? Was Steve really looking at her differently? She didn’t want to think about it, not now, not when she wasn’t even sure he would make it back alive.

****

Chapter six

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