Chapter Ten ✧ 107th Infantry

AN: Jessica's outfit is up top, minus the headband. And yes, I know it's not the times, but the clothes were Steve's before the serum and it'll be explained.

Jessica shook her head continuously, arms crossed against her chest.

"No! I am not doing this," She looked at Steve through the mirror, "Why do I have to?"

Steve sighed, looking to her through the mirror as he wrapped his arms around her and said, "Oh, come on, Brooklyn baby. Lizzie is sick from the plane ride and you're the only one who knows the routine down flat. You've seen every show."

"It doesn't mean I want to do it," She pouted, looking herself up and down, "I have no green being seen and it makes me so sad."

"What does "being seen" mean?" Steve gave her a confused look.

Jessica smirked and turned in his arms, wrapping hers around his neck and whispering, "Well, if you wanted to see, I'd show you."

Steve's eyes widened as a red hue covered his cheeks and neck, making Jessica laugh. She kissed his jawline as she stepped up on her toes, closing her eyes when she held him closer to her.

"I hope you know I'm just teasing you," She murmured against his neck, chills running up the man's spine as she did so, "I know that you want to wait and that's perfectly okay with me. It's just funny seeing your reaction."

"I feel bad making you wait, though," Steve sighed, hands laced together against her back.

Jessica shook her head, raising a brow and saying, "No, Steven. There's no reason to feel bad. I don't want you to change your morals because of me and I'm not pushing you. If you want to wait till we are married, then we will wait."

"It doesn't help that you're wearing that," Steve smirked, trailing his hands down toward her lower back. Jessica chuckled and used one hand to grab his hand, bringing it back up to the small of her back, "No, no, no. No touching until then."

Steve groaned and hid his head in her neck, trailing his lips over it while whispering, "No fair."

"Can I repay it to you by giving you a kiss?" Jessica pulled back slightly. Steve pretended to think for a moment before saying, "I would never deny a kiss from a beauty such as yourself."

"Well, I better be the only one you agree to," Jessica nudged her nose with his, "Otherwise you'd find yourself a lonesome man, Mr. Rogers."

Steve shook his head and pressed his lips to hers, sighing at the feeling of Jessica's fingers tangling themselves in his hair.

After a moment, they pulled back, Steve breathlessly saying, "I don't want anyone but you, Jessica Martin."

"Then you have me."

"And you have me," Steve told, making her smile. He grabbed her hand that was still in his hair, placing it on his chest above his heart, "This is all yours, Jessica. Till the end of the line."

Jessica softened before pulling him back down to her mouth, her heart feeling light in her chest as she did so. They kissed again for a moment before she grabbed his hand, placing it on her chest.

"And mine is yours, hero. Until the end of the line."

Soon after, Jessica had performed with the Star Spangled Singers, the woman knowing the entirety of the routine since she had been with them for months.

Once they had finished, Steve stayed on the stage to give his USO speech, the crowd that was once erupted in applause now speechless at the sight of the man in his costume.

Jessica, of course, was right off the stage, standing behind the curtain as Steve spoke, making her wince as he said, "How many of you are ready to help me sock old Adolf on the jaw?"

When there was a long pause, Steve sighed, turning back to Jessica, who he knew was to his side. She gave him a light smile, winking causing him to turn back to the crowd.

"Okay," He whispered, looking out to the group of men all dressed in their uniforms, "I need a volunteer."

"I already volunteered! How do you think I got here?" A man exclaimed. The crowd of men chuckled and Jessica sighed, watching as Steve's hand shook anxiously, "Oh, nature have mercy. I have to help him."

Another man screamed from the crowd, "Bring back the girls!"

Steve looked to the red head and Jessica nodded, turning to see the others getting ready to come back out.

"I think they only know the one song, but I'll see what I can do."

"You do that, sweetheart."

Another said, "Nice boots, Tinkerbell!"

The comment made Jessica's hands clench at her sides and Steve watched as she calmly walked over to him, the group of men cheering at the sight of her. She smirked at Steve before lightly pushing him by the belt, moving to fix the microphone to her height.

The hollering from the crowed diminished as she quietly stood there, a dark look in her eye as her hands were entwined in front of her.

"Hello, boys," She greeted him once they were all quiet, "You probably don't know this, but I am this man's girl-"

"-The guy who wears tights has a girl?" A voice erupted, causing everyone to chuckle. Jessica narrowed her eyes at the crowd, "I'm sorry, but who was it that spoke? Would you mind standing for me?"

Steve grabbed Jessica's arm,whispering, "Brooklyn baby, it's okay."

Jessica only shook Steve off as the brunette man stood around his fellow soldiers and she asked, "What's your name, soldier?"

"Harrison Dwight," He replied, a smirk on his face as he looked up at her, "What's yours, beautiful?"

Jessica hummed before saying, "Well, Mr. Dwight, I have to say I am very ashamed of the way you treat your fellow men in uniform. Yes, you have been on a battlefield and I am thankful for that. But, we are all in this for the long run. So, if you have anything to say, you're going to have to put it up with me. Have I made myself clear, Mr. Dwight?"

When the man didn't say anything, Jessica's eyes flashed a bright green, causing his own to widen.

Her voice was echoed throughout the stage, anger evident, "I said have I made myself clear? I'll need an answer, soldier.

"Crystal, ma'am," Harrison bit his lip, looking to the ground. Jessica gave him a sarcastic smile, "Good, then. Now, does anyone else have something to say?"

The crowd stayed silent.

"Wonderful. Now, Captain Rogers and I will be leaving the stage and the splendidly talented women will be coming back on stage. I expect you all to treat them with the courtesy and respect that you failed to show us. Thank you."

Jessica grabbed Steve's gloved hand and walked off of the stage,  the Star Spangled Singers crossing their path as they did so.

"Don't worry, pal. They'll warm up to you. Don't worry."

Steve gave the man a grateful smile and Jessica squeezed his hand lightly before kissing it. They made their way to the back where everyone had settled and the couple sat down on Jessica's small cot.

"Why'd you do that, Jess?" Steve whispered, looking down at his feet while he took his mask off and laid it beside him. Jessica turned to him, noticing his look, "Because they were being mean, hero."

"I could have taken care of it myself," He shook his head. Jessica furrowed her brow, placing her hand on his knee, causing him to look up at her, "I know that, Steve. But we're a couple. We fight battles together."

Steve nodded and stayed silent, making Jessica tilt her head in confusion. She suddenly deadpanned, moving her hand from him.

"Are you upset that I, a woman, stopped them from being dickheads?"

Steve cringed at the word she used, "Jess, please."

"No, I will not stop," She scoffed, standing from the cot to be in front of him, "That's what this is about then? Is your pride really that high that I can't fight battles with you?"

"Of course not," It was his turn to scoff, standing, "I'm just saying that you don't always have to protect me. I'm not that little kid from Brooklyn no more."

Jessica rolled her eyes, pulling the pins from her hair as she said, "You don't think I know that, Steven? I'm reminded every time I look at you."

She pointed a finger at his chest, "But what's in there is the exact same. I know you just like you know me. And before we were going steady, we were the best of friends. Best friends protect one another and that is what I was doing. Protecting the man I love because he has a good soul and takes everything to heart."

It was silent for a moment and Jessica only sighed, taking a step backwards, saying, "I am sorry, Steve. I didn't mean for you to think that I didn't think you could take care of yourself. Hell, I know you can. I just didn't want you to go through that alone."

"No, Jess," Steve shook his head, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her to him, "I'm the one that should be sorry. You didn't do anything wrong. I just let my dumb head in the way."

"You are not dumb, Steven Rogers," Jessica's lips moved upwards, placing her arms on his shoulders, "Nothing in that pretty little head of yours is dumb. Sexist? Maybe."

Steve chuckled, "You know I didn't mean it."

"I don't know," She teased, "Sure sounded like you did."

"Can I make it up to you?" He smiled down at her, using the same line she had earlier. Jessica narrowed her eyes at him playfully, "And how would you do that?"

Steve simply bent her against his arm and placed his lips on hers, Jessica sighing into his mouth as she kissed back. Her whole body warmed as the heat of his body seeped through their clothes, causing her to cling to his neck.

She was the first to pull back, Steve kissing the corner of her mouth before trailing down her jaw lightly. Jessica smiled as she kept her eyes closed, fingers pulling at the hair of the nape of his neck.

"You're forgiven I guess."

Steve chuckled and kissed her lips once more, standing them straight. Jessica smiled at him and brought her thumb to his lip, wiping her red lipstick of his lips.

"You know I'll never be like my sister, right?" She whispered as she stared at his pink lips, eyes dulling a bit. Steve furrowed his brow, "What do you mean?"

Jessica licked her lips, meeting his eyes, "I'm not just going to be this ornament to society, Steve. I will not follow what they want of me, but will do as I seek best for myself. I follow my own path and that makes me unladylike and crude. A girl is supposed to be delicate and bow down to those above her. So, if I see an injustice to the man that I love, I will not just sit back and look pretty. I will fight like dog along side him because I a woman."

"And a hell of a woman you are, Jessica Martin."

Jessica smiled up at him, "But that doesn't mean I don't want the same things. A house with a white-picket fence with a husband to kiss me and our kids when he comes home. To sit on the porch with a glass of lemonade with him after after a long day."

"Then it looks like I may just have to make that happen," Steve whispered, nudging her nose with his. Jessica softened and murmured against his lips, "I think I would like that with you, hero."

"I'd like that with you too, Brooklyn baby."

Steve smiled and finally pressed his mouth to hers, fingers wrapped in her hair as he pulled her closer. Jessica melted against him, hands pushing against his back as her legs bent slightly, giving out.

Her mind was spinning as he gripped tightly onto her hips, taking a step backwards toward the cot. Jessica stumbled against him as Steve sat down, placing the woman in his lap while he pulled her hair a bit.

Steve tilted her head to the side and began kissing below her ear, Jessica biting her lip as she slowly opened her eyes. The sight of Peggy standing in the doorway made Jessica gasp, slightly pushing Steve away as she stared at the woman.

"Well, you two look utterly... disgusting," Peggy smirked, causing Jessica to laugh. The woman left Steve's lap, legs still weak when she hugged her friend, saying, "It's been so long."

"I missed you as well," Peggy wrapped her arms around Jessica. The pair pulled back and Peggy kept her hands on Jessica's waist, taking in her outfit, "What the hell did they put you in? I should have never left you with those idiotic buffoons. You need to come back to your title."

Jessica pointed toward Steve, "He did this to me. Isn't it horrendous? No green in sight. That's my signature color."

"In sight?" Peggy rose a brow. Jessica smirked and Peggy's eyes widened, chuckling a bit, "How scandalous, Miss. Martin. Telling your boyfriend the color of your girdle."

"Oh, it shouldn't be that big of a surprise, darling. He and our friend Bucky used to sneak through my underwear drawer."

Steve went red as he stood, saying, "How did you know that?"

"You left your energy all over the room, Steve. It wasn't that hard to figure out," Jessica rolled her eyes, laughing a bit. She turned to him, "But I would like to know why you did it?"

Steve began stammering, Peggy laughing at the sight of red lipstick on his mouth, "I didn't want to. Bucky made me on a dare."

"Well, hero, did you find something that you liked?"

The edges of Steve's ears were burning hot, making the women laugh.

Jessica turned back to Peggy, "Men are so easy."

"I wouldn't know," Peggy simply replied, making Jessica raise a brow in interest,"Would you both like to go for a walk? It's supposed to rain soon and I would like to get a bite in before hand."

Steve and Jessica nodded, the woman saying, "Only if Steve wipes off his lipstick."

An hour later, Jessica, Peggy and Steve were sitting on the steps to the stage, the man sketching in his notebook while the women made light conversation.

Jessica's legs here on Steve's lap when she asked Peggy, "Pegs, what are you even doing here?"

"Officially, I'm not here at all," She told, making the couple nod, "But I saw your performance."

"Yeah," Steve shook his head, wiping his nose, "I think we had to improvise a bit. The crowds we're used to are usually more, uh..."

He trailed off and Jessica finished for him, "Twelve. They're all twelve."

Peggy chuckled a bit and said, "I understand you're "America's New Hope"."

"Bond sales take a ten perfect bump in every state I visit," Steve explained, looking out into the rain. Jessica sat up and kissed his cheek, leaning her head on his shoulder as Peggy said, "Is that Senator Brandt I hear?

"You do. We have this talk every night before we go to our rooms," Jessica told her, "Can you please explain to him that he's still a hero? He's not just a lab rat."

"I have to agree with Jessica, Mr. Rogers. But also, these are your only two options?" She looked down to Steve's notebook, noticing his drawings, "A lab rat or a dancing monkey? Jessica always told me you were meant for more than this, you know. I believe this to be true."

Steve looked to Jessica as the said woman turned to Peggy, saying, "Throwing me under the bus, are we now?"

"I find it fun," Peggy wrinkled her nose before looking back to Steve, noticing his look, "What?"

"Talking about me now?" Steve asked Jessica. She only rolled her eyes as she turned back to him and said, "Don't get your knickers in a twist, hero."

The trio chuckled for a moment before a calming silence washed over them, everyone looking out to the rain hitting the ground.

"You know," Steve started, gaining their attention, "For the longest time, I dreamed about coming overseas and being on the front lines, serving my country. I finally got everything I wanted."

He looked to Jessica as he said the last part and she smiled, intertwining their fingers while he finished, "But, I'm wearing tights."

A car horn honking took them from their conversation, everyone turning to see an Army medic truck stopping by the medical tent.

"I wonder if they need help," Jessica immediately stood, "I can be of assistance."

"They look like they've been through hell," Steve grimly commented. Peggy nodded, turning back to them, "These  men more than most. Schmidt sent out a force to Azzano. Two hundred men went up against him and less than fifty returned."

Jessica shook her head, whispering, "Oh, gods. How horrible."

"Your audience contained what was left of the 107th. The rest were killed or captured."

Jessica's green eyes were wide as she looked  to Peggy, heart dropping to her stomach as she said, "Did you say the 107th?"

"What?" Peggy noticed her look. Tears gathered in her eyes at the thought of losing her best friend and she turned to Steve, voice cracking as she whispered, "Bucky."

Steve immediately stood up and turned, causing Peggy to stand as well. Jessica began walking through the rain, Steve at her side as Peggy was a few steps behind.

"Come on!" Jessica called for her.

They made their way through the medical tent, Jessica's heart heavy at the sight of all the hurt men. Of course she wanted to help them, but Bucky was the only thing on her mind as she followed Steve to the edge of the tent.

"Colonel Phillips," Steve called when he saw the man. Phillip's eyes widened at the sight of the couple, saying, "Well, if it isn't the Star-Spangled Man With A Plan with Miss Martin. What is your plan today?

"I need the casualty list from Azzano," Steve demanded sternly. The man simply rose a brow, "You don't get to give me orders, son."

Jessica leaned on the table toward him, eyes dark, "Then I'll give you the orders. You give me the casualty list from Azzano and everyone is happy."

"We just need one name, Sergeant James Barnes front he 107th," Steve explained, eyes wide at the thought of his best friend since he was thirteen being dead.

Colonel Phillips turned to Peggy, pointing to her with his pen, "You and I are gonna have a conversation later that you won't enjoy."

"I asked her to tell us," Jessica shook her head, lying through her teeth, "Now, please, Colonel. I'm not asking as a fellow member of the US Army, I'm asking as a friend."

The elder man looked to her and sighed after a moment, sighing, "Shit, kid."

"Please tell me if he's alive, sir," Steve pleaded, voice hoarse, "B-A-R-" Phillips interrupted him, "I can spell."

He stood and turned, flipping through a file, "I've signed more of these condolence letters today that I would care to count. But the name does sound familiar. I'm sorry."

Jessica let out a small cry, stepping back toward Peggy. The said woman wrapped an arm around Jessica as the red head choked back her sob, covering her mouth with her hand.

Steve held back tears, asking, "What about the others? Are you planning a rescue mission? "

"Yeah, it's called winning the war."

"But if you know where they are, why not at least-" Colonel cut Steve off again as Jessica cried, "They're thirty miles behind the lines through some of the most heavily fortified territory in Europe. We'd lose more men than we'd save."

Jessica suddenly left Peggy's arms, "Send me in. I can do it. Hell, bullets can't even touch me because I can move them out of the way."

"As compelling as that sounds, Miss Martin, I don't expect you to understand because you don't know war," He shook his head, "It's much too dangerous for you and your chorus girl."

The woman's eyes flashed blue and water suddenly sprayed the Colonel, making Peggy choke back a laugh, coughing into her hand to conceal her chuckle.

Phillips only glared at the women as Steve narrowed his eyes, saying, "I think we understand just fine."

"Well, then understand it somewhere else," He walked away, stopping beside Jessica, "If I read the posters correctly, you got someplace to be in thirty minutes."

He looked to her, "Have a good day, Miss. Martin."

Jessica only scoffed at him, turning to face forward Steve as she went to him. Colonel Phillips walked away to the table behind them and Jessica followed Steve's gaze, seeing him staring at a map on the wall.

Steve glanced over at her and she curtly nodded as he said, "Yes, sir. I do."

The couple walked away hand in hand, quickly making their way back to Steve's area in the costume tent.

Jessica licked her lips, heels clacking against the rain covered ground, "I can't fight in this."

"I might have something you can wear," Steve simply responded, thoughts going a mile a minute "Just hurry."

Upon arriving to the tent, Jessica immediately took her shoes off before unzipping the back of her skirt. She watched as Steve dug through his duffel bag, grabbing a pair of black combat boots and a green army sweater he had before his transformation.

When he turned to Jessica, the woman was only wearing her white strapless bra, so you couldn't see it with her USO outfit, and a satin pair of green step in's, causing him to choke on air.

He immediately turned, covering his eyes with the sweater he was going to give her, "Holy mother of God, Jessica!"

"Now I really not the time, Steve!" Jessica shrieked, "We have to find Buck."

Steve didn't look to her, his whole body warm as he tried not to imagine the woman standing before him practically nude. Jessica sighed and rolled her eyes, walking to the front of him and ripping the sweater from his hand.

He opened his eyes in shock to see her pull it over her head, putting her hand out for the next item.

"That's all I have," He whispered, not looking anywhere but her eyes. Jessica's eyes flashed a bright green, "I need pants, Steve. Unless you want the whole 107th to see my ass."

Steve gulped and began looking through other people's bags, finding a pair of black trousers.

He turned and threw them to her, saying, "They might be big."

"Doesn't matter as long as you can't see my ass," She buttoned them as a new voice was heard saying, "What do you both plan to do, walk to Austria?"

Jessica turned to see Peggy, who only watched as Steve began gathering his things, "If that's what it takes, then yes, Pegs."

She walked over to the vanity that was there and found a pair of suspenders, causing her to gasp before clipping them to her trousers. Jessica quickly found a few pins and pinned up her hair out of her face as Peggy spoke to Steve.

Jessica walked past them, digging through Steve's bag to find a pair of socks and said, "It doesn't matter what he said, Peggy. We have to go."

Peggy turned to see Jessica quickly lacing up Steve's old combat boots on her feet, saying, "Even so, he's devising a strategy. If he detects-"

"-By the time he's done that, it could be too late," Steve interrupted her, glancing at Jessica, who stood from the cot. He pulled his jacket on as Jessica said, "You can't stop us, Peggy. If we get into trouble, so be it. I'm not losing my best friend today."

Steve grabbed Jessica's hand and the pair began walking out of the tent despite Peggy's protests. Steve threw his shield and bag in the back of one of the Army vehicles, turning to Peggy when she walked up behind Jessica.

"You both think I was meant for more than this, right?" Jessica immediately nodded and he turned to Peggy, "Did you mean that?"

"Every word."

Steve gulped, grasping onto Jessica's hand, "Then you have to let us go."

The couple split and Jessica sat in the passenger side, her boyfriend going to the drivers seat. He started the car and Peggy walked up beside Jessica, the woman turning to her friend.

"I can do more than that."


AN: I'm excited for the next chapter.

Also, I had to do some research for this chapter regarding what kind of undergarments they wore in the 1940's... it was kind of weird. Let's just say I'm glad we don't have to wear all of that anymore.

What Jessica is wearing is historically correct and at a later time we will see different things.

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