1943

This was it. Cassie had finally enlisted as a nurse, after a long wait. She was told that she would still be tending to soldiers on the front but she was also involved in the Manhattan Project with Doctor Erskine.

"Thank you," Cassie said as the woman gave her, her form.

"Good luck out there," the woman said with a smile. 

Cassie was all giddy as she walked out of the building, but guilt consumed her when she realised she had yet to tell Steve, Bucky and her brothers.  It had been 6 years since she first met the two Brooklyn boys, and the three had been inseparable since. However, she hadn't spoken to either of her brothers in almost 5 years but she still felt the need to tell them.

Cassie waited by the bus stop, where she planned to meet Bucky, when she heard a voice behind her.

"It's not safe for a woman to be out at night all alone these days you know?" Cassie could practically see the smirk on his face.

"I can handle myself thank you very much," Cassie gasped when she saw the uniform her best friend was wearing. She didn't realise he was signing up. "You get your orders?"

"Yeah," Bucky nervously scratched the back of his neck, "Shipping out for England first thing tomorrow."

Cassie's eyes widened in surprise and she slowly responded with, "That's...quite far away."

Bucky sighed. "Yeah, I know. But, hopefully I won't be there too long. Can't leave my best girl alone in New York can I?"

Cassie blushed slightly. "I guess not," She replied. "Just don't die, got it?"

"Yes ma'am," Bucky chuckled and she looped her arm through his as they walked. "C'mon doll, we're going to the future!"

"The what?"

❤︎❤︎❤︎

While walking into the Stark expo, Steve was complaining about how he should be going off to war too.

Bucky just laughed, "I don't see what the problem is. You're about to be the last eligible man in New York, you know there's three and a half million women here right?"

"Give the poor kid a break Buck!" Cassie laughed and nudged him in the side as Bucky wrapped an arm round her shoulders.

"Yeah well, I'd settle for just one." Steve mumbled.

"You'll find her one day." Bucky chuckled.

"Hey Bucky! Cassie!" Cassie heard Bonnie and Connie shouting. 

Bucky, Steve and Cassie often did this thing where they would take two lesbians on a 'date' with them to take suspicion away from their parents, but they always stayed close enough to the girls to beat the living daylights out of anyone who said anything. Cassie never really understood why it was illegal to be in a same sex relationship. Love is simply a human experience, not a political statement.

Cassie sighed as Bucky walked over to the girls. "C'mon Steve, let's just enjoy one night out with each other before we all go off to get killed. Alright?" She laughed and pulled him along.

He chuckled and shook his head. "Alright."

A shiver ran down her spine and she looked behind her to see a man staring at her so she quickly caught up with the boys.

"Welcome to the modern marvels pavilion and the world of tomorrow," The announcer said as they walked through the crowds.

"Oh my god," Bonnie said excitedly. "It's starting!" She dragged Bucky and Connie, leaving Cassie and Steve behind them.

"Ladies and gentlemen, Mr Howard Stark!" The show girl said and the man himself, who Cassie knew was working on the 'secret project', walked on to the stage. Howard kissed the show girl and took the mic off her.

"Ladies and gentlemen," He began. "What if I told you that in just a few short years, your automobile won't even have to touch the ground at all?"

"Impossible." Cassie said to herself.

"Yes. Thanks Mandy, with Stark Gravitic Reversion Technology, you'll be able to do just that."

"Holy cow." Bucky said as the car on stage began to levitate, until something sparked and it fell back down.

"Well, I did say a few years didn't I?" Howard joked. Cassie saw Steve walk off to the enlistment centre so she followed him.

"You're going to try again, hmm?" Cassie asked.

"You gonna stop me?" Steve retorted.

"No," Cassie shook her head. "I think Bucky might though, but speak of the devil and he may come." She continued as Bucky walked up to them.

"C'mon, you're kind of missing the point of a night out," Bucky told him. "I told the girls we'd take 'em dancing."

As the boys argued, Cassie saw Dr Erskine who she was going to work with, so she walked up to him.

"Hello Doctor." She greeted.

"Miss Mikaelson," He was one of the very few people who knew what she was. "What brings you here?"

"My friends are arguing," Cassie thought for a minute before speaking." I actually think Steve, the small and skinny one, might be a good candidate for the project."

"Really? Show him to me." He ordered, so she took him outside and pointed to where the boys were stood. 

Cassie walked up to Bucky, "It might just be best to leave him alone for a while, let him make his own choices."

"Don't do anything stupid until I get back." Bucky said to Steve.

"How can I? You're taking all the stupid with you," Steve replied and they hugged each other and Cassie and Bucky began to walk off.

"Don't win the war 'til I get there!"

"Wouldn't dream of it!" Cassie waved. "He'll be alright."

❤︎❤︎❤︎

Bucky had decided to walk Cassie home, but now they were waling in silence with Bucky's arm around Cassie's shoulder and her feet were still sore from dancing.

"What do you think it's like out there?" He asked.

Cassie thought. "I don't know, bloody probably. And definitely violent.

"Well, I'm not surprised I mean it is war," He joked. They looked at each other before Bucky unexpectedly, picked Cassie up and spun her around as she let out a shriek of laughter.

"James Buchanan Barnes! Put me down this instant!" He laughed as her gently set her down and she hit his shoulder. They looked at each other before she sighed. "Don't die over there, or get caught. I need my best boy to come home to me."

Bucky blushed slightly. "Yes ma'am," He kissed her on the cheek before walking off.

"You dropped this." Cassie turned around and saw Elijah, holding up her enlistment form.

Cassie hesitantly took it back, "What're you doing here?" She asked.

"Coming to see my little sister one last time before she goes to war," Elijah had a proud smile on his face. "I also, uh, killed a few of Niklaus' men that have been following you as well."

"Thank you." Cassie said, before she pulled her brother into a hug.

"What was that for?" He asked.

"Well I missed you and, I probably won't see you for a while." Cassie smiled," Tell Nik I said hi, if you see him again please?"

"I will. Stay safe little one," Elijah began to walk off.

"I always do brother!"

edited: 18.06.24