A/N: Set during the time of Steve's tour selling bonds.

Buffalo, New York
July 14th, 1943

To my Sarge,

I'm sorry I haven't written in weeks, it wasn't my intention. I just wasn't in the right mind set. Someone i cared for was killed before my eyes.. i guess that's how my life will be now that i've followed Steve into the Army.

But I'm better now, Steve suggested I write to you to clear my head and the bad thoughts that swirl around in my mind.

So that's what i'm doing, writing to you, as promised. I miss you, so much, James. The way your smile can light up a room, how you can get anyone to follow you, the way your laugh is contagious, how caring you are towards the people you love.

I remember when i was seventeen, you were nineteen, i had gotten sick, unlike Steve, i rarely got sick. So when Steve told you i woudn't be able to make it out today, you pooled all your money to get me a stuffed teddy bear and ingredients to make your mom's famous chicken noodle soup.

Only you ended up destroying the soup and had to call your mother to make some and bring it over. You stayed with me until my fever broke, which wasn't until five in the morning, you moved a chair from the living room next to my bed so you could keep watch of me while i slept to make sure i was doing okay.

That was when i realized you meant more to me than just a friend.

With all my heart,
Your Little Nurse, Mary

London, England
July 28th, 1943

To my Little Nurse,

I'm glad you're better, and i'm so sorry Little Nurse, no one should go through that much loss. I can't even begin to fathom what you went through. I hope Steve was there for you, cause if you say he wasn't i'll kick his ass for you.

And yes, I remember that memory very well. You probably don't remember this, but while you were sick and I was trying to get your fever to break, you were talking about random things, like how you wanted a pet bunny but Steve was allergic, he's honestly allergic to everything, and you two had no money to spend on things like a pet. Or how you said that you'd marry me and fight off any dame who even looked at me.

I should've told you this the night of the Expo, before i left, but i was a coward. I had even gotten Stevie's blessing to do it.

But i was going to ask you to become my doll, my one and only, my girlfriend.

In your last letter you mentioned how that when i took care of you when you were sick, was when you felt more feelings towards me than a friend.

It wasn't long before then that i felt the same pull. Okay.. it was way before then, but i didn't understand what the feeling towards you was until that night.

It was the week you and Steve's Mother passed away. We were walking up the stairs to your apartment, Steve was forcing himself to be the strong, emotionally stable big brother you needed him to be, he mentioned how the funeral was nice and how she's next to your Father. I took the two of you into my arms and told the both of you that i'll be with you two til the end of the line. Even after that.

Steve had gone inside the apartment, leaving you and I outside, that was when you collapsed, scaring the hell out of me by the way. You had just had enough, your emotions taking over and crumbling you in front of my eyes. I didn't know what to say or do, so all I did was hold you until your body stopped shaking and your breathing became normal.

That was when you looked at me, and i'm not joking, you looked the most beautiful i'd ever seen, even with your blood shot eyes from crying, your puffy cheeks and unkept hair with your makeup smudged.

You might think i'm joking, but i swear to you i'm not. We stayed like that, outside your apartment door, just sitting together in silence for hours. We watched the sun set and the moon rise. Eventually we just started counting stars until Steve came out to see us laying against the wall, my coat jacket wrapped around both of us because you had gotten cold, your head on my shoulder because you were getting sleepy.

I don't think Steve had ever seen us like that, and i'm pretty sure he saw the was I looked at you changed. From friend, to so much more.

With all that I am and more,
Your Sarge, James

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
August 10th, 1943

To My Beloved Sarge,

Words cannot express how i felt reading your recent letter, my only regret is that we can't say these words to each other in person.

Maybe a few words could express how i felt..

Joy, happiness, giddiness, bliss, excitement and a little bit of embarrassment..

I wish i could see you right now, hold you tight, your arms wrapped around me, counting the stars like the day of mine and Steve's Mother's funeral.

Hopefully one day we will count them together, i'm praying that it's soon.

And you said Steve gave you his blessing to ask me to go steady the night we went to the Expo?! He's never mentioned any of this to me! I didn't know Steve was so good at keeping secrets..

Once this war is over we'll see each other again, unless we see each other before then, Steve did join the Army and i came with as you know.. We've been traveling a lot recently, so far we've been to Buffalo, Milwaukee, and now Philadelphia, next we're headed to Chicago then to New York City.

I'll write soon, My Sarge

With all my love,
Your Little Nurse, Mary.

Classified
November 2nd, 1943

My Beloved Little Nurse,

You've always wanted to see the world, or as much as you could. I'm so happy for you. I'm sure Philadelphia is everything people say it is, and Chicago, well it's Chicago, everyone always says that it's cold, so dress warm. I don't want to hear from Steve that you got sick from not dressing properly and that i need to leave where i'm stationed at to come take care of you.

Because i will.

The one-o-seventh got their orders today, we'll be going somewhere that i can't disclose in the letters sadly, i would if i was allowed to. So i may not be able to write to you once we ship off.

So i wanted to make us official, even though it's not face to face.

So Mary Elizabeth Rogers? Would you do me the honor of becoming my girlfriend? The keeper of my heart, my one and only Dame.

I have a feeling i already know the answer but i still wanted to ask before i wouldn't be able to write for a while.

I'll eagerly await your answer, Doll.

PS: I've been counting the stars every night to remind myself of you.

Your Sarge and hopefully your boyfriend, James.

New York City, New York
November 14th, 1943

Dear my Beloved Sarge and Boyfriend,

As you can already tell from the opening, yes, James Buchanan Barnes, of course i'll be your girlfriend! Nothing would make me more happier than that.

Steve just finished his last thing here in New York City and we're actually heading to the troops now. I don't know where though, but maybe it's where you are!

And for your health and sanity, i did wear warm enough clothes in Chicago, and yes, everyone who had said that the city is cold, is 100% correct. It was absolutely freezing.

I have to cut this letter short sadly, Steve and I have been packing all day but i had just gotten your letter and i needed to write one back to you immediately.

I'm also counting the stars. Every night til i see you again.

With all my life and my love,
Your Little Nurse and Girlfriend, Mary.