[WWII AU] a brand new day

[nerves_of_ice]

Bucky wakes in the predawn darkness, long before reveille would normally be called. He spends a few minutes reviewing the mission in his head before he rolls from his cot; there's no room to think about anything else. He meets Steve and the rest of the Howling Commandos at five-fifteen. As planned, they're on the move before the hour has passed.

It's a long day, a hard day, but in the end a successful day, for the most part. The hidden facility carved into the hillside is no more when they leave, HYDRA's agents defeated, their stockpiles destroyed. But there's still no sign of Schmidt, nor of Zola, and that remains incredibly frustrating.

Still, there's reason to celebrate today's win, and the squad's more or less exuberant on their return, some fourteen or so hours later. Steve disappears into the command tent to debrief with Colonel Phillips; Bucky'll catch up with him afterward, as usual. He spends a few minutes trading quips with the others before disappearing to weapons storage to see to his own rifle - also as usual. Something about taking care of it helps him feel like he's cleaning the blood off his own hands.

After that, he finds he's too restless to settle yet, and figures it's not the best idea for him to be around others until he sorts himself out. Bucky wanders along the edge of camp in the dark, then veers from the path and off into the field where he'd spent some time watching the stars only a couple of days ago.

It should be peaceful there, more or less.

Comments

[from_the_outside]

"God bless Martin," Sharon says, reaching for the cup with a pleased expression. She sips at the coffee – Martin had even included a little honey, thoughtful of him – and glances back at Bucky.

"Everything all set with Stark?"

[nerves_of_ice]

"All set," he confirms. "He's promised to talk through the plan for whatever tests he wants to do at the start of things from now on."

Gabe blinks. "How'd you get him to agree to that?"

Bucky shrugs. "Wasn't me, not really. I think he realized yelling at Steve wasn't going to get him anywhere."

[from_the_outside]

"Glad to hear he made the smart choice," Sharon says.

There's zero doubt in her mind that Stark won't try to push his luck, but it's good for now.

[nerves_of_ice]

"I might have told him you said you'd keep helping if he did," Bucky adds. "Just so you know."

[from_the_outside]

"And I will," she tells him, with a slight shrug. "So, everybody wins."

[nerves_of_ice]

"Everybody wins," Bucky agrees, a little dry. He takes a large swallow of coffee. "So he wants us back in the lab right after breakfast."

Bucky glances over at Gabe. "What've you got on your duty roster today?"

[from_the_outside]

She sips her coffee and tunes out as Gabe tells Bucky about his tasks for the day – he's reporting to Diaz to assist with a new shipment of supply that's due to come in around lunchtime – thinking about Howard Stark and Tony Stark, about Nick Fury and Dr. Selvig.

Are any of these experiments showing up in a way Selvig can trace? Should she go back to her original idea of an anchor – a photo or letter that could be delivered to Nick in the future to let him know where she is?

If the resonance is fading, how long before it's gone completely? And once it is, will she still be able to get back?

[nerves_of_ice]

"Sounds good," Bucky says, when Gabe finishes. "I'm in with Cap this afternoon, planning."

Gabe perks up. "Do we know the next target yet?" Bucky shakes his head. "No, but we should know something soon, I'm betting. Agent Carter? Are you available after lunch?"

[from_the_outside]

"Hm?"

She blinks back to herself and looks over at him, replaying the last bit of the conversation to try and catch back up. "After lunch? Yes."

[nerves_of_ice]

Bucky nods. "Cap wants you in on the planning session," he explains. "With Colonel Phillips and the senior Agent Carter."

[from_the_outside]

"Then I'm happy to oblige."

She takes a last sip of her coffee and sets the empty cup down on her tray. Maybe Aunt Peggy and the Colonel have come up with something they can use her for; she can hope.

[nerves_of_ice]

Bucky starts to clear her empty tray with his, only to have Gabe beat him to it. "I'll take care of this for you, Agent Carter," he says, almost shyly.

Somehow, Bucky manages to keep his lips from twitching in a smile.

[from_the_outside]

"Thank you, Private," Sharon says, a little surprised but pleased. "Maybe I'll run into you again later."

"I hope so," Gabe tells her, then nods to Bucky. "Sarge," he says, then starts making his way toward the bus area and the exit.

[nerves_of_ice]

Bucky smiles. "Gabe's a nice guy," he observes, and tips back the rest of his coffee. "Are you ready for round two?"

[from_the_outside]

"He's a sweetheart," Sharon agrees, then nods at him.

"Ready. You?"

[nerves_of_ice]

"Close enough. Let me just clear this," he says, lifting his own tray.

It doesn't take more than a moment before he's back at the table, ready to escort her.

[from_the_outside]

She ignores any glances or murmured comments as they head out of the mess tent and turn their steps back toward the lab, her thoughts occupied.

"I'm glad Captain Rogers could help out with Stark," she says, after a few moments. "I don't think Aunt Peggy would be so willing."

[nerves_of_ice]

Bucky glances over at her, startled. "What do you mean?"

[from_the_outside]

"To give Stark any leeway, I mean," she points out, and quirks a smile at him.

"Can you imagine him going to her and telling her what he wanted for his experiment?"

[nerves_of_ice]

Bucky laughs. "Not a chance. I figure that's why he went looking for Cap. Oh, hey--"

It strikes him, and there's real concern in the quick look he gives her. "She's not going to be upset with him for that? Steve, I mean."

[from_the_outside]

"She won't be," Sharon promises. "I'll make sure of it, in case there's any doubt."

[nerves_of_ice]

"Good," he says, a little ruefully. "I don't want her to shoot him again."

[from_the_outside]

"He should be fine," Sharon tells him.

After a beat: "Still, always a good idea to keep the shield around."

[nerves_of_ice]

Bucky gives her a wry look. "That's pretty much always true when it comes to Steve and that shield."

[from_the_outside]

"Then he shouldn't have any problems," Sharon tells him, breezily, as they come up to the lab tent.