𝑈𝑛𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑦 𝑇𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑑 || 𝑪𝒂𝒑𝒕𝒂𝒊𝒏 𝑨𝒎𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒄𝒂 𝑭𝒂𝒏𝒇𝒊𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏

Good Man

Sammie's POV

I stand at the door and knock, hoping he will answer. I made sure that all the recruits were away. Not only did they move out, but I told them that I had left a cake I baked in the grub tent.

A small voice says come in. I open the door and walk inside to see Steve sitting alone on his bunk. Around him, eleven other bunks lie stripped, their foot lockers empty.

"Hey."

Steve quickly looks up noticing it was me and not a recruit, "Sam! Hi! Ho-how are you... you wan-want to sit?"

I giggle and nod then walk over to his bed and sit beside him. "Thanks."

"No problem Sammie."

"So Steven... how are you feeling? Are you nervous?"

"Kind of. I'm a little worried but hoping for the best. I don't know. I guess I'm just confused... very confused about a lot of things."

"Like what?" I stare at Steve who has sudden appeared sad.

"Why do you like me?"

His eyes gleam with sadness as if ready to hear me tell him that I don't. But then I would be lying.

"Well Steve you're smart, and determined. You are the sweetest person I have ever met. You care so much about others, you're so selfless. And you're pretty cute too." I smile as he puts his head down looking at the floor.

"You really think I'm cute?"

I nod as he frowns.

"What is wrong with you?"

I laugh as he face turns red, "Nothing is wrong with me Steve. I just see you."

He looks at me in astonishment. Hearing footsteps we both move away from each other and look up to see Doctor Erskine carrying a bottle of Schnapps.

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3rd Person's POV

"Can't sleep?" Erskine asks as he walks to the two.

"Got the jitters, I guess." Steve mumbles.

Erskine indicates his bottle, "Me, too."

"Can I ask you a question?"

"Just one?"

"Why me?"

Erskine considers this and sees Sammie nodding. Then he sighs and pulls up a chair.

"I suppose that is the only question that matters."

He motions for Steve to grab a couple of water glasses.

He holds up the bottle, "Made in Augsburg. My city. So many forget that the first country the Nazis invaded was their own. I don't excuse what my people have become. After the first war, my people struggled... they felt weak, small. Then Hitler comes with big show, the marching. He finds me. Hears of my work. You, he says, will make us strong. I am not interested. He sends the head of Hydra, his research division. A brilliant scientist named Johann Schmidt. Schmidt was a member of the inner circle, ambitious, obsessed with occult power and Teutonic myth. He and Hitler shared a passion for violence and Wagner, German operas about war and heroes. Blood and race. Gods afoot upon the earth."

He shakes his head smiling sheepishly, "Me, I like a little Benny Goodman... I like jazz."

Steve smiles as Erskine goes on.

"Hitler uses these fantasies to inspire his followers. But Schmidt... he does not believe in fantasy. For him, it is real. He became convinced that a great power had been hidden on earth left here by the gods- waiting to be seized by a superior man. And when he understood what my formula could do, Schmidt could not resist... He had to become that superior man."

Erskine goes silent. He just stares at his hands.

"Did it make him strong?" Sammie asks with curious eyes. She had never heard this story before same as Steve.

"Yes, but there were other... effects. The serum was not ready, but more important, the man... The serum amplifies what is inside. Good becomes great... Bad becomes worse."

Erskine pours schnapps into the two glasses Steve holds, "This is why you were chosen. A strong man, he might lose respect for the power if he has had it all his life. But a weak man knows the value of strength...and compassion."

"Thanks... I think."

Erskine chuckles and puts his glasses on, "Whatever happens tomorrow, promise me you'll stay who you are. Not a perfect soldier..."

He taps Steve's chest with one finger, looking into his eyes, "But a good man."

Steve clinks his glass with Erskine's, "To the little guys."

They move to drink, but as soon as Sammie says wait Erskine remembers something and grabs Steve's glass before he can take a sip.

"What am I doing, you have a procedure tomorrow. No fluids."

Steve smiles at Erskine, "We'll drink it after."

"I don't have procedure tomorrow."Erskine sips his and hands Steve's drink to Sammie.

Sammie stands up and chuckles to herself then drinks. Handing the glass to Erskine, she says goodnight.

"See you tomorrow Steve. You'll do great! Everything will be great."

Leaning down, she kisses Steve on the cheek then turns around and leaves the bunk.

"Glad to see the two of you getting along."

"Yeah..." Steve smiles looking at the closed door holding his cheek.

"You know... she really likes you."

"Really? How can you tell?" Steve grimaces.

"It's all in the eyes. Her eyes show nothing but happiness when around you. That and she tells me almost everyday." Erskine smiles at Steve who looks like he is having an argument with himself in his head.

"Don't overthink this. Just live. She likes you... you like her... let things happen naturally."

Steve smiles slightly looking at Erskine.

Maybe he has gotten his chance. Maybe things will get better. Maybe Sammie Todd will end up being his gal.