As predicted, when news broke out that Ally would be going on her mission (or as she put it, leaving to attend her first few patients), her mother and father put together a massive going away party. Jojo also claimed that she and her husband, William, would be flying to England since William had an emergency meeting with the CEO of his company. Everyone bought it because nobody knew better, except Ally.

She fidgeted with the few last strands of her hair, curling them to perfection. In frustration, she grumbled and fell backwards onto her bed. She hadn't slept a minute since her sister told her to tell Bucky and Steve that she was lying to them.

"It wasn't a lie," she told herself. "Just a small fib."

That was complete bullshit.

Ally knew better. She was apart of a highly secret agency that could end America's shortage of men. She wasn't some nurse on the battleground, she was a genius. She was helping her country, she was doing what she was born to do.

Be extraordinary.

Ally took a few more seconds to put herself together. Her elegant and black skirt suit gave off the vibe that she was more than what meets the eye, which was true. She fluffed out her hazel curls one last time before topping off her outfit with a black wide-brimmed hat. She stained her lips red before closing her bedroom door and made her way downstairs.

The Jones' house was cleaned from top to bottom. The hardwood floor sparkled with fresh wax and every window in the house was open so it smelt like summer. The drapes blew effortlessly from the small summer breeze as Ally found herself in the empty parlour.

She fell against the plush couch and rested her head on a pillow. A photo caught her attention, placed a few centimetres from her face. She reached over and grabbed it, bringing it closer to her face. It was a picture of her, Steve and Bucky from a few years ago. It was the very first time they ever came over for dinner. Ally was much shorter back then, almost the same height as Steve. She was taller than him now but still didn't reach Bucky's height. Bucky's hair was combed back while Steve's blonde hair was up in every direction. She was seventeen in that photo, now she was twenty-two.

"Alchemy darling, what are you doing in here?" her mother's attention snapped her back to reality. "We have guests coming over soon, you should be by the front door."

"Sorry mama," Ally sat up and flattened out her skirt. "How do I look?"

Rosa tucked her hands in front of her and smiled. "Molto bellissimo."

"Grazie," she took a step towards her mother and kissed her cheek. "I'll be waiting by the front door, make sure Kep and Nico aren't doing anything stupid."

"Wait," Rosa grabbed her daughter's arm. "Be a lady tonight, alright? I know you don't like parties in your honour but smile, use your manners, at least pretend to have fun."

Ally nodded, feeling rather miserable. "I will mama."

With that, Ally made her way to the front door and was soon greeted by multiple guests, all here for her going away party. She shook their hands, hugged them, kissed their cheeks and smiled gratefully. One by one, each guest brought more life to the Jones' household as the party began. Kepler played the piano in the parkour, keeping the party at a steady beat. Harold cracked up jokes with his scientist friends and Rosa tended the kitchen. What could possibly be missing?

Ally's lips tugged into a huge grin when Bucky and Steve approached the front door. Forgetting her manners, she ran towards them and wrapped her arms around Bucky's neck. She held on a little longer than she should have before turning to Steve. "You two cleaned up nicely."

"You're not so bad yourself doll, you actually look rather lovely," Bucky grinned. "We didn't miss much did we?"

"Not at all," she told them. "I was rather bored before you two hooligans showed up."

"Well," Steve commented. "We are the party."

Bucky's eyes gazed over to Ally as she threw her head back and laughed. He couldn't help himself any longer, she was completely and utterly gorgeous to him. She was like nothing he had ever seen before, a real dime.

"Come on boys, I need a drink." She linked arms with both Bucky and Steve, leading them into the house.

"Has Kepler destroyed anything yet?"

Ally poured herself a glass of wine. "No, but Nico dropped one of the cakes before you got here."

Bucky shook his head. "Nico's gonna go far."

"No he's not," Ally snorted. "He's only fifteen, plus he can't even tie his own shoes."

"Ouch," Steve muttered, watching a few people dance in the parlour. "How old is Kep now?"

"Eighteen."

His eyes remained on the larger men, swinging their partners without having to look up at them. "I remember when he was just a kid, playing with toy soldiers in the backyard."

"Would you please stop swooning over my brother Rogers?" Ally giggled, placing her wine glass on the counter. "Anyone care to dance?"

"You can take this one Buck," Steve told his friend. "I'm going to go find some snacks."

Bucky grinned, offering his arm to Ally. "Well then, may I have this dance?"

"And what do I owe the pleasure to dance with James Barnes?"

"The guest of honour needs to know what she's missing when she takes off to aid the injured," he told her. "Plus, I want see my girl dance one more time."

Ally's cheeks went hot but her face remained the same, holding a silly smirk that wiped many men off their feet. "I don't make promises Buck, but I promise that this won't be our last dance."

Bucky placed his hand on Ally's waist and the other in her own soft hand. "I'd like to think so."

"Don't do this," she begged. "You know I'm coming back. It's just a nurse job, I'm just a–" Ally paused, lost in his blue eyes. Feeling rather anxious about the entire party, she then asked. "Come on, walk with me to the gardens?"

"It'd be my pleasure Ms. Jones."

Together, they made their way to the stone path that lead to the giant garden Rosa planted every spring. The stone path was decorated with weeds and small flowers. Many clusters of different flowers decorated their surroundings until they made it to the heart of the garden. Ally leant against one of the many apple trees, taking off her hat and fanning herself.

"Remember when Steve fell off of here?" Bucky questioned, touching a branch with his hand. "And we all thought he broke something?"

"That was the summer Jojo married William," she thought a second more. "She was so on edge because everything had to be perfect for her wedding, she didn't even ask if Steve was okay."

There was a sudden silence. The only sound was the breeze of wind and distant laughs from inside the house. She was captivated by the man in front of her, remembering when he was just a boy. A piece of her was scared. As much as she was thrilled to be more than just a nurse, she knew that her job was dangerous.

"Are you alright?"

"I'm fine," she promised. "Just wishing I had something stronger."

"You don't need to lie to me Ally."

"Everyone wants me there at the celebration, a smile painted on my face and a glass of wine in my hand. I love them all, I do, but all I want is a quiet night. I'm not scared Bucky, you know me. There's just something more."

"What?"

"I feel as if I'm lying to everyone," it's because she was lying to everyone. "I don't want them to be mad or scared."

Quickly, he went to wrap a loving arm around Ally's back. "It's okay Ally. I know how you must feel. Despite just being a nurse, you are risking your life just by stepping out of Brooklyn but you'll be okay, you are smart and quick."

She opened her mouth to say more but was interrupted by her brother, Nico, running towards them. "Come on! Mama just brought out the cake!"

Bucky offered his hand. "You've only got so much time left and I want to be beside you until you leave."

The celebration went on into the night, everyone dancing like they'd forgotten how to stand still. It was a riot of colour, everyone a little more hyped up than they should be. Almost everything about the night made Ally forget that she didn't tell Bucky or Steve, but with her feet constantly moving with grace, the only thing she felt was her heart beating with joy.

—

"You're not so bad yourself doll, you actually look rather lovely," Bucky grinned. "We didn't miss much did we?"