War. It was Ally's first time truly seeing the war up close. Most of Dr. Abraham Erskine team of research scientists and doctors made it to see another day as they trudged through enemy territory. Although everything went according to plan, she still saw death. She remained safe but some of her companions did not. She remained untouched but she watched as half of her unit was blown up in a minefield. She stayed alive while others weren't able to return to their families. That was going to haunt her forever.

The file Ally's captain gave to her a few months back had contained information regarding Dr. Abraham Erskine's super serum. The goal of the mission was to get the doctor to his old research facility so he could collect the remaining data needed to complete the serum. Ruthie Murray, Ivan Farland, Evelyn Abbott, Alchemy Jones, Jovian Jones, William Dansworth, Darwin Walsh and Dr. Abraham Erskine himself were the only sole survivor's out of the twenty people in that unit.

Ally had a gun the entire time but she never used it. Did that make her weak or humble? Her sister and brother-in-law killed whoever got in their way, but Ally was never able to shoot another human. In her nightmares, she saw the man who had almost murdered her the night some of her unit was killed in the minefield. In her dazed dreams, she saw the scruffy, skinny and vicious man who aimed a gun at her head. Her heart was pounding in her chest and she could feel his breath on her neck. Yet, she didn't move an inch. If that was her death, she was somehow ready. She was ready because she wasn't going to kill another human for her own sake. Did that make her stupid or heroic?

Then there was the discovery of HYDRA. HYDRA was a criminal organization dedicated to the achievement of world domination through terrorists and Nazi activities on various fronts, resulting in a fascist New World Order. In her current situation, it was HYRDA versus the SSR. Yeah, Ally didn't like them any better than Nazi's.

Now, as she lay fast asleep on her sister's shoulder, she dreamt of that same man. The tip of his gun pressed against her head, cold from the rain that poured above them. Only this time, he shot her and she was dead.

Her hazel eyes shot open. She tried to breathe but the air just wouldn't go in. Her heart raced and she desperately attempted to inhale. At the fourth attempt some air went in, not much, but enough to allow a bigger breath the next time. Fighting to re-inflate her lungs, her sister snapped from her sleep.

"Alchemy?" she questioned worriedly, soon realizing what happened. "Just breathe, it was just a nightmare."

Ally rested her head against the seat. She put a hand through her hair before signing loudly. "Did I wake you?"

Jojo nodded her head. "Don't worry about it. I got a few of those my first mission. Dreams come and go, they pass with time as you slowly become immune to the terror they bring."

"It felt real," her mouth was dry and tasted of metal. "Where is everyone?" Ally had just noticed that everyone in her train cart had suddenly disappeared.

"We'll be back in Brooklyn real soon so everyone went to retrieve their things," Jojo rubbed soothing circles on her little sister's back. "As far as things go, I think your cover hasn't been blown."

Ally shoved her sister. "Shut up."

"HYDRA didn't snap any pictures of you, we made sure of it," Jojo explained, standing up to retrieve her bag. "They don't know who Alchemy Jones is."

"How relieving," Ally rolled her eyes. "What about everyone else? Are their identities secured as well?"

"We can only hope."

Alchemy felt a shiver descend down her spine in the claustrophobic train cart. She waited for the nerves to settle but a small sigh of anxiety leapt out of her mouth. Her eyes flickered to the incoming building of the Brooklyn train station. Now that she was finally home, a hum of excitement and exhilaration returned to her. She knew she could overcome the bitter memory of her unit dying before her eyes but she wasn't sure if she could overcome it any time soon. Of course, a normal doctor would of lost a few patients down the road due to their injuries but she wasn't a normal doctor.

"Bucky and Steve will be waiting out there," Jojo told her sister, handing her one of the few suitcases onboard. "I'm going to assume Kepler came to pick you up, so Will and I are gonna take the back route."

"Surprising them at home to steal my thunder?"

"What more would you expect?" Jojo leant down and kissed Ally's forehead. "You done good, be proud of yourself."

"I still haven't told them."

"You will eventually. Do you know your next orders?"

Ally shook her head. "I zoned out when the Colonel started talking."

"A lot of us do," Jojo chuckled. "You'll be shipped out for England with the 107th next Saturday. Did Erskine tell you why?"

"To study body movements and recoveries. I need to report back within the week so he knows what to look for in his candidate for the serum."

"You got it," she picked up her suitcase. "I'll see you at home little sis."

Ally smiled and waved her sister off as William and her darted towards the back. Ruthie Murray walked in right after they left, strutting a plain navy dress. She sent Ally a kind grin, knowing that they'd see each other again. "Be careful out there Alchemy, they hunt people down if they find anything suspicious."

Ally nodded her head. "Stay safe."

Ruthie left the train cart, opening the door to Brooklyn's notably hot sun. It was Ally's turn to leave. What would she say to him? What would she say to Steve?

"I'm alive and well boys," she thought to herself. "One month out on the field couldn't have killed me!"

That wasn't at all what she wanted to say. She wanted to tell Bucky how the thought of his insubordinate but kind attitude warmed her insides when she spent nights out in the pouring rain. She wanted to tell him how much she longed to look into his oceanic blue eyes.

She shook her head, fluffing out her curls before swinging the door open and taking a few steps towards the blazing sun. It took her a second to adjust to the blinding light but she soon saw her two best friends, standing side by side with massive smiles. She dropped her suitcase and ran towards them. Engulfing both of them into a strong embrace. She kissed Steve's cheek and then Bucky's, squealing because she was so happy to see them.

"You look wonderful," she kept a hand on each of their shoulders. "If I hadn't known better, it would appear that Steve doesn't have a busted lip!"

Steve chuckled. "It's good to have you back Ally."

She hugged him once more. "I missed you so much Rogers!"

"It wasn't the same without you Jones," his eyes darted to her bag. "I'll grab your bag, hold on."

Steve took off towards Ally's bag, left in the middle of the train station. As kind as Steve was, her eyes remained glued to Bucky's.

"You look different."

"Do I?"

"You seem," he circled her, his hands behind his back. "Jumpy?"

"Nothing a night out with Barnes and Rogers can't fix," the smile plastered on her face didn't change. "How are you?"

"I'm better now," he grinned. "God, I just missed you so much."

"One month wasn't that long was it?"

"It was too long," he wrapped his arms around her waist. "I'm so glad you're safe."

Ally hummed in response, relaxing in his arms. "I'm here now Buck."

"You'll be gone again soon, so I gotta take my girl out as many times as I can before she leaves to save the wounded."

"You say it like it's a bad thing," she giggled, her nose wrinkling. "I think it's rather noble."

"It is," his gaze dropped to her shoes. "But there are a few people left in Brooklyn you need to save first."

Steve returned with her bag before she could say anymore. He dangled Kepler's car keys in front of her face and smirked. "Guess who told me I could pick you up?"

"He didn't," she gasped. "Kepler gave you the keys to his car?"

"It gets better," Steve continued. "With permission from your parents, we are taking you out for dinner."

"You two spoil me!" Ally puffed out her chest and put her hands on her hips. "Shall we?"

Bucky and Steve linked arms with either end of Ally and they took off to find a diner that would serve them dinner at eleven o'clock at night. Yes, Steve Rogers and Bucky Barnes waited in the dark for their beloved Ally Jones to return from one month of war.

—

"You say it like it's a bad thing," she giggled, her nose wrinkling. "I think it's rather noble."