Bree:

Alyssa:

Amara:

Next Day

Bree's Apartment

The next morning, a sleek black car pulled up outside their apartment building.

Bree and Alyssa stepped out, Bree clutching her nursing bag tightly. Amara, in her impeccable military uniform, stepped out of the driver's seat.

"Bree Rogers?" Amara asked.

Bree nodded, extending her hand. "Yes, that's me. And this is Alyssa."

Amara smiled warmly at the little girl, and Alyssa returned with a nervous smile, remaining shy and quiet.

Amara turned to Bree, shaking her hand firmly. "Agent Amara Carter. It's a pleasure to meet you both. Are you ready to go see Steve?"

"More than ready," Bree answered, helping Alyssa into the backseat before sliding in herself.

As they drove through the city streets, Bree's mind was racing. She turned to Amara. "Can you tell me anything more about what's going on? The letter was rather vague."

Amara glanced at Bree in the rearview mirror. "I'm afraid I can't say much. Dr. Erskine will explain everything when we arrive. But I can tell you that your brother is about to do something very brave and very important."

As they drove through the bustling city streets, Bree's mind was swirling with questions. She glanced at Alyssa, who was peering out the window with wide-eyed excitement, then back to Amara.

"Is Steve... is he going to be all right?" Bree asked hesitantly.

Amara's eyes met Bree's in the rearview mirror. "I won't lie to you. There are always risks with experimental treatments. Dr. Erskine has full confidence in your brother. And in you, should you choose to participate."

Bree's brow furrowed. "Participate? I thought I was just here to observe."

"That will be up to you," Amara replied cryptically. "Dr. Erskine will explain everything." Bree nodded, nervous. Amara's voice continued, softer now. "Your brother is very brave. He believes in this cause with all his heart. That kind of conviction... it's rare."

Bree had a soft smile at that. "That's Steve, all right."

✯

Brooklyn Antiques

As they drove deeper into the city, the buildings around them began to change. The residential neighborhoods gave way to more industrial areas, with warehouses and factories lining the streets. Finally, Amara pulled the car up to an antiques shop that seemed oddly out of place among the surrounding buildings.

"We're here," Amara announced, stepping out of the car.

Bree helped Alyssa out, looking around in confusion. "An antiques shop?"

Amara smiled mysteriously. "Things aren't always what they seem."

Steve and Peggy's car arrived just behind them, coming to a stop. The duo got out of the car, walking toward Bree, Alyssa and Amara.

Bree smiled in relief to see her brother.

Alyssa absolutely lit up. "Uncle Steve!"

Steve's face broke into a wide grin as he saw Bree and Alyssa. "Hey, there's my best girls!" He knelt down and opened his arms as Alyssa ran to him, scooping her up in a hug. "Look at you, you've gotten so big!"

Alyssa giggled, clinging to Steve. "I missed you, Uncle Steve!"

"I missed you, too, kiddo," Steve said. "Have you been taking good care of your Aunt Bree for me?"

Alyssa nodded vigorously. "Uh-huh! We baked cookies yesterday!"

Steve chuckled, standing up with Alyssa still in his arms. He turned to Bree, his expression softening. "Hey, sis."

Bree stepped forward, embracing both Steve and Alyssa in a tight hug. "Steve..."

Steve returned the embrace tightly. "It's so good to see you both."

Amara and Peggy watched with compassionate understanding, smiling softly despite their usual tough-as-nails agent personas.

"Are you sure about this, Steve?" Bree questioned.

Steve pulled back, his eyes shining with determination. "I've never been surer of anything in my life, Bree. This is my chance to make a real difference."

Bree searched her brother's face, seeing the unwavering resolve there. She nodded slowly. "Okay. I trust you."

"What's happening, Uncle Steve?" Alyssa asked curiously.

"I'm about to undergo a very serious procedure, Alyssa," Steve answere. "But hopefully, I'll be better. Stronger. So you two won't have to worry about me."

"What does that mean?" Alyssa questioned.

"Dr. Erskine believes that this serum can cure me of everything from before," Steve explained. "Make me super strong and fast. He called it a Super Soldier. He said that it would cure Bree's heart, too. I know you don't care about being stronger or fighting, Bree. But this... this could save your life. Like it's helping save mine."

Bree tilted her head, shaking it. "I don't know, Steve. What about the risks? What could this do to us? To anyone else? I don't know anything about this, and you barely do."

"That's why I'm taking it first," Steve assured. "I don't want there to be any risk for you. For either of us. And even if you don't want to take it, after... I'll understand. But I finally found a way to cure you, when you know that, even with all you know, you can't."

Alyssa looked up at Bree sadly. "It's not fair, Aunt Bree."

Bree nodded sadly, biting her lip, looking down. "No. You're right. It's not. But it happens, Alyssa. To a lot of people. And that's not fair, either."

"If you get cured and they don't, you mean?" Steve asked. Bree glanced down. "I don't know where we go from here. But maybe, if you do take the serum, which is still completely your choice, which I will respect whatever it is... if you do take it, and you come with us, you never know what you might find out there. With Dr. Erskine, these people. They might help find a way to help everyone. Not just us."

Bree considered this, tilting her head in thought.

Amara and Peggy approached the trio.

"With fighting to end a war and striving to end ails like your own to save lives, you two don't leave yourselves muh breathing room, do you?" Amara asked, slightly teasing. Bree and Steve smiled slightly. "Bree, Alyssa, this is my sister, Agent Peggy Carter."

Alyssa got shy again as she leaned her head on Steve's shoulder to hide her face, making the adults smile slightly.

Bree shook Peggy's hand. "Bree Rogers."

"Nice to meet you, Bree," Peggy told her.

"Likewise," Bree agreed.

Peggy glanced from Bree to Alyssa. "The experiment is allowed family to come and watch, along with scientists around the world. Is this all the family that is coming?"

"This is all the family that's left," Bree answered quietly. "Except for my boyfriend Bucky and our best friend Alec."

Alyssa raised her head at that. "Uncle Bucky's my godfather like Aunt Bree's my godmother. And Alec's my daddy. They're away at war right now."

Peggy and Amara processed this, nodding.

Amara was sympathetic at hearing that they were the only ones each other had. "I'm sorry to hear that." She took a breath. "We should head inside. The procedure is scheduled to begin soon."

Steve set Alyssa down, taking her hand and reaching for Bree's with his other. "Ready?"

Bree took a deep breath and nodded. "As I'll ever be."

Amara led the way to the antique shop door, opening it with a special key.

As they entered, an elderly woman greeted them from behind the counter. Her voice had an odd emphasis. "Wonderful weather this morning, isn't it?"

"Yes, but I always carry an umbrella," Peggy replied smoothly.

With the code exchanged, the elderly woman walked toward the front desk, reaching underneath to hit a button next to a hidden rifle.

Peggy and Amara walked toward the bookcase, leading Steve, Bree and Alyssa with them.

Suddenly, a section of the back wall slid away, revealing a hidden corridor, much to the shock of Bree, Steve and Alyssa.

Alyssa gasped in delight. "It's like a secret hideout!"

Amara smiled softly at the five-year-old. "Just like."

Steve moved Alyssa so that she was in between him and Bree, both adults holding onto her hands and squeezing gently.

As they stepped into the hidden corridor, Bree felt a mix of awe and trepidation. The sleek metal walls and high-tech equipment were a stark contrast to the antique shop they had just left behind.

Alyssa's eyes were wide with wonder as she looked around, whispering. "Wow. It's like something out of a movie!"

Steve chuckled softly, squeezing her hand. "Sure is, kiddo."

They followed Peggy and Amara down a long hallway that opened up into a large circular room. The center was dominated by what looked like a modified medical pod, surrounded by banks of equipment and consoles. Scientists and military personnel bustled about, making final preparations.

Alyssa gasped softly at the state-of-the-art tech surrounding the lab.

Steve and Bree's gazes fell upon the rebirth device. Glittering lenses surrounded the man-shaped cradle. Pneumatic panels folded below. Six vita-ray reactors loomed behind.

Steve, Bree and Alyssa looked at the observation booth where a group of men gathered.

Peggy and Amara let them take a moment to take in their surroundings, leading them down the stairs toward the doctors and Howard Stark.

Dr. Erskine walked toward them. "Good morning." A photographer took their picture. "Please, not now." Erskine turned to Bree, walking closer, a warm smile on his face. "This is the famous sister I've heard so much about. Steven's spoke about you in such a high regard."

"He's spoken of you in the same light," Bree agreed.

"I'm sorry we didn't get a chance to speak more before," Dr. Erskine told her. "Though I hope you are liking your new job."

"Yes, thank you," Bree answered. "It's a great opportunity to help. I just wish I could do more, but before I do, I need some answers, about what could happen. The risks. Steve's gotten to hear all about it, and well, I haven't."

"That's quite fair," Erskine agreed. "I'll explain it all to you during the procedure, and then, the choice is yours. Granted, if a condition such as yours does give you a choice at all."

Bree sighed heavily, exchanging a concerned look with Steve. "Yeah. That's what we're worried about too."

Erskine's eyes landed on the tiny five-year-old Alyssa, who was clinging to Bree and Steve's hands like a vice, a mixture of nervousness and excitement on her cute little face as she took in the sight of everything and everyone.

Erskine smiled softly. "And this must be little Alyssa." He knelt down to Alyssa's level, his kind eyes twinkling behind his glasses. "Hello there, Alyssa. I'm Dr. Erskine. Your Uncle Steve has told me all about you."

Alyssa smiled shyly, half-hiding behind Steve's leg. "Hi."

Erskine chuckled warmly. "I hear you're quite the brave little girl. Would you like to see something special?"

Alyssa nodded eagerly, her curiosity overcoming her shyness. "Yes, sir."

Bree and Steve smiled at Alyssa's instant response.

Peggy and Amara were slightly surprised with her manners and the way she reacted quickly to say that, pleased, finding it quite adorable.

Erskine reached into his pocket and pulled out a small vial filled with bright blue liquid. It glowed faintly in the dim light of the lab. "This is what's going to help your Uncle Steve become strong and healthy. It's like magic medicine."

Alyssa's eyes widened in wonder. "That's going to make Uncle Steve better?"

Erskine nodded solemnly. "That's exactly what I'm going to try to do. And maybe your Aunt Bree too, if she decides she wants my help."

Alyssa's eyes widened. "Really? You can make Aunt Bree's heart better too?"

"That's the hope," Erskine said, standing up. He turned to Bree. "But as I said, it's entirely your choice. We can discuss everything in

detail after Steve's procedure."

Bree nodded, feeling a mix of hope and apprehension. "Thank you, Dr. Erskine."

Howard Stark approached the group, his usual confident swagger on full display. "Alright, let's get this show on the road, shall we?" He turned to Steve with a grin. "Ready to become a new man, Rogers?"

Steve took a deep breath, squaring his shoulders. "As ready as I'll ever be, Mr. Stark."

Bree and Alyssa both looked at Howard curiously.

Howard, ever the ladies' man, winked at Bree, while looking at Alyssa like she was a strange little creature, though he gave the little girl a small smile that Alyssa returned shyly.

Peggy stepped forward. "We should get Steve prepped. Bree, Alyssa, if you'll follow me, Amara and I'll show you to the observation area."

Bree knelt down to Alyssa's level. "Sweetie, Uncle Steve has to go with the doctors now. We're going to watch from up there, okay?"

Bree pointed to the elevated observation area.

Alyssa nodded in agreement. "Okay."

Amara gave a slight smile. "Okay."

Steve knelt down and hugged Alyssa tightly. "I'll see you soon, kiddo. Be good for Aunt Bree, okay?"

Alyssa clung to him. "I will. I love you, Uncle Steve."

Steve's eyes softened, his voice thick with emotion. "I love you too, Alyssa. So much."

Steve stood, turning to Bree. The siblings embraced tightly, neither wanting to let go.

"Be careful," Bree whispered. "Please."

Steve nodded against her shoulder. "I will. Don't worry."

They pulled apart.

Bree looked at Steve, concerned. "You're gonna be okay, right?"

Steve nodded, taking Bree's hand. "I promise. So will you. Whatever you choose."

Bree, reassured that Steve was not pressuring her into taking the serum or even to make a choice yet, and reassured that he was going to be okay, nodded in agreement, kissing Steve's hand, causing both of them to smile, as Bree backed away, letting go of Steve's hand.

Steve gave Bree and Alyssa both a reassuring smile before following Dr. Erskine and Howard to the procedure area.

Peggy and Amara led Bree and Alyssa up to the observation deck. As they settled in, Bree lifted Alyssa onto her lap so the little girl could see better.

Erskine looked at Steve. "Are you ready?" Steve nodded. "Good. Take off your shirt, your tie and your hat."

Steve took off his hat.

Up above, Senator Brandt conferred with his aides.

A man with glasses waited a little behind.

Phillips walked in. "Senator Brandt, glad you could make it."

"Why exactly am I in Brooklyn?" Brandt asked.

"We needed access to the city's power grid," Phillips answered. "Of course, if you had given me a generalized requisition..."

"A lot of people are asking for funds, Colonel," Brandt told him. The man with glasses walked toward them. "Oh, this is, um, Clem..."

The man shook Phillips' hand. "Fred Clemson. If this project of yours comes through, we'd like to see that it doesn't get into the headlines."

Brandt looked over the railing toward Steve. "Jesus. Somebody get that kid a sandwich."

Steve was shirtless, sitting down on the lab table, turning to lay down.

Erskine walked closer. "Comfortable?"

"It's a little big," Steve told him. "You save me any of that schnapps?"

"Not as much as I should have," Erskine answered. "Sorry. Next time." He looked toward Howard. "Mr. Stark, how are your levels?"

Howard was sitting at the table with the controls. "Levels at 100%."

"Good," Erskine told him.

"We may dim half the lights in Brooklyn," Howard told them. "But we are ready. Good as we'll ever be."

Erskine picked up a mic, flicking it to get everyone's attention, giving feedback. "Can you hear me? Is this on? Ladies and gentlemen, today we take another step toward annihilation, but the first step on the path to peace." Doctors strapped Steve to the table. "We begin with a series of micro injections to the subject's major muscle groups. The serum infusion will cause immediate cellular change." Howard and his assistants were readying the machinery, putting the vials of serum in the metal pieces of the straps on the lab table, the injectors, the engineers checking their monitors. An EKG beeped. "And then, to stimulate growth, the subject will be saturated with Vita-Rays."

Erskine put the mic down, walking over to his assistant, nodding to her.

The assistant opened a case, revealing a gleaming aluminum syringe, tapping the needle, pulling back the plunger, injected Steve in the arm.

Steve winced and then relaxed. "That wasn't so bad."

"That was penicillin," Erskine told him. "Serum infusion beginning in five, four, three, two, one." Howard flipped a switch at the control table, deploying the injection pads on Steve. They bristled with hundreds of tiny needletips, closing over Steve, pressing him to the table. All the vials of blue serum were injected into Steve. Steve closed his eyes in pain, groaning, opening his eyes. "Now, Mr. Stark."

Howard hit a button at the control table. The lab table Steve was strapped to slowly tilted upright, rising like a rocket ready to launch. The panel behind him unfolded, a hood lowering over Steve's head, sealing him inside the Vita chamber. A window framed Steve's face. The doctors put the Vita-Ray dispensers into either side of the chamber.

Erskine knocked on it. "Steven? Can you hear me?"

Bree and Alyssa watched in concern, anticipation.

"It's probably too late to go to the bathroom, right?" Steve asked.

Erskine smiled a small smile, turning to the others. "We will proceed."

Up on the observation deck, while watching, Bree and Alyssa were asking Peggy and Amara questions.

"All of his illnesses and disabilities will be cured?" Bree asked.

"Indeed," Amara answered. "Stronger and faster than ever. Nothing holding him back anymore."

Howard turned two dials at the control table.

Phillips and Brandt watched in confusion.

Howard put on sunglasses, turning a wheel on the control table, upping the level of the rays. "That's 10%."

Light started to shine from within.

Erskine and his team put sunglasses on.

Amara took some sunglasses, handing them out between her, Peggy, Bree and Alyssa, as they were closest to the procedure on the observation deck. "Put these on." The girls all put the sunglasses on. Amara looked at Bree. "Dr. Erskine tells me that whatever good is inside Steve will be made more so. Like all the bad hat was inside the first man who took his serum, that was amplified."

"That's why he had to be careful on who to choose," Peggy admitted. "He had to know who was pure of heart and mind." She glanced at Bree's nursing bag in her hand, which had never left her grasp the entire time since leaving her apartment that morning, as if that proved her point. "Like you and your brother. To be sure that what happened before did not happen again."

Alyssa frowned, processing this; even for five years old, she was really smart. "So Dr. Erskine can't hand out the serum. He has to choose who's good enough?"

Bree nodded solemnly, hugging Alyssa close. "That's right, sweetie. Dr. Erskine has to be very careful about who gets the serum. It's a big responsibility."

Howard called out, "20%."

The chamber glowed brighter.

Alyssa's eyes widened behind her sunglasses. "It's so bright!"

Bree was thoughtful as she looked at Peggy and Amara. "Would Dr. Erskine be able to create something to cure the sick like Steve and me? Not this serum. Not something that would chang them. Just..."

"Help them," Amara finished. Bree nodded. "I think that's something that you would like to do, Miss Rogers. Perhaps in time, the two of you could discover something like that together."

Peggy had a soft smile at that.

Bree couldn't help but smile a bit, truly wishing that they could create something like that to help everyone who needed it, and deserved the cure, just as much as she and Steve did.

Howard continued turning up the Vita-Rays, the light shining brighter over everyone below. "30." The light started to shine upon the people in the booth. Everyone watched curiously. "That's 40%."

Bree clutched Alyssa tighter, her heart racing. "Is he okay in there?"

Peggy placed a reassuring hand on Bree's shoulder. "Dr. Erskine knows what he's doing."

"Vital signs are normal," a doctor told them.

Howard continued to turn up the light, looking up over his shoulder. "That's 50%. 60. 70."

Suddenly, Steve's agonized screams pierced the air.

Bree leaned forward nervously, worriedly. "Steve? Steve!" Bree's heart raced as Steve's screams echoed through the lab. She clutched Alyssa tighter, the little girl burying her face in Bree's shoulder. Bree's voice cracked with fear as she shouted. "Shut it down! Please, stop it!"

Dr. Erskine rushed to the chamber, pounding on the metal. "Steven! Steven!"

"Kill the reactor, Mr. Stark!" Amara ordered, her usual composure slipping. "Turn it off!"

As the lights got even brighter, Bree and the viewers had to shield their eyes.

Howard moved to shut down the machine, but Steve's voice suddenly rang out, strained but determined. "No!" In the booth, Brandt and Phillips exchanged an amazed look. "Don't!" Howard's hand hovered over the dial. "I can do this!"

Bree felt tears pricking at her eyes, torn between her fear for her brother and her faith in his strength.

Alyssa peeked out from Bree's shoulder, her small face etched in fear and worry for her uncle Steve. "Uncle Steve?"

"It's okay," Steve assured. "I can do it."

With hesitation, Erskine looked up to Bree and Alyssa, nodding reassuringly.

Bree swallowed as she held Alyssa close to her, both of them fearing the worst but hoping for the best.

Wanting to aid their fears and lessen the burden, Amara took both Bree and Alyssa comfortingly by the hand. The gesture was an appreciated surprise from both girls.

Erskine nodded to Howard.

Howard turned up the light. "80. 90. That's 100%."

The light was blazing brightly.

The control table started to spark.

The light faded into nothing.

Howard slowly lowered his sunglasses, watching curiously in anticipation.

Everyone watched in various emotions and states. Curious and confused and concerned and worried.

Bree and Alyssa were all of the above, holding their breath, having no idea what to expect.

Alyssa spoke in a whisper. "Uncle Steve?"

"Mr. Stark?" Erskine asked.

Howard hit the button to open the chamber.

The hood and panels retracted from the chamber, releasing a blast of steam. When it cleared, Steve was revealed as a brand-new man within the straps tying him to the table. Taller, muscular, perfect.

Everyone was in shock, gasping.

Bree and Alyssa gasped in shock and relief.

Immediately, Alyssa jumped down from Bree's lap and ran downstairs, taking off her sunglasses as she did, dropping them without a care. "Uncle Steve!"

Bree stood quickly, running after her. "Alyssa, wait. Steve..."

Amara and Peggy quickly stood to follow.

Erskine and Howard took the straps off of Steve, who stumbled forward slightly, disoriented.

Bree caught Steve, steadying him. "Hey, hey. You're okay."

Bree, Erskine and Howard helped Steve toward a table, where Alyssa stood waiting for them.

Everyone stood, walking down the steps toward them.

Except for Clemson, who opened a cigarette case and flicked a switch. A red light blinked. He snapped it shut and stuck the magnified case to the chair bottom.

Phillips smirked. "That son of a bitch did it."

Steve was breathing heavily. "I did it."

"Yeah," Bree agreed. "You did it."

Erskine smiled. "I think we did it."

Alyssa grinned, starting to jump excitedly. "You did it!"

Howard watched in shock. "You actually did it."

Amara and Peggy joined the group.

Peggy looked Steve over in concern and worry.

Bree looked at Steve, making sure he was okay. "How do you feel?"

"Did you used to be taller than me?" Steve asked.

Bree couldn't help a small smile and a laugh.

Alyssa giggled. "Are you okay, Uncle Steve?"

Steve was still breathless and shocked, nodding. "Yeah. I feel better than okay, Alyssa."

Peggy chuckled slightly. She reached a hand toward Steve's bare chest, before pulling it back without touching him.

Amara gave Peggy an amused look before handing Steve his shirt.

Phillips walked up behind Brandt. "How do you like that Brooklyn now, senator?"

"I guess the folks in Berlin are about to get very nervous," Brandt told them. Clemson walked closer. Brandt walked toward Erskine. "Congratulations, Doctor."

"Thank you, sir," Erskine told him.

Steve pulled on his shirt.

Bree, knowing that it worked and that Steve was no longer ill, that she no longer had to worry about his health taking him away like it did to their mother, was so emotional that she had tears in her eyes. Steve, knowing exactly what she was feeling and thinking because he was the same way with her health and worry about her, wrapped his arms around Bree as the two siblings embraced tightly.

Steve caught his breath. "It's okay, Bree. It's okay."

Bree sighed heavily in relief, opening her eyes when the two siblings pulled away, smiling.

Alyssa immediately went to embrace Steve.

Steve knelt down to hug Alyssa, marveling at how much smaller she felt in his new, larger arms. "Hey there, kiddo. What do you think of your new and improved Uncle Steve?"

Alyssa giggled, her eyes wide with wonder as she looked up at him. "You're so big now! Can you pick me up?"

Steve chuckled, easily lifting Alyssa high into the air. "Like this?"

Alyssa squealed with delight, her laughter echoing through the lab. "Higher, Uncle Steve! Higher! You're like a superhero now!"

The adults around them couldn't help but smile at the child's enthusiasm. Even Phillips' stern expression softened slightly.

As Steve played with Alyssa, Bree watched with a mixture of joy and disbelief. It was surreal to see her once-frail brother now towering over everyone, effortlessly lifting Alyssa as if she weighed nothing. She was thrilled to see Steve healthy and strong, but a part of her still worried about the long-term effects of the serum.

Dr. Erskine approached Bree, a gentle smile on his face, his eyes twinkling with a mixture of pride and curiosity. "Miss Rogers, what do you think? Quite a transformation, isn't it?"

Bree nodded, still watching Steve and Alyssa with amazement. "It's incredible, Dr. Erskine. I can hardly believe it's real."

"Oh, it's very real," Erskine assured her. "And now, perhaps, we should discuss your options."

Bree nodded, her eyes still on Steve and Alyssa. "Yes, I think that would be wise." As they moved to a quieter corner of the lab, Bree couldn't help but ask, "Is it really safe? I mean, Steve seems fine now, but what about long-term effects?"

Erskine nodded solemnly. "A valid concern. We've done extensive testing, but I won't lie to you. There are always unknowns with such groundbreaking science. However, all our data suggests that the changes are stable and permanent."

Bree bit her lip, considering. "And you really think it could help my heart condition?"

Erskine's eyes softened with compassion. "My dear, I believe it could do far more than just help. The serum doesn't merely treat symptoms; it fundamentally rebuilds and enhances the entire body at a cellular level. Your heart condition would likely be completely cured, along with any other health issues you may have."

Bree's breath caught in her throat at the thought. A life without the constant worry about her heart, without the limitations she'd always lived with... it seemed almost too good to be true.

"But," Erskine continued, his tone growing more serious, "you must understand that this isn't just about physical changes. The serum amplifies everything inside. Good becomes great; bad becomes worse. Your brother was chosen not just for his physical condition, but for his character. The same would be true for you. Your compassion, your intelligence, your desire to help others; all of these could be magnified exponentially."

Bree's mind raced with the possibilities. "So I could potentially do even more good as a nurse? Help more people?"

"Precisely," Erskine confirmed. "Your skills and knowledge, combined with enhanced physical capabilities, could make you an extraordinary healer."

Bree glanced back at Steve, who was now showing off his new strength by doing one-armed push-ups with Alyssa perched on his back, both of them laughing. She couldn't help but smile at the sight.

Bree turned back to Dr. Erskine, her expression thoughtful. "And what about the risks? Are there any side effects we should be concerned about?"

Erskine sighed, adjusting his glasses. "As with any experimental procedure, there are always risks. We've seen no negative side effects in our trials, but I must be honest. You would be only the second human to receive this particular formulation of the serum. There could be unforeseen complications. That being said, I believe the potential benefits far outweigh the risks, especially in your case."

Bree nodded, appreciating his candor. "I understand. And what about... well, the attention this might bring? Steve's transformation is pretty hard to miss. If I went through with this, would I be expected to... I don't know, join the army too?"

Erskine shook his head. "No, no. Your path would be your own to choose. We're not looking to create an army."

Bree nodded slowly, processing the information. Her gaze drifted back to Steve and Alyssa, watching as Steve now effortlessly lifted Alyssa above his head, the little girl's delighted squeals filling the lab.

"And what about... children?" Bree asked hesitantly, her voice barely above a whisper. "If I decide to do this, would I still be able to have a family someday?"

Dr. Erskine's expression softened with understanding. "Ah, a very important question. While we haven't had the opportunity to study long-term effects on fertility, all of our research indicates that the serum should not interfere with reproductive capabilities. In fact, it may even enhance them, potentially reducing risks associated with pregnancy and childbirth. However, I must caution that we don"t yet knw how the serum might be passed on to offspring. It's possible that any children you have could inherit some enhanced traits."

Bree nodded, a mix of relief and lingering uncertainty in her eyes, her mind whirling with possibilities and concerns. She glanced back at Alyssa, who was now perched on Steve's shoulders both of them beaming with joy, her heart swelling with love for her goddaughter. The thought of potentially having children of her own someday, without the constant fear of her heart condition complicating things, was almost overwhelming.

"Take your time to think it over," Erskine said gently. "This is not a decision to be made lightly. We can proceed whenever you're ready, if that's what you choose."

Bree turned to Erskine, nodding in appreciation. "I need time to think. It's a lot to process."

Erskine nodded, patting her arm gently. "Of course."

Bree gave Erskine a small smile. "But thank you, for everything you've done for my brother."

Erskine nodded in return.

Bree's smile faded as she looked behind Erskine when she saw Clemson by the stairs, glaring at the two of them, becoming uneasy underneath his stony gaze.

Clemson pulled out a lighter, flicking it to strike up a flame.

As soon as he did, Bree realized. "Get down!"

Everyone below the booth ducked instinctively upon the two words; Steve had Alyssa in his arms, shielding her from harm, just as a small explosion ignited the booth above, glass shattering down upon everyone below.

The explosion rocked the lab, sending shards of glass raining down on the crowded room. Steve instinctively shielded Alyssa with his body, feeling the glass bounce harmlessly off his new, enhanced form. Bree ducked behind a nearby console, her heart racing as chaos erupted around them.

Through the smoke and confusion, Clemson made his move. He snatched the last vial of serum from its case, meant for Bree if she chose to turn, and bolted from the exit.

Erskine stood, shouting. "Stop him!"

Clemson turned around, drawing his gun, shooting Erskine twice in the chest, running up the stairs, as many people were screaming.

Without hesitation, Bree instantly went to help Erskine as he fell to the floor next to her. "No!"

Steve and Alyssa were in shock as they looked at Bree and Erskine on the floor.

"Aunt Bree!" Alyssa cried.

Steve put Alyssa down as they ran toward Bree and Erskine.

"Doctor..." Steve trailed off.

Peggy and Amara, both with their guns drawn, tried to shoot Clemson as he made his escape.

Peggy and Amara ran up the stairs to follow.

Bree, with her nurse's bag, took a second to assess the wounds in Erskine's chest, quickly working with what she had to treat him, taking out a piece of plastic to put into Erskine's chest to stop air from being sucked into his wound to protect him from a potential collapsed lung, and pulled off her jacket, pressing it to his chest to stem the blood flow, slowing it as she attempted to stop it, but she didn't have enough time, and neither did anyone else without being at a real hospital.

Phillips stood, seeing Bree act so instantly without hesitation, clearly practiced in this, looking somewhat surprised and impressed, while everyone was rattled by what happened.

Erskine couldn't speak, weakly putting a finger to Steve's chest over his heart, looking from him to Bree.

"Don't try to speak," Bree urged. "Stay with me."

Steve looked at her, disconcerted. "Take care of him. I gotta go."

"Be careful," Bree warned.

Steve nodded, standing.

Alyssa reached for his hand. "Uncle Steve..."

"Stay with Aunt Bree," Steve instructed, taking off after Clemson, his new body responding with speed and agility he'd never known before.

No one could do anything to stop the death of Dr. Erskine as he bled out beneath Bree's hands, his eyes drifting to a close as his breath exhaled for the last time.

Bree shook her head desperately. "No, no, no, no."

Bree felt the life slip away from Dr. Erskine beneath her hands, a wave of grief and shock washing over her. She'd seen death before as a nurse, but never like this. Never so sudden, never someone she'd just been speaking to moments ago.

Bree started to do chest compressions for CPR.

Phillips stepped closer to stop her. "Forget it, kid. There's nothing you could've done. Anyone could've done."

Bree was completely stunned, but knew that Phillips was right, feeling defeated, and saddened by the loss of the good doctor that changed their lives. "I'm sorry." Her voice choked with emotion. "I'm so sorry."

Alyssa clung to Bree's side, her small body trembling. "Is... is Dr. Erskine..."

Bree swallowed hard, pulling Alyssa close with one arm while still keeping pressure on Erskine's chest with the other, even though she knew it was futile now, trying to compose herself for Alyssa's sake. "Yes, sweetie. He's gone."

Phillips approached, his usual gruff demeanor softened slightly by the gravity of the situation. "You did everything you could, Miss Rogers. Your quick action was... impressive."

The lab erupted into chaos around them. Phillips barked orders, scientists scrambled to secure their equipment and research, and agents rushed to secure the lab.

✯

Outside

Clemson burst out of the antique store.

The antique lady pulled her machine gun on Clemson.

Clemson shot her down with his handgun, killing her, taking her machine gun, running outside, finding two suited men blocking his way, running past them toward two guards of his own. "I got it! Get the car!"

Clemson and men shot at the two men in suits while running for their car, getting in.

The two men in suits opened fire, killing one of Clemson's men, while Clemson and the other man were in the car, and starting to speed away, while Clemson fired the machine gun out of the window to kill the two men.

Amara ran out of the antique shop with the speed unlike anything on earth, yet she couldn't expose herself as an alien with superhuman speed and strength in the 1940s without risking her safety and life, so she paused before anyone could see her use her powers.

Peggy tried to keep up with Amara, warning her adoptive sister that she could not expose herself, knowing the kind of danger it would put her in.

Amara aimed her gun at Clemson's car, trying to take aim to shoot and kill the two men in the car.

Clemson hit the button on his lighter, which made a car behind Amara explode just as Peggy ran outside.

Sensing the bomb before it went off, and seeing that Peggy was close to the blast radius, Amara used her superspeed to rush toward her sister, grabbing her and throwing them both to safety at the side of the road, making them both land harshly in the road.

The bomb was enough distraction to keep Amara and Peggy from firing after them, while incinerating the two bodies of the men Clemson killed outside.

"Peggy, are you okay?" Amara asked worriedly.

Peggy nodded.

Amara quickly stood, standing in the middle of the road and aiming her gun. With perfect eyesight and accuracy, she shot through the back windshield of Clemson's car and straight through the head of the driver, killing him.

Clemson had to grab the wheel of the car and drive them to the side of the road, pulling them to a skidding stop before they could crash, smashing into another car in the process.

A taxi squealed up.

The driver got out of the taxi, running to Clemson's aid. "Hey, buddy, are you--"

Clemson hauled himself from the wreck and jumped into the cab. The cabbie looked up to see his taxi roaring away.

Peggy stood from the ground.

Amara advanced down the street with her gun raised.

"Amara," Peggy said in warning, worried about her sister exposing herself. "You can't..."

"I'm aware," Amara replied, not doing anything else to expose her powers or species.

While driving straight toward Amara in an attempt to run her over, Clemson aimed his gun at Amara, firing once, twice, then a third, but he didn't hit her.

Amara stood her ground, completely unafraid of the taxi driving right toward her, while she was shooting shots right back at Clemson. Peggy joined Amara in the gunfire as she fired toward Clemson as well.

Steve burst out of the antique shop, his new body surging with power he was still getting used to. Before him, he saw that Clemson was about to run Amara over, running toward her, grabbing Amara and throwing them to the side of the road as they both fell and landed on their sides with groans of pain.

The taxi barreled past them without pausing.

Amara shoved at Steve. "I had him!"

"Sorry," Steve apologized.

Steve stood, but fell again, his new body big and awkward, as he was not used to the added weight and strength yet. Furious, he took off after the cab as fast as he could.

Steve sprinted through the Brooklyn streets, his new enhanced body propelling him forward with incredible speed. He leaped over cars and dodged pedestrians, keeping his eyes locked on Clemson's taxi ahead.

Clemson swerved wildly through traffic, the vial of serum rolling precariously on the seat beside him. He grabbed it and shoved it into his pocket for safekeeping.

Amara stopped a Sedan in the middle of the street with a hand to the hood of the car.

The driver rolled down the window. "Stay out of the road. There's some—" Amara opened his car door, yanking the man out of his car, tossing him aside, getting into the car, closing the door. "Hey!"

Peggy ran to get into the passenger's seat just as Amara drove them away.

"Are you out of your bloody mind?" Peggy immediately scolded.

Amara drove with intense focus while her sister held on tight. "We can't let him escape with that serum."

"I'm not talking about the way you drive, though you are a loon at that, as well," Peggy replied. "What were you thinking, using your powers? Are you trying to get caught?"

Amara gripped the steering wheel tightly as she weaved through traffic, her eyes locked on Clemson's taxi ahead. "I didn't have a choice, Peggy. If I hadn't acted, you could have been killed in that explosion."

Peggy sighed, her anger softening slightly. "I appreciate that, truly. But you have to be more careful. If anyone saw..."

"I know," Amara cut her off. "But right now, we need to focus on catching that bastard before he gets away with the serum."

In the road, Steve veered down an alley, taking a shortcut. He spotted Clemson's cab racing past the mouth of the alley. Steve poured it on, picking up speed, rocketing back onto the street, careening out of control, right toward a shop window, crashing through the window, tumbling into the shop.

Steve jumped out the shop window, calling back to the owners and other people inside. "I'm sorry!" He raced down the street, bare feet pounding the pavement. He passed a speeding car and ran down an alley, seeing a fence ahead of him. He leaped up through the air, soaring over the top of the fence, and landed on his feet on the other side, but heavy on his feet, he stumbled into the street, almost getting run over in the process, until the car in front of him pulled to a screeching stop. "Whoa, whoa, whoa!"

Clemson swerved past a parked truck.

Pedestrians dove away as the cab veered onto the sidewalk.

Steve raced between lanes of traffic to get closer faster. When that still wasn't enough as he was getting used to his new powers, he started climbing the cars, jumping from one car to another to get there, until he jumped right onto the taxi cab Clemson was in, hanging onto the top of the taxi, no matter how much Clemson tried to swerve and throw him off.

Nothing worked to throw Steve off, so Clemson aimed his gun up at the car ceiling and fired bullets through the car up at Steve. Steve ducked repeatedly, breathing heavily, hoping not to get shot. Finally, for a split second, he lost his grip on the car, which caused Clemson to swerve the car again for a second, making Steve fall off the roof of the car, but Steve landed on the step-stair of the car on the passenger side, holding onto the car and the doorway to stay up.

This distracted Clemson enough that he didn't see a traffic truck heading right for them, so he crashed into that, causing the car to flip repeatedly down the road, shattering all the windows, while Steve was still on the roof of the car, thrown off of it to the ground.

The passenger door of the taxi got ripped off and fell to the ground.

Once the taxi stopped rolling, it landed with the car standing right side up.

Clemson hurriedly dove out of the car, standing, not caring about the crowd gathered around the river side where they ended up, as he raised his gun toward Steve, firing, making the crowd scream in shock and fear as they ran for safety.

Steve picked up the taxi car door to use as a shield as Clemson tried to shoot him again, rendering the bullets harmless to him.

Clemson saw a mother and son trying to run, grabbing the son before they could flee, hauling him closer.

The mother screamed. "No, no! Not my son!" Another man held the mother back. "Stop it!" Clemson picked the boy up, holding the gun to his head in threat to Steve. "Don't hurt him!"

Steve tossed the shield down, stepping forward.

"Get back!' Clemson warned, shooting toward Steve.

Steve ducked behind the corner of the building to avoid being shot.

"Let me go!" The boy snapped. Clemson took off running with the boy in his arms. "No!"

Steve edged closer to see if he could follow, but Clemson turned back and shot toward Steve again, making Steve duck behind the building's water supply tanks, waiting until Clemson disappeared around another corner with the boy, closer to the river front.

Steve walked closer, trying to talk Clemson down from harming a child. "Wait, don't. Don't." Clemson aimed his gun at Steve, pulling the trigger, but was disappointed to find that nothing happened, he was out of ammo. So instead, Clemson took the kid and pushed him into the river. "No, don't!"

Clemson took off running.

Steve ran to look over the edge into the water below for the kid, thinking that he was going to have to go in and dive for him, only to stop in surprise when he saw the kid swimming perfectly fine.

"Go get him!" the boy told him. "I can swim!"

Steve nodded, running off after Clemson.

Further up the way, Clemson pressed his lighter again.

A one-man submarine surfaced through the water. Clemson scrambled down into the sub.

Steve ran closer to see the submarine dive into the water, sprinting the length of the dock, diving into the water, torpedoing through it, going for the sub.

Clemson smiled to himself, pleased at his getaway.

Steve caught up to the submarine, knocking on the glass with one hand before punching his other hand through the glass, completely shattering it and letting the water pour into the sub.

Clemson was gasping for breath as water poured all over him.

Steve ripped the door of the sub off, throwing it aside, grabbing Clemson from the submarine, swimming them both up back to the surface. They both through, gasping for breath.

Steve threw Clemson out of the water, to the ground up on the dock, climbing out quickly, instantly standing over Clemson. Clemson got up to his knees and tried to punch him. Steve ducked, kicking Clemson in the head, snapping him backward to the ground.

The serum that Clemson had stolen and killed Erskine for, the one that was meant for Bree, rolled out of Clemson's pocket to the ground.

Steve grabbed Clemson by the collar, shaking him. "Who the hell are you?"

"The first of many," Clemson answered. "Cut off one head..." He pressed his tongue against a false tooth in his mouth. "And two more shall take its place." He bit down on a Cyanide pill that had been hidden in his false tooth. "Hail... Hydra."

Steve's eyes went wide as Clemson seized up and died in front of him. Steve looked down at himself, stunned at his new body and everything that happened so fast.

Steve looked down at the ground, finding the vial of serum, which was unharmed, perfectly intact. He picked it up, looking at it in shock, holding it in his hand, having no idea what would happen now and what this would mean for both him and Bree.