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Also please read important A/N at the end!

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𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐅𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐧: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐋𝐨𝐬𝐬

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Allie, Bucky, and Steve hastily make their way from the dissipating crowd of people, following Colonel Phillips who has yet to utter a word about where they are going. The four of them walk in silence through the tents until they enter an open field that is surrounded by lots of tall, green trees and is well away from prying eyes of the soldiers from camp.

Ominously, the Colonel leads them into the dead center of the field before he stops. He turns around and gives Allie an impressed once over before his impassive facade returns and he addresses the group.

"Well, that was an impressive show back that Ms. Williams, however, I want to really see what HYDRA has taught you." He comments, his voice thick with his Southern accent. "And I have found you the perfect sparring partner."

"Who?" She asks eagerly, ready to show that she is capable to fight. She knows that she could take on anyone that he throws at her because the one thing that HYDRA was good at, was pushing her to be the best.

"Steve." The Colonel answers as a mischievous grin pulls at his lips.

"What!" Steve cries in outrage.

"Yes, and you may as well do it now since we all seem to have some time on our hands." The Colonel glares at Steve.

 "I don't want to fight Allie!" Steve shouts in protest instantly with a shocked look on his face. Allie glances over to him and gives him a warm smile, she knows that Steve doesn't want to hurt her but he is her best chance at impressing the Colonel.

"Alright." She responds with a nod causing Steve to look over at her with an incredulous look and shake his head in disapproval. 

"No, I won't do it." He pouts, reminding her of a child.

"Steve," She starts as she takes a step in front of him with a pleading look. "I have taken beatings from Schmidt before at HYDRA, so I'm absolutely certain that I can handle whatever you will do to me." She argues but Steve just shakes his head again.

"It's not that I don't think that you could take it, it's just moral principle. I won't ever hit a woman." Steve says firmly.

"Rogers, she isn't a woman now, she is a soldier. And as your commanding officer, I order you to fight her." The Colonel instructs sharply but Steve still doesn't look convinced.

"Please Steve, I really need this." She begs desperately.

After a long, deliberating silence, Steve lets out a dubious sigh in contempt. "Alright, but I'm only doing this so you can get tested properly, Allie. And I'm not doing this ever again." He groans as Allie lets a wide smile overcome her face.

"Well then, let's make the most of it shall we?" She grins eagerly, taking a few steps back and getting into a fighting stance. She watches as Steve mimics her movement and stares back at her with a dejected look.

"Give us a good fight then, soldiers." The Colonel barks at the two with a nod, followed by Bucky who shouts out a remark in laughter. "Whip his tiny ass, Allie!"

Allie grins at the comment as the two of them slowly stalk around in a circle, eyeing each other like prey. She knows that Steve won't take her seriously at first, and much like everyone else who fights her, that is their first mistake.

All the background noise that she hears, fades into a blur as Steve becomes her main focus. Winning is her focus. She bounces on her toes, ready for any quick movements and angles her body to the side slightly, arms raised and relaxed just like she had been taught. She quickly analyzes Steve's own stance as she slowly edges around the circle. His muscular body is tilted back on his left which means that he relies on muscle instead of mobility and his arms are slightly lowered down to his chest instead of his face, indicating that he believes that she won't be able to get a direct hit at his face.

She smirks as she realizes that Steve isn't bold enough to make the first move so she decides to test the waters and see what Steve is capable of.

She suddenly jumps forward and sends a swift jab at Steve's head which stuns him but not for long as he quickly jumps out of the way. As he ducks towards her right, she sends a powerful uppercut towards him that nails him right under the chin. He stumbles back and shakes his head, trying to rid himself of the pain.

Steve's face scrunches up angrily and he sends a heated glare her way before he propels forward, throwing multiple punches at her face and body. She easily ducks and weaves around his blows but she knows that she can't do this all day, so she blocks his incoming fist and spins around on her back leg and sends a powerful kick into his abdomen.

This fight will obviously be won by perseverance and not power as they are both too quick to land damaging hits on each other and even when she does, they don't seem to cause the same harm that they would normally do on a regular soldier on Steve.

She narrowly spots Steve's face tense as he gets frustrated by the lack of contact that he is making so he throws a forceful punch hurtling towards Allie's face which clips her on the temple as she ducks. White spots fill her vision as she notices the look of guilt that quickly washes over Steve's face but she pays no mind as she sees his defending hands drop down slightly, exposing her upper chest. She swiftly returns a powerful kick at the unprotected area, ducks the punch that he throws back at her and follows up with a punch of her own with both hands at the same area that she hit before, hopefully, causing double the pain.

As Allie goes for another kick at Steve, he quickly grabs her foot that is hurtling towards him and twists it, forcing her onto the ground. She lets a small whimper as her body makes contact with the harsh dirt, but then an idea pops into her head.

As she pushes herself up onto all fours, she scans the ground for Steve's feet and then curls her hand into the dirt, gathering it into her hand. As she pushes herself up, she twists and throws the dirt into Steve's eyes, temporarily blinding him.

In his frantic state, he throws his fists out wildly, hoping to hit Allie but she hastily grips onto one of his arms and pulls it down towards the ground. Steve stumbles forward towards her as he tries to blink the dirt out of his eyes and she moves around his body and pushes him down onto the ground. She then pulls the knife that she stole off another soldier from her waist and holds it against Steve's throat as he rubs at his sore eyes. "I win." She grins in satisfaction with her knees holding down Steve's body.

"But you fought dirty!" He exclaims in shock, not quite believing that he lost. Allie places the knife back into her pants and holds a hand out for Steve, "The enemy is trained to win by any means necessary. They aren't afraid to fight dirty if it guarantees their survival." She answers as she grips his hand and pulls him up from the ground with a warm smile.

"But I must admit, you are probably the best sparring partner I have had." She compliments as Bucky runs up to the two of them and gives Steve a big pat on the back. "Damn Steve, you really did get your ass handed to you! I hope your ego isn't as bruised as you are!" Bucky laughs as he watches the unamused look that Steve gives him.

"Sorry Buck, you are that funny I even forgot to even laugh." He rolls his eyes as Bucky keeps laughing. "Maybe you would like to have a turn then?" He asks with an eyebrow raised.

"No, thank you! I'll save myself from the same embarrassment that you just experienced!" He grins.

"That was quite impressive Ms. Williams." The Colonel says as he moves and takes his spot beside her. "Your style, however unorthodox, is still one of the best styles that I have ever seen since I joined the army." He praises.

"Thank you, Colonel." She says in gratitude with a slight blush warming her cheeks. "There are still a few things that I need to address with you, Ms. Williams. If you would like to join me in my tent, that would be greatly appreciated." The Colonel states as he nods towards the two boys.

"Thank you Steve for fighting her, however, it seems that you are out of practice. She should only be gone for an hour at the most although, I recommend that you boys start packing for our flight to London that leaves in a few hours." The Colonel orders as he salutes the two.

"Yes, Colonel." They respond in unison as they return the salute. "Bye, Allie!" Bucky waves before the two of them turn and head back towards their own tents.

"Now, if you would please follow me, Ms. Williams." The Colonel asks and turns to head the opposite way. She quickly matches his pace and heads towards the Colonel's tent.

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"Take a seat." The Colonel instructs as they enter his own personal tent. In the center sits a large wooden table with a map of the world laid in front of her. As she takes her seat in a similar wooden chair, opposite the Colonel, she notices how the map is adorned with the same symbols that Schmidt has in his office. A small set of draws is perched on her right with all sorts of military equipment laying on top.

"As I said before, your fighting technique is remarkable. Your ability to take down someone that is double your size and weight is unmatched, which would make you a very valuable asset to the United States Army." The Colonel says as he pulls up a copy of her agreement. "However, as a precaution, we need to be certain that you are not collecting intel for HYDRA."

"Why would I give you all that information if I was just reporting back to HYDRA?" She protests in disbelief. The Colonel nods his head at her comment as he rifles through a stack of papers next to him and lets out a sigh of relief as he pulls out copies of the information that Allie gave him.

"This information can't be validated by anyone but you, unfortunately. Which doesn't quite back up your claim." He responds emotionlessly as his eyes scan over the sheets of paper.

"Ask any of the men in the 107th, they were made to build the Valkyrie! They would know that I am telling the truth." She argues back.

"Even if your story is corroborated by the enslaved soldiers, you would still need to be monitored extremely closely. You would have to abide by a strict curfew and would not be allowed to have any weapons on you unless you are on a mission." He replies as he places the information in a brown briefcase that sits by his side.

"I'm fine with that Colonel! I don't care what time I have to go to bed or if I don't have any weapons on me." She exclaims, trying to remain as calm as possible.

"Alright then, hand over your knives." He orders, holding his hand out with a raised eyebrow.

"I think you mean knife." She laughs as she pulls the knife that she used on Steve out from the waistband of her pants.

"Knives." He states as he waits for her to pull out her other knife. She huffs and glares at the Colonel who only raises an eyebrow back at her expectantly.

With an exasperated sigh, she reaches down and pulls the small pocket knife from her boot and places it on the table with a pained smile. "Alright, geez."

"Now, if you do get approved there is an idea to put together a team of soldiers who will take down the main HYDRA bases exclusively. Rogers will lead the team but with your knowledge of HYDRA, it would foolish to not include you." He announces as he places the knives that she stole in his pant pockets.

"But you just said that you couldn't trust me?" She questions, placing her leg over the other. She isn't sure what the U.S army is pulling here but why would they trust her on missions and not around the camp base?

"My superiors don't trust you. I think that after all that you have been through, you deserve a break." He replies softly as he looks into her dark, chocolate eyes.

"So here is your opportunity to take them down, Allie" He announces as he picks up her agreement and hands it over to her with a pen. "Does this live up to my end of the bargain?"

"It does." She says as she takes the pen and signs the piece of paper haphazardly.

"Well then, you are free to go. But don't speak a word of this team to Rogers yet, he will be briefed about it in London." The Colonel orders as he gets up from the table. "My lips are sealed." She answers as she does the same.

"Good, now go pack your bags. Ms. Carter should have some spare feminine necessities that you require so I would recommend going and seeing her." He says as he walks over to the door of the tent with Allie and holds it open for her.

"Wait, I'm coming to London?" She asks confused.  "Of course, what did you think that you were going to do? Sit here and get eaten alive by these angry soldiers?" He remarks mockingly.

"Uhh..." She cringes as her face warms in embarrassment. "And to think that Howard Stark praised you for your intelligence." He mocks as Allie makes her way to the door and turns back around to face him.

"The plane leaves at 1800 hours on the runway, don't be late." He finishes with a salute. He then turns around and heads back into the tent, leaving Allie standing outside dumbfounded.

"Now, where the hell is Ms. Carter going to be?"

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After what seems like hours, Allie stumbles upon Peggy Carter walking through the rows of tents in front of her. Her short, chocolate hair bounces as she makes her way towards Allie, and a stern look encaptures her face. Her dark eyes scan her surroundings, analyzing everything, much like a true soldier. Her cherry red lips are pulled into a thin line as every soldier she passes keeps a firm gaze on the only woman agent that they have probably ever seen. Even the way she walks commands respect, and Allie doesn't even have to know anything about Peggy but she already has her respect anyway.

Allie hurries to catch up to her, pushing her way around soldiers who walk past and give her heated glares. "There you are Ms. Carter, I'm not sure if you know me or not but my -" Allie starts as she makes her way beside Peggy but is quickly cut off before she can finish.

"You're Allie Williams, the former HYDRA agent turned good who just defeated Steve in a fight. Everyone knows who you are." Peggy says in her thick English accent and with a smile as they turn the corner and enter another row of tents.

"Ah, well word spreads fast around here then," Allie notes, shocked that word of her win against Steve is already common knowledge.

"More like Bucky shouting that Steve got 'his ass whooped by a girl' spread the word fast." Peggy chuckles and looks over to Allie who gives her a shy smile.

"Well, I can't quite say I'm surprised. You don't need to know Bucky long to know he would enjoy doing that to Steve." She replies as she imagines the scene in her mind. Bucky shouting to all his fellow soldiers that the mighty Captain America got beaten in a fight. She can almost visualize the red tint that would adorn Steve's face.

"You're quite right. Now, to what do I owe the pleasure?" Peggy asks, raising her thin eyebrow at Allie.

"The Colonel sent me to you in the hopes that you would help me pack for London as I don't have very much of my own stuff." She informs, slightly embarrassed that she has to ask another person for their own clothes and other essentials.

"Oh, of course! So you will be joining us to London then?" Peggy questions as she quickly turns another corner and is once again greeted with the sight of more army tents. "I am, Ms. Carter," Allie answers with a nod.

"Please, call me Peggy!" She says with a smile as she turns to meet Allie's gaze. "Thank you, Peggy. You can call me Allie as well."

"My tent is just here," Peggy announces as they near the end of the row. She pulls open the door and ushers Allie inside. "I assume that you don't have one of your own?" She asks as she follows suit and starts rifling through her drawers, looking for items to give to Allie.

"No I don't, I only got here this morning," Allie answers with a slight frown. She can't help but wonder what it would be like to fight in an army like this one. At HYDRA she was never sent to the front lines so she never experienced the true essence of war.

"I'm guessing you weren't given a warm welcome." Peggy continues, noting the forlorn look on her face.

"It was warmer than HYDRA's," Allie responds with a tight smile.

"Ah, yes, Erskine told me about how HYDRA treated you," Peggy says as she goes to rifle through another draw, pulling out a whole assortment of items. Allie's eyes widen in shock, she didn't know that Peggy knew Erskine.

"You knew Erskine?" She asks as she takes a seat on Peggy's bed.

"I was the one who led the rescue mission that got him out of HYDRA," Peggy answers, turning around and looking at Allie who gives her a glum nod.

"Oh, I was told he defected," Allie responds. Peggy gets up from the ground and sits down next to Allie who is twiddling her fingers in her lap awkwardly.

"You thought he left you behind." She says as she places her hand on Allie's shoulder.

"Yeah, for a long time I hated him for that. I thought that he was leaving me behind because I meant nothing to him but then I realized he was just looking out for himself. Nobody could blame him for doing that." Allie answers sadly. She isn't sure why she is getting so emotional about this, perhaps it's because she will never get to see him again. She can't ask him why he didn't go back for her or why he never tried to contact her. She can't because he's dead.

"He hated leaving you behind. Besides using the serum on Schmidt, it was his biggest regret. Every day he would beg the army leaders to let him go back and get you but they wouldn't let him. He loved you like his own daughter." Peggy says while a somber smile pulls at her lips.

"It just sucks that I will never get to see him again. He was the only family I had left I suppose." Allie replies. It's hard for her to explain the pain that she feels out loud. It's hard to let people in after having to suppress who she was and what she felt for so long. The pain of having a father figure in her life, her only family, being ripped away and not being able to see them again is worse than any injury she has had before. It is tenfold as painful and the hurt doesn't go away, it will sit there inside of her and remain with her until she dies.

He was all she had left.

"He was a good man. He didn't deserve the end that he got." Peggy responds as she gazes at the damaged girl sitting next to her. Peggy couldn't imagine what she has gone through in her life, She can't even believe how someone could still function after all that pain and heartbreak that she has endured. But here she sits, unknowingly letting someone else in.

Almost as if she realizes what she is doing, Allie plasters a fake smile on her face and rubs at her glassy eyes. "Does anybody deserve the end that they get?" She laughs sadly and clears her throat in an attempt to stop the grief that has been seeping into her thoughts.

"No, I guess they don't." Peggy returns a smile, understanding that Allie doesn't want to dwell on the topic anymore. "Well, I think I have enough clothes for you to last a couple of days in London then I can take you shopping if you like? I've also just got to get a few more things and we can head down to the runway together?" Peggy asks as she gets off the bed and starts putting the items for Allie into a small duffle bag.

"That would be lovely, thank you, Peggy," Allie says gratefully. "Would you like any help?" She continues, feeling awful for doing nothing.

"No, I'm quite right, thank you. I should only be a second." Peggy responds as she hurridly folds a few clothes up and places them in the bag. Just as Peggy stands up to hand Allie the bag, Howard comes running into Peggy's tent panting like a dog.

"We are going to London? Since when!" Howard exclaims as he bends over and places his hands on his knees, heaving heavily. "Wait, is that you Sandra?" He says shocked, his big, dark eyes going wide as he suddenly realizes her presence in the room.

"My actual name is Allie Williams." She says awkwardly. "Haven't you heard about me? I thought that it was public knowledge..." Allie continues in confusion as she looks over at Peggy who gives her a nod.

"It is, but if Howard pulled his head out of whatever invention he is building for a few minutes he would know who you are and that we are heading to London in 30 minutes," Peggy answers with a sarcastic smile pulling at her lips.

"30 minutes!!" Howard exclaims as his eyes and mouth are frozen wide open. From the clothes that he is wearing, Allie can see that he obviously has been working all day. There is small grease splatter lining the outside of his blue shirt and dirt clings to his dark jeans. In this attire he looks like an everyday man, she could pass him on the street and not bat an eyelid. He doesn't look like the billionaire businessman that he really is.

"Are you a parrot? Yes, 30 minutes." Peggy mocks as she hands Allie the small duffle bag. She gives her a small nod of thanks as Howard wipes at his tired eyes.

"But what do you mean you're Allie? Oh wait, don't tell me that you are that HYDRA spy that rocked up at camp!" Howard gapes as Allie shakes her head at him. Wow, he really is behind, she thinks.

"I was, but I was also the person that left you that note with Steve's blood. I'm more than just a HYDRA agent." She justifies anxiously. Allie has hoped that Howard would understand that she wasn't the enemy, she was just trying to do the best that she could given her circumstances. But besides the shocked look that seems to stay on Howard's face, it's hard to read if he holds any resentment towards her.

"I had an inkling that it was you, but why didn't you take the blood sample? If I was in your place, I would have." He asks, raising an eyebrow at her.

"I knew what HYDRA would do with it. I knew the devastation they would create if they figured it out." She begins, lowering her head. If HYDRA ever got control of Erskine's serum, there would be no limit to the destruction that they could cause. They could control the world if they wanted. "I also knew that you would do the right thing with the serum. I trusted that you would keep it safe." She continues, giving Howard a small smile.

"Has anyone ever told you that you might be too trusting?" He chuckles as he leans against the wooden cabinet that sits to the right of the door to Peggy's tent. "No they haven't, but I do recall you saying that I was more than just a pretty face," Allie smirks back.

"I did and I still stand by that statement." He grins, pushing a hand through his short, dark hair. And then once again, his eyes widen in realization and his mouth drops open like a fish.

"Wait, Allie Williams... You are Erskine's Allie! That explains why you knew so much about the serum! This is all making sense now!" He announces and Allie can almost see the thoughts that swim through his head. She can see him putting together the pieces of how he knew her.

"That's right, and I assume that you are just about to ask if I know anything else about the serum then." She smiles and tucks a piece of her hair that had fallen out of her ponytail, behind her ear.

"That depends if you say yes or no." He smirks at her and Allie lets a small chuckle fall from her lips. "Well, I believe that I could be of some help but you would have to wait until we got to London." She responds, nodding her head slightly.

"I'll fly us there myself if you help me look into the serum! Erskine never showed anybody his work so no one has any idea on how to recreate the serum." Howard begs as he stands up and makes his way over to where Allie and Peggy are standing.

"Would that really be safe?" Allie asks, raising her eyebrows at Howard who's smirk just grows. "Howard is one of the best civilian pilots I have ever seen. He could put some army pilots to shame." Peggy answers, rolling her eyes as Howard places a hand on her shoulder and bumps his hip against hers.

"It looks like that we are all more than just pretty faces then." He says with a wide grin. "It would seem so." Peggy agrees and lets a small chuckle.

"Great! Well, this beautiful face has to go get ready for London." Howard beams as he gestures to his face. Both the girls let out a loud laugh and shake their heads."I don't know if I would go that far, Howard." Peggy mocks with a smirk pulling at her ruby lips.

"It's alright Peggy, everyone knows that I am strikingly beautiful." He boasts with a cheeky smile. This seems like the type of person that Howard is, a jokester who loves to see smiles that he has caused. The type of person who would tell bad jokes and spit out sarcastic remarks to get a laugh from someone.

"They also know that he is strikingly self-absorbed too," Peggy remarks, not at all surprised by Howard's comment.

"You wound me, Peggy," Howard says as he holds a hand over his heart in mock hurt. "Well then, my new friend and I should be on our way! We have much to discuss." He continues, placing a hand on Allie's shoulder and smiling down at her.

"And you say I'm too trusting." She comments with a laugh. "No dear, this is more like me not judging you." Howard grins as he pulls Allie towards the door to Peggy's tent.

"Well Howard, I must admit it is quite refreshing having someone not judge me." Allies replies as she picks up the duffle bag Peggy gave her off of the floor. Then she quickly turns around and gives a warm smile to Peggy. "Thank you so much, Peggy. You have been such a great help! But is it alright if I go with Howard and meet you on the plane?"

"It wasn't a problem and that's perfectly fine. I'll save you two a seat on the plane." Peggy answers, returning Allie's smile with one of her own. "Thank you again."Allie beams as Howard tugs at her arm.

"Hurry up Allie, or we'll be late!" He urges as he pulls her out of the tent and shouts a quick goodbye to Peggy.

"And whose fault was that!" She retorts as they quickly run to get to Howard's own tent, the wind rushing onto their faces as they dash around soldiers and tents.

"Excuse me! I just said that I wouldn't judge you so please return the favor and cut the attitude missy!" Howard shouts back with a laugh as he turns a sharp corner and causes Allie to nearly topple on to him. But instead, she lets out a hearty laugh and keeps on running.

If this is what happiness feels like, Allie is already addicted to the feel of it. She can't possibly understand how she has could have gone without letting this exact smile that she is wearing now,  lights up her face before.  If that isn't true happiness, she will make it her own definition because she has never felt more truly happy in her life.

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A/N - Hey guys!!! I hope you enjoyed this extra long chapter! I just have a few things to say so please bear with me.

Firstly, THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR 600 READS! It's crazy how this story is getting more and more reads every day!!! I wish I could thank you all in person but this is the best that I can do! I can't describe how amazed I am that people actually read this story!!!

Secondly, we are officially HALFWAY THROUGH 'TRICKS'!!! It has been scary how this idea for a book could flourish into a proper story that people are reading. I remember creating the plot of this story when I was on a cruise in the Caribbean 3 months ago and now it's halfway done!

Thirdly, I know that I pester you guys about commenting and voting on each chapter but I just want to remind you that I do really enjoy hearing what you have to say. I don't care if it is something good or bad, I really just want some honest feedback. It makes my day when someone comments on my story because it gives me an opportunity to connect with someone new, to connect with someone who is enjoying my work.

So my only question for today is what do you think of the story so far?

- Grace xx