Sammie's POV

As I argue with Colonel Phillips, I regret each and every decision that I made to come to him for help.

"You need to tell him... You need to tell Steve and that's an order."

"I... can't..." I put my head down and lay my face in my hands.

"It won't be that bad. You're overreacting." Phillips pats my shoulder.

"Tell me what?"

Phillips and I quickly turn around to see Steve walking into the conference room. Steve walks over and sits in a chair beside me.

"What's going on? What's wrong?" Steve asks as he moves hair out of my face.

"I'll leave you two alone." Phillips leaves the room but not before giving a stern glance to me.

"Sammie Todd, you better tell me what's going on now. I will find out sooner or later."

I groan, "Fine..."

Tears fill my eyes as I think back to all those days in Hydra's facility.

"You remember how I was kidnapped by Hydra..."

"Of course I remember doll... They made me think you died in a fire... only to figure out for weeks you had been captured by Hydra. I wanted to ask you so many times what happened... but I didn't want it to stress you out."

I nod slowly then wring my hands together. Steve glances down at my hands then grabs one and holds it tight.

"You can tell me Sammie. I'll always be here for you."

I sigh, "When I was captured, I woke up in a dark room. It was a lab and all there was, was a computer, lab equipment, a metal chair, and a gurney. Schmidt got his soldiers to take me because I know the formula to make the super soldier serum. It was very important that no one found out that I knew. Erskine said it would be the end of the world itself. They wanted me to tell them the formula and I wouldn't. Which is how my ankle was broken. The first day, I said no they took one of the 107th Infantry soldiers and stabbed a knife into his chest. Then he forced to kneel infront of me and get a gun shot straight in the head. All I remember is screaming... and blood so much blood... his blood and brains were all over me."

I start to cry as Steve pulls me into a hug.

"You can stop now."

"No I can't. You have to know everything. I sat for hours staring at his dead body, wishing and praying it was all a joke. But he never got up. So I took his dog tag. Day after day they would kill more soldiers. Each day got worse and worse. They would saw off arms and legs, gauge out eyes, pull teeth, pull fingers... I don't know how I'm ever going to get all those screams out of my head. I took all their dog tags and put them in my pillowcase."

"That's what that was? How many was there?"

I look up at Steve's blank face knowing he hates me already.

"15... The last day they brought Bucky in the room..."

Steve gasps and looks in anger at the wall.

"I wasn't just going to sit and let Bucky die. No... not this one I said to myself. I was so weak. How could I just give up and not say anything before the first 15 were mutilated."

I sob into my hands as I hear Steve move his chair. His hands move mine off of my face and into his. He wipes my tears with his thumbs.

"Doll you're not a soldier. You're not weak. You're the strongest woman I think I'll ever know. Well right after my mom. Sammie you saved so many people. I know 15 sounds like a million but you did the right thing. Sammie I promise you I am going to get Schmidt. He's going to pay for everything he's done. Everything."
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3rd Person's POV

Sammie sits on a bench waiting for the bus to come. Her legs shake in excitement as she sees it driving up a hill. As it makes its way in front of her she steps to the side to let the people off.

Seeing a short brunette haired green eyed girl, Sammie screams and runs up to her. The girl jumps in surprise but then quickly hugs her back.

"Oh my god Sammie! I'm so glad you're okay! I was so scared!"

"It's okay Connie... everything is okay now."

After another minute of hugging the two gather together Connie's bags and start to walk to Sammie's tent. Sammie opens the door to reveal her bunk and Peggy's bunk which happened to be occupied by her and Howard.

The two look up from the papers that they had been studying and jump up off the bed to introduce themselves.

"Hello I'm Margret but you can call me Peggy."

Connie smiles at her knowing anything and everything about her because Sammie had written all about the girl in her letters she sent.

"Sammie told me all about you. Thanks so much for being like family to her. She deserves it."

"Sammie is a great person. Of course."

Howard holds his hand out with a smile, "Howard Stark you must be Connie. Sammie talks about a lot."

"Nice to meet you Howard. I actually went to one of your expos before!! It was so liberating. And yes I'm Connie. Does she really?"

Sammie smiles with a nod, "I talk about all of you guys all the time. I love you people. I'm super grateful to have all of you in my life."

The three aw and pull her into a hug. Howard takes Connie's bags from outside the tent and brings them in.

"Geez what did you pack? Rocks?"

Connie giggles, "A girl always needs to be prepared Mr. Stark."

Howard raises his eyebrows then smirks, "Hmm Mr. Stark... I like that. Why don't you guys call me that?"

Peggy slaps the back of his head, "Because it would go to your head and your ego is big enough already."

"Very true." Sammie nods.

Howard shrugs as if agreeing with them then takes his place back on Peggy's bed.

"Well Howard and I have to get back to work but it so nice to meet you."

Connie nods and pulls Peggy into a hug, "You too."

As Peggy sits back down, Sammie grabs Connie's arm, pulling her along as they walk out the tent.

"Come on I have a surprise for you."

"What kind of surprise? Will I like it?"

Sammie smiles looking over at her friend, "Oh you'll love it."

Sammie and Connie walk to a bunk a little far away from Sammie's. Sammie knocks on the door and the person says come in. Opening the door, Sammie walks in to see Steve sitting on his bunk with his notebook in his lap. He looks up from the book and smiles.

"Oh hey, Connie right? It's good to see you again."

"You too Steve! Thanks for taking care of my best friend."

Connie hugs Steve making him surprised for a second then he snaps out of it and hugs her back.

"No problem at all."

Connie moves away from Steve with a smile as she watches Sammie leap into his arms. Steve's smile changes from a light one to a full on grin with a twinkle in his eye. Sammie kisses his cheek then moves away with a wide grin and blushing cheeks.

"Was this my surprise?"

Sammie smiles and shakes her head, "No... that is."

Connie frowns in confusion but turns around to look where Sammie is pointing. As Connie turns a figure stands in the doorway frozen. Connie's face changes from a smile to pure shock.

"Bucky?"

The figure takes a few steps closer and he looks at Connie in awe.

"Connie?"

The two quickly close the space between them and run to each other's arms. Connie cries as she holds on tightly to Bucky.

"I missed you so much."

"I'm here now Con."

Bucky kisses her forehead as he rubs her back. Sammie smiles as she watches her two friends finally reconnect. She hadn't told Connie that Bucky had been kidnapped and rescued. She thought it would be better for Connie to see and know in person.

And now the two had a whole day to be with each other. That was all Sammie could ask for. Happiness for her best friends.