I leaned against the stone stairs of my apartment building, waiting for James to pick me up. I had told him exactly where to find me. My dress was a new design, a muted red with a vintage vibe. Black buttons cinched the waist, and the skirt featured black fabric with white polka dots that accented the sides and the bodice. My black heels added a few inches to my height, and I fidgeted nervously, playing with my thumbs. For someone who usually exuded a tough, confident exterior, tonight I felt oddly vulnerable—just a woman beneath it all.

The crisp night air clung to my exposed skin, but the chill didn't bother me much. I glanced left and right, watching people pass under the dim glow of streetlights, their faces blurred in the dark. My eyes constantly scanned the street, hoping to spot James approaching. When eight o'clock struck, my patience was rewarded—a familiar uniform came into view. As soon as he saw me, his reaction was priceless. His eyes widened, his mouth slightly ajar, frozen in disbelief.

"Cat got your tongue?" I teased, descending the stairs. My heels clicked sharply against the stone, echoing in the quiet night. James stood at the bottom, rooted in place, staring up at me.

"I—You could say that," he stammered, quickly trying to recover his composure. I stopped just one step above him, close enough to feel the warmth of his presence. "And here I thought you looked beautiful in your uniform," he said, his voice soft with admiration. His gaze swept over me, lingering on every curve.

"Eyes back up here," I said, snapping him out of his trance. My voice cut through his daze, and his eyes shot up to meet mine. I smirked at his flustered reaction, enjoying the moment. He extended his arm to me, an invitation I couldn't refuse. I slipped my arm through his, and it felt natural.

"Let's get going," James said, his voice steady again as he turned to lead the way. I stepped down the last stair, falling into stride beside him. Together, we walked down the pavement, ready to dance the night away.

.................

The Stork Club buzzed with life, its vibrant energy spilling into every corner. Couples twirled on the dance floor, lost in the rhythm of the music that filled the air. At the bar, customers leaned into order drinks, their laughter and chatter blending seamlessly with the lively tunes. I was no stranger to crowds or the weight of curious gazes, but tonight, it felt different. As we moved through the throng, heads turned, men and women alike taking notice of my dress, their eyes lingering just a moment too long.

The club was both elegant and inviting, spacious enough to avoid feeling cramped despite the bustling activity. Round tables draped in crisp white cloth encircled the dance floor, each adorned with delicate centrepieces. At the heart of it all stood the main stage, commanding attention just beyond the dancers. Above, ornate chandeliers cast a warm, golden glow, their light reflecting off polished surfaces and adding an air of sophistication to the lively scene.

"What drink would you like?" James raised his voice slightly to be heard over the lively music and bursts of laughter filling the club.

"Just a beer," I replied casually, watching as he nodded and made his way toward the bar. My gaze wandered back to the large dance floor, where couples and groups of friends swayed and spun to the rhythm, their smiles genuine despite the weight of the world outside these walls. Laughter rippled through the air, a reminder of fleeting joy in a time when uncertainty loomed. The war hadn't ended yet, and even if it did, history had proven that humanity seldom learned its lessons.

"Here you are," James's voice pulled me back to reality. I turned to see him holding two beers, his easy grin lighting up the moment. I returned it with a smile of my own, taking one from his hand.

"Not exactly a lady-like choice," he teased, motioning toward the bottle I held.

"I'm not exactly a lady-like person," I shot back with a smirk, raising the bottle to my lips and letting the cold liquid flow down my throat. It was satisfying, grounding even, and I didn't miss the faint spark of amusement in James's eyes as he took a swig of his own drink. He wasn't one to judge—it seemed he was soaking up as much of this moment as he could, knowing the missions ahead with Steve would leave little room for indulgence.

"So," he began, leaning slightly closer, his tone curious, "tell me about yourself." His blue eyes held a genuine interest as if he was determined to uncover more than just the tough exterior I wore.

It caught me off guard for a moment. He'd only seen the work-focused version of me, the one with walls too high to climb. I hesitated, knowing that letting him in even a little might send him running for the hills. Some parts of my life were best left in the dark.

"Not much to tell. Parents are gone, no siblings," I said smoothly, the lie rolling off my tongue like second nature. It was a practised response, one meant to keep questions at bay. My tone was calm and collected, likely giving the impression I'd moved on without issue. Before he could press further, I redirected. "What about you?"

"I'm the eldest of four. Did well in school, joined the army in '41, and haven't looked back since," James replied, giving me a quick overview of his life. His words were measured as if he wasn't quite ready to lay all his cards on the table either. As he glanced around, his gaze landed on a newly empty table. "Oh, looks like a table just opened up."

We made our way over, sitting across from each other as the lively music filled the air, lifting the spirits of everyone around us. The joy in the room felt contagious, but James's next words cut through it like a blade.

"I feel like you're holding back," he said, his voice soft but steady.

I met his eyes, letting a small, playful smile creep onto my face. "I don't show all my cards on the first date. Besides, I'm holding out for a second one when you get back," I teased, letting out a soft laugh.

He chuckled, a glimmer of something playful and hopeful in his expression. "I think it's safe to say there will be a second date," he replied, though his tone carried a mix of confidence and sincerity. He sipped his beer, but I didn't let his words go to my head—not yet, anyway.

"Well, we did come to dance, didn't we?" I said firmly, deciding it was time to break the silence before the weight of our conversation made things too heavy. "Think you can handle the stares?" I added with a teasing lilt, raising an eyebrow at him.

James smirked, his cocky charm on full display. "We won't be the only ones dancing," he shot back, placing his beer on the table. I followed suit, setting mine down as he stood and offered me his hand. His grip was firm yet gentle as he helped me up, his fingers curling securely around mine.

Guiding me toward the dance floor, he led us to an open spot in just a few seconds. As the band transitioned to a slower tune, he twirled me effortlessly into his arms, his movements smooth and confident. The melody was familiar, and as I recognized the song, I couldn't help but let a small smile curve my lips.

"I love this song," I said softly as James pulled me closer, my arms naturally wrapping around his neck while his settled firmly around my waist. The live music swirled around us, and I found myself humming along. "We'll meet again, don't know where, don't know when. But I know we'll meet again some sunny day," I sang just loud enough for him to hear, my voice carried by the rhythm of the music.

"It speaks a thousand words," James replied, his breath warm against my face.

"Yes, it does," I said with a warm smile, appreciating how he understood the song's weight. As the chorus played, I rested my head on his shoulder. We swayed together, the gentle movement in perfect sync with the music. The moment felt peaceful, a rare pocket of calm amidst the storm. I caught glimpses of other couples swaying the same way, their faces reflecting the bittersweet sentiment of the song—an anthem for goodbyes, especially for those heading off to war.

"You look stunning," James whispered near my ear, his voice soft yet firm. "In and out of uniform." His breath brushed against my skin, sending a small shiver down my spine.

"Hm," I hummed in response, lifting my head to meet his gaze. His deep blue eyes locked onto mine, and I couldn't resist teasing him. "So do you," I said with a playful smirk, my voice dripping with flirtation.

James chuckled, the sound deep and genuine, and I couldn't help but smile back. For a moment, the heaviness in the air seemed to lift.

"I just wish we had more time," he said, his smile fading slightly as reality crept in. "I don't know when I'll see you again." His words hung between us, raw and honest. But instead of dwelling on the uncertainty, I leaned closer, letting the music and the moment speak for us, knowing there was no room for "what ifs" tonight.

"We'll meet again, some sunny day," I murmured softly, letting the words linger as they intertwined with the singer's final note on stage. The timing felt serendipitous, and James chuckled, shaking his head slightly at my clever timing.

"Don't lose hope—it's a powerful thing," I added, my voice steady but gentle. Without realizing it, we had stopped swaying, standing still as our eyes locked in an unspoken connection. Time seemed to stretch as the energy between us grew stronger.

Slowly, almost instinctively, we leaned in. When our lips met, it was soft and tender, like a gentle brush of emotions long held back. Our mouths moved together in perfect harmony, the kiss unhurried and filled with unspoken passion. There was no urgency, no rush—just the weight of the moment and the depth of what was unsaid.

As the kiss lingered, neither of us wanted to let it go. When we finally parted, it wasn't far; our noses remained close, barely touching, as our foreheads hovered near each other. Our eyes locked, and the spark between us was undeniable, a connection that words could never fully capture.

"I'm definitely looking forward to that second date now," James admitted, his voice brimming with excitement. The thought of our next meeting already seemed to light up his face.

"I'll make sure it's one to remember," I promised, a playful smirk tugging at my lips before I leaned in to kiss him again. His smile widened against my lips, and I could feel the warmth of his approval.

Out of nowhere, a bright flash of light pierced through the moment, making us pull back in surprise. A man stood nearby, grinning and holding a camera. He had captured the kiss, clearly pleased with himself. James and I exchanged a glance before breaking into laughter, realizing this impromptu photo would forever immortalize the night.

The rest of the evening was a whirlwind of joy. We danced until our feet ached, laughed at our own jokes, and shared pieces of ourselves that were far more personal than anything we'd exchanged before. There was a connection between us—a real bond I couldn't deny. And judging by the way he looked at me, he didn't want to deny it either.

At one point, I even challenged him to a drinking contest, feeling completely at ease with him. Naturally, I won, to his exaggerated dismay. I couldn't remember the last time I'd had this much fun—maybe not for over a century. But as the night wore on, a small, unwelcome voice lingered at the back of my mind. It whispered of the dangers of letting someone get too close, of opening the door to emotions that could complicate everything. Someone like James might want more than just a few dates or a fleeting romance. And that thought weighed on me, even as I laughed and danced in his arms.

**************
A/N

Thank you to hazuuuh for the wonderful manip of Bucky and Karla!