Chapter Text
Ever think,'If I had one wish....'
Don't wishes are nothing but heart ache and pain,
Don't believe me? Read on..
It all started at a Ren Fair of all things. The year was 2014, one Saturday.. in July if I remember correctly. All I really recall is that is was hot as hell and I spent at least $20 on bottled water to keep hydrated. I was with my two best friends. The three of us had been wondering through the crowds as we did every year when the fair came to town. We all loved the medieval theme and the amazing wares and trinkets. There were shows and performances through out the day and even though we had been going for the past five years, we still never missed a round or jousting. That year there was a new booth in one of the busier parts of the fair. We all took notice, being regulars we knew most of the shop keeps and the browsing was more seeing what they had new this year or getting something we'd been unable to afford the precious summer.
The new booth was selling leather bound journals, they were beautiful and reasonably priced (I bought three of them), crystals on cord (which I could make at home with much better skill) and glass bottles. The bottles caught my eye I've always loved fanciful glassware like these and had a collection of pretty colored bottles on a shelf at home. As we had all bought some of his journals and were complementing the beautiful bottles he offered us each one of them free of charge.
I choose a simple bottle with same blood red as my favorite lip stain, the one I was wearing that day. It was seven inches tall with a wide rounded base but with a square neck which had grooves on each of the four side. The neck had a slight twist to it. Latter that evening after we had all parted ways to get home and changed I lay in bed stroking the smooth glass following the indented sides with my fingers up and down the neck. On the seventh circuit the cork popped out of the bottle and a deep green smoke poured forth.
To say I was shocked was an understatement. I grabbed the nearest weapon, my Arnis sticks and prepared to defend myself. There in my tiny bedroom was a young woman that looked like she's jumped right out of 'I Dream of Jenine' only her outfit was the same green as the smoke.
She looked me over. “You must be my new master.” She told me neither seeming happy or upset about the news.
I had a million questions for her. What was she? (a genie) Where did she come from? (the bottle) Could I wish her free? (No) Who many wishes did I get? (Three) What happened after? (her bottle would vanish and appear before her new master) Could I wish people back to life? (no resurrection, no making someone fall in love with me)
Then I asked another question I was dieing to know about. “Can I go back in time?”
There was a pause that should have sent my alarm bells ringing, but I was too enamored with the thought of a genie. “You can.”
“I....I...” I stuttered shaking with excitement. “I wish I was back in time.”
There was a nauseating feeling in my guts and I fell to my knees on a paved street losing my diner. Once I was done heaving (God I hate vomiting), I sat back on my knees and looked around, this was not my family farm. I was in a dark alley, in a city, behind some pretty foul trash bins.
“Where the fuck am I?” I demanded glaring at the genie who was still at my side.
“In the past.” She replied tone just as emotionless as ever.
“What year is it? What city is this?” I replied trying to hold my temper.
“1935, Brooklyn.” She replied once more with nothing other than what I had asked for.
“Why am I in.....” I took a deep breath my mind catching up and cutting off the question. “Why specifically did you choose to place me in 1935?”
There was a long slow blink from the genie. “I don't know.”
I watched her, she seemed honestly confused about why this particular year and location. But said nothing more.
“Can you return me home... to my time?”
There was another long pause. “You cannot travel forward in time.”
I admit to cussing a blue streak that actually made her blush. “I'm stuck in 1935 in a PJ set that could see me arrested for pubic indecency.” I stated in a deceptively calm tone.
She said nothing.
“Ok so I'm guessing if I give you a vague wish then I get a vague reward. At least it's only the 30's and I'm a woman so I'm not going to get drafted when WWII rolls around.” I paused there. “If I make a very specific wish you have to grant it right? The less vagueness the more accurate it will be?”
She frowned in displeasure. “Yes master. Fate dictates all vague wishes as they see fit.”
“Fate, so fate brought me here to this city at this time?” It was half a question and half statement.
“Yes master, I am but a hand of Fate, I do not understand their methods or reasons.”
I nodded. I sat on the shade cooled concrete it was still hot as hell here so I assumed the date was similar. I thought long and hard making a list of what I needed and wanted. When I was done I stood.
“I wish,” I began carefully, “for an outfit that fits a professional woman of this time and place, also a folder containing my birth record, drivers license, school records, and social security card that all show I was born February 22, 1911, to Cora and John Grant of Kentucky, their only child. The records will also show I was a strait A student, and am a certified nurse trying to become a doctor, I'm in New York to get said doctorate. My father was killed in WWI and my mother died this past year. I have no other living family. Also I have all the knowledge that comes with those school reports for both the 1935 and 2014 requirements. Also in the folder there is a key and address for my one bedroom apartment in a decently safe neighborhood, all the banking information for my account, containing 1000 dollars, and 100 in cash, the cash is in ten, 5 dollar bills and fifty, 1 dollar bills printed non sequentially between the years of 1920 and 1930.”
There was a long pause and the genie actually smiled at me. “You are a very quick study, most have long since made their wishes and I am gone before they realize what you have.”
As she said those words I could feel something changing. “Can you make a mirror without a wish?”
“Yes master.” A full length mirror appeared and I looked at my new self.
My looks hadn't changed other than my hair being back to it's natural dark, nearly black, brown (instead of honey brown with copper and blonde highlights), it was longer curlier, though the curls were mostly tamed in some kind of complicated up do that I knew how to replicate but had never done before in my life. I stilled not even taking in the rest of me as that first new memory hit.
I almost heaved again, the drastic differences in education between 2014 and 1935 were appalling. Part of my strait A record was being a débutante and knowing perfect educate, at least 15 different up dos and how to ballroom dance. Goodness I now had memories of being raised a Southern Belle that slotted right along side how I actually grew up (as one on the work hands on the farm). What really threw me was the being able to walk in heels. I looked at my feet and there was a good two inch heel on those babies and they felt as comfortable as my Nike Air's, and I was sure I could run just as well in them. Before that moment it was flats or break my ankle, no in between.
After several calming breathes I finally looked at my outfit. White blouse, navy pencil skirt, navy suit jacket with brass buttons, ivory bag. I looked good, like a cross between Peggy Carter from the Marvel verse and a pin up girl. The new look had done nothing to my great assets, those being my booty and my boobies. After looking into the mirror for a long while (and doing a few Marilin Monroe poses), I just had to see the stockings. There was one thing about this era that as a modern girl I just loved and that was the stockings. They were amazing, with a thick seam, and the ivory garter that matched my top and bag. Oh yeah I was so sex on a stick. My 30's mind both rebelled at those kind of thoughts and intended to use them to get a good husband.
(I remember for the first several weeks of being in the past almost having a split personality due to 23 years of new memories. )
Once I was totally done admiring the outfit, thanking the genie (Hasset) and Fate for the clothes and look, I then looked in the ivory bag. Inside the bag was one of those accordion folders. Just like I asked there were records of by birth, graduation, certification, application and acceptance to college, bank account book, apartment key and cash. There were also other things I hadn't asked for but was glad to see none the less. A bus pass, subway pass (which I didn't know they had back then), copy of my lease agreement, a picture of my Mom and a picture of my Mom and Dad together, Dad in uniform. I pretty much hate my Dad but saying I all but hate my dead beat Dad in 2014 was fine, saying my Dad walked out when I was two to someone in 1935 was going to cause nothing but trouble.
“Hasset, I think for the foreseeable future I'm going to be learning to live in this day and age. Is there a way I can contact you when I'm ready to make my final wish, or even if I just have questions?”
Hasset nodded a small smile on her face. “I do Master.” I could hear the capitalization of that word. “I will return to my home, if you wish to summon me again, seven strokes of the bottle will call me.”
“Thank you Hasset. I w... don't like being in 1935 yet, but that wasn't your fault but my own stupidity for making such an open ended wish.”
She actually hugged me before vanishing. I held my head up high and smiled as another piece of information came to mind, where I am and where my apartment is. Getting home was the first order of business I wanted to see if there were any other pleasant surprises waiting for me.
I was only three blocks away from my building, it was old even at this time, a big brick walk up. I was on the forth floor with a view of the street below. It was nice, there was basic furnishings (frig, stove, sink, kitchen table, couch, coffee table, bookshelf (empty), a bed and a dresser), a kitchen, dining area, living room, bathroom and a bedroom.
I felt dead tired, when I went to pull the curtains I found there was none. I sighed and just hopped my neighbors weren't home or didn't peep. I locked the door, jammed a kitchen chair under the door handle just in case. Locked the window to the fire escape and opened all the others to let some kind of breeze in this stuffy box with no A/C in sight. I could have cried when I was wrong and there was one of those giant noisy models in the only bedroom window. I kissed the metal box and got it cranking, shutting the door and putting a couch cushion in front of it to seal in the cold.
That all done and my energy really flagging I stripped bare putting my one outfit up to wear again tomorrow and crashed face first on the bed.
PPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP
The next day was all about making a list and checking it thrice, trying to figure out how to live a new life (Santa Clause is Coming to Town was stuck in my head all week after that). I hid everything but my bus pass, subway pass, key, 5 and five 1's under my bathroom sink.
Then I headed out for the day. I chatted with the older lady across the hall who was coming out the same time I was. Her name was Mrs. Graves and she was 84. she told me all the best places to get everything I needed for my new place and seemed proud that I was making my way in a time where girls were meant to get married, have babies and keep their mouth shut. The first two I could get behind with the right man, the last one..... hell would freeze over first.
Once I had been given the low down of the neighborhood, as only old biddies could, and invited to dinner, I was able to start the day. First thing I did was get to the college. I looked at the papers on the bus. ….. St Francis, that was on my top ten list when I actually started college in 2008. In my time I had an MLS degree and was working to save enough money to get my masters (and maybe PhD.) in infectious disease. There was little chance of that and being a doctor during WWII would do a lot more good than a woman researcher that wouldn't be taken seriously. Maybe I could work with my fore knowledge and make the Polio vaccine a couple decades early. That had always been my dream I find a new vaccine or cure for an aliment. I would dream of finding a way to completely eradicate cancer, make it the new small pox. I smiled at the thought of cancer only existing in two labs in the entire world.
My enthusiasm was soured sum with a flirt on the bus. I finally had enough when he put his arm around me. I turned away and slapped him good, both sets of memories loving that idea. “Sir I am a human being, not a arm rest or your girl. Do not touch me again.” I told him firmly moving to the front of the bus. The man exited at the next stop with dirty looks from every other passenger aimed at him.
“That was a brave thing you did Miss.” An older teen boy said.
I smiled at him, he was cute, blue eyes and dark hair just like me but his were a blue-gray to my deep blue. “Nickole.” I replied holding our my hand.
He took my fingers and kissed the back of my hand with a bright blush and a smile. “James.”
“Nice to see there are gentlemen as well as jerks.” I joked. He smiled again, blush running down his neck. “What I said to him wasn't brave, it was right. There is never a time when a strange man should touch a lady without her consent.”
James nodded. “My ma, she's have my hide.” He had a thick New York accent. I had no clue which NY accent.
“Then you have a good Mama and should listen to everything she tells you.” He made a face. I chuckled. “Listening to your Mama is good practice for listening to your wife.”
The man in front of us chuckled and kissed the girl's head that sat beside him. “Miss Nickole's right son. I thought when I got married I'd be wearin' the pants but I just say yes ma'am Martha keeps me strait.”
I laughed again. “Good girl.” I told her.
“Thanks Miss.” Martha, a thin red head replied looking back at me said. “Can I ask you a question?”
“Yes ma'am.” I replied with a nod of my head, all débutante training I never really lived.
“You look very fancy and have an odd accent.”
It wasn't a question but I answered anyway. “I'm from Kentucky.” I smiled wide. “Just got accepted to St. Francis, I'm gonna be a doctor, and work to cure diseases.”
She looked at me eyes wide. “You can do that?”
“I'm a certified nurse. I want to do more and St. Francis has accepted me. I'm just going to get my schedule worked out and see if there are any hospitals or private homes that need a good nurse while she goes to school.”
“Are all nurses as gorgeous as you?” James asked turning even redder.
I just smiled. “You think I'm gorgeous James?”
“You shouldn't tease the boy after scaring off that other bloke.” Martha's husband said.
My smile softened. “I'm sorry James, that was unkind of me. I'm sure there are nurses that are much more and much less physically attractive than I am.”
James nodded his face cooling some.
“How hard is it to be a nurse?” Martha asked.
I looked at her and her husband, really looked, then I glanced back at James, around the bus. I paused eyes wide, this was the Great Depression, I wonder if Martha has kids at home hungry because there is no work to be found? Is James, who looks about 16 looking for work instead of in school to help his parents get by. “It's not easy, but if you are determined you can do it. If you want I can help any time I'm free. There is always room for more nurses. The hungrier people are the easier they get sick. More sick people need more nurses to care for them.” I told her with a warm smile.
“We'll think about that offer.” Her husband replied with a smile. “Where can we find you?”
I rattled off the address. “Feel free to stop by. I just arrived yesterday so I still have moving in to do but I could always chat with Martha and get you to do the heavy lifting.” I joked. The three of them laughed.
“That's not far from my place. I live a couple streets over.” James added with a smile.
“I guess I'll see you in the neighborhood then.” I replied he really was a sweet guy, and looking at it with my 30's memories not that much younger than me. I'm only 24.
He nodded as the bus slowed down for my stop. James even escorted me off before getting back on. I waved at the three of them and wished them all luck in my mind as I turned and walked toward the college.
It took less time than I thought to get everything worked out, they already had all my paperwork and were getting ready to mail it to me. I told them I was worried it would get sent to Kentucky by mistake since I was in the middle of moving. I got to tour the campus and his the book store, both for the books I would need for the coming semester and for my previous training. When my tour guide asked about it I told him there had been a flood at my house in Kentucky and all my books were ruined. He sympathized and gave me a 30% discount.
When I got back on the bus home my checking account was 70 dollars lighter, but I had all the books I would need for the next year and all the ones I 'lost', plus a few college sweaters and skirts. I was very pleased when I learned the year's tuition was already paid in full. Hearing that one year was about 500 was a big blow, that was half the cash I'd wished for. I was able to get several references for hospitals needing nurses. There was even one near my home. Classes didn't start for nearly a month so I had plenty of time to save for the next three years of school. That's what I had been doing back in 2014 when tuition was ten times that much.
The ride back I didn't see any of my three new friends nor make any more. It was kinda nice to just sit and relax.
Dropping off my books I stopped by the building super to see what day rent was due each month. It was the first, and since today was the tenth I was set for the next few weeks to get settled. Once that chore was out of the way food and grocery shopping were the next order of business. Neither took very long and I stocked my shelves with canned goods and as much fresh produce and meat as I could lay my hands on. There was nothing better than grain fed hormone free milk and meat. There were a lot of things I was sure to hate about the 30's and 40's but the quality of food was not one of them.
Getting groceries unpacked I realized I had no pans, pots, cleaning products or clothes (and yes they come in that order). So it was back out again. My ass was going to be stacked doing four flights of stairs several times a day. This time I didn't come back till I had nearly everything I needed. There are always a few odds and ends that are forgotten in a massive trip but what I had would do me for now.
That night Mrs. Graves and I enjoyed her pot roast and my blackberry cobbler. It was a grand meal and we were well on our way to friendship, she even offered to let me use her sewing machine until I could get one. See as how I spent another 40 on food, clothes and housewares I planned to take her up on that until I had a steady income.
Next morning just after breakfast and a cup of hot tea (I do not drink coffee), I was headed to the hospital looking for work. What I told Martha was not wrong, there were far to many cases and not enough nurses. When they saw my credentials it was like I was a gift from Heaven. They had me a locker and in borrowed scrubs with in an hour.
The next moth passed between taking as many shifts as I could at the hospital, diner twice a week with Mrs. Ida Graves and tutoring Martha while David (her husband) tinkered in the hours making sure everything was in working order. They often stayed for dinner Martha and I cooking and tutoring at the same time. With the money scare over with I could relax some. I decided on a rewards system like I used in the future (still trippy thinking about time like that). For every pay check I got one little luxury. A pair of earing, dinner at a nice(ish) place, and so forth.
I had seen James a few times and once met his parents they were very kind and loving couple. I found out he was 17 and had a best friend that was sick often. I told him I was sorry. I had been a sick kid. I smiled after telling him that he said maybe one day his friend would grow out of it and be a knock out just like me. I laughed at him and let him walk me to my building.
School started back and then I was in the same juggling act as I was when I was an undergrad. Work, friends, sleep and school couldn't all fit in the same 24 hour period so I had to learn to time budget all over again. Home work was started on the 45 min bus ride home each day, the crock pot was my best friend and three days a week David rode the same morning bus with me so we could keep in touch.
The months passed quickly and slowly at the same time. Christmas eve was the first time I let myself cry over the loss of my mother. She was my best friend and closest confidant and thanks to a few careless words I would never see her again.
James, and Ida drug me to midnight mass and that surprisingly helped. I wasn't religious in my time, and Southern Baptist in the new memories, but this version of Catholic fit like nothing I've ever tried before.
It was three days before my birthday and I was getting myself a nice gift. I was passing all my classes with flying colors, just been promoted to shift manager. The older nurses didn't even care they all saw I did the best job of keeping it all together and no one wanted the extra hour of nothing but paper work and decoding doctor's script.
I was one nice thought away from whistling a tune. That's when I heard it. The wet sound of flesh smacking flesh. I turned down a near by ally and saw three older teens kicking another that was on the ground. I pulled out the egg skillet I kept in my bag for protection and shouted at them. “What is the Hell do you think you boys are doing?” I was mad as hell. That other boy looked half their size.
“You got a dame fightn' your battles for you now?” One of them joked.
“This dame is going to crack your skull if you aren't out of her sight in the count of five.” I looked him right in the eyes. “One... Two....”
As I half guessed they came forward instead of retreat. “We'll teach this dame what her mouths good for” the 'leader' said with a disgusting laugh. To my surprise the little guy got to his feet and attacked one of the boys.
I took a step forward and with my superior height (6 feet plus heels) I brought my little cast iron skillet down on the first guys head. I knew how to scrap from growing up with older male cousins. With a weapon (even a pan) in my hand there was no contest. The boy and I had them running scared in no time.
“You're a real scrapper.” I told him just slightly out of breath but smiling.
“I don't need a dame fighting my battles.” He said pale skin bright red in shame.
“Boy.” I said with an angry tone. “You have nothing to be ashamed about when fighting cowards. I did nothing but even those odds. Three on one that's a chicken's odds. They couldn't handle an angry dame and a guy half their size they aren't real men.” I told him honestly.
He looked at me an flushed, this time there was a bit of shame in there too. “Sorry ma'am, my ma she'd slap me good talking to dame like that.”
“Come on let me get you cleaned up.”
He nodded and let me lead him to my place. About half way there he started coughing really hard. I helped him bend over and lay my ear on his back when it didn't pass. “Try and take a deep breath.”
“You've got fluid on your lungs.” I told him listening to the wheezing and wet sounds as he tried to breath. “Do you have any medicine at home?”
He shook his head and managed to get out a word between coughs. “Can't.”
“Right, your sick so you can't work, to get money to buy the medicine, to get better so you can work. I hate this time of year.” I rubbed his back. “Any one at home to tend to you?”
“Bucky..... working.” he got out.
“I'm going to need you to man up and swallow your pride, can you do that?”
He looked at me odd but nodded.
I scooped him up bridal style and jogged back to my place. Once I arrived I sat him in front of the door and banged on Ida's. As she was coming I unlocked.
“What is it Sug? I gave you a spare key.” she said once she saw it was me.
“I need your help. Come on in both of you.” I walked in.
The man turned scarlet. “Ma'am I... I can't... you...” His stumbling had nothing to do with the cough this time.
“You couldn't defile a wet paper bag right now much less hurt a dame's reputation, and there's Ida. She don't let no body get away with funny business.” I replied dragging him in and shutting the door to keep the cold out. “Ida get his shoes off and shirt unbuttoned while I get my kit. You lay down and do as I tell you.”
“Yes ma'am” Was the automatic response. When I came back he was under and afghan his shoes by the door.
“I'm a nurse training to be a doctor so I do know what I'm doing even if it's my first year at medical school.” I told him. “My names' Nickole, this is Ida.”
“Steve, Steve Rogers, ma'am.” His voice was still tense and wheezy from the fit he was getting over.
I smiled at him. “Ida make some tea, peppermint, cayenne and whiskey.” I said pulling out my stethoscope and listening to his chest properly. “While the tea's seeping get my lavender oil out of the bath and the little blue jar in the medicine cabinet.” I stuck a thermometer in his mouth and started checked the clock. Learning how to use a mercury thermometer really through me off at first. Hell there are still days I expect to hear the beep when it's done.
I checked over the rest of Steve while Ida was busy and I was waiting on his temp. “You have a fever and pneumonia. Maybe even fluid around your lungs. There isn't anything I can do for the fluid without taking you to the hospital.” I saw the look in his eyes. I couldn't help but brush his blonde hair off his face and smile softly. “I'm not going to do that unless it's the last resort. I'm going to treat you tonight and then in the morning I will take a note to your place and leave it there for your friend. Letting him know where you are and to bring you some spare clothes. Steve I know this might embarrass you or hurt your pride but I am not letting you go out that door until you are better or I have to take you to the hospital.”
He looked at me with wide blue eyes, the same shade as the Caribbean sea. “Why are you doing this ma'am?”
“I plan to help make vaccines for the flu, pox, polio, even the common cold. It is my dream to cure all the world diseases. I can't let you leave here sick. It would go against everything I am and everything I want to do with my life.” I actually got misty eyed. “So please don't fight me on this.”
He looked at me long and hard before turning pink, looking down and nodding.
Ida brought his tea and a plain peppermint for the both of us. Steve choked on his first drink, but said nothing. After the first few sips he stopped shivering. By half way he was sweating.
Once he was done he felt warm all over from the inside out and deep in his bones that stayed cold except in the heat of summer.
I chuckled standing to get some more blankets to wrap him in. “I know your warm now, but lets get you nice and toasty for when the whiskey and pepper wear off.” I stood up and headed to my room. To take off my shoes and stockings in exchange for some slippers.
I smiled coming back out. “Thank you Ida.” I said as she was dishing out the pork I'd had slow cooking all day. I pulled a salad from the frig that was on it's last leg but there was no way I was throwing it out. I grabbed some dressings and stuck half a cobbler in the oven to heat.
“You hungry Steve?” I asked over my shoulder.
“Yes ma'am.” He replied.
When I turned I saw him about to stand. “Oh no. you stay right where you are. You are not leaving this couch until you are well or your friend gets here to help you take a bath.” I said in my best professional tone. He turned at least nine shades of red. I rolled my eyes.
I snagged a pillow out of the bedroom and dropped it by the coffee table. Ida's knees would never let her sit on the floor but there was a clear line of sight into my eat in kitchen over the half wall that separated the living room. I sat my plate on the coffee table and handed Steve his. He looked uncomfortable but complemented my cooking often.
“You tryin' to butter her up now, wait till you taste that cobbler she's got warmin'. You mouth never tasted nothin' like it.” Ida had the strangest accent it was like listening to a Cajun try to talk like a kid from Brooklyn. Half of her slang and clipped words were from NY the other half from her home in Alabama. She had moved here after her husband had been murdered. She said the city felt safer. Ida argued that while there were more bad people there were more good people too.
Steve barley made it through his desert before he was out for the count. I smiled at him brushing his hair back again. I got a wash cloth and wiped his fingers and face from dinner than rubbed lavender oil on his hands and feet careful of the bandages I'd wrapped around his knuckles. Then my own mix of chest rub went on his chest. That done I tucked him under all the blankets, hopefully tight enough that he couldn't get his way out in the night.
Steve squared away I cleaned up and chatted with Ida a while. She promised to keep and eye on him tomorrow while I was at school, and talk his friend into staying it he came by.
The next morning I was up extra early. Steve was still out by the time I had to leave if I wanted to get to his place before catching the bus. I left him a note and his plate in the oven. I stacked all my books on the table so he wouldn't have to stand at the book shelf to pick and pulled a lamp close enough for him to turn on and off from the couch. My orders were simple, sleep, eat and drink lots of fluids, tea preferably, other wise water, no milk and no whiskey.
I was beat by the time I got back home. I slumped against the wall to compose myself before walking into my apartment. There on the couch like I ordered was Steve. In my only other chair was... “James?”
He jumped having been napping. “Nickole? What.... this is your place?”
“It is James, and Steve is your sick friend.” I replied dropping my school bag and heading into my room. I was back in a few minutes in my slippers again.
“What happened? The punk won't say anything just keeps blushing.”
“I found him being beaten on by three chickens. I told them to get lost, they didn't listen Steve and I kicked the crap out of them. I was bringing him back her to fix his lip and knuckles when he started coughing. I told you the first day we met I was a nurse so I couldn't just leave him.”
James smiled. “She's real moxie this one.” He told Steve.
“Bucky can take me home.” Steve said.
“What did I tell you Steve Rogers?” I pointed a finger at him. “You leave that couch on two conditions. You're better or you go to the hospital. James can stay for dinner. If he listened and brought a change of clothes, underwear included, you can have a bath now. You don't have to have his help but he will sit with you until you are clean. Than we'll eat.” I saw the look on his face and let mine droop. “Steve I'm very tired today and have been worrying about you, please don't fight me.”
Steve sighed but nodded.
James chuckled. “Come on bath time before you catch fire.”
I hung all the blankets he's been using on the line to air while they were bathing, it wasn't a warm day but it was dry and the aired linens would make him feel better wither he realized it or not.
Steve looked much better just having cleaned up. His skin was a healthy pink, cheeky rosy. I pulled in one of the blankets and wrapped him in it. “You're looking better, so I won't make you eat on the couch, just stay covered up.” I compromised knowing I was being pushy and demanding of a man I just met yesterday. Ida once again joined us. Tonight was lasagna with garlic bread and the last of my salad.
Both boys made happy noises as they ate and we chatted over dinner. James and Steve asked about my job and school. I asked about James' work and his parents. We talked about Steve's art once James mentioned him wanting to go to art school.
“If you brought a drawing pad that would give Steve something to do tomorrow while I'm in class and you go to work.” James smiled back he had already thought of that.
Steve was still upset that he had to stay the night, but was also basking in the care the three of us were showing him.
The next night when I returned home Steve was silently sitting on the couch wrapped up and sketching. I stood leaning on the wall just watching him for a long time. He wasn't the handsomest man I had ever seen, nor the tallest. He wasn't wealthy or powerful, or a genius (he wasn't dumb either), but there was something about Steve that made me look twice like no man I had ever met. Like the first time I went to that Catholic church Steve just seemed right. He was much better and my treatment was doing wonders, but a part of my want to never let him leave, which was ridiculous.
I sighed and walked over sitting down beside him. I looked over his shoulder. He was drawing me, I was at the coffee table head on my books asleep my hair starting to come unpinned. That was the way I'd fallen asleep last night. When I had woken about midnight there was a blanket around me and Steve was lightly snoring. I was so touched that I had kissed his fore head. I wanted to kiss him right then. I didn't dare too though, not so long as I was treating him like a patient.
“It's beautiful.” I said when he was nearly done.
Steve jumped and looked at me cheek and neck going red again. “Nickole.”
I smiled at his shocked and embarrassed face. “It's beautiful. You are very talented Steve.”
He looked away cheeks darkening as the red started running down his neck. “It's not hard when the subject is the most gorgeous dame in town.”
“Ohh, Steve I think James' mouth is wearing off on you. That was a good line.” Steve looked at me and I know my cheeks were red too. To distract myself I stood and picked up my kit. “Let me have a listen and get your temperature. From the looks of things it seems your fever broke some time in the night and you are on the mend.”
After I checked him over I smiled warmly. “As I thought. James can take you home tonight. I don't want to taking another bath until tomorrow and stay wrapped up so that you don't have a relapse. You should be right as rain in a few mores days.”
That being said I started on supper, fried chicken, mashed potatoes and corn on the cob. James knocked just as I sat the last pieces in the pan. Being taking off pure bed rest Steve was tidying up my living room and cleaning my kit with alcohol as I asked him to.
James was glad to be taking Steve home and even happier that I requested both of them to come back at least once a week for supper and a check up.
James chuckled. “Steve's not much of a cook. An open invitation for food like this and you might never get rid of him.”
I smiled. “Steve is an excellent guest and I wouldn't mind company anytime you want to come over.”
Steve turned red. “Yes ma'am.”
Being alone in the house after two days of having Steve there was a bit lonely. I occupied my time with disinfecting ever surface in the house so I didn't catch whatever Steve has.
The next night when I came in I was shocked to see my living room decorated and full of people. Steve and James were there, Ida, Martha and Davis, even a couple of my nurses and school friends had made it. They all wished me a happy birthday. I smiled so wide I thought my face was going to break.
There was music and I was lead on the dace floor by every man in the room save the one I actually wanted to be in the arms of. I was standing off to one side taking a breather when Steve came over looking down at his hands.
“I'd like to ask you to dance.... but I.... I don't”
“I could teach you. Dancing isn't hard, it's fun.” I replied smiling and turning pink. I felt like my face was betraying me. I wasn't a blusher, I almost never blushed.
“I... I'd like that.” Steve replied blue eyes warm and happy.
I took him on the floor and showed him how to lead me for a simple slow step. He was nowhere near a good dancer (yet) but I still enjoyed being held close by him even if he was a head shorter than me.
Time began to slip by once more. Like James said Steve came over for dinner three or four nights a week, James joined us one or two of those. Some nights we would eat at my place others the boys would join me at Ida's, and a handful of times Martha and David joined us. Martha had began classes and I'd gotten her a position as a nurses aide at the hospital.
Two months after I met Steve I plucked up the courage to kiss him as he was leaving after dinner one night where it was just us. It was a light press of lips but more than got my point across.
He just stared at me for a long while. “I... why?” was all he could ask face neck and ears the darkest I'd ever seen them.
“I fancy you and you weren't going to kiss me.” I replied face red. Steve drew blushes out of me like no one else can.
“Why me? I'm a sick kid with no job and nothing to offer a smart, classy, moxie dame like you.”
I smiled and kissed him again. “That's where you're wrong. Steve you are brave, kind, sweet, very adorable, and you aren't an idiot so don't sell yourself short. You beat me nine times out of ten at every game of strategy we play. I don't care about any of the physical stuff Steve. I like what's inside. You are the kind of man I want and if you want me too I'd like to try goin' steady.”
He shook his head. “I'm not dumb enough to tell a pretty dame no, even if I think you're crazy for being interested.”
I kissed him once more, deeper than the other two, and he kissed back, shy and awkward. Which somehow made it even better. I pulled back smiling. “When you come over for dinner again you can tell me what our first date's going to be.” with a wink at his stunned face I closed the door.
It was four days before Steve came back to have dinner. He brought me flowers, I kissed his cheek. He told me our date would be Conney Island.
I'd never been to the amusement park, I loved it. The rides weren't too scary and the ones that did make me nervous were a good excuse to hold Steve close. We kissed on the ferris wheel and I ended up winning him some prizes from the games. He escorted me to my door that night and we shared more drugging kisses.
As spring faded to summer I began to worry about Steve not putting on weight even though I was feeding him good meals more nights than not. So one day when Steve and James were both over I asked them about it.
“I'm allergic to everything.” Steve admitted looking shamed. He was always so scared of running me off. It was a bit annoying but more sweet and endearing. I knew I was already lost. Steve stole my heart before I had a chance to even thing about it.
“Alright, let's test what you're allergic to and I'll try not to cook with those things anymore.” I replied easily.
It took some doing and Steve was bright red when I asked him to take his shirt off. Between me and James we found a system for poking my sewing needles in different food then pricking his back with a corresponding number. We made a list and waited for a reaction as we listened to a radio story, me holding Steve's hands so he didn't scratch.
When the time was up and I read the marks it was kind of shocking what all he was allergic to. Eggs, were the biggest issue since I used them to make a lot of things, but taking beans out of our diet was easy enough. I didn't even test peanuts since I'm allergic too. With the new diet and regular health care Steve stared to fill out much to mine and James' pleasure.
For Steve's birthday on July fourth we went out on the town, dancing (he was much better with a few dozen lessons) and walked hand and hand to the river to watch the fireworks.
I week latter I was sitting in my living room stroking that red genie bottle. Hasset arrived. “You called Master?”
I was nearly in tears. “Tell me Hasset, am I in the same world as the one I was born in?”
“No Master, but you already knew that.”
“Is he... is my Steve... will he become Capitan America?”
There was silence.
“One day he will.”
I sobbed. I knew the Marvel story about Steve Rogers and his best friend Bucky Barnes. I never put it together because I always called him James. What got me thinking about it was going to James' for dinner that night and his mother shouting his full name when he knocked over her crystal bowl and cracked it. There was no way James Buchanan Barnes, best friends with Steve Roger, in the 1930's was a coincidence.
It took a while but I calmed and realized I was already madly in love with the pre-serum version. That night I had dreams about my Steve and about Steve from the Captain America movies. Part of me was really sad for the fate the man I loved was going to face, the rest of me was glad to get to know him, to love him, before the war started and everything went to hell.
I decided not to tell Steve, not until we were engaged at least.
He popped the question the following Easter, right in front of the whole church. The ring was a gorgeous silver with a large blue sapphire right in the center.
“Of course I'll marry you. I'd do it right now if I had the right dress on.” I replied kissing him soundly to whoops and cat calls from our congregation.
I thought Bucky's mom was going to squeeze the life out of him. Bucky teased him about the blue stone in my ring.
“James Barnes I will have you know I would have thrown a tacky diamond back in his face. The only diamond worth looking at has the Dodgers on it.” I replied hands on my hips. “I've told you that, seems Steve just pays more attention to pretty dames than you.”
Bucky's dad laughed at his face hugging me close and kissing the top of my curls. “That's my girl. I'm glad one of our boys finally brought home one with class.”
I smiled at him. I knew the Barnes family had all but adopted Steve when his mother died. Steve had been 14 when it happened and the Barnes family moved him in and he and Bucky became even more like brothers.
It took me a week to pluck up the courage to speak with Steve. After dinner one night it was just the two of us I spoke up. “Steve can you stay? we need to talk.”
Steve got a look of fear in his eyes. I was shocked to see tears gathers in his lashes. “Nickole, tell me I'm not going to walk out of here with that ring in my pocket?”
“I hope this ring only ever comes off when I do the dishes.” I told him with a reassuring kiss.
Steve relaxed. “Then what's the matter doll?”
“Wait just a moment.” I smiled and went into my room. I came back with my pin box, a brush and a pillow. “Come take my hair down while I talk.”
Steve looked at me eyes wide. He'd told me his father use to take down his mothers hair and brush it out each night, and that Bucky's parents did the same. It was a ritual of this era. Only your husband should have the right to touch your hair and see it a mess. I knew getting his fingers in my hair was a fantasy of Steve's and I wanted to give him that and show him I saw him as my husband already.
Once we were settled, me on the floor and him on the couch. He took a few deep breaths and shakily began to hunt for all the pins in my head. After the first few came out I began telling him the truth about who I was and where I came from, how Grant was my mother's maiden name and I choose it because I can't stand my father for abandoning her when I was a baby. I told him about wanting to use my foreknowledge to make the vaccines I knew were coming be invented decades before their time. There was silence for a long while. By the time I was done all the pins were out and Steve was brushing my hair gently.
“So you're from the future, not this worlds future but another, where this world in nothing but a comic book.” Steve said.
“Yes, and Steve believe it or not you are the star of those books. I didn't put it together until that day James broke Patty's crystal bowl. I knew his full name just like I know your middle name is Grant even though you never told me that. That night I resolved to tell you once we were engaged. I never wanted to keep this from you Steve. I fell in love with the man who's hands are in my hair. Knowing one day you will be a hero, only breaks my heart, because I know what kind of pain and tragedy you will go through.” I wiped the tears out of my eyes. “I... I would rather keep you just as you are, all to myself rather than see you go off to war. That's what's coming Steve. There will be a war as terrible as the one that killed you father and you and Bucky join up. Don't you think for a moment I'm going to stay home like a good little girl. I've been learning to scrap with the best of them and the army's going to need doctors in the worst way. When Bucky signs up I'm enlisting too. By then I'll have my degree and hopefully take Dr. Chase's position at the hospital. The emergency room is as close to battle field conditions as I can get right now.” By the time I was done babbling I was bawling. Steve pulled me so I was tuned facing him and I could lay my head in his lap.
He shushed me and kissed my crown. “I love you Nickole Grant. I don't care where you were born or that you had to tell tales to protect yourself. I understand. I still plan to marry you. Before you graduate next May so that you will be Dr. Rogers for the rest of our lives. I don't know what is going to happen. If there is a war coming, and I believe you are telling me the truth, then Bucky and I will both enlist before we get drafted. I'd rather you stay here where it's safe, but I know better than to ask. You are a strong woman with so much moxie I don't know how you hold it all. I really don't care what the future brings as long as I can have one more day with you as my girl.”
I kissed him deeper than we have before. This one was a true snog. When I felt his chest tighten do to the asthma I pulled back and kissed down his neck bitting into the flesh as he shoulder met his neck. Hands wondered farther than before, mine up his shirt and his landed on one of my breasts for the first time.
Steve made a sound and went to pull back. I garbed his hand and held it in place. “Steve you are going to be my husband. Think of this as a preview of our wedding night.” I leaned close and whispered in his ear. “Only without the clothes under your hand.”
He moaned at the thought giving a small squeeze. With a grin I was kissing him again as he explored one breast with his hand. I knew he was still pretty shy and very innocent so I didn't push. When things got too hot and heavy for him we pulled back. I climbed onto the couch and rested in his arms as we both tried to calm down.
“You're gonna be the death a me.” He said breathlessly.
“But what a way to go.” I replied turning and kissing his cheek.
We had our first real fight a month latter. Steve wanted to tell Bucky and I said no.
“Tell me why you don't trust the man that is like a brother to me!” He shouted. It was the first time I had ever heard him raise his voice.
“I do trust him and I see him as a brother too.” I replied. Steve stilled and blinked at me. “That's why I can't tell him. Steve remember I know some of what's coming our way. Trust me it's safer for everyone that Bucky not know. The knowledge will put him in danger. The moment that danger had passed I'll tell him everything and beg his forgiveness.”
Steve came over and wrapped his arms around me. He lay his head on my chest and sighed. “Alright. I'm sorry I lost my temper.”
“Sorry I didn't make it clear why I was keeping this from Bucky. I wanted to keep me being from the future from everyone, to keep myself safe and them, but there was no way I could look you in the eye knowing that everything you knew about my past was a lie.”
Once more he held me as I came to terms with how my life became so complicated.
“Would you wish this any other way?” He asked after a long while of just being in each others arms.
“Knowing what I know, knowing that I could damage the future, and change the course of history rending my fore knowledge useless. No I wouldn't wish it any other way. I found the man of my dreams. I love you in sickness and will love you in health. I love you now when we are poorer and latter with we will be richer. This is the better and I will still love you through the worst. From now on. Steve at this point not even death could stop me loving you.”
There were tears on my blouse from his crying at my words as he clutched me tighter. “Forever.” He replied choking up.