"Mrs. Y/N?", a bright flashlight shone in her face, lighting up her features making her squeeze her eyelids together tighter. Slowly, she flutters her eyes open, squinting them and placing her hand out in front of her face in attempt to dull and adjust to the blinding luminescent faced in her direction.
"Yeah?", she manages to speak in a groggy voice. The scratchiness in her throat prominent to make it as it was early morning.
"The captain sent me. He wants you on the mission today as a flight nurse ma'am", the soldier explains, turning off the flashlight and placing it back into his pant pockets.
The girl cozied up in her bed and nods, dreading the moment she will have to pull the covers off of her body as the cold air from the room was already sending goosebumps down her arms. "Alright, I'll be out soon."
The soldier turns around after hearing her response and walks out of her cabin leaving her alone to get ready. She throws her blankets off her body exposing herself to the cool air that nipped at her skin. A shiver runs down her spine when she sits up, now sending the goosebumps from her arms all the way down her body. Standing up, she reaches into her dresser, pulling out her fleece-lined uniform and slipping it onto her body, already feeling the warmth seep back into her. After putting on and lacing up her black combat boots and tying up her hair, she heads to the front door grabbing her beige jacket with the bright red and white cross patch on the sleeve.
The damp, crisp morning air hits her nose as she's walking down the path to the captain's office, leaving behind a rosy hue over her cheeks and nose. Looking around at the other cabins that surrounded the path she walked down, she can see all the grumpy looks plastered on the pilot's faces, the dull sound of arguing with one another over the smallest issues not wanting to be disturbed for missions. The things you have to put up with for war.
Y/N knocks on the captain's dark wooden office door, the rough wood scratching against her knuckles as she hears a muffled 'come in' from the other side. She wraps her hand around the cool brass doorknob, twisting it and pushing the door open, walking inside and closing the door behind her.
Standing at attention in front of her superior who leaned over his desk, head in his hand, filing through what looked to be as routes for today's mission. "Good morning captain", she greets with a slight bow of her head, keeping her arms behind her back.
Looking up from the paperwork, a smile comes across his features as he focuses his attention on the girl. "Ah, Y/N. I assume the officer filled you in on why I called you in this morning."
She nods her head, remembering the earlier conversation she shared with the man she had in her room. "Is it more dangerous than the others, sir? It is quite rare that you do call me in for the flight nurse position."
The captain takes a sip of his coffee, letting out a sigh of contempt before placing the mug back down on his metal desk. "Well, not exactly. Every mission is dangerous, though the one who was originally on call left on maternity leave, so you'll be covering for her quite frequently."
"I understand, sir."
"Shall we go say good morning to the boys?"
She smiles back standing at ease now, "We shall."
He stands up, brushing off his uniform and straightening it out, grabbing the maps and files from his desk and moving around it. He makes his way out the door, his shoes clicking behind him with each step he took. Y/N follows right behind him as they walk the graveled path to the conference room, where the men would be situated.
"Ah-ten, hut!", the captain calls out once the double doors to the room swing open, revealing the chattering bodies that it occupied. Like clockwork, everyman sitting down, stood up with no hesitation, conversations muted, bodies tense, awaiting their next instructions.
"At ease, gentlemen", he calls out once more, walking down the aisle between chairs. Y/N is about three feet behind him, mirroring his steps up the alleyway. Once they're at the front of the group, she takes a stand beside one of the chalkboards making sure she was out of the way then looks over all the faces in front of her.
"Good morning, men", the captain greets, setting the information he has been holding onto one of the tables near him.
"Good morning, sir", every man said back in unison. The noise bouncing off the walls of the crowded room.
"The 100th will be leading the wing on today's mission", he announces resulting in the pilots and crew cheering out. A few claps could be heard dispersed through the crowd.
"Major Egan will be the wing's command pilot in Blakely's fort, and Y/N will be our flight nurse until Nancy is back from leave."
She hears a chorus of whistles passed through the group, the men hitting one another making her chuckle and shake her head, looking down at the floorboards under her feet. Let's just say most of the squad fancied her in one way or another. The immaturity of it all was what made it funny. The excitement on who gets to have Y/N on their plane would never fail to humour the girl.
"And the target for today, is..." Everyone started making noises with their mouths, drumming their hands on their thighs awaiting their mission with anticipation. "The submarine pens in Trondheim, Norway."
The lights around the room dim slightly as a spotlight shines over a drape that drops to reveal a map with coloured marker that showcases the route that the bombers will be taking to Germany.
Y/N looks up from the floor as her gaze rolls over the map, assessing the route while the crew cheers once more. The captain then goes over more details, making sure they know exactly where to go and where to hit. When they were all excused, she moves up to the rest and headed towards the door, following the crowd out to get ready.
"Y/N", Bucky calls out for her, speed walking up to her and walking along beside her.
"Morning, Major", she smiles, looking up at the pilot beside her.
"Do you know who's plane you'll be on yet?", he asks as his hand makes its way to the small of her back, helping her guide her way through the doors as the group became more tightly brought together.
"No, he hasn't told me yet."
"Alright, well, be careful up there, yeah?"
"I'll be fine. I've got some of the best pilots behind my back. This isn't my first rodeo."
"I know, I know. I'll see you out there."
She nods and smiles sweetly, "Stay safe."
"When am I not?"
"Should I make a list?", she teases to which he takes his hand away from her once they're out of the building and wraps his arm around her shoulder, bringing her closer and planting a kiss on the side of her head before walking away from the girl to meet up with the rest of his crew.
After the briefing, the whole group got ready for their mission in the locker rooms. Grabbing their bags and equipment. Y/N was informed not long after that she'd be on Buck's plane.
Thank the lord
Of course, she trusted the other pilots, I mean they were all fighting for the same side, but that trust could only be measured to a certain extent.
She walks through the locker rooms, wishing luck to all those she passed and meets Buck outside of the building, taking a seat in the jeep that was parked outside waiting for her.
"Are you ready Y/N?", he asks, turning his head to face her as she jumps into the vehicle.
"As ready as I can be", she sighs dropping her head back over the head rest of the seat, the weight of the adrenaline that has yet to come dawning over her.
"You're a great nurse. I'm glad you're on my plane today."
"Thanks Buck, but I'm just hoping you won't need me."
The jeep drives off, flying down the runway, and bringing the pair to their plane as quickly as possible to the rest of the crew. Buck and Y/N hop out, not bothering to use the doors, and walk over to the plane the pilot so dearly treasured. Don't tell Marge she's been replaced.
"You nervous?", he asks, looking down at her while they're walking side-by-side.
A short breathily laugh escapes her lips. "That's a stupid question."
"I promise you'll be safe. I'd never let anything happen to you."
"I trust you, Buck, there's no need to make promises."
He smiles and throws his backpack into the cockpit, grabbing both sides of the frame and pulling himself inside. "Need a hand?", he asks, poking his head out from the side.
"Oh, please. Step aside, Major."
He laughs and goes deeper into the plane, finding his place in the cockpit while she copies his movements, hoisting herself into the plane closing the hatch after she's made it in. She greets the rest of Buck's crew, taking a seat out of the way from the rest of the guys with her medical supplies, ready to take action whenever it was needed.
The plane takes off not long after, sending them into the air and on our journey to enemy lines. The next she hears from Buck is about Flak's. Those stupid little bombs that exploded right beside everyone making the entire aircraft shake. It didn't scare her perse, more so aggravated her nerves. It was like the school bus she would take in the morning as a kid when the bus driver had no sense of how fast they were going, leaving the kids going in a constant bouncing up and down motion for the entirety of the way to school and back. She takes a firm hold on a handle-like piece beside her to stabilize herself as the plane rattles violently, looking out the open window where a fighter gun was placed.
"Buck, Crosby's been hit!", she hears someone shout through the headpiece of the pilot.
"Roger that, navigator mark it in the log", he responds.
Soon enough she hears the bombardier saying, 'bombs away' as he opens the hatch at the bottom of the plane in hopes to hit the target that was set in place for them, feeling the plane almost get lighter with each set of bombs that were dropped from the hatchet.
"Pilot to top turret. How's Biddick looking?", Buck asks.
"Top to pilot. He's been hit on the starboard side. He's slowing down."
"Roger. Keep and eye on him."
"Redmeat 3 to Redmeat Lead", Curt radios in. "We're two engines down. We can't keep up with you guys. We're gonna have to drop out. Over."
"Roger, Redmeat 3. Is it a fuel problem?"
"Negative. Flak took engine one. Four was backfiring and shaking", he sighs. "We tried everything. Out."
"Roger, Redmeat 3. Stand by", Buck then radios in towards Bucky. "Readmeat lead to Pacer lead. Redmeat 3 is two engines down and they might lose another. They can't keep up at this pace."
"Roger", Bucky responds.
"JU-88s. Ten o'clock. Level", someone warns. The fighter pilots are coming. "They're heading to the low."
"They're trying to pick off Biddick. Give 'em hell", Bucky replies. "And hold on tight Y/N."
Yeah, like she wasn't already.
Shots are fired left and right, trying to pick off the fighters that were going after Curt and his crew. They won't be able to get him that easy, especially with a whole team by his side. Determination strikes in their whole team, ensuring that he would make it to safety and would eventually come back to the base once his plane was fixed. Thankfully, the fighters back away after some time leaving the team in safety once more. The team decided to stick with Curt, ushering him to safety somewhere, even if it was on unknown land. They decided it was safest to go to Scotland, as they were already almost flying over the coast.
Y/N sees Curt losing engine number three, making his plane fall quicker than anticipated, the pit of her stomach dropping. She knew he was a good enough pilot to land his plane but that doesn't mean it won't be close especially since it looks like it'll be a crash landing.
She waits in anticipation, her palms becoming sweaty as his plane drops lower... and lower... until finally, she sees his plane land safely on the coast making her smile in relief and exhale a breath she didn't know she was holding. His plane never went up in flames.
I don't think I could ever stand losing him.
After Landing - (In the bar)
Y/N, Buck and Bucky were all sitting in the cushioned leather chairs, enjoying the music being played by the live band. Y/N was tapping her boot on the ground, a glass held tightly in her hand as it warmed up the cold liquid that was poured in it a few minutes prior, enjoying watching how the group of different instruments cold create such amazing sound with the groups of couples dancing around the floor. In her peripheral vision she could see Bucky snapping his fingers.
"You know what this is missing?", Bucky asks which makes both Buck and Y/N turn their heads to look at him in a disapproving manner.
"Nothing", Buck answers.
"Vocals", Bucky says almost immediately afterwards.
"No, it's not."
"I'm gonna sing", Bucky states, trying to sit up off his chair but Buck pushes him back down.
"Y/N. Should I sing?"
"Bucky not this again, please", she groans but couldn't help a laugh that slipped past her lips.
He asks a few more people that were sitting around him who did not hesitate to say no. They've heard him sing before. Dare they say more than needed.
He runs his fingers through his hair. "All right. You're right. You're right", he concludes, slumping back in his chair with his leas spread out as his hand runs over the smooth skin where he had freshly shaven. He taps his other hand on the armrest of his chair, his face scrunching up as if he was holding back and stands up abruptly. He walks away backwards, so he was facing his friends and doing a little dance with his arms. "It's my song", he tries to explain with a shrug indicating that he could no longer hold himself back, turning back around and jogging up to the microphone.
Buck puts his hands out in defeat with a look of disbelief over his face while Y/N lets her face fall into one of her hands, awaiting the booming voice of Bucky that would soon ring through the crowd.
He begins singing, leaning around with the microphone, singing as if it's the last day he has, or more so the last concert he would ever preform. He moves his arms around with the beat, relishing the time he has in the spotlight and the attention he obtained with it.
Y/N's fingers spread open slightly, leaving open a little crack to let her vision pierce through the small spot of light as one of Buck's hands were over his eyes, copying her earlier reaction. They were both silently laughing, trying to keep it hidden as to not give him the satisfaction of enjoyment at Bucky's little outbursts of confidence. Yet, the girl could not contain the wide grin that was tugging at the corner of her lips, and that was a reaction that Bucky pleased and certainly did not miss.
After Bucky's mini performance they headed to the bar, when the bartender informs Buck, he has a call and hands him the phone from under the counter. The phone clicks as Buck grasps it in his hand and a loud voice ring through the speaker of the telephone.
"Buck? Buck?", Curt is heard from the other line.
"Yeah."
"Hey, Buck. Is that you?"
"Curt!", a smile appears on all their faces as they recognize the voice on the other side of the phone.
"Buck?"
"Yeah, it's Buck, John and Y/N. Where'd you end up?"
"Ah. That's a very good question. But we're safe and sound here. We made a wee bit of a mess up here. But, uh, the people are really swell and they're looking after us. It turns out that they don't like the English that much either. But they like me because I'm Irish! I'm Irish! Uh, I wanted to call you. Thank you, Buck. Thank you, Bucky. Thank both of you. Saving our asses. I mean it."
"Yeah alright. Well, you just get back here soon Curt."
"We miss you Curt", Y/N pipes up.
"We're glad you're still with us", Bucky adds on.
"Yeah, John says he misses his little spoon", Buck tells him, his thick English accent prominent as he speaks a little lower.
"Hey, I'm the big spoon here. Remember."
"It's gonna be cold tonight, Curt!" John yells back right before Buck hangs up the phone, making the men that surrounded the group of three laugh at their banter.
"Unless..." Bucky drags out turning to face Y/N.
She raises her eyebrows indicating him to explain further.
"You'd care to replace him till he's back", he grins, leaning forward so his face was only inches from hers.
She could feel his breath fanning over her face, the scent of whiskey filling her nostrils and his teeth shine from the lights of the bar. She laughs off the nervousness and flattery, not looking away from his piercing gaze as she responds back to him. "How much confidence do you have, Major?"
"Is that a yes?", he asks, dragging his tongue over his top teeth.
She smiles and shakes her head, backing away from the drunken man in front of her before she becomes more flustered than she wishes to admit. "Don't get ahead of yourself."
"Have I ever told you that I love it when you call me Major?", he brings up out of the blue, his tone becoming quieter as his eyes scan over her face, trailing down her body before they reach back up to her eyes once more.
"You never had to. Your body language tells me all I need to know about you, Major", she says back, the one corner of her mouth turning upwards as his eyes then move black down to her lips.
"Does it really?"
Y/N licks her lips and nods, bringing her hand up to the side of the man's face and caresses her thumb under his eye, making him lean into her touch ever so slightly and look back up at her. "It does."