Disclaimer: I don't own Marvel or any of their movies or TV shows. I am, however, a big of them.

Author's Note: So... Yes, these stories can somewhat be read as slightly jointed or disjointed one-shots, but I've actually got a canon-compliant plot. It is sped historically consistent too, but to be honest, I'll be playing fast and loose with it. If or when I finish this story, it will be leading directly onto an AU though, a rather Peggy-centric AU with good big doses of Steve, Bucky, Howard, Colonel Phillips and Pinky Pinkerton. But regardless, I hope you continue to enjoy these stories. This one is a little less humorous than the first and the one after this will be rather dark and will definitely be referencing the more horrible aspects of World War II. I will put suitable warnings up in the Author's Note in the next chapter.

A Group of Lads and The Dame

Thin tendrils of chatter and laughter drifted towards them, but it was quiet enough that any sound would have carried in the soft Tunisian air. But oh, it hurt. It hurt so damned much but it would be suicide to let the mirth bubble through his lips. Poor Steve. There was a very real danger that Bucky may well end up falling in love with Agent Carter.

They had arrived in Tunisia to reinforce the American and Allied forces that had come under attack and they had done it admirably, at least well enough to halt any further retreat. Two days later Steve had finally been offered an actual proper mission. There had been a battle to their west, the British First Army suffering losses, and there had been rumours of trucks travelling to the Italian base nearby. It could be prisoners of war, it could equally be supplies and if it was the latter, sabotage would work greatly to their advantage before it could bolster the Axis forces and their morale. If not a victory, it would still benefit them. Accordingly, Colonel Phillips had offered the mission of reconnaissance to Steve and another officer of his choosing. Bucky had volunteered immediately, of course, but apparently a shoulder in a sling and a badly swollen ankle deemed him unsuitable, much to his indignation. Dum-Dum had volunteered afterwards, more than happy to jaunt behind enemy lines again and even happier to follow Steve anywhere. They were both there, on the verge of setting off for their mission whilst Bucky had been trying for a Hail Mary to accompany them. Colonel Phillips was there to see them officially off, Agent Carter was there to see them off too (mostly because she was head over heels for the blonde idiot but like hell she'd ever admit to that) and Howard Stark was there, seemingly just to annoy Steve.

It had all been normal protocol and then Steve had opened his mouth and talked about fucking fondue, whatever the hell that was.

'We barely have food enough and you want to take me for fondue?' Agent Carter was professional enough to keep her voice down, but not the best training in the world could keep her face a neutral mask, bemusement shading her face into something far more human than Bucky had ever previously seen it to be.

'Besides, everyone knows the best fondue is in Switzerland,' Howard bloody Stark chimed in, just to stir things, if his over delighted face suggested anything.

Steve spared him a glare before turning his eyes back towards the beauty before him. 'You seemed like such a fan of it,' he said with a stubbornness that Bucky was far too familiar with. This wouldn't end well, he could've told Stevie that, but how the hell was he supposed to know that literally on the point of departure, he would try to ask Agent Carter out for fondue.

'It's bread and cheese,' Agent Carter spoke in a despairing, bewildered voice.

'Exactly. We can grab some bread and cheese when I return. We've got bread and cheese here,' Steve's stubbornness was working overtime.

'It's melted cheese though,' Howard Stark interrupted, entirely unhelpfully.

'We can melt the cheese,' Steve insisted.

'But it's better in Switzerland,' Howard whined.

'But I don't even like fondue,' Agent Carter protested, looking wildly between the two men in confusion.

'Oh but you just haven't been to the right places. I'll take you sometime. Tomorrow?' Howard cheerfully put his arm around the agent, but Bucky caught the quick glance he threw in Steve's direction. He wasn't the only one, evidently.

'Howard,' Agent Carter spoke sweetly. Steve scowled but Colonel Phillips did nothing to hide his growing smirk and Bucky felt suddenly wary. 'Do you fancy your appendages as they are?' She waited until he looked at her. 'Unless you enjoy a dislocated arm, I'd move them both away right now.'

It was funny as hell watching Howard Stark move away so quickly that he stumbled over his own feet. Dum-Dum was now watching Agent Carter with a besotted look and Bucky was sure he was mirroring it. Lord, what a lady.

Steve's expression had lightened considerably and if Agent Carter's expression was softer than it had been, nobody would dare comment on it.

'Now Captain, if you could go on this mission and complete it successfully, I would be grateful. Maybe grateful enough to not inflict bread and melted cheese on you,' she threw him an arch look.

'The reason Howard is here is because he's created a portable recording device. It's smaller than any that we have, and apparently better. We thought you might test it on this mission.'

'And when you return, I might even let you buy me a glass of whiskey,' she whispered as she stepped close to him and handed the device over, her eyes lingering for only a moment on his, and my god, how could Steve be stupid enough to think Howard Stark had the slightest chance when she looked at him like that?

His back straightened, his eyes were bright and when he spoke, ready for departure, he was still looking at Agent Carter rather than Colonel Phillips.

'Off you go then, soldiers, and come back successful,' Colonel Phillips ordered them off, standing shoulder by shoulder with Agent Carter and Howard Stark. Bucky joined them, all four watching as the two soldiers gradually disappeared into the dark. Colonel Phillips was the first walk away.

'They'll be back,' he told Agent Carter gruffly.

'Of course they will,' she told him loftily. 'I trained Captain Rogers myself.' Bucky stayed for a little while longer before he started walking away too. He'd give them three days before he'd go searching for them.

They spoke quietly but Bucky still heard them, Agent Carter and Howard Stark talking as friends.

'When are you going to take him out for dinner?'

'I thought it was meant to be the reverse, Howard,' she answered coolly.

'If you wait for him to take you out, Peggy, you'll be waiting for seventy years,' he'd retorted but it hadn't sounded rude or disrespectful.

The silence was companionable. 'I've been thinking of creating a panoply, maybe metal, for the soldiers. Don't think I'll be able to do it for all of them but maybe his team… I was thinking red, white and blue to match him, or maybe red and gold. Something cheerful.'

There was another silence before she spoke. 'I don't like the thought of Captain Rogers' and a team for him. They'll be going on the most dangerous missions… It doesn't feel right.'

'If it's not them, it'll be someone else Peggy, someone less able, less skilful.'

Bucky had continued to walk away.

Until, 'The fourth Infantry, Howard…' Peggy had said, voice tight and strained.

'I know,' was all Howard had said and Bucky had the distinct impression that this was personal.

Of course, Bucky didn't know it but it would lead to Agent Carter getting shot, another member joining their Commando team and Howard Stark being almost tolerable. Mostly, he'd determined that if Steve didn't get his head straightened, he'd fall for the dangerous Agent Carter himself.