Chapter Text
They had nearly reached Howard’s plane when a blonde even shorter than Steve had been before the serum stepped out from behind the wing and stepped in front of the door, blocking it.
Steve tensed. He didn’t want to hit another soldier, let alone woman but he wasn’t about to give up his one chance to save Bucky.
“And who are you, doll?” Howard asked.
“She’s O.S.S.” Peggy said with a sigh. “Agent Mars, isn’t it?”
The blonde smiled.
“It is, Agent Carter.” The blonde --- Agent Mars ---answered.
“Agent Mars,” Steve pleaded, “I don’t know what you think we’re doing…”
“I think Captain Rogers that you, Agent Carter and Mr. Stark are planning to go against the Colonels order, go AWOL and fly behind enemy lines in order to try and save your friend, Sergeant Barnes.”
“Well, that’s just preposterous.” Peggy said lightly. “It would be a suicide mission.”
“Not to mention career suicide.” Agent Mars added. “Unless, of course you were to have gotten orders from someone outside of the normal chain of command. To say, do some surveillance as a favor to the OSS. And if you happened to find the rest of the 107th I think an extraction might well be reasonable too.”
Steve felt some of the tension leave his body, but Peggy was still staring at Agent Mars suspiciously.
“And why, exactly, would the OSS be willing to make such an arrangement?” She asked.
“We’ve had other pilots doing reconnaissance in the area for us. One of them was shot down a few days ago. If he survived, he would most like have been taken back to the same base as your friend.”
“So, the only reason you care about the 107th is because you want us to collect your guy.” Steve said, less than impressed.
“Excuse me if I’m wrong but the reason you’re mounting this rescue mission is because the 107th includes your best friend.” Agent Mars Countered. Then she reached up and pulled a locket out from under uniform and opened it.
Inside were two photos. One was of a teenage girl with light hair --- Agent Mars' kid sister maybe? The other was of a dark-haired man in uniform.
“His name is Lieutenant Logan Echolls.” She said, tapping the side of the locket with the man’s photo. “He’s been one of my best friends since I was twelve.”
She snapped the locket shut and looked straight up into Steve’s eyes,
“If there is any chance this can work; I’ll help you take it.” Her voice broke slightly. “Just please, bring him home.”