Chapter 14: A Night To Remember

As days pass by, the theaters where Steve performs gets bigger.

BUFFALO

Steve poses for a photo with a crying baby. After the flash, Senator Brandt's aide hands him another baby. A sign reads, "TAKE A SNAP WITH CAP!". Another flash. Now Senator Brandt elbows his way in, throwing his arm around Steve, grinning at the camera.

MILWAUKEE

Steve stands in the center of the stage as dancing girls circle him, waving tiny flags.

In a black & white footage: Steve marches with the troops on a war torn battlefield but in reality he's marching on a treadmill on a movie set.

KANSAS CITY

On stage, Steve takes to the mic confident.

"We all know this isn't about having a swell afternoon. This is about winning the war." Steve opened up.

Suddenly, a kid stands up in his seat. Panicked, he points at "HITLER" creeping from the wings. Steve doesn't notice.

"But we can't do it without bullets and bandages. Without tanks and tents. That's where you come in." Steve continues his speech.

More kids stand now, shouting "Look out!" and "Behind you!"

"Each bond you buy protects someone you love. So our boys will be armed and ready." Steve advertised. Just then, "HITLER" rushes to him.

"And so the Germans will think twice before trying to get the drop on us" Steve spins and fake socks "HITLER" on the jaw. The fuhrer goes down, the audience goes wild. Steve looks out at the adoring fans, soaking it all in.

A stack of Captain America No. 1'S, featuring Cap socking "HITLER", thumps down at the newsstand. Kids clamor for a copy.

PHILADELPHIA

In a lobby, kids yell for Steve's autograph. Steve, in costume but with cowl down, hands his shield to Senator Brandt's aide. The aide sags under the weight of the heavy metal slab.

"Hey, Cap, my brother says you took out four German tanks all by yourself."  a little kid said to Steve.

"Sorry, kid. Tell your brother he's wrong..." Steve started to reply. The kid sags, disappointed. Steve grins and continue saying "It was eight German tanks." The kids cheer.

A movie magazine gets shoved in Steve's face. Its cover features him: "WHO'S CAP KISSING NOW?". A smaller photo shows a lonely Howard Stark, "HAS HOWARD LOST HIS PLAYBOY CROWN?". Steve looks up to see a beautiful blonde holding a pen. She smiles. So does he.

CHICAGO

Captain America battles on a movie screen. Steve watches from the crowd. He glances around at the rapt faces.

NEW YORK CITY

At Radio City Music Hall, three chorus girls sing their hearts out, wearing blue helmets that spell out "U-S-A." while sitting on a motorcycle and Steve holding that motorcycle over his head. They are on a wide stage with a lavish production number, the grand finale.

"How many of you are ready to help me sock Old Adolf on the jaw?" Steve asks his audience.

STEVE'S APARTMENT

After months of touring America, Steve went home to personally tell the father-daughter duo about the news of him flying to Italy. He wanted to see Yumhee before he go. They have been exchanging letters but it wasn't enough for him anymore. He misses Yumhee more each passing day.

Dr. Erskine continued his work on the serum, comparing the results of Steve's and Yumhee's experiments, looking for a way to match the serum to anyone and secretly finding ways to heal Yumhee completely.

Yumhee has been adapting very well. With the use of a retractable staff made by Howard and the super soldier serum, she is now able to walk on her on without any assistance. She can't use her voice much now, only speaking for a very short period of time before it starts to hurt so she also use her staff for communication. But when she goes out for like buying groceries, she brings writing materials with her. Not all people knows Morse code.

It's already kind of late when Steve arrived at their apartment. He goes straight to the bedroom he shared with Yumhee. When he opened the door, Yumhee bolted right up, on guard while holding a gun.

"Hey, hey it's alright. It's me, Steve. Sorry I forgot to knock." Steve immediately informed her. Yumhee returns the gun to the side table and stretches her arms, asking for a hug. Steve walked to her and hugged her tight, relaxing when he smelled her unique fruity scent.

"I missed you...so much" Yumhee whispered to his ear.

"Me too. I've been thinking about you everyday." Steve breaks the hug and kissed her hungrily. He lifts her up and lay her on the bed, still kissing her.

"Yumhee...they're sending me to Italy." Steve said when they parted.

"Can I come with you, please?" Yumhee pleadingly asked.

"Yumhee..." Steve was conflicted.

"Please Steve...we haven't been together like this in months. And now you're leaving again, near the battlefield this time." Yumhee was anxious and afraid of the possibility of losing Steve.

"Yumhee...I can't. No. I don't want you to come. It might be dangerous. I can't lose you. I almost lost you once, my heart can't take that again. Yumhee..." Steve sighs and whispered "I love you...I love you so much."

Yumhee was beyond surprised. This is the first time Steve admitted that he loves her. They've been together for months but they haven't really spent that much time together. Hearing those words from him, she felt like something was lifted off from her. She felt light and happy. "I love you too Steve...so much." Yumhee almost cried from happiness.

Steve kissed her again, more passionate this time. Yumhee's hands on his arms. Steve started kissing lower, her jaw, her neck, her collarbone. But he stopped there. "Steve?" Yumhee asked, confused.

"Yumhee...can I have you? All of you?" Steve wanted their first time to be special but with him leaving for Italy without any guarantee when he'll be returning or if he can even return alive. He feels the urgency of being one with Yumhee. If this is the last time he'll see her, he wants to express how much he loves her. He wants to cherish her and adore every part of her body. He wants her to remember him always.

"I've always been yours Steve. All of me." Yumhee initiated the kiss this time, wanting to reassure Steve.

That night, they spent it together on the bed. After hours of worshipping each other's body, they slept peacefully while holding each other.