Small Reunions

With the territories split between the Allies and the Axis, it took longer to get to Italy.

But they did get there after many changes in vehicles and long walks.

It took two and a half days before they finally arrived at the border of Italy, and again they had to keep their head down while passing through Nazi turf.

But it wasn't anything hard to do, they rested between towns for a short while before heading forward again.

They soon stopped near a hotel at a town as they took it upon themselves to rest, Alfie plans to call for a ride because the last few miles is just too much already.

As they ate in a diner Alfie got up and head to a phone booth for a call.

And about an hour later a military Jeep pulled in to their hotel as they walked back.

As Alfie and James walked passed the Jeep a young soldier rushed out of the vehicle, he almost tripped but he made it to the sidewalks before saluting and calling out.

"Sir!!"

"Huh? Oh it's a soldier, hello private, what might you need?" Though Alfie asked he had an idea of why he is here.

"Are you US Army Captain Alfred Mcbride?" The soldier asked.

"If I were?"

"I'm to take you back to the base." The soldier said.

"Ah So you're our ride...you wouldn't mind waiting as we pack our belongings do you private?"

"No sir, do you need help?" The young soldier asked.

"No need, we'll be down soon."

A few minutes later the soldier can see both Alfie and James coming out of the Hotel with a plus one, Luna.

The soldier had a nerve wracking experience with the wolf, he was intimidated by the growling, sharp teeth and predatorily eyes.

But Alfie made sure it was alright, the two could be seen wearing their plated armour, except there was an unbuttoned overcoat over them.

"Now lets be on our way."

As they drove to the U.S. base Alfie and James casually spoke about things that shouldn't be spoken about.

On the driver seat was Alfie and James on the passenger seat.

The young soldier thought he was gonna drive but Alfie simply picked him up and put him in the back seat before taking the wheels.

Luna jumped in the back along with the frightened soldier and growled at him, but went down asleep after Alfie calmed her down.

"That is complete bull." James said.

"No really, that's really the reason I want to advance quickly."

"What is the end goal then?"

"I want to stick my sword into Hitler before he can commit suicide like a coward." Alfie said.

"Your goal is Hitler?" James asked bewildered.

"More or less, but I'm more fond of what's in between."

James knew what he meant, but if he didn't see him on the battlefield then he wouldn't have understood, the way Alfie runs for battle and is first to shed blood and last to leave the field.

"Hmm." James hummed in acknowledgement, and not saying much.

They soon came to the current base in Italy, the young soldier in the back didn't have to give directions as Alfie seemed to already know the way somehow.

As they rode in after being ID'd in the entrance, Alfie, James, and Luna jumped off the car leaving the young soldier to himself.

They got some directions to the man in charge of the base and headed there with the other two.

They were getting attention like crazy, mostly because of the wolf but some seemed to have recognized that handsome face Alfie wore, it was confirmed when they connected the dots with the wolf.

*Knock* x5

The door to an office knocked as an old voice sounded out.

"Come in."

Alfie walked in first before Luna and James came after.

"Well I'll be damned, Alfred McBride." The man in the office said.

"Colonel, you seem to be doing well." Alfie said smiling.

"I am now!! Haha, when I got your call I couldn't believe it, I gotta be honest, when you requested to head to the front lines I was skeptical of your survivability.

But hearing about your exploits from General Dwight himself, who would have thought." Colonel Phillips said as he sized up James and the wolf after Alfie.

"Oh great, so you spoke to the General." Alfie said.

"Yeah I did, though he did not sound too happy, what did you do? And why on earth are you on this side of the line?"

"Well the old man is just mad that I asked to be transferred." Alfie said.

"Well It doesn't matter, with you being here will make things easier if you work like you did in the German frontlines."

"But still, who would have thought you would come so far in just a few months.

Your friend on the other hand is back in the states dancing for everyone else." The Colonel said.

"I know."

"And I'm guess you also know that he is coming here soon." Colonel Phillips said with a raised eyebrow as if knowing the real reason Alfie was here.

"Steve? He's coming to Italy?"

"Cut the crap McBride, what are you really here for?" The Colonel asked.

"What I can't come back to see an old friend of mine? And better yet Steve is also coming, what a coincidence."

"Since when were we friends? Now look here, I don't care what you are doing here, but if you can help us knock the line back even a little, then that's good enough for me."

Alfie and Colonel Phillips spoke for a bit more before the three head out to get some rest.

Alfie gave an excuse about traveling over a mountain just to get here, but the Colonel didn't care.

He told Alfie that if he stays in the camp then he will take the position of a Drill Instructed like he did in London, unless he is on the field.

•••••

Four days later...

Most of the men in camp are out fighting a war, and since Alfie was here he avoided training anyone and instead took it easy.

He found Howard a while ago working on one of the undergrounds in Italy, making new toys to better their fight against the Axis.

Alfie took the chance and grabbed one of the rooms in Howards mansion in Italy and got comfortable.

Alfie asked Howard to make another mask for him since he lost the other, or tossed it aside in the rush of the moment, along with another mask for James.

And today he saw Peggy Carter.

As he walked around camp he saw a military jeep a bit away, an on the passenger side was Agent Peggy.

Seeing the chance Alfie ran faster than any man on this camp before jumping on the backseat of the vehicle.

When he plopped down and the vehicle tumbled, Peggy pulled out a pistol swiftly like any agent should be capable of.

When she saw what the gun was pointing at, her eyebrows went up in surprise.

"Alfi- Alfred?"

Peggy said not believing it.

"Hello red." With a smile Alfie greeted her.

"Y- your here..."

"I am."

"How are you here?"

"I guess you have been busy, considering I've been a hot topic around here." Alfie said.

"When did you get back, I didn't hear anything." She said as she told the driver to...drive.

"A few days ago...what have you been working on?"

"Intel on the other side, but your not the one i should be reporting to."

"Oh really? What if I was Steve instead? Would you have told me then? How is Steve? Have you been in touch with him?"

"No."

"Well where you going?"

"I'm off to see Colonel, I have to report to him of recent...happenings." She said.

"Then I will come along."

Reaching their destination Alfie followed along with Peggy as she barged in the tent the Colonel was in along with a few other army office workers.

Once the Colonel looked up to see Peggy, he expected some updates on important information, but when he saw Alfie there was a bit of a twitch.

"Captain Alfred, it seems to me like you are doing fine...but why do I hear that you haven't been doing the things I've told you to do?" Colonel got up and stood with his hands on his hips.

"Oh I don't mean any disrespect by it sir, on our way here me and Sergeant Howlett got injured due to a few skirmishes with a small force of Nazi's...therefore I took the time to properly bandaged myself with James." Alfie said as he lift up the white shirt he was wearing showing a bandage around his chest with stains of blood on it.

"Fine, I guess I could let this be, your excuse is reasonable enough." Colonel Phillips said.

On the side Peggy had an eyebrow up in suspicion, she remembers the days where Alfie would use ketchup as excuse to run away from training or such.

She wasn't sure, until Alfie winked at her and she knew he was actually avoiding work.

Before she could sigh and rub her temples the Colonel called her.

"So what bring you Agent Carter?"

"Sir, we have intel regarding one of the men working for Hitler, could be a more dangerous opponent then the others." She said.

"And what makes you say that?"

The Agent proceeded to tell the Colonel everything they have of the man Johaann Schmidt, and Alfie, who loved to play along focused in and also asked questions like he has never known about who the Red Skull is.

The Colonel didn't seem that worried when she spoke of this man being the leader of a research division under Hitler and all, until she spoke of the weapons that were being used and made.

More stronger and better weapons were being made apparently, tanks bigger than the usual ones the Allies have.

Weapons never seen before that beams and is more destructive than any other, and it was to be given to every foot soldier to use.

Colonel told Agent Carter to find more of this so called research division called HYDRA-Abteilung.

He also asked if Stark had anything new up his sleeve that could help them in the war, unfortunately it was most likely a no, but the Agents answer was that she didn't know.

Before anyone can do anything a man walked in, limping and arm bandaged to his chest with blood stains and dirt around him.

This was a commanding officer who led the 107th regiment against the Italian front lines.

All went well until a newly arrived group, Hydra, came in and took out the regiment, the man reported that there were only few that came back alive while the others were either killed or captured.

The officer spoke of the firepower this HYDRA had, and how easy it was to dominate the division.

Needing a reason to leave Alfie act surprised.

"107th?!"

The commanding officer looked at Alfie and nodded.

"What's wrong?" Agent Carter asked.

"I gotta go..." Alfie left the tent.

••••••

On the next day...

A plane landed in the base and dropped a few people off from the states.

These few were Steve, the showgirls and a few others.

As they got out being escorted by an army officer they were looking everywhere in curiosity.

Steve seemed happy to be here, nodding to the many soldiers.

They were also getting attention, mostly the girls as the men around here haven't got much looks at so many revealing ladies.

But as they walked Steve started to notice that there were more scorning eyes at him then he realized.

They spent about two hours setting up on a place to rest, having breakfast before the show started.

Everything went as the movie did.

Though there was a few dances and singing before Steve was left to the stage all alone.

He tried to speak and raise the morals of the soldiers who went quiet after the girls left.

But all he has been receiving is challenge and mockery from the soldiers.

It was so bad the soldiers start throwing food and things at him, he had to use the shield to protect him and leave as the showgirls came back singing and dancing.

On the backstage he took off his suit hood and put away his shield before doing some deep thoughts.

He realized how different it is to entertain and motivate citizens and soldiers.

As Steve stepped onto earth and moved to walk away he heard a voice.

"I guess I can't call you scrawny anymore."