A short story for a 'ship that will probably never leave the harbour. Only going to be 4 or 5 chapters. I hope it's okay. This story is written just for fun, to keep me entertained between seasons.
Anna Jarvis watched her husband place four freshly baked scones on to a plate and bring them over to the table. He sat down opposite her and poured a cup of hot tea from the pot in a desperate attempt to keep a little bit of England amidst the crassness of Los Angeles.
"How was your day, darling?" he asked while preparing one of the scones with a generous helping of strawberry jam.
"I had to fill in for Marie again." she replied updating her husband on the latest drama at work.
Edwin remarked at her news, giving his two cents at the inconsiderate actions of her colleague. Anna smiled at his concern while she accepted the scone he moved towards her. She considered herself a fortunate woman. Her husband was without doubt the best sort of man. He loved her greatly and she loved him in return but Anna had noticed something was missing from the relationship. Something that she had never quite been able to put her finger on….until recently.
It was back in New York where she first noticed the change in him . There had been a kind of light in his eyes whenever she had enquired about his work day, a spring in his step as he busied himself around the house. Anna knew that whatever he was doing for Mr Stark was far more hazardous than dealing with young ladies outstaying their welcome in the Stark mansion.
She had seen that light within him before. Just once, back when they met in Budapest. Something had ignited a fire in him back then and for a while she assumed it was passion for her. But now she realised it was actually for the danger they found themselves in. War had arrived in the country and the risks to her safety had been high. Edwin Jarvis seem to rise to the challenge, revel in the potential peril of the situation. Anna witnessed how it was the danger that fuelled the fire she could see in his eyes.
But that spark seemed to have diminished since they had moved to LA two months ago. Whatever had ignited the change had clearly been left in New York. Her husband had spend many years ensuring that she was safe and had a comfortable life and Anna now began to fear that he had given up a chance to be truly happy in order to do that.
These observations had been rattling around her head for some time now. She realised she envied that 'spark' she had seen in Edwin. Anna longed to feel something similar herself and began to hope that the new start in Los Angeles may give her that opportunity. Maybe it was time for Edwin to free himself from the obligation to keep her safe and for her to experience life on her own.
Anna took a good hard look at the man sat across the table. A man who willingly gave up everything to save her life back in Budapest. Now it was time to return the favour and try and give back some of what he had given up. She placed her cup of tea back on the saucer, looked into her husbands eyes and spoke.
"Edwin I think we need to talk".
Four months later.
The doorbell rang of the Stark residence and like a good butler Jarvis marched swiftly to answer it. The huge solid wood door swung open letting in some Californian evening air revealing Agent Peggy Carter standing in the driveway.
"Good evening Mr Jarvis" she greeted with a mischievous smile.
He hadn't expected to see her there. In fact he hadn't been expecting any guests. It was a Monday night, traditionally a quiet night in the Stark household.
She wore a light jacket over a blouse and knee length skirt together with that signature red lipstick. Jarvis felt his heart rate quicken slightly at seeing her. He assumed the sensation was just his brain recalling the daring situations he'd found himself in with the Agent back in New York.
"Are you going to let me in, or am I to stand in this pretentious driveway all night long?" Peggy bluntly asked. A hand slowly moving to her hip showing a slight annoyance at being kept waiting.
"Very sorry Miss Carter, please do come in." He moved graciously to one side allowing the feisty brunette to pass by, the pleasant scent of her perfume floating across his senses .
Jarvis opened his mouth to enquire the purpose of her visit when the whirlwind known as Howard Stark came bustling in behind her.
"Jarvis! sorry I didn't call ahead but I have the LAPD coming over. There's something that's come up." he announced with all his usual bravado before walking ahead and greeting Peggy.
It wasn't long before a good number of Los Angeles finest were seated around the rather large drawing room. Jarvis suspected that a number of the detectives were there for no other reason than to peer inside the mansion of the great Howard Stark. While the detectives spoke amongst themselves, Howard took an opportunity to approach his friend and employee.
"So how's Anna?" Stark asked in a hushed tone.
A knot tightened in Jarvis' stomach at the mention of his wife. He had been to visit her earlier that day. To see how she was doing living on her own. It had been four months since Anna had left him and he still struggled to understand why she did it.
He couldn't comprehend about this 'fire in his eyes' she spoke of. He just felt hurt that she wanted to leave him. He had been happy with Anna, they had a good life together. It had all been such a shock.
"She is doing very well, sir." He managed to answered Howard while forcing a smile that his friend saw straight through.
"You'll get her back, don't worry? Howard replied placing a reassuring hand on his friends shoulder.
"Get who back?" both men turned to see Peggy standing before then, a concerned expression fixed across her brow.
Jarvis straightened out, standing a little taller.
"Lady Edith Hutton!" Jarvis quickly conjured up.
" Mr Stark is under the impression that I am capable of mollifying Lady Hutton over a disagreement they had last weekend, Miss Carter".
Peggy rolled her eyes towards Howard. "Don't tell me. You promised a night to remember, then she caught you with another woman?"
Howard Stark played along and shrugged his shoulders. His eyes drifted quickly to his butler accepting that Jarvis wanted to keep the topic of Anna just between the two of them.
Howard didn't allow Agent Carter to delve any deeper in to the conversation. He had more important things to discuss.
"Listen Peggy I brought you here to act as liaison to the LAPD. There's been a bit of a situation and you know that you're the only one I trust. I need you to keep these trigger happy chumps from looking in all the wrong places". Howard said motioning over to the collection of detectives.
"And of course you always have Jarvis here if you need any assistance" he added.
Peggy glanced shyly up and Jarvis wondered if she felt the buzz of excitement that he always did at the idea of working together.
"What the Hell are we doing here Stark?" one of the detectives impatiently called across the room.
Howard walked over and gathered everyone together.
"There has been something stolen from my lab downtown"
Peggy stood up suddenly unable to hold back her opinions.
"Please do not tell me you are thinking involving another law agency to track down stolen weapons. You really do need to invest in a better security system Mr Stark"
"It wasn't a weapon, Peggy" Howard spat back
"It was just a useless machine part, but this isn't about what was stolen more about who stole it"
"Corrigan Sands!" he simply added
The name brought silence to the room. It was a name familiar to everyone except Peggy. Jarvis saw her confusion and he leaned forward to fill her in.
"Corrigan Sands was quite the infamous crime lord, Miss Carter. A very nasty one. In fact so vicious that even Hydra feared him. But the most interesting thing was that his identity is a complete mystery. It seemed that everyone who got close to identifying the man came to a very grisly end".
"He's dead" one the agents announced, which was the common theory. Evidence of the mystery man had all but disappeared during the war. Stories suggested Corrigan Sands had involved himself overseas and had met his end there somewhere. Whatever had gone down no-one was complaining. The city was a much better place without him.
"There is no proof he's dead gentlemen, just stories. If he is back and decided to take an interest in my work then we have problems".
Jarvis listened to the seriousness in his employers tone. He knew what was rattling around that complicated head of his.
If a potential supervillan steals one of his deadly weapons Howard knew what destruction that weapon was capable of and could hazard a guess at how it would be used. But here, they had an unknown criminal with a useless machine part. To try and guess the possible reasons of the theft could drive the millionaire insane.
"It could be someone else using Corrigan Sands name" Peggy offered throwing up a whole other set of questions as to why someone would do that.
Jarvis could see a note of reluctance take hold of the detectives in the room. Many people had died trying to take down Corrigan Sands. He realised then that's why Howard had brought Peggy to LA. She was the girl to get the job done.
"The bottom line is, I have reported a theft and I expect it to be investigated." Howard said through gritted teeth, disappointed at the response at the news that Corrigan Sands was back in business.
Jarvis escorted the police detectives from the mansion then turned to see Peggy standing before him. He could see her absorbing all the infromation Howard had thrown at them and he knew a plan was all ready forming in her head.
Her eyes narrowed then lifted to look at him and he could tell that whatever she was planning most definitely involved him.