Chapter Four

Bethany's position in the SSR shifted almost every day. Half the time, Colonel Phillips was breathing down her neck to translate Dr. Erskine's notes. The other half, he was insisting on her helping Howard with weapons and development. They even dragged her to the medical tent once or twice. She had been pulled every which way so much that she didn't even realize the weeks pass by. They moved from London to Italy to France back to London so much, she lost all concept of time and place.

Bethany had studied Steve's sperm before she left the base that night in Brooklyn. She knew that it was better to test it when it was fresh, but with Howard nagging her, she had packed it and brought it home. In the lab in the basement, she began to study it again, thinking she wouldn't be able to analyze it correctly, but was wrong. Enhanced everything echoed through her head again.

She had finally thrown it out, shaking her head at the lifespan of 'Steve's Super Soldier Sperm', as she had taken to calling it. She hadn't discovered much other than the fact that Steve should be careful when having sex. She immediately wrote him, to which she got a letter back four weeks later. She could picture him blushing while writing it.

Dear Bethany,

Thank you for letting me know. While that is not a worry of mine currently, it is good to know for the future. I honestly hope that you are well.

I hope to see you in the future,

Steve Rogers

It was short and to the point, but Howard had stolen it one night and claimed that he most likely wrote the letter more than once. Showing it to her under a strong light, she could see the aggressive pen marks from the letters Steve wrote beforehand.

"Where are we?" Bethany asked one day. The room they were working in was dimly lit, but she knew the weather outside was just as dull.

"Italy," she heard Howard say as he looked over some blueprints.

"And what month is it?" She asked picking at her chipped red nail polish.

"November," Howard mumbled.

"November?" Bethany asked. "Where has my life gone?"

"Take a break," Howard suggested. "Go walk around the base, meet some soldiers. Go to the show. I don't know, but you seriously need a break, you crazy woman."

Bethany hated that he was right but… he was right. She honestly had no idea so much time had passed since she left the United States. "I'm seriously rethinking my life."

"Oh yeah?" Howard asked, turning to her slightly. "And what part are you rethinking?"

Bethany pushed a curl behind her ear. "The being in a dark lab with my brother 24/7. I used to have fun. Remember that? Remember when I went out dancing? Met boys?"

"I remember you returning home at three in the morning," he mumbled.

"Exactly," Bethany said nodding. "Fun."

"Then go out and have fun with a solider," Howard answered. "Hell, they're probably desperate for a pretty girl's attention. And with the nurses not being allowed to have any fun-"

"You make me sound like the last choice," Bethany interrupted. "That's a huge improvement to my self-confidence."

"Look, I hear things around the base. You wouldn't be their last choice. I'd punch them, but they have both height and strength over me, so you're on your own," Howard mumbled before silence overcame them. Bethany could see her reflection in the scrap piece of metal in front of her. She had looked better in the past, dark circles under her eyes and her hair in need of a good wash, but she wasn't hideous.

They remained silent for a couple of minutes before Howard turned to her with a huge smile. "I forgot to tell you! Guess who's here."

"Hitler?" Bethany asked bored, pushing away some tools from the work area.

"Nope," Howard said, popping the 'p'. "Your husband."

"Husband?" Bethany scrunched her face. "I don't remember getting married."

Howard shook his head and began searching for something on the crowded desk before handing her a poster. Bethany frowned as she read it. "Steve Rogers," Howard explained.

Bethany's gaze moved to Howard. "This was his promotion?"

"Where have you been?" Howard almost yelled. "You actually have been away from the real world. But go. See him. Gab a little."

"He's not my husband," was her response as she put the poster down and left the lab. While she had been drowning in her work the last few months, she had thought about Steve more than once. She always wanted to write to him, but never knew what to say. Although, it was much easier to think about him without his naked body being fresh in her mind.

The skies overhead showed that it was about to rain and Bethany cursed under her breath. The ground was also very muddy and Bethany wished she wore boots opposed to heels. She wasn't really sure where to go, but the direction of the makeshift stage seemed to be a good start.

Carefully making her way over, Bethany pulled her white lab coat closer to her, the green dress looking all-too fancy for the area. A few lounging soldiers whistled as she walked by, but Bethany only continued her way forward. She could see someone sitting on the steps, and the blond hair was a good give-away. She smiled as she saw his body leaned over a sketchpad.

"Hi stranger," she said as she sat down beside him.

Steve turned, alarmed but smiled. "Miss- Bethany. What are you doing here?"

"Oh, you know," Bethany said waving her hand a little. "A little of this. A little of that. And then living in a dark makeshift lab, not having a life."

"Sounds… eventful."

Bethany gave a dry laugh. "Not as eventful as you, Steve. Or should I say Captain America?"

He bowed his head and Bethany could see that familiar blush overcome his features. "Not what I had in mind, but at least I'm making some difference."

"The doctor in me is dying to know," Bethany began. "Any changes?"

"No," Steve answered lightly, shaking his head. "Everything… everything is the same."

"Everything?" Bethany asked, amused. "Nothing has changed since we last saw each other?"

"What are you referring to?"

Bethany just shrugged. "As your doctor, and your friend, I am merely wondering if any woman has caught your eye. Stuck on some sweet girl from a small town? Maybe a date or two?"

She was prying, but she was convincing herself it was because she wanted to know how the sex was. It was something that had been in the back of her mind ever since the experiment day, and she was positive that she didn't even need to be the one he had sex with in order to quiet that thought. She just wanted to know if his enhancement enhanced the overall outcome. Although, a few stray dreams had very carefully demonstrated to her that it did.

Steve's face didn't seem to change as he shook his head. "I mean, there's been a few women who seemed… interested, but it's only the character."

"You think they want to date you simply because you're a great American hero?" She asked, not believing him. Sure, the image was attractive. And hell, so was he. But Steve had a lot more to offer than that, and it would surprise her if women didn't see that in him.

"A fraud," Steve muttered. "I haven't done anything."

Bethany bit her lip carefully, trying to find the right words to comfort him. "You'll never find anyone with that attitude."

"And how has your luck been?" Steve asked, turning the tables. "With men?"

Bethany frowned. "Did you miss the part where I said I've been living in a dark makeshift lab? With my brother, I might add. I haven't met anyone new in months. A pretty crummy experience all-in-all."

"What a sad team we make," Steve said with a chuckle.

Bethany slapped his arm lightly. "Once this war is over, we'll go out prowling. I know this great club back in Brooklyn. And no one needs to know that you're Captain America. You are wearing a mask on the poster. We'll just be regular people, looking for that special someone."

Steve nodded quietly. "How's Agent Carter?"
Bethany raised an eyebrow, amused. "Peggy? Last time I heard, she's doing just fine. Why?"

"No reason," Steve answered. "Just curious."

"She's single," Bethany tested. Steve didn't react to this at all. "Play your cards right, and it could be her going to the club with you."

"I-I didn't mean it like that," Steve said, looking at his hands. "I was just wondering. Making conversation."

"What's eating you?" Bethany asked quietly, realizing that he seemed to want to say something but was holding back.

He let out a deep sigh and looked at her concerned face. "It's nice talking to you. I've been lonely. And being lonely makes you realize just how much you want another person to share your life with."

Bethany groaned as his words touched her again. "Will you stop saying beautiful things and making me want to squeeze the life out of you?"

"What?" Steve asked alarmed.

"You know when you see a puppy, and it's doing something cute, all you want to do is hug it? Well when you talk so beautifully, all I want to do is hug you." Bethany confessed.

Steve gave her a small smile and then pushed back a lock of his hair. "A hug?"

Bethany raised an eyebrow. "A hug. Do you think you cannot blush for five seconds?"

Steve smirked as Bethany moved in slightly and wrapped her arms around him. Steve hesitated but slowly wrapped his arms around her. Bethany smiled as she was enveloped in Steve's warmth. It was so comfortable, just like being in the lab with Howard. So natural.

"I'm glad we're friends," Bethany let out.

Steve didn't answer but took in the smell of her hair. While there was the strong scent of whatever she washed her hair with, mixed with her perfume, Steve could smell some rust and metal from her hours in the lab with Howard. It made him smile against her hair. Her words however, filled him with a little bit of sadness.

With the past months, he tried to build the courage to tell her how he thought of her every day. During the daytime, he saw her smile, the bounce of her curls and the way she laughed at almost everything in that sweet girlish way. At night, when he was alone, he saw her voluptuous curves, long lean legs and the look of desire she had when he emerged from that capsule. He had never had dreams about any woman the way he had with Bethany. It wasn't just her looks, but the way he felt when he thought about her.

Steve assumed that the next time they saw each other the tension would pick up again. He was almost counting on it. But with her words of being friends and the idea that they go out looking for dates together made his heart falter. She's out of your league, a dim voice echoed in his mind. She's brilliant, rich and overall the most beautiful woman ever to exist.

"Steve?" Bethany spoke up suddenly. "You're crushing me."

"Oh," Steve said breaking apart from her. "Sorry."

She just shook her head as she smiled sheepishly and began to blush. "Don't be a stranger, okay? I have to go back to the lab. I just thought of something I forgot to do. But come find me later, okay?"

He nodded understandingly as she got up and walked away. The rain started to fall, and he saw Bethany use her lab coat as protection over her head. He sighed and began to finish his sketch wondering if he'd ever get the chance to know Bethany as more than friends.


"So?" Howard asked as Bethany flopped back to her usual spot at the desk. "How was Stevie boy?"

Bethany let out a long sigh. "Still big."

Howard let out a chuckle. "Was he happy to see you?"

"Yeah," Bethany said, leaning her head down on the desk. "He smiled. I even got a hug out of hi- DON'T." She yelled as Howard raised his hand to start teasing her. "Steve and I are friends. The word friends was used in the conversation."

"By him?" Howard asked, turning his full attention to his little sister. "Or by you?"

Bethany thought about it. "I-I think by me."

Howard shook his head and groaned. "No wonder you're still single."

"Excuse me?" Bethany asked, sitting up straight. "Come again? I'm single by choice, if you remember."

"I remember a lot of you sleeping with random men and never talking to them again," Howard said bluntly. "Yes or no, are you attracted to him?"

Bethany frowned at the question. "What are you getting at?"

"Yes, or no?" Howard asked again, calmly. "Do you think he's a dreamboat?"

Bethany rolled her eyes. It was typical of Howard to only focus on physical appearance. But Bethany had been victim to falling for attractive men time and time again, and they were all the same. She knew Steve was a good man, despite barely knowing him personally. However, she had been burned in the past for jumping too quickly and she wasn't going to do that ever again. She wanted to wait until she felt something besides camaraderie or physical attraction before ever becoming serious with a man again.

"Yes, he's attractive. I thought that even before the serum. He had nice facial features. And good hair. You know I'm a sucker for nice hair."

"Okay," Howard said moving his chair closer to her. "Now why would you tell a guy you think is attractive that he's just your friend?"

"Because he is?" Bethany responded.

"You're missing the point," Howard sighed. "You find him attractive. And you've said since day one that he was a good soul. Explain to me how you don't want a chance of a future with him?" Silence filled the room as Bethany bit her lip. "Just because you're friends now doesn't mean you'll be friends in a week. In two weeks. And if you keep stressing just friends, he'll get the impression that you want to be just friends."

"I'm too busy to fall in love," Bethany stated firmly.

"You're impossible," Howard told her with a roll of his eyes.

"A man like Steve Rogers needs a typical housewife," Bethany spoke as an excuse. "Not someone who works every day all day, who drinks as much as I do and has a very long history of being, for lack of a better word, a floozy."

Howard touched her hand. "Beth, you and I both know that you don't want to be doing this forever. You want that picket white fence with the kids running around in the yard."

"I don't want to be an old lady. Not now," Bethany said quietly.

"After the war though," Howard finished. "And chances are, that's what Steve wants too."

"I'm not in love with him," Bethany fought back.

"You haven't had the chance to fall in love," Howard spoke with promise. "If you carry a torch for him, no matter how small, don't just shake that away."

Bethany just shook her head and got up to work on the aircraft they were repairing. Colonel Phillips wanted to make scrap metal out of it, but Bethany insisted that she could fix it. It was the only thing to keep her sane. She was just about finished with repairing it, and with grudge, she took part of it apart again. She wasn't willing to let the only thing that brought her joy slip away just yet.

"Stark!" A British voice called from behind. Bethany crawled out from under the plane and watched as Peggy and Steve came in, both wet from the falling rain. "We need your help."

Howard immediately walked over, but Bethany kept her place by the plane. "What's wrong?"

"We need a ride," Peggy elaborated.

"I'm going to rescue the 107th," Steve explained. "It would be a hell of a lot easier if I got a ride to where they were captured."

Bethany frowned. "You're going alone? Are you crazy?"

"Maybe," Steve said noticing her for the first time. "But my best friend is there. I have to save him. Or at least die trying."

Howard turned to Bethany. "That plane just about ready?"

Bethany looked towards the hunk of metal she just took apart. "Well, it was… and then I took some of it apart. If we work together, we could get it working in 10 minutes flat."

Howard nodded, rolling up his sleeves. "Then let's get to work, sister."

Bethany looked over to Steve where he was watching her, an expression of gratefulness on his face. "Damn you and your nobleness…." She mumbled before turning back to her work.


Howard had refused to let Bethany pilot the plane, no matter how hard she begged. With resentment, she sat at the back with Steve and Peggy, a look of annoyance on her face. She hadn't forgotten what Howard said earlier and was now surveying Steve critically. What she did notice now however, was that Peggy and Steve were watching each other carefully.

She assumed there would be a feeling of jealousy eating at her heart, but she saw none of that. Bethany was truly married to her work. It would take a lot of convincing and someone truly worth it to change that. And most likely so much work that she wouldn't be able to look at it without wanting to scream and cry.

"The HYDRA camp is in Krossberg. It's up between these two mountain ranges," Peggy explained. "It's a factory of some kind. We should be able to drop you around the doorstep."

"Just get me as close as you can," Steve answered. "You know, you three are going to be in a lot of trouble when you land."

"And you won't?" Peggy questioned.

"Where I'm going, if anybody yells at me, I can just shoot them."

Bethany chuckled, "That's not necessarily a good thing."

"They'll undoubtedly shoot back," Peggy elaborated.

"Well," Steve said pulling his shield up. "Let's hope this is good for something."

Bethany studied the shield and let out a chuckle. "I wonder if they got the idea of a shield because you used the cab door as a shield that day. It even has stars just like the door."

Steve looked at the shield and gave it a little smile. "I almost forgot about that."

"Agent Carter," Howard spoke from the front of the plane. "If you're not in too much of a hurry, maybe we could stop for some late night fondue."

"Oh, and what do you except me to do?" Bethany asked crossing her arms. "I have better things to do than watch you satisfy your indulgences."

Howard chuckled, "Oh, lighten up Bethany. We can always find someone for you, just for kicks."

"I'd rather stab myself with a pencil," Bethany said with a scoff. "But if you let me pilot-"

"No." Howard spoke sternly. "This air space is not safe. I don't trust your judgment."

"Hurtful."

There was a pregnant pause before Steve went "So you two… do you… fondue?"

Bethany turned to look at Steve, eyebrows raised slightly. What is he getting on about?

Peggy took matters into her own hands by giving Steve the transponder. "Active it when you're ready and the signal will lead us straight to you."

"Are you sure this thing works?" Steve asked, studying it.

"It's been tested more than you, pal." Howard assured.

"Haven't you learned to trust us by now, Steve?" Bethany questioned him crossing her arms tighter. "I mean, you did get into a metal death trap built by us, entrusting that we weren't going to kill you. And here we are today, in another metal death trap that came to us by literally falling out of the sky. It could do just that at any point."

Bethany's words all but came true as the plane started to shake with the assault of warfare. Bethany rushed to Howard's side, looking out the window. "Get back here," Peggy shouted over the loud noise. "We're taking you all the way there."

Bethany craned her neck to watch as Steve prepared to jump out of the plane. "I'm jumping this plane. Turn this thing around and get the hell out of here."

"You can't give me orders!" Peggy argued.

"The hell I can't," Steve responded. "I'm a Captain."

With that, he jumped out the plane, Bethany watching Peggy's shocked face. "He has a point," she told the agent as Howard began to turn the plane around. "Well, that went well."

"Just glad you didn't go with him," Howard said. "I seriously thought you'd jump after him. That would be a very long conversation with Colonel Phillips I'd rather avoid."

"Why would I do that?" Bethany asked. "I don't have a death wish- oh. Shit. I should've."

Howard chuckled. "You are a brilliant gal, Beth, but you can truly be a Dumb Dora when it comes to common sense."

"Why would you follow him?" Peggy asked. "Bethany?"

Bethany bit her lip and turned to Howard for help. She wasn't about to admit to Peggy that Steve could have used Bethany as a human shield opposed to that thin piece of metal. Chances were that she'd do a much better job at it. "Are we going to have that fondue or not?" Bethany asked, hoping Peggy would give up.

"Howard," Peggy said strongly, waiting for an explanation.

Howard just winked at Bethany before saying "she loves him."

Bethany groaned. "Can we stop with that? I don't. Not in that way. I mean, I care for him, but I'm not pining after him."

Peggy raised an eyebrow, clearly not convinced by this. Whether it was Howard's lie or Bethany's statement however, she wasn't sure. "Oh really?"

Howard chuckled, "I know, right? You won't be starring in any movies any time soon, Beth. You're a horrible liar."


Bethany spent the rest of the night curled up on her bed trying to sort her feelings out. It angered her that both Peggy and Howard seemed to be convinced that Bethany was in love with Steve. She tried to fight back, tell them that they were both crazy, but they just brushed her away.

Howard's earlier words about whether she thought Steve was attractive came back. Yes, she thought he was attractive. And yes, he was a good man. And perhaps the idea of rolling around in the bed sheets with him had crossed her mind more than once. But none of this meant she was in love with him. Right? It was just pure sexual attraction, something that was completely natural.

Bethany groaned, scratching the side of her head. Wouldn't I know if I loved him? She asked herself for what was most likely the one hundredth time. Wouldn't I be crying his name right now, praying that he'll come back?

Of course, she did want him to come back. If anyone deserved a long and happy life, it was Steve Rogers. A beautiful wife capable of giving him as many children as he wanted as they grew old with their friends. Bethany sighed loudly, throwing the sheets off her body before deciding to get up and tinker a little more.

She settled herself in front of some prototypes of weapons Howard was developing. Who needs love when you have mechanics? The thought ran false in her head, her knowing how much she craved another body in her bed so late at night. She, like Howard, greatly enjoyed the company of another person, but neither were ready for a serious relationship. And she had sworn off acting like a call girl around the same time as Pearl Harbor when things came into perspective for her. At the time, she thought sex was a contribution to her happiness, but it was fleeting, only existing for a few moments before falling back into a deep dark hole. She was too mature for one-night stands but not mature enough for a serious relationship.

Exactly, she seemed to taunt herself. Not ready for a serious relationship! How can I be in love with Steve if I know I'm not ready for love? Taking apart the gun and studying it, Bethany decided that the Howard's design wasn't right. Not compared to the rumored HYDRA weapons.

As she began to establish a better design, she suddenly stilled, pain wracking through her body. As tears welled up in her eyes, she couldn't figure why she was breaking down like this. Taking in deep breaths and trying to clear her mind, she realized that the breakdown was due to where her life was turning. Holed up in a dark lab, trying to create a weapon of mass destruction, no ring on her finger, only the desire of a beneficial friendship, despite knowing that it didn't provide actual happiness. And the idea that she was crying for herself and not a brother or lover at war only dug the knife in deeper. She had fooled herself into believing that she was okay. That work and Howard and a good fuck every once in a while was all that she needed.

And while she still didn't know whether she loved Steve or not or whether she wanted to work towards a real relationship with anyone, she sure as hell knew she was done feeling sorry for herself.


Howard found Bethany with her head down on the worktable, mouth open wide and hair wild. It was a sight to see, and he couldn't help but laugh at her. He slammed a hand down beside her head, jolting her from her slumber. His laughter only got louder at the dazed confusion on her face as she shook her head, tasting bitterness in her mouth.

"Is this what I look like when I spend the night down here?" Howard asked as Bethany rubbed her eyes.

"Mmm?" Bethany mumbled, trying to make sense of her surroundings. "What time is it?"

"Get up," Howard just said. "Get all dolled up'd. There's a celebration going on."

"We win the war?" Bethany asked plainly, noticing some black liner from her eyes that rubbed onto her hand.

"Nah," Howard answered. "But Steve's back. Along with four hundred men."

"That's nice," Bethany said absentmindedly, sticking her tongue out briefly at the bitterness that had settled into her mouth. "I need to brush my teeth."

Howard watched as she slowly got up, only to turn to face him again. "Wait, what?"

"He liberated four hundred men," Howard repeated. "A regular hero."

"Shit," Bethany muttered.

"Basically," Howard agreed. "And I think Phillips is going to change his whole 'one is not enough' outlook on life. Clearly, one is."

"Clearly," Bethany mumbled dazed.

Howard frowned, trying to comprehend her reaction. "You know, I figured you'd run out to see him. Wrap your arms around him and whisk him away for an afternoon of coming undone."

Bethany gave him a pointed look. "See, that would be my reaction if I loved him. I'm gonna go wash up."

As his sister went to clean up, Howard crossed his arms, completely confused. Maybe I'm wrong, he thought to himself. Maybe she... doesn't love him? The thought was an eye opener, since Howard assumed it would be so simple. He had been ragging on her about this because it was fun, but he truly believed that Bethany had some feelings for Rogers. He was a good man and wouldn't be in control of a relationship with Bethany. She had to have some control, if not all of it. She was too much like him, and something he wouldn't tell her, too much like their mother. Mrs. Stark had been the head of the household, their father barely having any say in anything. But Bethany had always hated their mother, and would cause Howard great bodily harm if he told her this.

And of course, he didn't miss how all the women watched Steve. How even Peggy couldn't take her eyes off of him. Bethany was no exception, and when she talked about him, there was no annoyance or frustration in her tone, like every other man she had ever known. Steve was the perfect man for anyone, but more importantly, for someone as hard-headed and stubborn as Bethany. Maybe she just doesn't know, Howard concluded with a smile. Like I said, she's Dumb Dora in regards to so much.


Steve was feeling a lot at the moment. Happiness. Pride. Relief. Accomplishment. Yet, there was a small bit of sadness flooding through him. Arriving back at camp, Peggy came forward where he didn't miss the flirting made—surprisingly—by both of them. It was a nice change for a woman to look up at him in wonderment, but he knew that it was the wrong woman.

He knew he didn't know Bethany too well, but from what he did know, she was loud, passionate, funny and full of life. Not to mention, a goddess would be green with envy from her stunningly good looks. From what he knew of her, he loved her. And he wanted her to feel the same way too.

After a particularly long, but fulfilling meeting with Colonel Phillips, Steve went to change out of his show clothes. Suddenly, the tights didn't bring embarrassing memories. He could wear them with pride. Bucky was back, well and by his side, including four hundred other men, all expected to live. The tights he-

He stopped in his tracks as he saw Bethany come out of the makeshift lab, pulling a bomber jacket onto her body. Steve couldn't help but chuckle at how out of place she looked in her red dress and tan heels. The face she made when her heels sunk into the ground made his heart flutter. Shaking his head slightly, he walked closer to her where she was struggling to get her heel out of the mud.

"Need help?" Steve asked as he reached her.

Bethany looked up surprised, then smiled. "Well if it isn't the hero of the day! Want to do another heroic act and help me?"

Steve gave her a shy smile before bending down. Bethany put her hands on Steve's shoulder and lifted her foot out of her shoe so Steve could take a hold of it and pull it out. He did it with ease and stood up to give it to her. She kept one hand on his shoulder, one foot bare.

"Someone should give you some combat boots," Steve remarked as they stood there. "This isn't really the duds to be wearing here."

"I've been looking for a pair in my size," Bethany explained. "My feet are too small."

Steve looked down at her bare foot, hovering just above the ground. It was tiny and pale and if he was a braver man, he'd capture it in his hands and kiss it. "Do you… uh- do you need a lift?"

Bethany frowned for a couple seconds before smiling, realization hitting her. "Yes, a lift would be swell."

Steve nodded shyly as Bethany snaked her arm around his neck, Steve picking her up bridal style. "Where to?"

"Well, I was actually coming to congratulate you, so you need to be anywhere?" She asked, Steve trying to fight the pleasant feeling of her breath on his neck from affecting him.

"N-no, not particularly." Steve stuttered.

"You hungry, Cap?" Bethany decided. "I could go for some food. Even if it's the mush they serve 'round here."

"Cap," Steve said amused. "Did you find out about my promotion?"

Steve started walking as Bethany's wiggled her feet in the air, no stockings webbing her toes together. "I assumed. I'm happy for you. There's no better day then finding out your greatest invention is a success in life. Usually the pride is saved for a baby, but you'll do fine."

"Invention?" Steve chuckled.

Bethany shrugged. "Let's admit it, would you have been carrying me like a hot shot, even though you're in tights, as a ninety-pound asthmatic? And I had a hand in this. Now, tell me everything. And I do mean everything. I heard a certain Peggy Carter was here to welcome you."