Steve Rogers was baffled.
He had spent a great deal of the night sorting out his thoughts one by one, cataloguing them in the area in which he held everything pertaining to Rosebeth.
He knew he wasn't a genius and that it wasn't expected of him to notice small things like that, but when he thought back on all their encounters, he couldn't help but realize all the hints she dropped.
Rosebeth would often say some things that didn't make any sense at that time and that would -unexpectedly- turn out to be correct at a later date.
Rosebeth would confuse tenses when she was angry or stressed.
Rosebeth would already be ready for something a few seconds before it happened (someone blew up a warehouse and Rosebeth had already ducked a few seconds before).
Rosebeth would tend to disappear for an unmeasured amount of time.
Rosebeth would talk about her two kids Victor and James, telling him that she cared for them since they were little... But if that were true, how could they be fighting in the war right now?
Rosebeth this, Rosebeth that, Rosebeth would, Rosebeth could...
All his thoughts came to a sudden halt once he realised one thing.
Rose was an alien.
Coming from a Catholic family, they taught him to not discriminate.
If you were American, good for you.
If you were Chinese, good for you.
African, Mexican, Puerto Rican, Swedish, Australian, French, etc.
Good for you.
But Alien?... He was never taught what to do about them.
The larger part of his brain was screaming at him to not let her go, that despite being an alien, she was the best thing to have happened to him since Bucky.
The smallest part was whispering directly into his ear. It was telling him, that if she had lied about something that big... What else had she lied about?
He understood the need for secrecy, but it didn't mean he wasn't feeling slightly betrayed. He had shared a lot of his life with the woman, and she had answered back with lies.
He was brought out of his thoughts by the sound of the arriving car.
Opening the door for Agent Carter, he stepped inside once she was seated.
He was planning on sulking all the way there, but a voice from his left quickly ruined the plan.
-"You know, the only thing she lied about was her origins, all the rest is a slightly changed truth."-
Peggy had seen the dilemma on Steve Rogers' face when they had mentioned Rose.
She knew Rose had told him the truth about herself, and she could tell from his facial expressions, that he had finally understood, but was still debating what to think about her.
-"Rose is many things, but she is rarely a liar. In the small time I have known her; she has become my best friend because she has always been blunt and direct with me. She has helped me in with any problems I have, and she constantly supports me."-
Turning towards Steve, she kept eye contact.
-"Rose is known for hiding information, but never lying about it. She tells you the truth or she explains why she can't."-
Smiling, she smuggled a chuckle that threatened to crawl out of her throat.
-"You know, we weren't always best friends... I used to hate her. "- Peggy confided to Steve, making the man's eyebrows raise surprised.
-"She made no sense at all, the woman would start spouting nonsense, and then she'd prove everyone wrong... Rose was the best at everything she did."-
Sighing, she played around with her hands, slightly nervous at her next confession.
-"Naturally everyone would be a bit jealous, but not me. I despised her. You see, I was the only woman working as an agent for the SSR at that time, and to get that position... I had to fight tooth and nail to get there. So when this woman suddenly appears, and does everything I did in a year in only a few second, I got green with envy."-
Clearing her throat, she avoided Steve's eyes.
-"I confronted her and told her many things I later regretted. Rose answered calmly and most professionally. It made me feel immature."-
Smiling, Peggy finally looked up and met Steve's non judgemental eyes.
-"I told her I was sorry, she forgave me. We talked for a while, and ended up being best friends."-
Steve was slightly confused at the ending. If she hated her, how could they take such a large leap to best friends a few days later?
He was interrupted from his thought pattern once again by the brunette agent.
-"I believe that we are lucky that we know her… She's helped us more than we deserve. I am proud to call her a friend. -Yes- she will hide things from you, but for good reason."- She said, making Steve grimace as his mind battled once again.
-"Apart from that, she is the most open person I have ever met. I really think you should give her a chance."-
Steve silently considered her words.
She was right, she had never really told him a lie… just slightly twisted the truth.
She did always explain why she couldn't do things, or she would simply state that it was confidential (while giving him a wink).
Deciding to ignore the argument in his head, he decided to draw his conclusions from facts.
Did the fact that she was an alien affect him in any way?
No.
Did he enjoy her company?
Yes.
Would he be willing to give up their friendship for a fact that didn't really affect him?
... No.
His mind made up, he decided to give her a chance (-'I hope it isn't too late Rogers… You might have blown it already'.-)
Looking around, he suddenly recognised the sweet neighbourhood of Brooklyn.
-"I know this neighbourhood… I got beat up in that alley."- Steve said, pointing towards said alley. -"...and that parking lot… and behind that diner."- He ended up saying quietly, realising that it wasn't really the best topic to broach.
Peggy couldn't help but wonder what it was that Rose saw in the little man.
Her answer came within the minutes.
-"Did you have something against running away?"- She asked watching him from the corner of her eye.
-"Once you start running, they'll never let you stop. If you stand up, push back… they can't say no forever right?"- Steve wisely answered, staring at the passing streets.
Peggy sighed. -"I know a little of what that's like. To have every door shut in your face."-
Steve looked at Peggy properly for the first time. -"I guess I just don't know why you'd want to join the army… both you and Rosebeth if you were beautiful dames… or beautiful… women. Agents, not dames. You are both beautiful, but..."-
Steve struggled to talk, cursing his bad luck at stuttering through what should have been a normal conversation.
Looking at Steve incredulously Peggy tried to keep her laughter in, not wanting to look unprofessional before the small recruit.
-"You have no idea how to talk to a woman do you?"-
Giving what resembled a cross between a grimace and a chuckle, Steve shook his head.
-"I think this is the longest conversation I've ever had with one… Not including Rosebeth... Women aren't exactly lining up to dance with a guy they might step on..."-
Peggy was surprised.
-"You must have danced?"-
Steve Rogers shrugged once again, slightly more embarrassed this time.
-"Well, asking a woman to dance always seems so terrifying. And the past few year just didn't seem to matter that much. Figured I'd wait."-
-"For what?"-
-"The right partner."-
Peggy smiled knowingly.
-"And have you found her yet?"-
Steve looked out at the window, watching the people walk around while he tried to keep his blush down at the agents knowing tone.
-"I thought I had... Now I'm not that sure. I had a bit of a stumble... I'm hoping she would be willing to overlook it, but I'm not sure if she will."- He finally admitted just as the car stopped.
-"Don't give up on her yet... She might surprise you."- Peggy said getting out.
-"This way!"- She called while Steve looked around, getting his bearing.
Looking up at the place they had stopped at he saw a large sign announcing 'Brooklyn antiques'.
-"What are we doing here? "- Steve asked very confused.
-"Just... Follow me."- Peggy told him, keeping her voice down.
Opening the doors, they were greeted by an old lady coming from the back of the homely shop.
-" Wonderful weather this morning isn't it? "-
Peggy nodded, trying not to laugh as she remembered Rose's description of the lady. (-"She looks like a mummified old giraffe. You can't miss her."-)
-"Yes, but I always carry an umbrella."- She told the old woman, thinking that it would have been much more entertaining if Rose had chosen the password.
Steve followed Peggy as she led them towards the back of the shop, where a couple of doors had swung open to reveal a -very bright and clean- passageway.
Awed, he started walking down the path, wondering about the procedure and all the responsibility that would come out of it.
He really had no idea what was ahead of him.
Finally arriving at the large and busy room he was met with silence and quite a lot of ogling.
... Just when he could have used a 'Rosebeth distraction', she was nowhere to be seen.
-"What are you guys staring at?!"-
(-"Ah! There she is!"-)
-"Stop goofing around and get to work! We need a bunch of eager beavers so spread out you lot!"- Rose shouted, walking behind Erskine and meeting them in the middle of the room.
-"Good morning."- Erskine began.
Steve opened his mouth to answer, but was interrupted by a quick camera flash.
-"Please, not now "- Erskine told the cameraman, as he raised his hand.
With a nod and a glance towards Rose, the cameraman moved a few steps away.
-"So, are you ready?"- Erskine asked Steve, looking at him closely for any signs of disagreement.
Steve still slightly overwhelmed, simply nodded.
-"Good. Take off your shirt, your tie and your hat."-
Having been quiet during their conversation, Rose quickly interrupted.
-"No wait! I want a picture of us three! And then one with Peggy!"- Rose added.
-"If it's alright with you."- She asked Steve, suddenly feeling very shy.
Steve understood the reason behind her hesitation, and gave her the biggest smile he could muster (which ended up looking like a grimace, but the thought was what counted).
-"I think it's a swell idea."-
Smiling widely as she got the meaning behind his words, Rose squealed and hugged him quickly, before turning her deadly puppy eyes at Erskine.
Sighing silently to himself, Erskine beckoned the cameraman closer.
-"You heard the lady."-
The first picture depicted Steve on Rose's right, a slightly queasy smile on his face (he was going to be the one experimented on in a few minutes), and Erskine on her left a fond exasperated smile on his face (Rose always got her way).
The second picture was a much more treasured one (future Peggy would carry it around everywhere).
In the middle stood Peggy a bright (but still tight lipped, -she did have a reputation to maintain after all-) smile on her face arms hooked with both Rogers -who had now a genuine smile on- (after Rosebeth had told him off), and a beaming Rose.
-"I want 3 copies of both photographs to be delivered on Monday -at the latest-, you can leave them on Colonel Phillips' desk. He won't mind. Now scram. We have things to do."-
Rose told the frightened cameraman while Steve laid down on the machine as Erskine talked to him.
Not listening in to their private conversation (she already knew what they would say anyways) she hid behind a large machine that hid her view of the stairs.
Counting down to 3 she suddenly flew out of the little crook and jumped onto an unsuspecting Howard Stark's back.
-"Mr. Stark how are your levels?"- Erskine asked loudly, just as Howard let out a loud squawk.
All eyes turned to Howard Stark and the small woman who was clinging to his back.
-"Levels are at 100%"- Howard nervously squeaked out, looking over at the exasperated (Peggy), amused (Erskine) and jealous (Steve) eyes that were following him.
-"Good"- Erskine announced, and left to prepare for some last minute things.
Wanted to wipe the jealous look out of the tiny man's eyes he came up with an evil joke.
-"We may dim half the lights in Brooklyn, but we are ready... As we'll ever be."
Laughing internally at the man's frightened expression; he didn't notice the small whack that ended up connecting with his shoulder.
-"Stop trying to scare Steve, everything will go perfectly."- Rose reprimanded him while she lightly eyed Erskine.
-"I can't be here for the whole procedure, I have to go pick up some things Erskine asked of me... I'll be back when you turn all hard boiled."- She whispered to Steve, cheekily winking at him and kissing him on his cheek.
Turning towards Peggy (consequently not noticing Steve's blush), she discreetly asked her to take care of him while she was gone, to which she readily agreed.
Looking sharply back at Erskine, she left the room, passing through the glass room and staring maliciously at the Hydra agent.
Unnerved at her stare, the agent fidgeted slightly, but didn't break his cover.
Scoffing at him, she exited the room, ignoring the greetings from Senator Brandt, wandering until she found a small corridor in which she opened a portal.
-T.R.M.-
Quickly finding the trunk in his rather disorganised room, she opened it to find a small stack of letters.
Realising that this was what he wanted her to distribute, she began to put them away in her coat, only pausing when she found one addressed to her.
Looking it over, she decided to read it.
Dear Rose.
I am unsure of when you will read this, I might already be dead or dying, or I might be somewhere else preparing a dear friend for a risky procedure.
I know you have done us many favours these months, so I want to ask one for yourself. You are immortal, but James and Victor might not be. Don't waste the time they have by making them spend it alone. Family is the most important thing in life. Stay with them for at least a few months. Fight like you told me you once did.
I may not condone violence, but I know you will be fair and give everyone what they deserve -no more, no less-, bringing everyone together for one more step to the path of peace...
All I hope for is for you to be happy. You have given me great happiness these months. I hope you someday find some for yourself too.
Your friend
Erskine.
P.S - Steve is a keeper… He looks at you like you're his world. Maybe you should give him a chance. Forever seems like a lonely experience.
Smiling slightly at the letter, she began to lose track of time, reading it many times over, but she quickly reminded herself of her duty and left in a hurry, already being too late to help out.
Opening up a portal straight into the room, she arrived just as Erskine was shot.
Running towards him -avoiding the glass on the floor- (for appearances sake), she pulled his head onto her lap.
-"Hey, hey, you're seeing them again in any second now. Say hello to my daughter to me."- She said, lightly stroking his hair, distracting him from the pain he felt.
Watching as he silently talked to the new and improved Steve Rogers, she stood up when he left.
Putting her coat on top of Erskine's now prone body, she looked over at her (invisible) daughter and smiled when she nodded, confirming Erskine's safe arrival.
Dragging the Colonel and Howard into another (private) office, she prepared herself for a tiresome meeting.
-T.R.M.-
-"What the hell was that?!"-
The Colonel was severely shaken. He had known that the experiment would be a success, but he hasn't expected the surprise guest, with the main gift. A gunshot.
Now the next logical thing to do was to rant and rave to the one person who already knew what would happen.
And she happened to be sitting right in front of him.
-"Not only was our best scientist killed during a secret operation, you just exposed yourself to a bunch of people -not excluding- an enemy spy!"-
Phillips was almost tearing the little hair he had left as he paced around the room. He started chewing her out while Howard looked on nervously.
-"What were you thinking?! No, were you even thinking? Do you even care about this war!? About Erskine?!"-
-"ENOUGH!"-
...
The whole room trembled from the fury held within those words. The lights flickered on and off, the furniture on the desk started to crack and books started to fall off the shelves. The air was starting to feel suffocating making it very hard for the two humans to breathe properly.
Howard and the Colonel were cowering under the fury seen in the Goddess's eyes. For now they realized, that although she looked human and walked among them like one, she wasn't one of them.
It was never good to anger someone with a temper that could destroy galaxies in a few seconds.
-"Do not accuse me of foolishness child. As soon as the portal closed everyone who doesn't know me immediately forgot about it."- Infinity began.
-"I had talked a whole day with Doctor Abraham Erskine and his deceased family, about his impending departure from this world. After a long and arduous discussion with his wife, she finally relented to let him join her in my daughters' kingdom."-
Pausing a bit and taking in a deep breath she tried to calm down, but didn't succeed, causing the trembling in the room to worsen.
-"I have spent years watching over the galaxies, yet never have I helped any more than I have Earth... Midgard... Terra... Call it as you wish."-
-"Never have I met more ungrateful pests, maybe I should rid myself of all the trouble and wipe you all out myself! "- She finished with a gasp, falling down and tripping a chair on her way.
Silence reigned for a few minutes as Rose caught her breath and the room stopped shaking (making the air much more breathable).
-"I'm sorry"- she panted. -"I got carried away... My human body isn't made to withstand so much power... I'm sorry if I frightened you."-
The men cautiously approached her, crawling slowly towards her.
Realising that she was no (immediate) threat anymore, they helped her stand, and sat her down on the (now upright) chair.
Looking around at the trashed room, Rose sighed. It had been a long time since she had lost control so badly, but at least everyone has survived the encounter this time.
Reaching into her purse, she took out 4 letters.
-"Erskine asked me to give these to you when he was gone..."- she said laying them down on one of the desk's halves.
-"I will be leaving for a couple months... I made a deal with Erskine, and I'm going to spend more time with my family before they're gone."-
At the men's panicked looks, she quickly reassured them.
-"I'll help you out a bit, just before I leave..."-
Taking out 4 watches she placed them on top of each letter.
-"I made one for each one of you... Press the big button in the middle and I will come to help, just say what you need, and I will hear you."- Rose told them, gesturing towards the large dial in the middle.
Pointing out to the edge of the watch, she managed to catch Howard's interest.
-"Turn the frame of the watch and you'll be instantly beamed into my house. Only use this one on emergencies... One for Steve, Peggy and you two."-
She gestured at a watch as she mentioned their recipients.
-"Now let's get this show over with."-
-T.R.M.-
-"The Führer is not accustomed to being ignored, Herr Schmidt."-
Four Nazi officials were walking down a pathway as they followed Johann Schmidt to his office.
Some were slightly unnerved as they walked around and didn't find any swastikas, only the vicious skulled creature that represented Schmidt's division.
-"He funds your research because
you promised him weapons."-
The head of the company sighed loudly as the Red Skull ignored his words and kept briskly walking towards his office.
Briefly looking towards his company (two men and one woman), he gestured them forward.
-"You serve at his pleasure. He gave you this facility as a reward for your injuries."-
He finally got a reaction out of the stormy faced leader.
-"Reward, call it what it is, exile. I no longer effect his image of Aryan perfection."-
Schmidt scoffed as he opened the large doors, his tone bitter.
-"You think this is about appearances? Your HYDRA division has failed-... "-
The leader's voice trailed off as he entered the room, watching all the heavy artillery hoarded inside.
Shaking off the nagging voice in his head that spoke of danger, the leader stepped into the room setting the example for the rest of his team.
-"...to deliver so much as a rifle in over a year. And we have learned through local intelligence. You have mounted a full scale incursion into Norway."-
Another of the Nazi men approached his general and tried to gain the skull's attention once again.
-"The Führer fears... how does he put it? The Red Skull has been indulged long enough."- He ended on a sarcastic note, making Schmidt stand up taller.
-"Gentlemen and lady. You have come to see the results of our work, hmm?"-
Schmidt asked, nodding respectfully at the woman.
-"Let me show you."-
Schmidt began to walk over to the large machine, turning some knobs around and connecting cables.
-"Hitler speaks of a thousand year Reich. But he cannot feed his armies for a month. His troops spill their blood
across every field in Europe. But still he is no closer to achieving his goals."-
The leading Nazi quickly interrupted him, a mocking tone underlining his speech.
-"And I suppose you still aim to win this war through magic."-
Schmidt answered back, without missing a beat, making the Nazi woman try to hide her giggles (unsuccessfully, earning a disapproving look from her fellow soldiers)
-"Science, but I understand your confusion. Great power has always baffled primitive men."-
-"HYDRA is assembling an arsenal that will destroy my enemies in one stroke."-
He walked over to a different part of the grand contraption, pushing away the scientist that was working in the area.
-"Wherever they are, regardless of how many forces they possess. All in a matter of hours."-
-"Your enemies?"-
Avoiding the question, Schmidt walked up to Doctor Zola's station and pushed him out of the way.
-"My weapons contain enough destructive power-... "-
He lifted his head from his screen, squinting as he counted the number of Nazi men in the room.
-"...to decimate every hostile capital on Earth."-
Sending a command to the machine, Schmidt walked around it, turning to face his unwelcome visitors
-"Quite simply, gentlemen."-
He spread his arms out.
-"I have harnessed the power of the gods."-
The Nazi's looked incredulously between themselves.
-"Thank you, Schmidt."-
-"For what?"- The Red Skull asked, moving back behind the machine.
-"For making it clear how obviously mad you are."-
Before anyone could get another word in, the smallest man that had made his way to towards the map, shouted at the top of his lungs.
-"Berlin is on this map!"-
-"...So it is."-
Baffled at the lack of reaction from the Skull, the man's brain tried to catch up with the consequences.
-"You will be punished for your insolence! You will be brought before the Führer and-... "-
The man was cut off mid sentence as the machine that Schmidt had tinkered with shot out a blue blast of energy, disintegrating him in 2 second flat.
The two men had started to panic, seeing the barrel start moving towards them, muzzle pointing right at them.
The gun shot again, leaving only two Nazis standing. One man and one woman.
In the rooms panic, nobody noticed the fact that the woman was watching calmly as death claimed her companions.
The Nazi leader ran, seeing as the next hit would be directed at him, so he leaped over to the metal doors, banging them as they wouldn't give in.
He went out with a scream.
Ignoring the calm and breathing woman in the room, Schmidt turned towards a horrified Doctor Zola.
-"My apologies Doctor, but we both knew HYDRA could grow no further in Hitler's shadow... Heil HYDRA."-
The soldiers and scientists which were scattered across the room immediately raised their arms.
-"HEIL HYDRA!"-
Looking over at one of the two people who hadn't saluted, Schmidt raised his eyebrow at the tiny scientist.
Realising his delay, Zola fearfully amended his mistake.
-"Heil HYDRA."-
Satisfied, Schmidt finally turned his attention unto the woman who had waited patiently for them to finish their small conversation.
-"I am quite curious about you... You laugh at the expense of your deceased comrades, you didn't react when your friend announced my plans for Berlin, you don't bat an eyelash when I murder them in cold blood, and you didn't try and escape when I was speaking to Herr Doctor."-
Walking from his spot beside the trembling Doctor Zola, he observed her with scrutiny.
-"You show signs of great intelligence, and I noticed your eyes gleam once they saw my weaponry... You know something about them. Their source, you seem to somehow recognise it. "-
The woman's growing smirk turned brighter at his deductions.
-"Yes, I know quite a lot about the Tesseract."-
Even the perfectly still HYDRA soldiers couldn't help but jump slightly in surprise.
Schmidt's eyes widened a fraction, passing unnoticed by all but the woman.
-"Oh, an English! Well I wouldn't have guessed. So tell me Lady Britain, what do you know about the cube."-
Smiling a predatory grin, Rose moved around the large room, arriving at the desk were Schmidt held all his research on the cube.
Picking up a few pictures from the desk, the woman turned around, sat on the desk and watched as all eyes were on her.
-"The Tesseract, or as it's also known; the Cosmic Cube, is said to be the jewel of Odin's treasure room."-
Schmidt watched as the woman rolled her eyes, throwing the pictures carelessly behind her.
-"Yet you do not believe so."- Schmidt stated, making the woman scoff.
-"Odin supposedly looks after it, but it has never belonged to him."-
Standing up, she began to walk towards the cube, making everyone minituately tense.
-"If you look further back in history, you might or might not find records pertaining to a Cosmic Entity called Infinity."-
Expecting to hear more, Schmidt remained silent as he thirst for more information.
The woman stood still, her lips sealed as she looked expectantly at the Skull.
-"That is all you know?"- Schmidt asked, rather disappointed at the sudden stop.
-"Of course not!"- She said, making Schmidt brighten up, only to annoy him further.
-"But as this information is probably the only thing stopping you from zapping me like the others, isn't it best to keep it close to the chest?"-
Schmidt sighed in irritation.
-"Smart girl indeed... What if I offered you a place in my organization? You could work with the best scientists in the world, some of which are standing here with us.-" he said, gesturing his arms around, making the scientists discreetly fill up with arrogance.
The woman looked around, making no effort to hide her grimace.
-"I'm afraid you need better scientists then."- She began, making them squawk with indignation.
-" I can already see 25 mistakes in the machine you just used... Apart from that it seems well enough."-
Schmidt really wanted this woman now.
She was a scientist and a fellow believer of the gods gifts to man.
-"Well maybe you could help them... You could make us grow stronger. "-
The woman shook her head.
-"I'm sorry but you're going to have to shoot me. I have no real desire to join your cult. It seems far too taxing."-
Johann Schmidt would have mourned the loss of another fellow mind if he had really cared.
Instead, he signed deeply, regretting the fact that all the information was lost (for now), and moved over to the large blaster.
Still confused as to why the woman didn't run around like a headless chicken, he ignored her, opting to concentrate on using the machine.
When all was ready, he lifted his head, giving the British woman a last chance.
-"Are you sure of your decision? This will be your final decision since where I'm sending you is a rather permanent destination."-
Smirking, the woman surprised him once more.
-"Take the shot Johann; you're boring us all with your delays."-
Nodding, Schmidt took the shot.
Everyone watched as the small beam of energy drifted through the air and made contact with the girl, disintegrating her in seconds.
Or at least that was what they would have seen, had the woman been an ordinary one.
No. Instead of disintegrating, the woman somehow caught the blue shot and started bouncing it around like a tennis ball.
The whole room stared in silence, different degrees of amazement and envy carved into their faces.
-"... How?"-
Schmidt was the first to speak (as expected), watching as the woman smiled, making the ball float or expand, jump around, basically doing her will.
-"Well, a frightened animal tends to react well to its owner."- She told them, not explaining further.
Throwing the ball against the wall, she left a huge scorch mark behind, making the surrounding objects disintegrate as well.
-"I'm sorry fellas, but I really need to leave. It was swell meeting you! "- she said, confusing the attending men.
Turning her back on them, the woman opened a huge portal and left, making half the room faint while the other stared in awe, fear and envy.
-T.R.M.-
-"Think you got enough?"-
Steve Rogers sat in a small infirmary, watching as a blonde nurse filled what felt like thousands of small vials with his blood.
Peggy had followed him back, having been a few hours since Erskine got shot.
After he had pushed her out of the way of the rapidly approaching car in which their killer had made their escape, she had returned inside, trying to help clean up and receive some new orders.
Not finding neither the Colonel nor Rose, she had opted to go out and look for their runaway super soldier.
It didn't take too long to find him; all she did was follow the path of gossip and destruction.
A few hours later, not only had that gotten the super soldier back, they now had a HYDRA corpse and a huge submarine.
-"Any hope of reproducing the program is locked in your genetic code, but without Erskine it would take years... and Rose isn't exactly dying to share it with us."- Peggy told him, shooing the nurse away as they had filled enough vials.
Steve sighed loudly, feeling immensely sad about the kids of his friend.
-"He deserved more than this."-
Peggy barely flinched at the accusatory tone his voice had adopted.
-"Rose told me he had a family."- She began hesitantly, catching Steve's attention.
-"He had a wife and a small girl, 5 years old or something like that... They died. They were sent to concentration camps, but I don't know any more details."-
-"My point is, that you should speak with Rose about the conditions of his death before we judge her too harshly. They might have already talked this over before, or it might have been one of those grey spots that Rose can't see properly. "- she reasoned, making Steve see the truth behind her words.
An awkward pause followed after they had both nodded each agreeing to speak to Rose about it.
Looking at Steve's still depressed manner, Peggy tried to make him feel better.
-"Hey. If it could work only once, he'd be proud of you."-
-T.R.M.-
Senator Brandt and Colonel Phillips entered the room where Rose, Howard, Peggy and Steve were waiting for them.
-"Colonel Phillips, my committee is demanding answers!"-
Phillips sighed exasperatedly at the Senator's stupidity.
-"Great, why don't we start with how a German spy got a ride to my secret installation in your car?"-
If it were under any other circumstances, Phillips would have smiled at finally shutting up the talkative man, but right now, they were under a bit of a tight schedule.
-"What do we got here?"- The Colonel asked Howard, gesturing towards the large submarine they had retrieved.
-"Speaking modestly, I'm the best mechanical engineer in this country."- Howard said, making half the room snort at his supposed modesty.
Ignoring the jab against him, Howard turned the atmosphere gloomy.
-"But I don't know what's inside this thing. Or how it works. We're not even close to this technology."-
The Senator turned around, looking at the understanding expressions that had dawned on all their faces.
-"Then who is?"-
Once again wanting to punch the man for his stupidity, Phillips held it in for the same of progress.
-"Apart from Maskell, HYDRA is. I'm sure you've been reading our briefings."- He added, returning the jab and making him blush slightly in embarrassment.
-"I'm on a number of committees, Colonel."- Brandt said, no one believing his excuse.
-"HYDRA is a Nazi Deep science division. It's led by Johann Schmidt."- Peggy spoke up, making everyone turn towards her.
A cough and a raised hand interrupted her.
-"Was a Nazi Deep science division... They just separated from Hitler."- Rose told them, making them look slightly incredulous.
-"Why are you just telling us this now? "- Brandt asked rudely, making Howard and Phillips fidget.
Rose's eyes flashed with a warning that Senator Brandt heeded.
-"Maybe it's because it just happened now and Schmidt just tried to kill me."- Rose said, her voice ending up unusually louder as she spoke.
Sending the upcoming burst, Peggy quickly defused the situation.
-"But he has much bigger ambitions. HYDRA's practically a cult, they worship Schmidt, and they think he's invincible."-
Nodding, thankful that the situation had not escalated, Senator Brandt asked the room in general.
-"So what are you going to do about it?"-
Chester Phillips exclaimed loudly in his head (-'At last he's asking the right questions!'-)
-"I spoke to the President this morning. As of today, the S.S.R. is being re-tasked."- He said, outwardly calm as a cucumber.
Peggy turned alarmed at him, not having heard about any new orders.
-"Colonel?"-
-"We are taking the fight to Hydra. Pack your bags, Agent Carter. You too Maskell, Churchill's been asking for you."- the Colonel said, making Rose squeal excitedly and run out if the room, happy at the thought of sharing a cigar with Winston as they exchanged witty banter.
-"We're flying to London tonight."- He added, even though the two women had already left to prepare.
Steve had remained silent through the whole meeting, observing and analysing the information, saving it for future use.
Sensing an opening, Steve finally interrupted.
-"Sir. If you're going after Schmidt, I want in."-
The Colonel was really tired and he didn't have time for this. He made a quick decision and decided to postpone the super soldier's integration into the army.
-"You're an experiment, you're going to Alamogordo."- He told him harshly, making Steve flinch back.
Nevertheless, he wouldn't give in without a fight.
-"The serum worked."- Steve insisted, looking down at himself, as if he were double checking that he hasn't changed back.
-"I asked for an army, and all I got was you. You're not enough."- The Colonel told him, ending the discussion.
Dejected, Steve was about to try once more when a hand clasped his shoulder, leading him away from the Colonel.
Senator Brandt has seen the eagerness and the fight within the kid's eyes, and had thought of putting it to good use.
Taking a hold of the soldier's shoulder, he led him away and started to weave his web.
-"With all due respect to the Colonel, I think we may be missing the point. I've seen you in action, Steve. More importantly. The country's seen it."-
Turning towards his assistant, he ordered the man to pass him the newly printed paper they had found around the corner.
-"The enlistment lines have been around the block since your picture hit the newsstands."-
Watching as the man looked confusedly at his picture, as if he wondering what he was even doing on it, Brandt pressed on to his advantage.
-"You don't take a soldier, a symbol like that and hide him in a Lab."-
Sensing the agreement just above his reach, he decided to deal his finishing hand.
-"Son. You want to serve your country on the most important battlefield of the war?"-
-"Sir. That's all I want."-
Deal in the bag.
-"Than congratulations. You just got promoted."-
-T.R.M.-
A few months had passed since Erskine's death, and everyone had come to terms with it.
Erskine had given each detailed letters, thanking and explaining how he had asked Rose not to interfere, and how they shouldn't blame her.
Rose gave both Victor and Logan a pleasant surprise when she announced that she would be fighting alongside them.
Dressing up as a man while in the front lines, nobody ever suspected a thing.
Getting many calls from Phillips and Peggy, she helped them out in their SSR work.
Getting far too many 'calls' from Stark, she would often check if he actually needed her (and not for a cup of coffee…).
After their dangerous discussion, both her friendships with Howard and Philips were fixed after a mutual talk about what had happened.
The only man she didn't get a call from was from the (apparently now called) 'Star Spangled Man with a Plan'.
Apparently, he preferred to send her letters, addressing them to Peggy, only for her to forward them to Rose.
After the incessant teasing from Peggy, Rose found a more conventional way of communicating, giving him a special envelope which would send the letter directly to her (and vice versa).
They had sent letters to each other every weekend, talking from the most mundane things to the more serious issues.
Having relentlessly teased Steve about his new nickname on the big stage (-"Captain America? What a silly name"-), she managed to surprise him at one of his USO shows, charming her way backstage and frightening him when she popped up from behind the door.
Having enjoyed the company, they spent the rest of the day walking around a park, chatting about the most inconsequential things as they ate their quickly melting ice cream.
Unfortunately, the day ended and duty called them both, so leaving each other, they promised to keep on writing between them.
A few more weeks passed and Rose had finally been able to visit the Colonel and Peggy over at their own camp.
She almost decided that she would have rather stayed away.
She had turned hysterical once she had found out that the remaining soldiers were a small part of the 107th infantry.
Trying to leave, she had planned on barging in and rescuing them all, but after some heavy convincing from the Colonel and Stark (who had to somehow call on her daughter, Death), she decided to wait a few days until Steve arrived for her to put her master rescue plan in action.
Meanwhile, she once again donned her nurse uniform, and spent her time trying to discreetly heal the wounded soldiers.
HYDRA had sent many forces to Rossano. She would send back twice the force.
She only had to wait for the right time.
-0-0-
Steve Rogers was fed up.
He had just finished his abysmal performance over in front of the soldiers, and he still felt like he had fruit bits stuck in his hair.
Having spent the last few months 'touring' as "Captain America", he had forgotten about how the soldiers lived, their life a living hell day by day.
He really didn't like all the attention (putting on a smile and waving away), but he had thought that he was at least making a small difference. Now that he had seen the men, he had to seriously re-evaluate his decision.
He was currently sitting down on some steps, sketching as he tried to transfer his feelings unto the small notebook.
A performing monkey was the result.
Dropping his pencil, he compared the monkey to himself, trying to find any differences between the two of them.
He found none.
-"You feel like a dancing monkey?"- A voice asked from over his shoulder.
Jumping up and slamming his notebook shut, he looked at the woman behind him.
-"Rosebeth?! What are you doing here?"- He asked, smiling at the fact that she was wearing one of her usual military jumpsuits she favoured (or so she had told him).
-"Officially I'm never really here at all. I've been here for 3 days, planning a secret rescue mission. I'm going to need your help with that."- Rose told him, sitting on a nearby crate.
-"I can't. I'm not a part of the military Rosebeth, you know that."-
Rose stared at the dejected Steve for a few seconds, her gaze deep enough that she was making him uncomfortable.
-"You didn't ask for permission when you enlisted 5 different times. What's stopping you now? Come on Steve! You were meant for more than this, you know."- She told him, making him duck his head ashamed.
-"I really can't. I have a duty... Bond sales take ten percent bump on every state I visit... Apparently I'm America's new hope."- Steve protested, making Rose snort in derision.
-"Yes, and Senator Brandt once asked me if I would want to work as a pinup girl, gave me the same speech he gave you. 'Duty to the country, comfort to the soldiers.'... Of course that was before he even knew who I actually was and got a broken arm out of the deal."- Rose told him, surprising Steve enormously.
-"It was quite the performance."- Rose told him, reminiscent of the day.
-"Yeah, uh..."-
Rose shook her head from her straying thoughts.
-"Well, that's Senator Brandt for you."-
Steve sniffed, still bitter at the Colonel's treatment of him.
-"At least he's got me doing this. Phillips would have had me stuck in a lab."-
Rose shook her head, snorting loudly.
-"Nah. Chester just has had a lot on his plate these couple months; he was planning on recruiting you in a few weeks time."-
-"Wait, what? Really!? "-
Steve had stood up straighter, eyes wide with excitement as he heard the news.
Rose shot him a deadpanned look, making him smile apologetically even if he was anything but that.
-"Even so, were those your only two options? A lab rat or a dancing monkey?"- Rose asked him, eyeing the forgotten notebook.
Steve felt slightly ashamed now, thinking that he could have made more pressure or maybe looked for other paths so he could help like he wished.
-"I guess I simply don't know how... I came here trying to help -and I do-, but right now... I feel pretty useless."- Steve confided, feeling better as he let it off his chest.
-"You know, for the longest time I dreamed about coming overseas and being on the front lines. Serving my country. I finally get everything I wanted, and I'm wearing tights. Those men out there? They are gambling their lives for our country and I want to have the same privilege, I just don't know where to start."-
Taking comfort in the silent companionship, Steve looked around the camp, seeing many men being lifted from trucks, their agonised screams barely reaching his ears.
-"Looks like they've been through hell."-
Snapping out of her thoughts, Rose nodded, dusting of her clothes as she stood up.
-*These men more than most. Schmidt sent out a force to Rossano. Less than 50 returned."-
Holding out a hand to him, she pulled him up with ease (much to Steve's amusement).
-"Which is also why I need your help. Your audience contained what was left of the 107th. The rest were killed or captured."-
Steve's head (which had been observing the soldiers) whipped around to stare at her.
-"The 107th?"-
-"Yes, the 107th. I really need you-..."-
Before she could even finish explaining, Steve had grabbed her arm and was dragging her to the Colonel's tent, oblivious to her protests.
Entering the tent, Steve looked around searching for the man himself.
-"Colonel Phillips?"-
Having heard them enter, Chester just looked up from his work.
-"Well, if it isn't the star spangled man with a plan. And what is your plan today?"- He asked condescendingly, making Peggy look up from her work.
Steve ignored him jab in favour of his request.
-"I need the casualty list for Rossano."-
Phillips, seeing the 'request' for what it was, answered hotly.
-"You don't get to give me orders, son."-
Rogers just looked pleadingly at Philips.
-"I just need one name. Sergeant James Barnes from the hundred and seventh."-
Looking over at Peggy, he raised his eyebrows.
-"I told you that she would tell him."-
Unaware of Peggy and Rose's sheepish expressions, Rogers tried to get the Colonel back on track.
-"Please tell me if he's alive, sir. B-A-R..."- Steve desperately interrupted.
-"I can spell."- Chester snapped.
Understanding the anxiety he was feeling due to the lack of information, Chester sighed, regretting having snapped at him.
-"I have signed more of these condolence letters today than I would care to count, but the name does sound familiar. I'm sorry."-
Steve felt dejected, before he remembered Rose's comment about the captured.
-"What about the others? Are you planning a rescue mission?"-
Phillips looked at him blankly, deadpanning.
-"Yeah. It's called winning the war."-
Steve looked at him confusedly, slightly apprehensive at his answer.
-"But if you know where they are, why not at least...?"-
Phillips was fed up with the whole conversation.
He had been having some really trying months, and he really didn't need any more accusations being dumped on his head.
-"They're thirty miles behind the lines. Through the most heavily fortified territory in Europe. We'd lose more men than we'd save. But I don't expect you to understand that, because you're a chorus girl."-
Sensing his irritation, Rose tried her hand at defusing the situation.
-"I think he understands just fine."-
-"Well then he better understand it somewhere else. If I read the posters correctly, he's got some place to be in thirty minutes."- Philips said, wincing at the small warning glare Rose sent his way.
Walking away Phillips didn't hear the steel determination in Steve's voice.
-"Yes, sir. I do."-
-T.R.M.-
Peggy Carter was extremely worried.
She had gotten a soft spot for the Captain and she really didn't want to see him dead.
Having heard his quiet but resolute statement, she feared that he would do just that.
Realizing what he planned, she followed him (Rose exasperatedly trailing behind) into one of the performance tents.
-"What do you plan to do? Walk to Austria?"-
-"If that's what it takes."- Steve said, looking around for his backpack.
Peggy looked at him worriedly, still not making a move at stopping him.
-"You heard the Colonel, you're friend is most likely dead."-
Steve didn't even look at her; he only started to put away his things into his pack.
-"You don't know that."-
Peggy still insisted -"Even so, he's devising a strategy to take- "-
-"By the time he's done that, it could be too late!"- Steve shouted.
Breathing heavily he finally turned towards Rose.
-"You told me you thought I was meant for more than this. Did you mean that?"-
Rose had been sitting on a table, examining her own pack as the pair bickered.
Lifting her head as Steve addressed her; she nodded slowly at his hope filled tone.
-"Every word."-
Steve turned towards the two women.
-"Then you've both got to let me go."-
Peggy resigned, came up with a plan, and quickly interjected.
-"I can do more than that."-
Rose, deciding that enough was enough, finally interrupted.
-"Or we could start my secret rescue plan in which I was about to tell you (she pointed at Steve), before you barged into the Colonel's tent!"- She shouted.
Peggy and Steve turned to look at her with surprise. After a small pause they simply nodded.
-"Sounds good to me."-
-"Absolutely."-
-"... Good. Now this is what we'll do…"-
-T.R.M.-
It was getting late, and by the time they were ready, night had already fallen.
Rose's plan had depended on both Howard and Peggy's cooperation.
Not even having to threaten him, Howard gladly helped the pair, giving them weapons and gadgets for their upcoming fight.
-"You know, you two are going to be in a lot of trouble at the lab."- Steve Rogers told them, having just made last minute checks.
Peggy just smiled. -"And you won't?"-
-"Where I'm going, if anybody yells at me I can just shoot 'em."- Steve joked, making them all chuckle.
They were interrupted by the sound of a gun loading, making them turn towards the brunette who held the modified machine gun.
-"If the Colonel gives them trouble, you can tell them that he should expect a thorough shouting session from me… Might change his mind, don't cha' think Howard?"-
All of them catching the humour, they tried to hide their snickering as Howard's face paled and proceeded to nod.
-"He might not seem to keen after that…"-
Barking out a laugh Rose agreed.
Howard, having already asked Peggy (who had to decline due to the amount of paperwork she had to hand in), spoke to Rose once her laughter died down.
-"Hey Rose, I was wondering if we could go for a late night fondue when you get back? I'll think of someplace nice."-
None of them noticing the super soldier tense, they carried on with their chat.
-"As long as you don't fall asleep on me again. Last time we had some, you fell asleep halfway through! Had to push your head off my lap, and believe it or not Howard, you are heavy"-
Both of the women giggling at Howard's sheepish expression, they finally ended their farewells.
Turning towards Steve, Rose (although confused) ignored his blush and the disappointed expression that he wore.
-"You ready?"-
Steve Rogers awkwardly nodded, looking between Howard and Rose as they started to walk away, waving their goodbyes.
-"So are you two...? Do you...? Fondue?"- He asked as they started walking towards a small abandoned area.
Rose enthusiastically nodded. -"I love fondue, and Howard also likes it, so we team up and have some every weekend"- Rose said moaning quite loudly when emphasising her love for it.
Steve dejectedly nodded. -"Right, of course. Well... let's get going"- He said while half stepping into the newly made portal.
-"Oi, you can't give me orders"-
Steve smiled lightly. -"The Hell I can't! I'm a Captain!"-
Pulling him out as he was halfway in the portal, she hissed back at him amused.
-"So sorry to disappoint, but I still outrank you. Here is the plan. You get on with getting the prisoners out -infiltration-, while I knock some sense into some of them -offence-..."- Stopping her explanation she turned to ask.
-"You did read those strategy books I gave you at the camp, right?"-
When Steve nodded she continued.
-"I can easily take them all down; the problem is to get everyone out before they notice something wrong. They have my cube -my Tesseract-. If they use it properly, they can cause quite a mess. We meet back here at the front; get the soldiers to fight too… It would be suspicious if just one woman destroys an entire compound."- Rose whispered when they got to the front gate.
Slightly confused with the cube comment (-What the hell is a Tesseract?-), he let it slide when he heard the rest of the plan.
Uncomfortable (despite knowing that she was more than capable on her own), he quickly asked her if she would be ok.
Smiling lightly at Steve she held his face and kissed his cheek.
-"Get out of here Captain… and that's an order."-
Chuckling to himself, Steve proceeded to enter the compound.
-T.R.M.-
Dr Zola walked around, showing Herr Schmidt around the factory, demonstrating all their work.
-"As you can see."- Zola began, waving his arms around.
-"Production and the work here are progressing on schedule. Even with components of this size."-
Schmidt still wasn't satisfied.
-"Increase the output by sixty percent, and speak with our other facilities to do the same."-
Zola's teeth clenched, trying not to scream out in frustration.
-"But these prisoners, I'm not sure they have the strength."-
-"Then use up what strength they have left, Doctor... There are always more workers."- Schmidt answered looking threateningly at him.
-T.R.M.-
Deeper inside the compound, prisoners were being led back into their cells.
In one particular cell, a man with bright red hair and a green bowler hat was seen entering.
Just as he stepped in, the guard behind him used his baton to knock his hat off and push him in the cell.
Despite the fact that they shouldn't speak to the prisoners, a few chuckles flew out of the guard's mouth.
The red haired man crouched down to grab his fallen hat.
-"You know, Fritz."- He said mockingly as he began to clean his hat off.
-"One of these days I'm going to have a stick of my own."-
-T.R.M.-
Steve was walking through the silver compound hiding behind some big crates, when he found a weird disk-like contraption with blue… liquid in it.
-"That's part of my cube… They're trying to suck in its power, use it to power up their weapons… It's working."-
Almost shooting his gun at the unexpected voice, he managed to take a deep breath and turn around.
-"What are you doing here?"- He whispered.
-"This wasn't part of the plan!"- He added looking over at the 'innocent' looking Rose (-'Don't be fooled by her looks Rogers, concentrate!'-)
-"You were taking too long… 1/3 of the compound are already dead or knocked out. I can't take them all out by myself… It would be far too suspicious."-
Looking at her incredulously for a few seconds, he exhaled. -"Ok, fine. Do you know the way? I'm kind of in the blind here."-
She beamed at Steve.
-"Follow the leader Rogers."-
-T.R.M.-
Having shown him the way to the cells, she watched as Steve knocked out a Hydra soldier from above the cells.
-"Who are you supposed to be?"-
Before Steve could answer the prisoners, Rose took the opportunity for herself.
-"Lads, this fine man is Captain America, and he's going to bust your arses out of here."-
-"...I beg your pardon?"-
While Steve slowly climbed down to the lower levels, Rose just jumped and landed crouched, just like a cat.
The men stared at her with different measures of awe, surprise and admiration.
-"Steve, It's like they've never seen a real woman before… It's sort of scary."-
-"Rose, they've probably never met someone like you… You're very different."- Steve said absentmindedly trying to find the right key to open one of the cells.
-"Good different or bad different?"- Rose flirted opening up a few cells.
Steve paused as if catching up with what he was about to say. -"Only good Rose, only good."-
Rose laughed.
-"Good answer. Anyway you're one to talk! You're a dreamboat!"- She shouted from across the room (already on her 5th cell) making Steve blush.
-"You know you lot better be quiet before we get caught by the head honcho."- A man whispered from one of the cells.
-"Steve, get over with it quick! I'm already finishing!"- Rose shouted -completely disregarding the other man's warning- from the other side of the room.
Steve finally opened the last cell.
-"What, are we taking everybody?"- A man with a bowler hat asked looking at a small Japanese-looking man in the dim lighting of the room.
-"I'm from Fresno, Ace."-
Looking over at Rose, his anxiety spiked when he saw her shake her head
-"Is there anybody else? I'm looking for a Sergeant James Barnes."-
A fellow Brit spoke up, making Steve spin around.
-"There's an isolation ward in the factory, but no one has ever come back from it"-
Before Steve could even formulate an answer, a lewd voice spoke up from Rose's left.
-"Hey there baby-doll, you rationed?"-
Rose looked over at him disgustedly, making Steve relax minutely.
-"Hey! We're kind of in the middle of something. Listen to the Hotshot before we leave you in the Boondocks."- Rose told him, pointing at Steve.
Steve was looked startled for a moment before he realized that this was her attempt at letting him take charge.
Smiling thankfully at her, he turned towards the men and addressed them.
-"The tree line is northwest; it's eighty yards past the gate. Get out fast and give 'em hell. I'll meet you guys in the clearing with anybody else I find."-
One man quickly stopped him as he had started to run. -"Wait! You know what you're doin'?"-
Steve paused and looked at Rose who was nodding encouragingly.
-"Yeah. I've knocked out Adolf Hitler over two hundred times."-
Steve swiftly left, leaving a chortling Rose behind.
Slowly turning towards the men she gave them a king-sized smile.
-"Ease up knuckleheads, at least get some kicks out of kyboshing the bad guys… Do try and keep up"- Rose shouted, already starting to run.
-T.R.M.-
Pushing open the doors, Rose charged with a battle scream towards the enemy soldiers.
Snapping necks and punching her way through, she caught up with the bowler hat man and entered the tank after him.
-"Hey! Not exactly a Buick…"- He said when he saw both Rose and the Jones man. (-I'm Gabe Jones, ma'am. pleasure to meet you.-)
Gabe beat her to the chase.
-"That's Zündung."-
Dugan tried the new word out.
-"Zündung?"-
-"It means ignition."- Rose told him, scooting over as she made room for the other men who had popped in.
Starting the truck, Dugan had to shout to be heard over the tank's noise.
-"I didn't know you spoke German."-
-"I recently mastered at Le Havre, switched to French, the girls much cuter."- Gabe informed him, making Dugan grin.
-"My friends from Russia… If you were looking for cute girls, you weren't quite looking in the right country pal, they are something else."- Rose interjected surprising all the men.
-"I think I love you."- Dum Dum said, looking at her with his eyes filled with awe.
-"Too bad I'm already carrying a torch for someone else then, right? I got to go and get Steve before he gets himself and Barnes dead. See you later."- She told them, climbing out of the hatch and somersaulting away.
-"Damn. That Captain America is a lucky guy."- Dum Dum told the room, still frozen in awe.
-"Yeah."-
-"Agreed."-
-T.R.M.-
In a small control room, Schmidt and Zola were trying to figure out what was going on through all the blaring alarms and the flickering red lights.
When they tried to call in the extra security guards, they had become concerned when all that answered them was static.
Realising that all they could fight with was what they had, they still weren't excessively worried, seeing as their weapons were far more superior to their own weapon less prisoners.
That soon changed.
As they watched the security cameras, a movement from one of them immediately caught his eye.
There was a man, dressed in the most ridiculous costume that was tearing through their ranks like paper.
Recognising his uniform as the one from the famous pictures that had been going around, he realised that he was the famed super soldier who had received Erskine's 'improved' serum.
They stood absolutely no chance now.
Turning around, he began to switch on all the self destruct buttons in the facility.
Dr. Zola watched this, and quickly began to panic.
-"No, no, what are you doing?"- He asked him, barely restraining himself from smacking his hands away from the controls.
Sensing the urgency in the doctor's question, Schmidt pointed towards the screen that held the super soldier.
-"Our forces are out matched."-
A few seconds later, Zola ran out of the room, hoping to recover some of his research before the place blew up.
-T.R.M.-
Despite having told Dum Dum and the men of her plans on helping Steve and Bucky, Rose had gotten caught up on helping the passing men.
Either helping the injured or helping the standing, Rose was slowly (but surely) making her way to Steve's location.
-T.R.M.-
Walking through the empty corridors, Steve was really regretting not having brought Rose with him to give him directions.
He had spent at least 10 minutes wandering around, and he was almost sure that he had already passed that HYDRA banner twice.
Thankfully, some hurried footsteps caught his attention, making him look up and find a tiny man (smaller than himself in his pre serum days) stuffing a bunch of papers into his overloading portfolio.
Cautiously approaching the small man (unaware if he held a gun or not), Steve's boots squeaked on the stone floor, making the man look up and have all his colour drained from his cheeks.
Taking a leap back, the small man looked inside the room worriedly before deciding to scamper away, more scared for his life than of the loss of whatever was in the room.
Steve ran up quietly, standing in front of the room, unsure if he should follow the man or take a look inside.
A drifting voice ultimately made his decision.
Due to the serum, his abilities had become enhanced, including his hearing range.
Standing in the room, he heard the whispers of a hoarse voice stating his own name, rank and infantry.
-"James... Buchanan Barnes. Sergeant... 107th Infantry... James Buchanan Barnes... Sergeant. 107th... Infantry."-
Like a bullet, Steve ran inside the damp and dark room, only to find Bucky strapped to a table, mumbling to himself.
-"Bucky! Oh my God. It's me, it's Steve."-
Taking off the buckles that held him down, Steve breathed a sigh of relief, watching the recognition shine in his eyes as he helped him up.
-"Steve."-
Just about to answer, he suddenly saw a large map filled with... many HYDRA bases.
Trying to memorise it, he finally turned towards his best friend.
Hugging him as he managed to stand on his own, Steve clasped his shoulder tightly.
-"I almost thought you were dead."-
Confused by the lack of towering height, Bucky's eyebrows sluggishly frowned.
-"... I thought you were smaller?"-
Hiding a small grin, Steve shouldered his weight, helping him walk as the drugs still hadn't left his system, making him still sluggish as she walked.
-"What happened to you?"-
The question was simple yet the answer was anything but not.
-'Oh, remember that girl who totally beat you at boxing? Well she's an alien that got me a place into the army, making me part of an experimental project involving a serum which made me hardboiled. Due to the scientist being killed, I was offered a place in the show business and have been working with them until today when the girl I carry a flame for (did I mention she's an alien?) convinced me to try out this suicide mission after assuring me that her daughter (which happens to be death) hadn't received your soul...'-
Shaking his head, Steve gave him the short version.
-"I joined the army."-
-T.R.M.-
Having waited for Dr. Zola to arrive, the Red Skull finally headed out, leaving the control room with the timer ticking back.
-T.R.M.-
Having explained a little, Bucky was totally awed at the unbelievable story he had told him. Nevertheless, the proof was right in front of his (still fuzzy) eyes.
-"Did it hurt?"-
Knowing that Rose was somehow probably hearing in their conversation, Steve wanted to make himself look tough.
-"A little."-
-T.R.M.-
A sudden hysterical laugh was heard behind the assembling HYDRA party, startling the hell off of them.
Not having time to react, their vision started darkening until all they could hear was a choking laugh.
-"Only hurt a little... Now that's funny. "-
-T.R.M.-
Steve and Bucky were just around the corner, ready to leave this facility for good.
-"Permanent?"- Bucky asked, finally able to walk (barely) better.
-"So far."-
Walking through the doorway, they came face to face with the head of all of their problems.
Johann Schmidt.
-"Captain America. How exciting. I am a great fan of your films."- Schmidt said, mocking Steve.
At his lack of response, Schmidt tried a different tactic to get him to talk.
-"So Doctor Erskine managed it after all. Not exactly an improvement, but, still. Impressive."-
-"You've got no idea."-
-T.R.M.-
Rose had finally left the courtyard where most the battle was occurring.
Looking around, she realised that some of the reactors had already started to blow, making her look up to see Steve and Bucky confronting Schmidt and Zola.
-"Damn. I really didn't want to see them again so soon."-
-T.R.M.-
Unaware of the brunette goddess that was watching them from below, Schmidt and Rogers continued their hurried conversation without interruptions.
-"Haven't I?"- Schmidt answered, barely believing the fact that Erskine hadn't told him everything.
-"No matter what lies Erskine told you. You see I was his greatest success."- He told him, taking advantage of the heat, using it to peel away the mask he wrote to hide away his red skull.
The two men looked on horrified, oblivious to the opening portal behind them.
Zola was the only one who saw it, his eyes widening with the realising of who was about to come.
Schmidt had been throwing away his melting mask, watching as it fell down to the burning machines.
Bucky looked on, probably the most disturbed of the two, not able to tear his eyes off the red skulled man.
-"You don't have one of those, do you?"-
A female voice spoke clearly from behind them, projecting itself around the huge room and making the 3 (otherwise engaged) men skin around to look at her.
-"I wouldn't worry too much about that Bucks, I helped Erskine with the final formula... If I hadn't, then he would have purple skin instead. "-
-"Rosebeth!"-
-"Elis!"-
Rise waved her hand at the beaming Steve and the absolutely baffled Bucky.
-"Fraulein Infinity... So you decided to work alongside the enemy. "-
Rose held up her hands right in front of her, making it seem as though she was stopping his words from even reaching her (which she would probably be able to do).
-"I'm going to have to stop you right there... That was sounding straight out of a cheesy super villain speech. Sorry. "-She said, making everyone but Steve (who was used to her quirky behaviour) look at her strangely.
-"Anyway, continue with whatever you were saying before I interrupted."- Rose told them, leaning on a beam boredly, making everyone stare at each other confused.
Knowing better than to disobey a woman, let alone a goddess, they did as she ordered.
-"You are deluded, Captain."- The Red Skull began.
-"You pretend to be a simple soldier, but in reality you are just afraid to admit that we have left humanity behind. For the love of the Gods, you even have one watching over you."-
Before Steve could even open his mouth, Rose stood up straighter, protesting.
-"Oi! That doesn't mean anything. I hanged around Henry VIII's court and he wasn't anything beyond special... In fact he was a wanker."- Rose said, making everyone splutter in surprise.
-"He was one of the many marriage proposals I got... Couldn't take no for an answer, tried to make me jealous, but it didn't work."- She continued, making all the men start to fidget uncomfortably.
-"Then I became friends with Anne Boleyn, gave her a necklace because I couldn't really give her a watch could I?"- She asked, making the men shake their heads quickly, weary over her growing agitation over Henry VIII.
-"Chopped her head right off! He wanted to have the necklace, obviously knowing that I had given it to her. Luckily, all my possessions can't be taken off unless the owner wishes it, so he didn't succeed. The necklace shocked him as soon as he touched it."-
A large explosion startled the men back into action.
The Red Skull shook his head, realising that the goddess's ramblings had been a distraction.
Unwilling to insult her (he had no idea of what she was capable to do); he looked back to Steve Rogers, watching him from the other side of the broken bridge.
-"Men like me, they embrace it proudly. No fear. No hiding."-
Tapping the silent Dr Zola's shoulder, they began to leave towards the still functional elevator, silently grabbing the rest of their possessions and opening its doors.
-"Then how come you're running?"-
They were already leaving when Steve shouted at him, making the two Americans start to look fit a way out.
Steve was the one with the brilliant realisation.
Slowly turning towards the smirking Rose, he lifted an eyebrow.
-"... Can you?"-
-"Honey, I've been waiting for you to ask."-
-T.R.M.-
Schmidt and Zola had entered the elevator and were fidgeting madly.
Wanting to sort out his own thoughts by himself, The Red Skull decided to take his newest ride.
Pressing the button for the roof, he made Dr Zola turn anxiously at the Skull.
-"Sir, if we go to the roof... What about me? Where will I sit?"-
The Skull ignored the scientist until the doors opened.
Taking out the keys to his marvellous car, he gave them to his companion.
-"Not a scratch, Doctor... Not a scratch."-
-T.R.M.-
Peggy Carter entered the Colonel's tent in the early morning, only to find him pacing as he dictated to the typewriter.
-"Senator Brandt, I regret to inform you ... Captain Stephen G. Rogers... went missing behind enemy lines... on the third area. Reconnaissance has proven... unfruitful, and as a result... I must declare Captain Rogers... killed in action. Period."-
Peggy stood awkwardly on the side, knowing the reason why she had been called in.
-"The last surveillance flight is back. No sign of activity."- A man said, his head peeking into the tent.
Phillips sighed heavily, dismissing everyone inside the tent.
-"Everyone, go get a cup of coffee."-
He waited until everyone had left so he could start ranting at Peggy... It didn't take long.
-"We can't touch Stark. He's rich, and the army's number one weapons contractor."-
-"You are neither one."- He told her pointing at her face, making Peggy back up a bit to avoid getting poked in the eye.
-"With respect, sir. I don't regret my actions. And I don't think Captain Rogers did, either."- She told him, already bracing herself for the verbal blows.
-"What makes you think I give a damn about your opinions?"-
Flinch.
-"I took a chance with you, Agent Carter."-
Teeth gritting.
-"And now America's golden boy, and a lot of other good men are dead."-
Flinch.
-"Maskell can handle herself. She's also immortal, so you can be thankful you won't have any alien ambassadors eating your guts, or whatever they're supposed to do for compensation. "-
Unnoticeable sigh of relief.
-"But our super soldier is now lost because you had a crush."-
Alarm.
Peggy knew how Rose felt about the soldier (even though she hadn't really realised it herself), and didn't even hesitate to correct the man.
-"It wasn't that. I had faith. Rose told me that they would come back."-
Colonel Chester Phillips still shook his head, wanting to believe Rose's words despite the fact that they hadn't seen a peep of them since they had left.
It was much easier said than done.
-"Well I hope that's a big comfort to you when they shut this division down."- He told her, making her head bore, her eyes downcast.
Hearing some scuffles from outside, alongside some loud cheers, the Colonel and Peggy looked up confusedly.
-"What the hell's going on out there?"-
The Colonel left the tent, Peggy trailing slightly behind, only to stop short at what he saw.
It was a phantasmagorical scene.
Captain Rogers was leading many scruffy and tired men (although they all looked on triumphantly), through the camps base, many HYDRA tanks trailing behind them.
It would have been majestic and worthy of many paintings throughout history had it not been for the smiling girl that was piggyback riding Rogers's back.
Keeping the internal shrug to himself, (-'not everything can be perfect'-), he waited for the advancing force to reach him.
-"Some of these men need medical attention."-
Always caring about others before himself, those were the first words that came out of Steve's mouth.
Turning around, Phillips called for a doctor.
-"Medic, I got wounded."-
Turning back, the two men knew what was next in the line of discussion.
Despite already knowing the kid, Phillips was surprised by his response.
Before he had even opened his mouth, Steve had already saluted him and spoken.
-"I'd like to surrender myself for disciplinary action."-
-"Like Hell you will!"-
Rose crawled down from his back, smacking his chest as the two men looked amused at her outburst.
Holding the authority here, Phillips shook his head calmly.
-"That won't be necessary."-
-"Yes, Sir."-
Phillips turned towards Peggy, sheepish at his reaction.
-"I owe you an apology... Faith, huh? Wish I had more of that."- He muttered to himself.
After the Colonel left, Peggy launched herself at Rose and hugged her tightly (and quickly, she still had a reputation).
-"I knew you'd keep your promise, but you had me a bit worried by the end... Don't ever do that again."-
Rose hugged her tightly, smiling widely.
-"Hey! Don't ever doubt me unless I'm unsure alright? Hey, like Winston always says: Keep Calm and Carry on... Ok?"-
Peggy slowly nodded and turned towards Steve. -"Thank you"- she told him sincerely with a small smile on her face.
Before Steve could answer, Bucky shouted out.
-"LET'S HEAR IT FOR CAPTAIN AMERICA AND HIS BEAU!"-
The crowd immediately started to shout and clap, whistling and jumping.
While everyone was cheering, and Steve was looking around slightly overwhelmed, (hugging Rose close to him) she got an impulse and acted on it.
Standing up on her tiptoes, she grabbed the sides of his head and brought it down, reaching up herself to meet his lips.
Kissing him in the middle of the crowd, everyone began to whistle and cheer louder than before.
A/N - Sorry for the crappy ending… I'm quite tired. I imagined her fight with the Colonel sort of like when Galadriel gets offered the one ring in the Lord of the Rings. I've been missing out on writing too many details, but I will try and tuck some more in. Hope you enjoyed. -F.
