July 2009
It had been cooler than usual when July rolled around but that was not totally without blessing when caring for an infant.
Six weeks had passed since Jamie was born and Tony and Ginnie were finally getting him into a solid routine which gave some normalcy back to their lives and it was just in time for the 4th of July party. In the years since Howard had retired, the party reverted back to what it once was – family and friends and not as much a corporate gathering. Tony upheld the tradition of closing Stark Industries for a week just as Howard did and Tony was grateful for the week so that he would be able to spend more time with Ginnie and their newborn son.
Everyone was relaxed and having a great time when Rhodey noticed a black sedan with tinted windows coming up the driveway with government plates. He set his drink down on the bar before crossing the pool deck to Ginnie.
"Where's Tony?" he asked.
"I think he's in the house with the baby," Ginnie responded as she put her book aside.. "Why?"
Rhodey pointed to the car coming down the driveway. "MIBs on approach."
Ginnie sighed as she swore under her breath. "This can't be good for them to be here on a holiday."
"Let me give Tony the heads up," Rhodey said as he excused himself to the house. It didn't take long to find Tony. He was stretched out on the couch with Jamie on his chest, mesmerizing the baby with the arc reactor in his chest. "Tony, we got company heading up the driveway."
"What kind of company?" Tony asked as he was making goofy faces at his son.
"SHIELD type of company," Rhodey responded.
Tony finally looked up. "What the hell are they doing here?"
"Beats the shit out of me but they're coming up the driveway," Rhodey replied.
Tony repositioned Jamie against him as he sat up. "Damn it," he swore under his breath as he went to the front door to intercept them. Tony opened the door just as Agent Phil Coulson was getting out of the car. "To what do I owe the pleasure, Agent Coulson? Come for the party?"
"Congratulations on the birth of your son. The party invitation will need to wait for later, Mr. Stark," Coulson replied. "If your father is here, it will make my job a great deal easier."
"He's here," Tony replied cautiously. "What do you need him for?"
"In fact, I need both of you to come with me. There is a situation that requires both of your expertise," Coulson told him.
Tony handed the baby off to Rhodey. "What's going on, Phil?"
"You and your father will be briefed on our way to headquarters," Coulson responded. "Now, if you would be so kind to get him, we can be on our way."
Tony invited Coulson in as he took the baby back and headed out to the pool deck. "Gin, have you seen my Dad?" he asked as he handed her Jamie.
Ginnie took the baby from Tony and let him curl into her as she greeted Coulson. "By the bar," she said, pointing. "What's going on?"
"A little road trip," he said as he kissed her. "Hey Dad! Can you come over here?" Tony called across the pool.
Howard immediately recognized the mark of SHIELD in front of him. "What's the problem here?"
"Mr. Stark, we need you and your son to come with us to deal with a situation of extreme importance," Coulson told him. "We have a car waiting."
Howard waved him off. "We'll take our own. Where are we going? How long will it take? I have guests."
"This time I must insist that the both of you ride with me," Coulson insisted. "You both will be back by this evening but this concerns Project Rebirth and we need to address it now."
Howard paled slightly when Coulson mentioned what it concerned. "As long as we are back in time for fireworks. Tony, tell them," Howard gestured as he pointed to Ginnie and Maria.
"We'll be back," he said as he gave Ginnie a kiss and then turned to Rhodey. "If we aren't back by showtime, set them off."
Once the car was in gear, Howard and Tony were not going to wait any longer for answers.
"What the hell is Project Rebirth?" Tony demanded.
"Project Rebirth was what we called the super soldier program during World War II," Howard responded before he turned to Coulson. "What is going on with that?"
"We had a hit," Coulson started. "We found Captain Rogers."
"Took you long enough," Howard snapped. Steve Rogers had been a friend and Howard was livid when he was told to even call off his own search. "Nearly sixty-five years is a long damn time for a proper burial and the honors that he deserves."
"That's where you two come in," Coulson interjected, not phased by Howard's outburst. "Captain Rogers is alive."
Howard stopped breathing for a second. "What did you say?"
"Captain Rogers is alive," Coulson repeated.
"That can't be possible," Tony stated. He had heard stories as a child about Steve Rogers and Captain America but being alive after being lost in 1945 did not seem to fit in the realm of reality.
"We didn't think so at first when we found him encased in a block of ice but we were quickly proven wrong when we got him hooked up," Coulson explained. "He had a faint pulse and respiratory rate – similar to someone in a coma. As he defrosted, it got stronger and he appeared to be in remarkable health considering."
"What do you need us for?" Howard asked.
"The situation became a bit more complicated," Coulson continued. "After he had been stabilized, we moved him into a room which was decorated to resemble a military hospital in the 1940's. When he awoke, there was a baseball game on the radio..."
"He loves baseball. It's one of his favorite things in the world," Howard interjected.
Coulson nodded. "Something we didn't take fully into account. When Captain Rogers recognized the game being broadcast, he remembered it as one he had actually seen in person. He then became very suspicious about what was going on and when we tried to calm him down, he got angry and ran off...right into the middle of Times Square."
Both Tony and Howard cringed.
"Please don't tell me you tried to take him down?" Howard asked.
"No not at all," Coulson reassured. "Director Fury managed to talk him down and convince him to come back inside but he was not happy about it."
"You still haven't mentioned why you need us," Tony piped up.
"We were thinking some familiarity may help Captain Rogers adjust to being in 2009 rather than 1945," Coulson stated. "Howard, you knew him then and were one of the lead scientists on the original experiment. Now, we need Tony as well because he is more current on the updates in modern technology and perhaps you and your father could collaborate on the science on how he survived."
"You may want to contact Bruce Banner as well then," Tony added.
"We have but he is not immediately available," Coulson stated as he pulled into the garage and turned off the car.
"Anything else we should know?" Howard asked.
"Right now, we just want to get him into the twenty-first century. Harnessing his skills acquired during the war will come later. He needs something familiar right now."
"Good luck on that one," Howard snapped. "Most of those who he knew are dead. Where is he?"
"He's in one of the detention rooms so they can make sure he doesn't run out again," Coulson stated.
A glare of pure rage flashed over Howard's face that even Tony stepped back from. "You are treating him like a damn criminal. Get him the hell out of there and find a comfortable office or something. He's been through enough."
"That's not my decision, Mr. Stark," Coulson said as they approached the hallway where Steve Rogers was being held.
"Then we will be having a conversation with Nick later," Tony stated. "Which one is he in?"
Coulson pointed to a door.
Howard looked in the window first and he could not believe his eyes. At the table in the middle of the room sat Steve Rogers, alive and unchanged from 1945. The serum had not only enhanced his physical prowess but the healing and regenerative qualities had rendered him essentially unharmed after six decades under ice. Howard, on the other hand, was not the same he was sixty years ago and he feared how Rogers may react. "You know this may not go as well as you all hope it will," he warned.
"Right now, this is the only shot we have," Coulson replied as he knocked on the door. "Captain Rogers, we have someone here to see you."
"Come in," Steve's voice came from behind the door. Out of habit, he stood at attention as the door opened. He noticed Coulson hanging back as the door opened. As the two men entered, Steve thought he recognized the younger of the two but then his brain started clicking and remembering what year it actually was and he switched his gaze to the older. Going back and forth for a moment between the two, it finally clicked in Steve's mind who he was looking at. "Howard Stark?"
Howard smiled as he held out his hand. "It's good to see you again, Steve. I daresay the years have been kinder to you than they have been to me."
"Only because of you," Steve replied as he visibly relaxed, shook Howard's offered hand and smiled. "You don't know how happy I am to see you."
"Believe me, the feeling is mutual," Howard agreed as he motioned for Tony to come forward. "May I introduce my son. Tony, meet Steve Rogers."
Tony shook Steve's hand warmly. "I have probably heard more about you than you would think since my father likes to brag."
"I guess somethings don't change," Steve said. "Do either of you have any pull? I would really like to get out of here."
"A spectacular idea," Howard agreed. "Coulson! Is he cleared to be released?"
"Yes, but..."
Howard stopped him. "That's all I needed to hear. Steve, you're coming home with me. You can meet my wife, Maria. Tony's wife, Ginnie, will also be there as well as their son. We're having a 4th of July party and I think that is exactly what you need. I think I may even be able to rustle up a birthday cake."
Steve smiled as his gaze shifted towards his shoes. "You remembered."
"Of course I did," Howard said as he smacked him on the shoulder to have him follow. "Coulson, get us a damn car."
During the hour long ride home from Manhattan, Howard called ahead so Maria would know who was coming home with him while Tony and Steve were largely silent. Steve, was watching out the window seeing everything that had changed since he had left for basic in the forties. Tony, on the other hand, was silently sizing up Steve. Could this quiet guy really be the man of legend that his father spoke of so many times?
After stopping off at a few stores for Steve to procure some necessities since the man had pretty much nothing to his name at the moment, save for his compass with Peggy Carter's photo and his shield, the car finally pulled into the Starks' driveway. "Are you ready?" Howard asked. "My wife may smother you slightly."
"I think I can handle it," Steve laughed.
Walking through the house to avoid the majority of the party at first, Howard started the introductions.
"First, let me present my wife, Maria," Howard said with a smile as he took her hand. "Maria, meet Steve Rogers."
Maria by passed the hand that Steve offered and proceeded to hug him. "I am so glad to finally meet you after all I have heard."
"I am honored to meet the woman who finally tamed him," Steve laughed as he pointed to Howard.
"Believe me, it wasn't easy," Maria laughed.
Howard motioned for Edwin to come over. "Captain Steve Rogers, my long time butler...Edwin Jarvis."
"Pleasure to meet you, sir," Steve replied as he extended his hand.
Edwin shook his hand warmly. "The pleasure and honor is all mine, Captain Rogers," Edwin replied. "I had the honor of assisting your lady many years ago."
Steve smiled at first but it was laced with sadness when he heard mention of Peggy Carter. "I bet she tried to refuse it."
"She let me drive the car."
"I am surprised she agreed to that," Steve laughed.
As his father was doing some of the introductions, Tony walked back in the house with Ginnie and Jamie in tow. "I'm going to interrupt here to introduce the other Stark beauty. Steve Rogers, my wife Ginnie and our son, James."
"It's a pleasure to meet you, ma'am," Steve said as he shook Ginnie's hand.
"The pleasure is mine, Captain Rogers."
"Please call me Steve," He asked as he smiled at Jamie. "He looks just like his father and grandfather, doesn't he?"
"Aside from the slight auburn of his hair, he's all Stark," Tony said proudly as he picked up his small son.
"No, I had no hand in bringing him into this world at all," Ginnie teased as she lightly punched Tony's free arm.
"I am not digging myself deeper into this hole," Tony backed off.
Everyone laughed at the comment. "Howard, I think Tony may be smarter than you," Steve commented.
"He learned from my experiences," Howard said in his own defense.
"I also know she will kick my ass if necessary," Tony added. "I play with things that blow up for fun but I know not to piss off that fireball unless I plan on apologizing in a big way. The last time was that baby shower fit for a queen."
Everyone broke into a fit of laughter which was interrupted by someone's stomach growling loudly. It didn't take long to figure out where it came from when Steve flushed a bright red in embarrassment.
"Excuse me...I'm sorry," he quickly stammered out an apology.
"You have nothing to apologize for," Teresa said, wiping her hands on her apron as she came out of the kitchen. "It's Mr. Stark who should be apologizing. All of these introductions could have been done after he had gotten something to eat."
"At least she's not yelling at me this time," Tony laughed as his father was struck silent. "Steve Rogers, our house keeper, Teresa Rinaldi. She's the one responsible for all the good stuff that you're about to dive into."
"Stop that, Tony," Teresa scolded as she hugged Steve rather than taking his offered hand. "Most of this is being catered so I have been looking for something to do. I just wish your father had given me more warning," she said as she took Steve's hand and walked him into the kitchen to see the beginnings of a cake.
"You really didn't have to go through all this trouble, ma'am," Steve said apologetically. "You don't have to go out of your way for me."
"You hush," Teresa said as she put a finger to Steve's mouth. "As I said, I was looking for something to do and you can't have a birthday without a cake. I'm only sorry it's not more. Now, make sure they take you outside where the real food is. There's dogs, burgers, chicken, ribs, brisket, salads, corn, watermelon...go."
Everyone made a quick exit for the pool deck where the food was set up. As they passed through the door, the look on everyone's face was the same at what just happened. Someone had managed to shut Howard and Tony Stark down.
As they were settling down to lunch, Rhodey came up from the beach with two beers in his hand and handed one to Tony on the pool deck. "I figured you'd need this," he laughed. "And the guest list increased." Rhodey held out his hand to Steve. "Jim Rhodes."
Steve wiped his hands and shook Rhodey's hand. "Steve Rogers. Pleasure to meet you."
"Sorry I didn't get to introduce you earlier. Rhodey here is my best friend and saved my ass on more than one occasion," Tony interjected.
"Someone had to or else who know where you'd be," Rhodey said with a smile. "Steve, do you play beach volleyball?"
"I can't say that I have ever had the opportunity."
"It's easy. Smack the ball over the net. Keep it in the square and keep it away from the other team," Tony explained. "Just don't kill my ball."
"Seems easy enough. When do we start?" Steve inquired.
"In about ten minutes," Rhodey replied.
As they walked down to the beach, Rhodey had to ask Tony something that was bugging him. "Just give it to me straight, is Steve THE Steve Rogers...as in Captain America?"
"The one and only."
Rhodey nodded. "And that was the reason you didn't put my service rank in front of the introduction?"
Tony nodded again. "It would have been all salutes and no fun what so ever."
"Got it," Rhodey understood. "Now time to kick some ass in volleyball."
Long after the sun had gone down and the fireworks had been fired, the party guests had left and the family gathered in the kitchen to celebrate Steve's birthday finally. After the cake had been cut, Howard thought it was good time to offer up a toast.
"Since it's just us here, I feel I can be frank," Howard started as he added to the scotch in his glass. "I would be wrong if I didn't properly honor my greatest creation on his birthday. Steve, you are deserving of far more accolades than I can heap on in just one night..."
Tony rolled his eyes at the 'greatest creation' comment. He had heard it too many times as a child when he was trying to impress his father but it hadn't come out in many years. Tony could see how drunk his father was and as he started to ramble on, Tony slipped the drink out of his hand and downed it himself. "I think everyone just wants to dig into the cake, Dad," he said quickly, hiding the hurt behind an iron mask he knew well.
Three o'clock in the morning, the house was asleep except for two – Tony and Jamie. While giving Jamie his bottle, Tony was sitting on the couch watching Raiders of the Ark when he heard a loud bang from the floor above. When he heard nothing more, he put it out of his mind as well as trying to forget other events of the evening that started out so well. It wasn't until the light from the fridge shone into the living room did Tony look up.
"Trouble sleeping?" he asked as he noticed Steve standing there.
"You could say that," Steve replied as he poured a glass of milk. "Things have been a little unsettled the last few days."
"Believe me, I can totally understand that," Tony stated as he gestured to Steve to sit down.
"I want to apologize for earlier," Steve started. "I saw that the only one who didn't realize what Howard had said was Howard."
Tony waved him off. "You have nothing to apologize for. I have heard that statement many times. It has been a while though."
"I still feel bad. You're his son."
"And he was drunk...very drunk," Tony stated. "But he's not wrong. You are his greatest creation."
"I don't understand," Steve stated with confusion.
"My father has invented many things over his lifetime and most of his creations were made to destroy, including me up until recently," Tony explained as he shifted his sleeping son. "My father has always been a brilliant inventor with a taste for destruction. Some of his 'bad babies' were so horrible that he couldn't let anyone have them. Some of his creations still haunt him to this day. He won't set foot in Japan after the Atomic bomb that ended the war. He even trained me to follow his footsteps and I will admit that some of my inventions are far worse than his were. You were the one thing he did which was designed to protect life instead of taking it."
"I was a soldier and unfortunately taking life can sometime be part of the job," Steve countered. "According to my father and Erskine, you were more than that and that was the reason they chose you. The serum only enhances what is inside the one who takes it. It makes bad evil and good into great."
"You know about the serum?"
Tony nodded. "I have read most of my father's journals and studied many of his designs. The main reason why the serum could never be truly replicated is because it reacts differently to everyone who takes it."
"I'll say it again. I think you are more brilliant than your father," Steve replied.
"Thanks. Just don't tell him that or he'll make me prove it and I'm in no mood to prove physics theories," Tony laughed.
Steve laughed but then grew silent for a moment. He was searching for the right words so that he didn't offend. "Can I ask you a question but you don't have to answer it if you don't want to?"
"Fire away. I get questions I don't like all the time from nosy reporters."
"How did you get the light in your chest there?" Steve asked, pointing to the arc reactor.
"Do you want the long or short story?"
"Short is fine."
Tony took a deep breath. "Last year I was kidnapped in Afghanistan. I was there with a weapons demo and the caravan was attacked. Rhodey and I got separated and I found myself behind a rock staring at a missile with my name on it literally. When it exploded, shrapnel got past the body armor I wore and made a mess of things. The other man who was a captive with me took most of it out but not all of it. I made the first version of this in the cave to power the electromagnet to keep the shrapnel out of my vital organs. This keeps me alive."
"Why don't you have the rest of the shrapnel removed?" Steve inquired.
Tony shrugged. "I guess it reminds me that I was given a second chance. I shouldn't be alive and I made a promise to Yinsen that I would do something better with my life. That's why I said until recently I was also one of my father's destructive creations. I still make things that blow up but now I also want to focus on technology to improve and protect life, not just end it."