Hello, hello, everybody! It's been a while! I hope everyone's holidays went well! I'll be back to posting as often as I can, so keep looking for updates! We get to meet Nova in this chapter and the more exciting bits (what I think are exciting anyway) are coming up fast! Stay tuned! Let me know if you have any questions, comments, concerns!
(If this is your first time reading this story or you noticed, which probably everyone has, I apologize for the abysmal spelling and grammar mistakes in the first, like, half. I didn't get my beta until later, so it's totally not her fault and all mine. Thanks for sticking with it anyway!)
Shout out to my beta, lunar mischief, for putting up with all my chapters and me being annoying! You're great and I appreciate the help!
Okay, here's the story:
"You're dating Captain America?!" Nova shrieked, the screen bobbing and dipping as she jumped to her feet and started pacing her room, the image wavering on the tablet she was using to talk to Eve. Her red hair was yanked back into a ponytail that looked to be held together with a rubber band and a screw driver, the waves bouncing as she hopped around. Loose strands fell in her eyes and she blew them away impatiently, a splash of brown grease covering the freckles on her cheekbone. Eve shook her head at her friend's enthusiasm, having guessed that she would be excited. Steve wasn't her favorite Howling Commando, but he was on the list of them and Grandpa Dugan told some great stories about Steve from back in the war. Most of the kids in her family were in love with the very idea of Steve and it wasn't a surprise that Nova was over the moon about her current relationship status.
"I don't know if I'd call it dating. More like in a relationship. I don't know; he introduced it as 'going steady'." Eve shook her head a little, a small smile peeking through when she thought about Steve that morning. They'd decided to tell Natasha, Sam, and James, none of whom acted the least bit surprised. Sam collected twenty bucks from each of them with a self-satisfied grin and Eve had groaned aloud on seeing more money change hands. She was beginning to learn that they would bet on just about anything if they thought it was interesting enough. And her love life, or lack thereof at the time, had caught their interest.
"That's basically boyfriend/girlfriend talk from the forties, if I'm getting my slang right. Anyway, not important. What's important is, when are you going to tap that? Because I want every detail. I bet he's delicious." Nova wiggled her eyebrows and Eve laughed, shaking her head at her best friend's antics. It had been the right decision to link to Nova, as Eve knew it would be. Nova wouldn't ask the hard questions until after she was done getting used to the idea. And she'd give Eve time to digest everything as well.
"Nova, you know I don't jump into bed with people," Eve reminded her, holding in the urge to point out that she'd never jumped into bed with anyone before. Nova was very, very aware of that fact.
"How am I supposed to live vicariously through you if you won't tap all that? I'm stuck in the stronghold with family, the most boring place on the planet to be. All available men are related to me, which is just disgusting. Not only that, but no one is the least bit interested in the specs I drew up for that miniature arc reactor Tony put me on. I mean, what the hell?" Nova complained good-naturedly.
"You aren't supposed to live vicariously through me. If one of us was going to live vicariously through the other, it would be me through you - you do more than I ever do. And I didn't know you were working on anything with Tony right now. Isn't he supposed to be in, like, Malibu or something?" Eve asked as the tablet swung again, the kaleidoscope of Nova's room blurring past.
Room was a very vague description of the mess of parts Nova had spread in what was supposed to be her bedroom. There was a bed shoved into one corner, half the area covered in specs while the other half was a crumple of blankets that she slept in. One entire wall had been built into a work bench for her to keep her projects while she was in the stronghold. Over the top of the work bench, she had her tools spread along the wall. Some of the things she had to stand on the top of the counter to get at, but they all had a specific place that they stayed in.
The closet was a pull-out weapon's cache, all custom built by Nova. Her clothes were in an armoire that stood at the end of the bed, out of the way. Most of her clothing was grease stained and perfect for a work room, fitted tee shirts and jeans making up the majority of her wardrobe. She had more than one pair of overalls, one of which she was currently dressed in, and only about two dresses to wear to her family get-togethers. Even her shoes, which were thrown in the corner by the looks of things, were practical and full of stains from various projects and explosions, depending on the pair.
On the floor, Nova had what looked like a miniature model of a much larger building going on, a tarp protecting the hard wood from the harsh chemicals she was no doubt putting into used. Honestly, the room looked like a mad scientist's lair and smelled like a garage. All oil and metal. Nova loved it.
"He called me a few days ago and asked if I could look at the plans his company drew up. Without me there, it went to hell in a handbasket. The specs are off by at least an eighth of a millimeter in some crucial spots and the plans they had would have blown them up, first go. Even JARVIS could have put it together better. Hell, you probably could have." Nova waved a hand at the screen as she set it up on her bench, propping it against the wall.
"Thanks, you make me feel so smart," Eve replied sarcastically, wrinkling her nose at her own computer screen.
"You are smart. Genius. Just not at mechanics or bio engineering. Thank god. You and the Captain would get into so much trouble if you could provide him with advanced weaponry. Honestly, that would be a disaster in the making. Anyway, not the point. The point is, I want to know everything. How did this happen?" Nova demanded, a wrench clanking as she started messing with something that looked like it belonged in a car. A set of notebooks were shoved on the corner of her workbench and a pencil was in the pocket of her overalls, waiting to be used for her next great idea. Apparently, fixing the car part wasn't all she had planned for the day.
"I already told you everything." Eve lied. She might have forgone mentioning the part of the story where they kissed. But that was better to say face to face.
"I think you're keeping something from me, girly. It better not be too important or I will come over there just to kick you in the ass. Oh, by the way, Elise says hi. She's training with Jas right now, but she wanted me to tell you. Something about sisterly loyalty or some shit. Honestly, I barely listened. Your sister can talk the ear off of anyone. I love her to death, of course I do, she's adorable, but she talks nonstop." Nova sighed deeply and Eve bit back a giggle.
"Wonder where she learned that from?" Eve asked smartly, grinning when Nova shot her the finger.
"You know, I sometimes ask myself why we're friends," Nova teased, a mischievous grin on her lips as she waved the wrench around. "I've come up with only one possible reason that I keep you around."
"That I'm your boss?"
"Tony's technically my boss, so my job's not in any danger anytime soon. I'm his favorite Dugan, you know. Nope, I keep you around because you're solid as a rock. Even when you're being all snarky, I know I can call you if I'm in danger." Nova smiled largely at her and Eve groaned, leaning back in the desk chair and preparing herself for what came next.
"What did you do?"
"I just need you to talk to Grandpa Dugan for me." Nova shook her head like it wasn't a big thing to ask.
"About?"
"Tony wants me back at the Tower. ASAP. The rebuild is done and he's got some things to look into. I've been recruited to help and Grandpa Dugan said no way in hell. Not until HYDRA is gone. I'm not even allowed to go into Tony's lab here, Eve. I'm dying. They're literally trying to suffocate me. Who is the creepy bastard in the background?" Nova cut herself off, cocking her head to the side so that her ponytail fell over one shoulder, puppy dog brown eyes focused on something on her screen Eve couldn't see.
Eve turned around to find that James had made his way to her doorway, eyes on the tablet in her hand like he wasn't quite sure what it did. She knew for a fact he'd seen them before, but maybe he didn't know that you could do video chatting? She had no idea. Either way, Eve waved him in further. He stepped closer slowly and she noticed he had a hand on his knife, watching the screen like Nova might jump out.
If she could, she probably would.
"This is James. James, this is my friend Nova. I told you about her?" Eve waited until James gave an almost imperceptible nod, his dark eyes taking in everything.
"Oh, hey! You're James Barnes, right? Evie mentioned you were staying with them. Is she being good? Is the Captain good for her? Because, if he's not, I'm going to come kick his ass. I mean that literally too. Not only that, but make sure Evie keeps in line. She likes to be stupid and think she doesn't deserve to be happy or whatever and I'm here to make sure that that doesn't take over. So don't let it while I'm not there," Nova rattled off. James was still watching her curiously, like he was trying to figure out what part she played in everything. Eve didn't explain, wondering what he'd come up with. "Anytime you want to stop by, you're more than welcome to, too. You could come with Evie sometime. If you let me look at your arm. I heard it's a marvel of science and I want to replicate it. Not, like, in a bad way. But to make it easier for other vets to be able to afford. Not everyone can get a fancy ass HYDRA model."
"You talk too much," James deadpanned. Nova grinned at the screen, waving her fingers at him.
"I'm aware. I also don't care. It's the downside of working with Tony Stark for a living. He's brilliant, but he doesn't know how to shut the hell up," Nova informed him, her brown eyes sparkling with humor. If there was anyone who could outwit Tony Stark, it was Nova. She had a more refined sarcasm than Tony, who she called her cousin if anyone asked. They were closer than most siblings and worked together fantastically. Most of Nova's siblings were jealous of their relationship, but she didn't care. Eve found it hilarious that Tony had taken Nova as a sort of protégé. They were so much alike that it wasn't really a surprise, but it was still funny to see Tony put in his place by Nova.
"Talking can distract from attacks," James informed Nova in a clipped tone, his interest still held. Whether he liked her or not, Nova had obviously intrigued the assassin. Normally, Eve would be against them becoming friends. James was dangerous in all the ways that Eve didn't want around her best friend, but it was inevitable they meet. Nova was Eve's best friend and James was Steve's best friend. If they were seriously going to be together, those two would meet at some point.
"It can also disarm people, which I am a master at. Now, answer honestly: Are you ever going to get a haircut?" Nova asked, forcing herself into calm.
James turned around and walked out of the room without answering. Nova burst into laughter as soon as he was out of view.
"You know, he needs to lighten up." Nova spun with the tablet and the world blurred again, leaving Eve blinking rapidly to get rid of the sensation. "I thought he was supposed to be the ultimate ladies' man or whatever. At least, according to Grandpa Dugan. Bucky Barnes was supposed to be a smooth motherfucker."
"He isn't Bucky Barnes anymore. Just James. At least, that's what he said I could call him. Honestly, he's kind of fun when he's not in a mood. Today, he's been hiding out in his room, so I wonder what he was in here for," Eve hummed, mind whirring with possibilities.
"James, hm? I like that name. Always have. Anyway, Grandpa Dugan is waiting for you. Better call him up." Nova smiled largely and Eve sighed, wondering just what she was going to do to try and convince Grandpa Dugan to let Nova go back to the Tower. Honestly, she didn't want her there. The Tower still wasn't safe. It had been breached more than once, and it could happen again. And Eve wanted Nova safe. It was easier to sleep at night when Nova and Elise were together and safe.
"I hate you and I hope you know that," Eve sighed deeply.
"You love me and I know it. Thank you so much, call me when you're done." Nova clicked out of their conversation and Eve scrolled until she found Grandpa Dugan. Pulling up a window, Eve connected, not surprised when he answered immediately.
"You're a sight for sore eyes," Grandpa Dugan rasped, his white mustache twitching. Eve couldn't hold back a fond smile as she stared at the head of the Dugan clan, his blue eyes twinkling just as lively as they had back in the day. He still had a bowler hat on his head, the same one from the old pictures, and he was every bit the gentleman. Well, when he wasn't causing havoc in the name of boredom. Nova had to get that from somewhere.
"It's great to see you, Grandpa Dugan. I hear Nova wants to go back to the Tower," Eve offered up immediately. Dragging out the conversation wouldn't work well. It was best to be direct with him.
"And she sent in her negotiator. I'm honored that she felt the need to use you to this extent. You realize it's dangerous to go back." It wasn't a question. Eve responded anyway.
"The Tower was breached no less than three times since it was built as the beacon of clean energy before the Battle of New York. Once by alien hoards, once by an army of killer robots, and once by HYDRA. It's not the safe house Tony wanted it to be when he built it and it has a terrible track record at keeping its occupants safe," Eve agreed. Grandpa Dugan opened his mouth to speak, but Eve held up a hand to silence him until she was done. He respected that. "However, Tony Stark would be at Nova's side the entire time. One of the conditions would include moving her into the penthouse, which has the best security as well as access to the Iron Man suits. Which she knows how to use, if it came to that. Tony would never ask her to come back if he wasn't one hundred percent certain of her safety. You know that."
"Tony Stark doesn't see the big picture. Neither does Nova. I'm not sending any of my family into certain death, Evangeline." He stared at her hard, trying to read her next move.
"What if I went back with her?" Eve offered her second choice. The Tower was rebuilt and it was fairly stabilized. If she went back, she could go with Nova. It wasn't the protection he was looking for, but it was something. For some reason, the Dugan family trusted Nova more if Eve was with her.
"And you have a plan to slip your guards?" he asked, obviously aware of the situation she was currently in.
"Part of the negotiations could include them. I don't think I'm slipping them anytime soon. But I can make a good case to go back and they might listen to me," Eve reminded him. She'd worked with all of them for long enough that they would more than likely listen to her if she found a good excuse to go to the Tower. Whether they'd be happy about the arrangement or not was really up in the air.
"Another two weeks at least. And you and your body guards have to go in with her or she's not going," Grandpa Dugan informed her, nodding slightly to affirm his statement. Eve pursed her lips, mind working fast to see if it was feasible. She'd have to convince Steve and Natasha. James would go where they went. But Steve was going to be the pain in her ass, as always. They'd just begun their relationship and she was already asking him to jump into danger with her.
"I'll do what I can. I'll get back to you," Eve promised, nodding her goodbye.
"Stay out of trouble. You're always welcome here if you decide you don't want to go to the Tower," he informed her, smiling. "Be good. Don't let the Captain do anything ridiculous while you two are together. I'm coming out there if I get a message that you're hurt or in any danger. And it won't be good for him, no matter how much I like the man."
"I'll do my best, Grandpa Dugan." They hung up and Eve quickly called Nova back, who huffed about how she wasn't going to get to go back for a little while at least. Eve just listened to her complain, unable to really be upset with her. Honestly, she thought the deal was fair. Another two weeks to find the culprits. That meant figuring out how to find Grant Ward in the next two weeks so that she could have a conversation with him about how he could help SHIELD defeat HYDRA, if he was still willing to help. It was probably in her best interest to let Steve know about her plan, but he wouldn't be happy…