Chapter 27: Reprise Chapters: Life on Mars

Steve felt horrible about what he said to Tony. He didn't intend to offend him like he did, but the truth just came out of him.
Tony was just a teenager, and he was the son of one of his best friends.

Steve understood that Tony developed feelings for his other protector at some point, but Steve didn't see himself as the same person.

He wasn't attracted to him and he couldn't lie to him about it. So, Steve felt like he had to tell him the truth.
Sure Tony was intelligent, very good looking, and naturally funny. But he was obviously promiscuous (Steve liked that word) and Steve felt like he could have the same exact attraction towards anyone.

He wondered what made him so special. Steve remembered all the things that Tony told him outside the home. The soldier couldn't stop his thoughts.

"Steve, did you hear me?" He heard Howard's voice and he looked up from his daze.

"I'm sorry. What?"

"I said I should have told you that Tony absolutely HATES the idea of having a bodyguard. He's probably going to take off or something if he hasn't done so already."

Steve's attention span was non-existent. He glanced back down in a daze.

"My son is trouble. Ok? when he doesn't get what he wants or gets mad about something he can be a real monster. I shouldn't have involved you in this. You don't owe me anything Steve I can get someone else to watch over him."

They were having a side meeting in Howard's study. The welcome party for Steve was still going, but Steve had to inform Howard about the horrible situation he created.
Tony took off back to the party and he felt really bad about what he said.

"I'm going to find him right now and have a talk with him before this gets even more out of hand," Howard said as he adjusted the sleeve on his tuxedo.

Steve looked at the door with a frown.
He had no idea what to do with himself. Steve wanted to accept his new reality and adapt to being awake in 1989 but...

He felt so lost. And now he felt like he made a mess of the place he was in and he had to make it right.

"I'm sorry Howard." He shook his head and decided to leave the office. Steve walked back out into the open and he was immediately greeted by someone he didn't know.

Steve wanted to find Tony and apologize. He had a horrible feeling deep in his stomach that he couldn't shake.
He knew how rejection felt, and he never thought that he would ever dish out a rejection like that to anyone.

He was reminded of a time when he admitted his feelings to someone. Steve frowned and tried to smile again at the person that approached him. Steve overthought the situation because the person that was in front of him had introduced herself for the third time.

"Captain Rogers? I asked if you remember me.." The woman stood in front of him and he finally focused on the question.

"I umm.." Steve started to speak but he couldn't hold his focus. His eyes stopped at her red lips and he took in a short gasp.

"Peggy? You're Peggy Carter.." He pointed at the woman and she smiled.
She was much older, but she was just as elegant and as gorgeous as he remembered. Steve stepped a bit closer but kept himself at a great distance.

All of it felt unreal.

On the opposite side of the party, Tony headed towards his room. He was over the festivity for Steve and he wanted to get the hell out of there.

Tony glanced behind him to make sure he wasn't followed as he headed off.

He walked right into someone.
That "someone" grabbed his arm and pulled him into the study.

"TCH what do you want.." Tony said as his father closed the door. The Starks glared at each other and Tony jerked his arm away.

"Are you done acting like a damn brat? That woman you blew off was the wife to one of my important business associates."

Tony rolled his eyes and took a seat on his dad's desk. He had a feeling he was going to be there a while.

"Well, she needs to learn to ask before she just hugs someone. I didn't want her flabby arms all over me." Tony crossed his arms and stood strongly behind his excuse.

Howard ignored him. He had specific topics that needed to be discussed.

"AND AS FOR STEVE? What exactly is your intention in regard to him? Did you think you were just going to free him from the ice and he was going to magically fall in love with you or something?" Howard didn't like the words he just said but he had to ask.

Tony refused to respond to that. He looked away and kept his mouth glued shut.

"TONY. I am talking to you. What exactly do you think you are trying to accomplish?"

"I. DON'T. KNOW." Tony finally answered and then he shut his mouth again. Nothing went according to his plan because his damn father was around Steve every second of the day! And, he made it even worse because he filled Steve's head with the idea of protecting him. Tony glared.

"CAN YOU NOT tell him a bunch of shit about me? I don't need his damn protection AND he's not one of Fury's puppets." Tony wanted to yell at his father but he controlled himself.

Howard, on the other hand, seemed to have lost the last portion of his self-control.

"You're going to need his protection once I confront Obadiah about the two of you. WHICH YOU HAVE NOT EXPLAINED TO ME BY THE WAY!"

"Yeahhhh good luck with that." Tony glanced away because he was absolutely NOT going to explain any of that to his father. They had a father-son bond fest when they built the suit together. And in that moment of vulnerability, Tony admitted something to him that he deeply regretted.

He refused to tell him anything more. Tony felt bad enough as it was.

"Tony, he is returning soon. Either you are going to explain it to me or HE is going to explain it to me. Do you want him to have that option?"

Tony heard his father and he tried to rub the pain that throbbed around his eye socket. He had a headache and he knew why...
This was not a conversation Tony wanted to have and he wished that he wasn't sober.

"Let me make this easier for you. I'll help you articulate what I want to know. Start with HOW it happened, followed by WHEN, maybe tell me WHERE. Where was I? How long has this been going on? So that way when I talk to him about it I'm not just blindly accusing my goddamn business partner about sleeping with..."

Howard couldn't even say it. He turned to his alcohol out of habit and he poured himself a drink. He needed it to calm his nerves because he didn't want to have the discussion.

He did not want to hear any of it.

Tony remained silent and he watched his father's actions. He wondered if his father planned to get drunk just to deal with everything.

"Your party for Steve is still going on. Can we do this another time?"

"NO." Howard decided he couldn't put it off any longer. He told his wife and the people he had working for him to wrap up the party without him. Steve was lost in the world of discovery so Howard saw it as his best opportunity to corner his son.

He sighed and looked down at his glass. Howard waited and he refused to ask again.
Tony didn't want to leave anything in Obadiah's power. It sucked but he caved in and decided to tell his father what he wanted to know. Tony chose the quick and painless route.

"OK, so you want to know how it happened? I was drunk and he talked me into it. WHEN? I was on break from MIT and a month or so before my birthday. WHERE? Uhh, his house. Where were you? I DON'T REMEMBER WHERE YOU WERE. Off doing some government crap most likely, and how long has it been going on?" Tony covered one side of his face and tried to think.

He looked up at his father and calculated exactly how long it had been.

"It has been almost a year. A year in March actually. Happy? Or would you like me to be more specific? I can't tell you how many times it happened because it's too many to count." Tony was being sarcastic.

His father wanted to hit the floor. The information he heard made him feel nauseous. Obadiah was one of his closest employees.

Howard considered him a friend and he treated him like a brother.

Right under his nose, the man screwed around with his son. WITH...HIS...SON?!
Howard just covered his mouth and wished it would all go away. He begged some higher power to make it be untrue.

"You were sixteen when he slept with you?! Am I to think that it was forced? Or not forced? It doesn't seem forced..it seems mutual which is why I'm probably going to throw up." Howard's stomach felt heavy.
He tried to take in a deep breath but he was too unsteady to function.

Tony did not know how to answer that. Because anyway he answered he looked bad.
Obadiah only forced himself on him one time. He was ALWAYS rough with him, but all the other times he was either playing games with the older man. Or, Tony was really intoxicated.

Tony knew that he was the one that pulled the strings.

"It was mutual when I wasn't drunk, well except one time I really pissed him off. But I don't have feelings for him or anything like that.."? GROSS.

"Oh? Well, that makes it so much better Tony. It's better when you don't have any feelings about it. DO you know that he is twice your age?!" Howard started to debate and thought to put his son through therapy.

What Tony said to him didn't register in Howard's mind. He didn't want to joke around with Tony any longer. He wanted him OUT of his sight.

"WAS IT FORCED OR NOT?! You aren't making any sense to me."

"UH, IT WAS BUT IT KINDA WASN'T? err wait well, I DUNNO! Sometimes it was, sometimes it wasn't." Tony just looked away and tried not to freak out. He became frustrated. Howard was even more frustrated but he held it in as best he could.

"Are you going to continue sleeping with him? Is that how this THING is with him?!" Howard was so lost and confused and disgusted.

"No. I'm-"

"I AM DONE talking about that. I don't want to hear anymore.." Howard cut Tony off and Tony shut his mouth. Howard's brain was on overload, he needed to clear his head and get far away from his son.

Tony could see the look on his father's face. It got to a point where Tony wanted to cry. His father looked so angry with him and he looked physically sickened after Tony told him.

Tony stared down at his hands.

"You didn't answer me about Steve. What is your intention with him? Should I assume that there will be more mutual activity with no feelings going on. Not in this house kid. " Howard was mad and the words just came out of his mouth.

Tony slid off the desk and he went for the door. He didn't know what his intentions were with Steve... And his father just pissed him off.

"You done with this? Because I have a party to avoid."

Tony swiftly wiped away a tear that fell down the side of his face and he reached for the doorknob. He couldn't talk about Steve. It made his chest ache. Howard gripped Tony's arm and stopped him where he stood.

"Tony, this isn't going to end very well when I do see Obadiah again. I hired him because of certain connections so I'm going to need you to let Steve protect you. Please for just ONCE will you listen to what I am saying to you?"

Howard looked at Tony and his expression changed to a saddened look of concern.
What kind of fucking connections? Tony looked up at his father and wondered what the hell he spoke about.

"You can help him out as well. Get rid of whatever romantic bullshit you have going on in your head and just help Steve adapt to this new place. That way you are protected, Steve finds some form of direction, and I can actually sleep at night. Ok? Can we make a deal?"

His father let go of his arm and held out his hand. Tony stared at his father's hand for a little while. Howard tried to bargain with him. Tony didn't feel like he actually had a choice.

But, he wasn't going to deny himself the opportunity to spend time with the Yankee. He gave his father a sarcastic grin. Tony shook his hand and then thought of a condition to place on the bargaining table.

"I WILL BEHAVE on one condition. I get to take Steve out on the town or something. I don't wanna be cooped up in this place ALL DAMN DAY. Got it?"

"ARE YOU GOING TO RUN AWAY FROM HIM if he doesn't do something that you want?! If you are just going to cause trouble for him he's not going to put up with it."

TONY LAUGHED and then scratched the back of his neck.

"I know he won't. Don't worry I would neverrr cause trouble for the precious golden boy. He's special." Tony couldn't contain his grin and Howard strongly rolled his eyes.

"Good grief kid. Get out of my face before I hurt you.." Howard tried not to smile at his crazy son. Tony left the study and carved his way through all the people.

Howard poured himself another drink.

- ~~~~ - ~~~

Steve had a really hard time getting sleep. His mind was haunted by the impact of the crash and all the faces he spent an evening trying to remember.

When he saw Peggy Carter he was deeply affected. He felt robbed again and it made any positive thoughts dismal in his mind.

So many people shared stories with him and told Steve that they "knew" him. They "remembered" him. Steve just sat on the edge of the bed and he held his head in his hands.

His brain felt heavy. His head felt like a giant boulder. Steve couldn't snap himself out of it. He forced himself up and he got ready for the day.

Whatever that meant.
He ventured outside first because he liked to roam the property. It was beautiful to look at.

The mansion was all cleaned up and there wasn't a trace of the party that welcomed him back to society. Steve stopped from his wander when he saw Jarvis.
He watched as the old man tossed some of the underbrush away from the area where he worked.

"Do you need any help?" Steve asked as the older man looked in his direction.
Jarvis stared at him. Jarvis was informed by Howard about the situation. Two Captain America's existed and the one in front of him was not the one with Tony in the garage.

Jarvis was ashamed of himself and he found it hard to communicate with Steve Rogers. Steve frowned when Jarvis shook his head no and he watched the man turn back to his work.

Being useless was a horrible feeling for Steve. He glanced around the property again and then headed inside with his defeat.

It felt like he had a rain cloud over his head that refused to go away.

Steve had an enormous void in his chest. He couldn't help enough or do enough in order to feel like a normal person again. Steve thought that it was the serum inside him that made him feel like he had to do more and more and more and more and more...

He just wanted his heart to stop.

He wished that he had never woken up. All he wanted was for his heart to stop. Steve shook away the dark thought in his head as he walked into the kitchen.

"AY YANKEE! You are up hella early." Tony was up and Steve stopped in his tracks when he heard Tony's voice.

Tony was awake but he wasn't ready for a damn thing. He was dressed in a red pair of shorts and a black shirt. Steve watched him for a moment and he tried to think of what to say.

Tony just smiled at him. Tony was happy to see Steve in his house.
Steve stared and he forced a smile. Tony was determined to not let Steve's words at the party go to his head. Tony decided to let what he said go in one ear and right out the other. It DIDN'T HAPPEN.

"It's not that early Tony." It was after 9 am. Tony just shrugged. That was really early for him.

"How are you?" Steve asked as he looked at the refrigerator.
"I'm great, Yankeeee." Tony was all grins as he grabbed a glass and he set it on the counter.

Steve had a question for the younger Stark.
"Why do you call me that?" Steve asked as he stepped a bit further into the space between them.

Tony poured himself some orange juice and he looked over at Steve.
The two studied each other as they moved about in the kitchen, but they both tried not to show it.

"You're just an obvious East Coaster. A Brooklyn boy. When I met the other you, I decided to call you that. The nicknames stays SORRYY." Tony gently bit at his tongue as he twisted the cap back on the orange juice.

Steve didn't have a problem with the nickname so he didn't comment. He looked behind him and then he glanced back at Tony.

"I'm sorry about what I said to you.." Steve started his apology but Tony waved his hand around frantically.

"AY AY AY NONE OF THAT. It's fine. Whatever just forget it happened." Tony was over it and he really didn't want that evening to be brought up.

Steve however, wasn't able to just brush something off.

He felt guilty about what he had said most of the night. Then he saw people that he recognized at the party and it made him feel even more down.
Steve felt depressed and he didn't know how to break out of it.

He stood in silence and his eyes wandered the kitchen.

The next person that came into view was Howard. He looked like he was stressed out and lacked sleep. Steve wanted to ask him if he was alright, but when he noticed the awkwardness between Tony and Howard he decided against it.

Tony became silent and he looked like he wanted to bolt from the room. Steve took notice and then he felt awkward himself. He felt odd being there. Very out of place..

Howard held up something in-between two of his fingers. Steve looked at the object in his hand as Howard walked over to him.

"You two need to get out of here. Tony is driving me nuts and Steve, I think some California weather will be good for you." Howard could see the depression in Steve and he was worried about him.

The father had debated for days. Separate the two? Or should he keep them around one another?

Separate? Together? Separate? Together? Separate? Together? Separate? Together? Together? Separate? Together? Separate? Together? Separate? Together? Separate?

UGH, He decided that Tony's personality was good for Steve's depression. Just like Steve's personality was good for Tony's behavior.

He didn't want them to be IN LOVE, don't get confused. Howard just knew at that time it was a good idea for them to be around each other. He handed Steve the keys to one of his automobiles. Steve looked at the keys that were in his hand and then he looked over at Howard.

"Are cars just as they were in the 1940s?" Steve was afraid that they were able to fly. Howard laughed and shook his head.

"Basically the same thing. They just have a different exterior. You can drive stick shift right?"

Steve nodded his head. Of course, he could drive a stick shift. Tony's eyes lit up and he almost dropped his orange juice on the floor.

"WE GET TO LEAVE?!"

"Yes, you get to leave." Howard rolled his eyes because it wasn't like the mansion was a prison. He was offended.

"DAMN BRAT. Get out of here." Howard began his hunt for food and he no longer gave either of them any further attention. Steve looked at Tony. Tony looked over at Steve with an enormous grin on his face.

Steve's mouth almost lifted into a smile as Tony ran off to his room. As soon as the door shut Howard's attention returned to Steve.

"Obadiah is returning today. I can't have Tony here when I talk to him."

"Are you sure I should leave?" Steve didn't know if things would become hostile between the two or not. He knew that Howard was very upset with Obadiah.

And really, who could blame him? Steve was informed about the situation.
Howard reached into his pocket and he pulled out some money and he handed it to Steve.

"Everything will be fine. I have others here in case something happens."

Steve listened to Howard but he did not want to accept the money. He gave a look of protest. Howard ignored the look and he handed Steve the money. He needed Tony out of his hair and he knew that he wouldn't go anywhere with anyone else.

"You two will have fun today I'm sure. But, keep in mind that Tony's pretty wild. Tell me if he gives you any shit." He gave Steve a few pats on the shoulder.

Steve almost formed a smile and he nodded his head a few times. He came to the conclusion that going somewhere was just what he needed. Steve started to feel more and more depressed the longer he kept to himself.

"Thank you." He said as he left the kitchen. He was already ready for his day so he just waited for Tony. Steve headed toward the garage so he could figure out what sort of car they would take.

Tony hurried for some reason. He showered and got dressed. He grabbed a shirt and he stepped into his faded jeans. Tony gathered some things he thought he'd need for this trip. He had a lot of cash packed up, plus his sunglasses, some cassette tapes, and he grabbed at his stash of drugs.

Tony stared down at the bag. It was perfectly sealed and ready for any occasion. He bit his lip and debated taking the stash.

After he gave it some additional thought he hid it back within his headboard. Tony left his room and he found Steve in the garage. He gulped and walked up behind him. Steve heard him and he turned around.

"Ready?" Steve asked as Tony jumped up a bit.

"HELL YEAH! Let's get out of here. Let me see the keys he gave you. I'll tell you which car.." He was so happy to actually spend some time with Steve. Tony was beyond excited. Steve barely held a smile as he showed Tony the keys.

Tony studied his face. The Yankee really looked down in the dumps. The two of them being in the garage made his heart beat a bit quicker. Tony took the keys from Steve and he looked them over.

"It's this one, over here." Tony walked over to the car that his father let them use. Tony held a huge grin and Steve walked up beside him.

"It looks like a fast car." Steve felt nervous immediately. The car was red and was shaped like it was meant for speed.

Tony's inner joy was about to burst through the surface.
"Ohhhhh yeah it's a fast car hahaha he's actually letting us take the CORVETTE? Steve this is the 64 Chevy Corvette. I'm driving because you won't know how." Tony went to put the key in the door but Steve grabbed his hand.

They looked at each other. Steve gently took the keys back from him.

"Do you have a license?" Steve had to be sure. Tony started to laugh because the question was so funny to him. Tony cleared his throat.

"Of course I have a license." He LIED and smiled at Steve. Tony could only legally have a permit. Which he had but he didn't want to bore Steve with the details.

"Dooo you have a license, Steve? I think yours is a bit out of date." He snatched the keys back and he unlocked the door. Tony realized that his father really wanted him to leave. He let Tony take the Chevy, that was a dead giveaway and Tony didn't mind it one bit.

He opened the driver's side door and got in.

Steve felt bested. A small smile started to form as Tony rambled about in the car. His license was definitely up for renewal so legally between the two Tony was the only one that was able to drive.

"My dad can take you to the DMV some other time. He can take care of all the boring stuff like that. Let's go Yankee this place is killing me!" Steve thought that Tony was funny. His lips turned up into a small smile but he forced it away.

He got in the car and he looked around. Steve felt like he was in a space ship. There were so many different buttons and gizmos to look at.

"Does it fly? I remember your father made a car fly." Steve said out loud as Tony disengaged the clutch and started the engine.

"Yeah, this baby flies. This car can reach up to 140 miles per hour. Zero to sixty in under seven seconds. It's one of the fastest cars in the entire world!" Tony pointed at the seat belt that was beside Steve's shoulder. Safety first.

Steve looked over at it and he buckled himself in. The engine was loud.

"It even sounds fast." Steve felt a small excitement as it built up in the pit of his stomach. He had an unapparent thrill for dangerous things.

"I'm going to show you what this baby can do. Are you ready?!" Steve was eager to see how fast it would go. He wondered if it actually flew. Steve studied everything that was in front of his eyes.

"I'm ready when you are." He responded as Tony shifted into first gear and drove out of the garage.

Chapter End: Thanks for reading