Captain America meets the Hunt chapter 13
The next time she woke up she felt lighter looking around the room to see it was dark the only light in the room was from some candles. She slowly got up looking around she got to her feet. She was hungry not to mention thirsty. She saw a jug of water to her left and moved over to it pouring herself a drink only then did she notice the fruit and bread beside it. She began to eat.
"Good to see you have not lost your appetite." A voice behind her stated making her jump in surprise she turned to see Leto in the door way.
"Sorry, I was hungry." Aria stated
"You usually are. How do you feel?"
"Much better." Aria responded she noticed she was in different clothes these ones resembled that of a peplos. She raised an eyebrow at it.
"Your clothes were torn and filthy." Leto replied to her unasked question.
"You are different to what I thought you would be." Aria stated this made Leto once again give that small smile.
Aria had been by her side for four days since waking up the second time. Leto has showed her around the Island and now the pair of them were working in the garden. During her time here Aria noticed these small smiles she would give her when she said something or did something. Aria finally clicked as to what they were for.
"Were we close?" She asked "it is just the smiles you give me are like I am reminding you of someone."
"You have spent some time here over the years." Leto responded
"Am I that different?"
"In some ways yes. But in the ways that matter no." Leto stated
"Did I ever get to the point of calling you giagiá?" Aria asked Leto tilted her head as she looked at her.
"I have not been called that before. You may." She stated
"Okay." Aria replied they drifted into silence focusing on their task.
Aria spent another three days with Leto when Artemis returned to get her, Aria gave Artemis some time to talk because both of them looked like they had something to say so she went for a walk along the cliffs looking out over the sea. Artemis came and got her allowing her to say goodbye to Leto she almost looked sad to see her go. Aria went to ask about it but was stopped when Artemis places her hand on her shoulder. She ended up taking her to a clearing. One where the other hunters were not. She was wrong Phoebe was there leaning against a tree with Zoe standing across from her.
"Milady." Both Zoe and Phoebe acknowledged Artemis it being clear Zoe was the only one aware what had happened.
"I have an assignment for the three of you." Artemis stated this made Aria look at her she would have thought she would have been staying close for now. "In Washington DC there is a pen I need you to retrieve." Artemis stated looking at Zoe who looked ready to refuse right there and then. Artemis held up her hand stopping her. "I know what I am asking of you Zoe but you are the only one that knows what it looks like. Phoebe will be the one to carry it and Aria is going because she knows the area." Artemis stated the three girls looked at each other. Before agreeing to it.
"Milady we are on the boarder of New York." Aria stated as she recognised the woods and that the camp was just a few clicks behind them.
"Yes when you return you will return to camp halfblood. The others will wait for you there." Artemis stated they all lowered their heads in respect before taking off heading for the city. Once inside the city Aria looked around noticing some things had changed she wondered how long it had been since she was here.
"Where are we going to?" Phoebe asked as Aria lead them in a specific route.
"To ask for a car." Aria replied
"We are going to thy mortals?"
"Yes." Aria replied before leading through many streets before stopping at a familiar place. "They might not be here." Aria stated as she moved up to the door.
"If they are not here?" Phoebe asked
"Borrow one leave a note." Aria shrugged when she went to knock the door opened only for Aria to freeze a boy opened the door. For a minute they stood their staring at each other.
"Mister Stark." A voice stated from down the hall a rather familiar one that had Aria looking over the small boy and up at the man who had somewhat aged.
"Mr Jarvis." Aria stated seeing that she had made the man freeze as he stared at her.
"Jarvis who is she?" The boy asked
"Aria?" Jarvis asked not quite believing it.
"Long time?" She asked as she was pulled inside into a hug she went tense at the contact she managed to push the man back stopping Zoe and Phoebe reacting.
"Dad some girl is beating up Jarvis!" The boy shouted running away she heard Zoe growl behind her.
"What?" A much older Howard Stark came down the stairs with the boy pulling him along. "What is this about Anthony?" He asked only to freeze when he saw her he made a move to run towards her but stopped when she saw how tense she was and how she was in a ready stance.
"I would not advice touching her sir. I am sorry I forgot. It is just so good to see you again." Jarvis stated
"I have got to call Peg." Howard stated running back the way he came.
"This is not a social visit. It is more of a favour." Aria informed Jarvis as he offered to make some tea. Aria stated indicating that she we not alone.
"You can't leave without seeing Mrs Carter she would be devastated to miss you." Jarvis informed her and Aria agreed she did want to see her but seeming how much they have aged she wondered if it was too cruel to be here.
"Jarvis...how long has it been?" Aria asked this seemed to confuse him.
"12 years since the night you left." He replied as he ushered them all inside Aria could tell that both Zoe and Phoebe were uncomfortable but at least Phoebe looked around with some form of interest.
"Alright I told her she will be here in ten." Howard stated entering the room. "Tony come here I would like you to meet a very important friend. This is Aria she is...a family friend." Howard stated Aria did not know what Howard was expecting of her it became clear when Tony held out his hand.
"Boy." Aria nodded her head in greeting
"My name is Tony." He stated
"Good for you. We need to talk."
"I believe she is talking to me son." Howard stated moving him back "why don't you go play in your room." Howard stated shooing Tony along looking at Aria and her friends.
"Do we get introductions?" Howard asked
"Phoebe Zoe this is Mr Stark, Mr Jarvis and Peggy." Aria stated as Peggy all but ran in the room.
"Is it true?" She asked her eyes locked on Aria and she ran over to her "it is." She ended up hugging her this time she did not try and push her away. "Wow you have not aged at all." Peggy said looking her over assessing her making sure she was alright.
"I cannot say the same for you." Aria stated but she was grinning and Peggy gave her a stern look but ended up breaking it by laughing she pulled her in for another hug. Zoe stepped forward giving Aria a look that made her sigh. "You're right. There is a reason I am here and it is not to see you. Although that is a bonus but we need to borrow a car."
"A car?" Howard asked
"Yes, a car."
"Why?"
"It is nothing to do with Thou boy!" Zoe spat
"Is she where you got it from?" Howard asked looking from Zoe to her as that is the way Aria treated him when they first met.
"She is my older sister." Aria shrugged back Zoe looked at her
"Where are you wanting to go? I could take you." Jarvis volunteered
"I do not think you would survive the drive with these two in the car." Aria stated once again smiling to show she was joking well only partly she was not sure how Zoe would react.
"Okay I will drive you." Peggy stated
"Peggy this does not need to concern you." Aria stated
"Can any of you actually drive?"
"Yes. We all can." Aria replied
"You barely look old enough to drive I mean Zoe might be able to pull it off. But if you are stopped...it is more wise to have an adult drive you." Peggy stated Aria looked from her to Zoe clearly wanting her response.
"We could use a refresher course on how to drive." Aria stated after a small nod from Zoe, "but you are to only drive us there and drop us off. Do not interfere with what we do next." Aria stated
"What are you doing next?" Howard asked
"Our business." Phoebe stated back she pulled out a knife but Aria stopped her from using it. "He is spying."
"He is a boy." Aria responded she took the knife and threw it at the wall there was a thump on the other side.
"Hey." Tony stated entering the room.
"I thought I told you to go to your room."
"Who are these girls?" Tony asked back
"Mr Jarvis would you take Tony out to the kitchen perhaps make some cookies?" Aria stated Tony's eyes lit up at that and walked off with Jarvis Phoebe went over and retrieved her knife.
"I was not going to hurt him, just scare him." Phoebe stated with a shrug
"Do you need anything else food? Weapons? Money?" Howard asked looking at them but his attention mainly moving back to Aria.
"We are fine, but we should be going." Aria stated Peggy nodded after sharing a look with Howard they seemed to have an entire conversation with their eyes. Howard nodded his head leading them to the garage where he gave Peggy a set of keys as Zoe and Phoebe climbed in the back. Aria climbed in the passenger seat as Peggy took the drivers they left Starks house.
"So what have you been up to?" Aria asked as they drove on in silence for a while she could tell Peggy was wanting to ask questions.
"Busy with work."
"Family?" Aria asked remembering Jarvis calling her Mrs Carter and that she was also wearing a ring.
"I am married." She stated but Aria could tell that was something she was not wanting to discuss.
"How have things been at the SSR?" Aria asked
"It is not called that now, Howard and I have..."
"Have?"
"Started a different organisation one that will handle the weirder cases."
"Oh. What did you call it?"
"SHIELD it stands for strategic homeland intervention enforcement and logistics division."
"You really wanted the initials to spell out shield right?" Aria stated noting the small smile Peggy tried to hide "so you and Howard working together? How has that been?"
"He is still childish but he understands the need for what we do and he has many connections. He likes to remind us that he is a genius." Peggy stated
"So you are the boss?"
"Yes, for now at least. Enough about me what about you? Where have you been?" She asked
"You know hunting...here and there..." Aria stated looking down she fiddled with her ring this made Peggy frown she knew something was troubling Aria when she first saw her but this reaction had her concerned. If her friends were not in the car she would have pulled the car over and waited for an explanation but looking in the rear view mirror she saw that Zoe was looking at her with concern Phoebe was too busy looking out the window.
"My brother has been in contact with me. He plans on coming to America." Peggy stated decided to change the subject.
"So you resolved things?" Aria asked remembering her saying their was tension between the two of them.
"Yes. Well we are trying to." She stated
They ended up doing small talk the rest of the drive Aria got Phoebe to join in on the conversation but Zoe remained silent. They made it to DC where Aria told her where to drop them off.
"Are you sure I cannot be of any more assistance?" Peggy asked
"You have done enough this part is up to us. Peggy I am sorry it has been so long." Aria stated "I never got the chance to thank you... I hope that everything works out well for you and your family." Aria stated Peggy gave her a look.
"Why does that sound like an indefinite goodbye?" Peggy asked Zoe and Phoebe were waiting on the curb letting Aria talk.
"I am never good with goodbyes." Aria retorted looking down "thank you for driving us." Aria stated stepping back
"How are you getting back?"
"We will be returning to the hunt after this." Aria replied
"Aria, I am here if you need anything." Peggy stated Aria gave her a small smile before walking after Zoe and Phoebe down the road away from her without looking back.
AN: So what do you think? Will Peggy just let them leave? thanks for reading until next time...