Disclaimer: All Marvel and PJO/HoO characters belong to respective owners.

Chapter 7

It had few days since Steve returned and Andromeda's shattered. Every day she would notice small glances that were stolen between him and Agent Carter. They would stand closer to each other. She watched from the sidelines as they grew closer, more comfortable.

While they were professional around her and everyone else, it was clear there was something underneath the surface. Andromeda didn't know how to feel about it. She couldn't necessarily be angry at either of them. They were young, mortal, single, and uncomplicated. No one was hiding or lying.

All Andromeda had done was lie to him, her, and everyone else. Just one lie after another.

What could she do anyway? Tell Steve that she's been Colonel Phillips the whole time? Tell him she has a tiny crush on him? As if any of that is possible. She wouldn't flush the plan down the drain just for some boy. She knew better than that. It was better this way, as much as it pained her to admit. She'll just stay away and let them be.

A bright flash snapped her out of her thoughts.

She rubbed her eyes and looked up to the large lens of the photographic camera. Howard popped up behind it and grinned wickedly at her.

"Why so tense?" He walked over to a chair, slouched back, and put his dirty shoes on her desk.

Andromeda raised an eyebrow.

"Anyhoo, the golden boy's here." He re-loaded the camera and raised it to his eyes. "Smile."

Her expression stayed the same as Howard took another photo. Howard groaned slightly.

"You're no fun." He grumbled.

"Why are you taking pictures of me?"

He shrugged. "Why not?

Andromeda shook her head and was about to get up when another voice filled the room.

"How could you have been so stupid!" William's angry tone caused her to flinch. But she quickly composed her face. "And you made me look like an imbecile when Rogers didn't show up."

Andromeda slowly turned in the direction of his voice, saw William's furious face through an Iris Message. A particular thick vein on his forehead was noticeable. He probably talked to Thomas.

Okay, stay calm. Andromeda took in a deep breath to calm herself. "Rogers has a lot more to do now than attend a ceremony. Especially one that is mainly to make yourself look good."

"What the hell is that?" Howard exclaimed loudly once he got over the shock.

Andromeda shot him a look to shut up. Howard shut his mouth instantly, but his mind was already coming up with questions. It shimmered beautifully in an array of multicolored. It was a rainbow, he concluded. Senator Brandt's face was clearer than a television.

"Stark! You were supposed to stop my sister from doing something stupid! Not encourage it!"

"Senator, I was just following an order," Howard remarked briskly.

"You are not a soldier!"

Andromeda had enough of William and always trying to blame everyone else. "Shut up!" Both men went still. William's eyes were filled with anger. "What's done is done. Get over it."

It was silent for a second Howard's hand reached out to touch the rainbow which was swiftly slapped away by Andromeda. Howard cursed under his breath, rubbing his hand, and glared at his friend. He quickly got over it as stood up and circled the Iris Message. Howard was completely in his element, his head was deep in thought, going over ways of this could be done with technology. To be able to communicate through a screen will change everything.

"You were reckless," William told her; his voice was calmer yet dangerously angry.

Andromeda inhaled deeply and looked at William in the eye. "I did what needed to be done. Those men shouldn't have gone in the first place."

"You could have blown your cover." He stated with a sharp tone and stiff face.

Head still tilted down; Howard looked up to Andromeda. Her face remained neutral, not giving anything away. So, Senator Brandt didn't know everything, just the basic information. This led to another conclusion, Howard was the only person that knew the whole truth. That's when he realized how much she confided in him, how much she trusted him.

"Well, you should just be grateful for me. And be happy that your Captain America is actually useful." She retorted with a snark. "I can officially say that the rest of his tour is cancelled."

William huffed in annoyance but didn't argue with him.

"There's one more thing," Andromeda began slowly, sheepishly. "I lost my sword. Again."

William groaned in annoyance and rubbed his forehead. While he wanted to yell again at her carelessness, he knew it was pointless. So, he bit his tongue and reined in his temper. He shouldn't be surprised anyway, Andromeda was known for losing her swords at the worst moment.

"I'll talk to Chiron, see if he can send you another one," William told her irritably. He had lost count of how many times she had lost her sword.

"Thank you," Andromeda said with an awkward smile. The kind you give an angry older sibling to lessen their bad mood.

Instead of responding to her, William just dissolved the Iris Message. Not even a goodbye.

"How rude," Andromeda muttered.

"So, are you finally going to tell me what the hell was that?" Howard watched with amazement as the rainbow vanished. He wanted to observe the rainbow more, but he was glad that Senator Brandt was gone.

"That was an Iris Message, we use a rainbow a communicate with each other," Andromeda said and stood from her desk. She headed for the door, Howard right at her heels, and like always, asking more questions.

"But how does it work? How do you do it?"

Andromeda didn't have time for a lesson. "Don't you have somewhere you need to be, Mr. Stark?"

Howard knew that tone, it was the leave me alone before I stab you. And from her, he knew she would do it, with a second of hesitation. And lately, she was using it more often. Ever since Steve came back, she's been acting strange.

"Tonight? Over a drink?" Howard suggested, bouncing his eyebrows with a crooked grin.

How could Andromeda say no to alcohol? It was easy, she didn't. "Fine."

Howard clapped loudly and walked away, and Andromeda stepped towards the large map spread out on a table. Her heart jump to her throat when she heard Steve's voice from behind. Along with Peggy's heals.

"These are the weapon factories we know about." Steve stepped in between Peggy and Colonel Phillip. "Sergeant Barnes said that Hydra shipped all the parts to another facility that isn't on this map."

Andromeda's heart was racing rapidly, her mouth was dry, it was all too much for her to handle. There was this rush in her veins, but not the kind she would feel when fighting. It was different. She had to step away from him, even though she did not want to.

"Agent Carter coordinate with MI6," Colonel Phillis instructed quickly as he walked away. Peggy followed with Steve behind her. "I want every Allied eyeball looking for that main Hydra base."

"What about us?" Peggy asked.

Colonel Phillips stopped and turned to Peggy, just as Private Lorraine hands her a package. "We are going to set a fire under Johann Schmidt's ass. What do you day, Rogers?" While she kept this persona of Colonel Phillips, she still admired the way Steve look in uniform. He wore the uniform nicely and proudly, it suited him. She was forced to look down at the package, she didn't want it to seem like she was staring at him for too long. "It's your map. You think you can wipe Hydra off it."

"Yes, sir. I'll need a team."

Naturally, Andromeda was already on top of it. "We're already putting together the best men."

But naturally, Steve already had another group of men in mind. "With all due respect sir, so am I."

Andromeda hissed slightly as the whisky ran down her throat. It was smooth with the faintest burn; she loved a good whisky. Luckily, she had a friend who could afford the expensive kind, the best kind. Even more happy, that Howard was a whiskey lover just like her.

They were hidden away in his lab, deep in the city. Away from any eyes or ears. Andromeda took down the Mist, a precaution measure should come in, they just see Howard drinking with a girl. Since everyone knew that Colonel Phillips would never share a drink with Stark.

And while the chances of someone walking in were low, it was better just to be safe.

"Damn, that's smooth," Andromeda whispered just as the liquid settle in her stomach. It wasn't her first glass or second, so the warmth had already spread all over her body. She felt loose, sluggish, and overall, relaxed.

Howard hummed in agreement as he took another sipped. This was his fourth glass, but after years of drinking, the effect was minimal after four. It typically took six to really affect him.

"Now, tell me about the Iris Message," Howard said, slamming his glass on the surface.

Andromeda giggled at Howard's demand.

"You really want to know that badly?" Andromeda took another sip.

Howard repeatedly slammed his hands on the table, he looked like a chimpanzee. Andromeda laughed at how ridiculous he was being.

"You saw what it is,-" Andromeda began but an inpatient Howard cut her off.

"But how does it work?" He was practically yelling at his point. Andromeda was laughing loudly at his antics.

"I'm getting there!" Andromeda drowned the rest of the whiskey, naturally, Howard refilled the glass. "So, you need a rainbow or make one." Howard snorted as if he could do that, Andromeda laughed in return. "Then you take a golden drachma," Andromeda pulled one out of from the small pouch. Held it up for Howard to see. "And toss it in and say, 'Oh Iris, goddess of the Rainbow, please accept my offering.' Then you say the person you want to talk to and their location. It's pretty simple."

"Can a human do it?" He asked while she drank again.

Andromeda shrugged her shoulders. "I don't know. Hasn't been tried, that I know of. Some demigods have used it to communicate with their mortal parents outside of camp." She slid a golden drachma to him. "But be my guest, give it go."

Howard placed his hand over it and lifted it to his eye. It shimmered lightly in his land, heavier than a regular coin. It had a small simple design of a horse on one side and a male face on the other. Howard happily took the challenge and slipped the drachma into his pocket.

"Alright, I'll take that bet," Howard smirked and tilted his glass to her.

Andromeda chuckled and tapped her glass to his, a small clink echoed. They both hissed loudly as they shot back their drinks. Howard chucked as Andromeda tapped the rim of the glass. Andromeda watched as the amber liquid poured into the glass, swirling inside. The bottle was nearly finished, what a pity.

"We should pace ourselves," Andromeda muttered, pointing to the bottle. "Or we won't have enough for another day."

Howard huffed as if insulted that he would only have one bottle. Without a word, he stood and walked behind his desk. He disappeared for a moment and then with a triumph shout, another bottle shot up. Andromeda clapped happily, laughing as Howard strutted back, waving the bottle in the air.

"I'm sorry I ever doubted you." She told him sarcastically.

Howard waved her off with a smirk. She smiled back and for a while, life was normal to her. As normal as it could get. Just two friends having a drink on a Sunday. Too bad it wouldn't last forever. Tomorrow will bring more challenges and trouble.

"Do you use it, the Iris Message, to communicate to your mother?" Howard asked gently. In the time he had known her, she had never mentioned her mother.

Andromeda's mouth went stale, she quickly took a sip to get rid of it. Howard regretted asking her the second the words escaped. By her reactions, it was clear her mother was a sensitive subject.

"My mother was killed when I was seven," Andromeda said in the softest voice. "We lived in a small apartment in Queens, just the two of us and I love it." Her voice shook gently, but she managed to control it. The memory of that day flooded her mind. "We were coming home one night, I can't remember why now, but we were attacked by a harpy. I was young, and I couldn't save her."

Howard didn't dare to say a word. He just swallowed his entire sixth glass, angry with himself for asking.

"Fighting is in my blood, but I still needed practice. I only manage to hurt it, but it still killed my mom." Andromeda wiped away a tear the traveled down her cheek. "I stayed with her the entire night, in the alley, held her hand, and for most of the morning. I didn't want to cry, to make a noise, because I didn't want anyone to find us, I didn't want to leave her. But eventually, someone saw us, called the cops. I was sent to an orphanage and was only there for a couple of days before a satyr came for me. Took me to camp and I've been there ever since."

"I'm sorry," Howard didn't know what else to say.

Andromeda swallowed her sorrows with another chug of whiskey, not the healthiest form of mourning. But it did the job of lessening the pain. While the memory was a bit blurry, the pain she felt when that harpy sunk its claws into her Mom's heart, which will always live with her. Or how her Mom's hand went colder with each minute that passed. How absolutely alone she felt when her mom took her last breath.

"Thank you, I've made my peace with it. And I was never alone; I had my siblings and friends." Andromeda whispered and gave him a weak smile. "And my father, from time to time."

Andromeda puffed out a huge gust of air, well, that's one way to ruin the mood. In a flash, she grabbed the bottle by the neck and poured another drink for them each. She didn't want to dwell on it too much in the past. The last thing she wanted was to cry while drunk. That was never a pretty sight.

"We are supposed to be celebrating," She declared with as much cheer she could muster. "We are one step closer to winning this damn war. So, a toast!"

Howard went along with her little celebration; he didn't want to damper her good mood. Again. "Okay! A toast to what."

Andromeda sipped in ponder and then snorted when the words came to her mind. "Who's strong and brave, here to save the American Way? Who vows to fight like a man for what's right night and day? Who will campaign door-to-door for America-"

Howard joined in, amused. "Carry the flag shore to shore for America. From Hoboken to Spokane-"

They both lifted their glasses and sang the next line together.

"The Star Spangled Man with a Plan!"

There was no more talk of her mother or any depressing topic. They mainly stuck to lighter conversations, like that war or Howard's excitement on his research of Hydra's weapons. Andromeda went along with his enthusiastic chat, pretending to know what he was talking about. In reality, Howard lost her the moment he started it. And a drunk Andromeda actually let Howard take pictures of her. She didn't know why he was determine to have pictures of her, but in her intoxicated state, she didn't care.

Howard decided to call it a night halfway through the second bottle. Andromeda was completely drunk by then while Howard was significantly less drunk. When Andromeda randomly began to giggle to herself, or when she started to drink whiskey like it was water; Howard knew he needed to put her to bed. Before she got too out of hand.

He grunted loudly as he struggled to get Andromeda to stand. She was a sack of potatoes or a fish out of water. Just flounder around her limbs. Howard resulted in throwing her over his shoulders, her head facing his back.

It was clear by Andromeda's nonstop laughter that she found Howard's struggle hilarious. Howard was not assumed.

"Ugh, you need to cut back on the bread," Howard grumbled as slowly trudged to her room.

"Fuck you," Andromeda exclaimed angrily and slapped his butt. But in her current state, it was a weak tap that Howard barely felt. "You got me drunk."

Howard rolled his eyes and continued walking to the elevator. The constant rocking of Howard's step calmed. The government building had some rooms that housed military officers when in town. With most of the labs and offices underground, they had to go up past by the ground floor. Howard sneaked a glance at his wristwatch, it two-thirty in the morning.

Which made it all the more surprising when the elevator stopped at the ground floor. Howard instantly tightened his hold on Andromeda's legs and held his breath as the doors slowly opened. It was a strange mixture between relief and panic when Howard met Steve Rogers' eyes.

"Mr. Stark." Steve greeted the man tensely at the sight of a woman tossed over his shoulders.

"Captain," Howard replied calmly while his heart race. Andromeda snorted but other that didn't say anything.

Bucky looked between them, slightly annoyed that he was invisible again. He had to make himself known. "Bucky."

"Late night, fellas," Howard commented as they both stepped in.

"Went out for some beers," Steve said when the doors closed. And in that small elevator, the smell of the sea became stronger. He had to sniff the air a bit to make sure it was real.

"Looks like someone had a little too much fun," Bucky stated, eyeing the dark-haired woman. Her face was hidden away in her position and long hair served as a curtain. "Your girlfriend?"

Howard turned a little too quickly to shield Andromeda that he accidentally caused her to bump her head against the wall.

"Owe." Andromeda groaned loudly, too drunk to realize her mistake. Had she been sober, she would've stayed quiet. Then again, had she been sober, she wouldn't even be in this situation.

"Oops," Howard muttered. "And no, she's like family."

"Is she okay?" Steve asked with concern.

"Oh yeah. She's got a thick skull."

Howard sighed in relief when the doors finally open for Steve and Bucky stepped out. But it was cut short when small giggle sounded behind them. Both soldiers stopped in their stepped and look back at the inventor and his friend.

Andromeda couldn't help it; it was a miracle she lasted this long. The irony of running into Steve after they made a toast to him. It was just too much for her. "Who's strong and brave, here to save the American Way? Hahaha…Who vows to fight like a man for what's right night-ouch!"

Howard pinched her thigh to shut her up. He watched as Steve and Bucky whipped to look back at them and gave the men a thumbs up. "She's a big fan."

When the doors closed, Steve turned to Bucky, whom just shrugged and resumed to walk. While Bucky already moved on, Steve's mind was still in the elevator.

"What?" Bucky asked when he notice Steve's face.

"Nothing," Steve shook his head, but the smell of the ocean lingered in his nose.

Andromeda burst through the lab door, panic and anger swirling inside as she marched ahead. She didn't know where the hug or slap him. Maybe both, but not in front of everyone.

Scientists scurried out her way once they saw her, the expression she had was more than enough to tell her to stay out of her way. Heavy smoke covered her vision and as she inhaled it, loud coughs erupted from her. Her eyes stung the deeper she walked in. She covered her mouth and nose with one hand, while the other waved away some smoke.

The charred glass was all over the floor, and a shaken Howard stood in the middle. Besides a few cuts around his face and dismayed hair, Howard looked fine. If anything, he looked excited. There was a spark in his eyes that shown through the smoke.

"Stark, are you trying to bring down the building on us?" Andromeda shouted as she reached him, coughing and clearing her throat.

"Ah Colonel, just a minor hiccup." Howard in the usually chipper tone.

Andromeda looked over the group of men trying to put out the small fire. Then to others sweeping up the glass.

"It's all under control," Howard stated removing his hazard suit and finger combing his hair.

Andromeda just humph. He was going to drive her crazy if he didn't kill them first. The sound of heels clicking on the floor shifting her attention away from Howard.

Peggy entered at a quick pace, hair bouncing beautifully with each step. Her face was nearly composed yet Andromeda noticed the tense jaw and the coldness in her eyes. A rather confused Steve walked behind her, and Andromeda's eyes zoomed in on the smudge red lipstick on his lips. Based on Agent Carter's expression, that it wasn't her lipstick.

Andromeda swallowed uncomfortably and tried hard not to think about it. But it was easier said than done. Jealousy grew inside, it consumed her from head to toe. Her mind was already going through all the women that were in the building, and which one wore red lipstick.

"Colonel, Stark," Peggy nodded to them. She turned around and briskly walked back, giving Steve the cold shoulder.

Steve watched as Peggy disappeared behind the door and slowly looked back to Howard and Colonel Phillips. He was taken back by the cold stare from Colonel Phillips. Steve had to gather some strength to ask his question.

"What's fondue?"

Howard burst out in laughter while Colonel Phillips just kept glaring at him. Howard walked up to him and after a single pat on the back, gently nudged him in the direction of the lab. Howard's laughter echoed loudly the entire way, others scientists ignored him since they had grown familiar with Howard's behavior. While her friend chuckled freely, Andromeda's face had gone stiff cold. It was a face many mortals were familiar with. But it felt different to Andromeda, the feelings she's experiencing were unusual to her.

"Fondue is just cheese and bread, my friend," Howard explained as they entered.

"Really? I didn't think…" Steve felt like an idiot. The guilt weighed him down, his own words haunted him.

"Nor should you, pal." Howard cut him off. "The moment you think you know what's going on in a woman's head is the moment your goose is well and truly cooked."

"What did you think fondue was, Captain," Andromeda asked in a bitter tone.

Steve looked to the Colonel and his blood went cold at his icy stare. He was about to answer when Howard's voice distracted him.

"Me, I concentrate on work, which at the moment is about making sure you and your men do not get killed." Howard finally arrived at the table that had his equipment. First pointing out the fabric of his suit. "Carbon polymer Should withstand your average German bayonet. Although Hydra's not going to attack you with a pocket knife."

Andromeda sniffed a chuckled remembering Howard's appearance a few minutes ago. Howard chose to ignore her and moved on.

"I hear you're kind of attached." Howard patted Steve's shield from his shows.

While Howard and Steve went through the different shields, Andromeda stayed behind to look at the toy shield. This all he had, useless prop. Not even a gun. And despite that, he still went into a fully armed Hydra's base.

Andromeda was still indecisive about whether to admire his courage or whack him for trying to be a hero. Perhaps she would ask herself that question for the rest of her life.

"No, no, that's just a prototype." Howard's voice brought her back to the present.

Andromeda saw Steve pick up a simple circular shield from underneath the table. While it was simple and not as high tech as the rest, there was beauty in its simplicity. Andromeda liked it, she instantly knew that Steve also liked it.

"What's it made of?" Steve asked looking it over and feeling the weight. He quickly compared the weight between Andromeda's and this one. While it didn't glow like hers, the vibranium shined. Something his guts told him that this shield was the one.

"Vibranium. It's stronger than steel and a third the weight." Howard answered with some defeat. He had hope to persuade Steve with the other models. "It's completely vibration absorbent."

As Steve put it on, and Andromeda had to admit that it looked very well on him. A very necessary upgrade from that worthless toy.

While Steve admired the shield, he just had to ask, "How come it's not standard issue?"

"That's the rarest metal on Earth. What you're holding there, that's all we've got." Howard said as a matter of fact.

Once again, the clicking of heels signal Peggy's entrance. "You quite finished, Mr. Stark? I'm sure the Captain has some unfinished business."

Steve jump at the opportunity to show Peggy his new shield. After what happened, he wanted to ease her anger. Unfortunately for Steve, he really didn't know anything about women. And it would nearly cost him his life.

"What do you think?" He asked with a grin. Steve straightened his back, and proudly displayed the shield in front of him.

Rather than answering him with her words, Peggy reached for a gun, tightly grasping it in her hand, and fired a few rounds of bullets at Steve. She had moved so suddenly that Andromeda was even caught by surprise. At the sound of the first shot, Steve instinctively hid behind the shield. Each bullet reverberated loudly off the shield followed by a clink when they hit the ground.

Agent Carter's eyes carried a glint of satisfaction watching the man cower for protection. And while Andromeda relished in the sight, she knew it had to stop.

"Agent Carter!" Andromeda's boomed. "You've made your point. My office. Now."

The sharpness in her tone didn't leave room for a discussion, it was a direct order. She didn't wait for Agent Carter to follow or look behind. Andromeda just kept walking ahead, disregarding the eyes of the other scientist. She felt their eyes following but not one person dared to move or make a sound. Too afraid to add fuel to the flame.

Once Colonel Phillips disappeared through the door, Peggy threw the used gun back on the table. It clashes onto the hard surface in a definitive move. Hey, eyes were locked with Steve's as she walked closer to him, alluring him with her stride and stare. And kept the stare as she turned the corner right in front of him and moved further away.

Steve wasn't the only entrance with Peggy, Howard dully moved next to Steve. The astonishment and shock were clearly displayed on both their faces. A humorous scene in a lighter situation.

Steve, still in shock over the events that just transpired, reached into the pocket to pull out a piece of paper. He slowly handed it over to Howard. "I had some ideas about the uniform."

Howard, who was also still in a state of disbelief, took the paper. "Whatever you want, pal."

"Is there going to be a problem between you and Rogers?" Andromeda asked plainly and straight to the point, the second Carter entered her office. "Because if there is, I need to know."

Peggy cleared her throat, her strength from before gone. "No, sir."

"Really? 'Cause, what you did tells me otherwise. It would seem to me, Agent Carter, that you can't seem to prioritize what's important." Andromeda told her with some coldness. "And what makes matter worse, that isn't the first time."

"Sir, if I can-"Peggy started but Andromeda didn't let her say much.

"No, I don't want to hear it," Andromeda snapped. "You discussed classified information to Rogers. Helped Rogers to cross over enemy line, and two minutes ago, you fired at him." Peggy remained silent as Colonel Phillips ranted. "Every time you step out of line, Rogers is always involved. So, I'll ask again; is there going to a problem?"

Peggy looked at Colonel Phillip in the eye and said in a clear voice, "No, sir."

Andromeda scrutinized Peggy's face and after a moment, she looked down at the papers she had abandoned. That enough to say to get out of her office. Time will only tell if Peggy will keep her word. Inhaling deeply, Peggy quickly turned and exited the Colonel's office. When the door clicked shut, Andromeda finally released the breath she was holding.

Her breath trembled as it exited, Andromeda rested her head on the palm of her hands. She gently closed her eyes while attempting to control her breathing. Andromeda concentrated the silence that was around to soothe her, but her heart yearned for the sea. The silence, when she's underwater, was immaculate, here, she could still hear movement from the other side.

And just as manage to compose herself, the phone rang. A loud groan escaped her lips as she reached for it and brought it to her ear.

"What is it?" She grumbled in annoyance, rubbing the side of her head.

"Colonel Phillips, it's John, from the front desk. There's a package for you."

Andromeda's frowned increased. "Then bring it to me."

"I'm sorry, sir. B-b-but none of us can… carry it." John's voiced stumble through his explanation.

Her annoyance transformed to curiosity. What was it? What could it possibly be for it to be too heavy for them? These were soldiers that excised daily yet they couldn't lift a package for her.

"I'll be right there," she stated before she slammed the phone down.

The events between Peggy and Steve were tossed to the side as she began to wonder about the package. There was a slight increase in her steps the closer she got to the front desk. The elevator dinged as the doors opened, and turning the corner, it was clear which package was hers. It was a long rectangular shopping crate that was leaning against a wall.

The two men at the front desk salute her the moment they saw Andromeda. She tilted her forward in acknowledgment before looking at the large package. She stood in front of it, hands at her waist, Andromeda looked at it with an unwavering eye.

"I'm so sorry, sir, for making you come. But…it's really heavy." John explained to her.

Andromeda exhaled, and said, "You're telling that not one single soldier was able to lift it, or at least move it enough to put it on a hand dolly?"

"Colonel Phillips, this package arrived over an hour ago. We called some other men to lift it, no one could do it," John said in a shaky voice.

Andromeda walked closer to it: faintly felt the radiation of power coming off the crate. The tips of her fingers tingle when they touch the crate. It was calling to her. "Get me a dolly."

While one of the men scurried to fetch it, Andromeda placed a hand on a top corner. She ready her position, feet shoulder apart, prepared to take the weight. She took a couple of short breaths and pulled the box away from the wall. It came off easily, while there was some weight, it was nothing like she had imagined it to be. Grabbing the other corner, she felt the eyes of men on her.

The sound of the wheels of the dolly was heard, Andromeda gently put the package back at the wall, grunting lightly under the pretense of the weight. It took a few seconds of tugging and fake groans, but eventually, Andromeda was pushing the large crate on the dolly back to her office. The men stood behind, embarrassed that a middle-aged man was able to lift something they couldn't. If only they knew that the truth was a young woman. Their ego wouldn't be able to handle it.

Howard was waiting in Andromeda's office when the door opened by Lorraine. His head tilted in confusion, but when a large wooden crate came into view, his intrigued skyrocket. Howard rose from the chair and manage to see the top of his friend's head.

Setting the crate inside, Andromeda gave the dolly to Private Lorraine. "Return it to the front desk."

Howard didn't speak until the door was fully closed. "What is that?"

Andromeda began to remove some things from her desk. Setting them down in other random spots throughout the office. "I don't know, but we're about to find out."

"You're gonna need a pry bar, hold on." Howard hurried left in search of the tool. When he returned, pry bar in hand, Andromeda already had the crate on the desk. He quickly got to work, grunting as he pried the crate open.

He worked around the crate, wedging the pry bar into different areas. The anticipation grew inside them, the curiosity was nearly unbearable. The crate popped loudly as it was finally fully opened. Howard lifted the lid of it to reveal a small envelope on top of shredded paper filling. Her name was written elegantly on it.

Andromeda softly grasped it and flipped it over to pull on the letter.

My lovely Andromeda,

Take the trident as a temporary weapon while the children of Hephaestus finalizes a new feature on your sword. But also take it as a gift from me, as a token of how proud I am of you. Of the leader and woman, you are. It will come to you when you call for it, always. Only I and my descendants can wield it. Use it well.

All my love,

Your Father

The smile appeared on her naturally, her father's words bring a level of comfort she didn't realize she needed. It's nearly been three years since she heard from him, spoken to him, or seen him. A few tears slipped at the realization her father could have been the one to deliver it. She tried not to be hurt that he didn't stay, he was a god after all. The ocean was always restless. Instead, she will apricate that he took the time to deliver it himself.

"It's from my dad," Andromeda whispered, tore her eyes from the letter back to Howard. His face displayed a look of shock with a bit of awe.

She handed him the letter and slowly began to dig through the shredded paper. She felt it before she saw it, it was cool to the touch, hard. The instant she made contact a shock wave zipped through her entire body, the trident vibrated in her hand. As if it recognized her and was happy to see her. Andromeda held her breath as she tightly grasped it and lifted it.

The trident appeared from the sea of brown shuddered paper; the celestial bronze glowed faintly as always. She took it out of the crate and held it with both hands, feeling the weight. It was well balanced, strong, and everything about it just felt right to her.

Howard couldn't tear his eyes away from it. "This that your father's?"

"No, his is too powerful. He must have this one forged for me." Andromeda stated bring it down to the ground a little too hard. The deep banged radiate how heavy it was, but to Andromeda, it felt no heavier than a staff.

"It's incredible," Howard said in awe.

Andromeda couldn't agree more. It was a truly beautiful weapon, almost a work of art.

"This couldn't have come in a more perfect time. Steve gets a new shield, and I get a new trident." Andromeda commented with a smirk.

Howard copied her smirk, stuffing his hands inside the pockets of his pants. "Hydra has no idea what's coming for them."

Thank you for reading and hoped you enjoy it. Let me know what you think.