May 11th, 1934 - Geneva, Switzerland

Howard Stark was bored. Despite being halfway across the world and in a conference that held some of the most brilliant minds of the age he was about to fall asleep in his chair. Or he thought he was.

"Are you well, Kitten?" a voice said from his left.

Howard turned, scanning the long tables in the auditorium. An older gentleman put a hand on the girl's arm. He'd been watching her for hours, unable to help himself. In certain lectures she was enthralled, alternating between listening to the speaker and taking notes. In this case, she too was fighting to stay awake in the heat and humidity.

"Yes, papa." The girl rubbed at her eyes. "Professor Cragman's droll voice aside, I may fall over dead right here if I can't get a little fresh air."

"Don't speak of such things," the older man ordered, turning to face the center of the room where Cragman continued to drone on about the benefits of electro-shock therapies.

"I'll return in a moment," the girl whispered and stood, careful not to obstruct the view of those who were actually listening.

Intrigued. That was Howard's first reaction. His mother always said he was too curious for his own good. Always digging a little deeper than he ought to. It was that innate curiosity that had him moving out of his seat and following her into the hallway. Pausing, he watched her open the door. Lifting her head and closing her eyes she took two steps outside and leaned heavily on the railing. Her chest rose and fell as the heavy mist clung to her hair and dark dress.

"You're missing the best lecture," he said, moving to lean on the edge of the balcony and lighting a cigarette. "It's electrifying!"

"If Cragman is still speaking, I'd much prefer to be struck by lightning," the girl deadpanned without looking up. "Might do me more good than it does his patients."

As though she'd been invited, the girl reached into his pocket - pulled out the case - and took a cigarette for her own. He lit it for her without hesitation, taking a longer look at her. She was painfully thin, but who wasn't these days. A sharp and angular face, something that reminded him of an actress or singer. A few years and a few good meals and she might be a looker. Not his type now, but she had the potential to be a real dish.

The girl turned her blue eyes to him, pinning him in their depths. "Biology, chemistry, or engineering?"

Howard faltered, like a complete twit, he opened and closed his mouth, no sound escaping.

"Or are you here with a parent?" the girl asked, raising a dark brow. "Lord knows I get dragged to enough of these. No need to be shy, I don't bite."

"Howard Stark," he replied. "Engineering. Sorry for my manners, but you have the most intriguing accent."

"It's German," the girl said. "And if you act as though you can't understand me, I shall, well, I shall be very cross with you."

Howard's lips quirked into a grin. "Really?"

"I'll kick you in your reproductive places." The girl smiled, showing too many teeth. "Not that you'll be needing them hanging around this group of fools."

"What are you here for?" Howard leaned on the railing, holding out his hand.

"Biochemistry." She straightened and placed her small hand in his. "Marlene Erskine. My family and friends call me Kitty."

"Professor Erskine's daughter?" Howard asked, his heart skipping a beat. "His thesis was one of the deciding factors in my choice of major. The thought of combining both medicine and mechanics is an endlessly lucrative field."

Kitty leaned forward. "So you're all about the money." A statement.

"It's what makes the world turn." Howard shot back, tossing the butt of his cigarette over the railing. "Why biochemistry? Seems like a tough major for a girl your age."

"A girl my age?" Kitty tilted her head to the side. "I'll have you know I graduated over a year ago. And I have a vested interest in my research."

"Is that a fact?" Howard smirked at her, holding out the cigarette case. "What are you researching?"

Kitty pulled the case from his hand, took a cigarette, then placed the case in her pocket, an open challenge in her eyes. "My research is confidential."

One thing led to another and Howard found himself in an empty office, shirt unbuttoned and completely disheveled, while Kitty straightened her dress and ran shaking fingers through her hair.

Howard reached up, gathering her small hands and holding them to his chest. "You scared or something?"

Kitty yanked her hands free. "I'm perfectly fine, thank you very much. I best be going, my father's likely looking for me."

Howard always had the innate ability to tell when he was gumming the works. Best to just leave her be.

"Think you could set me up a meeting with him?" Howard blurted. He never had much impulse control. "That'd be swell!"

Kitty's eyes trailed from his partially exposed chest straight up to his eyes. "That's exactly what I long to do, 'Hello father, this is the young man I've been necking for the past three hours. He'd like to speak to you about your advancements in the field of electromagnetic radiation and molecular physics'. I'm sure that'd go swimmingly."

Howard chuckled. "So you think he'll talk to me?"

"We're staying at the Les Armures. You can find him in the dining hall promptly at seven for his evening meal."

"And where will you be?" He ran his fingers through her dark hair, rubbing the pad of his thumb across her thin cheekbone.

"In my room, reading preferably," Kitty answered, turning away from his touch. "It was good to meet you, Howard Stark."

"You'll be here for the whole conference, won't you?" he asked, a dratted tinge of worry leaking into his voice. Time to change the game. "No offence, but you're the only broad around this place that's even close to my age."

"Ah, so we're on the same page." Kitty let out a scoff. "A dalliance born of convenience. I'll be around. And yes, if I feel the urge to meet up with you again, I'm sure this isn't the only broom closet in Geneva we can desecrate."

The door opened and closed with a soft click. Still, Howard stood there trying to wrap his mind around the way she'd easily maneuvered him. He hadn't felt at such a loss since Manfredi sent him into one of his high end brothels to collect money from Batty Betty. He'd ran out missing his dignity, his wallet, and his clothes while the hookers laughed from their windows.

Howard scrambled out of the room, feeling the cold sweat creeping up his neck. Small spaces gave him the heebie-jeebies. He was surprised he lasted a few hours in there without going crazy, but then again, he was marvelously distracted.

Hours later, Howard stood in front of the mirror, fidgeting with his tie. It seemed like a farce. He was still the same kid who ran numbers for Big Joe and regulated the flow of booze through the lower east side. He was still the same kid who worked his fingers to the bone while attending college at an obscenely young age.

But here in Geneva, Switzerland, attending one of the most prestigious scientific conferences in history, he felt like an imposter. Sure he could fit in with the swanky rich bastards in a back alley speakeasy, but among the pure genius he was currently surrounded by, he felt ill at odds. Like a child in his father's clothes.

"It's now or never," Howard said to himself.

True to Kitty's word, Howard found Dr. Erskine sitting in a corner booth of the dining hall. The man was reading over a stack of papers, occasionally adjusting his glasses and sipping his tea while his food sat untouched to his left.

"Dr. Erskine," Howard moved to the side of the table. "I was about to order dinner and noticed you were alone. Do you mind?"

Dr. Erskine pushed his glasses back up and turned to Howard. "Ah, yes, Mr. Stark! I was hoping to speak to you in the coming days."

"You were?" Howard felt a knot growing in his throat. Did Kitty tell him? Was he about to be murdered with cutlery?

"Yes!" Dr. Erskine moved the stack of papers and his dinner plate out of the way. "Your thesis on renewable energy is highly intriguing. I must admit that I was both shocked and impressed."

Howard let out a sigh. That wasn't so bad. In fact, he and Dr. Erskine sat there enjoying their drinks and conversation so long that their waitress finally gave up and sent the hotel manager over to boot them from the dining hall.

Dr. Erskine pulled a pocket watch from his coat and squinted at the face. "Oh my, I must be getting back. My Marlene is likely worried about me being gone for so long."

Howard's smile widened. "Your wife?"

Dr. Erskine's eyes narrowed and he shook his head. "My daughter. Do sit with us at the lecture tomorrow. I hear Dr. Zola's presentation is something we must look forward to."

"I'd be honored, sir," Howard replied with all honesty, shaking the man's hand.

Dr. Zola's lecture turned out to be another tedious exposition that Howard would have likely slept through had Kitty not kept him awake by jabbing him in the side each time he started to drift off. She even had the gall to look smug about it, despite the fact that she too looked ready to fall asleep.

The conference adjourned for a break and Howard followed Dr. Erskine and Kitty into the foyer, glad to be free of the stifling room. Howard pulled a cigarette from his pocket. Dr. Erskine wiped his brow.

Kitty's mouth opened in a wide yawn. "I'm exhausted, Papa."

Dr. Erskine moved closer to her side, putting a hand on her arm. "Do you wish me to walk you back to the hotel?"

"You still have five more hours of this." Kitty patted his hand. "I can walk there by myself."

"It isn't safe," Dr. Erskine argued. "I can miss a lecture or two."

Howard made a show of checking his watch. "I have an appointment with the manager of my hostel in an hour. I can walk Kitty back, sir."

Dr. Erskine let out a sigh of relief. "You're a good man, Howard. Thank you."

Howard beamed, as Kitty coughed into her hand. "We better get going before the rain starts up again."

"I'll see you at dinner, Kitten." Dr. Erskine kissed his daughter's cheek and went back inside, sparing a look over his shoulder.

"Shall we?" Howard offered his arm to Kitty.

She linked her arm through his with a smirk. "Smooth, Stark. Real smooth."

"Exhausted or bored to tears?" Howard returned. "You weren't kept up last night, were you?"

Kitty's eyes narrowed. "My nighttime activities are no concern of yours."

"Ah, but I want to know." Howard laughed. "Were you dreaming of me?"

"You died in a plethora of painful ways," Kitty said in a pleasant tone. "I thoroughly enjoyed it."

"You don't like me much, do ya?" He tugged her closer. "In fact, I'd say you hated me."

"You're not worth the effort of my hate." Kitty shot back.

"But you did dream about me."

Kitty pulled her arm free with a huff, trying to outpace him. Luckily for him, she was slightly shorter and was winded easily.

The heavy mist turned into a light drizzle as they walked down the street. Like him, Kitty was silent, focusing instead on their surroundings. Even with the dreary weather the city was alive and beautiful. He took time to admire each building, its architecture, and how sound it stood even after hundreds of years. Timeless. One day he would build a skyscraper in New York City. Smack dab in the middle, where it could overshadow all of the lesser buildings. People would travel miles just to see it. They would see his name on a sign and marvel at what he'd accomplished.

One day.

The rain came down heavier, threatening to drench them. Kitty laughed, her dark hair sticking to her pale forehead as she pulled him into a nearby cafe. It was a fancy place, delicate china lined the walls, while servers stood by, dressed to the nines, ready to wait on them.

Kitty reached into her coat pocket and then held her hand out to the maître d', smiling when he accepted her hand. "A table for two, please."

The man scrutinized them for a moment, his gaze lingering on Howard's patched coat. Kitty squeezed his hand and the man sighed, grabbing two menus and guiding them to a corner booth far from the windows or other patrons.

Before the server could leave, Kitty rattled off something in German, probably ordering the meal.

"I feel slighted," Howard grumbled, glaring at the man's retreating back.

Kitty reached across the table and ran the pads of her fingers across his cheek. "You are due for a shave."

Howard felt his chest tighten, an odd sensation running through him as Kitty pulled away. He wrapped his fingers around her hand, enthralled by the way she fit him so well.

"You're freezing," he said, rubbing her icy fingers.

"I'm cold blooded," Kitty murmured, pulling free of his grip when the food was brought out.

Howard barked out a laugh. "There's warmth in there somewhere! In fact, I've made it my goal to find it."

"That will take far longer than three days." Kitty arched a single brow. "I might succeed in killing you by then."

"Is this a ploy?" Howard pushed the plate away in mock horror. "Are you trying to poison me?"

Kitty cut into the steak without looking away from him. "Are you willing to tempt Fate?"

The meal was spectacular. For years he'd been surviving on boiled everything. There wasn't enough food to go around in their household, let alone to actually fill him up. And when there was, it was usually bland potatoes or beets. So to be able to enjoy a steak, an honest to goodness chunk of meat, was entirely blissful. There was a nagging voice in his head that told him that he'd be using his entire savings to pay for the delight, but it was worth it. If he couldn't afford his ticket home, then he'd ask the head chef for a job; anything to keep his belly full.

"What do they call this again?" Howard asked, pointing to the pot of melted cheese.

"Fondue." Marlene snickered when he began stealing small pieces of meat from her plate. "You go ahead and finish it, Howard."

Howard frowned, setting his fork down. "You've barely eaten anything."

"I had a large breakfast," Kitty shrugged, moving to stand. "I'm going to the powder room, do try not to empty the kitchen before I return."

Howard shook his head, resisting the urge to roll his eyes. Still, he watched her walk away, admiring her in a way that woke a hunger in him for something more than food. He finished his meal and leaned back against the firm leather seat, taking another look at his watch. He wasn't lying about the appointment. Damn it all. He was late. He'd be lucky if his paltry suitcase wasn't already on the curb. With their impromptu meal putting a stick in his plans and his budget, he was hoping the man didn't toss him out on his ear.

"You're staring a hole into the wall." Kitty walked up to the table. "Come with me."

Howard stood and followed. "What is it?"

"You have to see this painting!" Kitty urged. "It's gorgeous! I don't know how we missed it when we walked in."

The maître d' cut his eyes at them as they walked past, but Kitty's hand on his arm was reason enough not to go back and sock him in the jaw.

"Where is it?" Howard scanned the walls, seeing nothing other than the pouring rain through the tall windows.

Kitty moved to the door, her grip on his arm tightening. "Here!"

One second they were in the warm and dry restaurant, the next Kitty had pulled him into the torrential downpour, all but dragging him as she laughed.

"What are you doing?" Howard yelled over the roaring thunder. "I didn't pay the tab!"

"Then you better run!" Kitty laughed.

"You're going to be the death of me," Howard whispered, moving to catch up.

Howard was right, his suitcase was left at the front desk. The manager wouldn't see reason. He took one look at Kitty and went purple in the face, muttering something unkind in German.

Kitty clenched her fists and glared at the man, picking Howard's suitcase up. "You have a better room waiting at the Les Armures, darling. No need to stay in this - pigsty."

"I do?" Howard questioned.

Kitty leaned up to whisper in his ear. "I'm sure you'll find a way to pay me back."

Two hours later Howard was covered in sweat, feeling like he could sleep for a year. His heart raced beneath his ribs, running rampant from exertion. Kitty yawned once again, stretching her arms above her head.

"I can't stay here," Howard muttered. "Your father's going to kill me. Given some of his research, I'm sure he knows a few interesting ways to do so."

Kitty stood slowly, wrapping the silk dressing gown around herself. "He won't come in here. In fact, he'll likely forget our dinner arrangement."

"Where are you going?" Howard asked, moving to grab his shirt from where it'd been tossed to the floor.

Kitty looked over her shoulder, pinning him with a coquettish smile. "The bath."

The water was so hot it stung, but Kitty didn't seem to mind, so Howard kept quiet. Kitty threatened bodily harm when he'd stood there for twenty minutes thinking up improvements that could be made to the newfangled shower. He'd taken a piss with more water pressure than the contraption put out. In fact, he was sure that with a little tinkering, he could get it to strip off a layer of skin or two.

"You've got that look again," Kitty tossed a soapy cloth at his face. "If you're going to waste my warm water, you might as well get clean."

Howard grabbed the cloth and began scrubbing down, only instead of focusing on the shower he stared at the broad across from him. Kitty was leaning against the wall with her eyes closed, letting the water trickle down her body. That wasn't what caught his eye. Large dark bruises littered her back and hips. He could see the outline of where his fingers had dug into her skin. But that'd been yesterday, he wasn't rough with her.

It wasn't him. It couldn't be. And Dr. Erskine didn't seem the type for abuse, then again, Howard knew looks could be deceiving. Everyone loved Walter Stark, they thought the world of him, that didn't spare his mother or himself from his wrath.

"God, Kitty!" Howard moved closer. "Why didn't you say something? I hurt you!"

Kitty opened her eyes and followed his gaze. "You didn't. I'm just anemic. Even the most minor injuries leave horrid bruises. It looks ghastly, but it's no need to fret."

Howard's guilt subsided, but the worry was still there. "You should have finished your meal. You need iron, right? You left your steak untouched."

"Don't you dare start coddling me, Stark!" Kitty hissed, grabbing a towel from the rack and turning off the water. "My family does that enough."

"Well excuse me for caring!" Howard put his hands up, thoroughly exasperated.

"You shouldn't care!" Kitty retorted.

Kitty walked out, leaving him in the rapidly cooling bathroom with his thoughts. It was all too much. Far too soon. He'd been in Geneva for all of two days and he was already shacking up with a bird. Not only that, but she was the daughter of a man he deeply admired. To make matters worse, he might even be wanted by the police force in the city due to his impromptu dinner with said hellion.

Kitty was going to be the death of him.

A knock sounded at the door and Howard rushed to wrap himself in a towel, trying to be as quiet as possible. He froze when he heard Dr. Erskine's voice on the other side. Kitty replied in her native tongue, spurring a short conversation that Howard couldn't follow or understand in the slightest. He waited on bated breath as the two spoke, then finally the door closed with a click.

Kitty poked her head into the bathroom. "Are you staying here all night?"

"Is your father waiting to kill me?" Howard tried to peek around the corner.

"He's gone back to his room," Kitty rolled her eyes and turned away. "Hurry now, the bed's getting cold and the fondue will be here any moment."

Howard's stomach rumbled, and he cautiously poked his head into the room. "Does he know I'm here?"

Kitty stopped and turned that cold gaze on him. "You really are a worrywart. Honestly, my father doesn't often see beyond his own microscope. Let alone what is right in front of him. But if this fling is too much for you to handle, you're free to leave."

He couldn't really. He had ten dollars in his pocket, barely enough to get back to New York with a few meals along the way. But that wasn't what troubled him. Not right then.

"A fling?" Howard's heart sank as the word left his lips.

"You don't expect us to keep contact, do you?" Kitty tilted her head in true curiosity.

"Well, I hoped-"

"Hope is for children and fools," Kitty interrupted, moving close enough to touch. "The reality of our situation is that we will likely never see or speak to each other again. Can you not try to just enjoy the moment?"

Something inside him broke. "That I can do."

Things changed during their last two days together. He watched her, waiting for a sign that she'd changed her mind. Waiting for her to feel something more than casual interest. On a few occasions he caught her staring at him, but the moment their eyes met she would look away, plastering on that infuriating mask of indifference. Two could play that game. Howard ignored her advances, opting to stay and listen to the lectures at the conference. He enjoyed watching her squirm in irritation as she was forced to sit and listen to the old men ramble on about their scientific findings. Sure, he would have rather been back in the hotel room, holding her close, but this was almost as satisfying.

The night before he was set to depart Switzerland found him sitting across from Dr. Erskine once again. The meal was as opulent as expected, but it tasted like ash in Howard's mouth. He didn't want to leave. Going back home would be returning to both college and his side job of hustling for Big Joe.

"This is where I could use your expertise, Howard," Abraham said, pushing a stack of paper across the table. "I need a stable source of energy with enough output to activate the serum."

Howard looked over the formula and calculations. "Have you tried microwave radiation?"

Abraham let out a laugh. "I have. The serum boiled and the blood sample coagulated. Not a pleasant experience I'd put upon future test subjects."

"I don't have a lab of my own yet," Howard admitted. "Though I'm sure given time and the right equipment I could come up with something. If you don't mind me continuing when I return to New York?"

Abraham scrutinized him. "That would be acceptable and appreciated. You will be compensated for your time and equipment, should you find a suitable power source. The formula for the serum however, stays with me. It is much too dangerous to be out in the world."

"I can work around that, but I'd prefer to keep in contact considering any findings and questions I may have," Howard replied.

Abraham adjusted his glasses and scribbled onto a loose sheet of paper then slid it across the table. "The private telecommunication line at my university. Contact me as soon as you find anything relevant."

Howard could sense the older man's urgency. "What's this serum supposed to do?"

Abraham pulled the stack of papers back and placed them in his briefcase. "It's my hope that this will cure even the most aggressive forms of cancer."

The admission struck him silent. If it worked, it wouldn't just be groundbreaking, it'd be revolutionary. This was it! This was his ticket to get his name up in lights. The Stark name wouldn't be plastered across the front page for getting busted running hooch for Manfredi, it'd be there announcing a Nobel Prize. The possibilities and opportunities would be endless. He wouldn't just be wealthy enough to get by, this would make him filthy rich. He'd be a hero. And if he was being honest, he loved the thought of helping people.

He stared at the ceiling all through that night, his mind whirling with ideas and theories. He needed to get back to the university library in New York where he could dig deeper into the research. There was so much more he needed to learn if he was going to pull this off.

"You're still awake," Kitty whispered, turning to burrow further into his arms.

"Can't sleep," Howard muttered, pressing a kiss into her hair. "Your father tasked me with creating a device to assist him in his latest project."

Kitty rubbed her temples. "Of course he would pull you into this."

Howard leaned up on his elbows. "You don't think it will work?"

"I have complete faith in my father's genius," Kitty replied. "I know in time he will get it right, but for now he's rushing the process. He isn't thinking it through. And it goes unsaid that what he's working on isn't ethically right."

"What do you mean?" Howard sat up, fully incensed. "It'll save lives!"

"He's trying to cheat death!" Kitty snapped. "People live and they die. It's the natural process."

"He's trying to cure a disease, Kitty!" Howard argued. "Given the possible applications it'd be unethical for him not to pursue this."

"You sound just like him," Kitty whispered as she stood and moved to the record player in the corner. "Of all people, why did he have to ask you?"

Howard didn't understand her irritation. Why couldn't she see that this could spearhead the future of pharmaceutical and medical science?

"Why don't you want me working with your father?" Howard questioned, moving to stand behind her. "Is it because you thought you'd be rid of me after tomorrow?"

Kitty snorted softly, playing with the gold chain around her neck.

Howard took a step back. "That's it, isn't it? Well, doll, you won't have to worry about me stepping in your way. In fact-"

Kitty took him off guard, launching herself into his arms, digging her fingers into his hair and melding her mouth to his. His shock had him holding still for a moment, until his mind caught up.

"You can't just chop and change, Kitty. You either like me or you hate me."

"I'm perfectly free to do both, Stark." She grabbed him by the waist and pulled him so close he could feel her pressed up against him everywhere.

"Do I get the same freedom?"

Kitty looked up at him through her thick lashes. "You can like me now and hate me when I'm gone."

Howard smiled crookedly. "If you think this is the last time you'll be seeing me, you've got another thing coming."

Kitty pulled him closer, melding her lips to his. It was painfully slow, the way she moved against his body, far sweeter than the frantic energy of the past few days. He savored every moment, knowing it'd be at least a year or two before he would have the money to visit. It was too much to think that this would all end by tomorrow. He couldn't let it.

Just because Kitty refused to talk about the future didn't mean Howard wasn't thinking about it. Sure it was a long way off and anything could happen in a few years, but he couldn't help but imagine having her on his arm as he started up his company. She wasn't just another pretty face, she was brilliant in her own right and would be a trusted partner and confidante. Unlike most of the girls back home, Kitty could hold her own when it came to science. She didn't sit there with a blank stare on her face when he would speak about his goals, dreams, and theories. No, Kitty would give him advice on how to improve his inventions.

"Don't forget me." Kitty pulled back just enough to lean her forehead against his. "Promise you won't forget?"

Howard's mouth opened, then closed. "I doubt I could ever forget you. You're the most stubborn and infuriating dame I've ever met."

Kitty brushed her lips against his cheek. "Good."

"I'll be back in a year or two," Howard assured her. "Sooner if I can get a working prototype together. Well, that's if you want to continue whatever this is."

"A year or two," Kitty repeated softly. "Howard Stark, if I ever see you again, I'll marry you on the spot."

"Will you now?" Howard pulled her closer. "Do I get a say in this wedding?"

"No." Kitty ran her fingers across his back.

Whiplash. That was the perfect way to describe his feelings for Kitty. There was something else there too. Something that had him memorizing her face, each sharp angle. Tracing the dark circles under her eyes with the pads of his thumb, he leaned in for another kiss. He didn't want to admit what it could be. It was too serious a word to apply to a relationship spanning four days. It was something, though.

The soft music played in the background while he held her close. It wasn't dancing - he was never much of a dancer. They simply moved slowly from side to side, just living in the moment. His mind ran rampant with images of the future.

A/N:

Although I've been a fan of the MCU since Iron Man 1, this is my first time writing for the MCU. Please be kind. :)