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

Chapter 8

"Don't you think the trident is a bit obvious?" Howard asked her while preparing Phillip with the saddle and reins.

While the concern had come up, she dismissed it since there was no other option for her. What was she going to do? Say no to a gift from her dad? Refuse a trident that was forged by cyclops? It would an insult to refuse a gift from a god, especially one from her father. Her father gave this trident for a reason. Maybe he wants the team to know who they are fighting alongside.

"Yes," Andromeda answered. "But I think that's the whole point."

"What do you mean?" Howard's face scrunched up in confusion.

Andromeda inhaled deeply and took the trident from where it was perched against a tree. "Why would he send a trident of all things? He could have given me another sword or a bow and arrow. But he didn't." Andromeda spun the trident in her hand. "He gave me a trident, maybe he wants Steve and his team to know who I am. He's given me his blessing."

Howard's concerns only grew. "But if they know who you are, then the Mist won't work anymore. Next thing you know the whole base will know your dirty little secret."

That was an excellent point, and one Andromeda didn't want to deal with. Call what you may, but Andromeda only wanted to deal with one problem at a time. Her older sister, Elizabeth, would say she was procrastinating her issues, Andromeda would say that she was prioritizing the bigger issues first. That always led to a fight.

"You know what," Andromeda easily climbed onto Phillip. "I will deal with that later."

"It's gonna kick you in the ass," Howard remarked as he walked up to Phillip, patting his cheek. Each day that pass they both grew more relax and slowly began to develop a bond. Who would have thought; he was friends with a pegasus.

"Maybe, but as I said, I'll deal with it later," Andromeda smirked down at him and took hold of the reins with one hand. The other tightly gripped the trident to the point that her fingers hurt. This would be her first battle using it, and while she would never admit it, she was nervous. Yes, she had practice with it, and it was in her blood, but Andromeda still felt tense.

Howard returned the smirk, but it was weak. "Be careful. And don't be a hero."

"Ha! That's what I trained for." Andromeda began to direct Phillip away from Howard. He slowly broke into a soft gallop and before she too far away, she yelled one more thing to Howard. "Save me some whiskey!"

He watched pensively as his closest friend flew up to the sky, Phillip's wing pushing them further away until they vanished. Howard couldn't keep that promise, his nerves will finish the rest of the bottle in thirty minutes. He could always get another bottle, or two, given the last time he drank with her, one bottle wasn't enough. After another minute of staring at the cloudy sky, he slowly walked back. Whistling to the tune of the birds around him.

The cold wind slammed her in the face, loose pieces of hair flailing around. After an hour, her teeth began to chatter uncontrollably and she really couldn't feel her face. The Her heart hammered against her ribcage as Phillip zoomed through the sky. His strong wings flapped powerfully; Andromeda could feel the energy coming off his body. While Phillip was typically more composed and calmer compared to the others, flying always excited him.

"Okay, when we get to the base, I'll drop in. You'll go somewhere safe and hide until I call you!" Andromeda yelled to be heard over the wind.

Understood. Phillip replied.

Phillip began to slowly descend the closer they got to Hydra's base and when Andromeda saw the large factory a few miles away, she got ready to jump. And just as instructed, Phillip hovered over the property. Andromeda pulled some daggers from the saddle back and swung her right foot over to one side. She took a couple of deep breaths, taking in the view from below. Even from up here, she could already hear the loud explosions.

Inhaling deeply, Andromeda jumped off and fell straight into the battlefield. While flying was always exciting and a thrill, falling was a whole different experience for her. Andromeda couldn't stop the giggling as she hurdled to the ground. She squealed and yelled out in excitement. She closed her eyes for a brief second and lost herself in the moment. When she opened them again and saw how close the ground was approaching, her laughter disappeared. The booms became louder and louder the closer she got. The smell of smoke infiltrated her nose, and Andromeda's grin turned into a grimace. Shivers went up to her back and arms, fingers clenched the trident tightly, the hard metal brought her some comfort. As odd as that was.

When she was close enough, Andromeda called out to the water that was inside the pipes. Unlike the previous Hydra base, water burst up to the sky. It skyrocketed straight to her, bursting through the ceiling, reaching out to her like a helping hand. The water welcomed her, swallowed her entire body in a warm hug. Maneuvering her body to land feet first, Andromeda slid down and landed right in the middle of the fight.

It was chaotic right from the get-go, Steve's and his men's guns blazing at Hydra. Had she not been in the middle of stabbing a skeleton in the chest, she would have laughed at the irony. A few months ago he was making a movie, now here he was actually doing it. And oh boy, he needed practice. He wasn't bad but there was always room for improvement.

Andromeda had to put those thoughts on pause as threw the trident at two skeleton soldiers that approach Steve from behind. The trident speared them at an odd angle as they were stuck to the ground. She watched from the second level as Steve whipped around at the sharp hissed.

Steve's eyes widen slightly at the glowing large fork that had pinned down two soldiers. He took a step back when it began to tremble, bringing up the shield and ready his stance for another fight. Instead of attacking him, it flung backward and into an outreached hand. And when he saw the who's hand it was, Steve grinned.

"You came!" Steve yelled so he could be heard over the explosions.

"I said I would! I always keep my word!" Andromeda shouted back and fought a group of skeletons that came at her. "I see that you got a new shield!"

Steve used said shield to hit more soldiers, throwing their bodies to the wall. "I couldn't keep using yours! Had to get my own!"

A loud explosion put a pause on their conversation and when the floor beneath Andromeda's foot shook, it was time to jump again. Stabbing one last skeleton in the chest, Andromeda took the plunge to join Steve on the first floor.

"New…giant fork?" Steve asked breathlessly.

"Lost my sword. Had to get a replacement." Andromeda retorted with a quick grin before focusing on another incoming skeleton. This undead army was getting annoying. She swiftly used the bottom of the trident and swept it quickly under their feet, it screeched as it fell on its back. Andromeda silenced it when she brought down the pongs to the chest. "And it's called a trident."

"Isn't that a bit harsh?" Steve frowned at the unmoving body.

Andromeda huffed, lifting the trident, and twirling it upright, clanging it on the hard floor. "Oh, because a bullet to the head is so much better."

"No, it just that-"

"That because I'm a woman, I wouldn't do it so ruthlessly?" She cut him off, tilting her head and narrowing her eyes.

"Don't see many women fighting in the army," Steve said, still trying to catch his breath. "Especially the way you are."

"There should be," Andromeda said seriously with resentment before going off to fight again.

Steve didn't get a chance to say anything else since she ran off so suddenly. For a small window, he stared at her, as if it was the first time seeing her fight. His eyes followed every single movement she made, analyzing each attack, counterattack, kick, punch, the list went on. The precision in each attack, the confidence she had, no hesitation whatsoever. It was evident that she's been trained, maybe since she a kid. But why would a little girl need to learn how to fight? An unsettling feeling with the weight of a large boulder washed over.

For a while, their world became consume with gunfire and explosions. Using the trident came naturally to Andromeda, it was as if she's been using it all her life. The movement of her hands, arms, and every other single cell were all synchronized in perfect harmony. As easy as swimming, it was instinct.

"Who the hell is that?" Someone shouted as they continued to fire. "It's a girl! Why is there a girl here?"

They watch from above on the mountainside as the Hydra base burned to the ground. Black smoke rose from it, tainting the beautiful scenery of the mountain view. While Steve and his Howling Commandos stood together, cheering, and congratulating each other, Andromeda stood off to the side, alone. While she mainly kept her eyes on the base, she would occasionally sneak a glance at them. Annoyed at their loud behavior, more annoyed with herself for wanting to join.

It during one quick peak that she made eye contact with Steve, her stomach rolled when his blue eyes met hers. She quickly looked away, but Andromeda could already his loud steps. Cursing when her heart leaped to her throat. Andromeda never took her eyes off the base as Steve came to stand beside her.

"That went great." He said enthusiastically.

"Do you know how to fight?" She asked abruptly, finally turning her head to look at him. Aside from the areas that his helmet covered, his face was dirty and grimy. Looking back out to the destroyed base.

"What?" Steve answered with a question. The proud grin slipped from his face, the chirpy tone from before gone.

Andromeda turned her whole body to face him and asked him again, this time a little louder. "I said, do you know how to fight?"

At this point, the rest of the team had gone silent. Every pair of eyes on them.

"What do you mean? We just brought down an entire Hydra base." Steve argued in return.

Andromeda huffed. "You fire some bullets and made things exploded. That's not fighting. Anyone can grab a gun and shoot. Even a monkey.

"Doll, do you know who you are talking to? He's Captain America." Barnes stated cockily, stepping up to stand next to Steve. Bucky patted his friend on the back and smiled proudly at him.

"Can Captain America win a fight without any guns or his shield? Can Captain America do more than just throw a punch? Hand-to-hand combat?" Each question she threw at them, Barnes's smile slowly disappeared. "Because if he can't do that then what is the whole point of this? Of Captain America? Show up with the big guns, beat them down with just how they've done it to hundreds of other people? Since when did winning a war become a contest as to who had the bigger guns, the better weapons? It takes a lot more than just brute force to win a war."

"And what would you know about war, anyway, darling?" Falsworth asked in such a tone that it made her blood boil. The fury that overcame her was so sudden, so strong that it even surprised her. Was even more surprised that she was able to keep her cool. But whatever self-control she had; it all went away with his next words. "Shouldn't you be off picking up scrap metals?"

Steve was taken back by Monty's harsh words. Opening his mouth to tell Monty to shut up, but when he turned around, he was beaten to it. The words were caught in his mouth when he saw Andromeda pinning down Monty in a tight grip. Her knee pinned down his leg, one hand around his neck with a dagger to the throat while her other hand had one arm in a tight grip to his back.

"You want to say that again?" Andromeda said, her voice had taken a new tone, one that dripped with death and rage.

Her voice, her stiff face, and the cold in her eyes, everything about her screamed danger. Realizing for the first time that she was deadly. She was just never to him.

"Hey! Let him go!" Bucky shouted as he aimed the rifle. The others instinctively followed his lead, but Steve only hovered a hand over the gun. Despite the clear implications of being her a threat, he still didn't want to point a gun at her. It felt wrong. After all, she helped him free Bucky, they had fought alongside each other twice. "I said, let him go! Now!"

Andromeda pulled his arm harshly and Falsworth winced loudly. "Not until he says it again. I want to make sure I heard him right." Andromeda looked at the sweat the ran down from his forehead to his chin. "What did you say, huh? I think I heard you wrong." To frighten to move his head an inch, he looked at her from the corner of his eye. He tried to speak; his mouth shook frantically as he uttered something, anything. But no words came out. "What's wrong, darling?"

"Release him or I will shoot you!" Dugan shouted but it fell to death ears. Steve still hadn't even undone the fasten on the gun handle.

"Say it!" Andromeda growled into his ears. "Say it again!"

"I-I-I'm s-sorry!" Falsworth shakily cried out. "Okay! I'm sorry!"

Andromeda's face change like a switch, a grin so big and bright, it illuminated her entire face. Relief swept over Steve's body at the sight of her smile. Even grinned a little bit, but when Bucky nudge him, he dropped it and cleared his throat.

"Fantastic! Just wanted to make sure I heard you right."

Monty groaned out when the pressure on his shoulder and leg disappeared. He slouched forward, bringing his arm forward to massage his wrist. Hissing as he rotated his sore shoulder. Everything happened so abruptly, it was alarmingly how quick she was and strong. And while some anger and resentment nestled inside him, he was too scared to act on it.

"You should get your shoulder check," Andromeda said as she began to walk away. She slipped the dagger back into its place on her thigh. "Wouldn't want to you to miss out on the next mission."

They all stared as she walked away, growing smaller the farther she got.

"Who the hell is she?" Dugan sharply asked no one in particular. The Howling Commandos all shook their heads in response, but when Dugan noticed that Steve and Bucky share a look. He knew something was up. "Captain, do you know her?"

Steve paused for a second, then nodded. "She's a friend."

"Well, she wasn't too friendly," Monty grumbled, rubbing his shoulder to emphasize.

Steve bit his tongue to stop himself. He looked away and turned to where Andromeda had disappeared to. It hadn't been too long, if he ran, he should still be able to catch her. His mind was in turmoil, should he go after her or stay. His body was at war with his thoughts. One telling him to go after her, the other screamed to stay with his team.

After many years of friendship, Bucky easily understood the various expression Steve made. Not that he made it very difficult. Steve was always an open book when it came to how he felt. He would say he was fine but his face painted the opposite. So Bucky noticed the conflict on Steve's face, he already had an idea of what was Steve thinking. And because he knew Steve so well, it was easy to know what he was going to do.

"I'll be right back." He said in low voice before taking off.

No one saw the point to ask where he was going, that much was clear. The question they mainly had was why? Bucky just rolled his eyes,

Andromeda scrunched her face at the sound of heavy feet. Just when her heart returned to normal, it leaped at an accelerated rate. As he approached, her body went the usual routine when it came to Steve. Heart clench, mouth went dry, the tug in her stomach, and the way her skin tingled. She should be used to be around him, but every time, without fail, she lost all senses.

"I'm not going to apologize," she grumbled once he was next to her.

"I wasn't going to ask that. He had it coming."

Andromeda snuck a glance at him and grinned at his smirk.

"Monty has a big mouth." He explained easily.

Andromeda snorted and Steve joined her in a small chuckle. They walked in silence for a few minutes as Steve gathered the courage. Aside from some animals, it was quiet. It calmed her down slightly, it was nearly impossible to relax next to Steve. Andromeda whistled for Phillip, a soft tune that went along with the singing birds.

"I actually wanted to ask if you can show me how to fight." Steve finally asked quietly.

Her feet turn to lead, too heavy to take another step. Too frozen to say anything, Steve went on with his request.

"What you said, it's true. I don't know to fight." He paused when Andromeda fully looked him in the eye. "Besides throwing a punch, shooting guns, and using this shield," they looked to the shield in his hands. "I really don't know how to fight. There was never a reason for me to learn. Believe it or not, this," Steve gestured to his body. "is new to me. And I've seen the way you fight, and you…y-you're i-incredible." Andromeda felt as if her face was in fire, the blood rushing to her cheeks. She tightly fisted her hands, poking herself with her nails. "I have never seen anyone fight like that. And I was wondering…i-if you can teach me."

Andromeda was completely speechless, her mind was all empty. She wondered if he was being serious, or if he was joking. The softness that shown in his eyes was enough to say he was being sincere. If anything, his gentle blue eyes pleaded to her.

"Fine," She founded herself saying softly. "I can teach you some things."

Steve exhale out the breath he was holding in.

"But not tonight. It'll have to be another night," Hooves sounding in the distance made them look away from each other. Andromeda appreciated the distraction.

"You have a horse?" Steve asked her, eyes lock on the beautiful warm chestnut horse.

"What? You don't," she jokingly replied with a smirk, petting Phillip when he stopped in front of her.

Steve shook his head and grinned. "Can't say I do." With a hesitant hand, he reached out and rubbed the horse's neck. He chuckled when his hands connect to its hair. The soft bristles brushed the palm of his hand, tickling him slightly.

Andromeda kept petting Philip, his soft hair soothed her racing heart. It was easier to breathe when she was next to Phillip. His presence relaxed her, although only slightly, like a child with a favorite blanket or teddy bear. Andromeda didn't know long they were standing there, but she did know one thing. It was that's she didn't want to leave.

Because the longer she stood with Steve, the longer she was Andromeda. The longer she was Andromeda, the more time she could be herself around Steve. She dreaded returning to camp. For when arrived back to base, she would be Colonel Phillips, all this would be a secret.

With a defeated sigh, Andromeda headed to the saddle. "I should head out. Don't want your team thinking I hurt you."

She jumped up with ease, situated herself on Phillip's back, and grasped the reins.

"So, when do you want to start your training?" She asked him.

Steve pondered only for a second. "Sunday."

Andromeda nodded. Sunday was mainly used for resting and recovering if permitted. For the next three days, they would plan their next mission, then rest on Sunday.

"Alright, where?"

Steve thought about this a little bit longer. It needed to be a place secluded, away from the camp yet somewhere that was easy to find.

"Um, there this lake near my base, Lake Vico, we can meet there. Find a secure location from there."

"Alright, sounds like a plan," Andromeda nodded before turning Phillip around and began to trot away. "Nine o'clock, sharp. Don't be late!"

For the rest of the week, Sunday was the only thing on Steve's mind. Days trickled by slowly, almost felt as if time was playing a joke on him. A joke that he did not like. So finally, after three long days, Steve arrive thirty minutes early. With Bucky, who he didn't invite to come. If anything, he asked him not to come.

"You don't need to here," Steve said a bit stiffly to Bucky, keeping an eye out for Andromeda. They were waiting on a bench the faced the water, Bucky sat on the backrest, hunched forward with his arms resting on his legs. The lake was empty, not another soul in sight.

"You're crazy if you think that I'm going to miss this," Bucky told him with a devilish grin. "After what I saw her do to Monty." Bucky chuckled. "You really like getting punch, don't you."

Steve rolled his eyes, refusing to acknowledge his friend's words. Of course, he didn't like getting punch, but he was willing to take a hit if necessary. Although it would be nice the decrease the amount times he gets punched. Steve looked around him, squinting his eyes under the intense rays of the sun.

"Relax," Bucky groaned. "She'll show up."

"She said nine." Steve retorted.

"And it eight forty-five so…relax!" Bucky told him but the closer it got to nine the tenser he became. While watching Steve get his ass kick by a girl would be entertaining, it wasn't the whole reason he came. He had plenty of reasons to be suspicious of her. Despite all, she has done to help Steve and him. "Are you sure about this? About her?"

"Yeah," Steve looked to his friend. "What? You're not?"

Bucky looked around before meeting his friend's face. "I don't know. Don't you find it strange how she just showed up? And the way she fights, I mean, no one fights like that. No one! So why would a twenty-something girl fighting like that." Bucky took a second to his words sink in. "And what's with the trident? Who does she think she is? Poseidon? Please! Something's up with her."

"Poseidon?" Steve asked with a deep frown.

Bucky looked at him, mouth set in hard line with eyes full of judgment and a small glint of humor. "You didn't read the book I gave you for your birthday."

Steve's eyes widen at the accusation. Even though it was true. Steve only read the first couple pages before he tossed it to the side and never opened it again. It laid on his nightstand collecting dust in his apartment as they spoke. He sputtered the first thing that came to his mind. To lie. "What? Yes, I did!"

"Liar! Because if you did, then you would know who Poseidon was!" Bucky yelled, trying to sound angry but he was smiling widely.

Steve huffed in defeat. "Okay, fine. Yes, I didn't read it." Bucky exclaimed loudly and lightly punched him in the arm, hissing at the impact. " But I mean, come on! After the last book, you made me read-"

Bucky cut him off. "The Hobbit is a great book!"

"Okay! Okay! We're getting off track!" Steve chuckled before getting back to his previous question. " Who's Poseidon?"

Bucky frown at him, slightly hurt that Steve didn't read his gift, but stilled answered his question. "He's an ancient Greek god. God of the sea, earthquakes, and horses. He is one of three most powerful Greek gods, the other two are his brothers, Zeus and Hades."

Steve nodded, grasping onto the new information. "What does that have to do with the trident?"

Bucky shook his head, he really didn't read it. He was never going to give him another book, it was a waste of his money. "The trident is Poseidon's most recognized weapon. But it's all a myth."

Things began to add on inside Steve's thoughts. He recalled back to their first meeting, right outside Hydra's base, nowhere near the ocean. Yet the smell of the sea was so strong when he was near her. Her sea-green eyes glowed in the dark. The trident, the horse, all of it swirled inside him like a tornado. But as Bucky said, it was a myth. It had to be. Right?

Yes, it was all just a myth, it wasn't possible, And she was a woman, there was no possible way she could be Poseidon. There had to be a different explanation. Maybe she was just fascinated by Greek gods and Hobbits like Bucky. But he didn't Bucky walking around with staff and a pointy hat.

He was about to ask Bucky something else with his friends tapped him on the shoulder.

"You didn't tell me she had a horse," Bucky mumbled a bit dazed. He was in a trance, it couldn't be helped. It was certainly a sight to see, a beautiful woman riding towards them with the lake next to her. And the way her hair shined from the sun and how it rustle in the wind. Then she lit up the world, even more, when she smiled at them, wavy her hand widely up in the air.

Bucky had always to gone after a pretty face, but never one to fall in love so easily or hard. But she was more than just a pretty face. He wasn't that he didn't notice it before, but the sight of her in broad daylight. It was like seeing her for the first time. Seeing her racing towards them will forever be embedded in his mind. Every other girl that he dated or talked to fell from his head, fading from existence. He's been struck by Cupid's arrow. Who would've thought this would happen to him.

"It slipped my mind," Steve muttered, not realizing that he had lost Bucky.

Andromeda smiled and brought Phillip to slow trot. She wasn't surprised to see Bucky with Steve since she saw them leave together. "Good morning, soldiers!"

"Morning," Steve greeted her, standing from the bench. Nodding up her and went forward to pet Phillip.

Bucky was a different story when he stood to approach her. Forgetting that he needed to step off the bench, Bucky fell right into the dirt. He groaned as his chest slammed into the hard surface, air pushed out of his lungs. A painful throbbing in his head caused him to wince. He lay there for a second, waiting for the ground to split open and let him fall into the abyss. Just anything to get away from this embarrassment. But instead, he heard the horse nicker above him, Bucky shakily rose his head to look up. The horse snicker even louder and Bucky groaned louder. Great, a horse is laughing at me.

"Are you okay?" Andromeda asked him while Steve helped Bucky stand.

Bucky huffed and puffed as he wiped dirt from his shirt. "Just peachy. Thanks."

Noticing how his cheeks flushed from embarrassment, and the way avoided her eyes. Andromeda knew it was best just to move on. Andromeda hated when her siblings would torture her when she slipped and tripped.

"I found a small clearing, not too far from here. A good place to practice," Andromeda said as Bucky still dusted off some dirt. "Maybe three miles." She hopped off Phillip, landing fright in front of the two friends. Hands in her hips, she grinned excitedly. "How does a friendly race sound? As a warmup."

Steve had to make sure he heard right. "You…want to race me?"

"No, the horse." She answered sarcastically in which Phillip neigh in laughter behind her. "Of course, you. C'mon, it'll be fun."

"You sure, doll. He's not a normal person." Bucky stated.

Andromeda rolled her eyes. I know, is what she really wanted to say. "Well, neither am I. So, unless you're like him. Get on the horse."

Bucky was about to argue again but Andromeda didn't let him say another word. Instead, she forced him into the horse and gave him a quick lesson on horse riding. Andromeda asked if he was nervous bases on his expression. Naturally, he lied. Of course, he was nervous, he was from Brooklyn. No one knew how to ride a horse. Nonetheless, he wasn't going to look stupid in front of her again. She could fight, ride horses, and who knew what else she can do, yet he was falling on his face. He was not going to fall from a horse.

Besides, how hard could it be?

Once Andromeda made sure Bucky was settled, she gave a hard pat on Philip's thigh. Not too fast, buddy. We don't want him to fall.

Phillip scoffed and shook his head. We shall see.

He took off in a mid-fast trot with a bouncy and unstable Bucky on his back. Andromeda and Steve winced as they watch Bucky bobbed uncontrollably. They broke into a light chuckled when they heard him yelling for help.

"He'll be fine. Phillip is a gentle horse," Andromeda assured him. "Let's give them a few more minutes of a head start. Let's stretched for now or you'll regret it later."

Steve followed along some of the stretches she did. Wincing when he felt a slight burn on his legs. In the meantime, he observed her, trying not to be too be obvious. This was the first time he was seeing in her the daytime. And it was strange. In bright sunlight, he noticed how her warm olive complexion radiated. And when the sun would hit her eyes, they shimmered a light blue. Which was strange since he was sure they were a deep sea-green.

Her outfit looked as if it was swallowing her, it was men's clothing. More specifically, men's military-issued uniforms. Confusion crawled inside, laying the base for some doubt enter as well.

"Ready?" She asked him.

Steve didn't trust himself to say anything so he just nodded. They got into position, knees bent, and Andromeda started to count down from five. Steve's skin began to tingle in excitement, blood began to rush to his feet. His fingers twitched the closer she got to one. A large grin spread across his face.

Andromeda inhaled deeply. "One."

They took off before she even finished saying the word. Their feet pumping and pounding on the ground, a puff of loose dirt behind them. Hearts were racing, blood pumping furiously throughout their entire body, there's wasn't a cell that wasn't moving. And while this wasn't the first time he was running after the injection, it certainly felt like it. While Steve panted heavily, he didn't feel lightheaded or short of breath. The air felt so clean with each sharp intake.

He had never felt more alive than he did at that moment. Steve whooped from the rush of the wind and Andromeda's laugher reminded him that he wasn't alone. He had forgotten she was running with him and was actually keeping up. She laughed enthusiastically, this loud and wild laugh that sounded completely liberating.

Steve's eyes enlarged when Andromeda began to run ahead of him, leaving in the dust. Her hair swung in the air as she furiously pushed forward. He put more strength into his feel, hurriedly trying to catch up to her. For the rest of their race, each trying to outrun the other. It was neck to neck; one second Steve will be in the lead only for Andromeda to lurch forward.

Ultimately the victor went to Andromeda, who beat Steve by an inch. Andromeda cheered happily for herself as she burst into the clearing. She ecstatically jumped up and down, clapping her hands. A ragged and out of breath Steve came in behind her but still smiled, regardless of losing. He tiredly clapped to her win, Bucky clapped from the horse as well, but now, he had more questions that needed to be answered.

"Alright!" Andromeda panted tiredly after her celebration. "Let's begin."

They established a routine after that day, one that would last for the rest of year. Every week of every month, Andromeda would train Steve on Sunday without fail. They would meet by the lake, Bucky would ride Phillip to the clearing while Steve and Andromeda race. Then they would train for hours until dinner when they would call it day. Whether it was sunny or pouring, they wouldn't miss a day. She taught him the very same skills she learned and perfective since she was a young girl at Camp Half-Blood. And while he was horrible at the beginning, it was clear he took what she said to heart. Playing close attention to her attacks when they would spar. Accepting each critique she threw at him. And with each Sunday that pass, Steve showed signs of improvement.

Training went beyond just fighting, Andromeda taught him better in tune with his surroundings. To see beyond just his eyes, to use his ears, intuition. Be open to what's around him, to be resourceful. Using her shield to show him different ways he could use his. And with each Sunday, he became quicker, more confident in himself. And it showed when he was out doing missions, everybody noticed. Although many just assume it was because he was injected with a super-soldier serum, no one suspected that he was being trained by a woman.

But there was still one thing he needed to fix. One thing drove Andromeda mad every time they would spar. He needed to stop pulling back his punches.

It became evident one Sunday that he was holding back. And it was perhaps their first argument. Andromeda would yell at him to stop holding his punches in which he would blatantly state that he wasn't. But she knew he was lying. Out of anger, she kept attacking him with punches and kicks while she yelled at him to fight back. Steve just kept blocking her attacks, grunting from the pain each time her heavy fist landed. Enrage by his refusal, Andromeda had duck and swung her leg under his. Walking away as he fell to the ground, surprised by her quickness.

"If you're not going to fight, then there's no point in all this." Andromeda had told him bitterly before climbing onto Phillip and rode away.

Andromeda rode back to base in a terrible mood, even Phillip knew better than to say anything. So the entire trip was spent in silence, Andromeda cursing Steve for refusing to fight back. And to make matters worse, her brother had a lovely surprise for when her.

"Who are you and what are you doing at my base?" She sharply asked the group of men in front of her desk.

"Ah, you must be Colonel Phillips. We're here to shoot the Captain America documentary." One of the men confidently answered. He stood up with his shoulders back, an ignorant smirk planted on his face.

She looked at them with a mixture of annoyance and anger. "What do you mean a Captain America documentary? Who in the world sent you."

The smirk slowly fell from the man that spoke to her. "We were sent by Senator Brandt. He sent this letter with us."

Andromeda snatched the envelope from his hands and throwing them a glare before looking down at the envelope. Written in Ancient Greek, she groaned internally just from reading the first four words.

Andromeda,

You're an idiot. Every time I think you couldn't do anything more stupid; you always prove me wrong. Always. Helping Steve to rescue the capture soldiers, I've let it slide. But continuing to aid him on other missions is too much of a risk to ignore. There are already rumors going on in DC of a woman helping Captain America. This has to stop, Andromeda! So I've sent a team to document Steve and his team, to put a stop to all this. This is your final warning.

William

Andromeda inhaled sharply, crumbling the paper in her hand. She was too angry to say anything, her hands trembled with a tightly locked jaw. With a scream trapped in her throat, she just dismissed the men with a stiff nod. They eagerly scattered away from the fuming Colonel, but all curious about the contents of the letter. And film group exited, Howard walked in. Confused as to his friend was back so early.

"You're back? Didn't expect you until dinner." Howard asked falling onto an empty chair.

Breathing heavily, Andromeda shook her head and strongly bit her tongue. All her frustrations, anger, and disappointments have been boiling deep inside her. And each time they started to rose to the surface, she just kept pushing down into the darkest pit. Away from her heart, her mind, it was the last thing she wanted to feel. Or think about it. Her fingers inched to punch something, over and over again until her knuckles bled. Ached to let out the scream she's been holding in since she saw the way Peggy and Steve looked at each other.

She thought she could do it, maybe her brother was right. She's an idiot. An idiot to think that this would be painless.

Howard watched his friend struggled with the battle raging inside. He didn't have to be a genius to know the root of her problem. She may think that the looks she threw at Steve went unnoticed. But he saw every glance, peak, and glimpse in Steve's direction. While Howard had hoped that she would come to him for help one day, but there was no time like the present.

"Is it Steve? Because you love him." Howard questioned her, in a solemn tone. It was a rare occurrence to hear Howard's voice serious. The man was always smirking and flirting.

His words held truth, yet she was caught by surprise to hear them out in the open. At least, his words were enough for some of her anger to fade.

"H-huh, what…I d-don't…No, j-just…" Andromeda stuttered uncontrollably, not even able to form a concise answer. She nervously looked around to make sure no one was close enough to listen to them, also in part to avoid his eyes. "I don't know what you're talking about."

Howard scoffed. "Don't even try to hide it. I've seen the way you look at him."

Andromeda furiously bounced her foot, her lips set in a straight line and hands-on her hip. She and Howard engage right eye exchange. No one was budging. And if they were going to have this conversation, she was going to need a drink. "I'm not drunk enough for this conversation. Get your bottle."

Howard laughed and loudly clapped his hands, but then remembered. "Shit… I don't have anymore ."

"What?" She pinched her eyes tightly and exhaled loudly. "You always have something."

Howard shrugged, disappointed just like her. "I know! But you know what, despite popular belief, I actually am busy. Haven't had time to replenish my stash."

Andromeda groaned, knowing what this meant. "We have to go into the city. Dammit!"

Howard whooped and bounced straight up. "Let's go! I'll drive."

Andromeda didn't say a peep the entire drive into the city, purposefully looked out the window the entire time. She was captivated by the blurry landscape of small hills, the tall grass, and tiny houses off in distance. Even though she only saw mortals for a split second of mortals before they were gone, she would imagine their lives. For example, if saw a couple, she would envision them having a child or two, and maybe a pet. They would live a peaceful, simple, yet beautiful life. She could see fights and frustrations, yet overall, they were happy. And just quickly the images came, they vanished from her sight and mind. Then she would see another house, see an elder gentleman, and would imagine his younger years. And so on and on, until they pulled up to a bar.

"Steve, Bucky, and none of the Howling Commandos will be here, right?" Andromeda said as they both exited the car. She paused on the sidewalk to look up at the old brick building. The reek of cigarettes already reaching her nose. Her heart tugged at the sight of damage and broken windows.

Howard threw her a wicked grin, throwing the keys in the air for him to catch. "Nope, they usually go to another one. We should be fine."

Should be the word that stood out the most. They should be fine, not they will be. And a demigod never had the best of luck.

A skeptical Andromeda gave him a sideways glance before tentatively entering. The smell intensified once she was inside, soft murmurs of various voices came to halt. Maybe dissolving the Mist around her was a mistake. Her skinned flushed red when all men's gazes turned to her, locking her feet in one place. Andromeda's skin crawled when she saw the way their eyes travel up her body. After a minute of not moving, Howard had to give her a gentle shove. Andromeda swallowed her disgust and headed towards an empty table in the corner.

Dim lighting made it easier to ignore the other occupants in the establishment. She looked down at her outfit of pants and a loose button shirt. Maybe she should have as Colonel Phillips, then they'll at least salute her. Show some respect instead of openly gawking at her like vultures. The clank of two glass mugs landing on the table distracted her from her thoughts.

"Beer?" Andromeda observed out loud as she watched the bubbles float to the top. Beer was their least preferred choice of alcohol.

"It was this or rum." When Andromeda scrunched her face, rum was worse. Howard hummed. "Didn't think so."

They bumped their glass quietly before taking a small slip. Both frowning at the taste, at least it was better than rum. More glass mugs appeared on the table as the day wore on. And with each glass that she finished, her anger from before turn to giggles. The warmth spread through her whole body, relaxing her stiff bones.

"So, are you finally ready to talk?" Howard asked gently.

Andromeda sighed sadly, crossing her arms on the table, and looked her friend in the eye. After a minute of trying to say something, she just groaned out and dropped her head to the table.

"Ahh. You really are smitten," Howard teased her.

"Shut up," Andromeda's voiced was muffled. It was hard to think with the voices, the laughter, and the sound of bottles slamming onto the surface, and the smell constantly made her gag. She missed the peacefulness of being underwater, the quietness. Andromeda whined but finally rose her head to meet Howard's eyes. "I don't know what I feel." She tiredly rubbed her face. "I've…never felt like this."

"You never dated anyone?"

Andromeda scoffed. "Yeah…I have but they never…I don't know. It wasn't like…this." She took a large chug of the beer. "When I'm around Steve, I feel like myself but at the same time…I don't." She paused, leaning back on the chair and crossing her arms. "I try not to think about it…him too much. I'm sure you've seen the looks between him and Peggy."

Howard studied his friend's face, inhaling as he brought the glass to his lips. He brought down gently after a few sips, licking his lips. The words got caught at the tip of his tongue when the sounds of screaming rang from outside. Like a bullet, Andromeda spirited outside, the chair falling back. The sight that greeted her made her heart drop.

Mortals bumped into her from either side as they tried to run away from the horrifying Minotaur. Rampaging through the city, smashing cars, throwing bikes into windows. People kept screaming, children crying as they dashed away. Howard soon joined her side and when he saw what was causing the frenzy. He was too terrified for words. Andromeda stood and watched as the Minotaur finally noticed her, the reason it came to this city. Her scent was what drew him in.

"What the hell is going on?" Someone from the bar screamed as they came out.

"Run! It's a wild gorilla!" Someone else shouted.

Howard was about to yell that they were crazy to say that was a gorilla. But it quickly struck him, The Mist had them seeing a gorilla. Something they could understand, just a wild animal instead of a monster. Despite that, it was a "gorilla" that was throwing a massive truck in their direction. Howard barely had the time to process what was happening when he slammed harshly on the pavement. Groaning loudly from the pain that radiated through the left side of his body.

A loud explosion boomed from where the truck crashed onto another vehicle, Howard flinched at the sound. There was a sharp ringing in his ears, the world was blurring but he still able to make the distinction that it was their car. Howard trembled as he looked at the flaming cars.

"Howard, run! Get as far away as possible!" Andromeda urged him before standing up.

Breathing heavily, Howard slowly stood on shaking legs as his friend ran straight into the roaring Minotaur. Helpless standing behind a while Andromeda picked up a fallen street sign pole and swung it at the monster. The impact briefly took it by surprise, it quickly recovered and swung his arm at her. He watched Andromeda flew backward, slamming through a shop's window.

"Andromeda!" He hollered loudly and started to run after but was held back a strong grip.

He whipped around, ready to demand they let him go. And when his eyes met Steve's cold blue eyes, Howard shut his mouth. Shit!

"What did you say?" Steve asked even though he heard him clear. He just needed him to hear him again.

Another roar forced him and Steve to look back just in time to see Andromeda's trident zoom from behind the Minotaur. It managed to deeply scratch the monster in the right arm as flew past it, straight into Andromeda's awaiting hand. She had stood back up again, unaware of Steve and Bucky. Almost every part of her body was scratched, clothes were torn up as well with spots of blood in various places. But despite her appearance, there was this spark in her eye. A dark look that Howard has never seen in her.

Andromeda wiped away some blood from the corner of her mouth. "I'm going to enjoy sending you back to Tartarus."

And with a loud cry, she launched into battle with the Minotaur.

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