Peggy had sent Howard and some other shield members off on a mission. She never said where to our what exactly they were doing, and to be honest I wasn't really concerned. It wasn't till a couple day's went by and they didn't return that I started to get concerned. I questioned Peggy about it, but she acted like nothing was wrong, there was nothing out of the ordinary with them being gone for more time. However the look in her dark brown eyes spoke otherwise and for some odd reason It felt like a stone had sunken at the bottom of my stomach.
The next day not only was I not greeted by Howard Stark, but Peggy was also gone. No one seemed to know where she went, or if they did they weren't telling me. I assumed she went on a search and rescue group to find Howard and the others, but then again I wasn't sure. I wasn't even technically a part of shield, this was just my job. Why should I be working for a company that could put my life at danger came to mind? Then again I couldn't just abdon Peggy like that without any warning.
I tried to focus on the papers laid out on my desk, but my brain couldn't stop thinking of Peggy and Howard. Okay, I understand Peggy is my boss and my friend. I had no connection to Howard Stark other than him harassing me twenty four seven. Why did I care what happened to him? Because it was the right thing to do? Or because my stupid self was starting to catch feelings. Nope, Nope, Nope, I will not catch feelings for that womanizer. I told myself this time and time again. This wasn't feelings though right? This was just genuine concern for the man's well being. Regardless of what type of person he was, he didn't deserve to die. The stone sinking feeling came back into my stomach, and I was so caught up in my thoughts I didn't hear the footsteps behind me.
"Maria? Are you alright?"
I swear to you I never been more relived to see anyone then I was to see Peggy Carter standing right there. I jumped out of my seat and rushed over to her. I didn't even think about it before flinging my arms around her in a hug. What could I say I was the youngest and only girl in my family, I was a hugger.
"Thank God Peggy. I was worried when I came in and you weren't here I thought you went after Howard's group." I stated.
I slowly backed away from her to see her smiling softly over at me. Glad the whole hugging thing didn't seem to bother her too badly.
"I'm fine, however I was with the group. They made it back last night not in the best of shape." She stopped mid stence before continuing on. " I was sent to ask to come and find you actually." She replied rolling her eyes.
It took me a minute to process everything that had happened. Here Peggy was back and unharmed, now the group was back in not the best shape.
"The staff didn't say they needed anything from me. I'm so sorry about the group? Is everyone out of the woods at least?" I asked softly.
"It wasn't from here Maria. A few our hospitalized, but nothing to serious. However one of the hospitalized is asking about you. Lucky guess who?" Peggy replied.
I felt my face burn as I looked up at her. No, that man wasn't in the hospital after could be dying and asking for me? The nerve of that man. I honestly had no idea what to say. I couldn't deny he had been on my every thought since he didn't return on time.
"Is he okay?" I asked.
She smiled at me before nodding. I felt the stone finally leave me stomach as I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding in.
"He's got a broken arm and he's bruised up pretty bad, but he'll be fine. I'm going back to see him and the other's if you want to come? I'm sure he'd love to see you, but no pressure Maria." Peggy added.
Here she was one of the one's telling me to stay away from the man, and now she was practically being a taxi service to go and see him.
"I thought you said to stay away from him, Peg?" I grinned.
She shrugged her shoulders and grabbed the keys off her office table.
"The man's in a hospital bed, what could he do? Besides for what it's worth Maria he's pretty serious or serious for Howard anyway." She added.
I wasn't sure if it was the fact he could've died, or the "he's pretty serious" talk, but I ended up going along with Peggy to the hospital. I had no idea what I was going to do or say. Howard and I weren't even friend's we were barely acquittances how was I supposed to go see him and have a normal conversation with the man? I beat myself up the entire ride to the hospital on what exactly I was supposed to say to him or how could I say anything without it being awkward?
I let Peggy go in to visit him first when we got there. I figures since she was visiting everyone why not let her go in alone? Maybe she could explain why I was here more so than I could myself. Maybe I was lost in my thoughts, but I swear to you she wasn't in there long at all.
"I'm going to vist the other's, but I told him you were here." She smiled.
Before I had a chance to panic or ask her what exactly to do, she left walking towards the elevator, leaving me with no other choice to go in and face Howard Stark alone.
I slowly walked over to his door knocking on it before entering. When Peggy said he got banged up pretty bad I wasn't really expecting the image in front of me. His face was black and blue bruised up, his leg arm was broken in a sling, but nevertheless he had that ridiculous grin on his face when I came in.
"Hey doll, you came." He grinned.
I smiled softly over him as I walked to the chair that was placed beside his bed.
"You almost died Mr. Stark I think it would be a bit rude to not come and see you after you requested to see me." I added.
He flashed another grin my way as he shrugged his shoulders.
"I've been through worse. For what it's worth I didn't actually think you would come."
I felt the guilt rise up in my stomach, had I honestly treated him so badly he didn't think I would vist him in the hospital? Then again who am I kidding, I had to force myself to come.
"We're not exactly friend's Mr. Stark, I didn't see why you would want me here. However I felt like it was the right place to be." I added softly.
I mentally hit myself for saying that. Great now the man's giant ego was going to get even bigger. The whole we weren't friend's thing was my fault, but we didn't need to go there did we?
"I always tried to be your friend. Ms. Collins, regardless of every date you turned me down on." He smiled.
"Maria, you can call me by name Mr. Stark, almost dying gives you that right, and you're not being a pain in the ass at the moment."
Him busting out laughing made me jump I was expecting that to say the least. I couldn't help, but smile brightly at him doing so.
"Why are you laughing?"
"Your reasoning. Well them do, I mean Maria, you can calm me Howard. Does that mean we're finally friend's?"
If you asked me when we first meet if I would ever consider Howard Stark my friend I probably would had laughed in your face, but here we are. Him laying in a hospital bed and me finally seeing Howard Stark the man not the asshole everyone elses sees. I could feel myself letting my guard down and it scared the hell out of me, but I think I denied him long enough.
"Yes, Mr. I mean Howard, we can be friend's or at least try to." I smiled.
However my smile couldn't match the huge grin that spread across his face in that moment. It was beautiful, truly beautiful seeing him light up like that considering how bad of shape he was in of course.
"Great! Peggy may kill me, but hey I didn't ask you out again yet, so we're off to a good start."
It was my turn to laugh that time as I gently placed my hand on his arm that wasn't in a cast and smiled up at him. I never realized until that moment how beautiful his eyes were.
"Next time don't end up in the hospital to get me on a date." I added.
He smiled softly and placed his hand gently over mine. I froze for a moment unsure of what to do. Thankfully the door opened and we both quickly pulled apart as Peggy Carter walked into the room with a grin on her face.