Period-typical prejudice on clear display in this chapter and likely moving forward.

"You still owe me an explanation." Peggy hissed a few days later, when the Howling Commandos were seen off. Howard nodded as they approached Tony, who stood and watched the trucks drive off.

"Those aren't gonna last long." He chuckled.

"What makes you say that?" Peggy wondered.

"I know my brothers, Agent Carter." Was all he said on the matter.

"You seem far too sure of yourself." Howard muttered.

"Coming from you, that's ridiculous." Tony scoffed, turning on his heel and heading for the lab.

Howard narrowed his eyes and loped after his apprentice, dragging Peggy, who had to break into a light jog to keep up. None of them spoke for a good five minutes until Tony flicked an ear and nodded.

"We're clear." He growled. "How much have you been told, Agent?"

"Not nearly so much as you seem to think." She sneered. "Or you wouldn't be asking, so tell me, what's this all about, Anthony?"

"I'm not going to tell you my life-story, because as fulfilling as that would be, it would take time that we don't have. Long story short, what you saw was real, and they were us. My youngest brother has vouched for your life and is more than willing to take you on as a Charge. Although I suspect his intentions are further than that, he should have the chance to tell you himself. When, if, he does, your confusion should be gone."

"And for now?"

"Lips sealed, Agent Carter." Tony purred solemnly. "I doubt my brother will make it home but I'd hate to see you go with him."

"That's enough." Howard growled, eyes flashing. "She has no more experience than I did when I found out, and that's no reason to threaten her."

"Everybody's a critic." Tony yawned as he got to his feet.

"Why don't you think they'll come back?" Howard asked before Peggy could form the words herself.

"Some things are better left unexplained, but I hope for all our sakes that they make it back on their own two feet."

"Bullshit. You just haven't told him yet. You had time a couple days ago. What changed?"

"We were… distracted, if you do recall."

"Well if your hunch is right, now you'll never have the chance. Nice going, Tony."

Peggy didn't want to leave it alone, but Tony wouldn't say anymore on the subject and Howard clammed up with any mention of something outside of work, likely Anthony's doing.

She found that there wasn't much to like about him and often wondered how someone as sweet as Steve could be related to such a bastard.

At any rate, she made sure to keep as far away as possible. If she could just get Howard to do the same, maybe she wouldn't feel so uneasy, but it's like Anthony had the man under some kind of spell! Like there was some secret that she was not to be let in on, aside from what she already had been told. It was annoying, to say the least, and she wanted answers.

Since Howard wouldn't talk to her, the only way to get them would be going straight to the source.

She cornered Tony the next day, while the others broke for lunch.

"I don't know why you think you can walk all over Howard and your brothers, but I won't have it." She hissed.

"And what makes you think you have any say?" The engineer scoffed, not bothering to face her.

She squared her shoulders and reached out to grab his arm. This was a man who was used to getting what he wanted, especially from women, as men were prone to do. He took Howard's level of asshole to a whole new level, and she would not tolerate that from someone who was not her superior.

"I don't care what kind of complex you were allowed to foster at home, but I will not tolerate it here. Howard wouldn't shut up before and now whenever you're around, he never talks. And you're always around." She groused.

"I hardly see Howard's decisions as my problem." The assistant offered. "And if you're so concerned, then talk to the man. I can hardly make him do something he doesn't want to."

"I saw what happened with those wolves in the forest, and if what you said is true, then yes, you do have power over them. I've heard stories of your kind."

"Of humans? Of course you have, Agent Carter. That's all we ever talk about, is human history. I would be rather surprised of you hadn't heard stories of mankind." Tony smirked.

"You're controlling them somehow, and it needs to end."

"I can't make them do what they don't want to, Agent Carter. If Howard isn't talking then he's hiding his secrets, not mine. As for my brothers… you shouldn't bother worrying about them."

Peggy narrowed her eyes and pried her grip loose from the young man's arm. Anthony was dangerous, that much was clear, but if his words were enough to go on then he wouldn't harm her.

"I'll take your word for it." She scowled. She turned to leave, but hesitated.

"You'd tell me, if Steve was…"

"You'll be the first to know." Tony assured her.

"Thank you."