Preston raised an eyebrow as he turned to think about it, "It would be difficult... but... you do make a point. We just have to figure out how to keep him well hidden from others..."
"A disguise, perhaps?", Erskine asked as Preston nodded, "It would have to be a really good one... or something to completely obscure him...".
Erskine exhaled deeply, "Thaddeus practically dyed his hair to dark gray, changed his glasses, and cut off half of his trademark mustache...Nobody recognized him in the brief stay back in New York, and the small town near his cabin just thinks of him as a loner old guy who likes to survive in the woods...".
"Wait...perhaps it's best to have a combination of a really good disguise and something to completely obscure him when he doesn't need to eat, drink, and rest in his private tent altogether...", Preston thoughtfully replied.
Erskine exhaled, "You mean like a skin mask, and a gas mask altogether?", and Preston nodded, "When you think about it, most of the people on this expedition would be young, maybe somewhat middle-aged with experience...It's a miracle that you are going on this expedition, along with Rourke, and Cookie and Packard...maybe there are a couple of other older ones, but either way, if we make scars to make him like war-worn from the first world war back then, he would be essentially mute at times...After all, it may have been a year now since Milo last heard him, but he would definitely remember Thaddeus's voice, along with Helga as Thaddeus had been a visitor here often before his 'death'.
"The gas mask might actually work; plenty of injuries from the last war would make it to where almost no one would bother wanting to look.", Erskine said as Preston gave another nod, "That was my idea as well..."
Erskine exhaled, "Thaddeus will hate to not be able to speak when people are around, but once one of us will tell him, he will understand the extreme importance..", and Preston patted his shoulder, "It's gonna be okay, doc. If we plan the disguise carefully and input him into his 'job' for the expedition, as best as he could, you will be keeping him safe beyond the gas mask and the skin disguise scars, if he wants to talk with you here and there...Perhaps do it in German, or some sort of sign language.".
"Good thinking again, Preston.", Erskine smiled as he took a deep breath. "I really hope we're able to find it... he's gone through so much for it...".
Preston smiled reassuringly, "Hey, even if there's a shred of proof that Atlantis is real, it would be enough for me. I'm sure it would be the same for Thaddeus...Now, I don't know about you, but I'm exhausted from today. Let's get some sleep.".
Erskine nodded, "Agreed.", and so, the two men went off in their separate directions to change and go to bed. With the approved stamp of the President for Preston and Phillips' report on the magnitude of hiring, training, supplies, and such, two-three months would be the time on the progress.
Milo got along famously with Steve, and even told him after meeting Peggy, that she isn't his type as he has a preference for blue eyes and an exotic voice in a woman, which is strangely true as in his unconsciousness, he held the Journal, reading yet daydreaming of what the city would have looked like, since Steve was confident on equal terms to Milo's stature and job, to give him a look that he's in love with Peggy.
Milo happily helped him out with his second and third date, working together with Erskine to stay under Phillips' radar, as the second date happened upon Valentine's Day before and after basic training and classes of logistics for the day.
Peggy Carter heard the knock on the door several minutes after she made the call for an in-office meal, and she went to open the door, "About ti-", before freezing in surprise at the appearance of Steve Rogers holding a tray of covered food and a little vase of English Bluebell flowers.
"I hope... I hope this isn't too much or goes against any sort of military protocols considering how you technically outrank me.", Steve apologized as he continued to hold the tray.
Peggy exhaled with a delighted smile, "No, it isn't...I never had a Valentine's Day breakfast before...How did...?", and Steve smiled bashfully, "Umm, Milo and the doc are helping out, hiding me from Phillips' radar for the hour before I have to be up for inspection and all...And this isn't the normal army food per sec...I cooked...I hope that's alright...".
"Oh, Steve...Come in, let's not waste the time while we could...", Peggy blushed happily as Steve came in with a joyful look, and Peggy then asked, "Am I to presume that we are going to continue this date after the day's over?", brushing her hair over her ear shyly.
"Well, if you want us to... I mean, I know I'm taking a pretty big risk with all this. If the other guys knew, they'd eat me alive especially since you're obviously what gets the most eyesight every day, if you mind me saying that.", Steve said.
Peggy snorted, "Oh, trust me, they're too scared of me after I took care of Hodge...Is he still flinching every time any of the guys mention it?", with a smirk.
Steve gave a proud smile, "Oh, he gets a nerve off when anyone mentions it. I really try to ignore it when he's being sexist, especially when he tries to catch eyes of the secretariats and all. You know, I see why the SSR got you here...You're fast and tough.", as he puts the tray down.
Blushing, Peggy smiles, "Thank you, Steve, it helps a lot to hear that. And besides, today's Valentine's Day. I heard that Phillips is planning to give the boys the night off, through the boys don't know that, figuring that they're stuck all night, unable to go out on the town. So, be expected to be surprised when he announces the news at the mess hall while it's suppertime, okay?", looking at Steve as he removes the covers to reveal plates of herbal scrambled eggs with toast, and glasses of milk.
"I'll try to... but you should know that I'm not the greatest liar...", Steve blushed as Peggy chuckled before looking at the meal. "Well, it's missing the British sausage, but it certainly reminds me very much of breakfast back home...", she said.
Steve smiled, "I'm glad to hear that. I hope I did my best since...well, since this is like the first Valentine's Day gift technically for you...next to appearing, of course...", as Peggy went to try her plate out.
After a few minutes, Peggy gushed, "Oh, Steve, it's perfect! It's so good. Come on, join me. You deserve to eat your best work too!", with a smile, and Steve chuckled, joining her as they sat and talked.
Peggy knew she had to find the perfect Valentine's Day gift for this, and she knew Erskine will help her out, with maybe Milo's help as well.
Steve replied, "So, umm, how could we continue our date if we can't go on the town with the guys seeing us?", and Peggy smiled shyly, "Well, we could go to the beach...There's the beach opposite in the other way...I know it's far too cold to swim, but we could still watch the sunset and a couple of other things, hmm?".
Steve blushed once more as Peggy chuckled, "I almost find it funny, Steve... how so quick I can make you blush.".
"Well, it's mostly of just how inexperienced I am with all of this... I've never really been intimate with a woman before.", Steve said as he closed his eyes quick at the mistake he said. "Oh, do you Americans simply refer to a simple meal as intimate?", Peggy teased.
Steve stammered, "Maybe?...I thought those hot dogs weren't exactly intimate...", blushing, and Peggy smiled, remembering their first date, giggling softly, "Steve, simple intimate moments with you is wonderful...And I loved that hot dog, because it's part of your life, and I was sharing your life with you...".
"Peggy...", Steve whispered in awe and surprise, and smiled at her, "Okay, we'll go for the beach when we get our opening...How are you going to sneak by Phillps?", and Peggy smiled, "We have friends, don't we?".
"Yeah, but...", Steve thought about it for a moment before it clicked for him. "Ah... I think I know what you're thinking.", he smiled as Peggy nodded, "We'll just have to be careful or there will be hell to pay for it...".
Steve smiled, nodding, "Yes, ma'am, crystal clear.", and Peggy playfully rolled her eyes, smiling, "You really are special, Steve...", and Steve blushed, happy to hear that, and so, the couple kept eating their breakfast, talking here and there for the remainder of their morning time before Steve noticed the clock.
"I better get going.", Steve got up, and Peggy smiled, squeezing his hand, kissing his palm, "Thank you for my Valentine's Day gift, Steve. Be careful.", and Steve beamed proudly, nodding before kissing her on the cheek, "Hope that lasts for you till tonight.", as he was confident for a few moments before smiling as he almost skipped out of the office, leaving Peggy blushing as she touched her cheek.
A few hours later, as Peggy was relieved to see Steve surviving basic training, she stood next to Erskine, whispering, "Doc, thanks, and here's something that I need your help with, if you'll have Milo pick it up.", handing a piece of paper into Erskine's hand.
Erskine whispered back, "Yes, Agent Carter. It shall be done. You'll pay me back for it later, then?", and Peggy nodded sharply. Erskine then smiled before clearing his throat, "Phillips, I'm going to check upon Thatch for any progress on the project.".
Phillips nodded, "Fine.", and Erskine gave a reassuring wink as he turned his back, to look at Peggy for a brief moment, and headed to Milo's office/barrack room several minutes later, walking in to see Milo Thatch completely absorbed into deconstructing the Atlantean language on the Journal.
Erskine pulled out the note from Peggy, reading it, and smiled to himself before replying, "Milo?", startling the young man from his work, blinking as he then looked up at Erskine, "Dr. Erskine!", with a wide smile, "You're not gonna believe this, but Atlantis was said to be traders with Mesopotamia!".
"That's the ancient areas of Turkey and Syria, correctly?", Erskine asked, and Milo grinned, "Along with the Sumerian area as well!", and Erskine smiled, seeing Thaddeus for a few moments in place of Milo before hearing Milo ask, "You okay, doc?".
Erskine reassured him, "I'm very alright, Milo. You just reminded me of Thaddeus...", with a soft sigh, determined to make this weekend later on to see him...Secret telegraphs and rare phone calls with the help of Preston isn't enough.
Milo smiled sadly, nodding in understanding, "Anyway, what's going on, Dr. Erskine?", and Erskine smiled, "We've been asked to help our dear lovebirds once again, this time by Agent Carter. She wishes for a full set of colored pencils and a new sketchpad to Steven for her own Valentine's Day gift.".
"Golly, that's 48 cents for the full set of colored pencils, and 55 cents for the sketchpad!", Milo gasped in surprise. "Well, easily affordable on a government salary for a project of this nature.", Erskine chuckled as he dug into his wallet to get some cash. "Hopefully, the nearby town will have what we're needing.".
"Of course...", Milo nodded; understanding that Erskine, more than likely, was going to ask Milo to make the run. "Carter and Rogers... they certainly have quite a connection...", he admitted as Erskine nodded in agreement.
"Maybe the rest of the recruits can't really see it since they tend to hide it, but I would strongly bet on that being the case.", Erskine smiled wryly.
Milo smiled, "I hope I get something like that myself one day...It's weird, but I think Atlantis wants us to find it as much as we want to find it.", and Erskine hummed, "How so?".
"This may sound strange, but I actually have the feeling that something is going to surprise us when we get there. Not the source itself, but...I don't know...it's something really important...", Milo replied thoughtfully, and Erskine looked surprised before replying, "You know what? I believe you, Milo. After all, I trusted Thaddeus with my life as I believed him, and so why shouldn't I do the same in his grandson?", with a smile.
Milo looked happy to hear that, "Thanks, Dr. Erskine.", and Erskine nodded, "Of course, my boy. Now, you be careful on your way out. Here's some money, and if there's little left afterwards, spoil yourself with a bit of candy or something, alright?", handing the money to Milo.
"Thank you, sir...", Milo stood up before he handed Erskine the book. "I'd feel better if someone at least made sure to keep a hold on this while I'm gone.".
"A smart decision.", Erskine said as he took a deep breath. "Milo... just... one last thing before you leave... I think you should know... but those feelings you have? Your grandfather had those too.".
Milo looked at him in surprise, "He did?", his eyes widening, and Erskine nodded, "Yes. And he was really so excited when he dreamed of taking you along for Atlantis all the time before everything changed, and he...", with a deep sigh, closing his eyes softly, hating the thought of needing to have Thaddeus hiding in complete sight yet so close to Milo and everything, knowing that Thaddeus will have things to talk about that when Erskine reunites with him.
"Dr. Erskine? Did...did Grandpa make you promise to look after me when...when he knew he was in danger?", Milo whispered, "Not just because you were more than just friends, weren't you?".
Erskine opened his eyes in surprise and slight fear, "How did...", and Milo replied, "The pocket watch...You always make sure it's there by touch or sight or sound. Did Grandpa give you that as a gift through his will upon...his...death?", as he got Thaddeus's beloved safari hat himself.
Erskine mentally cursed at the fact that he had that out in the past. Of course, Milo would probably recognize it in an instant. "Yes...", Erskine sighed. "He did...".
Milo nodded softly, and Erskine then exhaled deeply, "He...Please don't hate him...He never expected to have love again, and he...The night before it happened, he was so wrought up tight, warning me and Preston to hold into the Journal for him, to stay safe, and when I had a moment with him, he made me promise to look after you, and I couldn't believe what he was saying, but he seemed so worried and desperate, so I did...He looked so grateful, and he looked like he was about to say something else yet held back, but maybe it was because he thought I'd be disgusted with him for I was a Jew, and Jews are strict with monogamy and such...He somehow had courage enough to write everything in a personal letter for me when I was asleep in my room...I...Preston woke me up, and I knew...I knew when I saw it in his eyes...And then I saw the letter...I was going through so many emotions and questions yet when I looked back at all the memories I had with him, I knew there was something subtle, so new, so different, but we never bothered until he realized it...He admitted that he wished he spent all the remainder of his life to help me find love again, and if it wasn't him in the end, he will be happy to see me moving on with my life, to do something great...", using the last day of Thaddeus's 'fake' death, and of the Infamy speech from his memories to help him speak to Milo, even if it's scaring him to confess to Thaddeus's grandson in a way.
Milo took a deep breath as he nodded. "I'm... I'm sorry... I didn't mean to make you feel pain right now by forcing you to admit that...", Milo said as Erskine nodded. "You didn't force anything, Milo... you deserved to at least have known that.", Erskine told him.
Milo gave a small smile, "Thanks...And I would never hate Grandpa for wanting to have love again or finding you...I'm sorry that you two never got the chance to reciprocate your feelings...", and Erskine gave a small smile, "Somehow, I think I did...I...I may be essentially an ex-Jew as much as I love the Lord, but the next day after I had time to think, I...I went to the site where...I confessed that I'd give him a chance if I could, and I strangely felt relieved afterwards, a tingle on my lips, and I swore I saw him for a moment, smiling sadly at me, and then nothing...Since that day, I knew I had to make sure that his last wish came true, to protect his grandson as if he's my family, and that I'll never forget Thaddeus Thatch as long as I live.".
