Ms. America

Chapter Ten

Rose awoke in the same room as always and checked for her necklace which was still there. She couldn't remember who it belonged to, or why she was there. She felt like her body was on fire, and didn't understand why. The locks were released from her chair, and as she stood men began to attack her. She fought back using her hands until it became too much. She felt the fire surging through her body, as her hands began to glow. As the men crowded around her, she fell to the ground as a flash of blue fire left her body, instantly killing the men. She passed out from the experience.

The next day, the routine repeated, but she felt stronger. Every few days she would wake up and not remember why she was there, and the cycle would continue, even though her body knew how to handle what she possessed. Reinhardt studied the blood samples taken from the girl and was able to successfully transplant her powers into himself, although at a much-weakened state.

Three months had passed since Rose Carter had been captured, but Peggy and the Howling Commandos were closing in on her location. Reinhardt had begun to test his new commander, his Legion, throughout the surrounding towns, which ended up giving up their location. A week had passed since Rose was last allowed out, and the Commandos came knocking at Hydra's door. Since many guards had defected when the Nazis were defeated, securing the base was a simple task. Peggy found her sister, locked up in a room, staring at the wall.

"Rose? It's Peggy, I'm here to bring you home," Peggy said as she walked cautiously towards her sister. It had been almost four months since Rose had been captured, and Peggy had no idea what had been done to the younger girl.

"Peggy... Peggy... I know that name," Rose said as she stared at the other women, puzzled by her, "But who's Rose?"

"You are, sweet girl, I am a friend who is going to get you out of here. Is that ok?" questioned Peggy, holding back tears as she fought to maintain her composure. Her sister was lost in her own head.

"Yes, that would be nice, I don't quite like it here," Rose said, as she stood up. Her old uniform was crumpled on the floor like it had been there for a while. Peggy quickly dressed Rose in it, since the rags she was in would not keep her warm outside the room. Gently, she walked Rose out to the Commandos. When Dum Dum saw Rose, he went to hug her, before Peggy pushed him away.

"She doesn't even know who she is," Peggy said with defeat as she loaded Rose into the truck. Inside the truck were several items taken from the base, including a silver 0-8-4, an unknown item of unknown origin. While glad they had their girl back, the Howling Commandos loaded in with heavy looks, knowing their team would never be the same. They brought Peggy and Rose to Howard's European lab, along with the confiscated items. There were a few names left on the list of Hydra, so the men vowed to take them out for what they did to Rose. Each man left a letter for her to open, should she ever return to who she was.

Howard and Peggy looked at Rose, wondering how they could get her back. They decided the time was the best place to start, but that time was to be spent in Brooklyn.