America's Sweetheart (Steve Rogers) - 1

7

1943

She was bored.

Being suspended from her duties while she recovered, Mo couldn't think of anything worse. The main mission was now to go after Hydra, and with that meant being shipped out to wherever in the world they were being sent to. To her surprise, Phillips had kept her on and hadn't sent her home, stating that it wasn't her fault that Erskine died, and that she'd been stupid to take a bullet for a man who was already bleeding out.

Now she watched from her bed as Peggy readied herself to go to the bar for the evening, the sound of The Andrews Sisters on the record player to cheer her up. "Oh come on Mo, you love this song." Peggy scoffed as she noted her sister's scowl from her bed. She'd been sporting it from the moment she'd been told she'd have to stay there for a few weeks.

"When can I get back to work? I hate being shut up in here all day."

"When Phillips has you examined and it's determined that you're medically fit to return to active duty – how many more times can I say it?" Peggy's reply was almost robotic by now. 

"As many times as I ask the same question." Mo huffed. "I still can't believe he wouldn't let Steve come and fight – it was what Erskine created him for."

Peggy popped her lipstick into her bag. "Yes, well...believe me I had a few things to say about that as well, but he wouldn't listen." 

Captain America had appeared to become a morale booster for the whole of country, his name was everywhere, his face, films, merchandise. It was all there. Children loved him, women even more so but then again it didn't surprise Mo. Steve was a handsome man, even before the serum he had been, but with enhancements? She found herself thinking of him often. Too often now that she had nothing to do all day.

There was a knock at the door. "Ah, your entertainment for the evening has arrived. You can thank me later." Peggy smirked as Howard walked in.

"Evening doll face."

"Oh for crying out loud." Mo muttered but smiled lightly all the same. "Evening Stark."

"Peg said you needed company, so here I am."

Mo shot an unimpressed look to her sister before turning back to Howard and then gesturing to the chair next to the bed. "Make yourself comfortable."

"How's that war wound?" He asked as he settled himself in the chair. "Geez, they don't make these things easy on the ass do they?" and shifted around trying to find a suitable position to sit.

"What did you expect? The SSR to provide us with armchairs?"

He produced a bottle of alcohol from the bag he'd brought along with two shot glasses. "You do realise Mo's not allowed that stuff?" Peggy scolded and checked her reflection one last time.

"I never said she'd be drinking any." Howard smirked and poured himself a glass, downing it in one.

"Hmmmm, anyway I'll see you two later – have a nice evening."

Mo nodded. "You too" and waited until she'd gone. "Give me that damn bottle Stark!" She said as he quickly passed it to her along with the clean glass. Mo filled it up and downed it in one, pouring another. "Oh my goodness you have no idea how nice it is to have a drink! I knew you'd prove to be useful to me."

Howard chuckled. "Plenty more in my secret stash if you ever need it."

"I think I'll need it once I'm back on duty...and in answer to your question. I'm healing slowly but surely. As it happens that Hydra agent was a rubbish shot." She smirked.