His Immortal Love

Chapter Two

I looked out the window of the car as it drove down the street. Howard spoke excitedly about the experiment but I could only worry, if this didn't go well I would have to deal with so much paperwork. I looked over Howard fondly as he spoke, I had come to think of him like a son, even if he believed me to be younger than him. His loud, excitable personality always made me smile.

We arrived at the antique store and Jarvis opened the door for us, I said a quick thanks before following Howard. Howard laughed at his own joke and we stepped out into the street and quickly made our way into the shop.

"Lovely weather we are having this morning." The shopkeeper said. I smiled and said "Yes, but I always carry an umbrella." The shopkeeper nodded and said "I suppose you can never be too careful. What are you looking for?" I smile and walk around as if browsing the shelves "I suppose a dozen eggs and your finest cheese?" The owner said, "I'm afraid you should try the nearest farm." I said, "I prefer to buy my milk at the store." The shopkeeper nodded accepting the code words and pressed a button underneath the counter allowing us access to the door in the back. Under her counter was a large gun ready to be used if we didn't know the full password.

We greeted the marine at the large metal door and entered. I waited for Agent Carter and Steven Rogers while Stark went on to the Rebirth Room to ensure all the machinery was running correctly.

When the two arrived I greeted them and we stepped into the room, Steven looked around in wonder and I smiled at the wonder on his face. I made my way to the observation room and greeted the Colonel as well as the Senator. I excused myself down to where Stark and Dr. Erksine were. Steven stood in the machine and looked incredibly small compared to the outline in the machine. I stood near Agent Carter as Steven made small talk with Stark and Erksine, I nudged her softly when I noticed the fond smile on her face and wiggled my eyebrows. She pushed me back and I let out a laugh.

I made my way to Steven he said "Hey Mr. Star, you here to wish me luck?" I laughed and said "I should hope this goes well... I don't want to be stuck filling out paperwork for the next week. So don't die." Steve almost choked on his saliva in panic, I smiled and said "I'm just kidding, you will be perfectly fine Steven. I made sure that Stark made it, mostly, safe. Good luck Rogers." I turned to leave and Steve said "Steve, call me Steve instead of Rogers or Steven.." I smiled and said, "Call me Leon then."

I joined the others in the observation and watched anxiously as Dr. Erksine spoke and made jokes. We watched everything happen, as Steve's heart monitor starts to go wild Agent Carter stands worriedly and we both rush down the stairs as Carter insists that they stop the machine. Stark's hand hovers over the button to turn the machine off but Steve's voice calls out "No... Don't... I can do this.."

Stark turned the dial to 100 and we watched the lights flash before the chamber went dark and silent. Agent Carter gulped softly, Erksine went ashen, and I started to repeat a prayer. Then the machine started to light up softly and a steady beep could be heard. Erskine rushed to the doors and yelled for Stark, who pressed a button to open the doors, and as the doors opened with a slight puff of steam we all looked on in amazement. The doors revealed a new man, people came out of the observation booth as Steve staggered slightly and came out of the machine. Erskine caught him and they shared a light conversation while Erskine gave Steve a new shirt.

People gathered near Steve and congratulated Stark and Erskine on their accomplishments. I wasn't paying as much attention as I should have been, happy that the experiment worked and that Steve was okay. Suddenly the observation booth explodes and I see a man make a run for the serum. Both Erksine and I make a move toward him and the man pulls out a gun and shoots at Erskine. He goes flying back into the machine and I move faster to catch the man only to have a barrel of a gun pointed straight at my heart. I hear the gunshot before I even register that I've been shot, the bullet tears into my chest and into my heart.

I fall back and blood starts to soak my clothes. Steve makes a run toward Erksine. He was dead or dying, I wasn't sure. The world went black as I watched Peggy make a run for up to the antique store and when Steve moved to me. His fingers pressed against my throat, trying to feel for a pulse, "Come on Leon... You can't die just yet." My hands shakily reached up to grip Steve's wrists, I wanted to smile and reassure him that I'd be fine but I didn't know how well that would work. My hand loosened as I felt my heart eventually stop, and my head fell back.

I had died. 

(Edited 4-29-23)

(Word Count: 905)