The Captain & Ice Raven

Chapter 8 - Secrets, Promises and Transformation #2

IN A HIDDEN BASE IN AMERICA

Steve sits on an exam table, a nurse drawing a vial of blood. Steve stares ahead, a face of sadness expressed on his features. "Think you got enough?" Steve questions, rolling down his sleeve, and standing up from the table. He looks to Rosalie, who is now wearing her military coat, with the hidden vial sitting in her secret pocket. The nurse exits the room, closing the door behind her.

"Any hope of reproducing the program will be locked within our genetic coding," Rosalie states, "but without Erskine here, it will take years."

"He deserved more than this," Steve states.

"If it could fully work once, he'd be glad it was you," Rosalie says.

"Wait, what do you mean by our genetic coding? And 'fully'? And do you care to tell me about how you created ice?" Steve asks, but a knock at the door draws their attention. Howard enters, looking between the two.

"Are you ready icy?" Howard asks his sister. "Should he be here for this?"

"One moment jerkface," Rosalie says, turning back to Steve, "before your procedure Erskine asked me to take one of the tubes and to inject myself with it, if he died. I know I have a few things to tell you but will you please keep this secret and help me fulfill Erskine's last wish?"

"We could all get in serious trouble," Steve whisper shouts.

"We know but this," Rosalie pulls out the vial, "is all that is left of Erskine's work. He wanted for this to be given to us and I know this is asking a lot but please trust me." Rosalie steps closer to Steve pleading with him.

Gazing into her eyes, Steve lets out a sigh, "one condition." Rosalie looks at him, telling him to continue, "you tell me everything you want about your ice powers, no secrets. Please."

"Deal," Rosalie says immediately, passing the vial of blue serum to Howard.

"What, Rosalie," Howard exclaims, grabbing her arm and dragging her over to him. "Are you sure about trusting him?"

"Yes I'm sure Howard," Rosalie tells him. Passing him the vial, Howard sighs, taking the vial.

"Steve hold her back," Howard instructs, preparing the serum into a needle, "you think you had a good reaction, well her's will be more drastic."

"How drastic?" Steve asks, stepping behind Rosalie, as the woman removes her coat.

"You saw a small bit of her power," Howard asks, "well that's going to be magnified twice the time. Ready Icy?" Rosalie nods, sticking out her arm but Howard shakes his head. "Not your arm. You're neck." Rosalie sighs, tilting her head allowing Howard to inject the serum into her neck. Steve gently holds Rosalie's arms, the woman groaning in pain, frost coating her arms and cheeks. Leaning back, Rosalie nearly falls but Steve catches her, helping her over to the exam table. "Stay with icy for a moment, Steve. I can keep everyone away for about ten minutes."

Steve nods, tuning back to Rosalie. Exiting the room Howard looks to Peggy, "give them ten minutes Peggy, they need some time to mourn." Peggy nods, letting Howard walk away, getting back to work.

Back in the room, Rosalie leans her head against Steve's shoulder, "thanks for helping us Steve."

"You're welcome Rose," Steve says, but pauses when he realizes what he called her, "I'm sorry."

"No, no it's fine," Rose says, looking up at Steve, "I like it. So when do you want to sit down and talk even further?"

"How about tonight? Over dinner maybe?" Steve asks, looking at Rose nervously.