Oil & Water • H.Stark (DISCON.)

1 • "A Chance at Rebirth."

"I know this neighbourhood.." Steve Rogers said out-loud. Himself, Peggy Carter and Marilyn O'Connel were sat in a car, on their way to a lab where Steve would undertake an experiment under Project Rebirth, on behalf of Howard Stark and Dr. Erskine, whom Marilyn was the assistant of. Dr. Erskine had chosen Steve for this particular project, to the dismay of others, but Erskine had known that Steve would be perfect for the job. Erskine had asked Marilyn to join Peggy in bringing Steve in to the lab, hoping to keep in calm in some way, but Steve just continued to talk to the pair of them as they sat silently.

"I got beat up in that alley." He said as they passed said-alley, "And in that parking lot, and behind that diner." He continued, playing with his fingers bashfully. Peggy's lips twitched in a grin.

"Ever heard of running away?" She joked.

"You start running, they'll never let you stop. You stand up, you push back, they can't say no forever, right?" Steve questioned.

"I admire your courage to stand and fight, Steve." Marilyn said, giving him a small smile.

Steve stared at her for a moment, seemingly entranced by the pair of brunettes in the car with him.

"I think this is the longest conversation I've had with a woman. Women aren't exactly lining up to dance with a guy they might step on." Steve admitted, causing Marilyn to frown a little, she felt pity and sadness for him. She had gotten to know Steve in the past few days since the search for someone for Project Rebirth, and Steve seemed to be a man of a gentle and compassionate soul.

Peggy glanced over to Marilyn, seemingly shocked at his admittance.

"You've had to have danced before." Peggy said to him.

"Well, asking a woman to dance always seemed so terrifying and the past few years, it just didn't seem to matter that much. Figured I'd wait." Steve explained, and Peggy raised an eyebrow at him.

"Well, wait for what?" Peggy questioned him, her eyes focused on him. Marilyn looked away, pretending to be more interested in the scenery that past the windows, her lips pressed tight together as she fought a smile.

"The right partner." Steve said to Peggy. The car soon stopped outside an antiques store, Marilyn sat up straight as she recognised it.

"What are we doing here?" Steve questioned quietly as they all left the car and walked towards the store. Peggy nudged Steve to keep quiet. Peggy opened the door and walked in, Steve motioned Marilyn to enter before him and she did with a smile, letting him follow her. The bell rung a little as the door opened and rung again when the door shut. An elderly woman walked up to the counter, smiling at the three of them.

"Wonderful weather this morning, isn't it?" She asked them all with a weak voice. Peggy looked over to Marilyn, who stepped up and talked to the woman.

"Yes, but I always carry an umbrella." Marilyn said to the woman, who lead the three into another room, filled with books. She pressed a button and it revealed a small corridor. Peggy strutted ahead as Marilyn and Steve walked side-by-side, Marilyn's and Peggy's heals clicking against the hard floor. Marilyn looked over to Steve as they entered the lab.

"You'll be fine, Steve, I promise." She said before pressing a small kiss to cheek before walking to Dr. Erskine. Steve blushed immensely.