Oil & Water • H.Stark (DISCON.)

4 • "That's a Little Bit Tougher to Explain."

The entire team are preparing a battle plan to take down Red Skull at the HYDRA Headquarters.

"Johann Schmidt belongs in a bug house. He thinks he's a God. He's willing to blow half the world to prove it, starting with the U.S.A" Colonel Phillips said to the room full of people.

"Schmidt's working powers beyond our capabilities. He gets across the Atlantic, he will wipe out the entire eastern sea board in an hour." Howard stated.

"How much time we got?"

"According to my new best friend, twenty four hours. HYDRA's last base is here." Colonel Phillips said, holding up a photo, "In the Alps. Five hundred feet below the surface."

"So, what are we supposed to do? I mean, it's not like we can just knock on the front door."

"Why not? That's exactly what we're going to do." Steve said.

✖✖✖

Marilyn and Peggy were waiting in the radio room, for any word from Steve and his Howling Commandos. It wasn't long before static came through and they heard Steve's voice calling for Peggy. Peggy rushed to the radio as Marilyn sat beside her, ready for anything.

"Steve? Is that you? Are you alright?" Peggy said into the radio.

"Peggy! Schmidt's dead." Steve's voice came through.

"What about the plane?" Peggy asked him, waiting a second for his reply.

"That's a little bit tougher to explain." Steve hesitated.

"Give me your coordinates, I'll find you a safe landing site." Peggy looked over to Marilyn who nodded and got a pen and pad ready.

"There's not going to be a safe landing. But I can try and force it down."

"I'll get Howard on the line, he'll know what to do." Peggy argued.

"There's not enough time. This thing's moving too fate, and it's heading for New York..." There was some static for a moment before Steve spoke up again, "I gotta put her in the water." Marilyn's face fell as she realised what Steve was suggesting. Peggy shook her head.

"Please don't do this." Her voice cracked, Marilyn wiped a tear from her cheek as she watched on, "We have time. We can work it out."

"Right now, I'm in the middle of nowhere. If I wait any longer, a lot of people are gonna die. Peggy, this is my choice." Steve said, there was some silence between the two of them as Marilyn continued to watch, waiting to see if Peggy needed some support, "Peggy?" Steve's voice came over the radio again.

"I'm here." Peggy said as she tried to blink away the tears.

"I'm gonna need a rain check on that dance." Steve said, making Peggy smile a little. Marilyn moved to Peggy's side, placing a hand on her shoulder.

"Alright." She sighed, "A week, next Saturday, at the Stork Club."

"You got it." Steve said.

"Eight o'clock on the dot. Don't you date be late! Understood?" Peggy said, although Marilyn and herself knew differently.

"You know, I still don't know how to dance.." Steve said. Peggy looked more desperate than ever.

"I'll show you how. Just be there.." She said, the tears falling from her eyes. Marilyn tried to keep a strong-front for Peggy, but she too was crying.

"You'll have the band play somethin' slow. I'd hate to step on your.." Steve said but cut out, the static being the only thing Peggy and Marilyn could hear. Peggy sobs but continues to try and get through to Steve.

"Steve? Steve?... Steve?"

✖✖✖

That next week, on the Saturday, Peggy, Marilyn and Howard were at the Stork Club. People were happy that the war was over and one, but the three of them were still in mourning for their friend - in Marilyn and Howard's case - and their lover - Peggy's case. Marilyn's fingers skimmed over the rim of her drink glass as Peggy looked into her drink. Howard was silent, his arm over Marilyn's chair.

"Well, what now?" Marilyn said, looking between Peggy and Howard, "I don't want to think that this is the last time I see you both, especially when we're like this." She stated, making Howard and Peggy look at her. Peggy sighed and tried to smile at her, but it seemed more like a grimace.

"That's something I have to inform you about actually." Peggy stated, taking a sip of her drink before looking at Marilyn, "The SSR want you for their laboratory." Marilyn's eyebrows rose a little as she stared at Peggy.

"Really?" Marilyn asked, "Taking down notes?" She questioned and Peggy shook her head.

"Testing and creating equipment and weapons and such." Peggy said to Marilyn. Marilyn looked over to Howard, as if he could give her the answer.

"I'd tell you to take it, Doll." He shrugged, she smiled and turned to look back at Peggy.

"When do I start?"

"Immediately." Peggy told her, Marilyn sipped the rest of her drink and turned to Howard.

"C'mon Mr. Stark, let's dance." She said and stood, leaving her purse on the table before walking to the dance floor. Howard looked over to Peggy and raised an eyebrow. Peggy smiled at him.

"Don't keep her waiting, Howard." Peggy teased him. Howard rolled his eyes but stood and joined Marilyn on the dance floor. Peggy sighed and looked back into her drink, wallowing in pain as the others around her continued to laugh, talk and dance.