The Right Partner

Chapter 7

It had been several weeks since Harley and his sister had moved in. Her operation had gone better that expected and she's been okay to move in after a week. Harley and Elizabeth got there own floor, below Stark's and were allowed to to what they wanted, as long as they showed up to meals with the rest of the gang on time. Harley had taken to pestering Tony into letting him work with him in his lab while Elizabeth had practically leaped into Steve's arms, ready to show him the world.

On this bright and happy day Elizabeth had taken Steve to go see the statue of Liberty, which the soldier had only seen in pictures. I'm saying Elizabeth took Steve, because while they were holding hands (at Steve's instance so she wouldn't get lost) she was definitely the one in control.

Ignoring the women who kept eyeing him Steve gladly raced along with the little girl, who was surprisingly fast for having just been allowed out of bed two days ago. Her powder blue dress bouncing in the wind as they ran to go see the lady liberty. Steve had grown very fond of Elizabeth over the few weeks she'd been at the tower. He was glad that he could take her out to see sights, even if he hadn't seen them yet.

The little four year old had taken one look at Steve, who had been holding his shield at the time, and declared him her Captain. Steve had just smiled and opened his arms as she ran and lept into them. Tony had said he was a natural and had then gone back to ignoring her brother, who was sitting on Dumb-E as they went down into the lab.

The little girl tugged on his hand as they neared the statue, excitement rising in her chest. She'd never been here before and she was excited when Captain said he'd take her. They weaved through the crowds, dodging puddles from yesterday's rain as they neared the stature. The towering green lady stood proudly above them, holding her torch high, like a beckon. Elizabeth puffed up her chest in pride as she stared at her. A smile spread across Steve's features as he pictured the little girl, holding a torch and the commandments, looking out over the sea.

"Captain, I can't see!" Elizabeth said loudly over the din of people all about. Steve nodded and she held out her arms. Gently slipping her into his arms he hoisted her up and over his head, placing her firmly on his broad shoulders. She squeezed her legs and wrapped her arms around his face, trying to keep her balance. Once she was sure she wouldn't fall she held her arms out like a plane, closed her eyes and smiled into the wind, letting her dark hair flow behind her.

***

"Where does this piece go?" Tony sighed as the boy asked yet again another stupid question. Holding out his hand and plucking it from the boy he slapped it into place and closed the panel.

"There see? Just like new." He held up the arm and walked over to Dumb-E to reattach it. This was the third time the arm had come off and he was starting to suspect Harley had something to do with it.

"How, how'd you do that? I thought the rotator went-" Tony wasn't the only one who hated being cut off.

"Nope, it goes behind the piston. Now, are you gonna tell me how this happened for the third time?" Harley looked a little embarrassed as the mechanic turned to face him.

"I was just trying to see how it worked, I didn't know the arms came off that easily... Sorry." Tony sighed and set down his wrench.

"No problem. Hey where did your sis and Cap take off to? Thought we were having lunch later..." Tony started packing up his tools and placing them back in the box. Harley just smiled as he fiddled with his hands.

"They went to see the statue remember? And you don't have to ask about my sister, I know you were really just wondering where he went." Tony's heart beat a bit faster but he turned around calmly, trying not to give anything away.