Shadow of the Past (Captain America) // ✔️ //

Chapter 14: The Engineer's Wrench

"So you believe me now?" Antonia asked as she narrowed her eyes at the stupid Colonel. Though she was glad that he did believe her, this was not how she wanted it. She took a deep breath, but Erskine was going to die no matter and nothing could've changed that.

Phillips, who was sitting across from her, eyed her; he was trying to read her. "I still have my doubts, but-"

Antonia glared. "Then why am I here? You should-"

"-But I'm starting to believe you," he stated, interrupting her. "I want to keep an eye on you." He opened up the file in front of him and skimmed it over before sliding it toward Antonia. "You rotting in a cell won't help anyone."

She glanced down at the file. Without actually looking at it, she could tell it was about her as she saw her face staring up at her. "What's this?" she asked.

The Colonel stood up and crossed to the window. Unlike the last time they talked, they were in a small office that had a window facing the outside. "In order to keep an eye on you, I need you close and this is how I'm going to do so." He turned back to her with a smile. "It means you have to listen to me."

"I don't know what's in this file, but I won't listen to anyone," she stated. "What makes you think I will? Me and authority don't get along." She let out a chuckle as she thought about all of the times Rogers tried to tell her what to do.

"You'll have if you want to get home," he stated, putting stress on the word home.

Antonia narrowed her eyes as she picked up the file. She let out a loud pitch laugh as she read it, because it was the funniest shit on the planet. It had her listed as a solder in the Army. "A Corporal? Really?" She couldn't keep the laugher in. "Why can't I be a Captain? No fair, Salty," she teased as she stuck out her tongue.

His eye twitched at the sound of the nickname. "You're lucky you're even that. I could've made you a private, but if you're going to be around my men, I want, rather need, you to be of a higher rank. These men hadn't been around a woman in a long time, and a slightly higher rank might be able to discourage them from trying something."

She stopped laughing for a second and glared. "Wait, what?" She paused. "Try what?"

He looked at her and laughed before he became deadly silent. "Though, they might not respect a woman Corporal," he stated very seriously. "There aren't women Corporals."

Antonia's eye was still twitching. "I can take care of myself," she replied. She had heard of military women getting harassed in her time, but she could imagine that it was worse now. It scared her a bit to think about it; however, she wasn't going to let it get to her. Men were like dogs; if they smelled fear, they would attack.

"You say this now, but this won't be like anything you're used to," he stated as he stepped to a desk in the corner of the room. He opened a drawer and pulled something out. Antonia eyed him curiously, but she did not say anything. "Here are some uniforms for you." He set them down in front of her.

She glanced at the items. "Please tell me I don't have to wear a skirt, as I refused." There were a few things she could put up with, but she wouldn't wear a skirt. Yes, she had worn skirts and dresses before, but that was different. This was the army.

Salty let out a laugh. "I knew you would say that," he chuckled as he glanced her over.

She was still wearing the black outfit that she had worn when she had snuck into Stark industries. For being in a cell for a few weeks, she didn't look all that bad, but she looked tired and worn out. "Well, it's hard to build an engine or a generator when wearing a skirt. Have you try to bend down while wearing a dress? It's the most awkward thing on the planet!" She paused and thought about her statement. "No, wait. I take that bad. That's the second most awkward thing on the planet. Me trying to play wingman to Steve Rogers is the most awkward thing on the planet." She let out a painful chuckle. "He can't even talk to a woman without breaking out in a cold sweat."