The Soldier and the Spy.

Chapter 9

****Captain America****

I look across at the smiling woman in front of me. How could this be the same girl who went through such pain and trauma? As a soldier, I can relate to pain, and the serum was no birthday party either. Pain changes people, and I wonder what Variel was like before all the hurt.

"Steve, are you ok?" she asks.

"Huh?" I say, coming out of my thoughts.

"You were staring at me. Is there something on my face?"

"Oh no, I was just....thinking." I need to be more careful when I stare at her. She would probably think I'm a weirdo. "So what do you think of the mission?" She shifts in her chair.

"Honestly? I don't know. That's what worries me. S.T.O.W. has been really quiet lately. That is just not like them, and it makes me nervous."

I start to tell her it will be okay when we're interrupted by Tony over the intercom.

"Attention Princess and Capsicle! Stop getting all mushy gushy with each other and come to the suit room.There is something you two lovebirds need to see, although I doubt Captain Alzheimers will understand it, since he discovered electricity yesterday."

I blush and look over at Variel, whose cheeks are pink. She ducks her head, and I realize how cute she is when she's embarrassed.

"We better get going, before he gets mad."

****Variel****

I hear Tony's announcement and blush. Could he be any more crass? I duck my head, hoping that Steve didn't see my blush. I follow him to the suit room, wondering what Tony has for me. As we enter the room, and Tony runs up and tugs my hand like the seven-year old that he is inside.

"Finally, you're here! You two took forever. What were you doing, making out? Never mind, open this!" he says, talking at a thousand miles a minute and shoving a box into my hands. I can tell from his expression that he is proud of himself.

Curious, I open it, gasp, and pull out a body suit. "Is this what I think it is?"

"Yep! It sure is Princess. Now, as much as Cap would like to watch, you can go put it on in the changing room around the corner."

I get into the changing room and put my suit on. It feel amazingly smooth, like a second skin. When I look in the mirror, I almost don't recognize myself. It is a black body suit with gold stitching, and curvy gold stripes down the arms and legs. I turn around and notice that the back is open, showing my lion scar. I grin. Thank you Tony. I have finger-less gloves built into the sleeves, and slim black boots with gold, reinforced toes that attach to my pant legs.

I shove aside the curtain, and step out to face Tony and Steve.

****Tony Stark, twenty minutes earlier****

"Nick! Nick!" I yell, bursting into his office. I screech to a halt at the sight of a gun pointed straight at my head. I quickly pull my hands into the air. "Whoa! It's me!" I say, more than slightly panicked.

"Mr. Stark, I do not like surprises," Nick Fury says, lowering the gun and gesturing for me to sit. "Or people that call me by my first name," he remarks pointedly with a glare, shoving the handgun back into the pocket that it came from.

"Okay, Agent Fury," I reply sarcastically. "Would you like to know the very important information that I've just discovered, or shall I stand against the wall and help you with your target practice?"