Helena Stark: A WWII Widow

chapter eleven: Rose

"Initial signature is unusual. Alpha beta remain neutral." I commented to Howard as we examined what Steve and I were able to grab from the HYDRA base we blew up.

"No doubt Rogers picked up on that," Howard replied, to which I smacked him. "Ow!"

"Seems harmless enough." I said, "other than when it fires at you. However, in this kind of state, maybe it doesn't do anything. It could require a higher velocity to explode on impact."

"Hard to see what all the fuss is about," Howard said.

"Don't do anything...." I began, but then we were thrown back by an explosion. "Stupid."

"Write that down," Howard said, making me throw my clipboard at him.

"Write it down yourself, idiot!"

"How was I supposed to know it would explode?!" Howard demanded.

"I warned you that it could!" I yelled back.

Howard considered me for a moment, "why would I do that?"

"Idioto!" I shouted at him in Italian as I stomped away. "I'm going to get everything ready for Captain Rogers!" I started angrily tossing things onto tables, "stupid men and brothers!"

"What did Howard do to make you angry?" Peggy asked as she walked in.

"He exists!" I exclaimed as I threw my hands up into the air.

"That doesn't seem like an answer," Peggy replied.

I didn't say anything as I continued to less angrily place things down, though not really in any particular order. "Why is this shield up?" Howard demanded as he held up the circular object. I looked up and saw what he was talking about.

"Do you remember how much I had to plead with Wokanda to get this tiny amount a metal?" I demanded as he put it down.

"Don't care, you can stand guard with it if that makes you feel better," Howard said offhandedly.

I was fuming at this point, "Howard Anthony Walter Stark..." I said in a deadly calm voice, which he of course ignored.

"Why don't we go and find the Captain?" Peggy suggested as she dragged me out.

"He needs to learn how to talk with chivalry," I muttered as we looked through the offices. I turned to Peggy to ask her a question when I ran right into her back.

"Captain!" Peggy shouted making Steve jump. I looked over and saw Anne jumping back from Steve, was she kissing him? No surprise on Anne's part, but Steve... I've heard at least five women say that they wanted to kiss him, but I never expected him to accept. He's always seemed different than men like Howard. "We're ready for you. If you're not otherwise occupied." Peggy said as she gave him a scathing look.

"Agent Carter, wait," Steve said as she dragged me out with her.

"Looks like finding a partner wasn't that difficult," I said softly to him.

"Hey, that's not what you thought it was," Steve said.

Peggy whirled around, "I don't think anything, Captain. Not one thing. Always wanted to be a soldier, and now you are. Just like all the rest."

"Peggy, that isn't fair," I whispered into her ear.

"Well, what about you and Stark? How do I know you two haven't been....fondueing." Steve said, but it was as confused as it could get.

"You still don't know a bloody thing about women," Peggy said as she stomped away.

Steve looked at me with such confusion and regret that I began to pity him, and forgive him at the same time. I was ultimately much more angry with Howard than I was with Steve being captured by a blonde. "It's food, Steve."

"What?" Steve asked looking even more revolted.

"Fondue's just melted cheese and bread, or really anything melted and put on something else. It is also a ballet move, but we won't go into that one." I said gently, almost like I was explaining to Rosemary.

"Really?" Steve asked in surprise, I didn't think."

"Or should you, pal," Howard said randomly as he patted Steve on the shoulder.

"Where did you come from?" I demanded with my hand on my hip.

Howard ignored me. "The moment you think you know what's going on in a woman's head. Is the moment your goose is well and truly cooked."

I smacked his head, hard. "Idiot."

"See!" Howard said as I walked into the room with all of the toys. "Me, I concentrate on work."

"Which at the moment, is about making sure you and your men do not get killed," I added after tripping Howard as I stood at the front of the table.

"Carbon polymer. Should withstand your average German bayonet." Howard

"Although, Hydra's not going to attack you with a pocket knife," I commented.

Once again Howard ignored me, "I hear you're uh, kinda attached." He said as he gestured to the ruined shield.

"It's handier than you might think," Steve replied.

"I took the liberty of coming up with some options," Howard said, then I smacked his arm. Hard. "I mean, we came up with some options."

"It was my idea," I said.

"Anyhow," Howard said with an annoyed tone. "This one's fun. She's being fitted with electrical relays. That will allow you to..."

"What about this one?" Steve asked as he picked up my hard earned shield.

"No, no that's just a prototype," Howard said shooting me a glare.

"What's it made of?" Steve asked.

"Vibranium." I answered, "it's stronger than steel, and a third of the weight, and it's completely vibration absorbent."

"How come it's not standard issue?" Steve questioned.

"That's the rarest metal on Earth, took Helena months to get this. What you're holding there. That's all we got." Howard answered as Peggy walked up.

"Are you quite finished, Mr. Stark? I'm sure the Captain has some unfinished business." Peggy said with a sneer.

"Peg..." I warned as Steve held up the shield he had apparently chosen.

"What do you think?" He asked innocently.

"Oh dear..." I muttered as Peggy whipped out her gun and fired at the shield. I dove to the side as the bullets bounced off of the shield. "Yes, I think it works," I said to her, making her smile as she walked away.

"I had some ideas about the uniform," Steve said as they stared at her walking off.

"Whatever you want, pal."

"Helena, can I ask you a question..." Steve asked me suddenly.

"Of course, Captain."

"Can I have your picture?"

~*~

To my Sweet Rosemary,

I miss you, my darling girl. Your uncle has been as difficult as ever, but I know he misses you as well. How are your studies going? I assume that Jarvis has been rather helpful, he is an incredibly knowledgeable man, and his wife is so sweet. You remember when I came to visit and we saw that Captain America show? Well, I have had the pleasure of seeing Captain Rogers again. I told him about how much you loved his show, and he said he'd love to see you again. If you'd like to that is, he said he's not that skinny guy anymore.

I think my part in the war will come to an end soon, or at least I hope it will. I miss you incredibly so. What would you like to do first when I came back? It should be sometime soon. I sent you a few things that I hope you like for your birthday. Just in case I won't be there.

I love you, my sweet Rose.

Love,
Madre

~*~