Helena Stark: A WWII Widow

chapter thirteen: Roger

I tried to get my footing like before, but I just kept slipping and loosing my grip on the railing. I grit my teeth, I guess I have to either try to pull myself up, or lower myself down. I opted to pick my self up and then try to hook my legs into one of the bars. I had almost managed it when I heard a horrifying sound.

I looked down terrified as I watched Bucky fall. "No..." I whispered as I felt tears sting my eyes. I almost let go of the bar to wipe my eyes, but realized that would be a very bad idea, but so would staying out here since we were approaching a tunnel. "Not good," I muttered, only one option left.

Unhooking my legs I swung back and forth until I was at what I hope was the right angle and let go. I managed to swing onto a lower rung right by the door and climb in. I crumpled to the ground breathing heavily when I heard a noise and a guard burst in. I jumped up, but my legs gave out since I was shaking so badly. He picked me up and I started to beat on his back, "let me go, you thug!" I shouted angrily as I tried to punch him.

He didn't let me go, only slung me over his shoulder and began to march me through the cars. I relaxed for a moment and was able to reach the wrench in my boot and then I socked him in the head.

He was out cold.

As soon as he crumpled I ran.

I started going through the carts when I literally ran right into Steve. "Helena!" He said surprised as his voice cracked. I looked up at him and saw his bright blue eyes swimming with tears, but not as bright as before. I bit my lip as I hugged him and started to cry, "are you hurt?" He asked gently as he held me like I was made of glass.

I shook my head as I heard Gabe come up behind Steve, "we got him. We're going to be leaving soon."

"Roger that," Steve said as he picked me up, but I hardly noticed. "Let's get off of this death trap."

~*~

"I'm not going in there, Phillips."

"You're a girl, and you'll understand any mumbo-jumbo he says."

"I'm a girl!"

"And mumbo jumbo..."

"He almost got me killed! And he killed Sargent Barnes!"

"I understand that you are upset Ms. Stark, but think of it this way. You can make him sweat."

I glared at Colonel Phillips as I pointed a finger at him, which wasn't that impressive since I'm only a little bit taller than Howard. "I am doing this to help Captain Rogers, do I make myself clear? Then I am going to figure out who the hell sent me on that suicide mission."

Phillips didn't say anything as he walked in with a tray of food, me right on his heels, but not happy about it. "What is this?" Zola asked when Phillips put it down in front of him

"Steak," Phillips replied.

"What is in it?"

"Cow," I replied from my corner as I glared daggers at him.

"Doctor, do you realize, how difficult it is to get a hold, of a prime cut like that out here?" Phillips asked.

"I don't eat meat." He replied.

"Why not?"

"It disagrees with me."

"How about Cyanide, does that give you the rumbly tummy too?" I asked as I slammed my hands on the table, Phillips didn't stop me. He said I could make Zola sweat, I plan on doing just that. "Every Hydra agent that we've tried to take alive, has crushed a little pill before we can stop them. But not you. So, here's my brilliant theory. You want to live."

"You're trying to intimidate me, Colonel," Zola said as if I didn't even talk.

"I brought you dinner." Phillips defended, and then a message came in. "Oh, Helena would you?"

I nodded as I took the note: "Given the valuable information that he has provided, And in exchange for his full co-operation. Doctor Zola is being remanded to Switzerland."

"I sent that message to Washington this morning," Phillips said as he started to eat the steak. "Of course it was encoded. You guys haven't broken those codes, have you?"

"That would be awkward." I acknowledged.

"Schmidt will know this is a lie." Zola defended.

"He's going to kill you anyway, Doc. You're a liability. You know more about Schmidt than anyone." I said simply.

"And the last guy you cost us was Captain Rogers closest friend. Not to mention a good friend of our favorite mechanic here, plus you tried to kill her." Phillips explained.

"So I wouldn't count on the very best of protection," I added.

"It's you, or Schmidt. It's just the hand you've been dealt." Phillips said simply as he stood up and we went to walk out.

"Schmidt believes he walks in the footsteps of the gods," Zola said quickly, but Phillips only hummed in response. "Only the world itself will satisfy him."

"You do realize that's nuts, don't you," Phillips asked.

"Of course. The certainty of the plan is of no consequence." Zola responded.

"And why is that?"

"Because he can do it," Zola responded.

"What's his target?" I asked with a hint of fear in my voice, I need to move Rosemary somewhere as far away from Schmidt.

"He's darkened. He's everywhere."

~*~

"Do you know where Captain Rogers is?" I asked Howard.

"No, but I think he's mourning somewhere," Howard responded as he looked at me, then gawked in surprise. "You're wearing a dress..."

"Rosemary sent it to me, she said that she wants her madre to look pretty before going off to battle big bad Hitler," I said as an explanation.

Howard smiled, "she misses you a lot, doesn't she?"

"I miss her too," I said softly as I walked away, the area we were in was just recently bombed, so I think I know where Steve went. I wandered through the rubble to where the pub was but was now just a pile of bottles and chairs. "I thought I might find you here."

"Doctor Erskine said that the serum wouldn't just affect my muscles. It would affect my cells. Create a protective system, of regeneration and healing. Which means, um... I can't get drunk." Steve said quietly as he held up the bottle. "Did you know?"

"Your metabolism burns four times faster than the average person," I said as I found a chair and sat down next to him. "He thought it could be one of the side effects." Steve didn't say anything as I looked around, this really did reflect our mood. "It wasn't your fault."

"Did you read the report?"

"Yes."

"Well, then you know that's not true," Steve said simply.

I sighed, "Steve I was the one who picked up your shield after you were shot at. If anything, you could blame me. You did everything you could." I told him softly as I thought about that day's events. "Did you believe in your friend? Did you respect him?" I asked pointedly, to which Steve nodded, but didn't say anything. "Then stop blaming yourself."

"You nearly died too Helena, I can blame myself for that," Steve said.

"I stayed with you and that was my choice, Bucky did what he had to do, and that was the dignity of his choice. He damn well must have thought you were worth it." I said as I kissed his cheek and then walked away.