Just a Little Time

An Old Pro

The helicarrier invite was exactly the big deal special circumstances thing it sounded like. The craft was a fully functioning, armed, on duty, mobile military base. There had been children on it before but refugees not children of staff. Dick was warned that he was expected to be on his best behaviour.

"Steve, did you call Sheila from CPS and tell her what's happening? She wanted me in school," reminded Dick looking worried.

Steve hadn't talked to Sheila yet but it seemed pretty obvious to him that Dick's personal safety had to come before school. Grade two was probably not going to work anyway but Dick needed to be socialized in modern society so homeschooling wasn't the best option either. Until Dick was settled enough not to spook and run off again Steve wanted Dick close at hand or with one of the few people he trusted to understand Dick's whole history.

Steve watched as Dick called Sheila and explained where he was going and for how long finally putting the phone down with shaking hands. "That was really brave Dick. I know how you feel about CPS."

Dick who had looked really uncomfortable on the phone just shrugged, "Try testifying as the star witness in your parent's murder trial."

"I could have talked to her for you," Steve spoke. He pulled Dick into a one armed hug as the jeep pulled up to an armed forces base.

"What's the mission Steve?" Dick asked in a small voice.

"Classified," answered Steve regretfully.

"Okay."

It was a longish flight by Quinjet to the Helicarrier.

Nick Fury himself took charge of Dick after they boarded the Helicarrier. Dick watched Steve and the other Avengers run off. Dick followed Fury around like a silent puppy as the director bellowed and ordered and marched from place to place getting things underway.

Dick was stared at by many unquestioning soldiers. His excellent hearing picked up on the continual questions of who he was that followed after them whenever Director Fury and Dick left a space.

They had dinner in a corner of a cafeteria stared at by many soldiers.

"I'm sorry you can't be free to roam here," spoke Fury pushing another carton of milk towards the child whose back was ramrod straight as he ate with impeccable manners obviously hyper aware of all the eyes on him.

When a soldier came briskly to report that the senior security council was requesting a teleconference in twenty minutes, Fury sighed. He couldn't take the child to that but Fury had suspisions about a security breach in SHIELD and he didn't want the child in the hands of an ordinary soldier nor did he want the details of why Richard was here to become common knowledge. Right now the theory being circulated had to do with Richard being some kind of witness that Captain America had adopted to keep under his protection. It was a good thing that the Richard didn't look much like his father. His resemblance to Peggy was clear. The details of Richard's paternity and past was a fiercely guarded secret. Most of the security council didn't even know. Did the child even understand his situation?

There was nothing to keep a child entertained. Mobile phones, video games and television were considered a security risk. The Helicarrier was proudly paper free. Just locking Richard in his empty room seemed cruel.

"You want to learn how to fly a Quinjet?" Fury asked.

There was a decommissioned flight simulator on E deck. It was waiting for upgrades. The controls layout on the real Quinjets had changed slightly. "Alright Richard. Stay here. Don't open the door for anyone."