Winter's Daughter

Chapter 22

James noticed the bright yellow sports car pull up in the middle of the preparations and rolled his eyes. 

'Perfect. Absolutely perfect. just when I thought things couldn't be worse.'

The soldier walked over to Steve as the billionaire strutted over.

"Capsicle." Tony shook Steve's hand.

"Tony." Steve returned the gesture.

"Ah, I didn't know you had company." Tony's gaze shifted away from Steve to James.

"I have every right to be here just as you do Stark. What have you done to help us?" James asked loudly as anger coursed it's way through him.

"More than you have." He remarked.

Victoria, who was helping a few of her fellow agents load some supplies, rose from her job and stared at Tony. Her gaze narrowed as she walked over next to her father.

"Is...? Are you two related...?" He looked at Vic then back at James.

"For your information, It's rude to pry." Vic spat at Tony, already knowing the type of person he was.

"This is Victoria. She's my daughter. And no, we aren't related. Her parents died and so I took her in."

Tony blinked a few times. "I'm guessing you were the only one to volunteer to take care of her?"

Vic's blood began to boil after those words left the man's lips. Her eyes flickered and changed as the gold hue covered her skin. She took a step toward Tony and balled her hands into fists.

"What did you say?" She asked him, the hue growing brighter as her anger increased.

"Nice light show. How are you doing that?" He asked confused.

She grabbed his shirt collar and glared at him. "Say something like that again, and you'll get hurt."

James, who was scared about what was happening, pulled the sixteen year old back, which calmed her instantly.

"What is she?!" Tony yelled, as he took a few steps back.

"I'm human thank you very much. Not what everyone around here calls a 'mutant'" She said curtly. 

"We've only got a couple of weeks left, let's get to work." Steve ended the argument, and sent Tony inside the building to help manufacture weapons to help them win.

James sent Vic back inside to do file work for Fury so he could talk to Steve alone.

"You know that Hydra isn't going to let us surrender. You know how they are. No prisoners."

"I know Buck. Everything is gonna be fine though. You've achieved an experiment that you know will work."

"I know, but what is she going to think when that time comes?"

"I couldn't tell you."

James knew that it would be the only way to make sure Vic would be safe, but he knew what the cost would be.

'She'll never forgive me when this is over.'