Captain America
“Should Old Acquaintance Be Forgot…”
Part seven.
Midnight… the cool open air that is felt at Hyde Park is something Bucky relishes as he waits at the Holocaust memorial. At this particular time, the place is almost covered by darkness, with exception to a nearby building’s lights – and even that, is only lighted at a minimum, presumably, for the purpose of its night watchman s he need not stumble in total darkness. He’s observed said watchman doing his rounds, and noticed that there was not even a cursory show of curiosity towards his direction – good, he won’t be disturbed.
He then reflects on how he was wondering about meeting her… even thought of the possibility that she would not be willing to talk to him, seeing as she might be blaming him for being part of that Sleeper fiasco that happened here those many months ago; how said Sleeper, sent by the Skull, nearly tore up half of London’s eastern side.
He eventually did stop the Sleeper, with Steve’s help… using hindsight, Bucky had to admit that even in those short moments, it felt right – to be working side-by-side again with Steve. Guess he could chalk that up to what is referred to as muscle memory, and it was nice to know that despite all his slumber periods in between Winter Soldier assignments, his body still knew how to instinctively work in tandem with Steve – Captain America, back then. But would she have known that? Would Steve have told her about it? Why was it important to meet her, and get on her good side?
For starters… aside from Namor, she may be the only other living person he has known way back from the war. The fact that she was alive, was, in itself, miraculous… the fact that she was still young, doubly so – and the manner by which she got that way… a second transfusion from Jim, the Human Torch, was something one would only imagine reading in fiction books. He recalls the Submariner’s words about her…
“She’s still got her spunk, lad…” cited Namor while enjoying the sunset at a lakeside quay by a quaint inn that he had recently purchased, never mind that this was near Latverian borders, “…and the short time that I shared with her, Jim and the new Union Jack, as part of the revived but short-lived Invaders was exhilarating, to say the least.”
Bucky looked at Namor then, and asked him “So, you think I should visit her?”
Namor looks at him, then responds, “Life is short, James, and fleeting... even for such as us. I’ve seen too many friends and relations pass away, and Steve was just the latest. He certainly will not be the last. I’d say that Jacqueline feels the same way. Besides, it’s not as if she’ll bite your head off… Once an Invader, always an Invader… and I can tell you right now, she felt that the old team – the one with you and Steve, got it right, Not so this newer version. Give her a call – or better yet, pay her a visit.”
Looking bemused, Bucky replies - “So… not only have you become a corporate raider, as you call yourself… you also seem to be showing signs of being more sentimental.” Namor’s raised eyebrow and rejoinder then seemed priceless.
>snap< ‘The noise, even if just soft is enough to pull him form his thoughts… he’s got company. He concentrates, becomes fully focused with his surroundings – eyes having been adjusted to the darkness a long time ago, he can see relatively clearly in the dark, and is suddenly aware of several figures nearing him. He slowly moves his arm into his trench coat, clasping his shield’s side… ready to hurtle it at a moment’s notice.
“I’ wouldn’t be doing that if I were you, mate” a somewhat gruff voice says – male by the sounds of it, and about 6 o’clock from where he’s looking – behind him… possibly five meters away, just beyond the tree covering. He mentally places the person’s distance and location, while observing what ‘his’ companions are planning – a flanking movement, possibly a pincer attack.
“Whatever weapon you’ve got under the coat, I suggest you just lay it down slowly” This time, from the person to his left – male as well, equally serious sounding – but lacking the aged timbre of the first person, which means this one is younger than the first. Through the moonlight, Bucky notices a hint of dark blue with some red by this man’s shoulder… a familiar pattern, far as he is concerned.
“I’m not here to make trouble…” Bucky explains, as he raises his hands slightly to his side, to show that he is not holding any weapon. He thinks he knows who these are, but can he be sure? After all, there have been Skrulls here too.
“A curious statement coming from a mysterious person, dressed suspiciously in the dark, while inside a closed park” This time, a female… and somewhat familiar sounding. He decides to test his theory and recites a long time code… one that they had used in the Invaders.
“Bloody ‘ell… now where’ve I ‘eard that before?” The male… Unionjack, Bucky’s certain of it now. His stance betrays a bit of hesitancy.
“Its all gobbledygook lad, meant to distract you… eyes alert! He’s getting ready to do somethin” Again, this coming from the one behind him; possibly the leader – or the elder of the bunch? But he finally hears the voice of Jacqueline say “No… wait! It’s not nonsense… its code - one that I’ve not heard from anyone in a long time. You… “ she addresses Bucky “…step out to the light where we can see you. Explain how you know this – and why you use it now.”
Bucky moves slowly, non-threateningly, into the light, and simply says “Hello, Lady Falsworth… long time no see. The years have been kind, it seems.” She sees the uniform under the coat – and eyes widen a bit, she then stares at the face… something familiar seems there – though she can’t place it. “James? Bucky, is… is that you?” is all she says.
“Easy luv… it might be a trick. He might ave picked it up somewhere, an he might be another one of those green skins”, this warning coming from Unionjack.
“No trick, Mr. Chapman… its Joey Chapman, right? I’m not a Skrull, though I did, just recently, dispose of one that tried copying me.” saying this while looking at the female – seeing if he can convince her to vouch for him. “As for my knowing about the code, I was there when your dad, Lord Falsworth, decided on it as the code to use between us, back at the ‘War Room’.” Then he sees it… a connection, disbelief… shock and surprise all at a split second, and before he knows it, she disappears in a blur, feels the wind briefly surround him, - a quick tug, and just as suddenly reappears a few yards from him – holding his coat… exposing him for who he is.
“Boys…”, she announces, “we’ve got us here a celebrity... and a long lost friend of mine. Do say hullo to Captain ‘bloody’ America a.k.a. James Buchanan Barnes… he used to go by the name o Bucky. Now… he’s taken on the role of a recently departed friend.
So, James, you’re the new Captain America, it seems”… again, a blur, but this time, she’s hugging him, and asking him a lot of questions. She’s so engrossed with talking to him, she forgets to introduce her companions.
Said companions slowly approach, and Bucky’s glad to see Unionjack returning his gun to its holster… though still eyeing him steadily. The third man looks vaguely familiar… though he’s obviously much older than the two – looking like a World War II veteran. Yet his stance betrays strength and confidence, and Bucky automatically knows that this man may be Britain’s counterpart to Steve.
Bucky also sees that this man – likewise, has a rounded shield, though sporting a traditional seal of Great Britain’s Lion. He searches for a name and finally it hits him… “Captain Midland, I presume?” Without realizing it, Bucky is saluting.
“Very observant lad… and is Spitfire here right? Am I to understand that you were the original partner to the man who’s colors you now wear?”
“Yes sir.” And Bucky feels the measured stare of the veteran on him, but he gives this veteran an obvious sign of respect. After all, how many people still alive were privy to having been given the Super Soldier serum?
Unlike Steve, though, this man did not accidentally go into a frozen state to preserve his life… and he can just imagine how he’d look himself, if his life had not been put on hold by the Winter Soldier program.
“Hrrmph… the uniform does not make the man. Do well to remember that!”, and having said just that, Captain Midland strides away – disinterested, and somehow, Bucky feels that he’s just been dismissed.
“Don’t mind the old codger, he’s just disappointed that he didn’t get to bash your head for the glory of the Empire...” This statement coming form Jacqueline Falsworth Chriton, “but lets get to more pleasant surroundings before we continue this. This park may be lovely at night – but its no replacement for the comforts of home. I’ll fix a pot , and we can compare notes.”
Unionjack walks quietly beside Captain Midland, who then grumbles something about how this upstart seems to be getting the royal treatment. “What heroic feat has he done, lad, that allows him to blow his trumpet?”, this mentioned as the Captain turns to look at Unionjack
“He saved this city from a Sleeper of the Red Skull, old man… you do remember reading about that – it was in the briefings with Wisdom, two months ago… so you might want to cutour guest some slack... and prior to that, he was an Invader –one of the originals... that makes him just like you… a war vet. Surely you’d respect that, don’t you?”
Taken aback by U.J.’s revelation and defense of Bucky, Captain Midland looks at the receding form of Captain America, still arm-locked with Spitfire, in the distance. “He did… did he? I knew about the Invaders exploits – but I figured he was just taking the easy jobs – still, you are correct, war was a time for men to prove their worht, and Mr. Barnes did do that. ..well then, he’s gone up two notches, then, in my estimation… but he’s still got a lot o catchin up to do with the original”
“That he does, old man… and I can tell you, it won’t be easy. I know a little about havin to prove one’s self to the tradition of the uniform.”, and Unionjack stops right there - keeping the rest of his thoughts to himself ‘…and I’m just glad the cap fits just fine with me, cause I wouldn’t know how to live up to Steve Rogers’ Captain America’. Unionjack looks one last time to Captain Midland, and simply ends his last statement with… “That he does, and I don envy im.”
As Spitfire and Bucky, who is once again wearing the coat, walk out the park’s grounds, they hear someone approaching them, challenging their presence in the park. “Here, you two… what were you doin in the park at this time?” Bucky sees the challenging coper approaching them, holding his radio in case he would be needing back up.
Before he can catch up with them though, Unionjack, steps through the same location, interposing himself between the officer and Jacqueline with Bucky, making the coper stops dead on his tracks.
“Dear heavens… Unionjack, sir, Constable Sullivan at your service. Sorry to be distrubin you. I thought that your companions were pranksters.” Unionjack simply clasps the officer’s shoulder and tells him, “Quite all right constable, we were just takin the midnight air – needin some privacy with a friend.” And as they both look towards Jackie and Bucky, the officer now sees just who he was about to accost. Spitfire and a now masked Captain America. The constable’s eyes widen in disbelief with who he sees.
“Beggin your pardon sir, I did not recognize you from afar, there’ve been some vandals galavantin around the park, recent like, and I though you might have been them I happen to spot leaving the park.”
“It’s alright, officer. No harm done. Have a good night now.” Captain America remarks, and startst to walk away. But he then hears the officer again. “Captain… beggin your pardon again sir, but there is something I would like to share… more like a request, actually, if you do not mind, that is.”
Seeing Captain America turn to him, the officer becomes emboldened to continue. “Its my old man, sir… he’s sick, and may not last too long, I dare say, and I was wonderin if you could pay him a visit.”
Spotting the slight look of confusion in Captain America’s face, he continue… “See, when I was but a young lad, my da would tell me tales o how, during his younger days, he was almost killed in the war… and how he got saved by the… well, by you and the Invaders.
As he says, it happened some time during the bombing raids; how he was helping to get people into the shelters and he saw an old lady havin some difficulty gettin to the shelter, so my da… he picks her up, just as the bombs start dropping around them.”
“They had not reached the shelter before it closed, so he had to think of something else to do. He was nearly out of his wits, and thought it was his time, but he had to protect the old lady. As things looked to turn for the worse, he felt a hand reach out for him and he sees this young man, younger than him – maybe more likely a teenager. Anyway, this teen was yelling for him to move on, and my da, he was about to point to the old woman, when he sees her get lifted, then he sees Captain America run carrying her, and run across London, they seeemd to have done, brining her to safety, while me da and the young man run behind him.”
“Then, ill luck, I suppose, happens – me dad falls and bends a foot, and this young man does not hesitate to stop, run back and pick him up and half carries him to safety. End of story. Well… not quite, really – see me da mentions that he never had the chance to thank the young man, who he later learned happens to be Captain America’s partner, Bucky. He was hopin to get a chance to thank Bucky someday, but by the time he got out of the medic’s tent, he learned that the Invaders had just up and left before he could do so.”
“The point I was trying to get around to saying with my story is that me da… well, he felt that he was cheated of thanking the one man that helped him – so, maybe, if he can’t thank Bucky, maybe he can thank you instead. I’m sure he’d like that too – you see, the old lady you carried happened to be his future mother-in-law, my grand mum. So you could say that I’m here because o you two.” Constable Sullivan then pauses… looking at Captain America who was just staring at him the whole time.
Spitfire is quiet and Unionjack is likewise uncharacteristically silent, Captain America finally speaks. “I remember that night.” This brings a surprised look from the constable, who probably half thought that his father had told him a tall tale of sorts, but to get confirmation from Captain America…
“Officer… Constable Sullivan … is your father’s name, Arthur Sullivan?”
“Yes sir, yes it is…!” Constable Sullivan can hardly believe that after all those years, Captain America remembers his father. “So it was true?”
Yes it was, constable, and you should be proud of your father’s selfless courage – but then again I see it runs in the family.” Looking at Jackie, he says “Looks like tea will have to wait.” And Spitfire simply nods. “I’ll gladly talk to your father, Officer Sullivan – that is, if you can take me to him now.”
Captain America turns to his companions, and Spitfire is beaming as she simply puts her hand on his arm and says “You know, Captain, we Brits prize our tea time, and we are a traditional lot - we always... always make it a point to honor the crown’s heroes… right boys?”
“Indeed… Captain,” this coming from Captain Midland, whose gruff exterior seemed to have been changed by the constable’s story, as he continues… “ I would like to ask the constable’s permission… as I would like to come along – if that’s alright with everyone, of course. We vets rarely get to rub elbows with each other these days.”
“We’ll all go!” announces Spitfire. “We were planning a reunion, anyway, what’s one more War hero?”, she turns to the constable, and “I hope your father won’t mind a late visit by us all, constable… and do be a darling, lead the way.”
End... for now.
“Should Old Acquaintance Be Forgot…”
Part seven.
Midnight… the cool open air that is felt at Hyde Park is something Bucky relishes as he waits at the Holocaust memorial. At this particular time, the place is almost covered by darkness, with exception to a nearby building’s lights – and even that, is only lighted at a minimum, presumably, for the purpose of its night watchman s he need not stumble in total darkness. He’s observed said watchman doing his rounds, and noticed that there was not even a cursory show of curiosity towards his direction – good, he won’t be disturbed.
He then reflects on how he was wondering about meeting her… even thought of the possibility that she would not be willing to talk to him, seeing as she might be blaming him for being part of that Sleeper fiasco that happened here those many months ago; how said Sleeper, sent by the Skull, nearly tore up half of London’s eastern side.
He eventually did stop the Sleeper, with Steve’s help… using hindsight, Bucky had to admit that even in those short moments, it felt right – to be working side-by-side again with Steve. Guess he could chalk that up to what is referred to as muscle memory, and it was nice to know that despite all his slumber periods in between Winter Soldier assignments, his body still knew how to instinctively work in tandem with Steve – Captain America, back then. But would she have known that? Would Steve have told her about it? Why was it important to meet her, and get on her good side?
For starters… aside from Namor, she may be the only other living person he has known way back from the war. The fact that she was alive, was, in itself, miraculous… the fact that she was still young, doubly so – and the manner by which she got that way… a second transfusion from Jim, the Human Torch, was something one would only imagine reading in fiction books. He recalls the Submariner’s words about her…
“She’s still got her spunk, lad…” cited Namor while enjoying the sunset at a lakeside quay by a quaint inn that he had recently purchased, never mind that this was near Latverian borders, “…and the short time that I shared with her, Jim and the new Union Jack, as part of the revived but short-lived Invaders was exhilarating, to say the least.”
Bucky looked at Namor then, and asked him “So, you think I should visit her?”
Namor looks at him, then responds, “Life is short, James, and fleeting... even for such as us. I’ve seen too many friends and relations pass away, and Steve was just the latest. He certainly will not be the last. I’d say that Jacqueline feels the same way. Besides, it’s not as if she’ll bite your head off… Once an Invader, always an Invader… and I can tell you right now, she felt that the old team – the one with you and Steve, got it right, Not so this newer version. Give her a call – or better yet, pay her a visit.”
Looking bemused, Bucky replies - “So… not only have you become a corporate raider, as you call yourself… you also seem to be showing signs of being more sentimental.” Namor’s raised eyebrow and rejoinder then seemed priceless.
>snap< ‘The noise, even if just soft is enough to pull him form his thoughts… he’s got company. He concentrates, becomes fully focused with his surroundings – eyes having been adjusted to the darkness a long time ago, he can see relatively clearly in the dark, and is suddenly aware of several figures nearing him. He slowly moves his arm into his trench coat, clasping his shield’s side… ready to hurtle it at a moment’s notice.
“I’ wouldn’t be doing that if I were you, mate” a somewhat gruff voice says – male by the sounds of it, and about 6 o’clock from where he’s looking – behind him… possibly five meters away, just beyond the tree covering. He mentally places the person’s distance and location, while observing what ‘his’ companions are planning – a flanking movement, possibly a pincer attack.
“Whatever weapon you’ve got under the coat, I suggest you just lay it down slowly” This time, from the person to his left – male as well, equally serious sounding – but lacking the aged timbre of the first person, which means this one is younger than the first. Through the moonlight, Bucky notices a hint of dark blue with some red by this man’s shoulder… a familiar pattern, far as he is concerned.
“I’m not here to make trouble…” Bucky explains, as he raises his hands slightly to his side, to show that he is not holding any weapon. He thinks he knows who these are, but can he be sure? After all, there have been Skrulls here too.
“A curious statement coming from a mysterious person, dressed suspiciously in the dark, while inside a closed park” This time, a female… and somewhat familiar sounding. He decides to test his theory and recites a long time code… one that they had used in the Invaders.
“Bloody ‘ell… now where’ve I ‘eard that before?” The male… Unionjack, Bucky’s certain of it now. His stance betrays a bit of hesitancy.
“Its all gobbledygook lad, meant to distract you… eyes alert! He’s getting ready to do somethin” Again, this coming from the one behind him; possibly the leader – or the elder of the bunch? But he finally hears the voice of Jacqueline say “No… wait! It’s not nonsense… its code - one that I’ve not heard from anyone in a long time. You… “ she addresses Bucky “…step out to the light where we can see you. Explain how you know this – and why you use it now.”
Bucky moves slowly, non-threateningly, into the light, and simply says “Hello, Lady Falsworth… long time no see. The years have been kind, it seems.” She sees the uniform under the coat – and eyes widen a bit, she then stares at the face… something familiar seems there – though she can’t place it. “James? Bucky, is… is that you?” is all she says.
“Easy luv… it might be a trick. He might ave picked it up somewhere, an he might be another one of those green skins”, this warning coming from Unionjack.
“No trick, Mr. Chapman… its Joey Chapman, right? I’m not a Skrull, though I did, just recently, dispose of one that tried copying me.” saying this while looking at the female – seeing if he can convince her to vouch for him. “As for my knowing about the code, I was there when your dad, Lord Falsworth, decided on it as the code to use between us, back at the ‘War Room’.” Then he sees it… a connection, disbelief… shock and surprise all at a split second, and before he knows it, she disappears in a blur, feels the wind briefly surround him, - a quick tug, and just as suddenly reappears a few yards from him – holding his coat… exposing him for who he is.
“Boys…”, she announces, “we’ve got us here a celebrity... and a long lost friend of mine. Do say hullo to Captain ‘bloody’ America a.k.a. James Buchanan Barnes… he used to go by the name o Bucky. Now… he’s taken on the role of a recently departed friend.
So, James, you’re the new Captain America, it seems”… again, a blur, but this time, she’s hugging him, and asking him a lot of questions. She’s so engrossed with talking to him, she forgets to introduce her companions.
Said companions slowly approach, and Bucky’s glad to see Unionjack returning his gun to its holster… though still eyeing him steadily. The third man looks vaguely familiar… though he’s obviously much older than the two – looking like a World War II veteran. Yet his stance betrays strength and confidence, and Bucky automatically knows that this man may be Britain’s counterpart to Steve.
Bucky also sees that this man – likewise, has a rounded shield, though sporting a traditional seal of Great Britain’s Lion. He searches for a name and finally it hits him… “Captain Midland, I presume?” Without realizing it, Bucky is saluting.
“Very observant lad… and is Spitfire here right? Am I to understand that you were the original partner to the man who’s colors you now wear?”
“Yes sir.” And Bucky feels the measured stare of the veteran on him, but he gives this veteran an obvious sign of respect. After all, how many people still alive were privy to having been given the Super Soldier serum?
Unlike Steve, though, this man did not accidentally go into a frozen state to preserve his life… and he can just imagine how he’d look himself, if his life had not been put on hold by the Winter Soldier program.
“Hrrmph… the uniform does not make the man. Do well to remember that!”, and having said just that, Captain Midland strides away – disinterested, and somehow, Bucky feels that he’s just been dismissed.
“Don’t mind the old codger, he’s just disappointed that he didn’t get to bash your head for the glory of the Empire...” This statement coming form Jacqueline Falsworth Chriton, “but lets get to more pleasant surroundings before we continue this. This park may be lovely at night – but its no replacement for the comforts of home. I’ll fix a pot , and we can compare notes.”
Unionjack walks quietly beside Captain Midland, who then grumbles something about how this upstart seems to be getting the royal treatment. “What heroic feat has he done, lad, that allows him to blow his trumpet?”, this mentioned as the Captain turns to look at Unionjack
“He saved this city from a Sleeper of the Red Skull, old man… you do remember reading about that – it was in the briefings with Wisdom, two months ago… so you might want to cutour guest some slack... and prior to that, he was an Invader –one of the originals... that makes him just like you… a war vet. Surely you’d respect that, don’t you?”
Taken aback by U.J.’s revelation and defense of Bucky, Captain Midland looks at the receding form of Captain America, still arm-locked with Spitfire, in the distance. “He did… did he? I knew about the Invaders exploits – but I figured he was just taking the easy jobs – still, you are correct, war was a time for men to prove their worht, and Mr. Barnes did do that. ..well then, he’s gone up two notches, then, in my estimation… but he’s still got a lot o catchin up to do with the original”
“That he does, old man… and I can tell you, it won’t be easy. I know a little about havin to prove one’s self to the tradition of the uniform.”, and Unionjack stops right there - keeping the rest of his thoughts to himself ‘…and I’m just glad the cap fits just fine with me, cause I wouldn’t know how to live up to Steve Rogers’ Captain America’. Unionjack looks one last time to Captain Midland, and simply ends his last statement with… “That he does, and I don envy im.”
As Spitfire and Bucky, who is once again wearing the coat, walk out the park’s grounds, they hear someone approaching them, challenging their presence in the park. “Here, you two… what were you doin in the park at this time?” Bucky sees the challenging coper approaching them, holding his radio in case he would be needing back up.
Before he can catch up with them though, Unionjack, steps through the same location, interposing himself between the officer and Jacqueline with Bucky, making the coper stops dead on his tracks.
“Dear heavens… Unionjack, sir, Constable Sullivan at your service. Sorry to be distrubin you. I thought that your companions were pranksters.” Unionjack simply clasps the officer’s shoulder and tells him, “Quite all right constable, we were just takin the midnight air – needin some privacy with a friend.” And as they both look towards Jackie and Bucky, the officer now sees just who he was about to accost. Spitfire and a now masked Captain America. The constable’s eyes widen in disbelief with who he sees.
“Beggin your pardon sir, I did not recognize you from afar, there’ve been some vandals galavantin around the park, recent like, and I though you might have been them I happen to spot leaving the park.”
“It’s alright, officer. No harm done. Have a good night now.” Captain America remarks, and startst to walk away. But he then hears the officer again. “Captain… beggin your pardon again sir, but there is something I would like to share… more like a request, actually, if you do not mind, that is.”
Seeing Captain America turn to him, the officer becomes emboldened to continue. “Its my old man, sir… he’s sick, and may not last too long, I dare say, and I was wonderin if you could pay him a visit.”
Spotting the slight look of confusion in Captain America’s face, he continue… “See, when I was but a young lad, my da would tell me tales o how, during his younger days, he was almost killed in the war… and how he got saved by the… well, by you and the Invaders.
As he says, it happened some time during the bombing raids; how he was helping to get people into the shelters and he saw an old lady havin some difficulty gettin to the shelter, so my da… he picks her up, just as the bombs start dropping around them.”
“They had not reached the shelter before it closed, so he had to think of something else to do. He was nearly out of his wits, and thought it was his time, but he had to protect the old lady. As things looked to turn for the worse, he felt a hand reach out for him and he sees this young man, younger than him – maybe more likely a teenager. Anyway, this teen was yelling for him to move on, and my da, he was about to point to the old woman, when he sees her get lifted, then he sees Captain America run carrying her, and run across London, they seeemd to have done, brining her to safety, while me da and the young man run behind him.”
“Then, ill luck, I suppose, happens – me dad falls and bends a foot, and this young man does not hesitate to stop, run back and pick him up and half carries him to safety. End of story. Well… not quite, really – see me da mentions that he never had the chance to thank the young man, who he later learned happens to be Captain America’s partner, Bucky. He was hopin to get a chance to thank Bucky someday, but by the time he got out of the medic’s tent, he learned that the Invaders had just up and left before he could do so.”
“The point I was trying to get around to saying with my story is that me da… well, he felt that he was cheated of thanking the one man that helped him – so, maybe, if he can’t thank Bucky, maybe he can thank you instead. I’m sure he’d like that too – you see, the old lady you carried happened to be his future mother-in-law, my grand mum. So you could say that I’m here because o you two.” Constable Sullivan then pauses… looking at Captain America who was just staring at him the whole time.
Spitfire is quiet and Unionjack is likewise uncharacteristically silent, Captain America finally speaks. “I remember that night.” This brings a surprised look from the constable, who probably half thought that his father had told him a tall tale of sorts, but to get confirmation from Captain America…
“Officer… Constable Sullivan … is your father’s name, Arthur Sullivan?”
“Yes sir, yes it is…!” Constable Sullivan can hardly believe that after all those years, Captain America remembers his father. “So it was true?”
Yes it was, constable, and you should be proud of your father’s selfless courage – but then again I see it runs in the family.” Looking at Jackie, he says “Looks like tea will have to wait.” And Spitfire simply nods. “I’ll gladly talk to your father, Officer Sullivan – that is, if you can take me to him now.”
Captain America turns to his companions, and Spitfire is beaming as she simply puts her hand on his arm and says “You know, Captain, we Brits prize our tea time, and we are a traditional lot - we always... always make it a point to honor the crown’s heroes… right boys?”
“Indeed… Captain,” this coming from Captain Midland, whose gruff exterior seemed to have been changed by the constable’s story, as he continues… “ I would like to ask the constable’s permission… as I would like to come along – if that’s alright with everyone, of course. We vets rarely get to rub elbows with each other these days.”
“We’ll all go!” announces Spitfire. “We were planning a reunion, anyway, what’s one more War hero?”, she turns to the constable, and “I hope your father won’t mind a late visit by us all, constable… and do be a darling, lead the way.”
End... for now.
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