Surprises - 1

-----Hope POV------

The team came back after destroying the Hydra facility in Siberia. It was our first planned attack on Hydra. The good news is we managed to retrieve the Winter Soldier diary from the base and it will help in fixing the damage done to Bucky's brain. The bad news is that one of the five hydra operatives, who was part of the Winter Soldier program, was not on the base during the time of the attack.

Martha found a record of him being on a special emergency mission and he had left the next day after Hydra's attack on Howard failed. There is hardly any clue where he is hiding now.

I was going to meet the teammates of the fallen knights when I saw Steve was coming out of the medical room. "Steve, how is the team now?"

"We are soldiers hope. Losing anyone is always hard but we are all aware of the dangers. Trust me even I am not bulletproof. Being a soldier means having to fight on the front lines with your team and casualties are part of it. The team is not in mourning but they are celebrating the passing of the brothers who are finally at rest." Steve replied with a smile. There was sadness in his eyes but there was also a strong bright light that attracted me towards him.

"Well, then I won't disturb them. Phil has asked for a meeting and is throwing a party at his home. You and I are invited there. I think this is gathering for whatever he has planned for this year. Want to go together?" I invited him.

"Ahem...Sure, I will meet you after half an hour," Steve replied stiffly. He tried to show a smile but that just made it worse. Clearly, the man can tackle bullets and bombs but cannot talk to a woman.

"Let's make that two hour. I need time to be ready and we are taking the private chopper now. Okay?" I asked him but that was not a question to be answered and I moved towards my quarters.

-----Steve POV-------

I looked at the back of Hope who was going away after inviting me to Phil's party. It felt strange being around her. She is not like other girls I have met. She is young but mature and sometimes childish. She has the personality of Peggy If it has to be compared but she is also Hope. After a few minutes, I realised I was actually invited again by a girl to a party. Shit. I don't even know how to dance or what kind of dress should I choose now?

I looked around and then went alone towards my chambers.

"Martha, can you please show me the latest dresses men wear for a party?" I asked Martha in my room. This is embarrassing but necessary.

------Howard Stark POV------

Me and my wife took a 'vacation' and came to Colorado for 'skiing'. It's a fine way to say I am in hiding. What makes the whole thing more confusing is, I am not even sure who I am hiding from.

There was a knock on the door and the only man I can trust is finally here.

"Welcome, Hank. I was not sure you would come when I called you," I said politely shaking the hand of my old friend who left SHIELD a few years back.

"You called me to know, if I know, who attacked you and your wife. You are scared Howard because you can't see it coming. Can you?" Hank said straightforwardly. I know he is right.

I got a call two days after the attack from Hank and he told me to disappear and not touch SHIELD for some time. He is the only one I can trust. Does he hate me? Yes. Does he want my life? Never.

"Help me, Hank. You know, it was never me who wanted you to quit SHIELD? You still have full access there. I was not even the one who tried to copy your research." I pleaded to the man. Half-truth anyway. No lies.

"Yes, it was not you leading the research or the one starting it but you never did anything to stop it. Did you? In fact, you supported it silently from the sidelines." Hank looked at me with that stubborn expression I knew.

"I apologise for all that Hank. I truly do. Trust me, but right now I need help. I am not sure who I can trust. I know people like me and you, can never retire peacefully but this is not the way I want to go. Tony is still young. He hardly has any idea what kind of thing I actually do and I am not sure when he will actually mature.

You know, I felt something was wrong with SHIELD and decided to empty my vault inside my house. I sent everything I had, all papers, all weapons, everything to Pentagon but the van never reached there. I also lost a couple of super serum vials, Hank. Help me, Hank." I said everything I was holding inside.

I know if anyone can understand the pressure I am feeling is the guy in front of me. The military has been trying to replicate the serum for ages and if they find out that I succeeded but lost the serum, they will lock me up in a prison and throw the key in the sea. Our inventions can change the world but can also destroy it.

"I actually know the ghost you are chasing Howard." Hank finally said after a long silence. "There is a party today at a place, I want you to come there with me. I am going to make a call and inform the hosts there."

Hank told me about this party out of the blue but I understood. He knew who attacked me and who saved me and if I know anything about Hank, we are going to meet the saving group. I finally could take a breather.

"Let's go. We need to catch a plane," he said after he came back and I grabbed some things hastily and then ran outside with him.

My wife and Tony are safe actually in New York. I know as long as they are far from me, no one will target them for any reason. Besides, I am finally thankful for Tony's lifestyle that can ensure enough media around them.

I sit with Hank in the car and we rushed towards a private airstrip. No one can imagine the surprises of life anyway.