# **December 14th, 1991**
**Stark Mansion - Kitchen**
**7:15 AM**
The kitchen was warm and smelled like heaven.
Ana Jarvis stood at the stove, orchestrating breakfast with the precision of a symphony conductor. Eggs sizzling in one pan, bacon crisping in another, hash browns getting perfectly golden in a third. The woman had six burners going simultaneously and somehow nothing was burning.
It was, frankly, impressive.
Maria sat at the kitchen island with her coffee and the morning paper, reading glasses perched on her nose, occasionally making notes in the margins. She looked up when Adrian entered and smiled.
"There's my early bird. Couldn't sleep?"
Adrian slid onto a stool across from her. "Slept fine. Just felt like getting up."
"Your father used to do that," Maria said. "When he was working on something important. He'd wake up at dawn with his mind already running."
*Yeah, about that,* Adrian thought. *Dad's mind is probably running through how to turn me into a science experiment.*
But he kept his expression neutral. "Is he up yet?"
"In his study. He said something about calculations." Maria's tone had that edge of fond exasperation that wives developed after decades of marriage to obsessive geniuses. "I'm hoping he'll surface for breakfast, but I'm not optimistic."
Edwin entered through the side door, carrying a basket of fresh herbs from the garden. He was already impeccably dressed despite the early hour—slacks, vest, tie, the full formal butler ensemble.
"Master Adrian," he said with a slight nod. "Good morning. I trust you're well?"
"Very well, thank you, Edwin."
"Your evening exercise routine was quite energetic. I heard you moving about at rather late hours." Edwin's tone was perfectly pleasant, but his eyes were sharp.
*Shit,* Adrian thought. *Of course Edwin noticed. The man probably catalogs every sound in this house.*
"Couldn't sleep," Adrian said smoothly. "Went for a walk around the grounds. Helped clear my head."
"I see." Edwin set the herb basket on the counter. "In the future, perhaps inform security if you plan to wander the property after hours. They become concerned when there are unexpected movements."
"Will do. Sorry about that."
Edwin's expression softened fractionally. "No apology necessary. I simply want to ensure your safety."
Ana turned from the stove, pointing a spatula at Adrian. "You eat breakfast, yes? Full breakfast. You are too thin."
Adrian, who was currently about 220 pounds of pure muscle, raised an eyebrow. "Too thin?"
"Yes, yes. Growing boy. Need strength. I make extra bacon."
"Ana, I'm eighteen. I'm done growing."
"Never done growing. Always growing. Eat."
It was pointless to argue. Ana Jarvis had decided Adrian needed feeding, which meant Adrian was going to eat enough food for three people whether he wanted to or not.
Fortunately, with Batman's enhanced metabolism, he could actually *use* that much food.
"You're a saint, Ana," Adrian said, accepting the plate she slid across the counter. It was piled high with eggs, bacon, sausages, hash browns, toast, and what looked like homemade strawberry jam.
"I know," Ana said serenely. "Now eat before cold."
Maria was watching Adrian with that particular mom-expression that meant she was reading subtext he didn't know he was projecting.
"You've been quiet lately," she said. "Is everything alright? School? Friends?"
Adrian took a bite of eggs, buying time to formulate an answer. The original Adrian's memories supplied context—he'd been somewhat withdrawn the past few weeks, spending more time training and studying, less time socializing.
"School's fine. Just been thinking about the future, I guess."
"Because of what your father told you yesterday?"
So she knew about the serum conversation. Of course she knew. Maria Stark missed nothing.
"Partly," Adrian admitted. "It's a lot to process."
Maria set down her coffee. "Adrian, you know you don't have to do what your father wants, right? Whatever he's proposing—and he was very cryptic about it—you don't owe him your future."
"I know."
"Do you?" Maria's voice was gentle but firm. "Because I've watched both my sons try to live up to Howard's expectations their entire lives, and I've seen what that does. Tony rebels against it. You... you try to meet it. Neither approach is healthy."
Adrian looked at his mother—really looked at her. Mid-forties, beautiful in that elegant way that transcended aging, eyes that held decades of managing a difficult marriage and two brilliant sons.
She'd be dead in two days.
In the original timeline, she'd be dead in two days.
The weight of that knowledge hit Adrian suddenly, unexpectedly. He'd been so focused on the plan—the heist, the alterations, the Winter Soldier fight—that he hadn't really processed the *human* element.
This was Maria Stark. Kind. Loving. The emotional anchor of a family full of geniuses who didn't know how to communicate.
She didn't deserve to die because HYDRA wanted a serum formula.
"Mom," Adrian said quietly, "can I ask you something?"
"Of course."
"Do you think Dad sees me as... me? Or does he see what he wants me to be?"
Maria was quiet for a moment. Ana had moved to the far end of the kitchen, giving them privacy while pretending to organize spices. Edwin had disappeared entirely—probably to give them space.
"I think," Maria said carefully, "your father loves both his sons more than he knows how to express. And I think he carries so much grief and regret about things that happened before you were born that it colors everything he does. He looks at you and sees potential. Sees possibilities. Sees... echoes of people he lost."
"Captain America."
"Among others." Maria reached across the counter, squeezed Adrian's hand. "But *I* see you, sweetheart. I see a young man who's brilliant and kind and strong. Who stands up for his brother even when it costs him. Who trains until he's exhausted because he believes in being better. Who tries so hard to make everyone happy even when it's impossible."
Adrian felt his throat tighten. Batman's emotional control was the only thing keeping him from completely losing it.
"Thanks, Mom."
"Whatever your father's asking you to do, make sure it's what *you* want. Not what he wants. Not what you think you should want. What you *actually* want. Promise me?"
"I promise."
Maria studied him for a moment longer, then nodded and released his hand. "Good. Now eat your breakfast before Ana gives you more food."
They ate in comfortable silence for a few minutes. Adrian was halfway through his eggs when Tony appeared in the doorway, looking like he'd slept in his workshop again. His hair was a mess, there was what looked like solder flux on his shirt, and he was carrying three different notebooks.
"Coffee," Tony announced. "Need coffee or will die."
"Good morning to you too, Tony," Maria said dryly.
"Morning. Love you. Coffee."
Ana materialized with a mug before Tony could stumble to the coffee maker. "Sit. Eat. You work too much."
"That's not medically possible," Tony said, but he sat down and accepted the coffee with both hands like it was a holy relic. He took a long drink, sighed in relief, and finally looked human again.
"Rough night?" Adrian asked.
"Productive night. I figured out the problem with the miniaturization on the arc reactor housing. Turns out I was approaching it backwards. Instead of making the housing smaller, I needed to make the energy output more efficient, which allows for a smaller footprint without sacrificing power."
"That's great?"
"It's *brilliant,* actually. I'm about six months ahead of where I thought I'd be." Tony grabbed a piece of bacon from Adrian's plate. "How was your thrilling evening of pretending to sleep while actually worrying about Dad's crazy serum proposal?"
Maria's head snapped up. "I'm sorry, *what* proposal?"
Tony froze, bacon halfway to his mouth. "Uh."
"Anthony Edward Stark, what proposal?"
"I should not have said that."
"But you *did* say that, so now you're going to elaborate." Maria's voice had gone into Full Mom Mode. "What is Howard proposing that has both of you worried?"
Adrian and Tony exchanged glances. Adrian could see Tony calculating whether lying would work (it wouldn't) or if honesty was the better policy (it was).
"Dad wants Adrian to be a test subject for the super soldier serum," Tony said finally. "He showed us the research yesterday."
The kitchen went very quiet.
Ana's spatula paused mid-flip. Edwin, who had just re-entered with fresh fruit, stopped in the doorway.
Maria's expression went through several stages: surprise, alarm, fury, and finally settling on icy calm.
"I see," she said. "And when exactly was Howard planning to discuss this with me?"
"I don't think he was?" Adrian offered. "He seemed to think it was just a scientific consultation."
"A scientific consultation about turning my son into a science experiment."
"To be fair," Tony said, "the serum has a seventy percent success rate now. Which is actually pretty good considering the previous versions had a ninety-five percent mortality rate."
"NINETY-FIVE PERCENT?" Maria's voice went up several octaves.
"Used to be ninety-five percent. Now it's only thirty percent. See? Progress."
"That is not the reassurance you think it is, Tony."
"Yeah, I'm hearing that now."
Maria stood up, coffee abandoned. "Where is Howard?"
"Study," Edwin supplied quietly. "Shall I inform him you wish to speak with him?"
"No need. I'll inform him myself." Maria headed for the door, then stopped and looked back at Adrian. "You. Don't you dare agree to anything until I've talked to your father. Understood?"
"Yes, ma'am."
"And you." She pointed at Tony. "Next time your father proposes something insane, you tell me *immediately*."
"Got it. Noted. Will comply."
Maria swept out of the kitchen like an avenging angel in a designer blouse.
The remaining occupants of the kitchen looked at each other.
"Master Tony," Edwin said mildly, "you have a remarkable talent for creating domestic incidents before 8 AM."
"It's a gift."
Ana returned to her cooking, muttering in Hungarian. Adrian caught phrases that roughly translated to "men" and "idiots" and "why do I stay in this house."
Tony stole another piece of bacon from Adrian's plate. "Well, that went well."
"You just threw Dad under the bus."
"Dad was already under the bus. I just pointed out the bus's location." Tony took a sip of coffee. "Besides, Mom needed to know. Can you imagine if Dad just went ahead with it without telling her?"
"That's exactly what he was planning."
"Hence the bus throwing." Tony grabbed a fork and started eating directly from Adrian's plate since his own hadn't arrived yet. "So, on a scale of one to ten, how dead is Dad right now?"
From somewhere in the house, they heard Maria's voice raised in what could only be described as Eloquent Fury.
"Solid eight," Adrian estimated. "Maybe nine."
"Should we go rescue him?"
"Absolutely not."
"Wise choice."
Ana set a plate in front of Tony—even larger than Adrian's, because Ana had apparently decided both Stark brothers needed fattening. "You eat. Both of you. Is good food. Don't waste."
They ate obediently, listening to the distant sounds of Maria Stark explaining to Howard Stark exactly what she thought of his parenting decisions.
It was, Adrian reflected, a pretty normal Stark family morning.
---
## **December 14th, 1991**
**Stark Mansion - Library**
**10:23 AM**
Adrian found Tony in the library, sprawled across one of the leather couches with a technical manual on jet propulsion systems. Tony looked up when Adrian entered, then returned to his book.
"Dad survive?" Adrian asked.
"Barely. Mom's making him explain his entire research methodology, all safety protocols, and apparently he's now required to get three independent medical opinions before doing anything with the serum." Tony flipped a page. "Also, he's sleeping on the couch for the foreseeable future."
"Harsh."
"Deserved." Tony set the book down. "Mom's right, you know. The whole thing is insane."
Adrian settled into a chair across from Tony. "Can I ask you something?"
"If it's about whether I think you should do it, the answer is still no."
"It's not about that. It's about building something. A vehicle project."
That got Tony's attention. Tony lived for projects. "What kind of vehicle?"
"Something different. Not a car, exactly. More like... a bridging vehicle. Something that can handle multiple terrains, has serious armor, can go off-road or on-road equally well." Adrian pulled out a notebook—he'd been sketching ideas all morning. "I've been thinking about it for a while. Most vehicles are optimized for one thing. Sports cars for speed. Trucks for hauling. SUVs for comfort. But what if you built something that could do *everything*?"
Tony took the notebook, examining Adrian's sketches. They were rough but detailed—a low-profile vehicle with massive tires, angular armor plating, what looked like jet engine components integrated into the rear.
"This is..." Tony frowned. "This is actually interesting. You're thinking military applications?"
"Not necessarily. More like... what if you needed a vehicle that could survive anything? Urban environment, rural, hostile terrain, whatever. Something indestructible."
"Indestructible is a strong word."
"Highly resistant to damage, then." Adrian leaned forward. "Look at the design. Low center of gravity for stability. Wide wheelbase for rough terrain. Armor plating that's angled to deflect impacts. And here—" he pointed to the rear section "—if we integrated arc reactor technology, we could power it without traditional fuel systems. Electric propulsion, massive torque, no emissions."
Tony's eyes lit up. That was the look he got when engineering problems became puzzles he wanted to solve.
"Arc reactor in a vehicle. That's... actually viable. Miniaturization is still an issue, but if we used a modified housing..." Tony grabbed a pencil, started sketching modifications. "We'd need to rethink the entire powertrain. Traditional transmission wouldn't work. Direct drive from reactor to electric motors, one per wheel for independent power distribution."
"Exactly. And if we're going electric, we can control each wheel independently. Better traction control, better handling, could even program in different driving modes."
"Off-road mode, urban mode, tactical mode..." Tony was fully engaged now, sketching rapidly. "What are you thinking for armor? Conventional steel plating is going to be too heavy."
"What if we used composite materials? Carbon fiber layered with Kevlar, maybe integrate some of the materials you're developing for arc reactor housing. Light but strong."
"Could work. We'd need to test it, but the concept is sound." Tony looked up from his sketching. "Why are you thinking about this? Feels random."
Adrian had prepared for this question. "I've been training for years, right? Martial arts, physical conditioning, all of it. But I keep thinking—what if I was in a situation where physical ability wasn't enough? What if I needed a force multiplier? A vehicle like this could be that."
It was close enough to the truth. Adrian *was* going to need force multipliers when going up against enhanced threats. A vehicle that could survive gunfire, explosions, and superhuman opponents? That was Batman's Tumbler, and it was one of the most useful tools in the Dark Knight's arsenal.
The problem was that the Tumbler didn't exist in the MCU. The Dark Knight trilogy didn't exist. DC Comics didn't exist at all in this universe.
Which meant Adrian could pitch it as his own original idea and nobody would know any better.
"Force multiplier," Tony mused. "You're thinking like a soldier."
"I'm thinking like someone who wants to be prepared."
"For what?"
*For HYDRA. For the Winter Soldier. For Thanos eventually. For all the shit that's coming that nobody else knows about.*
But Adrian couldn't say that.
"For anything," he said instead. "Call it paranoia, but I'd rather have capabilities I don't need than need capabilities I don't have."
Tony studied him for a moment. "You've been weird lately."
"I contain multitudes."
"You keep saying that. It doesn't actually mean anything."
"It means I'm complex and mysterious."
"It means you're deflecting." Tony set down the pencil. "But fine. You want to build a ridiculous indestructible vehicle for fun? I'm in. Sounds like a good project."
"Really?"
"Why not? I've been looking for something to do that isn't arc reactor related. This is different enough to be interesting." Tony looked back at the sketches. "We'd need space to build it. The workshop at the mansion isn't big enough for vehicle work."
"What about the Stark Industries facility? The one in Queens?"
"That's mostly for aerospace R&D, but there's a vehicle testing bay that nobody's using. We could requisition it." Tony's grin was sharp. "Tell you what—after Dad gets back from DC, we'll pitch it as a research project. Get SI to fund it officially. That way we've got budget for materials and we don't have to use our own money."
"Perfect."
They spent the next hour refining the design together, Tony's engineering genius combining with Adrian's knowledge of what the Tumbler actually looked like and how it functioned. By the time they were done, they had a rough blueprint for something that could theoretically work.
"This is going to be expensive," Tony said, reviewing their notes.
"Dad's rich."
"*Dad's* rich, yes. But he's also going to ask why we need to build a military-grade assault vehicle."
"We tell him it's a technology demonstrator. Proof of concept for advanced vehicle systems. Play up the arc reactor integration and the materials science applications. He'll love it."
"You're getting good at manipulating Dad."
"I prefer to think of it as strategic communication."
Tony snorted. "That's literally what manipulation is."
"Potato, potato."
"That phrase doesn't work when you say it the same way both times."
"I contain—"
"If you say 'I contain multitudes' one more time, I'm going to build this vehicle just so I can run you over with it."
Adrian grinned. This was good. Easy banter with Tony. Working on something together. Moments of normalcy before everything went to hell.
He needed to cherish these moments while he had them.
"Hey, Tony?"
"Yeah?"
"Thanks. For this. For just... building something with me."
Tony looked uncomfortable with direct sentiment—he always did. "It's a cool project. Don't make it weird."
"Too late. Already weird. I'm being emotionally vulnerable. It's happening."
"Stop it."
"I'm going to hug you."
"Don't you dare."
"Brother bonding time."
"Adrian, I swear to God—"
Adrian stood up, arms spread wide. Tony scrambled backward over the couch.
"Stay away from me!"
"Can't escape the love, Tony!"
"Edwin! Ana! Adrian's being emotionally available again!"
They chased each other around the library like idiots, laughing, and for just a moment, Adrian forgot about the serum and the Winter Soldier and the weight of knowing what was coming.
For just a moment, he was just a brother hanging out with his brother, being ridiculous in their father's library.
It was perfect.
---
## **December 14th, 1991**
**Stark Mansion - Garden**
**2:47 PM**
Adrian found Maria in the garden, working on her roses. She wore gardening gloves and a wide-brimmed hat, pruning shears in hand, moving among the bushes with practiced care.
The garden was Maria's domain. She'd designed it herself years ago, turning a generic lawn into something beautiful—roses, lavender, wisteria, carefully planned color combinations that bloomed in sequence throughout the year.
Adrian remembered—the original Adrian remembered—spending hours out here as a kid, helping her plant things, learning the names of flowers, listening to stories about her childhood in Italy.
She looked up when he approached, smiled, and gestured to a second pair of pruning shears on the bench.
"Want to help?"
"Sure."
They worked in comfortable silence for a few minutes, Adrian following Maria's lead, cutting dead blooms and shaping the bushes.
"Your father and I had a productive conversation," Maria finally said.
"I heard parts of it. You were very articulate."
"I believe my exact words were 'over my dead body,' but thank you." She moved to the next bush. "He's agreed to halt any serum trials until we have multiple independent medical reviews, safety protocols signed off by actual doctors, and a comprehensive risk assessment."
"That's good."
"It's the bare minimum of responsible parenting, but yes." Maria cut a dead branch with more force than strictly necessary. "I love your father, Adrian. I do. But sometimes he gets so focused on the science that he forgets there are human beings involved. Human beings he claims to love."
Adrian worked quietly, letting her process.
"He looks at you," Maria continued, "and he sees Steve Rogers. Did you know that?"
"I'd figured it out."
"It's not fair to you. Steve was Howard's friend, his hero, and losing him broke something in your father that never quite healed. But you're not Steve. You're you. And you deserve to be seen as yourself."
"Mom—"
"Let me finish." Maria set down her shears, turned to face him fully. "If you decide to do this—if you really, truly want to take the serum after all the proper safety measures are in place—I'll support you. But only if it's *your* choice. Not because Howard wants you to. Not because you think you have to live up to some legacy. Because *you* want it."
Adrian looked at his mother—really looked at her. In two days, the Winter Soldier would try to kill her. In two days, Adrian would have to fight to keep her alive.
She had no idea. No clue that her husband's work had attracted the attention of HYDRA, that assassins were being deployed, that her life was in danger.
*Should I tell her?* Adrian wondered. *Should I warn her?*
But what would he say? 'Hey Mom, so I'm actually a reincarnated isekai protagonist with knowledge of future events, and by the way, you're going to be assassinated by a brainwashed World War II veteran in two days unless I stop it'?
She'd think he was insane. They'd probably hospitalize him. And then the assassination would happen anyway, except Adrian wouldn't be there to prevent it.
No. The only way to save Maria was to stick to the plan. Be in that car. Fight the Winter Soldier. Win.
"I appreciate that, Mom," Adrian said quietly. "And I promise—whatever I decide, it'll be my choice."
"Good." Maria picked up her shears again. "Now, let's talk about something more pleasant. Ana mentioned you were up at dawn this morning exercising. New routine?"
"Just maintaining fitness. The usual."
"The 'usual' involving what sounds like an entire gym's worth of activity at 6 AM?"
Adrian shrugged. "I couldn't sleep. Figured I'd make productive use of the time."
"You've been training a lot lately. More than usual."
"Just want to be in good shape."
"For?"
*For fighting a super soldier assassin. For surviving what's coming. For being ready.*
"For life," Adrian said. "You never know when you'll need to be physically capable of handling something unexpected."
Maria's expression shifted slightly. Concern? Suspicion? Hard to read.
"Adrian, are you worried about something? Is something going on?"
*Yes. Everything. The world is more dangerous than you know, and I'm the only one who can see it coming.*
"No, Mom. I'm fine. I promise."
She studied him for a long moment, then sighed. "You're a terrible liar. You get that from me, not your father."
"I'm not lying—"
"You're not telling the whole truth, which is the same thing." Maria set down her shears. "Whatever's bothering you—and something is clearly bothering you—you know you can talk to me, right?"
"I know."
"Because you've been different. Since that conversation with Howard yesterday. You've been... I don't know. Distant. Like you're carrying something heavy and won't share the weight."
Adrian felt his throat tighten. Batman's emotional control was the only thing keeping him from breaking down.
*I'm carrying the knowledge that you die in two days,* he wanted to say. *I'm carrying the weight of being the only person who can save you. I'm carrying the fact that I'm not really your son—not the son you raised—I'm someone else wearing his face and using his life.*
But he couldn't say any of that.
"I'm just thinking about the future," Adrian said. "About what I want to do. Who I want to be. It's a lot to figure out."
"You're eighteen. You're allowed to not have everything figured out yet."
"What if I don't have as much time as I think? What if I need to figure it out faster?"
Maria pulled off her gardening gloves, sat down on the bench, and patted the space beside her. "Come here."
Adrian sat.
Maria took his hand—the same way she'd done at breakfast—and held it gently.
"Listen to me," she said. "You have *time*. You have your whole life ahead of you. You don't need to rush into anything. You don't need to be a superhero. You don't need to save anyone. You just need to be Adrian. That's enough."
*But what if it's not?* Adrian thought. *What if being 'just Adrian' means you die? What if I need to be more?*
"I love you, Mom," he said quietly.
"I love you too, sweetheart. So much." She squeezed his hand. "And I'm proud of you. Not because of your degrees or your training or anything you've achieved. I'm proud of you because you're kind. Because you stand up for your brother. Because you try so hard to be good."
Adrian felt something break inside him—some wall that Batman's training had built to keep emotions compartmentalized.
He was going to lose this. In the original timeline, he would have lost this. Maria Stark, loving and kind and proud of her sons, dead on a roadside because HYDRA wanted a serum formula.
*Not this time,* Adrian thought fiercely. *Not while I can stop it.*
"Mom," he said, "can I ask you something?"
"Of course."
"Dad's trip to DC on the 16th. Can I come with you guys?"
Maria looked surprised. "To the Pentagon? That's mostly boring meetings and government bureaucracy."
"I know. But Dad mentioned maybe introducing me to some people there. Scientists, researchers. And I thought... if I'm going to make a decision about the serum, I should understand more about the context. Where the work's being done. Who's involved."
It was a good cover story. Plausible. Reasonable.
Maria considered. "You'd have to sit through some very dull presentations."
"I'm pursuing two doctorates. I'm used to dull presentations."
She laughed. "Fair point. I'll talk to your father. If he's okay with it, and if the Pentagon clears you for the meetings, then yes. You can come."
"Thanks, Mom."
"Of course. It might be nice, actually. The three of us taking a trip together. We don't do that often enough." She stood up, brushing off her slacks. "Now, let's finish these roses before dinner. Ana's making your favorite—chicken parmesan."
They worked together for another hour, trimming and shaping, talking about nothing important. Maria told stories about her garden club, about her charity work, about the ridiculous drama at the last gala she'd organized.
Normal conversation. Normal life.
Adrian memorized every moment.
In two days, if he failed, these would be his last memories of his mother.
But he wasn't going to fail.
He had Batman's skills, a solid plan, and the element of surprise.
Winter Soldier wouldn't know what hit him.
---
## **December 14th, 1991**
**Stark Mansion - Howard's Study**
**6:33 PM**
Adrian knocked on the study door. Howard's voice called out: "Come in."
The study was smaller than the office, more personal. Bookshelves lined with technical manuals and old photographs. A desk covered in papers. A wet bar in the corner that Howard definitely used more than Maria would prefer.
Howard sat behind his desk, looking tired but not as defeated as Adrian would have expected after Maria's lecture.
"Adrian," Howard said. "Come to yell at me too?"
"No, sir. Came to ask about the DC trip."
"Your mother mentioned you wanted to come along." Howard leaned back in his chair. "I'm surprised. It's going to be dry presentations about defense applications and weapons systems."
"I know. But I'd like to see where the work's being done. Understand the bigger picture." Adrian sat in one of the chairs facing the desk. "And if I'm going to seriously consider the serum trials, I should know who's involved. Who's overseeing the research. What the safety protocols actually look like."
Howard's expression shifted. Not quite approval, but something close.
"That's... very mature of you."
"I try."
"Most eighteen-year-olds would either jump at the chance without thinking or refuse outright out of fear. You're actually doing due diligence. That's good. That's exactly the kind of thinking that makes you a viable candidate."
*And there it is,* Adrian thought. *Howard seeing what he wants to see—the perfect test subject.*
But Adrian kept his expression neutral. "Who would be overseeing the trials? If they went forward?"
"Dr. Wendy Lawson is the lead scientist on the program. She's SHIELD's top biochemist, worked with Erskine's original notes, helped me refine the formula. You'd meet her in DC. Sharp woman. Very thorough."
*Dr. Lawson,* Adrian's mind catalogued. *That name sounds familiar. Need to figure out why later.*
"And the trials would happen where?"
"SHIELD facility in Virginia. Medical oversight from Walter Reed. Pentagon representation for documentation purposes." Howard pulled out a file, showed Adrian organizational charts. "It's legitimate. Above-board. Not some secret bunker experiment."
"That's reassuring."
"I know you think I'm being reckless, but I'm not. I've spent forty years on this. I'm not going to risk my son's life without proper protocols."
*You're risking it by taking him to DC,* Adrian thought. *But you don't know that. You don't know HYDRA's watching. You don't know they're going to try to kill you and steal the research.*
*And I can't tell you, because you'd never believe me.*
"I believe you, Dad," Adrian said. "I just want to understand everything before making a decision."
"Smart. I respect that." Howard stood up, walked to the window. "You know why I want to do this, don't you?"
"Make more super soldiers for defense applications?"
"No. Well, yes, that's what the Pentagon wants. But that's not why *I* want to do it." Howard's voice went quiet. "I want to prove Erskine was right. That the serum can create heroes, not monsters. That good people, enhanced, can change the world for the better."
"Like Captain America."
"Like Steve, yes. He was my friend. One of the best men I ever knew. And I've spent forty years trying to honor his memory by continuing his work." Howard turned back to Adrian. "When I look at you, I see someone who could be what Steve was. Not a copy—you're your own person. But someone with the same foundation. The same potential."
*I'm not Steve Rogers,* Adrian wanted to say. *I'm not even really Adrian Stark. I'm some guy who died in a convenience store and got reincarnated by a cosmic entity.*
But that wouldn't help anything.
"I appreciate that, Dad. I really do."
"So you'll come to DC? Meet Dr. Lawson? See the facilities?"
"If the Pentagon clears me, yes."
"I'll make the calls tomorrow morning. Shouldn't be a problem—you're already security cleared through the family connections." Howard moved back to his desk, made a note. "We leave the morning of the 16th. Early. Maria wants to make a day of it—meetings in the morning, early dinner somewhere nice, back by evening."
*December 16th. Morning departure. Back by evening.*
*That's the window. That's when Winter Soldier will strike.*
Adrian's enhanced mind was already calculating. If they left early morning—say 7 AM—and had meetings until early afternoon, they'd be on the road back by 3 or 4 PM.
Winter Soldier would hit them somewhere between DC and New York. Probably on a rural stretch of highway with minimal witnesses.
Adrian would need to be alert. Ready. Watching for the ambush points.
"Sounds good," Adrian said calmly. "I'll pack tonight."
"Excellent." Howard actually smiled—a rare expression. "This will be good, Adrian. Good for you to see the work. Good for us to spend time together. Your mother's right—we don't do family things often enough."
*No,* Adrian thought. *We don't. And after tomorrow, we might not get another chance.*
*So I'm going to make damn sure we all survive.*
"Thanks, Dad. For letting me come."
"Of course. You're my son. I want you involved in this work, one way or another."
Adrian stood to leave, then paused at the door. "Dad?"
"Yes?"
"Mom's really proud of you, you know. Even when she's mad. She told me earlier—she thinks you're brilliant. She just worries."
Howard's expression softened. "I know. I'm a lucky man."
"Yeah. You are."
Adrian left the study, closing the door behind him.
*Step Two complete,* he thought. *Permission granted for the DC trip. I'll be in position.*
*Now I just need to make sure I'm ready for what's coming.*
Tomorrow would be his last day of preparation. Last day before the Winter Soldier.
Last day before everything changed.
---
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