"Let her in."
Ring~♫
At the same time, the landline on Lance's desk rang.
"Hello, Prescott Law Firm. How can I help you?"
"Hello, Lawyer Prescott. This is Rhodes."
"Who?"
"James Robert Rhodes, Air Force Colonel, and liaison officer between Stark Industries and the military."
Ah...
Rhodes.
Lance recalled who that was. Tony Stark's lifelong best friend and key partner. A core member of the future Avengers. One of the few people who could actually make Stark listen.
He also remembered Stark going on and on a few days ago, claiming Lance himself was a lifelong best friend.
It seemed Stark's playboy tendencies extended to his friendships.
Just how many "best friends" did he have?
Holding the receiver in his left hand, Lance idly spun a fountain pen with his right.
"Colonel Rhodes. To what do I owe the pleasure?"
"…Tony has locked himself in his lab. He won't contact anyone, won't even see me. I reached out to Pepper, but she said she couldn't do anything. She did, however, give me your number and told me to call you."
"Then I'm afraid you're out of luck," Lance replied. "I'm only an external consultant for Stark Industries. Stark hasn't even paid me for this job yet, and I can't reach him either."
Rhodes fell silent. After a moment, he spoke again.
"Let's get to the point, Lawyer Prescott. I know you're handling the Captain's case, and I'll be attending the upcoming joint hearing to confirm the Captain's identity as the military's representative…"
"Is that so?"
Lance waved to Stephanie as she entered the reception room, gesturing for her to sit.
Stephanie was followed by Peter, whose face was filled with disbelief.
"Then it seems we should meet," Lance said into the receiver. "You can arrange the time and place."
"How about now?" Rhodes replied. "I'm in Hell's Kitchen. Perhaps you, the Captain, and I can have a chat."
"Impressive. You came prepared."
Lance's gaze lingered on Stephanie, who returned it with a gentle smile.
He looked away and continued into the receiver, "I need to consult my client first."
"No problem," Rhodes said. "I'll wait for your answer."
Lance hung up and looked at Stephanie and Peter.
At that moment, Peter was circling around Stephanie, gesturing wildly in excitement.
"Has… has anyone ever told you that you look a lot like a certain celebrity?"
"Maybe," Stephanie said with a smile. "People always say I have a common face."
"No, no, no, no!" Peter shook his head vigorously. As if performing a magic trick, he pulled out a Captain America badge from his pocket and handed it to her.
The edges of the badge were badly worn, clearly something Peter had treasured for a long time.
"Ms. Captain America!" Peter flailed his arms, speaking rapidly, his voice trembling with excitement. "Has no one ever told you that you look like her? Oh, sorry, maybe that's a bit rude, but you really do! My God, it's exactly the same!"
"How is this possible? How can two people in this world look so alike? That's impossible…"
Stephanie took the badge. Her gaze softened as her fingers lightly brushed over the raised shield emblem.
"I am… honored." Her voice was very soft, so soft that Peter, lost in his excitement, did not hear it.
Peter continued without pause. "I've collected all of the Captain's merchandise! First edition comics, commemorative stamps, even a signed photo that's rumored to have leaked from the Strategic Scientific Reserve, though it's just a copy. Do you know, my childhood dream was to marry…"
"Peter," Lance cut in, "could you go downstairs and buy some coffee? Two cups. Milk, no sugar."
"But sir…"
"Now."
"Oh… okay!"
Peter left, turning back every few steps.
When the door closed, the reception room fell silent.
Stephanie handed the badge back. "Thank you."
"For what?"
"For not exposing me on the spot." Stephanie gave a faint, bitter smile. "That kid is very innocent. He shouldn't be dragged into this."
"Is that so?" Lance shrugged, unconcerned. "If you knew what that 'innocent' kid of yours has been doing, you'd probably go down there and lecture him yourself."
"What?" Stephanie frowned.
"Nothing," Lance said. "That's a different matter."
He walked to the window and glanced downstairs.
A black military SUV was parked at the street corner.
"Back to business. Colonel Rhodes wants to see you. He represents the military, and he's downstairs right now."
"Captain," Lance looked at Stephanie, "I've already said the decision is entirely yours."
"Does he know my identity?"
"Obviously. And the fact that he came now means the military has already coordinated with S.H.I.E.L.D."
Lance turned back, leaning against the window frame as he continued.
"The good news is that Rhodes is Stark's friend and a relatively upright person. The bad news is that he is still a soldier, and following orders is him duty."
Stephanie fell silent for a moment.
"What do you suggest?"
"Even though I keep saying the choice is yours, I think there's no harm in meeting him."
"Rhodes is one of the rare decent ones, but the military behind her may not be. Whether it's a political machine or a gang, there are always clean hands and dirty hands. It's better to deal with someone like Rhodes than end up facing a bunch of bastards."
"So we need a strategy. Remember, you're a World War II hero, not a trophy, and certainly not a weapon. That has to be made clear from the start."
Stephanie nodded. "What should I do?"
"Be yourself." Lance straightened and glanced out the window again. The door of the military SUV opened, and Colonel Rhodes stepped out.
"You are Stephanie Rogers, a poor kid from Brooklyn. You were given the serum to go to the front lines and punch Nazis, not to become a bargaining chip for politicians seventy years later," Lance said.
"Remember that, and leave the rest to me."
"Thank you," Stephanie said. "For everything."
Lance raised an eyebrow and smiled.
"Don't thank me so quickly. This extra work counts as overtime. I'll send you the bill later for your director to handle. Let's hope Nick Fury isn't too stingy when he sees it. I've added a few miscellaneous charges, and I expect full reimbursement."
"Alright." Stephanie smiled and made a small toasting gesture toward Lance. "I hope everything goes smoothly."
At that moment, the door was suddenly pushed open. Peter rushed in, holding two cups of coffee, speaking in a breathless rush.
"S-sir! There's a car downstairs! The person inside…"
Knock, knock, knock.
Someone knocked on the door.
___
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