# **December 17th, 1991**
**Stark Mansion, Long Island**
**6:47 AM**
Edwin Jarvis moved through the empty mansion with his usual precision, but his heart wasn't in it. The house felt wrong without the family present. Too quiet. Too still. Like a body with the soul removed.
He'd been with the Starks for thirty-two years. Had watched Tony grow from a precocious toddler into a brilliant young man. Had watched Adrian grow from a curious child into someone remarkable—someone disciplined and kind in equal measure.
And now Howard was dead. Adrian was in a hospital bed. Maria was traumatized. The family Edwin had served and loved was shattered.
Ana had stayed up most of the night crying. Edwin had held her, let her grieve, and tried to be strong for both of them. But inside, he was breaking too.
Howard Stark had been difficult. Distant. Often more focused on his work than his family. But he'd also been brilliant, occasionally kind, and fundamentally *good*. He'd created technology that saved lives. He'd worked to make the world better.
And someone had murdered him.
Edwin climbed the stairs to the second floor, heading for Adrian's room. Maria had called last night, asked him to pack a bag for Adrian—clothes, toiletries, whatever he might need when he woke up. A task. Something practical. Something Edwin could do to help.
He pushed open Adrian's door and stopped.
The room looked lived-in but organized. Adrian had always been neater than Tony—everything had its place, everything was maintained. The bed was made with military precision. Books were shelved alphabetically. Even the desk was organized, papers stacked neatly.
*That's my boy,* Edwin thought. *Always disciplined. Always prepared.*
He moved to the closet, started pulling out clothes. Comfortable things. Sweatpants. T-shirts. A hoodie—the Guardians of the Galaxy one that Maria kept threatening to throw out but never did.
As Edwin worked, he found himself remembering moments. Teaching a six-year-old Adrian how to tie his shoes. Helping a twelve-year-old Adrian with his homework when Howard was too busy. Watching an eighteen-year-old Adrian work out in the garden at dawn, pushing himself harder than any teenager should.
*You were preparing,* Edwin realized. *All that training. All that focus. You were getting ready for something.*
*But what?*
Edwin moved to the desk to grab Adrian's wallet and keys—things he'd need at the hospital. The desk drawer was slightly open. Edwin, who knew this room almost as well as his own, frowned. Adrian never left drawers open.
He pulled it fully open and saw an envelope. Addressed in Adrian's handwriting:
**To My Family**
**If you're reading this, something went wrong.**
Edwin's blood ran cold.
His hands shook as he picked up the envelope. It was sealed. Recent—the ink wasn't even fully dry.
*Adrian knew,* Edwin thought. *He knew something was going to happen.*
He should take this to Maria. Should wait. Should let the family read it together.
But his curiosity—and his fear—won out.
Edwin broke the seal and read.
---
*If you're reading this, something went wrong.*
*Mom, Dad, Tony: I love you. I'm sorry I couldn't tell you everything.*
*There's camera film hidden in the Advanced Biochemistry textbook on my shelf. It contains the real super soldier serum formula. Dad's research was compromised—the documents in the briefcase have been altered. They won't work. But this will.*
*Use it carefully. Use it wisely. Use it for people who deserve it.*
*And remember: The serum amplifies what's already there. Good becomes great. Bad becomes worse. Choose your test subjects accordingly.*
*Tony: Build the Bridger. It's a good project. You'll figure it out.*
*Mom: Your garden is beautiful. Thank you for teaching me about roses.*
*Dad: You were right about a lot of things. I hope I made you proud.*
*I'm sorry I couldn't be the son you thought I was. But I tried to be the son you needed.*
*Love,*
*Adrian*
Edwin read the letter twice. Then a third time. His mind trying to process what it meant.
*Adrian knew the attack was coming. He knew the research would be stolen. He altered it beforehand. He hid the real formula.*
*He went to DC knowing he might die.*
*He was prepared.*
*But how? How could an eighteen-year-old know about a planned assassination? How could he have the skills to alter classified research? How could he fight a trained assassin?*
Edwin's hands were shaking. He carefully refolded the letter, put it back in the envelope.
Then he walked to Adrian's bookshelf and found the Advanced Biochemistry textbook. It was heavier than it should be. He opened it.
Inside, hollowed out, was a roll of camera film.
*Dear God,* Edwin thought. *It's all true. Every word.*
He took both the letter and the film, placed them carefully in his jacket pocket, and sat down heavily in Adrian's desk chair.
*Master Adrian, what were you involved in? What did you know?*
*And why didn't you tell us?*
But even as Edwin asked the questions, he understood the answer. If Adrian had told them about the planned attack, they wouldn't have believed him. They would have thought he was paranoid. Stressed. Mentally unstable.
And if Adrian had stayed home, Howard and Maria would have died. Both of them. With no one there to fight back. No one there to protect them.
Adrian had gone knowing the risks. Had fought knowing he might die. Had saved Maria's life at the cost of his own safety.
*You're a hero,* Edwin realized. *A genuine hero. And we never knew.*
He stood up, the letter and film secure in his pocket, and finished packing Adrian's bag with mechanical efficiency.
Then he walked downstairs, called for Ana, and showed her what he'd found.
Ana read the letter, her face going pale. When she finished, she looked up at Edwin with tears in her eyes.
"He knew," she whispered. "Our boy knew. And he went anyway."
"He went to save them. To protect them."
"We have to tell Maria. And Tony. They need to know."
"I know. I'm calling them now."
Edwin picked up the phone and dialed Walter Reed Hospital. Asked for Maria Stark's room. Was transferred through security protocols and SHIELD verification.
Finally, Maria's voice: "Edwin?"
"Mrs. Stark. I'm sorry to call so early, but I've found something. In Adrian's room. A letter. And—" Edwin swallowed hard. "And evidence that he knew the attack was coming. That he prepared for it."
There was silence on the other end.
"What?" Maria's voice was faint.
"I'm coming to Washington. On the next flight. I have things you need to see. Things Adrian left behind."
"Edwin, what are you talking about?"
"I can't explain over the phone. It's too important. Too complex. But Mrs. Stark—" Edwin's voice cracked slightly. "Your son is extraordinary. In ways we never understood. And he saved your life deliberately. With planning. With preparation."
"I don't—Edwin, I don't understand."
"I know. Neither do I. But I will explain everything when I arrive. Is Tony there with you?"
"Yes. And Director Carter. And several SHIELD agents."
"Good. They'll all need to hear this." Edwin checked his watch. "I can be there by noon. Please wait for me before you make any decisions about Adrian's care or the investigation."
"Edwin, you're scaring me."
"I'm sorry. But this is important. Adrian left instructions. Information. Things that will change what we thought we knew."
"Alright. We'll wait. But Edwin—is Adrian in trouble? Is he involved in something illegal?"
"No, Mrs. Stark. Quite the opposite. I believe Adrian might have prevented something far worse from happening. But the details—they're complicated. I'll explain when I see you."
"Alright. We'll be here."
Edwin hung up the phone. Ana was watching him, her expression worried.
"You're going to DC?"
"I have to. This is too important to trust to couriers or phone calls."
"Then I'm coming with you."
"Ana—"
"No arguments, Edwin. That boy is ours as much as he is Maria and Howard's. We raised him. We love him. If he's involved in something that needs explaining, I'm going to be there to explain it."
Edwin looked at his wife and felt a surge of love. Thirty-five years of marriage. Thirty-two years with the Stark family. Through everything—joy, tragedy, impossibility—Ana had been beside him.
"Alright. We'll go together."
They packed quickly. Edwin called Stark Industries to arrange a company plane. As family staff, they had that authority in emergencies. The plane would be ready in two hours.
While Ana finished packing, Edwin returned to Adrian's room one more time. Looked at the space where the young man had lived. Trained. Prepared.
*You knew,* Edwin thought. *Somehow, you knew. And you did what needed to be done.*
*But how did you know, Master Adrian? What aren't you telling us?*
He picked up the packed bag and headed downstairs.
Whatever secrets Adrian Stark was keeping, they were about to come to light.
And Edwin had a feeling that nothing—absolutely nothing—was going to be the same after today.
---
## **December 17th, 1991**
**Walter Reed National Military Medical Center**
**12:34 PM**
Tony sat in the family waiting room, exhausted but unable to sleep. He'd spent most of the night alternating between Adrian's ICU room and checking on Maria. Rhodey had crashed on one of the waiting room couches around 3 AM, but Tony couldn't settle.
His mind wouldn't stop working. Wouldn't stop analyzing. Wouldn't stop trying to make sense of what had happened.
*Dad was killed by a HYDRA assassin. An assassin who was supposed to be dead for forty-six years. An assassin who Dad recognized. Who used to be his friend.*
*And Adrian fought him. Actually fought him. Got seriously injured but survived.*
*How? How does an eighteen-year-old college student fight a super soldier?*
Maria sat across from him, staring at nothing. She'd been like that for hours—present but absent, there but not there. Shock, the doctors said. Trauma. She'd witnessed her husband's murder. That broke something in people.
Peggy Carter had left around dawn to coordinate with SHIELD headquarters, but she'd promised to return. Agent Fury had been in and out, always asking questions, always watching everyone with those sharp eyes.
Tony didn't trust Fury. Didn't trust any of them, really. SHIELD had been supposed to protect Howard. Had failed. Now they were asking questions like they had any right to answers.
The door opened. Edwin and Ana Jarvis entered, looking tired and worried and carrying bags.
Maria stood up immediately. "Edwin. Ana."
Ana crossed the room and pulled Maria into a hug. "Oh, dragie. I'm so sorry. So sorry."
Edwin set down his bags and approached Tony. "Master Tony. How is your brother?"
"Stable. Unconscious. The doctors say he'll wake up eventually, but they don't know when." Tony stood up, shook Edwin's hand. "Thanks for coming. We need familiar faces right now."
"Of course. We're family." Edwin pulled out an envelope from his jacket pocket. "Master Tony, Mrs. Stark, I need to show you something. I found this in Adrian's room this morning."
Maria pulled away from Ana, wiping her eyes. "What is it?"
"A letter. From Adrian. Addressed to the family." Edwin's expression was grave. "It appears Adrian knew something was going to happen. He left instructions."
Tony felt ice run down his spine. "What do you mean, he knew?"
"Perhaps you should read it yourself."
Edwin handed the envelope to Maria. She opened it with shaking hands, pulled out the letter, and began to read.
Tony watched her face go from confused to shocked to devastated.
"He knew," Maria whispered. "He knew they were coming. He knew the research would be stolen. He—" She looked up at Edwin. "The film. You found the film?"
"In his bookshelf. Exactly where he said it would be."
"What film?" Tony asked, his voice sharp. "What's going on?"
Maria handed him the letter. "Read it."
Tony read.
And his world tilted.
*There's camera film hidden in the Advanced Biochemistry textbook on my shelf. It contains the real super soldier serum formula. Dad's research was compromised—the documents in the briefcase have been altered. They won't work. But this will.*
"He altered Dad's research," Tony said slowly. "Before the attack. He sabotaged it. So HYDRA would steal useless information."
"It appears so, yes," Edwin confirmed.
"How? When? How would Adrian even know how to alter Dad's research? He's a grad student, not a—" Tony stopped. Looked at the letter again. "He went to DC knowing he might die. Knowing there would be an assassination attempt. He wrote this letter as a contingency."
"That's my assessment as well."
Tony's hands were shaking. Anger. Fear. Confusion. All of it mixing together into something he couldn't quite process.
"How did Adrian know? How could he possibly know about a planned HYDRA assassination?"
"I don't know, Master Tony. But he did know. And he acted on that knowledge. Prepared for it. Fought to protect your parents."
Maria was crying again. "He saved me. He went knowing he might die, and he saved me anyway. My baby boy—"
Ana put an arm around Maria. "He's a hero, Maria. Your son is a hero."
"He's an idiot," Tony said, but his voice cracked. "He should have told us. Should have warned someone. SHIELD. The police. Anyone."
"Would they have believed him?" Edwin asked gently. "An eighteen-year-old claiming to know about a planned assassination by a supposedly dead assassin? They would have thought him paranoid. Mentally unstable."
"So he just—what? Decided to handle it himself? To alter classified research and fight a super soldier alone?"
"It appears that was his plan, yes."
The door opened again. Peggy Carter entered, followed by Agent Fury. They both stopped when they saw the expressions in the room.
"What happened?" Peggy asked immediately.
Maria handed her Adrian's letter without a word.
Peggy read it. Her face went pale. She passed it to Fury.
Fury read it slowly, his expression unreadable. When he finished, he looked up at Edwin.
"You found this in Adrian's room?"
"Yes, sir. Along with camera film containing the real serum formula, exactly as Adrian indicated in the letter."
"May I see the film?"
Edwin pulled it from his pocket and handed it over. Fury held it up to the light, examining it, then carefully placed it in an evidence bag from his jacket.
"This is classified government research," Fury said. "Adrian Stark photographed classified research without authorization."
"Adrian Stark saved that research from HYDRA," Tony shot back. "He altered the documents in Dad's briefcase so HYDRA would steal useless information. The real formula is safe because of my brother."
"Your brother also knew about the assassination attempt in advance. How?"
"I don't know! But maybe instead of interrogating him, you should be thanking him! He saved my mother! He protected the research! He did SHIELD's job better than SHIELD did!"
"Tony—" Peggy's voice was calming. "Nobody's interrogating anyone. But Adrian clearly knew things he shouldn't have been able to know. We need to understand how."
"You can ask him when he wakes up," Maria said, her voice steel beneath the grief. "Until then, you're going to leave my son alone. He nearly died protecting me. He fought a monster. He saved my life. I will not allow him to be treated like a criminal."
Fury's expression softened fractionally. "Ma'am, nobody thinks Adrian is a criminal. But he has information we need. About HYDRA. About the Winter Soldier. About how he knew what was coming."
"Then you'll wait until he's conscious and recovered. That's non-negotiable."
"I understand. But Mrs. Stark, if Adrian had foreknowledge of this attack, he might have information about other HYDRA operations. Lives could be at stake."
"Lives are always at stake, Agent Fury. But right now, my son's life is the one I care about. And he's earned the right to explain himself when he's ready. Not when it's convenient for SHIELD."
Fury looked like he wanted to argue, but Peggy put a hand on his arm. "Nick. Maria's right. Adrian deserves time to recover. When he wakes up, we'll debrief him. Until then, we have other leads to pursue."
"Director—"
"That's an order, Agent Fury."
Fury's jaw tightened, but he nodded. "Yes, ma'am."
Peggy turned to Edwin. "Mr. Jarvis, I need that film taken to SHIELD's research division immediately. We need to analyze it, confirm it's genuine, and secure it properly."
"Of course, Director."
"And I need copies made—multiple copies, stored in different secure locations. If this is the only record of Howard's successful super soldier formula, we can't risk losing it."
"Understood."
Tony stood up. "I want a copy."
Peggy looked at him. "Tony—"
"That's my father's work. My brother's protection. I want a copy. Stark Industries is going to safeguard one version of that formula. Non-negotiable."
"Tony, this is classified government research. I can't just—"
"Yes, you can. Dad worked on that serum for forty years. He did it under government contract, sure, but the intellectual property belongs to Stark Industries. You know it. I know it. And I'm not letting SHIELD be the only ones with access."
Peggy and Tony stared at each other for a long moment. Wills clashing. Then Peggy smiled slightly.
"You're just like your father. Stubborn to a fault."
"I'll take that as a compliment."
"It wasn't one. But fine. Stark Industries gets a copy. Under the same security protocols SHIELD uses. If that film is compromised because of inadequate protection—"
"It won't be. I'll build a vault. A real one. With security that makes Fort Knox look like a convenience store."
"See that you do." Peggy turned to Fury. "Agent, escort Mr. Jarvis to SHIELD headquarters. Get that film processed immediately. I want analysis done by tonight."
"Yes, ma'am."
Edwin stood, picked up his bags. "Mrs. Stark, I brought clothes for Adrian. For when he wakes up. Comfortable things."
"Thank you, Edwin. You've always taken such good care of my boys."
"It's been my privilege." Edwin paused at the door, looked back at Maria. "Mrs. Stark, whatever Adrian was involved in, whatever he knew—he did it to protect you. That much is clear. When he wakes up and can explain, I believe we'll understand why."
"I hope so. Because right now, I don't understand anything. My husband is dead. My son is broken. And apparently my eighteen-year-old knew it was coming and didn't tell me."
"He couldn't tell you," Edwin said gently. "Because you would have stopped him. And then you both would have died. Adrian made an impossible choice. He chose to fight. To protect you at any cost."
Maria's eyes filled with tears again. "He shouldn't have had to make that choice. He's just a boy."
"No, Mrs. Stark." Edwin's voice was firm. "Master Adrian stopped being a boy the moment he stepped between you and that assassin. He became a hero. And we should honor that, even if we don't understand it yet."
He left with Fury, the camera film secure in an evidence bag.
Ana stayed, settling into a chair beside Maria, holding her hand.
Tony stood by the window, looking out at the city, his mind racing.
*Adrian knew. Somehow, he knew. About HYDRA. About the Winter Soldier. About the assassination.*
*He altered Dad's research. Saved the real formula. Went to DC prepared to fight.*
*And he never told anyone. Never asked for help. Just... did it.*
*Why?*
*How?*
*What the hell is my brother involved in?*
Rhodey appeared beside him, quiet and solid. "You okay, man?"
"No. Not even close."
"What do you need?"
"I need my brother to wake up. I need him to explain what the hell is going on. I need—" Tony's voice cracked. "I need to understand why he knew and didn't tell us."
"Maybe he couldn't tell you. Maybe there was a reason."
"What reason could possibly justify keeping this secret? Dad's dead, Rhodey. Adrian knew it was coming and didn't warn him. How am I supposed to process that?"
"I don't know. But I know your brother saved your mom. I know he fought harder than anyone should have to fight. And I know he wrote that letter expecting to die." Rhodey's voice was steady. "Whatever his reasons, they weren't selfish. That much is clear."
Tony closed his eyes. Tried to breathe through the anger and fear and grief.
*Adrian, you better wake up soon,* Tony thought. *Because we need answers. And you're the only one who has them.*
---
## **December 17th, 1991**
**Adrian's Hospital Room**
**3:47 PM**
Adrian's consciousness returned slowly. Painfully. Like swimming up through thick mud.
Everything hurt. His chest. His face. His head. His entire body was screaming at him.
*Am I dead? Did I die again?*
*No. Dead doesn't hurt this much.*
He tried to open his eyes. Too bright. Too much. He closed them again.
Tried to move. His body protested violently.
*Okay. Definitely not dead. Just broken. Very, very broken.*
Someone was holding his hand. He could feel it—warm, familiar.
He forced his eyes open. Blinked against the light. Tried to focus.
Tony. His brother was sitting beside the bed, holding his hand, looking like he hadn't slept in days.
"Tony?" Adrian's voice was barely a whisper. His throat felt like sandpaper.
Tony's head snapped up. "Adrian? Oh thank God. You're awake. You're actually awake." He stood up quickly, pressed the call button for the nurse. "Don't try to move. Don't try to talk. Just—just stay still. The doctors need to check you."
"Mom—" Adrian managed.
"She's fine. You saved her. You saved Mom." Tony's voice cracked. "You idiot. You could have died. You should have died. But you saved her."
"Dad?"
Tony's expression collapsed. "He's gone, Adrian. The Winter Soldier killed him. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."
Adrian closed his eyes. Felt tears leak out.
*I failed. I saved Mom but I lost Dad. I wasn't fast enough. Wasn't strong enough.*
*I failed.*
A nurse entered, started checking monitors, taking vitals. She had a gentle voice, professional but kind.
"Mr. Stark, can you hear me? I need you to follow my finger with your eyes."
Adrian tried. Everything was blurry.
"Good. That's good. You've been unconscious for almost thirty-six hours. You had surgery to repair a punctured lung and internal damage. You have multiple broken ribs, facial fractures, and a severe concussion. But you're going to be okay. You're going to recover."
Adrian tried to nod. The movement sent pain shooting through his head.
"Easy," the nurse said. "No moving. Not yet. Your body needs time to heal. We'll keep you on pain medication and monitor your progress. But Mr. Stark, you're very lucky to be alive."
*Lucky. Right.*
More people entered. Doctors. SHIELD agents. His mother—Maria, looking devastated but determined, crying as she touched his face gently.
"My brave boy," she whispered. "My hero."
*I'm not a hero. Heroes save everyone. I only saved half.*
They ran tests. Asked questions. Adrian answered when he could, but his mind was foggy, his body exhausted.
Eventually, everyone left except Maria and Tony.
Maria sat on one side of the bed. Tony on the other.
"Adrian," Maria said gently, "Edwin found your letter. And the film. We know what you did. What you prepared for."
Adrian's blood ran cold. *The letter. Fuck. I forgot about the letter.*
"We're not angry," Tony said quickly. "Well, I'm a little angry. But mostly we're confused. Adrian, how did you know? How did you know the attack was coming?"
Adrian looked at his brother. At his mother. At the two people he'd fought so hard to protect.
*I can't tell them the truth. I can't tell them I'm a reincarnated isekai protagonist with knowledge of future events. They'd think I'm insane.*
*But I have to tell them something.*
"I figured it out," Adrian said, his voice weak. "Dad's research. The timing. The patterns. I connected dots that shouldn't have been connected."
"What dots?" Tony pressed.
"HYDRA. They didn't die with the Nazis. They went underground. Infiltrated. I found evidence. Surveillance. They were watching Dad. Watching the family. I couldn't tell you because—" Adrian coughed, pain shooting through his ribs. "Because you wouldn't have believed me. Because if I warned Dad, he would have increased security, and HYDRA would have adapted. Changed their plan. I needed them to think they had the advantage."
"So you sabotaged Dad's research and went to DC expecting to fight a super soldier assassin." Tony's voice was flat.
"Yes."
"That's insane."
"It worked. Mom's alive."
"Dad's dead!"
"I know!" Adrian's voice cracked. "I know Dad's dead. I tried. I fought as hard as I could. But I wasn't fast enough. Wasn't strong enough. The Winter Soldier got past me and I—I couldn't stop him."
Tony looked like he wanted to argue, but Maria put a hand on his arm.
"Adrian," she said softly, "why didn't you call SHIELD? Or the police? Why did you handle it alone?"
"Because HYDRA infiltrated SHIELD. I found evidence of that too. I didn't know who to trust. The only people I could trust were you. And I couldn't risk your lives by involving you."
It was a lie. But it was a plausible lie. One that fit the facts they could observe.
Tony was staring at him. "The combat training. All those years of martial arts. You were preparing for this."
"Yes."
"For how long?"
"Years. Since I was a kid. I knew—" Adrian closed his eyes. "I knew something bad was coming. I didn't know when. Didn't know exactly what. But I knew I needed to be ready. To be able to protect the family."
Maria was crying again. "You've been carrying this fear since you were a child?"
"I'm sorry, Mom. I'm sorry I couldn't save Dad. I'm sorry I couldn't protect both of you."
"You saved me. You fought a monster and saved me. Adrian, that's more than anyone should have to do."
"It wasn't enough."
"It was everything." Maria leaned down, kissed his forehead gently. "You're my hero. My brave, stupid, wonderful hero."
Tony looked skeptical. He was an engineer—trained to spot patterns, to question explanations that didn't quite add up.
But he didn't press. Not yet. Not with Adrian broken in a hospital bed and their father dead.
"The film," Tony said instead. "Edwin said you photographed the real formula. How?"
"Broke into Dad's office. Copied everything. Altered the critical pages so HYDRA would steal useless research."
"When?"
"A few nights ago. December 14th."
"Jesus Christ, Adrian. You broke into Dad's office, photographed classified research, altered it, and put it back without anyone noticing?"
"Yes."
"How?"
*Because I have Batman's lockpicking skills and stealth training. Because I knew the safe combination and the office layout. Because I've been downloaded with decades of infiltration experience.*
"Practice. Planning. Luck."
Tony stared at him for a long moment. "You're either the luckiest person alive or the most prepared. I can't decide which."
"Both. Definitely both."
A knock on the door. Peggy Carter entered, followed by Agent Fury.
"Adrian," Peggy said, her voice warm despite the circumstances. "Thank God you're awake. We've been worried."
"Director Carter." Adrian tried to sit up, but failed. "I'm sorry about Dad. I tried to save him. I really tried."
"I know you did, dear boy. And you saved Maria. That matters more than you know." Peggy pulled up a chair, sat beside the bed. "Adrian, when you're feeling better, we need to talk. About HYDRA. About the Winter Soldier. About how you knew what was coming."
"I told Mom and Tony. I connected dots. Found patterns. Figured it out."
Fury stepped forward. "Kid, I've been doing intelligence work for twenty years. It's my job to connect dots. And I didn't see this coming. How did an eighteen-year-old college student figure out what SHIELD's entire intelligence division missed?"
"I had motivation. Howard Stark was my father. My family. I was looking for threats you weren't."
"Or you had information we don't know about."
"Nick—" Peggy's voice held warning.
"No, it's fine." Adrian looked at Fury. "Ask your questions. I'll answer what I can."
Fury pulled out his notebook. "The Winter Soldier. You fought him. For approximately two to three minutes based on forensic evidence. You landed multiple hits. Made him bleed. How?"
"Training. Years of martial arts. I'm a competitive fighter. Not great, but decent."
"Competitive fighters don't survive encounters with super soldier assassins."
"I didn't survive because I'm a good fighter. I survived because I was prepared and he wasn't expecting resistance. I had the element of surprise."
"And the tactical pen you used as a weapon?"
*How does he know about that?*
"Improvised weapon. Used what I had available."
"That's some impressive improvisation."
"Thank you?"
Fury wasn't smiling. "Adrian, your combat capability is beyond anything in your file. Way beyond. I need to understand where it comes from."
"I trained. A lot. For years. You saw my tournament records. I'm not making this up."
"Tournament fighting is different from actual combat."
"I'm aware. I learned that yesterday." Adrian gestured to his broken body. "Pretty clear I wasn't good enough."
"You were good enough to survive. That's more than most people could do."
"Is there a question in there?"
"Yes. Who trained you? Who taught you to fight like a soldier?"
*Batman trained me. Well, technically Batman's downloaded muscle memory and combat expertise trained me. But I can't say that.*
"Multiple instructors. Different disciplines. Wing Chun, Judo, BJJ, Muay Thai, Krav Maga. I trained with professionals. Sought out the best I could find."
"Names. I want the names of your instructors."
Tony cut in. "Agent Fury, my brother just woke up from major surgery. Can the interrogation wait until he's actually recovered?"
"Your brother has information about a HYDRA operative who's killed dozens of people. Information that could save lives. So no, the interrogation can't wait."
"Then you'll have to arrest me," Adrian said tiredly. "Because I can barely stay conscious right now. And I'm not answering questions when I'm drugged and injured. You want information? Come back when I can think straight."
Fury looked ready to argue, but Peggy stood up.
"That's enough, Nick. Adrian's right. He needs rest. We'll debrief him properly when he's recovered." She looked at Adrian, her expression kind but sad. "I'm so sorry about Howard, Adrian. He was my dear friend. And he would be so proud of you. For fighting. For protecting Maria. For being brave."
"I wasn't brave. I was terrified."
"Bravery is being terrified and doing it anyway. That's what you did." Peggy squeezed his hand. "Rest. Recover. We'll talk more later."
She and Fury left, though Fury cast one more suspicious look at Adrian before disappearing through the door.
Maria stood up. "I'm going to get food. Tony, stay with your brother. Make sure he doesn't try to get up or do anything stupid."
"Will do."
She left, and suddenly it was just Tony and Adrian.
Tony looked at him for a long moment. Then he spoke, his voice quiet.
"I don't believe you."
Adrian's stomach sank. "What?"
"Your story. About figuring it out. About connecting dots. I don't believe it. It's too convenient. Too perfect. You knew exactly when and where the attack would happen. You knew the Winter Soldier would steal the research. You knew how to alter it. You were ready."
"Tony—"
"No. Let me finish." Tony leaned forward. "I don't know what's really going on. I don't know how you knew. But I know you're not telling the whole truth. And that's okay. For now. Because you saved Mom. And whatever secrets you're keeping, you kept them for good reasons."
Adrian didn't know what to say.
"But Adrian—" Tony's voice hardened slightly. "When this is over. When you're recovered and Mom's okay and we've dealt with Dad's death. You're going to tell me the truth. The real truth. About how you knew. About why you've been training like a soldier. About what the hell you're involved in. Understand?"
"Tony, I can't—"
"I'm not asking you to tell me now. I'm telling you that eventually, you will. Because we're brothers. And brothers don't keep secrets that big. Not forever."
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