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Which 'them' are you concerned for?

You and Mr. Stark...the two of you have a tendency to explode when in the same room Miss Carter.

Considering some of the situations we've been in, that description is far too accurate.

-the tiny genius looks up from where she's coloring on the floor. Except Natasha Stark didn't exactly color; more like drew schematics in crayon. When he speaks, he immediately has the girl's attention-

Who, Jarvis?

Jarvis feels his heart twist watching the little girl and he ends up sitting on the floor and watching her color.

Your father and his friend Miss Peggy...they do scary things and I worry that they will get hurt someday.

Indeed it is. I have known the man five years and I have never seen him react to someone the way he does you.

Dad's always going going to get hurt.

-like a fact of life, unfazed-

I'm not certain if that's a compliment or it means that more people should question Stark's actions.

It is both. Howard needs people to remind him of how human he is. You and I fill that need.

But some day he might get hurt very badly and I don't know if I like that.

But it might be for the best that after the last of his babies are found I leave him to fend for himself.

I wish you wouldn't Miss Carter.

He's not leaving me many options. He's lied to me at ever turn. He used me and manipulated my feelings. I accept that sort of behavior in the office, but not from him.

He usually gets hurt pretty badly in the lab.

-she sits up and shows him the latest schematic-

Oh but I don't want anything to happen to Miss Peggy, she said she was going to teach me to throw a right hook!

True.....but even then I worry because someone needs to.

[He studies the paper seriously like he does with everything Natasha shows him.]

Oh she is is she? That means I'd better be careful when the two of you are around then.

I understand that and share in your frustration. Howard did not always react to situations like this...he was much more pragmatic and understanding.

No, he didn't. He wouldn't have done such a thing before.

[At least she hadn't believed he would. They were supposed to be on the same side, fighting for the same ideals. Her shoulders slump minutely at the thought.]

What caused this change? I can understand that he can't control his genius, but to use him so selfishly...

[Or her, but it's easier to focus her anger on what he had tried to do with Steve's legacy.]

-she sits patiently as he studies her schematics, trying and not quite succeeding in pretending not to care what he thinks-

I can worry about him too. Maybe he'll like my latest schematic. What do you think, Jarvis?

The loss of Captain Rogers was the beginning. Something inside of Howard shattered and rather than asking for help in dealing with the pain he pulled away. He now self medicates as often as he can and denies most of his war experiences ever happened.

[Jarvis sighs softly.]

If I had not stayed I believe he would be dead.

Losing him broke something in all of us. It doesn't give him the right to sell Captain Rogers' off piecemeal to improve his profits. As long as he stays in denial, then there will be a danger that he'll go to far.

[Part of her can't help being symapthetic to Jarvis' plight but the anger toward Howard is still fresh.]

You're a much better person than I am, Mr. Jarvis. I don't know how you managed to accept all of this.

I think it is very impressive Natasha my dear. What will this be once it's finished?

[Jarvis smiles at her proudly though it can be a struggle to encourage a mind that so eclipses his own sometimes.]

It's to help Anna separate the egg yolks from the egg whites. So she can make more cakes and brownies.

-It wouldn't be good unless Jarvis would declare it to be good. When the clock chimes, she looks over-

Is Anna making brisket tonight?

Anna will love this...and yes she is making a brisket. It is cold tonight and we thought a good hearty meal would be nice. No onions though I promise.

I've seen much worse then one broken man Miss Carter I've seen hundred broken men and the shattered bodies left behind when they die.

And I haven't seen that as well? I know you think little of my duties but I have been more than a file clerk.

Does this mean that witnessing all that death has made your morals just as ambiguous as his?

Yes!

-she does a little victory dance at the mention of brisket and without onions-

Onions are gross. I'm glad she's not making them.

You may find you end up liking things you didn't used to like as you grow. It's what being adult means.

-she wrinkles her nose-

But Jarvis!

[He gave her his best gentle but stern look.]

Don't you but me young lady. One day you'll see what I mean.

But they're vegetables! Can't Anna make them without it?

-she could easily get one of her staff to make food for her and they would omit vegetables on her demands but she likes how Anna talks to her during meals-

Growing girls need to eat green things and meat at the same time. We just need to find a vegetable that you like.

-a very unladylike and ungenius pout appears-

But I don't like vegetables!

I didn't used to like vegetables either.

-she looks up at him-

Really? What made you change your mind?

[Jarvis smiles a bit sheepishly.]

Anna makes the best stewed carrots you've ever had.

-she stops and considers it-

...do you promise?

[He crosses his heart in complete seriousness.]

Cross my heart and hope to die. Promise.

-she thinks about it because it's Jarvis and she could trust him. Especially with Anna. Anna always made yummy things-

Okay. But only if Anna makes it.

Edited 2015-03-01 07:18 (UTC)

I will have her make it for dinner tomorrow. And she'll make her Black Forest cake for desert to celebrate you trying something new.

Yes!

-then she remembers her manners and straightens up like a lady that her mother wants her to be-

I mean, that will be splendid, Jarvis.

[He smiles at her warmly.]

It will indeed be splendid and perhaps a round of gin rummy after dinner.