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Not far from Central Park, Steve has been busy clearing out an old mansion. He's doing all sorts of man-stuff like hanging dry-wall and changing out plumbing. All sorts of things that guys do when you're renovating a space and want to save some money on contractors. Almost all of the money that the government gave him as a settlement has been used up. Steve's probably going to need to get a job.
But that can wait. For now, lunch.
He's headed down to the corner for a vendor to get a couple of dogs, wearing a dirty white, work-worn t-shirt and his sunglasses.
*
Coincidentally, Jean-Paul is standing at the corner waiting for the light to change. Why? He's in no rush and it's starting to get nice out so he decided, for a change, to walk. Part of walking in a city is waiting for lights instead of flying over the traffic. When Steve stops at the vendor, Jean-Paul takes an idle look then a longer one. Let's face it: Steve fills out a tee shirt nicely.
*
Steve pays for his hot dogs and then holds them both in one hand as he looks up and over the cart. He locks eyes with Jean-Paul and then does a double take. Stepping away from the cart, he sort of cuts JP off. "Hey, you look familiar. From the other day?"
*
"I look familiar to many." Jean-Paul explains patiently, glancing at the now green light as people start to cross but making no move to walk around Steve. "If it is from 'the other day', it would depend on which day it is you are referring to."
*
"The rally. The attack." Steve sniffs a bit, taking a chance to make sure they're not being listened to. "You, the fleet of foot." He tears off a piece of the hot dog and puts it in his mouth. "That you?"
*
"Ah, you were there." Jean-Paul states, giving the man a small nod. "I was there, oui." Now he's reminded of the event, he studies Steve a moment with a faintly furrowed brow. "Captain America. I did not recognize you without the costume and blood."
*
"Yeah, I get a heck of a lady who does the laundry," Steve says, referring to the cleaning place down the way. "Listen, y ou do that sort of thing a lot? You seem to have a lot of talent and we're looking for a few good people to help us handle some of the big problems facing us today. Looking at restarting the Avengers."
*
"That would depend on your definition of 'a lot'." Jean-Paul points out. "I do not make a habit of it, no, but as I was there, it was the thing to do. Even though I suspect the mayor will not pay for the shirt I ruined." He looks blank at the mention and quirks one brow. "And the Avengers would be what?"
*
"Well," Steve begins before he stops abruptly and eyes the French Canadian. He's attempting to see if he's being trolled. "Team of folks who want to make the world a better place," he replies. He's still looking as if waiting for the punchline.
*
Jean-Paul seems to be listening politely. "I do not pay much attention to American news." he explains. "Good luck to you with that. I'm sure you'll do quite well for yourselves."
*
"So you're not interested?" Steve says with a raise of an eyebrow. He figures one more press, but if this guy isn't going to bite, then he's not going to beg. He'd like someone with his skill set, but isn't going to argue the point.
*
"Interested." Jean-Paul repeats. "Am I to assume that you are asking if I would want to be part of this team and extending an invitation to do so? Based on nothing more than seeing me once, since you seem, to not recognize me from any other time?"
*
Steve takes in a lot of air and holds it a second as his eyebrows dance and he gives a look, "Yeah," he says as he exhales. "You have a skill we need. You're probably a pretty stand up guy, right?" He gives a reassuring chuckle that may not be that reassuring.
*
"Are you always so impulsive?" Jean-Paul asks, in what is possibly a rhetorical question. "Without knowing who else might be on this team and what you are intending to do with it, I could not say if I am interested or not. I am /not/ impulsive." Except when he loses his temper.
*
"Not always, no," Steve says with a chuckle as he looks down the street. "You know what they say about desperate times. If you change your mind…" He gives a nod towards the mansion not far away, "That's where you'll find us."
*
"I did not decide one way or another." Jean-Paul points out as he looks over toward the mansion. "As I said, I would need to know who else would be on the team and what it is you are intending to do. I have no desire to participate in American imperialism and bullying." He might not listen to American news but that doesn't seem to include news about America.
*
"That's a shame," Steve says dryly. "That's about all us Americans are interested in doing. What's your name? I'm Steve Rogers by the way."
*
"So I've heard." Jean-Paul replies dryly. "Steve Rogers. Yes, I recall the name now. It was quite the news when you were found and thawed. I am Jean-Paul Beaubier. A pleasure to make your acquaintance, mon Capitaine. So who else is on your team so that I might make an informed decisions?"
*
"Well, there's a kid who heals and Wasp who was on the old version of the team. Thinking of calling up some of my buddies from the war. You'd be number three, at this point," Steve confesses.
*
Northstar looks singularly unenlightened by the scanty roll call. "Get in on the ground floor, I believe you Americans say? And aside from bullying, what is it you intend to do once you have a team assembled? The alien situation seems to be under control if the lack of news about them is any indication."
*
"Prevent war with the Soviet Union," Steve replies. "That's mission number one. Figure out what happened with this attack is sort of 1 a. From there…" The blonde man shrugs his shoulders, "Just try and do right by the world. Make it a better place."
*
Jean-Paul considers this silently a moment. "Preventing war is a worthy goal." he decides. "Though a 'better place' depends on whose definition of better you follow. Mine would be significantly different from that of many people. Still, I have nothing schedule in the near future and assuming you do not require signing a contract, it would not hurt to toy with the idea, non?"
*
"I guess that's one way of looking at it," Steve says with a grin as he toes the ground. "We could use you," he reiterates.
*
"Naturellement." Jean-Paul agrees, quite easily. "Who could not?" Reaching into a pocket, he pulls out his wallet and extracts a business card which he offers. "I can be reached at this number." It's not an American phone number. "Leave a message if I am not there." Which is likely.
*
Steve inspects it as he takes another bite of the first hot dog. "Sounds good. You can bet I'll be calling. And soon."
*
"Bien. I will be visiting Manhattan for a few more days. Perhaps I shall come." Jean-Paul suggests. "I would meet this 'kid who heals' and this Wasp if I am to be working with them."
*
"Sounds good, Jean-Paul," Steve says as he plops the last bit from the first dog into his mouth and offers his hand to the French Canadian. "I'll let them know you want to meet up."
*
Jean-Paul clasps the hand a moment. "Bien. A pleasure, Capitaine." he says, glancing at his watch. "But now, I must be off. I am scheduled to speak to a group of students about the benefit of socialism in three minutes and should not be late." Giving Steve a nod, there's a rush of air as he zooms up into the sky.