Chapter Text
Steve Rogers pulled into the parking space, pulling out a piece of paper and double checking the address. He was grateful that Fury had given him the address before he decided to take off on his own. He was surprised to see that it was a hospital, but he figured that his questions would be answered when he arrived. The only reason that he went as quickly as he did was he had enough of being with other people that either made his blood boil or made him realize that one couldn't tell a book by its cover. He sighed as he turned off the bike, making sure it wouldn't fall over, before going in. "Good morning," he said to the receptionist of the building. "I'm here to see Peggy Carter."
The receptionist blinked. "I'm sorry, but Ms Carter passed away last night," she said. She was about to say something else when she turned to the person walking down the hall.
"Sir," Steve said to Fury with a nod.
"I'll take it from here, Fiona," Fury said to the receptionist before motioning for Rogers to follow. "This is not what I was expecting to do today."
"People die all the time, sir," Steve said.
"That I do know," Fury replied. "End of one of the best eras that SHIELD had. Hopefully you and the rest can rise to their level."
"We will do the best we can," Steve said. "Sir - she didn't have any family?"
"No, she does," Fury said. "He just thinks that she died a long time ago."
"Why would anyone be kept in the dark over family members being alive?" Steve asked.
"Because she was afraid that whoever decided to kill Howard Stark would come after her and Tony," Fury replied. "So she went into civilian life as Peggy Carter and Stark was told that both of his parents died."
"I don't think I'm ever going to understand life as it is now," Steve said quietly.
"I still think that you're going to get the hang of it in the end," Fury replied. "For now, I need you to do something only you can do."
"What's that?" Steve asked.
"I need you to tell Stark," Fury said. He held up a hand as he saw that Steve was about to protest. "He knows. He'll be a fool to not look through all the records that he got when he hacked his way in. The only thing that we kept off of those records were the persona that she went to and where she went to live. I was the only person with that information."
"Alright," Steve said quietly. "May I see her, sir?"
"Yes," Fury said as he turned and led the rest of the way down to the apartments that were assigned to Peggy. "Take all the time you need," he said as he moved over to speak to someone.
"Thank you, sir," Steve replied as he quietly went into the apartment. He looked over at what she had - the basic things that were needed that he recognized - and the new things like the computer and the iPod that he was learning were common place. He looked over the pictures, smiling as he saw Howard and Peggy on their wedding day and then a young Tony Stark along with Peggy. A part of him was happy that they went on living without him and another darker part of him sharply twisted in regret for having to sacrifice the life he wanted.
"Captain?" Maria said as she stepped into the living room.
Steve looked up at Maria and put the wedding picture back on the mantel. He was glad that Maria didn't ask why he was about to smash it into the table as he moved to follow her to the bedroom. This shock was different, considering that Peggy aged. "She's so different."
"We all age, Captain," Maria said quietly.
"At least some of us," Steve said as he just looked at her. "I can't believe I didn't get to talk to her one more time."
"Well, she knew that you were back," Maria said. "She still got SHIELD briefings as a founding member. She also knew that your orders, just as anyone else does." She moved over and gave Steve an envelope. "For your eyes only," she sand and then she stepped out of the room.
"Thanks," Steve said as he went over to a chair to open the envelope. He was surprised when a key fell out but caught it before it went to the floor. He put the chain around his wrist, wrapping it in place before he read the letter.
Steve,
If you're reading this, it means that I didn't get the chance to speak to you one last time. You should know that, despite everything, I missed you with every passing day. I loved you more than anyone else but I needed to move on when it was clear that you wouldn't be coming back. I'm sorry that you found out the way that you did, but there wasn't a day that went by without us thinking of you. Just ask Tony - he can probably still tell the stories that Howard and I told him about what you did.
As for the key, it is to a safe deposit box. Tony has the other half and probably has been wondering what it goes to. Either that or his assistant, Pepper, who is a very lovely girl, has the other half. One of them will know where to go to unlock the box. Some last mementos are there, along with my will.
I love you, Steve. I'm sorry that I didn't get to tell you in person. I'm sorry that we didn't get one more dance. I do want you to do one thing for me. I want you to love again. It is a sickness, pining away for someone else, and I don't want you to have it. Find someone and hold onto them as tightly as you can. Otherwise, I don't know what will happen to you.
Love,
Peggy
Steve closed his eyes tightly so that he wouldn't cry onto the letter. He folded it back up and put it back in the envelope. He got up and quickly went into the hallway. "Sir - " he said as he saw Fury but stopped short at seeing Coulson. "...What..." He tried to reach for something to say that wouldn't be swearing but the words wouldn't come.
"What?" Fury asked and then looked at Coulson before turning back to Steve. "Well, you all needed something to bring the team together."
Steve blinked and turned to Coulson. "He ruined your cards," was the only words that he could think of.
"I know," Coulson said and glared at Fury.
"I already apologized," Fury said. "And you are getting new ones. It's not like I killed your dog."
"Yes sir," Coulson said as he turned and went back to helping Maria.
"I know it's a shock, but he wasn't going to stay dead," Fury said. "What's the key to?"
"Safe deposit box," Steve said. "The letter said that Stark has the other half."
"Alright," Fury said. "Coulson!" He called.
Coulson sighed and went back over to Fury. "Sir?"
"Make sure that the Captain gets over to see Stark," Fury said. "You can have the motorcycle back afterwards."
Steve sighed and handed over the keys. "Thank you, sir."
"Dismissed," Fury said.
Steve walked out of the apartment with Coulson following him. "So - how - do I even want to know?"
"About what?" Coulson asked.
"About - " Steve started to say as he heard a thump and turned towards him. He smiled as he saw Clint. "Hello."
"Hi," Clint said and looked at Coulson. "Why are you going?"
"Orders," Coulson said. "I'm surprised that - "
"Barton!" Fury's voice barked over the radio.
"Sir?" Clint replied.
"Go with Coulson and Captain Rogers to see Stark," Fury ordered.
"Yes sir," Clint said and smiled. "I'll drive."
"You will not," Coulson said. "Last time you did, you nearly drove into a tree." He moved to walk out of the building with Steve and Clint following.
"Which came out of nowhere considering the fact that it was storming," Clint countered. "I am an excellent driver. You do not give me any sort of credit for it."
"I'm driving," Coulson said. "And if you're going to interject into every move I make, you are sitting in the backseat."
Clint rolled his eyes as he got into the shotgun seat and Steve got into the back. "You alright?" He asked of Steve.
"No," Steve replied honestly as Coulson started the car and the drive to see Tony Stark. He just stared out the window, the words in the letter that Peggy left him going over again in his mind. He still couldn't believe that Tony Stark had any shred of Peggy in him, but he knew that he was going to have to try and find it.