A Heart Break In Time

I Can Do This All Day.

Bucky and I stood outside of the compound. Bucky reached out and grabbed my hand. "You can do this. We're a team. That's what today is. A team meeting."

I nodded and squeezed his hand before pulling away. "Thank you, seriously." He smiled and then walked ahead of me.

I followed after him, we passed Steve on the way but he didn't speak to us. We got to the meeting room and Sam and Rhodey were already there.

"You're early." Sam stated as Bucky and I took our seats.

"Yeah, I figured it be best if I was here before them. Maybe I'd be less likely to attack." I smirked. I saw the confused look on Rhodey's face and realized he truly didn't know. "Oh you're in for a treat."

Just then Bruce walked in and I smiled. "Bruce!" He smiled back at me.

"How've you been, Talia?"

"Oh you know. Time travel is a bitch."

The rest of the group slowly made their way in, including Peter. I looked around, "no Wanda?"

"She's not answering anyone." Sam responded. I nodded. She had lost so much, she could get her alone time. I made a mental note to reach out again later. Everyone was here, and then Steve walked in. Followed shortly after Peggy. Everyone's eyes turned to them. And then me. I clenched my fists. Sam next to me took my hand and squeezed. I took a deep breath. Steve took that moment to look at me and I looked away.

"So, whoever didn't know... now you know. This is Peggy Carter. And I... brought her to the present with us when I returned the stones."

It was silent. Peter was the next to speak. "So does that mean..." he looked at me.

I lifted my left hand for everyone to see. "So we don't beat around the bush. Yes, Cap and I are split up now. We can move on."

I looked over at Steve and his eyes were resting on Sam's hand holding mine. I kept eye contact as I leaned towards him more. Fuck you, you have no right to be jealous.

"How does this affect our timeline?" Rhodey asked.

Bruce answered. "It doesn't, really. Times not a straight line. This wouldn't change anything for us." I scoffed. Right. Won't change anything. Just my whole life.

"That's not the only reason I brought everyone here. I have another announcement." Steve paused, looking around the room before he continued. "I'm retiring."

The entire room erupted in "what?" "Are you kidding me?" "This is a joke!"

When it got quiet again, Steve continued. "I'm tired of fighting. All I've known has been fighting. And I've been yelled at my whole life to learn when to step down." He looked at Bucky. "So now I am."

"I don't know how to live in a world without Captain America..." Peter mumbled.

"You won't have to." Steve replied calmly. Confused looks we're all around the room as Steve looked Sam in the eye. "I'm passing it on to you."

In the room, no one spoke again. Why did this hurt me so badly? Was he quitting because of her? Did she ask him to? Did he truly want to? Is it because he doesn't want to see me anymore? I abruptly stood up. "I need some air."

Bucky and Sam both stood up but Sam waved Bucky back down. "I got her, I need some air too."

I waited by the door for Sam and I could feel Steve's eyes on us. I couldn't bring myself to look at him again.

I sat on the bench outside and took a deep breath. "Did you know?"

"No. I didn't." Sam answered, sitting next to me.