The Hydra Conspiracy - (Peggy Carter x OC)

3. It Hurts to Say Goodbye

"NEUTRALIZING AGENT DEPLOYED."

"Oh, you're kidding!" Andrew exclaimed after seeing the large tubes of liquid unveiled on the other side of the room. Only Howard would design something like this.

Andrew ran over and grabbed a tube, holding on his shoulder as he hurried back to the main operations area. He fit the tube into a socket that had immerged and gave it a firm twist.

"BLAST RADIUS REDUCED BY TWENTY-FIVE PERCENT."

"Did he have to make the robot so annoying?" Andrew asked himself, repeating the same motions he'd just done.

"BLAST RADIUS REDUCED BY FIFTY PERCENT."

"Please make it, Peggy."

"BLAST RADIUS REDUCED BY SEVENTY-FIVE PERCENT."

Andrew frantically grabbed a monitor that displayed the potential explosion, it was contained to the building.

"Good...very good" Andrew sighed and tried to catch his breath.

"WARNING: CATASTROPHE IMMINENT."

"Bad...very very bad" Andrew ran toward the elevator but stopped when the ceiling began to crumble. "Where's Steve when you need him" he sighed wishing for his unbreakable shield. The explosion went off and the building collapsed on him.

Peggy got to her feet and wiped her tears off her cheeks. "I have to try" she spoke shakily to Howard.

"There are so many reasons why that's a bad idea" Howard answered worriedly, knowing he couldn't stop her.

"If that was me..." Peggy pointed to the debris. "...he'd tear through every inch of it until he found me...I owe him that at least."

Peggy turned and hurried toward what used to be a facility when a large crash startled her and she watched in shock as Andrew crawled out of the crater that replaced the building.

Peggy ran to his side and knelt next to him as he lay exhausted on the pavement. "How did you--?" She started to ask as she held his head in her hands.

"Oh, c'mon" he interrupted through a cough. "An explosion? That's not how I go out."

"You must stop doing this to me" Peggy sighed, fighting back emotions. She was overwhelmed but thrilled that he was okay.

"No tears" Andrew smiled, hearing it in her voice. "I'm fine."

Howard and Jarvis ran to him and Howard let out a chuckle.

"Always the hero, huh?"

"Can't let anyone else take the credit" Andrew shrugged. Jarvis held a hand over his chest, this was just too much excitement for one day.

"You sure you're alright?" Howard asked as he and Jarvis each grabbed one hand and pulled Andrew to his feet.

"I said I'm f...I'm fine" Andrew's words began to sputtered and slur as he lost consciousness and fell backward. Peggy braced him as much as she could and kept him from hitting his head.

"Andrew?! Andrew, wake up...!"

Peggy stood worriedly outside Andrew's room as the military doctor informed her that Andrew had several internal injuries from the rubble but given his 'extraordinary circumstances' he should heal.

Jarvis thanked the doctor but Peggy couldn't take waiting any longer and barged through the door to his room. She walked to the side of his bed and ran her hand across the side of his face.

"I'm sorry" she murmured softly. "I'll fix this...I promise."

Peggy leaned down and gently kissed Andrew's forehead. "I love you..."