Hold the Light

16

[Surprise! Here's more. I just really want to introduce the chill chaos of Sarah and Margot.]

After Steve and Daniel had been missing for some time, they awoke in a 1940's hospital and heard a baseball game on an old radio. A woman walked into the room.

The Dodgers announcer said over the radio, "Curve ball, high and outside for ball one. So the Dodgers are tied, 4-4. And the crowd well knows that with one swing of his bat, this fellow's capable of making it a brand-new game again. Just an absolutely gorgeous day here at Ebbets Field. The Phillies have managed to tie up at 4-4. But the Dodgers have three men on. Pearson beaned Reiser in Philadelphia last month. Wouldn't the youngster like a hit here to return the favor? Pete leans in. Here's the pitch. Swung on. A line to the right. And it gets past Rizzo. Three runs will score. Reiser heads to third. Durocher's going to wave him in. Here comes the relay, but they won't get him." The door opened and an agent walked in.

"Good morning," the agent greeted as she checked her watch. "Or should I say, afternoon?"

"Where am I?" Steve and Daniel asked.

"You're both in a recovery room in New York City."

"The Dodgers take the lead, 8-4. Oh, Dodgers! Everyone is on their feet. What a game we have here today, folks. What a game indeed."

Steve looked at her suspiciously. "Where are we really?"

"I'm afraid I don't understand."

"This game, it's from May, 1941. We know because we were there." He and Daniel got up from the bed. "Now, I'm gonna ask again. Where are we?"

"Captain Rogers, Lieutenant Rogers..." She secretly pushed an alarm.

"Who are you?" Steve and Daniel demanded.

Two soldiers in black uniforms entered the room and Steve and Daniel knocked them through the wall. They realized they were in a made-up set and ran out.

"Captain Rogers, Lieutenant Rogers, wait!" the S.H.I.E.L.D. agent said before speaking into a comm. "All agents, code 13! I repeat. All agents, code 13!"

---

Steve and Daniel found themselves in 2011's Time Square. They looked around in shock. Numerous SUVs encircled them and Fury stepped out of one of the vehicles.

"At ease, soldiers!" Fury said. "Look, I'm sorry about that little show back there, but... we thought it best to break it to you two slowly."

"Break what?" Steve and Daniel asked.

"You've been asleep, Cap, Lieutenant. For almost seventy years." Steve and Daniel looked around him in shock. "You two gonna be okay?"

"Yeah. Yeah. I just... I had a date," Steve answered, the memories of his last conversation with Peggy playing in his head. He figured she was gone and that he'd never see her again.

Daniel shrugged sadly. "Yeah, I think so." By now, he figured Lottie was for sure gone. Frustratingly, he had no clue about Sarah or Margot. He could only hope they were happily married with children and grandchildren; perhaps even great-grandchildren.

---

Steve and Daniel were pummeling a punching bag in the gym and in anger, knocked their punching bags off its chain, sending them flying across the room when Fury entered.

"Trouble sleeping?" Fury asked.

"You're here with a mission, sir?" Steve and Daniel questioned.

"I am."

"Trying to get us back in the world?" Steve inquired.

"Trying to save it."

Daniel pursed his lips. "Count me out. I fought for a war we apparently won almost 70 years ago. I want to experience the world."

Fury nodded. "I have a feeling we'll eventually need you, Lieutenant. We'll call or send someone to get you."

Daniel picked up his bag. "So long as it not for a long while."

"That can be arranged."

"Good." He glanced at Steve. "Good luck."

Steve smiled slightly. "You too."