Ever After

Part 15 - Peggy

Before Steve can say anything to you, loud voices draw your attention as well as the sound of heels stomping on the stone floor. Quickly you pull Steve into the shadows behind your machine; both of your hearts pounding in your chest.

"Please Peggy," You hear your own voice echo. "I'm begging you, let me investigate. You heard that office worker up there, she claimed she had seen something... "

"Do you know how many supposed sightings of strange people we get around here Bella? With all the chemicals Pym is spreading about place, let alone the contracts we have to pull up every..." The last part of Peggy's statement is lost to the echoes.

"Well at least let me stay awake for a bit. Maria's due any day now. I wanna meet Baby Stark."

"For the last time Isabel," Peggy's tone now echoes along with the heels. You grit your teeth at the memory of that name; Peggy always used it with you when she was annoyed, which had become more common place as the years had went on. "We can't risk you being seen."

"But I won't be seen. Jarvis..."

"That poor man has enough to deal with with Howard, do not drag him into this." You can sense that 1970 you and Peggy were now standing directly in front of the machine; knowing that Peggy was this close makes Steve tense up, you can sense it.

"Oh come on Peggy, this isn't fair. I've done everything you've asked of me..."

"The mission is over." She snaps back, pressing buttons, ready to open the cryochamber for you to climb into. "It's time for you to rest until we need you again."

"No."

"Excuse me?"

"You heard me. No." You remember yourself standing firm in front of Peggy, something that wasn't often done without the backing of Howard. "This is my life and I'm taking it back." You can feel Steve's hand firmly on your back.

"Now listen here Isabel," Peggy's tone is calm, but filled with ire. "I don't care who you used to be, I don't care that you have Howard Stark wrapped around your little finger." You feel sick to your stomach as you remember this conversation, hating that Steve was going to have to hear it. "I don't care if in that stupid little brain of yours you think that you have any other life than the one WE tell you you can have. This is what you signed up for."

"I signed up to try and find Steve," 1970's you yells back; you can feel yourself gripping Steve's arm tightly, before his hand finds yours. "Howard promised me..."

"Howard is not in charge here. He's been taken off your project because he got too close." Peggy snipes back.

"What does that mean?"

Trying to keep her calm, Peggy's tone becomes softer. "He's about to become a father. He's not going to have time for all of this." She gestures up and down at you.

"Howard is my friend." You snip back. "He won't let me give up my mission."

"Which is..."

With a loud sigh you yell back. "To find Steve Peggy. Wasn't this the point of all of this. At one time that was all you wanted too."

"Let me make this perfectly clear. Steve is gone. Dead. He's not coming back." Her voice is calm, yet the words sting.

"You don't know that..." Despite knowing that it was coming, the sound of the slap that Peggy gives you still makes you jump; even Steve is shocked, and jumps at the sound as it reverberates around the room. 

"ENOUGH!" Peggy roars. "STEVE ROGERS IS DEAD DO YOU UNDERSTAND." You can hear the cryochamber come to life as Peggy starts to push buttons. "YOU WILL GET IN THERE UNTIL WE DEEM IT NECESSARY. YOU ARE NO LONGER ISABELLA THOMAS, YOU ARE SHIELD PROPERTY."

"Uh uh Frau Direktorin, is that any way to speak to Captain America's legacy. To our only asset in this war." Zola's voice resonates. Surprising yourself you manage not to move at the sound of his voice, keeping your grip on Steve as you feel him stir; unsure if it was because of Zola, or if it was Peggy's tirade. 

"Doctor Zola," Peggy adjusts her clothing, voice instantly changing but with still a bit of sting to it. "Make sure she's asleep and then I'd like to see you in my office." Nothing happens until the sound of heels echoing down the hall turns into silence.

"Now now Fräulein, no tears." Zola places a hand on your back, leading you to the cryochamber. As you sit on a stool in front of it, Zola huffs and coughs while taking a blood sample from you. You can feel Steve stirring next to you, but you gently shake your head. 1970s you marches into the cryochamber, while Zola activates it you and Steve feel the blast of cold air circulate around you.

"Miss Carter may not appreciate what you've done but I do." You hear Zola whisper to you. "You have no idea how you have shaped the world. What a gift you have given mankind." He sighs before heading away. "If I have one regret," he stops just as you and Steve were ready to crawl out. "It's that you'll have to die at the hands of your dear Mr Barnes. Hail HYDRA!"