Lieutenant - Daughter of the Captain

Chapter 45.0 - King

No...

Carter dropped her gun and magazine on the table, removed her ear muffs, and took off her gloves.

"Carter-" Steve began, until she turned, walked up to him, and enveloped his torso in a tight hug.

"I'm so sorry Dad, it's not fair that this had to happen today," She whispered, her voice quieter than he'd heard it in ages.

He sighed, feeling his eyes water again, "I know kid, I know," he hugged her back, and they stayed like that for a few minutes.

When they broke apart, he helped her clean up her stuff and waited for her to change. Then, they spent the rest of the evening together, eating multiple PB&Js for dinner, eating ice cream, and talking about the times Steve had brought Carter to visit Peggy over the years.

He'd wanted her to know her namesake, and the two had gotten along swimmingly. She would go visit her on her own when Steve was on a mission. They played chess, and read books together. She liked Peggy, and the woman always gave her the best advice, especially when it came to being a girl and being constantly underestimated.

He had a habit recently of calling them 'his girls' when talking about them and Carter would catch Steve just watching the two of them interact. She suspected Steve imagined her as the daughter they could've had. But she didn't mind that.

Now she was just grateful she got to know the woman before she died.

And she was grateful she could be there for Steve while he grieved her.

They attended the service in London a few days later. Steve got to carry in her casket while Carter sat in the church pew with Sam.

And then Sharon Carter stepped up to make a speech.

"No fucking way," Carter whispered.

"Carter, this is a church," Steve said, while Sam coughed.

The girl shrugged, gesturing exasperatedly at the woman on the podium.

Steve simply nodded, listening to her speech.

"...but, it's a lot to live up to," Sharon met Steve's eyes, "Which is why I never told anyone we were related," She added, probably for his sake, "I asked her once how she managed to master diplomacy and espionage in a time when no one wanted women to succeed in either and she said, compromise where you can. Where you can't, don't. Even if everyone is telling you that something wrong is something right. Even if the whole world is telling you to move, it is your duty to-"

"-plant yourself like a tree, look them in the eye, and say, 'No, you move'." Carter whispered, having heard those very words from Peggy on one of her solo trips to visit her. She earned sad looks from Sam and Steve, but they just continued listening to the service.

People trickled out after a while, and eventually, even Carter and Sam left Steve to pay his respects alone.

They passed Natasha on their way out, and the woman didn't bother trying to get Sam to reconsider his decision on the accords. She simply told them she was on her way and invited Carter to tag along.

"Am I even allowed?" The girl asked, "I'm not even signing the stupid thing,"

Nat sighed but nodded, "They'd like to have your contract ratified as well. Everyone is aware of your place in all this, but since you're a minor and they could send us into battle they can't include you in the accords. They have two copies of your contract ready, one for your dad to sign right now if he wishes-"

"And one with Tony's signature waiting in Vienna should he refuse?" Sam asked, scoffing when she nodded.

Carter sighed, "Do I have a choice?"