Rumors and Ghosts

xvii. the future

After Steve and Anastasia had been missing for some time, the soldier and the Grand Duchess awoke in a 1940's hospital, in their room, 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 Anastasia asked.

"You're 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 and Anastasia looked at her suspiciously as the former asked, "Where are we really?"

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

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

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

"Who are you?" Steve and Anastasia demanded.

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

"Captain Rogers, Anastasia, 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 Anastasia 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, soldier, ma'am!" Fury said. "Look, I'm sorry about that little show back there, but... we thought it best to break it to you four slowly."

"Break what?" Steve and Anastasia asked.

"You've been asleep, Cap, Princess. For almost seventy years." Steve and Anastasia 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.

Anastasia's gaze fell and she sighed. "I don't know." She missed the man she adored dearly. He had to be long gone. But maybe he wasn't. She had to hold out with hope that she'd see him again.

She turned to Fury. "Pardon me, but I'm not a fighter. I'm sure you'll call if I'm needed."

Fury nodded. "We will. Good luck, Miss Romanov."

"How do you know that?"

"You're a bit of a legend."

She nodded slowly. "I may have to look into that. General Vagonov. Is he still alive?"

"No. He died years ago. Firing squad. He failed for a wanted prisoner's escape. She was never found. Until just recently."

Anastasia nodded again and smiled. "Thank you. Steve, don't hesitate to call."

Steve gave her a small smile. "Good luck, Anastasia."

"You too."

---

Steve was pummeling a punching bag in the gym and in anger, knocked his punching bag off its chain, sending it flying across the room when Fury entered.

"Trouble sleeping?" Fury asked.

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

"I am."

"Trying to get me back in the world?"

"Trying to save it."