UNKNOWN GUEST

#81 We Trust You

As Mom came out of the church, I could tell her mind was somewhere else, her eyes distant, like she was still processing everything. I tried to lighten the mood, stepping beside her, "Did you ask him to tag along?"

She sighed, her voice soft as we walked. "I used your words. Told him there's plenty of room on the jet. But I know he's not interested." I smiled, thinking of how stubborn Dad could be, but her expression stayed neutral, unreadable, lost in thought.

Suddenly, she stopped in her tracks and turned to look at me, something serious brewing in her eyes. "Tell me something honestly," she asked, her voice lower than usual, as if weighing every word.

I blinked, not sure where this was going, but I nodded, "Of course, what is it?"

She sighed again, glancing down before looking back up at me. "Do you think Steve's going to regret this choice? Or... do you think I'll regret mine?" Her voice cracked just a little, enough for me to catch it.

I narrowed my eyes, not quite sure what she was expecting from me. "Ma'am, what kind of answer are you hoping for?"

She hesitated for a moment, biting her lip, which was rare for her. "How about... a reassuring one?"

The weight of her conflict was clear now. She shook her head, almost as if trying to shake off her own doubts. "I don't know... I just feel conflicted. Steve didn't even ask me to be on his side. I tried, gently, to poke him a little, to convince him, but he..."

I smiled softly, understanding where she was coming from. "Ma'am, he knows that if he asked you not to sign, you wouldn't sign. And now, here you are, unable to say no to him. Am I wrong?"

She shook her head slowly, her eyes dropping for a moment. "No."

I nodded, trying to give her the reassurance she was searching for. "And as for regret... If you don't do what you've decided, there will be regret. You think signing the accords is the best decision, and he doesn't. You respect his principles, and he respects yours. So, leave it as it is. There's no need to question that."

She turned back to glance at the church entrance, her eyes scanning the area, clearly looking for Dad. I followed her gaze, and then I saw him — standing there, talking to the blonde woman Uncle Sam had pointed out earlier. And that's when it hit me. My eyes went wide as realization dawned. It was Agent 13. Of course, she's a Carter... and so is Peggy.

Damn. That connection felt like a puzzle falling into place. Agent 13, a Carter. I guess it made sense now, but seeing it unfold felt surreal.

Mom's eyes were about to fall on them, her gaze lingering just a moment too long in that direction. I quickly stepped in her way, blocking her line of sight and gently guiding her forward. "Let's go. The more you hesitate, the more you'll keep doubting your decision."

She sighed, nodding as if the conflict was still there but a bit less heavy. She walked ahead, her steps resolute again.

As I glanced back, I couldn't help but stare at Dad and Agent Carter. Had there been something between them once? The idea felt almost impossible. 

Uncle Tony and Rhodes were striding ahead, deep in conversation with a few high-profile officials. Their pace was purposeful, heads bent toward each other as they talked about whatever high-level details they needed to sort out. I lingered back with Mom, letting the distance between us and them grow. I could feel the glances around us—disapproving, distrustful, lingering too long on her.

That's when it struck me.

She wasn't just signing the Accords because she thought it was the right move strategically or morally. She was doing it because she wanted the world's trust—something she had always been denied. No one trusted her, not completely. Her past, the Red Room, all those years working as a double agent for America... it was all out in the open.