The Trip to the Underworld.

Chapter Three: A Little Catching Up.

Steve," He heard his name and turned around. Howard, the young one that Steve knew well, was standing there.

"Howard," He immediately came over and hugged him.

"Good to see you, man." Howard said.

"You, too. But, if I were you, there's a man over there that I think wants to talk to you." He pointed over to Tony.

"Yeah," Howard walked over as casually as possible. "Hey." 

Tony looked to him. "Dad?"    

"Hey, Tony. I'm sorry for all of the crap I did and didn't do." 

"It's alright. I'm good. I forgave and forgot all that, I understand your actions somewhat."

"You did?"

Tony nodded.

"Well, you're a better man than I, son."

"Thanks. Where's Mom? I saw the gravestone, she's down here, right?"

"She is, she's at city hall."

"Why?"

"Who else do you think is going to try to run this crazy town? A lot of people here want to kill me and Peggy's not here yet," he waved to Peggy, who smiled. "So, yeah. She's the mayor of the town of death."

"Can I go see her?"

"Sure, if your super powered friends will let you,"

He turned to them. "Would you mind?"

"Not at all."

He left.

Howard stood next to Peggy. "Hey," He rocked from his toes to his heels.

"Howard,"

"Yes?"

"You're an idiot,"

"What's the reason this time?"

"I literally told you that Hydra was out there, that they were coming after us, and when you were going to die, and you still went out, without any protection, and ended up getting killed."

"Yeah, it wasn't a good day for me."

"Well, you've been missed among the living, my friend."

"I've missed living, too."

"I tried to take care of Tony, by the way."

"Thank you for that. I guess we can finally leave. I mean, now that we know Tony's okay and that I didn't entirely screw him over,"

Dr. Erskine slowly walked over to Steve. "You should not feel pressure from my words,"

"Huh, I wish that that was said a long time ago,"

"But, in case that you are wondering, you did become a perfect soldier, but you also stayed a good man."

"Thank you, Doctor. Also for everything else,"

"Not a problem. I am proud that you were the only success."

"Thank you. Why are you here?"

"To tell you that I am proud and you don't need to worry about living up to anything that may have been quoted from me."

Steve chuckled. "I appreciate that."

"Also, we said drink after, but there was no after, so here." Dr. Erskine walked away for a moment and came back with a bottle of wine and two glasses. "I am not the biggest fan of the day time drink but you've earned it."

Peggy saw Steve and Dr. Erskine across the room and nudged Howard with her elbow. "Look," she motioned towards them.

"I'm glad the Doc's seeing him after all that he's done, seems like an homage to the Doc's greatest creation." He said.

"Yeah, well, Steve was great before any of us got ahold of him." Peggy shrugged.

Howard looked at her for a moment, specifically the look in her eye.

She was still looking towards Steve.

"Peg,".     

She turned back to Howard. "Yes?"       

"You really love him, don't you? Like, really really love him?"

She smiled. "Yes. I do. I don't know how we fell for each other but I'm glad we did."

"So, you're engaged? Let me see the ring,"

She held up her hand.

"Good, I knew he'd be smart enough to not get you a giant rock."

"It was his mother's. He said that the simplicity of it did not mean that he didn't love me enough to get a bigger ring, he just promised his mother that he'd give it to the one he'd spend the rest of his life with."

"He's such a softie."

"Yeah, but he's my softie."

"I never thought I'd hear you talk like that."

"Steve was the one for me since the beginning, no one could've replaced him."

"I know. I tried, remember?"

"You tried as hard as you could if I remember correctly," She chuckled and elbowed him.

"Well, you can't blame me, you're you. So, you people need to find your relatives to get them out of here, correct?"

"Yes."

"I know a person, come here."