Avengers Generations

Chapter 33

It didn't feel right at all. Peggy hugged her father tightly, but if wasn't the same. S.H.I.E.L.D. agents had just finished zipping the last fallen soldier in a body bag after carrying the wounded away from the damaged battle field, and Peggy felt almost sick to her stomach as she thought about the death that surrounded her. The worst part though, was knowing that her daddy had played a part in their deaths.

She was hugging a murderer.

"Hey, what's the matter, ace?" Her dad pulled out of the hug and asked with concern. He kneeled down and put both of his strong hands on her frail shoulders.

Peggy tried to smile, but she knew it wasn't convincing. "Just a little shaken, Daddy." She told him quickly before her mother walked towards them, coming back from helping Mr. Stark.

"Hey there, Doll." Steve said to his wife, looping an arm around her waist. He still looked a bit concerned at Peggy's uneasiness, but he put on a small smile anyway. "Are you doing ok?"

"I'm hanging in there..." She replied "But I'm so glad you're both here."

"And we're all safe." Steve added.

"Yes, definitely." Sharon replied, but she seemed to doubt his optimism. Peggy felt even less at ease with her mother's hesitation, but she tried to smile anyway.

Just then, Sharon lifted a finger to her ear. "Go ahead," she responded, turning her head slightly. "Yes, she's here." She looked at Peggy "Why?" She pursed her lips and nodded respectfully to a man who couldn't see her. "I'll ask."

"Ask what?" Peggy asked suspiciously.

"Charity's completely distraught." Her mom relayed "They want you to talk to her - you two seem pretty close."

Peggy looked to her father for approval, but she looked away before he could give it. "Alright." She said "Where is she?"

Sharon hesitated. "In a recovery room." She stated.

"Oh goodness..." Peggy uttered, thinking of all that could mean.

"I'll take you there." Her mother offered. Peggy nodded her thanks and followed silently.

"Hi." Charity sniffed when Peggy peeped into her hospital room. The two girls' black jumpsuits were a sharp contrast to the to the white walls, and Charity's red, swollen eyes provided the sole color.

"What happened...?" Peggy asked, breathless with worry "Besides, you know, everything..."

Charity's lips twitched with a sad smile. "I saw Peter." She explained with a tight voice.

Peggy nodded solemnly, knowing the pain that must have brought to her. "I'm so sorry, Charity..." She said "You never deserved any of what he did to you."

Charity hiccuped back a sob and lifted the remaining half of her right hand to her mouth. "No..." She agreed as Peggy nodded protectively "I didn't." She looked out the small window at the sun setting behind the beautifully illuminated clouds "I didn't deserve to have a man as wonderful to me as he was."

Peggy paused, her mouth open. "What-?" She questioned.

"I can't help loving him, Peggy. He was so wonderful to me..."

"But he-"

"I know." Charity interrupted "And I want to hate him for it, but I can't. He's my Peter - my rock... And I think he always will be..."

There was a long silence as Peggy tried to comprehend what her friend was telling her. How could she forgive Peter after all he had done to her?

The door slowly opened and Peggy's mother poked her head in through the opening, breaking Peggy's thoughts. "I'm sorry, girls." She said "But there's a debriefing in the classroom in a few minutes."