Avalanche (Book 2)

Chapter 3: Just Like Old Times

London

Claire Stark's POV

Steve, Sam, and I were in London for the funeral of Steve's old friend, Peggy Carter. Nat was going to pick me up to fly to Vienna pretty much just after the ceremony. I had decided to let the Crossbones mission slide. Steve was just trying to protect me, and there were more important things going on.

Steve walked into the cathedral. He was one of the people carrying the coffin, which had the Union Jack draped over it. His eyes were red from crying.

After setting down the coffin, he joined Sam and I in our seats. The priest addressed us from the front of the cathedral. 

"And now, I would like to invite Sharon Carter to come up and say a few words." Agent Sharon Carter, Steve's ex-neighbor from D.C., walked up to the podium. She glanced at us, and Sam nudged Steve to look up.

"Margaret Carter was known to most as a founder of SHIELD... but I just knew her as Aunt Peggy." Agent Carter started her speech. Steve took a surprised breath at finding out who she really was. "She had a photograph in her office. Aunt Peggy standing next to JFK. As a kid, that was pretty cool. But it was a lot to live up to. Which is why I never told anyone we were related."
Agent Carter hesitated, and she looked directly at Steve.

"I asked her once how she managed to master diplomacy and espionage in a time when no one wanted to see a woman succeed at either. And she said, compromise where you can. But 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 they eye and say, 'No, you move.'" She addressed the mourners, but she was clearly talking to Steve. He looked determined.

Later

Steve and I stood in the cathedral. Most of the people had already left, and Sam was giving Steve some space. I put my hand on his shoulder, and Steve looked up at me. He gave me a small, grateful smile and wiped a tear from his face. Nat approached us.

"When I came out of the ice, I thought everyone I had known was gone. Then I found out that she was alive. I was just lucky to have her." Steve said to her, without turning.

"She had you back, too." Nat told him. Steve sighed softly.

"Who else signed?" He asked her. Steve already knew that the two of us had signed.

"Tony. Rhodey. Vision." Nat answered. She forced a smile after finishing.

"Clint?" Steve asked her.

"Says he's retired." Nat replied. She smiled as did I. Clint deserved to spend time with his family away from all of this craziness.

"Wanda and Pietro?" He asked. I looked away from the two of them. I felt guilty for having to leave them back in New York.

"TBD." Nat answered. "Claire and I are off to Vienna for the signing of the Accords. There's plenty of room on the jet." She said, trying to get him to come with us. Steve sighed and looked at the ground. 

"Just because it's the path of least resistance doesn't mean it's the wrong path. Staying together is more important than how we stay together." She told him with a nod, trying to convince herself.

"What are we giving up to do it?" Steve asked her. Nat sighed. He shook his head and said, "I'm sorry, Nat. I can't sign it."

"I know." Nat told him.

"Then what are you doing here?" Steve asked her.

"I didn't want you to be alone." She told him. Nat pulled him in for a hug. She held out an arm for me to join in.