Returning The Stones

8. New York, 1948

Peggy Carter had finished putting on a red dress and sighed as she looked in the mirror. It had become a tradition for her to go to the Storks Club every Saturday, eight o'clock on the dot. She knew nothing would happen, that Steve wouldn't be there. He had been gone, and she knew it was pointless in going. But she felt as if she was honoring his death when she went, while also remembering their times together.

Peggy walked out of her small house and made her way to the Storks club, not knowing that someone was watching.

...

Steve appeared on the sidewalk of a neighborhood. He picked up a newspaper that was on the sidewalk and read the date. Saturday, June 12th, 1948.

Steve smiled, knowing that he had made it here. What seemed impossible before was now about to be played out in front of him.

Steve continued walking down the street. He had no clue how he would find out where Peggy was and what he would do, but that was all that was on his mind.

Steve heard a door across the street open and he instinctively looked over. Much to his surprise and luck, Peggy walked out of a house. She was wearing a red dress, her hair curled as always. Steve smiled at the sight of her, he had found her. She hadn't grown or lived a life without him, it was almost as if he had just left her.

Steve watched as Peggy locked the door, and he knew it must be her house. After locking the door, she put her jacket on and made her way down the street.

When Peggy was out of sight, Steve went up to the house. He knew she had just locked the door, and he looked under the doormat, finding an extra key. He picked it up and unlocked the door, stepping inside.

Steve looked around. There was a nice living area and small dining room with a small kitchen to the left. Nothing but the ticking of the clock could be heard. Steve didn't want to look around to much, after all, he was technically breaking and entering.

Steve walked over to one of the shelves she had and found his picture sitting in the center. The same picture she had in her office back at the shield base. Steve smiled and took his compass out of his pocket. For all those years, she was just a memory. Yet now, she was reality.
All that time spent away from her, that space would be closed. She had been the only thing on his mind the past few days, and he felt in his soul that this was the right thing to do. With the power of time travel, he was able to obtain his greatest dream that he thought he could never have. Being with his best girl.

Steve looked at the clock. Eight fifteen. He didn't know how long Peggy would be gone, but he knew exactly what he was going to do when she got back.

...

Peggy sat at the Storks Club, smiling at all the happy couples dancing. She longed for that, and not just with anybody, with Steve.

Peggy looked over at the clock on the wall. Eight twenty-three. There really was no use in waiting. If she stayed at the Club any longer, she'd just find herself dreaming about what she could have had.

Peggy made her way back to her home, wrapping her jacket around her. There was a cold breeze, and she couldn't wait to be back inside, all warm.

Peggy walked up the steps of her porch and noticed her front door was a crack open. "I'm sure I locked it." She said. She regretted not having a gun on her, she thought she wouldn't need it for the short time she was out.

"Who's there?" Peggy said as she cautiously entered the house.

"An old friend." Steve said.

Peggy recognized that voice anywhere. "Steve?"

Steve stepped towards Peggy, the compass in his hand. "Sorry I'm late." He said. "I had some business to attend to."

"Steve? Is it really you?" Peggy asked tears in her eyes.

"Yes." Steve said. "I couldn't leave my best girl. Not when I owe her a dance."

"H-how is this possible? You died, in the crash-"

"There's a lot to explain." Steve said. "But we can do that later. Right now, I believe you were supposed to teach me how to dance."

Peggy smiled as Steve turned on the radio. "It's Been A Long, Long Time" by Harry James began to play.

Peggy hugged Steve, leaning her head on his chest, the biggest smile she'd had in years on her face. Steve put his arms around Peggy and they swayed back and forth, cherishing this moment the two of them never thought would come. Steve looked down at Peggy and Peggy looked into his beautiful blue eyes that she thought she'd never see again. She never thought she'd see his smile, or ever be in his arms again. But now that they were together, everything felt as it should be, like for once there was peace in the world.

Steve leaned down until Peggy's lips were on his own, and they danced into the night, getting their long awaited moments together.

...