Thaw

Nine

"Um, excuse me, JARVIS?"

"Yes, Captain?"

"Oh, hi."

"Good evening."

"I was wondering, do you have any idea as to where my stuff is?"

"To which stuff are you referring, Captain?"

"It's, I'm just Steve. You can call me Steve."

"While I appreciate the gesture, I have been given direct command to call you either Captain, Mr. Rogers, Spangles, or Captain Fly Booty. I feel one of the former two would be more appropriate given our relationship, though I must inform you that Mr. Rogers is a rather iconic name."

"Oh..kay?"

"What is it that you are searching for?"

"Well, my uniform, I guess. And my shield." He let out a wry chuckle. "I don't really have any other stuff."

"It appears the majority of your belongings were donated to The Smithsonian Institution."

"A museum?," Steve repeated bewilderedly. 

"Yes Captain. You are ninety-three years old and a legend. Anything remotely connected to you has been preserved in high-security, minimal access areas. Items revealed to the public are in The Smithsonian."

"Ah." Steve rubbed the back of his neck and sighed. "I keep forgetting that part."

"It is understandable. The concept of time in relation to the individual is relative. The suspended animation in which you were held enabled your mind and body to remain completely intact, unchanged and unconscious. Evidently Dr. Erskine's serum advanced your capabilities so far that your system was able to operate self-cryogenics with only the low temperature as an aid. It's very remarkable."

"Yeah. Well, Dr. Erskine was a remarkable man."

"Indeed. Would you like me to access all pertinent historical records dating from the time of your disappearance to present day? It may help you acclimate to what you have missed."

Steve shivered involuntarily. "Thanks, JARVIS, but I don't think I'm quite ready for that."

"Very good, Captain Rogers. When you are, I shall have the information prepared for you."

"Actually, JARVIS, there is one thing I want to know now. What can you tell me about Peggy Carter?"

_____

Steve wandered the tower somewhat dazedly, deep in thought over the path Peggy Carter had cut out for herself. He knew from the moment they met that she was amazing, and he was sure she'd be very successful. But seeing it all laid out - all the work she had done, everything she went through, never losing her courage - She'd stood her ground with passion for morality, love for justice, concern for humanity. She is the real legend.

"Captain Rogers!"

He jumped at the voice behind him, snapping back to real-time. A beautiful woman with hair that reminded him of a sunset walked towards him. "I'm Pepper. Pepper Potts." He took her outstretched hand, pulling it to his lips, and she blushed scarlet. "Oh my," she laughed, "Tony warned me you were a gentleman."

It was Steve's turn to blush now. "I'm sorry, I didn't realize this wasn't still customary," he stammered. Pepper shook her head quickly. "No, no, don't apologize. And don't stop. I mean- don't stop being a gentleman just because they are rare. The quality is just as valuable now, if not more so. We simply aren't used to it, it doesn't mean it's not wonderful." She smiled gently, and he felt himself relax a little. 

"I came to find you, actually," she told him. "Agent Coulson from S.H.I.E.L.D. is here, to check in with you and Tony, see how you are adjusting and if there's any way he can be of assistance." She leaned in and lowered her voice, a twinkle in her eye. "I have to warn you, though - he's a big fan." 

Again Steve reddened slightly, but nodded and followed Pepper to a large living area, which was almost entirely windows. The man he assumed to be Agent Coulson was standing with his hands clasped in front of him, appearing to be bouncing on the balls of his feet.

He was a little taller than Tony - though much shorter than Steve himself - and had a strong sense of average about him; he was of average build, he was wearing an average two piece suit. He had an average black briefcase, and a neutral expression on his averagely proportioned face. And yet, he had a nervous energy surrounding him, to which everyone in the room was very much in tune.

"Captain, it's a great honour," the man told him. "I watched you while you were sleeping." Tony snorted loudly behind him and he grew flustered. "I mean, I was, present. While you were unconscious."

"Much less weird, Phil."

"Tony."

"Alright, Pep, alright. I'll be downstairs." Tony got up, chuckling, and sidled past the other three. "Catch ya later, Rogers."

"Tony?"

She paused as he spoke. "Hmm?" He looked at Coulson, then back to her. "Didn't Agent Coulson want to speak to both of us?" 

The heiress shook her black head with a smile. "I've said my piece, sugar. Besides, what Coulson really wants is for you to sign his card collection."

What do you think Tony said to Phil's question? And what is Pierce's game? 

My updates are sporadic, I know - life, amiright? Sorry. I've got a pretty good idea of where I want this to go... just not sure how I'm going to get it there. But I'll share my story with anyone who wants to read it! Hope you enjoy.

FF

f/n: hello to any lovelies who've decided to read this <3 did a bit of an upgrade on this snippet, and have another one in the works. life is currently on hold as I am cooped up with a horrible chest infection of some sort or another, probably bronchitis. so hopefully I can get a bit more written in the next few days to distract my sorry self :) xo, 

FF