Mercury // S. Rogers (Book Three) ✔

Officially Criminals

Three days later, Freya, Steve and Sam fly out to London for Peggy's service. Freya sits in the front row with Sam while Steve helps carry the casket down the isle. Tears are silently rolling down Steve's face while he walks. His attempts at keeping himself together failing. Freya's a mess as well while she sits next to Sam. He tightly holds her hand, trying his best to provide any comfort possible while she silently cries. Him having never seen her or Steve like this before. When Steve finally sits down, his hand immediately finds Freya's. Both gripping tightly, afraid to let the other one go.

"And now, I would like to invite Sharon Carter to come up and say a few words."

The priest's words make Freya's head snap up. She locks eyes with the woman she's known for years. Someone she's grown close to. The thought never crossed her mind that she could somehow be connected to Peggy. Freya nudges Steve as Sharon begins to speak. He looks over at Freya and follows her line of sight to Sharon. An expression of confusion falls across his face.

"Margret Carter was known to most as a founder of S.H.I.E.L.D., but I just knew her as Aunt Peggy," Sharon reveals. The two blondes' eyes widen at the new information and Sharon gives them a small nod. "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." Sharon locks eyes with Freya, who gives her a small smile. Understanding her reasons for never saying anything. Steve looks down at his wife to see her reaction before turning his attention back to Sharon. "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. She said, compromise where you can. But, where you can't, don't." Her eyes are now glancing between the two Rogers as she speaks. "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 the eye and say, 'No, you move.'"

Steve squeezes Freya's hand at Sharon's words and she gives a squeeze back. Both understanding the hidden message behind them. After the service finally finishes and the church clears out, Steve and Freya are the only two left. They're just standing in silence, grieving together. Needing the comforting touch of his wife, Steve reaches out to her and gently pulls her to him. He presses a soft kiss to her forehead before wrapping his arms around her and burying his face in her hair. Freya's arms wind around his torso and she lays her head against his chest.

"You didn't know?" he asks.

"No," she sighs. "I can't believe I never put two and two together. It never occurred to me they might be related."

He lets out a hum of understanding, causing his chest to rumble. Footsteps down the isle grab their attention. Slightly pulling away from each other to look, they spot a familiar redhead walking up to them. Natasha stands next to them in silence before Steve breaks it.

"When I came out of the ice, I thought everyone I had known was gone. Then, Freya brought her back into my life. I was just lucky to have her." Freya gives him a sad smile, knowing this is a difficult situation for him.

"She had you back, too." Natasha looks up at him before nodding at Freya. "She was lucky to have you as well." Freya smiles thankfully and Steve nods as he changes the topic.

"Who else signed?"

"Tony, Rhodey, Vision," Natasha answers.

"Clint?" Freya asks.

"Says he's retired," Natasha smirks. Freya gives her a small smile and nods.

"What about Wanda?" she asks.

"TBD," Natasha tells her. "I'm off to Vienna for the signing of the Accords. There's plenty of room on the jet for you two." Steve sighs as he and Freya look at each other. Both choosing to stay silent. "Just because it's the path of least resistance, it doesn't mean it's the wrong path. Staying together is more important than how we stay together." Natasha's eyes fall on her sister. A pleading look in them. Freya shakes her head and pinches the bridge of her nose.