The Choice

Reunion

Rogers follows the direction the waitress had given him on the slip of paper. The driver was a bit ominous and didn't say a word, but Steve figured it was or the best. She did write on the back that he could trust this gut. He was apparently a friend of her brother's. Once they go to the hanger he saw the name Stark written above. This was Howard Stark's private hanger bay. Dammit, he thinks. Rogers is cautious as he gets out of the car, but he doesn't see his old friend. Instead the driver of the car piloted the plane as well. Its a long flight there but once they land, Steve takes his bag and walks away, waving to the driver/pilot before walking into town. Once there he stops for a bite to eat and settles down with a phone book he purchased. He flips through the pages for the name Carter, and it doesn't take long for him to find it.

He pays for his food and leaves to find a taxi. Although he does have to keep his head low in order to hide his identity, a cab does arrive and he hitches a ride. The driver asks for a place and Rogers gives him Peggy's address. I really hope she's home...

It's a small house in the suburbs he notes as he steps out and pays the driver. Steve's heart pounds in his chest as he steps closer to the building; to her home. He hasn't seen her since 2015. Days before she died in her sleep. He's never really thought about that day, seeing as it always reminds him of what could have been, but now everything will change. What could have been will now be what is.

Steve steps closer and closer to the house before standing on the porch, hand raised to knock on the door. This is it, no turning back now. Rogers knocks on the door and waits for a few moments before knocking again, then placing his hands in his pockets. Maybe she's not home yet... But as he thinks this and turns to walk away, the door opens. Steve hears this and turns back around, facing the woman he has so longed to see.

"Hey Peggy."

"Steve..." Her words come out breathless. She can hardly believe what she's seeing before her. Rogers smiles his smile and steps closer, but what he doesn't expect is a gun pointed in his direction. "Who are you really?"

"Its me, Peg. Its Steve. Steve Rogers." But as he speaks the woman in front of him keeps her stance and replies through clenched teeth.

"Prove it." 

Rogers chuckles and ducks his head down before saying," Is it too late for that dance?" Peggy's grip loosens slightly, her guard slipping before she regains her composure. 

"Cotton Club, 9 O'clock." At this he chuckles and rubs the back of his neck nervously.

"Stork Club. 8 O'clock on the dot. You told me not to be late, but I kind of broke that promise." He chuckles again. "Though I can say stepping on your toes might not have changed. I still can't dance that well."

As he finishes rambling on, Peggy lowers her gun and tosses her arms around his heck, shocking him most of all. But once it wears off he wraps his arms around her as well.

"It's really you." Her words are muffles into his shirt, but he nods at hearing them. 

"So how about that dance?"

She chuckles and pulls away, and Steve follows her to the living room. He closes the door behind him, but it doesn't quite shut, a small crack is left as an opening. Oddly enough she was already dressed in a dazzling red dress. She walks over to start the record player with the soft words and music fill the air. Steve stands aside and waits, his hands outstretched. Peggy chuckles and steps into his arms, taking his hands in hers. For a moment all is silent until Rogers breaks it and asks about her attire. She chuckles once more before telling him she had planned on meeting a friend, but she canceled last minute. Steve  just happened to pop by at the right time.

The sway to the soft music for some time, until Peggy pulls away to answer a phone call. Steve stops the record player and proceeds to sit on the couch and wait for her to finish. She does a few minutes later and returns to the living room, sitting opposite of him.  He notices a strange look come across her face, something he can't quite recognize or place, but as quickly as it appears, it vanishes.

A still silence fills the room, neither sure what to say. Its been years since they've saw one another- years since they saw each other alive.

"You've changed." Peggy breaks the silence, her legs crossed and arms slightly folded across her chest. Rogers chuckles and runs a hand through his blonde hair. 

"Yeah... uhm, its been a while." She scoffs but a small smile tugs at the corner of her lips.

"Oh really? I haven't noticed." A moment passes before the two laugh, the tension seeming to break. "Steve... where have you been? Its been 4 years."

Rogers sits back more into the cushioned flowered seat beneath him, almost sinking into the couch itself. How much can I tell her? Will it change anything? Will she be able to understand? WH-what about...Sharon? Tony..? Natasha... He sighs deeply and rests his face in his hands, arms now leaning on his knees. 

"Its complicated. All I can say is I haven't been around for a while, but I'm back now. Isn't that what counts?"

"Not really, no." Peggy uncrosses her arms and glances away, her mind deep in thought. 

"I wish I could tell you, Peggy. I just can't."

They fall silent at this, no one knowing what else to say or do. Years of time and events had passed and yet there was a gap that could never be filled. Mostly that is to say.

"Well since you won't tell me where you've been, can you at least tell me where you're staying? For safety reasons that is." Her cheeks flush red from the glance he gives her, making her look away. She stands from her seat as she waits for his answer,

"I uh.... I just got here actually. I'm not staying anywhere. Except, well, in the 40's." He mumbles the last bit before realizing he spoke it aloud.  She doesn't press any further but does give him an odd look. He shy's away and shrugs, twiddling his thumbs in a sense. 

"I-no that's not a good idea." She fumbles over her words as she paces around her living room, making Steve curious. 

"What's not a good idea?" Peggy stops and look at him before scoffing and smiling with a breath of nerves. 

"I would say use my spare bedroom but..." As she speaks she stops and shakes her head. "No its a terrible idea."

"Why? Afraid of what will happen if I stay too long?" Her head snaps to look at him, shocked at his bold words. Steve should feel intimidated by her stare, but instead his heart swells in his chest. "What? Its been years, Peg. I don't think you should worry about... anything like that. I'm trustworthy still, I swear."

She continues pacing at this and sighs a few times, her arms crossed over her chest and mind deep in thought. Rogers isn't sure why it's so hard for her to decide, but eventually she stops pacing and sits opposite of him again.

"Alright, you can stay." Her leg bounces slightly as she sits, and he notices. Their eyes catch and she proceeds to stand again, hands on hip. "But only temporarily. At the very least until you are able to find your own residence here. Well, that, uhm... is if you want to stay in Los Angeles. I suppose I should have asked first."

"Yeah, Peg. I'm staying."

"Right." She's nervous, and slightly shaken up he notices. From what he cannot tell, but seeing as Peggy has always been reserved, he doesn't ask questions for the time being.