unnamed } { why does the heart still resist

[straightshooter]

The sedan pulls up to the front of the small, nondescript apartment building, and the SHIELD agent in the front seat glances back to her through the rearview mirror. He doesn't push - she appreciates that about him. Not that he could understand how she's feeling, being transported through time while SHIELD was testing their newest toy isn't exactly something every agent goes through. But he still affords her the respect of her now emeritus title, which is more comforting to her than she could say. It isn't enough to make her get out of the car though.

"This is it, Director Carter."

She glances from the file in her lap to the building again. Then she exhales slowly, maintaining her composure as she reaches for the door handle. "Of course. Thank you, agent." She starts to get out of the car, hesitating as her shoe touches the gravel. Then she turns back to the driver. "Just in case ... "

"I'll wait for thirty minutes." He glances back over his shoulder and gives her a small smile. "But for what it's worth, ma'am? I don't think that will be a problem."

She smiles slightly at that, giving a small nod of thanks before climbing out of the car. She adjusts her clothing carefully, before striding her away into the SHIELD monitored building. Director Fury had given her all the proper clearances, so the first and only time she's actually stopped is when she's staring at Steve's front door.

Peggy Carter has never considered herself to be an anxious woman. She's always prided herself on having a very firm grip on her emotions, and if there is one that has ever managed to get out of hand it's her temper, not her nerves. But standing in front of the door of the man she longed believed was dead and gone forever, ready to see him again when he possibly believes the same of her, and she finds herself returning to the state of a flustered school girl, waiting for her first date.

And in a way, it is. They never got that dance.

Taking a deep, steadying breath, she raises her hand and knocks lightly on the door.There's a sad, small part of her that almost wishes he isn't here. But the large, overpowering part of her needs to see him, more than anything else.

The worst he can do is send her away.

(If he does, she doesn't know how she will take it.)

Comments

[valuedstrength]

If Steve could he would stay in this moment forever. It's safe, real, and it's what he's wanted for so long. That's why he lets it last as long as he does. Minutes pass just kissing her and forgetting there was ever a reason not to do so before self-sabotaging logic starts to creep in. He parts from her reluctantly though not far. One hand still rests in her hair, toying with a curl absently while the other rests on her arm. He smiles and tries not to think about the fact he can't remember the last time he did so naturally.

"You know I haven't actually kissed someone since 1945. I don't think I ever want to stop." It's a gentle dig at himself, a joke to ease the tension for him before he can get to the point. "What do you want, Peggy? Is this-?" The smile fades and he meets her gaze with a troubled look on his face. It hasn't occurred him yet that SHIELD has a very good reason to keep their co-founder from returning. The fact that he's destined to lose her and everyone else that ever mattered to him has become an undeniable part of his life.

"Will this just make it harder for you later? I can take this being it for us, but not at your expense."

[straightshooter]

Peggy understands what he's trying to do. It's not hard to see that he's simply looking out for her and the uncertainty of where they currently stand. It's a natural consideration and there's a part of him that's grateful to him for making it, but at the same time, she doesn't particularly care.

"Don't you dare stop," she says, giving him a rather pointed look. "In fact, if you try to pull back for my own good, I may shoot you."

Do not test her on this, Steve, you know how good a shot she is.

[valuedstrength]

Oh he remembers. It's funny how dealing with a world that has aliens and fake gods doesn't strike fear in his heart. The second anyone reminds him how good Peggy Carter is at shooting especially at him sends a chill down his spine. She certainly made an impression all those years ago. "You brought a gun to...." You know what? He doesn't even care.

Steve simply shakes his head in disbelief and smiles. She's here and threatening him, but that's okay. That's better than okay actually. Peggy, unsurprisingly, wins the fight. He leans back over and kisses her again. He definitely won't be stopping again anytime soon.

[straightshooter]

She doesn't even bother to answer the question, because Steve. Of course she has a gun. She's Peggy Carter and you're Captain America, who knows what could come through that door at any time. But that's not important, the important part is that you keep kissing her.

A lot.

If the Director calls him for a mission, she'll shoot him.