A/N: This fic is a sequel to On the Ropes, so you should probably read it first for context. I own nothing in the MCU except for my original character Liv and her story.

PRESENT DAY

Olivia "Liv" Yardley-Barnes sat on the bar stool at the kitchen island, chin in hand, leaning on the countertop, as she watched her best friend Steve Rogers argue with Tony Stark.

Per usual, it was a difference of opinion over Avenger rights. It was to the point Liv was surprised Howard's son even let them in Stark Tower anymore.

Nevertheless, they were still welcome probably because Tony had a certain amount of respect for the man he grew up hearing about. Plus she suspected Director Fury had probably insisted he make nice.

After emerging from the ice, she, Bucky, and Steve had been surprised to learn that Howard had not only settled down but had a son. Tony had his father's mannerisms and drive. His ego and playboy attitude, however, made Howard look innocent.

"At it again, I see," Bucky muttered as he plopped down in the stool beside Liv. "Why don't they just have a boxing match and settle it?"

Liv snorted. She knew her husband wasn't a big fan of Tony because Tony always seemed to be picking on Steve.

"It's because Tony doesn't want to mess up that pretty face of his," Natasha Romanoff chimed in from the stool on the other side of Liv. She said it loud enough for everyone to hear.

Tony shot Nat a narrowed look and frown; Nat just smirked at him.

"I don't know why I even bother," Steve groused as unlocked the door to the Brooklyn apartment he shared with Bucky and Liv.

After their reprieve at the cabin, Bucky and Liv wed in a quiet ceremony and the three of them moved into this apartment furnished to them by SHIELD. It wasn't the life Liv had dreamed of, but considering the circumstances, it would do—for now.

While Liv had married Bucky, she had essentially married Steve, too. She knew most people wouldn't comprehend the bond they all shared; but then again, how could anyone understand what they had been through?

"Don't let him get to you, pal," Bucky said, slapping Steve on the shoulder as he passed him.

"I don't know why Peggy encouraged him. He isn't anything like his father," Steve continued.

Both Bucky and Liv stilled at Peggy's name.

Steve noticed and sighed. He still hadn't told them Peggy was alive, even though he had known for the better part of three months now.

He had repeatedly sat at the Smithsonian in the exhibit dedicated to Captain America and the Howling Commandos and contemplated about going to visit Peggy but couldn't bring himself to do it yet.

Steve really didn't know why he hadn't told Liv; he supposed it was because he was trying to protect her as she settled into her new life with Bucky and he didn't want to upset her.

"Something you need to tell us?" Bucky jokingly asked at Steve's faraway expression. Steve snapped to the present.

"Actually, there is," Steve hedged, running his hand through his hair.

Liv grabbed Bucky's hand and pulled him onto the couch with her. They both expectantly looked at Steve.

"Peggy's alive," he blurted out.

Stunned, Liv stared at him, trying to wrap her mind around the news. Steve tried not to squirm under her intense gaze. Bucky didn't know what to say.

"How long have you known?" Liv finally asked in a quiet tone that alerted Steve that she knew he been hiding this from her and was definitely angry with him.

"Fury told me when we woke up," he nearly whispered.

She silently stood up and walked out of the room. They then heard the bedroom door click shut.

Bucky shook his head before standing up. His steel blue eyes locked with Steve's distressed bright blue ones.

"I'm sorry," Steve told him. "I started to tell her so many times, but …"

"I understand why you did it, but that doesn't make it any easier on her, pal," Bucky replied, leaving the room to go to his wife.

Liv was furious.

How dare Steve not tell her about Peggy! So many times she had wished she had one more minute with her cousin, to talk to her, to hug her, to get her advice.

"You know he was just trying to protect you," Bucky said when he quietly let himself into their bedroom.

"He let me keep thinking she was dead!" Liv angrily retorted, her fists at her side. "Every time her name came up, he could have told me."

Bucky sympathetically nodded.

"But he didn't! He has been carrying that fact around, keeping the truth to himself," Liv said, pacing around the room. She halted in her tracks and whipped her head toward Bucky.

"Did you know?" she asked.

"No. But I wondered. He has been spending a lot of time at the museum," he said. "He never breathed a word to me."

Liv brushed past Bucky and marched back to the living room where Steve was sitting on the couch with his head in his hands.

"Have you been to see her? Where is she?" she demanded.

"I haven't seen her," Steve brokenly replied. "I'm sorry. I should have told you, but you're so happy, I didn't want to make you sad. She's in a nursing facility. I'm so sorry."

All of Liv's anger melted away at the sight of seeing Steve hurting.

She knelt in front of him and pulled him into her arms.

"I'm sorry, too," Liv whispered as they clung to each other.