Extraction

DJ Dubois

August 2013

Notes: The characters from "Captain America" and the Marvelverse belong to Marvel Comics, Marvel Studios and Paramount. All other characters are mine and fictitious. Please send comments to dante0220 .

Chapter 1 [Several Months following Cap's Disappearance]

Despite the war dragging into its fourth year across Europe and the Pacific, London turned its attention to the holiday season. Plans for parties and feasts were made. Mistletoe remained stashed for the magic moments at hand. Gifts bought and made ready for pick up by St. Nick himself.

As with most years, some families would celebrate their loved ones' safe returns or continued safety on the front. Those groups had already put their cards in the mail so as to reach the soldiers in time.

Others, however, had their holidays dampened by their loved ones' respective sacrifices. While they respected and treasured their memory, those families missed their special soldiers. Those people would be the ones who ventured out to the cemeteries to lay flowers at the stones in question. Then they'd head for church to pray for their souls.

And so it went…..

[Allied Command—December 20, 1943]

Amidst the frenetic pace in the Allies' British HQ, Agent Peggy Carter studied intel from Poland and the Normandy coast for any sign of Nazi weaknesses in that regard. She'd worked herself into a zombie…hardly ever stopping for meals or to sleep….

…all the better to end this damned war…to honor her Captain….

She frowned not seeing any new creases in the German juggernaut. She appreciated of course what the Howling Commandos had done in Italy and even southern Austria. Still she could barely bear to take a break.

In a flash, she'd sometimes see him charging into the fray fearless and carving a vicious swath into the Nazi advance….

She felt his lips on hers just before he leapt onto the landing struts of the Skull's Valkyrie craft.

She watched him disappearing into the Alpine clouds just as he watched her and Colonel Phillips careen to a halt barely micrometers from the landing strip's edge; the tires of the Skull's rocket car resting right against the precipice.

Despite the sacrifice involved, they both had Duty.

Now they were parted….

Steve, I know I'm being a ninny. I miss you! She sighed and rubbed her forehead. She wouldn't cry there. Maybe back in her barracks after the door was closed but not there….She had an image to uphold after all….

"Hey, Agent Carter, that's enough."

She sprang from her seat and stood at attention instinctively to greet the officer in question. "Colonel Phillips, nothing new unfortunately."

Despite his usual gruff attitude, Phillips knew how hard she'd been working…and why. Hell he and half of the Free World still missed Captain Rogers. Still he knew she did need a break once in a while. "At ease, Carter. You're doing okay. Rogers would agree."

She almost retorted but knew that 'okay' was his way of commending her. "Thank you, Sir. Perhaps we might find something for the Commandos?"

"We are. Dugan and the others are back for a couple of days. Maybe you might join them?" he suggested.

She rolled her eyes knowing the commiseration fest she'd face. "Colonel, I'm flattered but…."

He locked eyes with her pointedly. "Do I have to make it an order? They're waiting at the Cask and Ale down the street."

She sighed. "Dum Dum insisted?"

"He did. Others are hurting too, Carter. We know you loved him. Dismissed!" he pointed out before turning and walking away.

She slumped her shoulders. She really didn't want to leave her work…

…more importantly she didn't want the ghosts and memories to show up again….

Colonel, you owe me. She folded up the reports and locked them away in her desk's secured drawer. Then she grabbed her coat and headed for the blustery late fall evening outside….

[Cask and Ale—Twenty minutes later]

After a brisk walk from HQ down Kensington St., Peggy entered the century-old pub and looked around. She could almost feel the ghosts of East Ender dock workers, Irish factory workers and various other residents of the far flung Empire. Her noses picked up on the aroma of corned beef, kidney pie and shepherd's pie imbedded in the woodwork.

Around her, several GIs celebrated well deserved shore leave from the front. They toasted with their steins, drank hearty gulps of frothing ale and told humorous stories. They washed their war weariness away with healthy celebration and the thought of a great Christmas with their families….

…Things that made Peggy's heart sink farther. As an orphan, she had no place to go for the holiday….

Still she wouldn't let these bruisers see her sadness. She kept a stiff upper lip and made herself look forward. With that set manner, she pressed on through the throng in search of her friends. I can give them a drink and an hour. They deserve that much.

Just then a blonde strapping American GI stepped into her path. "Hey, Beautiful! You look like you could use a cold one. I feel like I've been waiting for my entire life for you."

She rolled her eyes. "No thank you." She eyed his sleeve. "Corporal."

"Come on! One beer!" he pressed while giving her a gentle push toward the bar.

She arched a not so amused eyebrow. "I said no thank you. Now step aside before I have you put on report."

"Like you'd do that, Babe." He grabbed her arm.

She shoved him hard into the bar before planting his face into the counter therein. "Catch up with that, Corporal. See you at HQ." She shook her head while heading off in a huff toward the table. "Americans! Really! Makes me wonder how the Captain had such great manners."

"Not all of us are jackasses, Agent Carter," Dum Dum interjected with a bit of wry amusement. "Looks like you were having fun out there." He put a cigar in his mouth and lit it.

"A gentleman wouldn't let something happen like that." She slid into the booth where he, Fresno, Howard and Dino Martinelli awaited her. On the table, a pitcher of frothy amber ale and a platter containing fried cod and freshly fried chips awaited her.

"You had it under control," Fresno replied while taking a big sip from his glass. "Always love watching you be one of the boys, Agent Carter."

Recalling how she had to take down the bully at Camp Randall a year earlier, Peggy managed a smile for the Commandos. She did tire of people looking down to her because she was a woman….

…at least these guys accepted her as a peer.

"Duly noted. My thanks for having these ready. That was very considerate," she expressed while squeezing a fresh lemon over the fish. She broke off a corner and sampled its flaky goodness. "That hits the spot."

"Thought you'd like that. Mike knew what you'd want. Glad Phillips gave you the message," Dum Dum assessed. "He ranted about being a messenger boy."

"He does that. He wants me with a clear head and some perspective. I can deal with a night away from the reports to get perspective. After that, my duty is clear," she guessed.

The Commandos nodded. They sure as Hell appreciated her analysis of enemy troop movements. Her insight and Stark's devices deepened the gashes into their adversaries' flank to say the least.

However she was human….

"We're all getting together for the holidays at the barracks," Fresno noted while getting a nod from Dum Dum. "We're all far from home. Maybe you'd like to join us?"

"It'd be more fun for us if we knew you weren't alone or working," Howard insisted.

"All for one and one for all," Dino chimed in.

"We all miss Rogers, Carter. Let's toast him at Christmas. What do you say?" Dum Dum offered.

She took a deep breath and nodded. Captain, you certainly inspire friends! "I accept, Gentlemen. My thanks!" Despite her somber mood, she poured some ale into her own frosted mug and saluted. "To the Captain!"

"To the Captain!" the guys chorused as they clinked glasses. Then they drank from their mugs.

You won't be forgotten at Christmas, Steve. That I promise you! Peggy went back to her fish and chips with purpose.

Maybe her heart was heavy but being around friends sure helped….