Chapter 1:
"No Steve, you are not meant for this. You must stay awake. You cannot leave me like this. What would the world be without their Captain America to save them?" cried Tony as he fished the lifeless body of Steve Rogers out of the rubble. The battle had been won but the damage was extensive. Steve had suffered the most damage out of them all. The last thing Tony Stark remembered was watching Steve push a child out of the way of a collapsing building and had taken the hit himself. Although the serum in Steve's body was working, his wounds were too great and too numerous for the serum to catch up.
Tony had been the first one on the scene. He ran to his side and cupped Steve's head in his hand. The city was in ruins and police were scrambling to regain control over the chaos. Tony could feel the tears sting his eyes as he held Steve close.
"It's…it's better this way Tony" said Steve in between breaths. "Besides you won't miss me that much. It will be your team to lead now." Oh, Steve I am so sorry. I don't hate you. In fact I believe I have fallen in love with you was what Tony had wanted to say but he just couldn't find the courage to say them. He knew he had been an ass to Steve and that he had let his arrogant, selfish attitude get in the way of his feelings for him.
"Shush captain. Only you are qualified to lead this team" he exclaimed choking on his tears. "You are a symbol of hope and strength. We need you more than ever." Tony leaned his mouth closer to Steve's face. The gaze into each other's eyes was intense. He looked into Steve's blue eyes and saw a world full of pain, loss, and confusion. Tony also thought he saw a glimpse of desire but he remained unsure. He cupped Steve's head in his hands and softly nudged his face. He then whispered into Steve's ear "You can't die Cap. I need you. I need you more than you could ever imagine. "
For a moment there was nothing but silence between the two. The two heroes just stared at each other for what seemed like an eternity. For a few moments it seemed all had been forgotten. There was no epic battle, no Avengers, and no SHIELD. It was just them. All of a sudden both were sucked back into reality when Steve let out a cry in pain.
"Come on cap. Stay with me bud." Blood started to pour out of Steve's mouth. Steve finally found the strength to speak. His arm grasped Tonys' shoulder. "Tony" he stammered. "I'm sorry" was all he could say before he slipped into unconsciousness.
"Somebody help me!" Tony shouted. It wasn't long before the rest of the team joined his side. "Romanoff call S.H.I.E.L.D. Tell them Captain America is down and I will be arriving within the next 10 minutes. Banner start getting to work on a cure for him. Thor, take care of Loki. Make sure he does not EVER return to Earth. Clint, go with Romanoff, now!"
"Director, Captain America is down. I repeat Captain America is down. He needs immediate care. Please set up a medical room for him aboard" Natasha said calmly. She knew she shouldn't be this calm but if her feelings were to escalate any further, well that could be dangerous. It was all she could do to unleash her vengeance out on Loki.
"I hear you Romanoff. The room is being arranged as we speak" came Fury's voice over the walkie talkie. Is anyone else hurt?"
"Negative Director. The rest of us just have a couple bruises and scratches. The police are taking care of civilian injuries. Our work is finished."
"Loki? Who has him in custody?"
"Thor. He is on his way back to Asgard. He will return when he can sir."
"Good work. The room is ready. Who will bring him?"
"Stark sir, he is on his way." There was silence on the other end. Natasha and the others raced for SHIELD headquarters. Meanwhile, Tony had already set up his rockets underneath his suit of iron. He gently picked up the bloody and mangled body of Steve Rogers. "Alright soldier. It's time we get out of this hell hole."
Within five minutes, Tony had arrived at headquarters. Doctors immediately rushed him into the room. "I'm losing his pulse! Nurse quick, hand me the defibrillator. One…two…come on Steve. Stay with us! Nurse, try again!" the doctor shouted. Tony felt helpless as he watched the staff try to resuscitate him. Please Steve, keep fighting. There is so much more I want to tell you. You haven't lived long enough thought Tony. He kept uttering these words inside his head as if he were chanting. He closed his eyes and all he could see was Steve. He started chanting these words out loud silently hoping Steve would hear him and come back to life. Little did he know what was going in Steve's mind.
Where am I? What is this place? Is it heaven? Steve thought to himself. He turned to look at his surroundings only to find he was standing in the middle of a white room. Everything was white. The walls were white, the floors were white; everything was just simply white.
"You are late Captain Rogers" a voice exclaimed in the darkness.
"Who's there?" Steve cried out trying to find where the voice was coming from. He felt a shadow move past him and he went to grab his shield to protect himself only to realize he did not have it. He was unnerved but retained his composure.
"You do not remember me Steve. I am hurt knowing you have forgotten me." The voice was feminine and had a British accent. Oh no, thought Steve. How could he have forgotten this voice; this sweet, gentle, kind voice.
"Peggy…?" he replied softly. "Are you here?"
"Yes Steve. It is me" and as she spoke these words, her shadow began to emerge from the darkness. She still looked the same. Steve smiled a half smile as her flowing brown hair and pale, ivory skin came into view. Her brown eyes sparkled with life and innocence. Steve also noticed she was wearing a flowing white gown.
Steve became overwhelmed with emotions. He thought Peggy had died. He thought he had left her behind in a different world. This did not make any sense. Peggy noticed his confusion right away.
"Do not fear. You are not in Heaven. I am sort of an angel sent down by the almighty to return you to Earth. You are lost in limbo and I am here to make sure you return" she said with a smile. She reached out her hand and gently stroked the captain's face. Steve just stood there in the snow white room embracing her touch. How he had missed her so. She was still as beautiful as ever and just as feisty.
"Oh Peggy I am so sorry. I did not want to leave you behind. I did what I thought was best at the time. I wanted to make that date with you. I swear I did." He hung his head low and soon a few tears began to run down his face. "I wanted to grow old with you Peggy. You were able to live your life and it hurts me to know that I was never a part of it." He pulled her into his arms and continued to cry.
"Oh Steve, please do not cry. You were always a part of my life. I kept you alive in my heart throughout my entire life. You were always there." She paused for a moment and let out a heavy sigh. "Please forgive me for what I am about to tell you but I am glad you were not there to see what has happened over the years." She still remained embraced in Steve's arms. She looked up into his crystal blue eyes. "The world became involved in even more turmoil and chaos. I barely survived those years." Steve's expression had not changed. His face was stone. He was trying to grasp what Peggy was telling him.
"Steve there are some things I must tell you though and you will not like them. Shall we dance while I talk? I believe you owe me a dance" she said with a smile.
"Of course" was Steve's reply. He wrapped his right arm around her waist and clasped her other hand in his and began to twirl her around. "What did you want to tell me?"
"Well to put it in the most basic forms you must return to Earth. There are people counting on you and letting them down is not in the agenda."
"Why…I…I don't understand. I want to stay here and dance with you and be near you" cried Steve burying his face in her hair. Peggy could not help smile a half smile. She knew Steve had at least liked her. Still, this moment was bittersweet.
"Rogers, do you remember when I told you that you were expected to do great things bigger than yourself?"
"Yes" came the reply.
"Well you were not only meant for greatness, you were also destined to love someone with greatness. I was not meant to be a part of your life. Yes, I loved you then and part of me still loves you now, but I know better. There is someone down on Earth that loves you more than I ever could."
Steve pulled away from Peggy for a minute. He looked baffled and upset. He did not understand.
"What do you mean? I do not know what you are talking about. Who am I supposed to love?" Steve looked down into Peggy's rich brown eyes. Those eyes, he had seen them before. Who else did he know that had brown eyes? His brain kept rattling around trying to figure out who it could be. Suddenly, he stopped in his tracks. He let go of Peggy and started to slowly back away.
"Steve, do not be afraid. It is alright" she exclaimed but Steve just kept walking backwards.
"You can't be serious. I…I…I don't even know I love him. He hates me. He hates everything about me because of his father. He hates all that I represent. No, Peggy this can't be right" his voice stammered in panic
"But it is true Steve. That's what you were going to say before you ended up here. Don't you remember?"
"No, I don't Peggy. I don't remember anything anymore. How could this be? What am I supposed do?" He collapsed onto the floor, his hands. He didn't know. Everything was white all around him. White room, white walls, white floors, everything was white. Peggy walked towards Steve with a heavy heart. She grabbed his hands and held them to her face.
"Steve, this is why you must return to him. Death is not ready for you. You have a long life ahead. Believe me on this. Your life is important not just to Tony and the rest of the Avengers but to all of humanity. You may not realize it now but trust me it is. I would never steer you wrong."
After what felt like an eternity, Steve stood up and began to pace. "You really think he loves me Peggy?" Without hesitation, she said "Yes, which is why you must return."
"But what about you? I loved you Peggy. You were my world and my light in the darkness." Steve then began to cry. Peggy looked at him with a comforting expression. She lifted her fingers and softly patted them on Steve's heart.
"I will always be here, right here in your heart guiding you and encouraging you. Trust me when I say that you are loved. May not be me, but there is someone that cares for you very deeply."
"How can you be so sure" asked Steve. Peggy smiled a mischievous smile. With a wave of her hand, the white floor began to disappear and in its place lay the current scene being played out in front of his eyes. Steve saw himself lying in the hospital bed bleeding. He also saw Tony holding him in his arms. He saw tears running down his face. He could not believe his eyes. The man of iron was crying for him. Strong, brilliant, rebellious Tony Stark was crying out for him. He felt a sudden pang of guilt and a surprising feeling of desire and want. Peggy smiled her cute little smile. She placed her hand on Steve's shoulder.
"It is time for you to go Captain." He turned to face her. He knew this would be the last time he would ever see her. He looked once more into her rich brown eyes. He pulled her close and gently kissed her sweet lips.
"Thank you" he whispered softly. She smiled and then before he could say anything else, she disappeared. Soon everything disappeared; the white room, the white walls, everything was gone. He was returning back to life.