A/N: Hi! This story can be read with my other Captain America one-shot, Cracker Jacks. Or not. Totally up to you.

Part One takes place in 1946. Characters belong to Marvel/Stan Lee/Disney I suppose.

It had been Howard's idea to come. He had a new invention to show off. Howard always wanted to show off. More of their colleagues were supposed to come, but one by one they had bowed out—family commitments, that sort of thing—until it was just Peggy left. She had thought about making up some excuse, but then again that wasn't really in her nature. And she enjoyed Howard, despite the fact that he was an insufferable self-centered know-it-all.

The streets of Brooklyn were already crowded in anticipation of the parade. Peggy was wearing a new dress: blue calico with a white collar. Howard looked dapper as always, in a crisp white shirt and navy slacks.

A woman made a comment to the lady standing next her about 'what a good looking young couple they were'. Peggy smiled to herself at the compliment, even though they were not a couple. Howard was a good colleague, but there was no way on earth Peggy could ever date him.

Howard Stark was brilliant and charming, but Peggy needed more than that. Peggy Carter liked her men honest and brave and reliable, just like—

Well, there was no use thinking about him. Not yet, anyway, and not like that. No, she would pay her respects to him and all the other boys she knew who died in battle later on, at the ceremony.

Peggy focused in on the present. Howard was showing off his contraption to a group of young teenagers. As far as Peggy could tell, it had a lot of lights and bells and very little practical purpose. Howard was always tinkering away at the lab, and when he wasn't needed for a project, he would make little toys to amuse himself with. His eyes lit up like a child as he showed the teens what button did what.

The parade started, led off with a marching band. Howard clapped along to the music. "Gosh, I love this song," he said. "Do you like this one?"

"I don't think I know it," Peggy said. "But the band sounds good."

Boy Scouts were handing out flags. Howard took two and gave one to Peggy. "You're American now," he said. "Even if your accent wants to suggest otherwise."

"God save the President," Peggy said with a smile, waving her little flag.

"There's something beautiful about stars and stripes, isn't there?" Howard asked.

It was probably a rhetorical question, but Peggy pulled her flag closer to her face and ran her fingers lightly over the fabric. "I'll say."

After the parade was over, the crowd moved down the street to a small stage where the mayor was introducing a World War I veteran amidst several large American flags.

The veteran, a general in the Navy, gave a speech about freedom and sacrifice and thanking veterans and remembering those who past.

"I am sure many of you have lost someone—maybe a father, a brother, a husband, a friend, a lover—and as hard as that is, remember them with honor. Remember that they gave the highest sacrifice so that you and I could all enjoy the freedoms this country was built on."

A woman standing a few rows ahead of them let out a huge sob and buried her face into her sister's shirt. There were tears in Peggy's eyes but she blinked back. She didn't want to cry in public. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Howard do the same.

There was a moment of silence for all fallen soldiers. The band played the national anthem and then the crowd moved from the stage across the lawn, where there were bake sales and carnival games.

"Are you alright?" Howard asked kindly.

Peggy nodded.

"I lost friends, too," Howard said. "Guys I went to school with. If you ever want to talk."

"Thank you," Peggy said. "I'm sorry for your loss."

"You're welcome," Howard said. "I'm going to go buy a glass of lemonade. Would you like one?"

"Yes please."

Peggy looked around the lawn, quietly observing the crowd. Howard was flirting with the ladies working the lemonade stand. Right next to it, a group of schoolchildren were helping out at a bake sale. Games were going on across from the refreshment stands. A group of girls looked like they were getting ready to do a baton routine.

Suddenly, someone bumped into her.

"Oh my gosh, I'm so sor…" Peggy said quickly. She turned around and made eye contact with the person who had ran into her. "Oh… my…"

He was tall and muscular and blonde and for a brief second looked exactly like Steve Rogers.

"I'm sorry, sweetheart," not-Steve said. "I wasn't watching where I was going."

"It's fine," Peggy said. She hoped her voice didn't sound as distant as her thoughts were.

"Happy Memorial Day," the man said as he walked away.

"Yes," Peggy said. "You too."

Howard returned, two glasses of lemonade in hand. "You alright?" he asked, handing one to Peggy.

She nodded, taking her glass.

"You look like you've just seen a ghost," Howard remarked.

"That's exactly how I feel."

Part Two is already almost finished and will be up tomorrow. Happy Memorial Day everyone! In between your parades and barbeques, I would be honored if you found some time to review/favorite/follow this story.