Chapter 1

[Modern Day—SHIELD Compound, New York City]

Peggy's eyes snapped open in a dead fright. She gasped for air while collecting her wits. She grasped the sheets about herself and quivered. She'd dealt with this reoccurring nightmare since that awful day. Even though Reginald had put up with it, she still felt as if her heart were being ripped out. She snapped the light on and glanced around anxiously.

The desk, nightstand and bureau seemed in order.

The digital alarm clock read 4:48 AM.

Her engagement ring sparkled reassuringly at her.

She rubbed her forehead. Calmdown!It'sjustadream!Steve'shere.He'salive.Tomorrowyouandhewillbemarried.It'llbeallright!

At that moment, an expectant rapping came from the door. "Peggy?"

She rolled her eyes. SpeakingofmyCaptainStill the fact he was concerned brightened things considerably. AsifIneededremindingofhisfaith?She pulled on a blue robe over her nightgown and tied it shut with the accompanying sash. "Yes, Steve. I'm sorry I woke you." She opened up the door to find him standing there in his sweats and sweatpants.

"That sounded like some nightmare. Want to talk about it?" he offered.

She inhaled deeply and then conceded a nod. Perhaps after seventy years of such dreams, it was time to unload the burden. "Fine. I'll buy you breakfast at the mess hall. You want the shower first?"

He quirked an eyebrow. What'seatingher?"You go ahead. Ladies first as always."

She nodded briskly before heading toward the bathroom. Shower first, then food and finally a measure of confession…..

[Cafeteria—About 5:30 AM]

Mike opened up the grill on that morning as he always did. He started the coffee perking two pots at a time for both his main post beside him and the refill station across the dining area. He laid out the best meat, cheeses, fruits and veggies behind the glass for cooking. Mixes for pancakes, waffles and omelets awaited consumption by the agents. He scraped the grill clean of the previous orders insuring it was clean for everyone.

He and everyone else were really looking forward to the next day's bigevent. While Walt Buckwalter had agreed to host the reception at Moe's, he'd work alongside the place's crew on the cooking. If he had anything to say about it, it would shine for the happy couple.

Even if something ate at them on that particular morning…..

WhattheHell?He had watched Steve and Peggy come through the line somberly. While they had put on an upbeat expression, he could sense that something was eating at her in particular. Hopeitisn'ttheceremony!

He went back to his grill. He'd let Fury know in a bit. For now though, he had the breakfast rush to get ready for….

Steve bit into a piece of buttermilk pancake with effort. While he normally savored Mike's cooking, Peggy's situation troubled him. He'd noticed that on certain mornings since their reunion, she'd seemed unusually ill at ease. Something was bothering her…a dream, a memory or something. He'd let her collect her thoughts before nudging her. "Peggy?"

She was glancing absently out the window and moodily sipping on a coffee. Nothing really registered from the world. Her personal process occupied her mind. Whatifsomethinghappenstohim?Schmittcould'vekilledhim!I'dnevergethimback.

"Peggy, are you okay?" he asked.

She still didn't answer.

He reached out and gently tapped her arm.

She jumped and spilled her coffee. "Goodness! Steve!" She tersely ran her napkin over the spilled area to sop it up.

"Don't cry over spilt coffee. That's what you'd tell me," he quipped while trying to lighten the mood.

Her eyes flared at him. "You still don't understand, do you?"

"Peggy, you've been out of sorts since I knocked on the door this morning. What is it? Please let me in so I can help you deal with it," he pleaded. "Why are you angry at me? Please tell me."

She took out her handkerchief and dabbed her eyes briefly.

He stiffened. Sheneverdoesthatouthere.Inquarters,yeah.Butnotouthere.

"You disappeared and….we…buried you," she revealed.

He stared at her. While he knew people had struggled with his disappearance and eventually did move on, the revelation that he'd been declareddeadand buried blew his mind. He dropped his own fork as it was his turn now to deal with facts. "What?"

"Howard and I kept searching after the service. The military high command wanted to move on with the war effort and give you a hero's sendoff." She took a deep breath and licked her lips. "President Roosevelt organized the whole effort along with Archbishop Thomas and Father McConnell. Howard, Dino, Frenchie and Dum Dum were your pallbearers. Philips let me oversee the honor guard. He and the Commandos did you proud that day."

"I have no doubt they did." He shook his head. "It's taking a minute for me to deal with."

"I imagine it is. I've been dealing with that nightmare since you crashed that plane," she admitted. "I'm confronting it now. I'm scared someone's going to take you from me again, Steve."

He shook his head. "Nobody's going to take me from you…except God when He calls me. You know we have our duty though."

"I know. And I accept that." She considered the diamond on her hand. "After all of these years…after losing you and Reginald in turn. There are only so many times I can bury people." She bowed her head.

"But I came back to you, Peggy. I fought for our love. That's what kept me alive in the ice box," he reminded her warmly. He lifted her chin and locked eyes with hers. "And I vow to keep doing that. It's not just about Uncle Sam anymore. You've earned your place with me. I intend to say as much before God tomorrow."

"As will I. I'm surprised that you'd consider anyone equal to country or God, Steve," she conceded.

"My father once told me that if I met a woman such as you, I should treat you like gold. He did so with my mother," he recalled. "And I will always do that for you."

"He most certainly did." A smile brightened her face. "Your parents were wonderful people."

He stared at her. "You met my parents?"

"Oh yes. They were at the service. I…didn't quite manage to carry myself all the way through the ordeal. He comforted me. They accepted me into the family at that point." She sipped on what remained of her coffee. "Even after I married Reginald, we still exchanged cards at Christmas. I can see why you're the way you are. I'm proud to be joining your family."

"And I yours." He suddenly had an inspiration. "Would you show me?"

"Show you what? The grave?" She stared at him incredulously. "Captain, this is hardly the time!"

"But we're vowing to be there for better or worse, right? I need to help you confront this. Heck, I need to deal with it too. Maybe it can be a great first step. There is one thing I need you to remember," he proposed.

"And that is?" she wondered.

"No matter what you see, I'm here with you. I'm alive not in there. Maybe we can get some help and redo it? Make it for the future instead of the way it is now?" he continued.

"Steve, that's going to cost thousands! We can't!" she protested.

"A couple of thousand on payments." He took her hands in his. "It's worth it for your piece of mind. Come on. I have an idea." He got up.

"Steve, it's 6:15! Who'd be up now?" she wondered.

"We're heading for the lab," he revealed while getting their stuff. "Be back." He dumped the trash and set the plates back in their appropriate return places. Then he returned for her.

She quirked an eyebrow. WhywouldheaskTonyStarkforhelp?Ofallthepeople!Still she knew one thing and stuck by it always….

In Her Captain she did trust….

Accordingly they proceeded….