Steve swam back home towards his secret little cavern, clutching tightly to his new souvenir and hoping no one would notice him. He quickly moved the rock covering the entrance and snuck inside of his cavern. He was about to uncover his souvenir to study it closer, but stopped in his tracks as he heard someone speak.

"Captain Rogers.".

Steve turned to see a familiar mermaid staring back at him. Her red hair flowed gently in the water, but her eyes and tail fin both twitched with irritation. Steve straightened his back, not showing any signs of being intimidated. He looked back at the red head and curtly nodded.

"Agent Carter.".

The mermaid sighed at the captain.

"Where were you today, exactly?". She looked down at the object in Steve's hands. "And what exactly is that thing?".

Steve swam over to place his finding on one of the shelves and replied. "I was performing an impromptu rescue mission, which was a success by the way. And I think that is a mask of some sort. For armor or something.".

"A rescue mission?" the red head inquired. "What distressed fishfolk were in trouble today?".

Steve nervously grinned and chuckled.

"Weeeell," he said "it wasn't exactly fishfolk that I rescued...".

Agent Carter gave Steve a shocked look.

Steve sighed.

"Peggy, don't look at me like-".

"A ihuman/i, Steve? You went and rescued a HUMAN?!".

Steve looked back at the mermaid

"Peggy, just listen for a second-".

"Don't tell me to listen right now! You know we aren't supposed to interact with humans in any way, shape, or form!".

Despite all the aggression being thrown around at the moment, Steve kept his voice low and quiet.

"He was drowning, Peg. Right in front of me. Now, human or not, I am supposed to help and protect people that I see in need. And regardless of that being my job, that is just how I react in those situation anyways. You of all people know that.".

Peggy calmed herself, sighing heavily before speaking.

"You're right, I do know that. You just better hope that Fury doesn't find out about this mishap. He already wants to fillet you for today...".

Steve looked back at Peggy, confused.

"Why? What happened today".

Peggy returned his look with one of worry.

"I'm guessing you forgot about the medal ceremony in front of a lot of officials that happened today?".

Steve's face dropped. He had forgotten. He covered his face with his hand and groaned.

"Oh jeez, Fury IS gonna fillet me..."