Just a quick note: Ms. Rushman refers to Natasha. "Rushman" was the surname she used in Iron Man 2. :)
Prompt: Adoration - a strong feeling of love or admiration
Category: Gen (Canon)
Characters/Pairings: Natasha, Peggy
Ratings/Warnings: K, post The Winter Soldier
Word Count: 400
Adoration
I wasn't sure what I'd find when I walked into the sumptuous house. Granted, I had read every file available on her, every note, because this woman intrigued me. I wasn't sure why. Maybe it was because we had a similar background. Her father had died when she was young, leaving her to take charge of her family. Since her father passed, I guessed, no one had broken her carefully constructed wall.
No one except Steve.
He came in later in her file, many years after she'd fought her way, tooth and nail, up the ranks. Briefly, it said that she was a supporter of the experimentation Steve went through, and though she'd questioned Erskine's choice at first, her report went on to say that Erskine couldn't have chosen a better soldier.
A better person.
"This way, Ms. Rushman."
I followed the woman into the bedroom, taking in the delicately sewn blankets and the elegant way every piece of furniture and every picture frame had been placed. I sat in a chair next to the bed, feeling Mrs. Carter's gentle eyes following me.
"Ms. Rushman," she greeted with a smile. "I was told you would like to ask me some questions."
Her accent was still thick, despite her age, and I couldn't help but smile back as I replied, "Yes, m'am. Just a few, I promise. "
She laughed softly. "Well, dear, fire away. I'm certainly not getting any younger."
I couldn't help it; my grin broadened and I reached out to take her hand. Really, it was obvious why Steve had affection for her: she had been gorgeous in her youth, hadn't ever been a typical '40's girl with the flouncy dresses and the cheap makeup, and she wasn't afraid to be herself. "Mrs. Carter, I wanted to ask you about Captain Steven Rogers. I believe you were close to him?"
Her eyes slowly focused on the ceiling, clouding over with distant memories. Peggy was silent for several seconds, but soon she turned back to me. "Oh, yes. Steven. My Steve. It seems like only yesterday when..." She paused, clear tears lining her lower lid, but there was no trace of the Alzheimer's that plagued her mind; her eyes were clear, focused. "I'm sorry, dear. He... he came to see me. Only a few weeks ago, I think. Such a kind soul, but... so hurt. So broken. My dearest Steven..."