4. Bells
(WARNING: Mentions of homophobia. Don't like, don't read.)
Steve was being followed, that he was certain of.
He was jogging, just like he did every other morning. The cool, crisp air made it easier to think. Don't get him wrong, SHIELD and Stark Tower were both brilliant but it was nice to have some space to breathe. Everyone bustled around, each concerned with only their own buisness. It was down-right rude, sometimes, but Steve had realised his out-dated morals didn't always ring true.
For a while, he had withheld the slightly-homophobic view he had been raised with. Gays were interfering with the word of God, which Steve held very highly. He never gave into slander in public, though he didn't look too pleased when a random male civillian kissed him after a rescue. SHIELD were not happy. They couldn't have America's golden boy being biased! But after months of pleading and powerpoints, it was Thor who won Steve around.
Thor adored Loki like no-one ever had, or would ever do. Despite his crimes, the thunder god still worshipped the ground the trickster trod on. And, even though it was with fleeting glances, Steve could tell Loki loved his brother immensely too. At first, it made him feel nauseated. Two brothers! It was foul. Despite this, his mind did turn back to his time with Peggy. It had been too short to call love, but he really did fancy her. Much like the two gods.
Steve was now a fully functioning member of the Gay-Lesbian-Bisexual-Transgender Alliance. But none of this has to do with why he held the idea that he was being followed. The super-soldier whipped around. No-one behind him. Hesitantly, he took a step forward.
Jingle-jingle.
There it was again. That infernal noise that followed him all the way from Stark Tower. Was it one of Tony's tracking devices? Steve turned again. Still nothing.
Jingle-jingle.
This time, Steve was ready. With a high jump, he spun around. A few Japanese tourists gave him an odd look, before scurrying away. Suddenly, there was a dampness around his pantleg. Looking down, he saw a blob of soaking white fur.
"Well, hello there." He smiled, running a hand down the kitten's back. Though wet, the animal's fur was still surprisingly soft and springy under his fingers. The poor little thing trembled though, obviously cold. Torrential rain had soaked most of New York, though luckily not enough to flood. It had, however, resorted in one soggy moggy.
Scooping the kitten up into his arms, he felt the tug of claws under his white cotton shirt. When he admonished the cat, it gave out the sweetest mew. The cool steel of its nametag pressed against his bicep. Delicately, he reached for it, flipping the disc over. His heart skipped a beat.
Hello, my name is Snowball!
If found return to Peggy Carter at 24 Northumberland Terrace.
Peggy Carter.
Could it be?
Steve berated himself for being so childish. There must be thousands of Peggy Carters all over New York. But it didn't stop him hailing a cab and scurry in, the address already on his lips.
*
24 Northumberland Terrace was a completely ordinary house, thank you very much. The door was a soft blue, nothing out of the ordinary. In the window sat two objects, a vase full of posies and an porcelain woman figurine. Flowery curtains haloed the whole image. There was a clean mat by the door that read 'Welcome!'. Every blade of grass was equally cut.
It seemed so old-fashioned that it took Steve's breath away. In this age of slow minds and quick computers, only a woman like Peggy could survive such undiluted properness. When they first met, he had suspected she had a little OCD, though it was not named then. There was just something about her that he couldn't quite put his finger on. It made her only more interesting.
The cab-driver scowled at him as the super soldier exited the cab. Even with a hefty tip, he still didn't smile. Maybe some people didn't like cats. Snowball mewled at the jolt of temperature, and apart from that, the only sound was the patter of Steve's shoes against the cold pavement. He paused at the doorstep, juggling both cat and conscience.
Was this really a good idea? It had been seventy years. She might not even remember him. His heart gave a painful wrench at that. Of course she remembered. She had to.
Steve hesitantly pushed the shiny brass door-bell. It seemed like it had been polished; the gleam was so bright. There was the bustle of someone appearing in the corridor then the soft blue door creaked open.
The woman was a spitting image of Peggy, even down to the inches of her height. Warm brown eyes stared up at him expectantly. Words abandoned him as tears sprung into his eyes.
But the world crashed down around him. It had been seventy years. This couldn't be Peggy. Not his Peggy, at least.
"Muh-Miss Carter?" He stuttered. The woman gave a soft smirk.
"Yes? Can I help you?"
"Is this your cat?" He held out the bundle in his arms and she gasped happily. One small hand relieved him of his burden.
"Oh thank you thank you thank you!" A grin stretched over her cheeks. Her arms fitted perfectly around Snowball, who began to purr. "You're a hero, you know that?"
"Yeah. I get it a lot."
The woman paused, head cocked to one side. "Do I know you from somewhere?"
Steve didn't quite know what to say, so just went with the truth, like he always did in tough situations.
"I used to work with your mother a few years ago."
'Damn,' he thought from the safety of his own mind. 'These time periods get so confusing.' It certainly felt like he had only last spoken to Peggy a few years ago. The woman frowned.
"I highly doubt that, sir. My mother has been dead for ten years."
Oh. That hurt. The woman, this false Peggy, still noticed his pain.
"Don't worry, sir. She lived to a good age and was very happy."
There was a long silence.
"I'm sorry for your loss. It just... you reminded me of her so much..."
"Yeah, I get that a lot."
Their sad smiles matched. Unfortunatley, Snowball meowed, ruining the moment. Steve flushed, backing away.
"I-I should go."
"Yes, of course. Wouldn't want to withhold you from your duties. Thanks again, Mr...?"
"Rogers. Steve Rogers."
