Chapter 3

[Practice Facility—Two Hours Later]

Fury stormed off the elevator with a mix of concern and anger in his gut. He expected those under his watch to meet their responsibilities for training and meetings. He knew Bruce would be working on anger management items and dreaded letting the Hulk loose. He had just come from checking in with Tony.

Thor worked with deflecting metal projectiles with his hammer.

Natasha whirled and darted around padded SHIELD operatives working on her martial arts moves.

Hawkeye honed his accuracy at the target range against the far chute.

But he didn't find Cap anywhere in the vicinity. "Damn it. Where is he?" He pressed the button stopping the Avengers' sessions.

The heroes immediately stopped and turned toward him.

"What's the deal, Fury?" Hawkeye inquired gruffly almost tossing his bow in disgust. "I had a great bead on that target."

"The Colonel wouldst not do so without reason, Clint Barton," Thor interjected.

"I'd agree. Has this anything to do with Steve?" Natalie presumed as she toweled off her face and hair.

"Aye. He never misses these battles," Thor concurred. "Doest thou know about his whereabouts? Is he in danger, Colonel?"

"No. I was hoping one of you would. Agent Simmons is gone too. I don't want trouble especially with their wedding being tomorrow," Fury replied gruffly. "I don't have time to have new issues starting under my watch."

"Think your security would know," Hawkeye interjected sarcastically.

"Usually they do. We know they left the building at 6:20 AM. I was hoping he'd be back by now," Fury retorted getting right in the archer's face as he did so. As he said that, his cell buzzed. "Yes?"

"Colonel, we have a hit on the satellite. Captain Rogers and Agent Simmons are at St. Augustine's Cemetery here in Brooklyn. Should we send a car?" an analyst reported.

"No. I've got it. Thanks. Fury, out." Fury hung up and looked to the group. "Thor, mind checking on them? The cemetery's about ten miles east of here."

"Aye. I shall do so immediately." With that, the thunder god left the area.

"Why's he at a cemetery on the day before his wedding? That's a new one," Hawkeye wondered.

"That's where he was buried," Fury clarified. "Get ready in case we need back up." With that, he departed leaving the two remaining heroes to their thoughts.

[St. Augustine Cemetery]

Peggy got out of the cab and looked around solemnly. It had been almost forty years since she'd been back there. She noted more gravestones and flat markers along the path. A few larger monuments stood in the distance. "This is it."

Steve paid the cabbie. "Thank you, sir. Have a great day." He got out and surveyed the area for himself. "Nice place."

"As far as graveyards go, it is." She squeezed his hand gently. "I'm just glad you're with me and not underground. Follow me." She retraced her steps from that dreaded day so long before. Her steps were measured by Memory's tugging. Within a minute, she stopped and turned slowly to her left almost if military deliberacy. "This is it."

He dreaded the moment. Still he knew it had happened. He had to face it. He set his jaw and looked down upon the military marker which read:

"US ARMY: Captain Steven Rogers, September 15, 1921-October 29, 1942."

He gulped in spite of himself but gave no other indication of weakness. "The world had to move on. At least I got a great sendoff."

"Steve, Howard and I didn't stop looking until later. I'm sorry it isn't more," she apologized.

"With you overseeing the whole thing, I'm sure it went well. Interesting to be saying that about one's own funeral," he assessed.

"Most would've died. I should known you'd come back to me, my Captain," she indicated solemnly. "I never understood though why they gave you two plots though."

He smiled. "We can take advantage of the extra plot, Peggy. We just need to get the marker revised for both of us."

She assessed him with a queer look. "I would've thought you'd be more affected than this."

He sighed deeply. "I'm trying to be strong for you. It's a reminder though of how many years I lost in the ice. Hopefully it served as a reminder though to others of their patriotic duty to Uncle Sam. I just wish that I could've beaten the Skull without taking the plunge."

"I would've found you a safe landing place," she reminded him.

"There wasn't a way. We should feel fortunate that I made it back," he countered gently. He felt a brisk breeze billow and looked skyward into the grey gloom overhead.

Thor alighted beside them. "Ho, Friends! I found you!" He looked around in confusion. "Why art we in this place?"

"Look beside you," she directed while pointing to his left.

He noted the marker. "Ah. I see. Not a worthy marker for a warrior such as thee, Captain Rogers."

"It serves for what it is but thanks, Thor. I do appreciate it," Steve expressed somberly. "I just needed to see it. Sorry if I worried everyone. Tony knew where we were."

"He has been in his task place all morning," Thor revealed.

"It would figure," she groused. "That man needs some consideration." She shook her head in disgust.

"He and Howard must've had their troubles, Peggy," Steve deduced. "Quite a shame." He somberly considered all of the changes in the world since he'd been buried….

…there figuratively….

…and in the Arctic literally….

…and his mind swam with the implications….

TheworldtransformedandImightaswellbeonMars!He recalled his reaction to Times Square at first.

Everything he loved being gone…or so he thought.

Everything he believed in gone or at least weakened.

"I'm here, my Captain," she insisted.

"As am I," Thor assured him as well.

Steve nodded. "I know. Thanks." He sucked in a deep gut full of cold air and snapped himself out of it. "I needed to see this before we launched into our commitment."

"Past is past. You hang onto memories. Remember who you are but look forward." Thor slapped his friend on the shoulders. "You're not alone."

Steve squeezed Peggy's hand gently and nodded. "I know that but thanks. Mind letting Fury know where we are?"

"I can carry you," Thor assured them while whirling his hammer. He picked Peggy up in his left arm as he had on their initial cross-Atlantic flight. "Hang onto my neck, Captain. Do not let go."

"Right," Steve agreed while putting his arms over his ally's shoulders and clasping his hands together. He made sure the other had room to breathe. "Ready!"

Thor whirled his hammer faster and faster letting it build speed overhead. Then he flung it, letting his hand catch the leather thong at its end. He pulled them all high into the air and back toward the compound.

For Steve, it was symbolic of his journey—leaving some things behind and going forward too…..