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Chapter 8:
Peggy gave her lipstick one last swipe, and assessed herself in the mirror. She smiled approvingly, and turned a bit to look at her abdomen. It had been a month and a half since she had been captured, and there was a somewhat noticeable curve just above her hips.
It had also been a month and a half since Steve had been found, and he had yet to wake up.
Peggy wasn't allowed to go into work due to some dangerous incidents that had occurred at the office lately, so Peggy had been spending her extra time sitting with Steve. She would often read or bring someone along to chat with her (usually Violet, with whom she had become good friends) when she sat with Steve. Everyday she felt that he was closer to waking up. To coming back to her.
She smiled at a nurse in the hallway as she opened the door to his room. She looked at Steve as she crossed the threshold and froze.
His eyelids were twitching.
She rushed to his side and put a hand to his cheek. "Steve?"
His eyelids fluttered open, and he squinted against the light.
Peggy smiled, "Good morning, darling." She stroked his cheek gently and sat down next to him.
"Peg?" His voice was rough from lack of use.
"I'm right here."
He looked up at her, eyes wide open. "What- I thought-"
"You crashed your plane in order to stop the bombs from going off. Remember?"
"Yeah but, how am I alive?"
"We aren't entirely sure, but it would appear that the supersoldier serum combined with the ice had something to do with it." Peggy smiled as her eyes shone. "I never thought I would see you again."
"Peggy, I'm so sorry." He sat up a bit, groaning. "I'm so sorry." He took her hand and kissed her forehead as she leaned into him.
"I'm just thankful that you're alive. And awake."
They sat in silence for a moment as Peggy mustered up the strength to break the news. She had been waiting so long to tell him, but now that he was awake, she was struggling to find the words.
She leaned back so she could look into his eyes. "Steve," she swallowed hard, "a lot has happened since you went under the ice."
"How long have I been out for?"
"Three and a half months. You've been in this room for a month and a half."
"Oh."
They were quiet as Steve took that in.
"As I was saying, a lot has happened." How did she say this? "We- well- I-" she sputtered. This was not going how she had planned.
Steve was searching her face in confusion. "Peg?"
"There is something you should know." She looked down and placed an hand on her stomach, drawing Steve's gaze to the slight protrusion there.
He sat up as it dawned on him. "Peggy are you-?" His eyes met hers hopefully.
"Yes." she smiled softly.
Steve's face broke into the biggest smile she had ever seen. He reached out and set a hand against her abdomen gently, before meeting her gaze and kissing her.
And oh what a kiss that was.
They had waited so long for that kiss.
When they finally broke apart, Steve's face suddenly turned somber. "How long have you known?"
"I found out just before I found out you were still alive."
"So you- you still thought I was dead for a while while you knew?"
"Yes."
Steve took her hand, "I'm so sorry."
"It wasn't your fault." She smiled sadly.
"But it was. I almost left you to raise our child alone, Peggy." Steve's face was full of guilt.
"Steve," her gaze turned stern, "you did what you had to do to save lives. I know who I married. I knew you would be facing danger quite frequently. I knew there was a chance I could lose you." Her face softened. "I love you all the same, and I don't regret a thing."
Steve pulled her into his arms, "I love you."
"Love you too."
"So," Steve gaze an impish grin, "What else have I missed."
Peggy took a deep breath, "Well, we took down the last Hydra base. They aren't completely gone, but they don't have anywhere to build weapons and experiment anymore. They are weak." She smiled, but Steve could see under the surface of that smile. He could see that there was pain there.
"Peggy, what aren't you telling me?"
"What?"
"You're hiding something." He leaned toward her, "Did something happen?"
Peggy took another deep breath. She supposed he would have to learn the whole story eventually, she had just hoped to put it off so as to not shock him.
But his eyes were demanding answers, and hers were giving too much away.
So she told him everything. She told him about Hydra, Jenny, the escape, the rescue, Bucky, finding out he was alive, the journey home, being shot, and how she had spent her time since. No detail, emotion, or word was left out.
As she finished, her eyes searched his face. His eyes were shining, and his features were set with pain. He opened his mouth to speak, but all that came out was a small squeak. He closed his mouth and eyes, fighting tears, and pulled Peggy into a hug.
They embraced for a long time, both crying quietly. Peggy could feel Steve's tears soaking into her hair.
"I'm so sorry. I'm so, so sorry." He choked on his words.
The last time Steve had cried was when Bucky had fallen from the train.
Steve at last pulled back, and stroked Peggy's hair a few times.
"I will kill him. Reinhardt, I mean."
Peggy gave a small smile, "No. I will kill him. I think I've earned the right to him."
Steve nodded and smiled a bit, "Fair enough. Either way, Hydra will be gone. As soon as they let me back into the field, they will be gone. I'll organize the commandos to track them down."
"I wish I could join you." Peggy desperately wanted to hunt Hydra down with her comrades, but she knew the dangers. She had almost lost the baby once; she would not allow that to happen again.
"I wish so too." Steve paused for a moment. "So, Bucky is alive?"
"Yes." She smiled. "He has been in rehabilitation since we brought him back. Hydra did quite a number on his brain. He should be ready for the field in a month or so."
Steve smiled, "So, first my wife tells me she's pregnant, and then I find out my best friend is back from the dead."
Peggy smiled, "Not a bad first day back."
"Not bad at all." He smirked, and pulled her into a kiss.
...
He's baaaaaaack! STEGGY TIME!
So, this chapter was kinda choppy with a rollercoaster of emotions for our characters, but I felt that it was necessary for Steve to have the entire truth right off the bat. So, of course, the whole truth is a ton of mixed emotions.
Thank you to all who have reviewed, favorited, liked, or all of the above. It means the world to me! Also, thanks to those of you who consistantly read this. I love you all.
-Fish
