Chapter 9 [A Month Later—Allied High Command, London]

The calendar flipped to another year. Despite the bitter chill of late winter, Londoners pressed through their errands. Although too early to plant, victory gardens were being planned. A few brave souls skated on nearby ponds.

Inside of the Command Center, activity buzzed as well. Activity pressed on as it always had. Reports were typed. Higher ups digested and incorporated intel into their latest battlefield maneuvers.

Phillips, as always, harangued on. He glared at his subordinates wishing that they'd get a move on. He checked his watch and shook his head.

The Brass had their plans on that day.

He hoped they would get what they wanted or there'd be Hell to pay….

Steve entered the area anxiously after his hospital stay. He still felt a bit disoriented following the whole ordeal. Still he felt glad to be back in his dress uniform and ready to serve his country again. He smoothed the brown coat and trousers. He checked his tie to make sure it was straight. "You're okay, Rogers. Just go with it." He took a deep breath not knowing what to expect.

As he entered the place, a tarp of silence fell on everything and everyone. All eyes turned to the Captain. They watched his every move. Whispers stretched the silence's fabric.

Steve ground his teeth. His nerves flared. He never felt like anything special other than a part of the team. He did his duty. So why did have to feel like this? He sucked in a deep breath and managed a nervous smile. "Good morning, Everyone. Good to be back."

A mid-twenty something female staffer stood up. "It's great to have you back, Captain Rogers. How about it, Everyone?"

A sergeant with greying hair stood as well. "How about a round for Captain America? Let's have it!"

As one, the office broke into a round of applause for him. Some whistled in appreciation. Others toasted him with their coffee mugs. Still more gave him salutes.

Steve squirmed. The overwhelming support threatened to drown him. Frankly he still had the hang ups of being the castoff, orphan, trained monkey, etc. He had dove in head first to prove himself. He drove himself to prove he belonged….

But now he did? He was accepted?

He allowed his coworkers their minute. If it pumped them up to serve, he was fine with it. He saw Phillips waiting on the other side of the throng with the usual gruff expression. He beheld Peggy's approving smile and eyes telling him to go with it. He gave her a big grin.

"All right! BREAK IT UP! We do have a war going on!" Phillips finally announced. He didn't mind a minute of such stuff. As Steve had deduced, it did pump the troops up. But business was business. He strode forward purposefully.

Steve met his superior's pace with his own.

The office throng parted like the Red Sea allowing the two men to meet in the middle.

Steve stopped first and broke into a smart salute. "Colonel Phillips, reporting for duty, sir."

"At ease, Rogers." The colonel assessed the recovered man. "Your country thanks you. So do the Allies as a whole."

"Thank you, sir," Steve replied earnestly.

Phillips glanced around the room seeing the others watching them. Good. They'll see proper discipline. "You're heading out for your next mission, Rogers. Get to Stark's lab. Pick up your costume and shield. Then get over to Buckingham Palace ASAP."

"Buckingham Palace?" Steve gasped. "That would mean the English king?"

"Yeah it would. Nice going, Rogers. Just don't expect me to kiss you or anything," Phillips noted. "Dismissed."

Steve turned before allowing himself a smirk at Phillips' little joke. As he headed for the door, he saw Peggy waiting for him there. "Going my way, Agent Carter?"

"Have to make sure you get your ride, Captain after all," Peggy replied almost playfully without missing a beat. "Come on." She headed out the door.

Accepting an award of thanks and duty with the beautiful agent at his side? Steve wondered what the world was coming to…..

[Stark's Lab—five minutes later]

"Wonder what Howard did to my suit?" Steve wondered.

"More than likely, he had to inspect it and your shield, Captain. You do need your equipment and wits on these missions," Peggy theorized. She walked into the area. "Mr. Stark?"

"Yeah, Agent Carter?" Stark turned to find the duo watching him from the entrance. "You can come in. I was expecting you both. Don't worry. Got everything as good as new!"

"Good as new?" Steve wondered. He did have something to say but he was dreading what the inventor was going to do to his suit.

"Yes. Certainly you didn't think I was going to paint it pink or something?" Stark arched a sarcastic eyebrow at his own response. "You're getting your big day with the brass, Rogers. You deserve to look the part."

"Thanks to you. You pulled me out of that ice box. If you didn't, I'd still be sleeping down there," Steve expressed.

"News flash, Rogers. I don't give up on my friends. Neither did Agent Carter for other reasons," Stark informed him. He pointed at the table. "Got your stuff laid out here. Had to take a few burn marks and scuffs out. Otherwise you did a great job, Chief. Shield needed a few of the scuffs from the tessaract energy rubbed off and a new paint job."

Steve took a deep breath and held up the chain mail. His eyes inspected every link in what it some ways was his closest companion…. He rubbed the shield and saw it reflect the lamplight. "You do great work. Never would've known about the icebox."

"Nice to get a compliment. What do you think, Carter?" Stark supposed.

"You do good work, Mr. Stark. Let's leave it at that," she assessed flatly. "Perhaps you might collect your things, Captain? We do not wish to keep our superiors waiting."

Steve nodded. "You have something I can carry this in?"

Stark rolled his eyes and held up a duffel bag. "As always, I have your back, Pal." He handed the bag to Steve. "By the way, I have to thank you too."

"Oh? For what?" Steve asked in confusion.

"Maria transferred to the base hospital here in London. If it wasn't for your situation, we never would've met," Stark informed them. "Guess we both got something?"

"We help each other. We are on the same team," Peggy jumped in as Steve packed his gear into the bag. When he picked up the shield, she added, "If you're ready, Captain, we should go."

"I'll want to see that medal when you get back," Stark told them.

"You will. Thanks!" Steve exclaimed again before they left.

Good luck, my friend! You deserve it! Stark smiled to himself. He was glad that the whole quest paid off. He knew Steve and Peggy fit well together. He hoped that the sparks would continue between his favorite nurse and himself. Guess I find out at dinner tonight!

And, as all was right with the world, he went back to work on his latest project…..