A/N: Where to being...?

I have to apologies to you wonderful, amazing, and beautiful followers about how long I've taken to post this chapter. With Christmas and New Years, I was kept busy, and then personal things to deal with got in the way of my writing. Only recently have I had the opportunity to actually take the time to focus on this story. Please know I have no intention of abandoning this story, I am very proud of it and I have quite the roller-coaster ride to take you readers on!

Anyways, I wanted to take the chance to thank my reviewers! You have no idea how good it made me feel to log on and see I'm up to 53 flippin' reviews! I was honestly left speechless... I love each and every one of you, seriously. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Ah, I could spend hours typing an apology for my late update, but I think you guys wanna get to reading. :P This is a shorter chapter, but I'd like to get more happening within each future chapters from now on to keep at a decent pace for you guys. :)

Thanks again!

Summary

"Ever since the battle in New York, Captain Steven Rogers hadn't been the same. After SHIELD assigns Steve with a therapist to help him cope and better understand his new life in the 21st century, things only get more complicated. Being pulled into the dangers that followed Steve every day, neither of them would have guessed this was the worst and best thing to happen to them."

Chapter Nine

"Half of writing history is hiding the truth."

― Joss Whedon

Steve silently peered over at the picture of Peggy that he kept atop his drawer while he lazily lay in bed, the early morning sunlight brightening the small bedroom of his one-floor apartment. It'd been months since he'd written and sent out his letter to her and still she hadn't replied… The man was beginning to worry and began contemplating whether or not he should just physically go and see her.

But what if she wanted nothing to do with him? That intimidating thought alone had been enough to dismiss the idea.

His thoughts soon reverted onto Anna and the night she spent at his place, completely intoxicated. His first time out with a woman and she nearly pukes all over his floor. If that hadn't been a bad omen towards his dating life, Steve didn't know what was. There was also the revelation of the evening that had been explained the following morning, one the soldier couldn't get out of his thoughts.

"My great-grandfather was Chester Philips, I only realized your connection to him when I stumbled upon the files SHIELD had given me months ago to look over. They wanted me to have a better grasp at what I was dealing with."

"Why didn't you tell me sooner?"

"How could I? I never read the papers… I wanted us to learn about each other through conversation; it was how I've always dealt with my patients. You were no exemption just because Director Fury favored you. I didn't know my great-grandfather knew you personally though… This is just as much of a shock for me."

Anthony had told Steve the day they encountered in Miami that Anna's family had distance themselves many years ago, that she never knew much about the relative who fought in WWII—only his name and that he'd been her great-grandfather. The soldier could only imagine that the source to their knowledge of 'Captain America' came from General Philips himself. If it hadn't been for Dr. Abraham Erskine and Anna's great-grandfather Steve wouldn't have gained the confidence or that sense of acceptance and self-worth he had obtained during his time serving the war. Become the man he was today. Although learning his therapist had been related to a fellow comrade of the past had initially come as a shock to the Avenger, it eventually melted into comfort. One that he'd been in dire need of and hadn't realized it until now.

Finally getting out of bed, Steve wandered into the kitchen and reached for the folder left on the countertop. He opened it up to read Peggy's updated information; her residence, marital status, phone number… His attention was soon directed onto the old compass he'd kept from the 40's, the woman's faded picture inside of it.

A soft smile graced his lips.

It was no surprise she went and got married, had a family… Steve was glad Peggy was able to move on; he'd feel absolutely guilty if he found out the woman he loved was left to live the rest of her days heartbroken while he'd been frozen in Artic waters. All he wanted was for Peggy to be her happiest in the end…

xxx

"You got drunk!?"

Victoria's ringing laughter earned an embarrassed groan from her sister, head in hands as she leaned into the dining table in their parents' home. Having been invited for breakfast, Anna thought it was a good idea to share with her family what had happened—but thanks to Victoria's persistence. If she had it her way, the therapist would have rather not told her parents that she'd gone out with another man shortly after her fiancé's passing.

Not that it was anything like that…

"Who is this man you went out with Banana?" her father, Arnold, asked with the wrinkles on his aged features creasing in concern; also unimpressed his daughter had gotten intoxicated in another man's home.

"It was a patient from work—"

"What?" Her mother gasped, "Anna, Anthony just…" Eve: mother, wife, and sometimes too forgiving for her own good, but still lovable and nurturing.

"I know, I know! It's nothing like that—" how many times had she said that?—"he's a really good friend," Anna explained, her voice eventually softening as did her eyes, "He was consoling me… that's it. Mom, you know that I will always love Anthony… There isn't a day where I don't think about him, where I don't wish I could have told him I loved him one more time… In fact, I don't intend to rest until I find out what happened to him…"

One of the many rules to follow under the strict contract of employment with SHIELD had been that relatives and any other kind of non-related acquaintances were not eligible to classified information, though hadn't that always been a given? In Anna's case, she couldn't just spill that Captain America had been one of her patients, nor could she reveal his real identity. The man Victoria met was just a regular man with regular problems.

Anna had told her parents and Anthony's that he'd died in tragic explosion, much like SHIELD had done with her…

"You think something more happened?"

Looking at her father, Anna shook her head no. "…N-no… I just… want to know what caused the explosion… get more answers. Maybe it was a broken gas pipe…" SHIELD would have been on her ass if she said more than that. It was almost sickening how limited her freedom of speech actually was now that she'd become personnel—like signing a contract for the Devil.

Since the funeral, Anna swore she would never fall in love. Now whether she'd actually fall through with that was anyone's guess. "I would know more than anyone that Anna has been pretty clear about that!" Victoria piped. "If she's not home alone, miserably eating cookie dough out of the tube and watching old chick flicks on the VCR, she's usually at work."

"Victoria, have you told your sister yet…?" her mother suddenly questioned, earning a look from the young woman herself and an awkward cough from their father which only caused Anna's brow to raise suspiciously.

"Tell me what?" Her gaze reflected onto her little sister.

"…It's nothing,"

"Tori."

"Well… just that Eric proposed to me and… well…"

"What?" Anna's eyes bulged. "When!?"

"Last night, but look, it's not that big a deal…!" Victoria assured.

"Not a big deal?" she gasped, "Tori, you're engaged! Not a big deal is like telling me you bought a pair of shoes—this is huge! Why didn't you tell me until now?"

There was an awkward silence before a response, "I didn't want to make things about me, and you're going through a lot already Anna…" It was then Anna realized her sister wasn't even wearing a ring. "I didn't want to take attention away from you and all…"

"Should that offend me?"

"No! God no, I'm just saying that you've been through a lot and how inconsiderate would that make me look to announce my engagement when your fiancé recently died?"

"Right." Anna swallowed the lump in her throat before pursing her lips. She took a deep breath and spoke, "Look. I appreciate everything you've done for me, moving in and all, but you should live your own life… I'm happy for you, Tori. My baby sister is getting married…!" Who wouldn't be ecstatic?

"I think," Arnold spoke, setting his fork and knife down after the last chew, "If we encourage Anna to move forward by carrying on with our lives, she can get through this."

"Dad, you don't have to talk like I'm not in the same room," A small smile reached her lips before her attention shifted onto Victoria. She was young and beautiful; her ash-brown bob framing her heart-shaped face nicely, her green eyes large and bold…

Anna stood, beginning to collect all the plates from off the table, "I'm fine… I mean, I'll be alright… It has nearly been two months now, you can't expect me to make a full recovery so soon, that's not realistic no matter how much we want it to be…"

"Banana," her father mumbled sympathetically. "You know you're always welcomed to stay here if you need time…" He could only imagine how hard of a hit she was taking with expenses now that Anthony was no longer there to support her.

The young woman came over and kissed the balding spot atop his head, "I know daddy… I'm okay for now, thank you." As her mother stood to help with cleaning the table, Anna went into the kitchen and started the dishes.

As the sponge silently wiped off any residue from the plate, Anna's thoughts reverted onto the day she'd found out Anthony passed… An explosion—an accidental one at that. She scoffed at the idea. SHIELD was usually vigilant and careful, for God sake's they monitored all kinds of potential threats!

"What aren't you telling me Fury?" she muttered under her breath.

Hearing her mother enter, Anna greeted her with a small smile. "Oh, honey, you didn't need to worry about the dishes."

"It's alright, I don't mind. You invited me over for breakfast after all."

"Well… There's another reason your father and I invited you over, I think he'll understand if I just do it now."

"What is it?" she asked, shutting off the running water. Leaning her back into the counter, the therapist dried her hands while eyeing her mother curiously. She reached into her purse, pulling out a white envelope.

"This," Eve finally handed it to her daughter, "It's a stay for two at a five star hotel in New York City. We had initially bought it as a small wedding gift for you and Anthony… I want you to still go, take your sister and make a day of it. Please…?"

"Mom… I…" Anna was at a loss for words. Knowing this was supposed to be a small getaway for her and Anthony had her chocking back the tears that wanted to so desperately pour out. "…Thank you…"

Her mother's loving hands cradled her face, "I just want you to take care of yourself, Anna…"

"I know," she composed herself the second her voice cracked with emotion. "I love you."

"I love you too,"

xxx

Each fist pounding swiftly into the punching bag was met with more force, expressing the anger and frustration that'd been distracting Steve's thoughts from any rational thinking. Sweat had begun to trickle down his stressed features—arms, chest, face, and neck glistening under the lighting. By now his white t-shirt was drenched in it too, leaving evidence of what he'd been doing for the past few hours. Not that this would come as a surprise to anyone who knew him well. When he was upset, this was the spot he usually found himself blowing steam.

With one last swift hit, the bag was sent off its hinges and seen sliding across the marbled floor. After taking a moment to catch his breath, the soldier went to retrieve another bag and set it up. Nothing was more infuriating than not having answers, answers you desired, and being too much of a pansy to get them yourself.

"How long are you going to watch me for?"

"Figured I'd let you get the last of it out before speaking with you," answered Fury as he finally emerged from the shadows. "Rough day?"

Steve wiped sweat from his eyes. "Something like that…" He began punching the new bag. "You're not here to check on me," he stated with a bit of a grunt at the end, "so why are you here?"

"I wanted to see how you were," Director Fury admitted while crossing his arms comfortably. When the Avenger ceased the next swing, he waited until Steve's blue eyes were focused on him before continuing, "You're blaming yourself for something that was beyond your control… In fact, any of ours."

"So I've heard," muttered the man. "You came all the way here to tell me this?"

"Despite what you may believe, Captain Rogers, I do take care of my comrades and associates."

"And you lie to them too, apparently." Steve added. "She'll find out eventually… then what?"

"We're prepared to do what is necessary to ensure that doesn't happen." The head of SHIELD was quick to responding, "You know why she can't find out… Keep in mind this was all in good cause and just ended with unfortunate results."

Swallowing his disgust, the soldier went for his gym bag. He had to hold back an annoyed grunt; he couldn't take this anymore. He'd already been upset about Peggy to begin with… Steve didn't need to be reminded of this on top of it.

"Captain Rogers…"

His forehead creased as he stopped by the entrance, his voice was strained, "You've checked on me now, guess there's nothing more to discuss here…"

With those words, the soldier took his leave.

Steve wasn't an idiot. He knew Fury was making sure he hadn't told Anna the truth, make the good guys look bad kind of situation…

Honestly, could things get any worse?

xxx

"Ugh—come on!" Anna snarled, struggling to shove her mail into her purse. She'd been running late for work this morning, oversleeping, she only had time to grab what had been left in her mailbox at work and sprinted for her office.

The therapist and her lack of coordination always winds up with her running into someone…or a wall. Fortunately this time it was someone but unfortunately it was one of the level 7's.

"A-Agent Sitwell, I'm so sorry…!" Anna was quick to collecting herself and picking up the letters and papers that'd scattered around them.

"Miss McCoy…!" The agent adjusted his glasses after picking himself off the ground. "Be more careful."

"My apologies!" Handing him his paper, she shoved everything else into her purse. "I'm running late, so…"

"Tardiness is usually not tolerated by the director…" scolded the man.

"I understand." Anna really had no time to talk about it though. "Have a good day, Agent Sitwell… and I'll keep that in mind."

Giving her a nod, he walked onward and the young woman took this opportunity to continue the frantic race to her office.

xxx

The day had only consisted of a few clients, long sessions, but overall a decent day.

While on her coffee break, she remained within her office and went through the mail she hadn't a chance to go through this morning. Most of it had been memos and reminders.

Sure, it would have been easier to just get her mail via an actual email account but her computer stopped working a few years ago and she just couldn't be bothered with get it fixed anymore. She didn't spend much time on it anyways. Plus, therapists didn't necessarily depend on computers…

When she came across an opened envelope, the petite woman frowned. "Someone going through my mail…?"

Reading the contents inside, Anna's eyes bulged in surprise at what it was. It had definitely not been Anna's mail…

In fact, it was a handwritten letter for Steve.

How did she end up with it though?

Lowering the page, it then came to her. "…Agent Sitwell…"

A letter from Peggy Carter.

A/N: Secrets are revealed and will begin to be exposed, action will be taken... I promise things will start picking up now! :) I appreciate your patience, you have no idea how much I love each of you for supporting this story! Please feel free to leave me reviews, I love reading every one of them!

Till next time!