Peggy is in bad shape, but the nurse who greets him at the door shows him in immediately.
Steve schools his face so she won't see his worry, though he's not sure she'd even see his face at this point. He tries to be optimistic.
"Peggy?"
Her eyes are unfocused and she keeps talking to people who aren't there.
She does at least turn to look at him when he gently takes her hand, searching her face for some sign of recognition.
"Peggy… are you ok?" He runs his free hand carefully over her cheek, relieved to see that she doesn't seem to be hurt. She leans into his fingers a bit at the touch, humming vaguely to herself. He can't help but wince at how small she looks against his hand.
"Steve…" She murmurs dreamily.
"Yeah. It's me." He tries to smile for her, heart in his throat. "You alright? I heard there was some commotion."
She doesn't answer, just stares over his shoulder, face pressed against his palm.
"...Peggy who was here? Who were you talking to? If somebody tried to hurt you-."
"The ghost." She interrupts, clearly a thousand miles away.
"What ghost?"
"He was here. We talked. It was so odd." She says softly, her face screwing up abruptly as if she were going to cry. No tears come.
He gingerly cradles her gnarled hand against his chest, willing her to come back to him.
"Did they try to hurt you? Do you know who it was?" Steve persists, trying to get some idea of who would harass a 96 year old war veteran, especially in a nursing home at 2 in the morning… Especially someone who wouldn't bother stealing any of the money or jewelry in the room...
It almost seems personal, but who could have a grudge against Peggy, who'd even still be alive?
"He was angry." She murmurs distantly.
"Who was, Peg?"
"The ghost. He was so angry. He said…" She trails off, and her expression becomes pained.
"It's ok." Steve interjects quickly, worried eyes locked on her face. "You don't have to-"
"He said he killed you." She interrupts again, still far away. "He said so many awful things… And his arm… "
Steve's blood runs cold.
"it was shining.… so bright."