All the Time in the World
Chapter 38
May 2008
One afternoon, Sarah opened the door to her house, with grocery bags on one arm and her purse in the other. Upon setting her purse down on the end table by the door, she let out a sigh of relief.
She was finally home, after braving city traffic, a trip to the store. And of course, a long day at work.
Work had been keeping her pretty busy these days, seeing that it was nearing the end of the month. Meaning that it was also close to the end of the school year and all that entailed. There was always so much to do before the school year came to a close.
She knew she would get through it. She always did. But with everything going on, even Sarah who arguably had better stamina than the other teachers, was starting to feel the strain of it all. At least to some extent. All Sarah wanted to do in that moment was settle into a nice hot bubble bath with a glass of wine.
Unfortunately for her, there was still plenty to do at home. So a bath would have to wait until later.
After taking a small breather, Sarah stepped up onto the first step of the stairs and called up. "Jenna! Amanda! I'm home."
A few seconds later, Amanda came bounding down the steps to greet her. "Hey Mom."
Then as she glanced over her daughter's outfit, she saw that Amanda had put on her costume for the fundraiser, the two were attending later that evening. To raise money for veterans in need and their families.
A cause that Sarah had been volunteering her time to for the last decade. As it was something that was very near and dear to her heart.
This year, she was happy that Amanda had asked to participate in the event as well. Like many others there, Amanda was to dress up in a World War II military uniform that Sarah had put together for her.
"Wow! Look at you," she remarked. As her daughter posed on the stairs. "You look just like your grandmother."
"Well, Grandma did provide the inspiration for this." As she spoke, the young woman caught sight of the grocery bags in her mother's hands and reached out to take a few. "Here! Let me help you with that."
"Thanks sweetheart."
"No problem." The two then made their way down the hallway to the kitchen. As they walked, Amanda looked over her shoulder back at her mother. "Geez, Mom. What's in here? Rocks?"
A smile then appeared on Sarah's face upon hearing her daughter's joke. "Ice cream."
"Ooh yum!"
"It's for the party."
"Oh buggar," the young brunette replied. Clearly, not too pleased, that she wouldn't be able to have any until then.
"Now Mandy. You know perfectly well that ice cream is for you."
"Yes! And thank you, Mom. For all this."
As Sarah began pulling some of the items out of the bags, the mother and daughter exchanged smiles. And then it hit her, how grown-up Amanda really was. By Tuesday, the young woman would officially be a college graduate. Something that was an exciting if bittersweet moment for Sarah and Anthony. Seeing their youngest graduate from college.
But then again, Amanda would continue living with them for at least the rest of the summer if not the remainder of the year. So they weren't going to be empty-nesters, quite yet.
Her thoughts then drifted to the party they were having that weekend. A graduation party for Amanda with all their friends and family. Which was sure to be a fun occasion for everyone.
Today, her mother was coming up from D.C to stay with them for the party and the graduation itself.
"Of course, sweetheart," Sarah said. "So, I'm assuming your brother has gone to pick up your grandmother?"
"Yup. Left about ten minutes ago. And Jenna and Kate are upstairs getting the curlers prepped for me."
"Good, good."
"I should probably get back up there. Do you need help putting the groceries away?"
"I got it, Mandy. Thank you."
"Okay. Don't let that ice cream melt," the young woman said with a wink.
"Oh I wouldn't dare."
"You better not." Amanda let out a chuckle. As she practically skipped over to her mother and gave her a hug. Followed by a blowy kiss on the cheek.
"Oh Mandy." Sarah then wrapped her arms around her daughter, to continue to hold her close. "Are you excited for your party?"
"Yeah. Not really looking forward to being a full adult but I'll figure it out."
"Oh you're going do great," Sarah said. "Speaking of which. Now that you're through with finals. I would love to make reservations for our trip in August. So where would you like to go, missy? And nothing to outrageous, remember we do have a budget."
As a graduation present, Sarah and Anthony were taking their daughter on a trip later in the summer. Which was something they had done for both Jenna and Luke when they graduated. Now it was Amanda's turn, and she could hardly contain her excitement about it all.
"Hmm. England. I know we've been there plenty of times. But I know it's kinda like a second home to you. And it would be cool to travel around. And see it, just you, me and dad. Maybe we could even go up to Scotland if it's not too much trouble."
"I don't see why not. England with a side-trip to Scotland it is."
A little while later, after she finished putting the groceries away and tided up the kitchen. Sarah wandered back to the front door and peered out the window, looking for any sign of her son's car.
Just then, she heard movement coming from upstairs. Followed soon thereafter, by the sight of Jenna and Kate coming down the stairs.
"Hey, Mom," Jenna greeted. "Is Grandma here?"
"Not yet. I imagine they'll be here soon. What's up? How's Mandy's hair coming?"
"You're going to love it, Mom. She really has that 1940's look down," Jenna said.
"She really does," Kate added.
"Her skirt might need a little hemming, but other than that. She's good to go."
"Wonderful," Sarah said. Making a mental note to get her sewing stuff out again. Just in case the skirt did indeed need some more adjusting. "And thank you so much for helping her get ready."
"No problem. And guess what?"
"What?" Sarah asked. As she went to go retrieve her cellphone from her purse. To check and see if her son had sent her a text.
"Kate went by the vintage store a few blocks over and found the perfect shoes for Mandy. Wait till you see them."
The older woman then turned to her daughter's girlfriend and gave her a smile. "Thank you so much, Kate."
"No problem, Sarah."
"Well, we better get back up there. Yell when Grandma gets here, okay?"
With that, Jenna took Kate's hand and the two went back up the stairs to help Amanda finish getting ready. While Sarah then made her way into the living room to do some last minute straightening up.
Just as she finished folding a blanket and had draped it over the back of the couch. She heard the front door open, followed by the sound of her son's voice.
"Hello! We're here," Luke said. "Grandma, are you sure you don't need any help with that?"
"I've got it. No worries."
Luke then made eye contact with his mother as she wandered back into the foyer. "Mom, you saw I offered. And well, Grandma is being Grandma."
The sixty-two-year-old then gave her son a smile and a reassuring nod. Letting him know that she appreciated his gesture nonetheless.
"Have you tattled on me?" Peggy asked her grandson. As she made it into the house and promptly set down her suitcase.
"Tattle on you, Grandma. Never," Luke said, closing the door behind her.
"I thought not."
"Hi Mom," Sarah greeted. As she walked over and gave her mother a warm hug.
"Hello darling."
"Thank you so much for coming."
"Of course. I wouldn't miss it." Peggy then lifted her daughter's chin towards her. "Now, how are you, my love? Not overworking yourself with all that's going on I hope."
"I'm fine, Mom. I promise."
"Luke, is your mother being truthful with me?"
"Um. I'm gonna stay out of this, guys."
"Smart boy," the former agent said. "Now Sarah, you know I'll keep asking until you answer. Out with it."
"Okay. So I probably could use a glass of wine. Happy?"
"Very. Now was that so hard," the former agent said. "Oh well, I suppose you do come by it honestly."
Then with a laugh, Sarah asked. "How was the flight?"
"It was good. As was the drive here," she said, spinning around to face Luke. "I see this one's driving has improved."
"Grandma. Come on now, I was fifteen."
"Oh, it's all right. You know how I like to tease you."
The young man then shook his head in amusement. As he took the few steps over to his grandmother and gave her a kiss on the cheek.
"You're always so much fun. Why don't you move back to the city?"
"Hmm. Tempting. But I feel my place is in Arlington. At least for now."
"Well, we miss you."
"I miss you too. All of you."
"Luke," Sarah said. "Would you like to tell your grandmother your news?"
"News?"
"Yes. I'll be starting basic training in a month. In North Carolina."
At this, a gasp escaped Peggy's lips as she gave her grandson a hug. "Congrats."
"Thank you. Any tips?"
"Yes. During training that is, always go after the grenades." Then upon seeing his puzzled face, she continued. "Trust me, you'll understand when the time comes."
"You take her word on that, Luke. She's been there. Speaking of which…" Sarah trailed off. Before taking a step back so she could better call up the stairs. "Mandy! Jenna! Your grandmother's here."
Then a few moments later, the girls made their way downstairs. With Amanda trailing behind her sister and Kate, so she could make more of an entrance.
"Grandma! Look who's all ready for the fundraiser this evening. Doesn't she look amazing?"
Peggy's red lips then curled into a big smile as she got a good look at her granddaughter, all dolled up for the event.
"Amanda. Look at you. You look like you're ready to take on HYDRA."
The young woman then gave a chuckle and nodded. "You bet I am, Grandma."
"That's what I like to hear," Peggy said. "Oh darling. You look fantastic."
"Mom, you should come meet us at the fundraiser later after you get settled. I can phone Anthony and have him drop by the house and come get you."
"I think I will take you up on that, Sarah. Thank you."
"Of course. And I'll go put on some tea."
"Thank you, darling. I'll be right in."
"And I'll take your bag upstairs, Grandma," Luke said with a laugh.
"Oh you."
As the young man went past her, his sister stopped him on the stairs. "And don't forget to DVR Doctor Who tonight. Please."
"Yeah, yeah. I got you."
With that, Amanda took her grandmother's arm, and the two walked to the kitchen together.
After finishing up her conversation with her boyfriend over the phone, Amanda wandered downstairs in search of her grandparents. As she went down the hallway, she bit her lip as she listened closely for any indication of where they might be.
Finally, she heard movement coming from her grandmother's study. When she arrived at the doorway, she spotted her grandmother at her desk, going through a box.
"Knock, knock," she said. As she tapped her knuckles on the door's surface, though it was wide open.
At the sound of her granddaughter's voice, Peggy looked up from the boxes. "Ah. There you are. I was wondering where you got to."
"What do you mean? I've just been on the phone."
"Yes, I remember that just fine, darling. I was referring to the fact that you've been on the phone for nearly two hours."
"Oh come on. It wasn't two hours," Amanda said. As she pulled her phone out of the back-pocket of her jeans to check the time. "I'll be damned. I guess I kinda lost track of time, didn't I?"
"I'd say so," Peggy said with a chuckle. "How's Trip?"
"He's doing good, thanks."
"That's good to hear."
At the thought of Trip and the wonderful phone call they just had, Amanda's eyes lit up. Then as she made eye-contact with her grandmother, she was met by an amused if knowing expression.
"Grandma. Stop it."
"Amanda, I have no idea what you're talking about," Peggy said. "I'm simply noting my granddaughter's happy glow after talking to her boyfriend."
"I'm not glowing."
"Oh my dear. But you are."
With a sigh, Amanda shook her head. "If you insist. But no gloating."
As Peggy had made it known in mostly subtle ways in the past. That she sensed there was something more than friendship brewing between the young couple before they got together. Such as the comment she had made in the car to Trip the night of her dance with Steve about how beautiful Amanda was.
In fact, the young agent was convinced that her grandmother had known long before she herself had even mused on the possibility.
Yup, in typical Peggy Carter fashion, she had called it.
"Oh I wouldn't dream of it," the older of the two said. "Amanda."
"What?"
"I'm really happy for you."
"Really?"
"Of course," the former agent said with a nod as she stared lovingly at her grandchild. "It's about time you two got together."
"Hey! What happened to no gloating?"
"I'm not gloating, I assure you," Peggy said. "Just stating the truth. You two really did take your sweat time. But then again, if it was meant to be, I knew you two would figure it out."
"Ha. Okay, so I suppose we did take our time," Amanda admitted. "But….I don't know, I think things worked out exactly when they were suppose to."
"I couldn't agree more."
Then after a beat, the young woman nodded towards the boxes on the desk. "What's all this?"
"Oh, just some old things of mine I had your grandfather get from the attic."
At the mention of her grandfather, Amanda knitted her eyebrows as something occurred to her. She hadn't seen Steve since she came back downstairs.
"Speaking of Grandpa? Where did he get off too?"
"Oh. He's gone to go have lunch with your mum actually."
A smile then slowly surfaced on the young woman's face that was mirrored on Peggy's. Upon hearing that her grandfather and mother were having lunch together. She and Steve had obviously spent a lot of time together doing those sort of things. So Amanda couldn't be happier to hear that her mother was getting the chance to have that.
"Aw! A father-daughter lunch. Could they be any cuter?"
"It's hard to imagine."
"… So, what are you looking for in all that?"
"Just something for your grandfather."
"Ooh. That sounds mysterious."
Peggy then let out a chuckle. "Far from it, darling. Just something he asked me to find."
"Ah. I see. Can I help you look?"
Before she could answer, the two were interrupted by the sound of the doorbell. "I'll go see who that is."
"I'll be here. So where are your naked baby pictures of Mom?" Amanda asked, much to her grandmother's amusement.
"Hmm. I don't believe I have any. But you're welcome to look."
With that, Peggy left her study and continued on to the front door, pausing briefly when she caught sight of a man in a suit through the windows. A sight that made her instinctively glance back down the hallway, before finally going over to open the door.
"Yes?" She asked. As she greeted the visitor.
"Hello, Margaret Carter?"
"That's me."
"Hi. I'm Agent Campbell with the FBI. I spoke to your daughter a few months back."
"She mentioned that," Peggy said.
"I see. Then you know I'm trying to locate your granddaughter. I'm really hoping for your help in that. She's been very good at staying off our radar after S.H.I.E.L.D's collapse. Just if you would consider giving her a message for me."
At this, the former agent remained standing, unwavered. "I'm sorry. I'm afraid I can't help you."
All of a sudden, Peggy felt a hand on her shoulder, followed by the sound of Amanda's voice.
"It's okay, Grandma. You don't have to lie for me. I'm done running."
"Agent Harper," Campbell greeted. As the young woman came fully into view beside her grandmother.
Meanwhile, elsewhere Steve and Sarah sat at a booth in a little café by Sarah's school. And as the sixty-six-year-old took a bite of her sandwich and munched on her chips, she listened intently as her father relayed her with stories of her paternal grandmother and namesake.
"And then she told me, a strong heart will take you further than any physical strength. A strong heart means you never quit."
"Wow, that's beautiful," Sarah said. As she replayed her grandmother's words in her head. "She sounds like a wonderful person, Dad."
"She certainly was."
"That's incredible how she worked so hard, just to make sure you had everything you needed." Though she knew of course, that's what any mother would do. As Peggy had done the same with her. And still did. Just as she did with her own children.
"My mom was really good about that. I wish she could have had more time to breathe as it were. But, she took a lot of pride in her work. And me."
"Of course. And rightfully so," Sarah said. "I say that as your daughter and a mother."
"Thank you, Sarah."
"Must have paid off too? Given that you were chosen for Project Rebirth. From what Mom's told me, they weren't going to pick just anyone."
The Captain then thought back to his conversation with Doctor Erskine the night before his transformation. When the doctor had told him how important good qualities were with the serum.
"Must have."
"Thank you for telling me more about my grandmother," Sarah said. "Hearing all these stories about her. Seems like you had your own "Know your value."
At this, a smile appeared on Steve's face before he gave a nod. "I suppose I did. And, I'm glad your mother raised you the way she did. You've certainly grown into an incredible woman yourself. And yes, I say that as your father."
"Well, then I feel like a very lucky woman to have you for a father."
Then after his daughter took another sip of her water, Steve shifted in his seat and continued. "So Sarah…"
"Dad."
The all too familiar heart-warming feeling that surfaced whenever Sarah called him that, flowed throughout his body. That word. A name for him that still meant everything. When he looked at his daughter's face, he could tell that she was well aware of this. From the cute smile she gave him, that never failed to light up his world.
"I just wanted to say, I'm so happy I got to sign your birth certificate."
"Me too," Sarah replied. Still, reeling from the very sweet present her parents had given her. After receiving it, she realized it was as much a gift for her as it was for him. For all three of them, really. "Oh Mom. She did good, didn't she?"
"She did," Steve agreed. "Your mother certainly knows us very well."
"Indeed she does. I think it meant a lot to her as well. For your name to be on there."
"I know it did."
"You know. I dare say, that seeing us together is one of her favorite things in the world."
"Well, she wouldn't be the only one."
After another moment of silence passed over them, it was Sarah's turn to resume the conversation.
"So, Dad. How does it feel to have been back in the world for a year now?"
The Captain then thought back to his conversation from the day before with Peggy, when she reminded him of this. Part of him still couldn't believe it had been a year, but it had.
"No complains so far."
Sarah then let out a laugh at his joke. "That's funny."
"How could I? This past year...has been amazing. And went by surprisingly fast, don't you think?"
"I do," Sarah said. "And let me say, having you here this last year. Spending time with you. It feels like you were never gone. Like you've always been here."
"You know what, Sarah? I feel the same," he said, softly. "I love you, kiddo."
"Kiddo?"
"Yeah, it just came to me….If you don't like it…I can."
"No, no. I love it."
"Okay. Kiddo it is."
Trying out his new name for Sarah once more, just to make sure it truly fit her. Then just as the father and daughter exchanged smiles, letting the other know they were both satisfied with it. Sarah's phone started vibrating from its place on the table by the window.
"Ah. Speak of the devil. It's Mom," Sarah said. As she picked up the phone and brought it to her ear. "Hi Mom. Yeah, Dad and I are just finishing up lunch….What?"
At hearing the concerned tone in his daughter's voice. Steve met her gaze, while his heart seemed to drop in his stomach.
The day after Amanda's graduation. The three generations of Carter women, minus Jenna who was working that afternoon, all stepped out onto the curb after a successful shopping trip.
Now, they were all ready to find a place to sit and recharge before catching a movie later.
"Mom, can we go to the pub I love? It's only two blocks over," Amanda asked as they began walking down a crowded sidewalk in Manhattan.
"Mom?" Sarah questioned, looking over at Peggy.
"It's all right with me."
"Yay!"
Then, as the three of them passed by S.H.I.E.L.D's New York office, Sarah noticed her mother glance over in that direction.
"Mom. What is it?"
"Hmm. What? Oh nothing, darling."
"Do you want to go in there?"
"I'm sorry, darling. I would actually, if it's not too much trouble," Peggy replied. As the three came to a stop just past the building. "There's something I'd like to check on."
"So much for being retired there, Grandma."
"Oh hush now. I just like to drop by now and again. When I'm able to." At this, the two younger women exchanged glances, clearly very amused by this. Which made Peggy in turn raise her eyebrow at them. "Oh. You two stop that. I was the director after all."
"It's fine, Mom. We understand. You can go. We'll go get a table at the restaurant and meet you there."
Peggy then put her hand over her daughter's and gave it a squeeze. "Bless you. I won't be too long, I promise."
"I know," Sarah said. "You go do what you need to do. Come on, Mandy."
"Actually, I was wondering if I could go with Grandma. I haven't been inside this one before. Might be cool to see it," she said. "If you don't mind me tagging along, Grandma?"
"Not at all," Peggy said. Very much looking forward to showing her granddaughter around the place.
Though Sarah wouldn't mind going in as well, just to see the place again. After all, out of all the S.H.I.E.L.D offices, she had visited. The New York office was the one she had been in the most. She knew that if someone didn't go on ahead to the pub, it would become impossible to get a table.
"Of course," Sarah said. "I'll see you both in a few then. Don't get into too much mischief in the meantime."
"Oh, we wouldn't dream of it. Thank you, darling," Peggy said, before taking her granddaughter's arm. "Come on you. Let's not dilly-dally and keep your mum waiting too long."
Once they reached the front door, Peggy greeted the lobby's security guard before the two entered the building. Unlike the Triskelion, the lobby of this office was more or less open to the public. Since most of the work done here was Communication. Though to get to the actual offices, one of course, had to go through tight security before reaching the elevators. Much like they would during the days of the SSR.
As Amanda looked around the space, she took in a breath as she admired the airy, modern lobby.
"Wow!"
"Do you like it?"
"I love it. It's very open."
"Yes. I've always been quite fond of this office."
"Then, why didn't you stay here?"
"I would have loved too, darling. But I go where my work takes me. It just so happens that my work took me to D.C."
There was a part of Peggy that wished she could have stayed in New York. After all, it had been her home for so many years. As well as the place she raised her children. It did hold a special place in her heart for more reason than one. And still did. Like she had told her grandson, she had made a home in D.C with her husband until his death. For now, she was content to remain there.
"That's true. And I guess even as Director, you still had places you had to be."
"That's exactly right, Amanda."
"Must have been rewarding though. Traveling all those places."
"Oh yes," Peggy said, reminiscing about it all. "It most certainly was."
"So what would you say was your favorite thing about working for S.H.I.E.L.D and the SSR?" Amanda asked. As the two came to a stop in the middle of the lobby.
"Hmm. That's a good question. One I'm not sure I can answer. Obviously, my work was something I cared deeply about. As deeply as I care for your mother, you, and our family."
"Did you always know you wanted to be an agent?"
"Oh heavens no. When I was first told that the S.O.E wanted to recruit me. I didn't know what to think. You see, at the time, I couldn't see myself working in the field. Then things happened…As it turned out, it was something my brother, Michael said to me once that guided me to joining."
"And what was that?"
"Well, he simply reminded me of what I wanted ever since I was a little girl. A life of adventure. And he was right."
"So he was. You certainly have had a lot of adventures. Haven't you, Grandma?"
"Indeed I have," Peggy said. "Well, I'll go let them know we're here. You can look around if you like."
As her eyes scanned the names listed, she spotted two that she recognized. One being Bucky Barnes, the other being Steve Rogers. Upon seeing her grandfather's name, her lips curled into a little smile.
She hadn't thought about him in a while, truth be told. Even though his picture rested on the mantel in her parents' living room.
Standing there, she could see herself as a little girl playing Captain America and the Howling Commandos with her brother, and their cousin, Sharon. She truly loved playing the hero. But it was more than that, it had been a part of her. In remembering all this, Amanda felt something inside of her click.
And what clicked, was something she had known in her heart all along.
Soon after leaving the house with Agent Campbell, Amanda found herself in an interrogation room at the FBI. As she waited in the small room for the agent to return, she glanced around the room, and wondered if people were on the other side of that mirror.
Probably, or soon would be.
Then as she looked at the door, her eyes rested on the knob. She knew the door had been left unlocked. But before she could consider doing anything, the knob turned and Agent Campbell finally came back into the room with two bottles of water.
"Sorry, to keep you waiting."
"That's all right. I have nowhere to be at the moment."
"Well, Agent Harper..." Campbell started. As he sat down right across from her, and placed an S.H.I.E.L.D file on the table, well within her view.
"Amanda's fine."
"Amanda. You've been a tough person to find."
"What can I say? I've been busy."
"Busy trying to evade the US government. I'm right about that one, aren't I?"
"Right on the money, actually," Amanda said, calmly. "It's nothing personal, it's hard to trust people these days."
"I can imagine. Given HYDRA and all."
"And the fact that you lot have been rounding up any S.H.I.E.L.D agents you can find for questioning."
"Is that why you ran? To some, that would look like you have something to hide."
"I have nothing to hide."
At this, the FBI agent looked away for a minute and scooted the file towards her.
"Let's talk about your record for a minute. From what I can tell, you were by all accounts an outstanding agent and an asset to S.H.I.E.L.D. You had yet to lead your first team mission at the time of the collapse. But you conducted a few solo missions. Loyal team-member," Campbell said. "Tell me, Amanda. How many people have you killed for S.H.I.E.L.D?"
"You clearly have my record. You tell me."
"Since the collapse, have you wondered if those orders were even S.H.I.E.L.D's at all?"
Of course she had wondered. How could she not? It didn't take a lot of time of considering this line of thought. Letting her imagination go wild, exploring the possibility. To know, that going down this road of thinking wouldn't do her any good.
"I was doing my job. With every mission I ever went on. That's all that mattered."
Campbell seemed to understand this, based on the nod he gave her. "Why did you join S.H.I.E.L.D? Did it have something to do with your familiar connection?"
"Maybe, in part." Amanda then paused for a second, to gather her thoughts. "After college. Let's just say, I felt like something was missing. I realized I needed to be doing something more. Bigger than myself. That the path, I choose in college. Though something I love, it wasn't enough for me."
"But joining S.H.I.E.L.D was."
"Yes," the young brunette said. "S.H.I.E.L.D provided me with what I needed to be me. In that way, yeah. I do take after my grandparents."
"Tell me about the day S.H.I.E.L.D collapsed."
"What about it?"
Amanda then watched carefully as Campbell opened her file, revealing a security image of her being taken by Rumlow after her encounter with Pierce in the lobby.
"What's happening here?"
"Exactly what it looks like. Pierce had me arrested when I arrived at the office that morning."
"Why?"
"For helping a known fugitive of S.H.I.E.L.D."
"That fugitive being Captain America."
"Correct."
"Were you?"
"I was," Amanda said. "Before he arrived, I volunteered to go in as a distraction of sorts. So he could gain access to the building easier. You no doubt know the rest."
"So I gather you were also aware that HYDRA had in fact infiltrated the agency at the time."
"Yes."
"And neither of you thought to alert another agency like us or the CIA."
"No," the young agent said. "Agent Campbell. HYDRA was planning on killing a large portion of the population. We had to act fast. And as I said, we didn't know who to trust."
"And how do you suppose HYDRA came to infiltrate S.H.I.E.L.D?"
Part of her couldn't help but be surprised by this. Surely, the government was well aware of how this came to be by now. Especially, given how many S.H.I.E.L.D agents included Natasha, they had questioned. But then again, it wasn't like Steve announced on the P.A that day how exactly HYDRA had done it.
"Very simply put, Operation Paperclip."
"Operation Paperclip. So this would have been around the founding of S.H.I.E.L.D?"
"Yes, that's right," Amanda said. "Look, I know what you're going to think. My grandmother, Howard Stark and Colonel Phillips, they had no idea what Zola was going to do. If they had, he would have remained in jail. And obviously, not all German scientists were a threat. The threat is HYDRA. And HYDRA alone. Not me, not S.H.I. . S.H.I.E.L.D was founded on protection. It wasn't supposed to become a gateway for a terrorist organization to make it's come back. So, yes what happened was a tragedy. One we'll be paying for, for a long time. But, the best thing all of us can do now is fight."
After she finished her speech, Campbell remained quiet for several seconds. Though the two agents never broke eye contact.
"…Look Amanda. I don't believe you're HYDRA. Or a threat. And neither am I. That's why I need your help."
"My help. Why?"
"I'm sure you've noticed that after the collapse of your agency, HYDRA has been rather quiet... Well, in the last few weeks, there have been a spike of bank robberies, lab raids on medical facilities that have all been traced back to HYDRA. Do you have any idea what they might be planning?"
"I have no idea," Amanda admitted. "But I'll find out. To do that, I'm going to need room. No government interrogations. And no more sniffing around my family to find me."
"When you find out, you'll let us know?"
"I'm sure we can work something out."
"Okay, Agent Harper. You've got yourself a deal."
Thanks for reading!
There you guys go, Amanda has finally met with the FBI. And might very well work with the federal government in the future.
And how cute is Steve calling Sarah kiddo? I love them so much!
To those wondering when I'll be getting to AOU, we're getting there! I can assure you of that. I said I would explore it, and I will. I'm excited to do so, honestly! Right now, we're ramping up to a Steggy family vs. HYDRA arc, which will be followed by AOU and CW. Something, I'm also really excited for and I hope you guys are as well. Hey! Maybe Peggy will even pull out her inner agent soon. :)
In the meantime, you're always welcome to share with me your thoughts on what you'd like to see in the future with members of the Steggy fam, specifically Amanda in regard to AOU. Do you see her becoming an Avenger? Or even with the Steggy fam vs HYDRA arc. I'd love to know!