Chapter 10

Steve strolled into her hospital room and slumped against the door. "Just spoke to your doctor."

Annie's heart dropped. She could not spend another day in this weird private SHIELD hospital. She hated the hospitals in general because they remind her of Steve's childhood health scares and she felt like they had taken enough of her blood to make an Annie-sized blood bag.

"Don't tell me," she groaned.

"So you don't want to get out of here today?" Steve smirked at her.

"Are you serious?! They're releasing me?"

Steve shook his head at her excitement, "The doctor's removing your cast, and then you can see the apartment." SHIELD had given Steve an apartment weeks ago but the man had barely been there, instead acting as Annie's self-appointed full-time nurse.

Steve twisted around to collect a bag from behind the door, "Got you some discharge clothes."

"Awe look at you taking care of me." Steve handed her the bag and she started shoveling into it.

Annie pulled out a plain t-shirt and held it up as it unrolled to its full size. She started laughing as the large shirt blocked her entire view of Steve. Annie wasn't the thinnest of women but this shirt was comically large.

She lowered the shirt and quirked a brow at Steve, "A tad big don't you think?"

"Well better that it's too big than too small," Steve shrugged sheepishly.

"You're talking?" Annie snorted.

Steve scrunched his face and peered down at his shirt that stretched tightly over his pecks and arms. "It hard to know your size when you grow an extra foot," he defended.

"Oh just admit you like showing of your muscles, you're not fooling me."

"He's not fooling anyone," Dr Florance chuckles as she strolls in the door.

Steve ears turn pink and he mumbles, "Annie I'll come get you when you're ready to go."

Annie liked Dr Jaime Florance the most out of all the doctors she's had here because the woman liked to tease Steve as much as she did. It was probably because embarrassing Steve was the only way to get him to leave Annie's side for a moment.

Dr Florance quickly examined her arm before starting to cut away at the plaster cast as Annie waited to ask her question. As she steadily healed in this high-security hospital, she had become increasingly suspicious of SHEILD. She understood by the way the hospital staff treats him, that Steve is now seen as an American icon. But she doubted that was the only reason for SHIELD's hospitality. Jaime had already informed her that Steve was still the only super-soldier recorded. That made him valuable to an organization like SHIELD.

As the shaped off-white material was slipped off Annie's arm revealing a very pale stretch of skin, Annie prepared her question, "Jaime. I have to ask you something before I leave."

"Sure," she hummed as she moved to dispose of the cast.

"What does SHIELD want with Steve? Is this all out of respect or do they want something from him?"

Dr Florance dropped the cast in surprise at her questions, "What?"

"You're the one most likely to give me a straight answer here, so I want to know if SHIELD is looking after us because they want something from Steve."

"Annie I'm just a doctor, that's not the sort of thing they tell us. Director Fury would be the one to talk to." Annie frowned, Dr Florance wasn't telling her something. But she also didn't trust Fury. She had only met the Director of SHIELD once. He had briefly introduced himself, then askes a series of questions about the crash, the ice, and how her recovery was progressing before he abruptly left. She got the sense that Fury would only tell you as much as he thought you needed to know, nothing more. That was probably why he was a director at SHIELD, withholding information must be a valuable skill in an intelligence agency.

The uneasy feeling of half-truths and hidden agendas stuck with Annie as she changed into real clothes. The free use of her right arm was a relief as she tugged on the elasticated pants that luckily fit. Annie tucked the large shirt into the pants to stop it from billowing around her knees. She looked odd but looked pretty damn good for surviving a plane crash and being an ice cube for decades.

A gentle knock rang through the wood of the door. "Come in," Annie called knowing it was Steve.

"You ready to go?"

Annie turned and sighed, "Yes, please get me out of here."

Her brother led her out of the building and she froze. Her eyes dragged up and up and up. The metal structures surrounded her all stretching up into the sky. The sheer amount of tall buildings overwhelmed her. They were lit with large screens like an outdoor pictures cinema.

"Annie, you alright? " Steve questioned beside her.

"Yeah, the future is just a lot," Annie breathed and she twisted her head trying to take everything in. She had looked out the window of her hospital room but it had been overlooking a small garden courtyard and the opposite building. Now she felt like she had suddenly jumped straight into the year 2012 and she was drowning.

Steve nudged her over to the side of the road where a black car sat. Annie stumbled over curiously examining the sleek vehicle. There were similarities to the cars she had seen in the 40s but this one was more compact and streamlined. The engine instead of loud rumbling was a quiet purr. But if she was being honest, cars had not changed as much as she would have expected over 70 years. Her heart quaked a little at the thought of how disappointed Bucky would have been at the lack of hover cars.

With hesitant hands, she pulled on the handle and the door opened with a crisp click. The interior was pretty close to what she had expected, and Annie lowered herself in. Steve followed her in. Annie had to shuffle over to give him more room. She kept forgetting how much space Steve took up now. A sunglass-wearing man in a black suit pulled the car onto the road and started driving along the packed street.

Annie stared out the window noting the change in architecture and in clothing. "Steve! look at all the women in pants. Oh! I thought that one was a skirt but it's actually very flowy pants," Annie gasped as her eyes traced the elegant tall woman in palazzo pants. But Steve wasn't listening to her.

"We're going the wrong way," Steve noticed in a low voice. "This is not the way to the apartment."

"Director Fury wants to speak to you," The driver announced. Annie had a feeling she knew what about.

Steve and Annie were led through a prism of glass and windows. All the floors were wide expanses of polished concrete. The cold hard surfaces covering every inch of the building did not help the growing unease in Annie's spine. A tall door made of the same slick grey material as the rest of the building's accessories stretched out in front of them when their guide finally stopped the compulsory tour of SHIELD HQ. He tapped 2 curt knocks on the door that were answered with a muffled response. The stocky man pushed the door open and blankly stared at them.

"Come on, let's get this over with," Steve sighed as he purposely stepped into the room and approached the mysterious man that stood behind a long desk. Annie cautiously followed; the door snapped shut behind her. Nick Fury had his back to them, watching the rolling clouds through the wall of windows.

"Annie Rogers it's good to see you out of the hospital," Fury commented, finally facing the siblings.

Annie raised an eyebrow, "Fury, I hadn't pegged you as one for small talk but I'm feeling fine thank you."

"I'm guessing that checking up on Annie isn't the reason you had us driven here?" Steve pushed. He clearly didn't appreciate the non-optional visit.

"It's one of the reasons. Good to see you too Captain."

"I wanted to see how you both were doing. The world you've woken up in is very different from the one you're used to but in many ways, it hasn't really changed. Do you know why SHIELD exists Captain?" Steve just stares down the director before Fury answers his own question. "To protect the world against threats it isn't ready for. And I'm kindly offering this to you."

"I can handle myself," Steve clips as he crosses his arms tightly.

"I'm sure you can but what about your sister?"

"Excuse me?!" Annie roared.

Director Fury completely ignored her outrage. "You've been gone 70 years but there is still a long list of people who would love to get their hands on Captain America, the world's only super-soldier. People who wouldn't hesitate to use the people you care to get an upper hand."

Steve turns to look at her, the fear evident on his face. "Steve, he's just trying to scare you into working for him. We don't even know this man." Annie pleads to Steve's logic before turning to Fury, "You are just trying to use me as a liability to force Steve into doing God knows what propaganda and dangerous missions for you."

"You're right," Fury agrees moving around the desk to lean against the front. "You don't know me. I could be just using you to get to Steve or it'll just be easier to keep you both safe if you stay close. You don't know me, but you know SHEILD. Created by Peggy Carter and Howard Stark in 1965, I've heard you both were familiar?" He raises a brow at them, knowing he's got them.

"Peggy?" Annie breathes before she turns back to Steve who matches her conflicted look.

Fury don't give them time to process the new information. "As of this moment, a select number of SHIELD personal are the only ones who know both of you are alive. Of course, soon the press will find out that the original superhero, Captain America himself is back but with the help of SHIELD we can keep the survival of his less recognizable sister hidden. Even announce that she was found dead at the crash site, forge all the documentation. No one would know Annie Rogers is alive but us."

"I'd be dead?" Annie's brain ticked slowly over the concept.

"Legally yes, but this is all contingent on the Captain," Fury sets his eye on a pensive Steve, "We could really use your help around here Steve. You'd have your own team, control over your missions. You would do a lot of good. We'll even give Annie a job as our new risk assessment and planning consultant here in one of the safest buildings in the US."

Annie still had a queasy feeling about this entire deal but what if Fury was right? They didn't know anything about this world, people could be out for Steve. If he was with SHEILD he would at least have a trained team by his side. She watched Steve deep in thought, with his thick browns drawn into a tight furrow.

Fury could sense the sibling's apprehension. "This a limited time offer. You know how secrets work, once they're out they're out. Better to play it safe."

"And Annie would be protected?" Steve slowly asked.

"The only place with more security is the white house. I'll even send one of my best agents to keep an eye on her."

"What do you think?" Steve asked her softly. She could see in his eyes that he knew his choice but he needed her approval.

Annie sighed, she hated that no matter what she did, Steve would always be running into danger. "It's your choice Steve, you'd be the one going on missions. Just know that you don't have to do this just to keep me safe. I trust you." Annie then approaches Fury, looking completely out of place in her sweatpants and oversized shirt. "But I have conditions. Steve and I will pick his team. This includes a complete background on all candidates, Steve can turn down any mission he doesn't agree with and I want to know about all his missions so no classified bullshit."

The corner of Fury's mouth twitches in amusement, "Is that everything?"

"And I want a gun," Annie finishes as she stares him down with the patented Rogers' determined look.

"You agree with these conditions Rogers?" Fury addresses Steve.

"Full support. I'd feel much safer if she had a gun," Steve nodded.

Fury moves back behind his desk, "Then we have an agreement. I knew you'd make the right choice," Fury smiled. It was an unnerving sight. "I'll see you both on Monday."

Finally, they were taken to the apartment. Annie walked sluggishly through the faded door. She shot Steve a glance as she noticed the aged architecture of the space, differing from that strange cold style that most structures she had been in until this point. Steve grinned and gestured for her to continue, lightening up now that he could show her their new home. Out of the hallway a good-sized living room opened up with furniture that was homely and similar to the rest of the apartment. Annie decided she quite liked it.

Steve led her to a dim green door which he opened to a lightly painted room with a large bed and minimal furniture. "This is your room and mine is 2 doors down the hall," Steve gestured to the identical door a couple of metres away. She walked around the room examining it closely. Her gaze feel on a mirror connected to a vanity, one of the few items in the room. She catches sight of her face and frowns at the yellow bruises that were still healing. She then noticed just how ill-fitting her clothes were. She sheepishly looked to Steve wondering, "I'll probably need more clothes."

"Check the drawers," Steve grinned.

Annie pulled open the wardrobe to see multiple neutral-coloured pants, shirts and dresses hanging neatly. She started shifting through the items as Steve informed, "SHIELD filled up the apartment with everything they said we would need. They should fit."

"They're very thorough, aren't they?" Annie pulled the wardrobe door closed and sat on her bed. The mattress dipped with her weight and then Steve's as he sat beside her. "I still can't believe that Peggy and Howard created all that. Well, maybe I can." Annie's face softened at the memory of Peggy's tenacity.

"I knew she'd do something amazing with her life. I just wish she was still here running it. Then maybe I wouldn't feel so unsure," Steve brushed a hand through his hair irately.

"I know, I'm certain she started it with all the good intentions but how can we trust whose running it now?" Annie wondered.

Steve flopped back against the bed and Annie followed suit, ignoring the still sensitive bruise along her back crying out from the action. "I guess we just have to do what we always do and just trust each other. It really the only thing I know for sure," Steve hummed.

"Agreed but can you get out of my bed now? I'm gonna nap and you're taking up all the space," Annie grumbled with her eyes shut.

She heard Steve chuckle and felt the mattress shift from the loss of his weight. "Alright, but when you wake up I'm going to show you the television and the microwave."

Annie strolled out of the building that held their apartment already dreading all the stairs she would have to climb on the way up. The past few days had been settling into their apartment, figuring out how things worked and wasting an entire day in front of the television. But right now Annie just needed a moment to herself and some fresh air.

As she stepped out onto the street and was greeting by an onslaught of varied noises resonating throughout the city. SHIELD had placed them in Washington D.C. Which Annie could clearly see was an exceptionally large city.

She twisted to admire her new home. It was old with only 5 stories and most likely existed in their time. The exposed brick building hinted to its age in the decorative window sills that jutted from the comparatively small squared windows. Many buildings she had witnessed were designed with windows from floor to ceiling, top to bottom. She cringed at the lack of privacy.

She began at a brisk pace down the pleasantly clean street path. As she moved Annie once again admired the comfort of jeans. She accompanied the demin with a pair of brown boots. She'd been expected to adorn heels for every social or occupational occasion so now Annie decided now to enjoy the comforts of the 21st century.

Steve was currently out on his daily jog and Annie had left a note for him on the kitchen table in the instance that he returned before she did. She would never understand why he insisted on so much exercise, it definitely wasn't to stay in shape because his annoying enhanced genes kept him at a perfect level of fitness and ability. The one person who stays fit without even trying and they're an exercise junkie.

She never thought she would refer to Steve as an exercise junkie but she supposed he didn't have the ability to before the serum without having an asthma attack or risk a heart issue. But now he exited the apartment ridiculously early and jogged God knows how many times around Washington Monument Park.

Both the Rogers were morning people but Steve entered another level. Annie was content to wake up appropriately early and slowly ease into the day. He would return through their door at around 9am slightly out of breath but with no other signs of exertion. Annie with severe bed-head and already deep into breakfast would throw toast and cereal boxes at Steve to test his reflexes. Of course, he always caught it, even if his back was turned. He would give her that irritating pleased smile and place it back on the table.

She stopped her thoughts to grin at a shaggy dog who happily strutted past her, his owner in tow. If Steve were a dog she thought he would be a Labrador. She couldn't defend her decision because it simply felt true.

She continued down the street marvelling at the cityscape. She lowered her gaze to another woman a few years her elder walking the opposite direction to her on the path. She offered the blue-haired woman a smile but received a raised brow in return, okay not friendly. She caught sight of a small coffee house squished between two larger stores.

She did feel a little cold and decided to get a cup hoping it was better than the horrid sludge she occasionally used to get from the corner store for a nickel. Crossing the already busy four laned-road she drew near the powder blue shop front. She pulled back the heavy French windowed door and was instantly met with the warmth and scent of coffee that the small shop was immersed in.

The shop was mainly filled with business men and woman getting their daily caffeine hit before starting work. She joined the three-person line and waited as her body warmed. She was quickly at the front counter greeted by the smiling, if slightly groggy, face of a young red-head in a black uniform. "I'll have one coffee please," Annie ordered politely.

The girl looked at her oddly as a silence drew on. Realising that Annie was finished she clarified, "What type?"

"Sorry?" Annie questioned in confusion. The girl boredly pointed up to the hanging list of available drinks. Annie had never seen so many variations of coffee. At the corner shop the most variation offered was milk or no milk and how many tea spoons of sugar. The varying types of coffee only available at wealthy establishments that she couldn't afford.

She looked at the array of drinks and decided on random, not wanting to take up any more time. "Um, I'll have a latte."

"Regular to have here?"

"Uh… yes?" Annie responded uncertainly.

The girl smiled before twisting her head to yell the order to another girl Annie only just realised was behind a massive machine. "That'll be $3.50"

Annie still had to wrap her head around the change in prices. It still seemed ridiculous to spend that much on a hot drink. If the man at the corner shop had asked for such a sum she would have laughed and cancelled her order. She had to remember that things were different now. She proceeded to tug a bill out of her pocket and hand it to the woman who quickly placed her change in the awaiting hand. it felt a little weird spending SHIELD's money but they had already made the deal so it was a little too late.

She moved to the side allowing the man behind to recite his order. She was surprised when the coffee was already being handed to her. She supposed it was faster to make now.

She opted to sit outside at one of the half dozen tables that scattered out the front. Looking up from her black metal garden seat she could see a beautiful old building decorated with an ornate clock. She would have to bring Steve here one time, he would love to draw it. She frowned at the abnormally shaped skyscraper that poked out from behind it. The building seemed unnecessarily tall to her and walls consisted of ugly black and windowed strips that span the whole length. It was at an awkward curve with a large balcony jutting out disrupting any chance of symmetry. Whoever designed that building should have been fired she mused.

Focusing back on her coffee she finally took a sip hoping it was now cool enough not to burn her tongue. But as she sat alone for the first time without Steve or the constant beep of the heart monitor, her loneliness finally set in. Her eyes started to sting as she thought about how Bucky had been dead for over 70 years but she had only 2 months to mourn. Somehow that makes him feel even further away. She had lost the few photos she had of him, Annie worried that she would forget his face eventually. Her reoccurring dream of a frozen wall obscured him from view but she knew he was there on the other side, she just couldn't see his face. She didn't hate that the dream visited her most nights. It at least gave her a vague sense of Bucky's presence, she could almost pretend he was there with her inside her dreamscape for a moment. The memory of the dream faded and brought her back to the table where she sat alone in a quiet coffee shop. Her coffee was now cold. She needed to get back to Steve, to hear his voice, to let his smile trick her into believing everything was ok.