March 1945
Steve stood up in the cockpit immediately feeling woozy. When his vision returned he saw the tesseract glowing brightly. As he took a step toward it, the plane jerked violently and its engine roared loudly.
Steve raced for the controls and climbed into the chair. Steve was attempting to wrestle the control stick, trying to override the plane. He huffed in frustration when he couldn't alter the course and stared at the map of Manhattan on the monitor.
Steve grabbed the intercom. "Agent Carter, come in…" he pleaded.
After a few agonizing moments, Peggy's voice rang through the radio. "Steve, is that you? Are you okay?" she asked worriedly.
"I'm fine," Steve assured.
"Where's Schmidt?" Peggy questioned.
"Schmidt's dead."
"What about the plane?"
Steve paused for a moment. "That's a little bit harder to explain," he answered, his eyes still glued to the map of Manhattan.
"Give me your coordinates," Peggy ordered. "I'll find a landing site—
"There isn't going to be a landing," Steve cut her off. "Schmidt's locked the navigation system. And there's more than enough power to reach the East Coast."
"I'll get Howard on the line. He'll know what to do." Peggy assured.
"I'm sitting on a hundred tons of explosives. Hotwiring this thing's not an option." Steve argued as he looked out the window at the vast expanse of ocean. He took a deep breath, realizing what he had to do. "I've got to put her in the water."
"But you said you couldn't steer it." Peggy reminded.
Steve scanned the control panel and spotted a thick cable running from the ignition to the engines. "I can't. But I think I can crash it."
Steve yanked the cable out and blue sparks flared. Suddenly the lights died out and the engines stopped completely.
"Steve, don't this," Peggy begged. "We've got time. We can figure this out!"
"I already did. Right now, I'm in the middle of nowhere. If I wait any longer, a lot of people are going to get hurt." Steve replied. "Peggy, this is my choice."
"We'll send out rescue ships. We'll find you." Peggy promised.
"I don't think there's going to be much left to find," Steve replied gravely as he used all of his strength to lean on the control stick. "Peggy?" he asked after a few moments of silence.
"I'm here," Peggy replied, trying her best to stay composed.
"I need you to find Josie." Steve pleaded. "Explain to her what happened and tell her that I'm so sorry. Please."
"You've got it," Peggy replied. "I'll make sure she's okay."
Steve nodded and swallowed heavily. "And I'm going to need a raincheck on that dance."
"All right," Peggy's voice wavered. "A week Saturday. The Stork Club."
"Okay. You got it."
"8:00 on the dot. If you're three minutes late I'm leaving," Peggy replied. "Do you understand?"
"I still don't know how to dance." Steve reminded.
"I'll show you," Peggy assured. "I'll show you everything. Just be there."
Clouds whipped past the windows as the plane plummeted. Steve thought about Josephine and let out a shaky sigh at the thought of his best friend. He pocketed his compass and slid his mask over his face.
"Maybe the band could play something slow, I'd hate to step on you—
~/~\~
Josephine had just finished putting away the groceries when she heard a knock on the door. She frowned, knowing that she wasn't expecting anyone today. She opened the door and was surprised to see Peggy on the other side.
"Agent Carter, hello," Josephine greeted, unsuccessfully hiding the surprised tone. "How can I help you?"
"I believe we're past the formalities. Peggy will do just fine," she forced a small smile. "May I please come in?"
Josephine nodded and closed the door after Peggy walked into the apartment. "Please, take a seat. Can I get you anything… Peggy?" she asked, the woman's first name feeling foreign on her tongue.
"No, thank you. I'm quite alright." Peggy replied as she sat down on the couch.
Josephine sat down next to Peggy and nervously tucked her hair behind her ear. "Peggy, um… why are you here?" she asked. "I apologize for the assumption, but it can't be good news."
Peggy nodded and took a deep breath. "Steve sent me here."
Josephine's breath hitched in her throat and she immediately felt nauseous. This couldn't be happening, not after she lost Bucky only two months prior. "He's dead. Isn't he?" her lips trembled as she spoke.
"I'm so sorry, Josephine." Peggy apologized sincerely. "He specifically wanted me to tell you."
Josephine nodded and wiped away the oncoming tears. "God must be playing some sort of sick joke on me," she shook her head.
Peggy's brows furrowed slightly. "What do you mean?"
"I mean, I've lost my father, my mother, my fiancé, and now my best friend." Josephine laughed humorlessly. "I mean, I have been left almost completely alone."
Peggy truly felt for the girl and she made a promise to herself to look after her for Steve. "I'm so sorry, Josephine," she apologized sincerely. "Steve died selflessly. He sacrificed himself to save the world."
Josephine shook her head and smiled a wry smile. "Of course he did. That's Stevie for ya," she murmured. "Incredibly selfless until the very end."
"I understand that it's not much of a comfort," Peggy replied. "If there was any other way, he would have taken it."
Josephine nodded and sniffled. "God, it sounds so bad, but I wish I could be mad at him. Isn't that crazy?" she scoffed. "That I wish I could be mad at my best friend for dying?"
"No," Peggy replied. "I understand what you mean. Feeling mad feels a little bit easier than feeling sad."
Josephine wiped a stray tear that had fallen and shook her head. "I just don't know what to do anymore. I've lost almost everyone I've ever loved and I feel so lost." She explained, her voice cracking slightly. "I can't believe he's gone. That they're both gone."
"I'm very sorry for your losses, Josephine," Peggy took one of Josephine's hands in hers. "Steve really cherished your friendship."
"I'm sorry for your loss as well," Josephine apologized sincerely. "I know you and Stevie had gotten close."
Peggy smiled sadly. "Yes, we were getting close. We didn't have enough time."
"I know how that feels." Josephine comforted. "But you treated him well, and that's all I could ever ask for as his friend."
"He was one of a kind," Peggy replied fondly.
There was a comfortable silence between the two women. Peggy studied Josephine for a few moments and pursed her lips in thought. Peggy figured she could take Josephine under her wing and make sure she wasn't alone.
"I work for the Strategic Scientific Reserve," Peggy started, breaking the silence. "We've been working to battle HYDRA, as you know. I think you should come and work with us."
Josephine's brows furrowed in confusion. What could she possibly have to offer an organization like that? "I-I have no experience in anything like that. I'm just a waitress."
"I can teach you everything I know," Peggy offered. "We're working on completely taking down HYDRA. I assume that's something you'd be interested in participating in, yes?"
"O-of course," Josephine nodded. "Yes, of course that's something I'm interested in."
Peggy smiled a genuine smile this time. "Excellent. I look forward to working with you, Josephine."
"Please, call me Josie," she replied. "I look forward to working with you as well, Peggy," she added, feeling a newfound spark within her.