Chapter 6

AN: Thank you so much for the support. I will now be updating every day unless something prevents me from doing so. I really hope you like this chapter, and where the story goes. PLEASE LEAVE A REVIEW.

February 10th 1953

For three weeks Peggy and Howard have been in Wakanda, where they have been struggling to get used to a life where they are not on a run. Thanks to Azzuri's help and resources Peggy now finds herself waiting at the main Wakanda airport for a friend.

As the plane she has been waiting has just landed Peggy watches and when she sees the stairs come down she walks over, and after a few moments Edwin Jarvis walks down, and straight to her.

"Mr. Jarvis," Peggy greats, sounding very glad, when Jarvis is standing in front of her.

"Miss Carter," Jarvis responds, sounding just as glad. "It is so good to see you," Jarvis admits.

"It's good to see you too," Peggy admits.

"Where is Mr. Stark?" Jarvis asks curious, as he was expecting that both Howard and Peggy would be waiting to great him.

"In the lab he has been using," Peggy admits. "I fear I'm going to have a rather hard time getting him to leave once our names are cleared," Peggy reveals.

"I'm sure won't be the case," Jarvis says, though he is a little concerned. "Speaking of Home, Ana asked me to give you her best, and to tell you that she looks forward to seeing you and Mr. Stark soon," Jarvis explains.

"I hope we do see her soon," Peggy admits, as they continue to walk.

A few minutes after Peggy greeted Jarvis the two of them walk into the lab where they find Howard and Azzuri.

"It's a possibility, like I told Peggy, I'll keep you updated," Azzuri explains to Howard.

"We appreciate it," Howard responds, and as he does he realizes who has walked in. "Jarvis! It's very good to see you," Howard says, before hugging his friend.

"You too, Mr Stark," Jarvis responds, as he and Howard break apart. "Your Majesty," Jarvis says looking at Azzuri, honestly not sure how else to great him.

"Please, call me Azzuri. It's a pleasure. After everything Peggy and Howard have told me I feel like I already know you," Azzuri admits.

"The pleasure is mine," Jarvis admits.

"I have to go, I have meetings," Azzuri admits. "Mr. Jarvis it was nice meeting you, I'll pass on any intel I get," Azzuri says, looking at Peggy.

"Thank you," Peggy says gratefully, and once she does Azzuri leaves.

"How's everything back home?" Howard asks curious, as Peggy walks over to him and Jarvis.

"Good. Agent Sousa, Agent Thompson, Agent Richards, Ms. Martinelli and Doctor Wilks are glad to know that you are both okay but were not happy about the fact that I would not tell them your location," Jarvis explains.

"I know it is difficult to keep things from them, but it is the right decision," Peggy explains. "We owe it to Azzuri to assure that as few people know about Wakanda as possible," Peggy tells Jarvis.

"is that why the two of you never mentioned King Azzuri or Wakanda before?" Jarvis asks, as it was quiet the surprise to learn that Peggy and Howard were friends with a king.

"We were sworn to secrecy," Howard simply says. "Have the others found anything on Leviathan?" Howard asks, as both he and Peggy look interested.

"While doing what they can to make sure they aren't caught, they're doing what they can to track Leviathan agents and determine their new headquarters," Jarvis explains.

"Tracking agents," Peggy repeats, and as he does Howard looks at her in concern.

"Yes," Jarvis answers, looking between Peggy and Howard and wondering what he is missing.

"Is one of the agents they have been tracking British?" Peggy asks interested, as Howard reaches out and takes her hand, an action which Jarvis notices. "Brown hair, light brown eyes, tall, very well trained," Peggy explains.

"I'm not sure, but I can find out," Jarvis answers, once more feeling even more concerned, as well as confused.

"Thank you, Mr Jarvis," Peggy says gratefully.

"Ms. Carter, am I missing something?" Jarvis asks curious as he is pretty sure he is.

"It… it's.. my brother," Peggy says, feeling Howard squeeze her hand, having a hard time talking about what is going on, not because she doesn't trust Jarvis, but because it is a hard topic for her to talk about. "He's alive," Peggy says. "When Howard and I went to the Leviathan facility, he was there, he didn't recognize me, but it was him," Peggy explains.

"Ms. Carter, are you sure? Your brother…" Jarvis starts to say.

"I'm sure," Peggy says the same time Howard says, "She's sure,"

"I see," Jarvis says, honestly not sure what else to say, as that is a lot to digest, even for them, and the trio of extremely close friends drift into a rather awkward silent.

"I told Nanali that I would join in a sparring session, I shouldn't keep her waiting," Peggy says, breaking the awkward silence after a few moments. "Mr. Jarvis it is truly a pleasure to see you, I will see you both later," Peggy says, letting go of Howard's hand and heading out of the room, as she goes Jarvis can't help but notice the way Howard is watching Peggy go.

"For the past three months Peg has been comprehending the fact that her brother, her personal hero, who she has spent the last twelve years mourning is actually alive," Howard explains. "She's doubted, and it's kept her up more than a few nights, but she is sure that it was Michael she saw, and I trust her more than anyone," Howard explains, wanting Jarvis to understand.

"I trust Miss Carter too, as you well know," Jarvis admits. "But if this is in fact brother don't you think that Miss Carter is rather too close to the situation?" Jarvis asks concerned, feeling worried for his friend.

"No," Howard answers. "Peg needs to see this through, she needs to get her brother back, and I need to do whatever I can to help," Howard explains, and once he does Jarvis has a question that he can't refrain from asking anymore.

"Mr. Stark, forgive me for being so blunt, but is something going on between you and Miss Carter?" Jarvis asks curious.

January 21st 1953

After she slept for longer than she had for a week Peggy finally woke up, and in what had become a familiar situation Peggy realized that she and Howard were holding each other, and even with the events that happened the night before Peggy realized that waking up to Howard felt the same it had all the other times she had done it in the preceding months.

As she looked at Howard Peggy realized something, something which she could not help but find amusing.

"I know you're awake," Peggy informed Howard. "You don't have to pretend not to be,"

"After last night, I wasn't sure…." Howard started to explain, as he wanted to give Peggy and opening to just leave without making things awkward.

"I meant what I said, I don't regret what happened," Peggy assured him.

"I'm glad, because I don't either," Howard revealed. "Where does that leave us Peg?" Howard asked, a level of curiosity to his voice.

"At the start of something new," Peggy admitted. "Howard, I would like us to try to be something more than what we are, I don't know what that will look like, especially with us being on the run, but I would like to find out," Peggy revealed.

"So do I," Howard confirmed and once he did he leant down to Peggy, just as Peggy leant up to him, and the two of them kissed.

"Mr Stark?" Jarvis asks, after Howard didn't answer him. "Is there something going on with you and Ms Carter?" Jarvis asks curious.

"Yeah, Jarvis, there is," Howard confirms. "We're together, in a way I've never been with anyone before," Howard admits, as while he has been with plenty of people he has never been in a relationship like the one he is in with Peggy. "We're still figuring it all out, but it feels like what have is a really good thing," Howard admits.

"I'm very glad to hear that Sir," Jarvis admits. "I just hope that you understand what you're doing, I would very much hate for either of you to get hurt," Jarvis admits, honestly not sure who he is more protective off as they are both his best friends.

"Jarvis, I would rather lose everything I have, everything than I am, than hurt Peg," Howard admits, and as he does Jarvis, who realizes that he is telling the truth, smiles and nods.

Two Months later

After getting to spend a couple of weeks with Jarvis, who wasn't able to stay any longer because it would bring unwanted attention and suspicion to him and Ana, Peggy and Howard have turned all their attention to three different things; proving Leviathan framed them, tracking down and figuring out how to help Michael, and determine what Howard's serum did to them.

It's early morning and both Peggy and Azzuri are walking into the lab that Howard has been working out of, the lab where he hasn't left for almost a day.

"What's going on Howard?" Peggy asks, as all she knows that when she came into the lab the night before she headed to bed Howard said he was close to figuring something out, but he didn't say what.

"I figured out what's happened to us," Howard explains. "It's so microscopic that I wouldn't have found it without your Liquid chromatography-masspectrometer… can I keep it?" Howard asks, looking at Azzuri.

"No," Azzuri says amused, as this isn't the first time Howard has asked to keep that particular piece of equipment.

"I can buy it from you," Howard argues, once more trying a tactic that he has tried more than once.

"I have no need for money," Azzuri reminds him.

"But I need it," Howard argues, sounding almost like a wining child.

"Howard, what did you find out?" Peggy asks, drawing attention back to what matters.

"Answers," Howard answers. "So, you know how we celebrated your birthday last week?" Howard asks, and Peggy nods, smiling slightly as she truly enjoyed the way her birthday was celebrated, though curious about why Howard is bringing that up. "Well you didn't turn thirty-three, in fact neither of us are going to get older," Howard explains.

"You've stopped ageing?" Azzuri asks curious, as Peggy looks shocked as while she knows Howard has had a theory about that being a possibility it is another thing to have it confirmed.

"Not completely," Howard answers. "We're aging, It's why we do actually take time to heal, why we are still experiencing normal bodily functions, why we can still get drunk, even though it's more difficult, but we won't get older," Howard explains. "Our cells have changed, become protected. Not to the same level as Steve's were, which is why we can still actually get hurt, and be killed if the injury is serious enough, but are protected in a different way. All the tests I have run indicated that we will never get older than the ages we were when the serum got into our blood," Howard explains.

"I know we were expecting something like this, but to hear it be confirmed…." Peggy starts to say, trailing off as she struggles to find the words to explain what she feels.

"I know," Howard says, before walking over to Peggy and putting an arm around her, and kissing her head, offering her comfort, while getting comfort himself by just being closer to Peggy.

"This is incredible," Azzuri comments looking between them. "But my friends, if this was made public…"Azzuri starts to say, with a grave look on his face.

"Things won't be pleasant for Howard and I," Peggy says, a level of concern to her voice, as she knows enough, has seen enough, to know what that would mean for them.

"I was thinking the same thing," Howard admits. "We're going to be able to hide the fact that we're not aging for a while, but eventually people are going to start asking questions," Howard comments. "We'll need to figure out someway to hide it," Howard says, knowing that that will mean not hiding it form the people that they trust.

"I might be able to help you with that," Azzuri admits, looking like he is pondering something. "We'll talk," Azzuri tells Howard, who nods. "Was there anything else you discovered?" Azzuri asks curious.

"No everything else, about both of us, is surprisingly normal," Howard admits.

"That's good at least," Peggy comments.

"It is," Azzuri confirms. "I also have some news," Azzuri admits.

"What is it?" Peggy asks interested.

"My people who interacted with you brother have returned," Azzuri explains.

"Where they able to give you anything more than the earlier report?" Peggy asks interested.

"Unfortunately, not much more. They definitely agree with the hypothesis that he is being controlled in some way, they just couldn't give me more than that," Azzuri explains, feeling bad that he couldn't give his friends more answers than that.

"I would like to talk to them, if that is alright," Peggy requests.

"Of course. They are resting right now, but I can arrange for you to talk to them later today," Azzuri explains.

"Thank you, I'd appreciate that," Peggy admits, as she desperately wants to be able to get some lead about her brother.

"It's no problem," Azzuri admits. "Breakfast would be ready by now if you'd both like to join me," Azzuri suggests.

"Yes," Peggy answers.

"Of course," Howard confirms, and the three of them head out of the lab.

Hours later Peggy has talked to the people who had interactions with her brother and as she returns to hers and Howard's Wakandan Home Peggy half expects to find Howard passed out somewhere, but rather he is sitting on the balcony and so she walks out there.

"I honestly thought you'd be asleep by now," Peggy comments, as she sits next to Howard on the suncouch that they have both grown to love quiet a lot.

"I had a bit of a nap," Howard explains,

"Something tells me it wasn't enough," Peggy admits.

"I'm fine," Howard assures her. "How did your conversation go?" Howard asks curious.

"Okay, they didn't know anything more than what they put in their report," Peggy admits, and as she does Howard can see that she looks disappointed about that.

"I'm sorry, Peg," Howard says, putting his arm around her. "I know you wanted something concreate," Howard comment.

"I just want answers. How is he alive? how did he caught up with Leviathan? How much have they controlled? and how much has he done willingly," Peggy comments, saying everything Howard already knows, but because Howard knows that Peggy needs to say it he doesn't point that out.

"Do you really think he would have done any of the things we suspect willingly?" Howard asks curious.

"I don't know," Peggy admits, pain in her voice. "I would like to believe he wouldn't but I just don't know," Peggy admits. "Ever since we found out he an assassin for Leviathan do you know what I keep thinking about?" Peggy asks.

"No," Howard says confused.

"When Jack was shot," Peggy answers. "A file he had was taken, one on M Carter, that detailed war crimes," Peggy explains.

"You think it wasn't a fake file, but a file on Michael," Howard realizes, as they always just assumed that it was a fabricated file, so when it didn't see the light of day after Jack was shot they didn't question it.

"It would make sense," Peggy admits, then sighs. "I just want answers," She admits.

"I know," Howard says, kissing her head. "And you'll get them Peg. No matter what it takes we'll find Michael, you'll get through to him and get your answers," Howard comments.

"I have to," Peggy says, as she moves closer to Howard, and the two of them drift into silence together.

For a few minutes Peggy and Howard just sit together on the couch, looking out at Wakanda's capital.

"So, we're never going to age," Peggy says, breaking the silence after a few minutes.

"No, I suspect not," Howard answers.

"Do you think you'll be able to reverse the effects?" Peggy asks curious.

"Would you want to?" Howard asks surprised.

"I don't know," Peggy admits. "I knew something we different, we both felt it, but to know we won't age, to know we'll be in our thirties until we die it's…." Peggy starts to say.

"A lot," Howard finishes.

"Yes," Peggy answers. "I can't help but think of all the good we can do, but I also think about all the people we're going to lose," Peggy reveals, pain in her voice.

"We won't lose each other," Howard assures Peggy, who smiles.

"No, we won't," Peggy admits. "I'm very glad about that," Peggy admits as she is pretty sure that there is only one person on the planet who understands what she is feeling, and that is Howard.

"Me too," Howard admits. "Peg, we'll figure it out. We've got all the time in the world, literally, to make sense of this," Howard reminds Peggy.

"Yes, I guess we do," Peggy admits, still doing her best to figure out how she feels about that, and she leans up and kisses Howard.

For a few moments Peggy and Howard exchange a gentle kiss, a tender one, before breaking apart and going back to watching the Golden City as the sun sets. Both Howard and Peggy know that their long lives are, and will be, full of uncertainty and danger, confusion and questions, but also hope, and love, and they both know that no matter they face, whether good or bad, they will do so together.

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