Chapter 10
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January 21st 1954
Since arriving back in America Peggy and Howard have been doing their best to get used to their lives, which now includes wearing masks which they thankfully don't feel. Returning to their live for Peggy and Howard also mean taking stock of both Stark and SHIELD, making sense of everything that has happened in their absence and starting to make the changes they want to make, while also making notes of the things that were changed in their absence that they want to fix.
It is a Wednesday night, and a rather special Wednesday night at that, and together Peggy and Howard are sitting on the ground of Howard's living room, pizza and wine between them, with music playing on the record player, both of them looking at various files, and neither having their masks 'active' just like they never do when they are not in public.
"I don't know if this is the best way or the worse way to spend our anniversary," Howard comments.
"It's the only option we have," Peggy comments, though she also thinks its rather fitting. "We have less than four months to be familiar with everything SHIELD did while we were gone and come up with the budget and the changes that we want congress to approve," Peggy reminds Howard. "Not to mention everything you're trying to figure out about Stark," Peggy says.
"Yeah, that's true," Howard admits. "I've got to figure out every little thing Stane did while I was gone so I'm not caught unaware," Howard comments, putting down the file he is reading in a file.
"I never understood that, why do you work with Stane when you distrust everything he does?" Peggy asks curious, knowing that Howard's distrust of Stane goes beyond Howard's usual lack of trust.
"No one wanted to give me a chance," Howard admits. "I was a twenty-two-year-old kid who didn't have the right background, no one wanted to give me the funds I needed to start Stark," Howard says, as he moves slightly so he is looking at Peggy directly. "Stane's father, Zebediah, gave me the funds, got me the loans and capital I needed to build Stark to what it is," Howard explains. "I paid it all back, and I've tried to buy him out, more than once, but I can't, not with the Contract I signed," Howard says, cursing himself as he didn't understand the significance of the contract, but since he signed it it was like he made a deal with a devil, so he has made sure to never make a mistake like that again. "When Stane turned eighteen his father insisted I gave him a high-level job. Since we went on the run he's gotten more control," Howard says, with an annoyed look.
"Is there nothing you can do to get rid of him?" Peggy asks, turning to look at him.
"Not so far," Howard admits. "But as soon as I get an opportunity I will," Howard admits, and Peggy has no doubt about that. "How's looking into Zola going? Do you think we're going to be able to get rid of him?" Howard asks curious.
"Unfortunately, it's going to be more difficult than I was expecting," Peggy admits. "He made a lot when we were gone, did a lot," Peggy says as she searches for a particular file. "Have a look, is he actually helping or pulling the wool over the government's eyes?" Peggy asks as she hands Howard a file.
For about a minute or so Howard looks through the file Peggy gave him, and flips through it as he is looking.
"What do you think?" Peggy asks curious.
"I can't tell for sure without seeing the items in person, though they look good," Howard admits, closing the file, and Peggy isn't sure whether to be disappointed that she might have a harder time getting rid of Zola, or glad that he might actually doing good, "But that doesn't mean he's not playing everyone," Howard explains. "I don't trust him, and I say if we can get rid of him then we should," Howard admits.
"I agree," Peggy says, picking up the wine to have a drink as Howard picks up another file. As Howard picks up the file and reads it Peggy sees the look on his face. "Howard, what is it?" Peggy asks curious.
"Do you remember the World Exposition of Tomorrow fair I did in '43?" Howard asks curious.
"Of course," Peggy answers.
"I've been thinking about starting something like that. Have it be a place where everyone can share technology and advances, maybe have it occur once a decade," Howard explains. "Before had to go on the run I was trying to figure out the details. Looks like Jarvis and Stane did it for me," Howard says, handing a file over to Peggy, so that she can have a look.
"Is this something you want?" Peggy asks, as she reads the file.
"Yeah, I mean, advancement happens though collaboration," Howard comments. "Just think, Peg, the worlds best scientists in one place, think about what can be achieved," Howard explains, looking excited.
"I think you should do it," Peggy says, handing the file back. "It's clearly important to you," Peggy says, as she can tell that.
"Yeah, it is," Howard admits, taking the file and as he does he takes Peggy's hand pulls her towards him, kissing her once she is close enough.
March 1st 1954
Just over six weeks have passed since Peggy and Howard's first anniversary and since then Howard has held his 'Stark Expo', and both Peggy and Howard have been doing their best to get ready to face Congress to get what they want, while also getting used to no longer being on the run.
Having pushed several meetings, and allowing Daniel and Phillips to take a couple for her, something that she wouldn't usually do, Peggy is glad to be standing in the lobby of the building that, in New York, the FBI works out of.
Despite only waiting a couple of minutes Peggy is very glad when she sees Michael, and an FBI agent walking towards her.
"Director Carter, Ma'am," the agent greats.
"Agent," Peggy says with an all professional tone of voice. "I assume my brother is free to go," Peggy says, as she looks her brother up and down, looking for any signs of danger.
"Of course Ma'am," The Agent says.
"Then we'll be leaving, thank you for your time," Peggy says.
"Yes Ma'am," The agent responds, and once he does Peggy and Michael head out of the building.
"It's nice to meet Director Carter," Michael says, smiling at his sister as they goes, as he feels pretty proud of his sister, and he is glad to see that she commands so much authority, which people respect, and in response Peggy just smiles.
A few minutes later Peggy and Michael are driving together in Peggy's car. While Peggy is driving Michael is looking out of the window, looking slightly in awe.
"Where are we going?" Michael asks curious.
"Home, my place. I thought you could stay with me as long as you'd like," Peggy explains.
"I'd like that," Michael admits.
"How are you?" Peggy asks concerned.
"Okay, it wasn't bad," Michael admits. "They just asked a lot of questions about Leviathan, and the Soviet Union. I told them everything I knew," Michael explains.
"Leviathan is dismantled," Peggy explains. "Some dear friends of mine took down the last pieces," Peggy explains.
"Another organisation will take it's place," Michael comments, as he's been around long enough to know that.
"Likely, but that's what SHIELD is for, to stop organisation that takes it's place," Peggy explains.
"That sounds like a hard job," Michael comments.
"It is," Peggy comments. "The world needs a shield, something to protect it, even if it doesn't know it," Peggy explains.
"And that's you," Michael says, with a grin, making him look like the child Peggy once knew.
"Yes," Peggy answers, without hesitation.
"Peggy, what do I do now?" Michael asks his sister.
"Whatever you want," Peggy answers. "Michael, you are free from all who controlled you. You get to make your own decisions, you get to pick what you want to do, the person you want to be," Peggy explains to her brother.
"I want to make up for everything I've done, everyone I've hurt," Michael admits. "I just don't know if it will be possible," Michael admits.
"The only way you'll know is by trying," Peggy comments. "I was going to wait to wait until you had some time to settle in, but if you're interested how would you feel about joining SHIELD?" Peggy asks her brother.
"Is that even something I could do considering everything?" Michael asks shocked, as he doubts it.
"Yes. We've already cleared everything," Peggy tells her brother. "I want you to think about it, and I would understand if you want to take some time, but the offer is always there," Peggy explains.
"I don't have to think about it," Michael admits. "I want to join SHIELD," Michael tells his sister.
"SHIELD will be glad to have you," Peggy tells her brother and the two of them drift into silence as they drive.
May 17th 1954
Two months have passed since Michael was able to join SHIELD and ever since he has been doing everything he can to try start to make up everything he has done.
Even thought they would both rather be anyone here Peggy and Howard are walking through capital hill, to congress so that they can get the budget SHIELD needs, while also getting the other changes they want.
"Can I call them idiots if they are being idiots again?" Howard asks curious.
"No,"
"Come on, Peg," Howard objects. "The people who run this are usually very stupid," Howard comments.
"Yes, but we've talked about this, to get what we want we just have to be civil until we get what we want," Peggy reminds Howard.
"Yeah, somehow I don't think it will be this simple," Howard comments, as the two of them enter the hearing room.
For the next few hours Peggy and Howard defend shield, and budget they need. With every minute that passes Peggy and Howard have a harder time remaining civil, and they have had to sacrifice their desire of getting rid of Zola, to get other things they desperately need.
"Miss Carter…" One of the members of the panel say.
"Director Carter," Peggy corrects, for what feels like the hundredth time.
"Director Carter, what you're are asking for is astronomical, to provide one agency with this much, it's unheard of," The member of the panel says.
"That's not true," Howard says. "The SSR was provided with this much more than once," Howard explains.
"To make soldiers, and fight a war," Another panel member argues.
"We are at war now, but this war isn't going to be won by soldiers, it is going to be won by spies," Peggy argues. "And SHIELD has the best spies. We need the funds which are requesting to do our ever-involving job," Peggy argues, and as she does she sees a figure moving fast out of the corner of her eye.
Reacting fast, and before anyone can stop her Peggy gets her feet and before he can shoot Peggy disarms a person who was about to shoot the head of the panel.
"Director Stark and I spent eighteen months hiding from every government in the world, you never found us" Peggy says, as she holds the head of the assassin against the table. "And we were framed by an organisation that had you fooled for just as long," Peggy reminds him. "Leviathan is gone, but the KGB is not. Everything we know, our entire way of life, is threatened. SHIELD is in the best position to stop the threats we can't even see coming," Peggy explains. "Let us do our job, give us what we need, and the autonomy, to do it, so you can look good doing yours," Peggy says, and as she does the panel exchange looks.
"This committee approve the request of Directors Peggy Carter, and Howard Stark, of SHIELD," The head of the panel says. "Offices, please that the man Director Carter is restraining into custody," the panel says, and that is just what happens.
"Nicely done," Howard says, smiling at Peggy, feeling beyond amazed with the woman he loves, as Peggy returns the smile.
August 15th 1954
Ever since Peggy stopped an assassination on Capital Hill SHIELD has all the resources and autonomy Peggy and Howard wanted; the only exception being they couldn't get rid of Zola.
It's a lovely summer, Sunday, night and even though Howard doesn't get older, Peggy, Michael, Jarvis, Ana, Daniel, Dugan, Jim Morita, Gabe, Jack, Rose, Jason and Angie, are all at his main residence with him celebrating his birthday, by the pool.
As he looks around at everyone Howard can't help but smile, as even though he is a millionaire he knows it is these people who make his life rich.
"You look happy," Peggy says, as she sits down next to Howard on the suncouch he is sitting on, there being room because Howard moved over for her.
"I am," Howard admits, as he kisses Peggy's cheek, and watches as Angie kisses Jason before dunking him in the pool. "I know there's a lot of bad things happening right now, and we've got a lot of bad ahead of us, but this, this is good. It is nice to be with our family again," Howard admits.
"It really is," Peggy responds, before kissing Howard, and the two of them kiss until break apart because they are distracted by the sound of laughter.
Looking for where the source of laughter came from Peggy and Howard look and see Michael sitting on the edge of the pool and talking to Rose who is in it.
"That's new," Howard comments as while he knows everyone has warmed up to Michael since he joined SHIELD he didn't realise that he and Rose have gotten close.
"Not really," Peggy answers. "They've been getting closer for weeks,"
"Really," Howard says interested, as he hasn't noticed that. "Do you think they're going to admit that and actually get together?" Howard asks curious.
"That depends on whether Michael will stop hating himself and accept that he deserves to be loved, to be happy," Peggy explains, knowing her brother has been struggling a lot over the past few months.
"I think that will depend on whether he is as stubborn as you," Howard comments, clearly teasing.
"He's not," Peggy says, then watches in amusement as Rose pulls Michael into the pool. "And maybe he just needs the right person to help him," Peggy comments, smiling slightly.
"Don't we all," Howard comments, as he puts his arm around Peggy as they watch their family.
November 20th 1954
Ever since Howard's birthday Peggy and Howard, not to mention the rest of their friends, have been watching in amusement as Michael and Rose awkwardly flirt while neither admit that there is something going on between them.
After a very long, very difficult, day Peggy is arriving home. As she hangs up her jacket she hears a noise and immediately tenses as she knows it is not Michael as he is on a mission with Rose, Dugan, and Jack.
Knowing she has to be careful Peggy hangs up her handbag and pulls her gun. Heading to the living area of her apartment. When Peggy gets into the living area she finds Howard standing in the middle, wearing a tux, with flowers around the room, her favourite food on a circular table, which Howard is standing next to, and her favourite song playing on the record player.
"Howard, what is this?" Peggy asks, as she puts her gun down and walks towards him.
"Peg, when we met fourteen years ago, we were kids, and I didn't know what you would mean to me," Howard says. "We didn't get off to the best first impression, you thought I was ridiculous…"
"Still do," Peggy says, with a fond smile.
"But despite all our differences we became friends, we became teammates, and somewhere along the line, partners. You became the person I trust the most, the person I try so hard not to disappoint, even though I have sometimes," Howard says. "I don't know when I feel in love with you, maybe it was when we first met and I was just too oblivious to realise it, but I know that a year ago today was when I realised that I couldn't even imagine a future without you in it," Howard tells Peggy. "I know I'm not a good man Peg, I've hurt you, made mistakes and horrible things, but I also know when I'm around you I want to be the best version of myself; even though you'd never ask, or want, me to change," Howard says, as he gets down on one knee. "Margert Elizabeth Carter, will you marry me," Howard says, opening a ring box and revealing a very special ring.
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