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EPILOGUE

It Never Really Ends

Six months later,
England, the county of Kent,

Under a blue-sky overlooking fields of green, the people gathered. Some came from places nearby, some from far away, while others came from places that defied standard definitions of near or far. Many were dressed formally, some less so, but no one was dressed somberly. It was not a time for that. The early afternoon sun shone down, making the day pleasantly warm, especially for April in England. A gentle breeze came off the channel, a kiss of light wind that refreshed with the underlying spray of the ocean, from which all life came. With the distant cry of gulls filling the air, touching all who heard them with a sweet melancholy, the people gathered around a small podium on the edge of the white cliffs. Lands end.

The British government had quietly closed off this area of the coastline to the public. Traffic from the M20, and local roads, was likewise absent. No planes tracked the blue sky overhead, and neither commercial ships nor pleasure crafts plied the waters below, affording privacy and respect to the gathering.

Quiet greetings filtered through the crowd, as people embraced and clasped hands, exchanging warm smiles. Some were meeting for the first time, but there were no strangers here, for this was a gathering of family. There were tears in many eyes, but they were gentle tears of remembrance, not the bitter tears of grief.

Quiet settled over the gathering. People faced the podium, beneath which hung a framed black and white photograph, showing a handsome couple, a man wearing the uniform of an American army officer, bearing the rank of captain, and a woman in civilian clothes, stylish and neat. They were in the bloom of their youth, smiling, and clearly in love.

As the breeze stirred, Sam Wilson walked from the crowd, and stepped up to the small podium. He looked out, smiling at friends old and new.

"Welcome to this celebration of two remarkable lives. I've been asked by Steve and Jackie's family to say a few words. I'll try to make it brief, and I'll try to focus on the happy, not the sad. That's how they would want it…but they'll just have to understand if we shed a few tears along the way."

A ripple of gentle laughter passed through the crowd. When it ebbed, Sam continued.

"It's been six months since the war ended. It was short, as wars go, but brutal, as war always is. Every life is precious, and if only one life was lost, it would be a tragedy, but the loss was much higher. We've all been to too many funerals lately, said goodbye to too many friends. So today will be a celebration. We're saying goodbye with joy, remembering their lives, not their deaths. The world has said their goodbyes to Captain America, and to Spitfire, honoring them, as is only right. Today is for Steve, and for Jacqueline. We are among the honored few who knew the people behind the icons. They shaped our lives by the sacrifices they made, by the deeds they did, and by the simple grace with which they lived their lives. I've used the word honor twice now, but is there any better word that defines who Steve and Jackie were? They lived honorable lives, an epitaph all should aspire to. Today, we honor them, and give back some portion of the love they gave to us. That's why this isn't a funeral. There's too much love for that."

Sam took a piece of paper from his jacket pocket. Folding it out on the podium, he read.

"Jacqueline Emaline Beatrix Hemming-Falsworth, Duchess of Norwich. Some might say she was born to privilege, but those who knew Jackie would tell you she was born to service, putting the needs of others above her own, as was her family tradition. The daughter of the world's first superhero, Jackie became the first woman to bear that distinction herself. For her great service in the fight against Nazi tyranny, she was awarded the Victoria Cross, the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross, the Presidential Medal of Freedom…and other awards too numerous to mention. A Dame of the British Empire, she became a tireless champion of social reform, building schools and hospitals in underdeveloped countries, and establishing scholarships for deserving British children. Preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth, and her son, Richard, Jackie lived to the age of ninety five, and breathed her last breath opposing fascism. She was a true daughter of England, and a champion of justice."

Sam put the paper back into his jacket, looking at the crowd. "How's that for a resume?"

Applause, warm, and generous, broke out among the gathered, continuing for a good pass of time. When it ended, Sam's smile was still there, but tears glittered around the corners of his eyes. His voice was husky with emotion as he spoke again.

"Steven Grant Rogers, son of Joseph and Sarah, was born in the borough of Queens. After the death of his parents, he lived with his beloved uncle and aunt, Mike and Penny Rogers, in the green farm lands of Oregon. After graduating from the University of Notre Dame, Magna Cum Laude—a year early, I might add," Sam paused, laughing softly. "Proving that he always did everything faster and better than the rest of us…" More laughter came from the crowd, hearty, and knowing. "Steve joined the army. It was a dark time for the world, when the need for men and women of goodwill was great. When his nation called, Steve Rogers answered. He was the most decorated soldier in the allied forces of World War II, and it is no exaggeration to say he was instrumental in saving the world from destruction, a theme he repeated throughout his life. The impossible wasn't impossible for Steve...it's where he got started. I could stand here all day listing his accomplishments, but I know he would not want that. Of my friend Steve, I will say this…he was the best of us."

Those last words caught in Sam's throat, and only then did he breakdown, briefly, putting his hand to his face, catching his tears. As Sam rejoined his wife and newborn child, Janet Van Dyne walked to the front of the crowd. Her eyes were dry, her emotion channeled into her voice. She began to sing, the words lifting clear and bright, the melody plaintive, yet soothing.

"Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound…"

One by one, others joined in, singing the words of pain and redemption. As the song finished, a group of fighter jets flew overhead, with one jet veering off from the others in the missing man formation. After the jets passed, the thunder of propellers came, and everyone looked up as a flight of vintage Spitfire fighter planes passed, dipping their wings in tribute.

Emily Falsworth and Sharon Carter walked to the edge of the cliff, each holding an urn. They stood next to a shape sitting on the cliff's edge, draped with a blue cloth. The hidden shape was jagged and irregular, like a shard of rock. With Sharon at her side, Emily spoke.

"Steve and Jackie shared the same birthday, a thing that pleased them. That they died on the same day seems…providential. These white cliffs were special to them. Please gather around, as we commit their ashes to the sea."

The people gathered closer, forming a ring around Emily and Sharon as they opened the urns and poured the ashes over the ocean. Grey clouds plumed and mingled together as the wind took them, spreading them out thinner and thinner as they fell to the sea…until they disappeared. Sam Wilson and Joey Chapman joined the women. Sam spoke.

"There's one last task to perform. I said earlier we're saying goodbye to Steve and Jackie today, leaving aside their other legacies…but I'm amending that now."

He pulled the cloth away, revealing a large, clear crystal. Encased within it was the shield of Captain America.

"There was talk about what to do with this," Sam said. "Scientists have studied it over the years, trying to recreate its unique Vibranium and steel alloy, but the secret eluded them. And maybe that's best. Maybe it wasn't meant to be duplicated, any more than was the man who bore it all those years. Some have suggested keeping the shield as an historical relic, while others suggested giving it to someone who might take up his mantle." Sam chuckled. "There was one Captain America. His name was Steve Rogers. So, what to do with the shield? The government had their ideas. We had ours."

Namor Fen-McKenzie walked forward, and stood beside Sharon and Emily. He faced the crowd.

"As the sword came to Arthur, so the shield came to Steven. The smithies of Atlantis have encased the shield within trell'oth crystal, as hard and impenetrable as the rock in which Merlin set the sword. Great enchantment did my people lay upon it."

Placing his hand on the crystal, Namor closed his eyes. "I see a time when the need upon the land is again great. A hero will rise, and journey forth. Let the crystal and the hero find one another. We who stand here today will be long gone, but not all memory is lost. His spirit will echo again, for nothing good truly dies."

Another man walked forward, his massive size standing above the others gathered there. Thor Odinson, prince of Asgard, pulled back his cloak, and laid his hand upon the great hammer Mjolnir, hanging at his side. He motioned to the others.

"Stand back, my friends, as I add Asgardian enchantment to that of Atlantis."

The people drew back. Thor laid his hammer upon the crystal, whispering words none knew. A slender bolt of lightning raked down from the cloudless sky, sizzling against the crystal, and the people murmured softly at the amazing sight. The haze of smoke cleared, revealing words carved upon the crystal. To each person, the words seemed written in their native language. Thor read aloud.

"Whosoever holds this shield, if they be worthy, shall possess the power of Captain America."

Thor stood aside. Namor lifted the crystal to his shoulder, and turned to the people.

"I go to my royal flagship. I will drop the crystal in the deeps of the ocean, where none will see. Keep faith, my friends. The magic is strong, and will last for an age of the earth. The shield will rise again."

Leaping from the cliff, Namor sailed down to the water below, and disappeared beneath the waves. Sam Wilson spoke.

"That concludes this ceremony."

Tony Stark lifted his hand. "We're breaking ground on the new Avengers compound next week. Pepper and I are hosting a get-together after, at our Manhattan apartment, and you're all welcome. Today, we can be sad, but let's get it out of our system. We need to be happy again, so come to our place next week, and let's drink, and laugh and dance like our hair's on fire, okay?"

There were smiles and laughter, people agreeing to all Tony had said. The crowd broke into small clusters, mingling and talking with energetic smiles, for everyone did need to be happy. Janet saw her husband standing with Henry McCoy and other members of the X-Men, and was about to join him, when she spotted a familiar face.

She walked up to Ben Urich. "I'm glad you came, Ben. Cap would have wanted you here. So, will we see you next week at Tony's place?"

"I don't think so. I need to stop rubbing shoulders with superheroes and get to work. That book isn't going to write itself."

Jan nodded. "It's important for his story to be told. Not just Cap…Steve's story. If there's anything I can do, just call. You have my number."

"I do Janet, thank you."

. . .

A group of people gathered around Thor, one of whom exceeded even his great size. Ben Grimm pulled a cigar from his jacket pocket and went to grab a match, but stopped.

"Hey, is it kosher to light up?"

"Better be," Logan, the man known as Wolverine replied, lighting his own cigar. He blew an enormous cloud of smoke, handing his lighter to Grimm. "One of us needs to step up, and start hosting the game."

"I was thinking the same," Fury said. "My retirement isn't official for six months. Why don't we meet on the Helicarrier?"

Logan laughed. "Yeah, right, play poker with the world's top spy, in his own crib. We'll meet in our place, in Westchester."

"That's out in the boonies," Jennifer Walters said. "There has to be someplace better."

"I would offer my home, Lady Hulk," Thor said, smiling. "But it's in another dimensional plane."

"Alright, Stark's place," Grimm said. "We'll be there next week to party, we can get a game going then. We can make it a floating game after that, the Baxter Building next month, and Shorty's place the month after."

"Sounds good to me," Logan said, taking another draw on his cigar. He eyed a slender young man who was milling about, taking photographs. "What about you, Spidey? Want to sit in with the grownups?"

The young man looked at him. "Are you talking to me? 'Cause I'm just here to take photos—the Avengers asked me, and—"

Logan laughed. "Forget it, Web-Head, the nose knows," he said, tapping the bridge of his nose.

Peter Parker walked closer, dropping his voice to a whisper. "You won't tell anyone who I am, will you?"

"Isn't he adorable?" Jennifer Walters said.

"I'm serious. I like, have a secret identity. I don't want people to know who I am."

"I still don't know who you are," Logan said, laughing. "Look, you can wear your mask if it makes you feel better."

Peter Parker smiled. "Okay, but…I've never actually played before."

"Perfect," Grimm said, putting his massive, rocky hand around the young man's shoulder. "We'll teach him, won't we guys?"

As they laughed and made plans for the game, Nick Fury looked across the field, his eyes narrowing at a sight that puzzled him. He stared for several seconds, and then something dawned in his expression, lasting only an instant before he resumed his casual exterior. He turned to the others.

"I'll see you people next week…I have to talk with someone."

. . .

Sam Wilson and his wife were talking with Sharon, when a man stepped up to them.

"I don't mean to interrupt, but I'm about to take off and I just wanted to tell you, those were beautiful words, Sam."

Sam shook the man's hand. "Thank you, Scott." He turned to his wife. "Akiela, this is Scott Lang."

"Hello, Scott," Akiela said, adjusting the baby in her arms.

"It's nice to meet you, Akiela" Scott said, looking at the baby. "He's beautiful. Is he your first?"

"Yes," Akiela said, smiling. "His name is Steven."

"It's a good name. These are the wonderful years, don't take a moment for granted…" Scott fell silent, his expression pained. "Well, I ought to be going."

As Scott walked away, Sam spoke, his voice low and somber.

"What do you say to a man who lost his daughter?"

"Oh, I didn't know," Akiela said. "How old was she?"

"Twenty," Sharon said. "Just a kid, starting her way in the Avengers. Too young."

Akiela held her baby tight, and he began to cry. "I…I should get him to the car. He needs his nap." She started to leave, and then turned to Sharon. "Please come see us when you get back to New York. Please, Sharon."

Akiela hurried off, and Sharon spoke.

"I don't think she wants him to take up the family trade."

"Tell me about it," Sam said. "We had a god-awful fight this morning—I mean it was ugly. I told her I wanted him to be anything, a doctor, a lawyer, a teacher, anything but a superhero, but between me, her brother…Steve…she thinks he'll be pulled into this life. I don't know, maybe she's right."

Sharon put her hand on Sam's, clasping it tight. "You and Akiela are wonderful parents. If anyone can raise a child right, it's you."

"I hope so. Well, I'd better be going. Come see us, okay?"

Sam reached to embrace her, but Sharon pulled her phone from her pocket, blocking him.

"I'm sorry, I just remembered I promised my sister I'd call."

Perplexed, Sam said goodbye. Sharon watched him walk away and quietly slipped the phone back in her pocket. Emily Falsworth and Joey Chapman headed her way. She braced for more sympathetic chitchat.

"How are you, Sharon?" Chapman asked.

"I'm okay," she said, keeping the fixed smile on her face, with an effort.

"It looks like people are starting to leave. We're about to go ourselves. You're coming to the manor I hope? Food and drink?"

"Yes, please do come," Emily added. "I hate thinking of you staying alone in a hotel. Steve loved the manor. I'd very much like to show you around."

Sharon smiled. "I'm sure that's what every newlywed couple want's—a guest dropping in on them. I appreciate it, but I'm fine, really."

"The offer stands," Joey said. "I heard through the grapevine they've pulled out the big chair for you. Director of SHIELD. That's amazing, Sharon. And well deserved."

"Thank you, but I've turned it down. It just wasn't the right fit."

"Oh. Well, you're staying with your current assignment then?"

"No. I've filed my papers. I'm leaving SHIELD."

Joey looked at her, concerned. "Sharon…maybe you should take some time. This is a big step, and God knows you've been through the ringer. We all have. You don't want to make a rash decision."

"I'm not. This is something I've been thinking about for a while, before everything happened. I've spent half my life being a spy. I'd like a chance to find out who I am, corny as that sounds."

"It doesn't sound corny at all. Good luck, Sharon." Joey extended his hand, and she took it. Emily looked at her husband.

"Darling, can I have a word with Sharon? I won't be a moment."

Saying goodbye, Joey walked to the car, which was parked half a mile away at the nearby parking lot, which was reserved for today's ceremony. Emily turned to Sharon.

"I'd like us to be friends. I know it might be difficult for you, but I'd like to try."

"I'd like that, too. I don't have many friends. That's not the kind of life I've led."

"Well, if you're leaving SHILED, there's a chance to change that."

Sharon smiled, pleased to find the act genuine. "I'm going to try."

"That's good. I…I know that Jackie came between you and Steve, the memory of the love they shared. Perhaps you feel I resent you, in some way. I don't, I promise you."

Sharon took Emily's hand. "I don't think that at all. And as for any problems Steve and I had…it certainly wasn't Jackie's fault. He loved her very much."

"He also loved you. Anyone he loved is someone I want to love. You will come see us, won't you?"

"I will," Sharon said. Emily reached out to embrace her, but Sharon pulled out her cell phone.

"I'm sorry, I had it set on vibrate," she said. "It's my sister, I have to take this. I'll talk to you soon."

Sharon put the phone to her ear, and Emily headed off. When she was some distance away, Sharon slipped the phone back into her pocket. Next up was Clint. The never-ending parade of well-meaning condolences. She put the smile back on, reminding herself these were friends, dealing with their own grief and loss. Bobbi was walking beside Clint, and to Sharon's immense pleasure, slipped her hand into his.

"Sharon," Clint said, nodding respectfully. "How you holding up?"

"I'm doing okay," she said quickly, getting it out of the way. "So, you two are seeing a lot of each other."

Bobbie laughed. "When he's not being totally obnoxious, he's kind of sweet."

Clint planted a peck on Bobbi's cheek, and then flashed a grin at Sharon. "It's like I told you, Carter, I grow on you."

"Will wonders never cease," Sharon said, shaking her head. "I hear your leaving the Avengers?"

"Just taking some time off, but hey, who knows? I've been working with a kid from New York. She's good, real good. If Kate comes along like I think she will, maybe it's time for Hawkeye to pass the torch. But first I want to make sure Hydra is dead and buried. I owe it to Steve. Any word yet on Viper? And that nut-job Lerner?"

"There are rumors, nothing solid. Same with Viper. But you should ask Bobbi. By the way," she said, turning to her friend, "congratulations on your promotion. Deputy Director of Field Agents, quite a plum."

"Thanks, but they're giving you the big chair. I'm thrilled for you."

"I'm not sure I'm going to take it."

Sharon left out her resignation, not wanting open that box again. Bobbie pressed her for details, but Sharon didn't bite, and the matter was dropped. There was more small talk, harmless, and forgetful. Bobbi asked her to keep in touch, and Sharon said she would. Clint went to hug her, but Sharon pulled out her cell phone again, going through the pretense of her sister calling. A harmless lie; easy enough for a spy to sell

Clint and Bobbi left, and Sharon saw the field was nearly empty of people now. She breathed a sigh of relief, but it was short lived. A voice spoke from behind her, catching her by surprise. She turned around. It was Fury.

"I see you've still got your skills, Colonel."

"I'm a broken-down old man who's past his prime. Your mind was elsewhere. So, you want to tell me about it?"

"There's not much to tell. They offered me the job, I said no. I'm not right for it."

"Maybe, maybe not. But that's not what I was asking about," Fury said, staring with his one good eye. "Do you want to tell me why you're using one of the new VX series image inducers?"

Sharon looked at him, mystified. He kept his lone, unblinking eye on her, and Sharon dropped the facade.

"Can't get anything by you, can I?"

"Not much. The inducer is almost perfect, but they still haven't eliminated that slight blue glow."

"Did anyone else notice?"

Fury shrugged. "I doubt it, but then they're not paranoid spies. Do you want to talk about it?"

"Do I have a choice?"

Fury sighed, and ran a hand across the back of his neck, massaging the muscles. "Let's pretend you're not a spy, and I'm not your boss. Let's say we're just old friends, and that I'm someone who cares about you very much. With that in mind…do you want to talk about it?"

"Come on," Sharon said. "Let's walk a bit."

Sharon led the way, and together, they walked down the coastline, until they were out of sight of any one who might be watching. They stood looking out at the ocean. Fury said nothing, letting Sharon come to the moment in her own time. She reached into her pocket and took out a small device not much larger than a phone. Activating the screen, she pressed a series of commands, and a shimmering light flashed over her, canceling the holographic camouflage. Fury looked at the bump in her belly.

"How far along are you?"

"Six months. It was right before everything went down."

"Was it something you wanted?"

Sharon smiled, wanly. "We'd talked about starting a family. When I found out about his illness, I went off the pill, just to be ready. It shouldn't have happened right away, I'd only been off the pill a couple weeks…but I guess Sam was right. Steve always did everything faster than most people."

Fury chuckled. Sharon went on.

"So, the answer is, yes, I wanted it to happen…just not exactly the way it happened. Who knew how the world would change?" A tear spilled from her eye. "I never really believed he would die."

"None of us did. So, what will you do?"

Sharon wiped her eyes and pressed the button on the image inducer. The camouflage flashed over her again, showing the slim figure of earlier.

"I'm going to have my baby. I have to go away, Nick. I won't let him grow up with the world scrutinizing him, with all the expectations of being Captain America's son."

"Son?"

Sharon nodded. "I found out last week. I'd planned to wait, but I couldn't hold out."

"Is there anything I can do? If you need money…"

"No, but thanks. I've put a bit aside, and I'm looking at a consulting job with a Silicon Valley tech company. They need someone to manage their security. I can do it from home, maybe twenty hours a week. The pay is five times what I made with SHIELD."

Fury laughed. "That's good. Where will you stay?"

"I just got the deed to a farm in Oregon. Someone I loved left it to me. It's a good place to raise a boy. Lots of fresh air, plenty of space for him to ramble around in. If I do my job right, if I'm lucky, he'll grow up to be strong, intelligent, and kind. Like his father."

Fury nodded. "If we're all lucky, he'll grow up to be like his father. Will you tell him?"

"When I think he's ready to know...but not before. I won't let him be crushed by the weight of his father's legacy."

"I knew his father. His mother, too. I think he'll be able to handle that weight."

Quiet fell. Sharon took a last look out over the English Channel.

"It really is incredibly beautiful."

"It is," Fury said. After a time, Sharon turned to him.

"I have to go. The battery life on the inducer is limited. Goodbye, Nick."

Kissing his cheek, Sharon headed up the sandy hill. Fury called out to her.

"Thirteen. There are people who care about you. I'm one of them. Keep in touch, and call if you need anything. Anytime, day or night."

Sharon smiled. "I love you too, Nick."

Waving goodbye, she left Fury behind, and the world she had known since the day he recruited her out of college. For the first time in years she had no mission, no task, and no demands, save one. She ran her hand down her belly, making the holographic disguise ripple slightly. The parking lot was empty, the mourners gone. Getting into her car, she thought again of the man she had loved, and lost. Her heart was broken, and would be for years to come…but she understood now that a person can have a broken heart and still be happy. There was life in her, a child…his child. She started the car, whispering something she had heard once that now seemed truer than true.

"It never really ends…"

With a trace of tears in her eyes, and a smile on her lips, Sharon Carter pulled onto the roadway, and headed off to find her future.

. . .

This concludes the story of the death of Captain America...but his legacy continues in - AMERICAN SON!