Chapter ten: Clean up on aisle New York

Although there were still people who said that the Battle of New York had been the fault of the Avengers, there were many people who disagreed and were grateful that they had saved them. It helped that most of the Avengers stayed behind to help with the clean up. Thor had to go back to Asgard with Loki and the tesseract, assuring them that they were safer up there. Fury hadn't been too pleased about it but couldn't really argue with the God of Thunder about it. He'd rather not face his wrath or that of his father's.

Bruce did check up's on everyone before they helped with clean up. There were a couple of broken bones, several bruised ribs, and Steve had to have his jaw wired shut. Bruce also revealed to her that she was now a full on super soldier.

"But Bruce, I'm still short!" Emma exclaimed.

"Well, you're not exactly like Steve but you are enhanced and with your powers would be considered a super soldier," Bruce said shrugging his shoulders. "Sorry, you're still short. Could be worse though!"

"That's true, buddy," Emma said clapping a hand on his shoulder, smiling at him.

He smiled that adorable smile of his and Emma grinned at him. Yes, she had a thing for older guys and yes, she totally had a thing for Bruce Banner. Blushing at her thoughts, she bid him farewell and she left to go help with the clean up, trying to get thoughts of the good doctor out of her head. She went to push up her glasses, forgetting that she no longer wore them, and stopped. That was going to take some getting used to, amongst other things.

After a few days of rest (Bruce's orders) the Avengers started clean up and two weeks later they started holding funerals for the people who died in the attack. Emma had been surprised by Tony's actions, once again, when he funded the funerals and giving money to the families. He really was a good guy, she wondered why he had to act like such a dick sometimes. A defense mechanism, perhaps.

The funerals were a tense and morose, as all funerals were, but even more so when the Avengers tried to go to every single one of them. Some of the family members hadn't wanted them there which was understood after what the had lost. The hardest funeral of them all, however, had been Phil Coulson's. The Avengers were the pal bearers and helped lay Phil to rest. One of the hardest things in this world had been saying goodbye to her parents. Saying goodbye to her father figure had been just as hard. She openly wept as she held Steve's hand.

Months of reconstruction and clean up passed. There were still much to do but thanks to the Avengers and Shield, they managed to get most of it cleaned up. Tony had continued funding the clean up and had turned Stark tower into Avengers tower, giving them a place to stay whenever they needed it. Things were slowly starting to get back to normal which meant that Emma soon had to go back to DC. Steve had surprised her by signing up for Shield as well. So, here they were, traveling back to DC together.

"So, what are you going to do when we get back?" Steve asked, next to her on the quinjet.

"I was thinking about visiting Gran," she said, biting her lip. "You haven't been to see her yet, have you?"

"No, not yet," Steve said with his brows furrowed.

"Did you, maybe, want to come with me?" Emma asked. "I mean, you don't have to. I know how hard it must be to see her."

"No," Steve said, pausing. "I want to, I put it off long enough and I can't anymore or I will never get another chance."

Emma smiled, unable to wait until her grandparents were in the same room. Once she had been back in her apartment, Emma started dusting and cleaning as it had been months since she had set foot in it. As much as she liked the Avengers tower, she was glad to be back in her quaint home. She was grateful she managed to pay online while she was in New York and she did the same for Steve as he was still learning how to use computers. Teaching him how to use them was really something that made her feel like she had a grandpa that wasn't actually a few years older.

After her shower, she went to pick up Steve in her car. She absolutely refused to get on the back of his bike and also, she got a kick out of seeing him climb into her small car. For everyone else, the car wouldn't be a problem but he was a super soldier and he had to hunch down a bit. Maybe she should get a bigger car. Steve had been quiet the entire car ride, staring thoughtfully out the window. Emma knew he was probably thinking about what he was going to say and if she was lucid enough to understand him.

"Emma Carter!" Tessa Watson exclaimed as they entered the nursing home. "As I live and breath."

Tessa was a plump, kind woman who had been taking care of Peggy since she came into the nursing home. She also gave the best hugs and was like a second grandmother to Emma.

"Hey, Tessa," Emma smiled as the woman wrapped her arms around her in a tight hug.

"It's been a while, girl, but I suppose you have a good excuse?" Tessa asked. "You're going to tell me all about New York later, right?"

"I can't make any promises, Tessa," Emma said, chuckling. "Tessa, I would like you to meet Steve Rogers. Steve, this is Tessa Watson. She's been taking care of Gran for the last few years, very good care, and she's become a very close family friend."

"Tessa, it's a pleasure to meet you. Thank you for taking care of Peggy," Steve said, reaching out to shake her hand and she surprised him but pulling him into a hug.

"It's been an absolute pleasure, dear," she said, pulling away.

"Although she hasn't made it easy. She's been absolutely determined that she's not frail or old or that she doesn't need help at all," Tessa said.

"That sounds like Peggy," Steve chuckled.

"Probably why she's lived this long, if you were death would you want to fight her?" Tessa said and Steve laughed. "Today's a good day for her."

"She's lucid?" Emma asked, hopefully.

"Yes, and she's been asking for the both of you," Tessa said she began leading them to her room.

She left them at the door, squeezing both of their arms as she left. They entered Peggy's rooms to find her sitting up in bed and watching TV. Peggy smiled when she saw Emma and then her eyes landed on Steve, the sight of him causing her to gasp.

"Steve, you came back," she spoke with tears in her eyes.

"Well, I couldn't leave my best girl," Steve replied, his voice full of emotion.

Emma's heart leapt at the sight of her grandparents in the same room and her own eyes filled with tears at their reunion. They almost forgot she was in the room until she sat on the other side of Peggy.

"So, you're an avenger now?" Peggy asked teasingly.

"Since I've become a super soldier, yes," Emma said in the same teasing voice.

"Well, I figured your powers had kicked in since I saw you fighting in New York," Peggy said, pausing. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you but I was afraid that you would activate your powers and I just wanted to protect you."

"Gran, I understand why you did it. I had some time to think about it. You were protecting both me and Steve. I forgave you and Fury," she replied.

Peggy smiled softly at her and squeezed her hands. Emma chuckled and leaned down to kiss her withered cheek.

"So, Steve, what do you think of our granddaughter?" Peggy asked, her brown eyes twinkling.

"She's amazing. I couldn't be prouder than I am now," Steve told her and Emma was extremely touched by his words. "I am so sorry that I couldn't be there for you or for. . . James."

A deep sadness appeared in Peggy's eyes and grasped Steve's hand in her own while still holding onto Emma's. For a moment, Emma felt a sense of family as Peggy held both of their hands then her eyes glazed over and she gasped.

"Steve, you came back," she said and he sucked in a deep breath.

"Well, I couldn't leave my best girl," Steve said as he held back tears.