Brooklyn, New York, November 1947

The past few months had been intense to say the least. Josephine had gone through rigorous testing and training since being injected with the serum. Based on her blood samples in comparison to Steve's, the version of the serum that she got wasn't as strong.

Howard was taking her vitals before doing another blood draw when Peggy walked into the room. Josephine immediately noticed the grim expression on her friend's face and the letter that she held in her hands.

"Pegs?" Josephine's brows furrowed in concern. "What's wrong?"

"We received this letter today," Peggy started. "I think you should take a look at it," she added as she held out the letter to Josephine.

Josephine took the letter and unfolded it, confusion and concern evident on her face. Her eyes scanned the letter and she felt her heart practically start racing wildly.

"Josie?" Howard frowned before looking at Peggy. "What the hell is going on here?"

"I thought HYDRA had been wiped out," Josephine clenched her jaw.

Howard's frown deepened. "HYDRA sent this?"

"We did wipe out HYDRA," Peggy assured. "But there's always the risk of smaller factions trying to rebuild it."

"Can someone please tell me what's going on?" Howard cut in.

Josephine clutched the letter tightly, crumpling the edges slightly. "Someone has placed a threat on my life, that's what!"

"Someone who has aligned themselves with HYDRA is demanding that we hand Josephine over to them or they will take her by force," Peggy explained. "It seems that somehow, they found out that we had replicated a version of the super soldier serum and they'd like to use it to their advantage."

"How the hell did they find out about this? About Josie?" Howard demanded.

"We're… not sure," Peggy admitted. "I'm building a team and we're going to conduct a thorough investigation," she added before looking at Josephine. "We will figure this out, Josie. I promise."

"They could be watching our every move," Josephine countered. "They are steps ahead of us, Pegs."

"I know," she nodded in understanding. "I have a way to keep you safe. But it's… unconventional to say the least."

"What d'you mean, 'unconventional?'" Josephine questioned.

"We can hide you in a safe location, keep you there until the threat has been neutralized." Peggy explained. "But you'll be put in a cryostasis chamber."

Josephine wasn't quite understanding and she looked at her friend as if she'd grown a second head. "Cryostasis chamber?"

Peggy nodded. "It's a chamber that lowers one's body temperature to below zero," she started. "It places a person into suspended animation. They won't age at all while in this chamber."

Josephine's eyes widened in disbelief. "You want to freeze me?!" she asked incredulously.

"That is a crazy idea," Howard agreed. "But it might just work."

"It won't be forever, it will be temporary," Peggy promised. "But it's our best option. It will keep you safe in an undisclosed location for as long as we need until we neutralize the threat."

"But we don't know how long I'll have to be in there," Josephine frowned. "I… I could miss years of my life, Pegs!"

Peggy was silent for a moment and let out a deep sigh. "That is a risk, yes. But when you are eventually taken out of the chamber, you won't have aged a day. You'll be able to live a proper life instead of living away in hiding forever," she explained. "Living a life on the run is no life to live, Josie. This will give you a second chance at life."

"What if it takes so long that I miss your life?" Josephine asked meekly.

"We will do our absolute best to neutralize this threat as soon as possible," Peggy promised, not wanting to think about the possibility of living her life without her best friend.

~/~\~

Taunton, Massachusetts, December 1947

Josephine had needed a few weeks to come to a decision. She understood that this was the best option for her safety, but she was scared. Scared of missing out on her life, losing her friends, or waking up and not recognizing the world around her. But ultimately, she had agreed to be put under cryostasis. Damn Peggy for being so damn convincing.

Josephine, Howard, and Peggy pulled up to an abandoned miliary base. It was slightly rundown from the lack of use. The three of them got out of the car and Josephine eyed the base.

"What is this place, exactly?" Josephine questioned.

"An abandoned military base," Peggy answered. "When Dr. Erskine was with us, he wasn't just working on the super soldier serum. With the help of Howard, he created this cryostasis chamber. The three of us were the only ones who knew of its location," she explained.

"Why was the chamber built in the first place?" Josephine asked as they walked into the base. "I mean, what's the point of it?"

"Dr. Erskine wanted to see if we could preserve wounded soldiers long enough to get them proper care when injured," Peggy explained. "It was tested on animals first. So I can assure you that it works."

"Right," Josephine sighed. "Y'know, I don't know how to feel about becoming SHIELD's personal lab rat," she attempted to joke.

"Funny," Peggy deadpanned.

"Someone's gotta lighten the mood," Josephine retorted.

Peggy rolled her eyes fondly and Howard just snorted. Peggy walked over to a keypad and punched in a code, causing a secret door to open. She led them into the room and the door immediately closed behind them. In the middle of the room was a large chamber.

"Here it is," Peggy sighed.

"Home for the foreseeable future," Josephine muttered. "Yay."

"You agreed that this was the best option," Peggy looked at her pointedly.

"Well yeah," Josephine muttered. "But it's still not my favorite course of events."

Peggy looked at her friend and her eyes softened. She knew that this wasn't an easy choice for Josephine. Hell, Peggy was having a hard time with it as well. After losing Steve, she wasn't keen on the idea of not having her best friend around.

"I promise we will get you out of here as soon as we can," Peggy assured.

"I know." Josephine smiled softly at her friend. "I love you, Pegs," she added, pulling her friend into a hug, though being mindful of her strength. "I know you're doing this to protect me and that it can't be easy on you either."

"I love you too, Josie," Peggy murmured. "I'm so eternally grateful that we met. You've become my rock."

"Guess we have Steve to thank for introducing us," Josephine replied tearily. "Now stop before I start crying," she chuckled as she pulled away.

Howard was next to pull her into a hug. "It's a pleasure workin' with ya, doll," he told her. "We'll see you soon," he assured.

"See ya soon, Howie," Josephine smiled sadly, knowing that it might not be a guarantee. "Find a nice girl to settle down with, would ya?"

"We'll see," Howard chuckled as he pulled away. "Ready?"

Josephine watched as Peggy opened the chamber's door and turned in on. "No, not really. But I'll be okay. Thank you both, for everything."

Josephine stepped into the chamber and took a deep breath. She closed her eyes tightly and wiped away a stray tear that had fallen down her cheek.

"We'll get you out of here as soon as we can," Peggy assured.

That was the last thing Josephine heard before Peggy closed the door. Ice immediately froze over the small window and Peggy and Howard just looked on sadly.

"How long d'ya think this will really take?" Howard asked. "Realistically?"

"I'm not entirely sure," Peggy admitted sadly.