A/N: I'm not really happy with the ending, but I'm in quite a bit of pain right now so I figured I'd post it anyways.

1944

"Agent Carter, do you mind if I hide out in here for a while?" Steve asked, opening the door of her office.

Peggy looked up from the report she was writing and raised one eyebrow. "What did you do this time?"

"Nothing," Steve insisted, an innocent expression in his face. At her unimpressed look, he grinned sheepishly. "Nothing permanent."

Peggy wanted to kiss the expression off his face. Later, she reminded herself, maybe once Barnes gets here.

She knew any one of them could die in the near future, so she intended to make the most of what she had now.

0o0o0

2015

For a moment, Peggy didn't believe it was real. She thought it might have been a new twist of her disease. And yet, for the first time in years, her thoughts were clear. She could remember everything that had happened prior to her contraction of Alzheimer's with crystal clarity.

"Oh Lord," she breathed, staring at her hands where they gripped the metal rails of her bed frame, as young and strong as they had been back when she was 22. Stronger, even, if they dents in the rails were any indication. Peggy pinched herself on the arm, then hissed in surprise when it hurt.

"Peggy?" Steve whispered wonderingly. "What happened to you?"

For the first time since Peggy's mind had been flooded with yellow light and she had found herself changed, she looked over at Steve. She could feel tears push against her lower eyelids, but she swiped them away before the had a chance to fall. Nothing hurt, and the sudden absence of pain was shocking.

"I don't know," she croaked as she sat up, her traitorous throat trying to sob. "There was a yellow light, and now nothing hurts."

Steve raised his hand and gently cradled her face. "Hey, it's gonna be okay."

"You don't know that," Peggy accused. "For all we know, this could be the result of some dastardly plot by HYDRA."

Steve smirked. "I don't think HYDRA would be stupid enough to bring you back. Not that it would be stupid of you to be young again, because this is amazing and a miracle, and maybe we should find a doctor to make sure nothing's wrong."

Peggy laughed. "Alright, but first, I am getting out of this bed."

"That might not be the best idea," Steve said.

"Steve, do you know how long I've been stuck in bed?" Peggy asked, her voice saccharine in its sweetness. "Too damn long. Now move over."

Peggy pushed him away then swung her legs over the side of the bed. Wordlessly, Steve offered her his arm, and she grabbed it tight enough to bruise a normal person. He didn't complain though, only offered his silent support as she lowered herself to her feet for the first time in years.

Her knees buckled momentarily, but whether that was from emotion or physical weakness Peggy wasn't sure. She was grateful that Steve didn't say anything though.

Ever so slowly, she released his arm, her stomach tingling with nerves. Her legs stood strong, and Peggy suddenly felt ready to take on the world.

"Alright," Peggy said, clapping her hands together abruptly. "So, HYDRA is back, hiding within my organization the whole time, those bastards, and you said they've been brainwashing Sergeant Barnes?"

Steve nodded, his brow furrowing in confusion.

"Well, then we'll just have to find him," she reasoned.

"Peggy no," he exclaimed. "Not even ten minutes ago you were dying. Besides, you agreed that we'd see a doctor first."

Peggy sighed. "Since when are you the sensible one?"

Steve shrugged. Before he could say anything though, the door opened, and a black man with short hair and a bearing that screamed military came into the room.

"Hey Steve, Clint texted me -oh," the man said, noticing Peggy for the first time. "What's going on?"

"We're not quite sure yet. Peggy Carter, pleased to meet you," she said, sticking out her hand.

"Sam Wilson," he replied, smiling brightly. He had a firm grip, well-calloused, and Peggy decided that she liked him immediately. "Do you mind if I step outside for a second?"

Sam left.

Peggy and Steve looked at each other.

"He seemed like a nice man," Peggy commented.

Steve smiled. "Yeah, he's great. I wonder what Clint needed?"