December 1945, New York

But despite my efforts, I could not find Steve. Despite my promise, I accomplished nothing except for bringing back the Tesseract. I returned from months of sailing the Atlantic, searching for any sign of Rogers to find that Peggy was no longer working at the SSR and that the government had shut down it down, thinking that there was no work for it to do anymore. I had no way to contact her, no way to tell her that I had failed. Miserably, completely failed. But, there wasn't any doubt in my mind that she'd hear about it anyways, the papers were bound to talk about what I was doing. They always did and I had been taught by my father only to ever let them hear about the good. But there was no way to make my failed rescue mission look like anything but a failure. So I traveled to Long Island, to one of my many mansions and attempted to do something besides sulk in self pity. I knew that my troubles were hardly as bad as those of others, but I could not help feeling sorry for myself.

On one of these uneventful days on Long Island, my cousin, Elissa, invited me over to her house in the city for Christmas.

"So Howard," she smiled, "what are you up to nowadays?"

"To be honest, not much. Just a lot of thinking," I said.

"Hmmmm. Anything scientific and genius? Or just the simple stuff that regular people think about?" she joked.

"A little of both," I laughed.

"You know, my best friend, Maria, she's a big fan of yours. She really likes all the science stuff, reads about all the newest inventions."

"Oh well, I'll give her a tour sometime."

She nodded, "Oh yes, I think she'd like that."

We continued to talk and I told her about my newest idea to create a new version of the SSR.

"I've already talked to Colonel Phillips about it," I said. "I think we're going to call it S.H.I.E.L.D. What do you think?'

"Hmmmmm, that's a very good name," she reassured, not understanding that it was a reference to Rogers.

"You think?"

"Yeah, I do. Are you going back to Long Island?"

I nodded. "I have to make a quick stop by the cafe next door though, I'd love a nice strong coffee."

She rose from her seat, "I can make you some now."

"Nah, it's alright Elissa, I have to get going now anyways."

"Okay. I'll see you soon," she said as she hugged me.

I made my way to the door, "See you soon Elissa."

I strode out into the cold night air and looked up as snow began to fall. Just then as I had been distractedly walking along, staring up into the sky, I ran into someone.

"Oh! Sorry about that, here let me help-" then I looked at her face.

"Howard!"

"Peggy! Oh, I'm so glad to see you! I got back months ago, but I didn't know how to contact you or anything."

"Oh, it's alright, ummmm yeah its fine," she replied awkwardly.

I took a moment and looked at her, surprised that she was seemed frazzled and embarrassed. Women were usually shy when I talked to them, but I'd always thought since I'd known Peggy for so long, I didn't have that particular effect on her.

"You look cold Peggy. Do you want to go get some coffee with me?"

"Ummm no, I- I'm okay."

She did look awfully cold. Then again, anyone would be cold in that thin, threadbare coat she was wearing. She looked unusually pale with dark circles under her eyes. Then, I realized that losing her job at the SSR had probably put her in the situation of many others after the war, a lack of money and sometimes no one to turn to.

"You sure?" I asked.

"Ummm on second thought, I think I'll come, it is pretty cold."

We arrived at the cafe and ordered coffees. Peggy insisted on paying for her own and we talked for a while about meaningless things, both of us afraid to bring up Rogers.

"Do you want a ride back to your house?" I asked as we rose to leave. "I can ask Jarvis."

She shook her head. "No, its alright. I can walk back myself, its not too far."

"Alright. And one more thing Peggy."

She turned around to face me, "Yes?"

"Could you give me a call when you have a chance?" I asked, handing her a slip of paper with my phone number. "There's just something I wanted to talk to you about."

"Oh, yeah. No problem. Sure."

We walked out the door together and I realized that she was shivering. I took of my coat and draped it over her shoulders.

She looked up at me, "Oh. That's alright, I'm fine."

"Peggy, it's freezing, and I'm getting in the car soon anyways."

"Thanks, I'll give it back to you next time I see you."

"Okay Peggy. Take good care of it, it cost a lot!" I called.

"I will!" she replied with a laugh, and I realized that it was the first time she'd smiled since I'd seen her.

Peggy

I made my home, through the now ankle deep snow that had fallen and finally arrived at my tiny flat forty-five minutes later. I walked through the door and kept Howard's coat on. It was freezing inside. I picked up the telephone and dialed Howard's number.

I was greeted by a very British sounding voice that I took to be Jarvis.

"Hello, is Howard there? It's Peggy."

"Peggy, yes, Howard will be on the line in a moment."

I waited for about a minute and wondered what it was that Howard wanted to talk to me about.

"Peggy!"

"Hello Howard. You said you wanted to talk to me?"

"Yes, well. I wanted you to come work with me on something."

I was quite surprised at this. I was not a scientific person. I was an agent and I didn't think he needed any top secret government work done. "Look, Howard, thanks but I'm alright for now and to be completely blunt about it I don't really need charity-"

"No, no Peggy, I'm not doing this out of pity for you," he interrupted. "I really do need your help. I want you to help me start a new version of the SSR. Colonel Phillips and I were going to call it S.H.I.E.L.D."

"And you want my help?"

"Of course I do. Give yourself some credit, Peggy."

I laughed. "Is Howard Stark asking for someone's help?"

"Hey, quit while you're ahead!" he joked.

I thought about this. It was a good opportunity, no doubt about it. "Okay, sure. When do we start?"

"Tomorrow. Where do you want Jarvis to pick you up? It might be hard to walk to Long Island."

I laughed and told him the address of my little flat.

"Okay, Jarvis will pick you up at 8, Agent Carter."

I woke up the next morning to the muted pinkish purple of the sun rising into the sky. Six o'clock, thirty minutes before I had set my alarm clock. I got ready, grabbed Howard's coat and walked out the door at 8 o'clock precise, just as a sleek black car pulled up the street.

Jarvis got out and graciously opened the door for me. "Miss Carter," he greeted me.

"Good morning, Jarvis."

I climbed into the car and we began the drive to Long Island.

When we finally arrived at our destination, I was stunned by how big Howard's mansion was. It was white and blended in with the mountains of snow that had accumulated from the night before. Wreaths were hung around the house and all the trees in the yard were encircled with strings of lights.

As I climbed out of the car, Howard walked out to meet me. He looked so very handsome and glamorous, just like his enchanting house. He had worn his usual outfit of a white collared shirt and a tan vest over it, but today he had on another, no doubt expensive, coat since it was still snowing.

"Agent Carter, welcome to Stark mansion, one of many, but I assure you, probably the prettiest one around Christmas time."

"Yes, it is very beautiful."

"Just like you darling, did Jarvis tell you that you look absolutely lovely today? Because you do."

I giggled. I had gotten used to Howard's flirtatious attitude. He knew me well enough to know we would both get a good laugh.

"I have your coat."

"Oh thanks darling. I was missing this today."

"Don't we have S.H.I.E.L.D. work to do?"

He grinned. "This is why I asked you to help me with this, Peggy. I would've forgotten."

So we worked on S.H.I.E.L.D. Six days a week, sometimes seven days a week. Colonel Phillips would come in once every few weeks to see how things were coming along, but most of the time it was just me and Howard, spending countless hours taking notes, deciding who to include in S.H.I.E.L.D. or just talking. But, we never talked about Steve. I sensed that Howard didn't want to bring back painful memories and upset me. And as for me, I could not decide whether or not I wanted to forget. If I could forget and go on with life, I wouldn't feel so heartbroken. But I couldn't forget Steve. I don't think anyone could even if they tried.

One day after working nonstop for three weeks in a row, Howard threw down his notes and exclaimed, "I think we need a break."

I looked up from what I was writing. "Oh well, we can go for some lunch."

"No," he said, "we need a real break. A vacation maybe. How's Europe sound to you?"

"What?"

"I have been working too long, Peggy. I need a break so I can think better. I have an idea to go to France."

"France?!" I burst out, "Howard! We have work to do! You can't just leave me here to do all of it!"

"I'm not leaving you with all the work because I was going to ask you to come with me."

"What?"

"Would. You. Like. To. Come. To. France. With. Me. Or anywhere you'd like. But we need a vacation."

I laughed incredulously at how spontaneous he was. "And when is the said trip to France?" I asked.

"Tomorrow? I was thinking tomorrow. So are you coming?"

I looked at the piles of papers I needed to sort through, all the plans and maps and ideas. "France doesn't sound too bad," I grinned.

So we packed our bags and took a flight, on Howard's personal jet, to France.