Disclaimer: I own nothing except the plot. I don't own the idea though! The credit goes to the lovely MysticFantasy!
It was 3:17am and the tower was silent as its residents slept soundly in their beds. There was a figure however, that limped through the elevator doors over towards the large expanse of what Tony Stark called a small living room. It covered the entire floor and had multiple types of chairs, recliners, sofas, bar stools, etc. The lithe figure made its way through the floor expertly avoiding the mess that had been created in her few days of absence. The woman all but crawled to the mini-fridge, taking out a Lean Cuisine, and popping it the microwave. She waddled over to the liquor cabinet and selected a bottle of some of the finest vodka and poured herself a glass while indulging in her less than 5 star meal. After collapsing into one of the recliners, Natasha turned on the television and watched some old reruns of Say Yes to the Dress on TLC. She laughed and shook her head wondering how in the world someone could cry over a stupid wedding dress. She was downing her 4th glass of vodka when someone startled her.
"Rough mission?" The man asked.
Natasha dropped her defensive stance almost instantly, recognizing the voice coming from the darkness. She relaxed and continued stuffing her face with her pathetic excuse for a meal. The large man plopped down next to her curling his legs underneath him. They sat in comfortable silence for a few minutes, content in just sitting near each other. Testing the waters, the man reached over and snatched a cheese ravioli from her plate.
"Hey, go get your own food," she complained while slapping his hand away.
"Well, you never answered my question." He reminded. "Rough mission"
"Eh… it was alright." She shrugged. "I've had worse."
He stared at her for a while. Not taking his eyes off of her person. Even underneath her suit he could see the lacerations that littered her body.
"Steve," she warned, as he took her into his lap.
He examined her twisted ankle and broken wrist, all while taking note of the impressive gunshot wound that she is sporting on her shoulder.
"This is the same place the Buc—I mean, the Winter Soldier—shot you a while ago. " He realized.
"Yeah well, I guess I'm definitely going to be sporting a scar there this time… the last one had almost disappeared." She whined.
"You'll still beautiful in strapless gowns don't worry."
"Oh gosh Rogers, " she chuckled. "You're such a sap."
"It's just part of my charm." He said, while searching around for a first aid kit so that he could patch up her wounds.
They didn't talk about the mission. It wasn't that they couldn't share details for fear of compromising the confidentiality of the mission—they had gotten past the distrust ages ago—it was because they would not. They would not share the information. There was no need to revisit the gruesome realities of the world that they lived in. However, Steve Rogers could not control he insatiable curiosity to know everything about the woman who was sitting beside him. The questions bit at his tongue, anxiously trying to escape into the air and darken the moment.
"Just ask," she said. "I know you have a hundred questions and its killing you not knowing, so, just ask and I'll answer."
He smiled apologetically, "Sorry, I know I'm not very good at hiding my emotions... But what happened? You never get this banged up."
She chortled slightly, "Well, let's just say I underestimated my competition and miscalculated the number of men by about 60."
"What?" He exclaimed.
"The file said that there was 4 main guards, the target and about 20 outer reinforcements. Infiltration was supposed to be easy. When I got there, they had 85 men including the target and the 4 main bodyguards. I killed 11 men, captured the target along with 2 others, avoided 57 men, and left the others unconscious."
The soldier stared at the spy in awe. "You never cease to amaze me."
"Well if I didn't I wouldn't very good at what I do," Said Natasha.
The duo stood watching the television for about another hour until Steve was able to finally coax Natasha into going to bed. They parted ways at the elevator.
"Goodnight," they said in unison.
Weeks later…
"Agent Carter," the former director called.
"Yes sir," she answered eagerly.
"So, remind me, how long has it been since we first introduced you to this new century?"
"It's been three months sir," she responded.
"Well, I think it's time we call in some favors and introduce you to some very important people.
Peggy was nervous. She couldn't lie about that. She honestly didn't know if she was ready. How could anyone ever be ready for something like this? Learning so such in so little time with people you barely knew was simply overwhelming. No, she definitely wasn't ready, but she was prepared. As prepared as she could be for something on such a grand scale. Before, things had been easier to distinct right from wrong. In this new society, they seemed to be each other. What was morally right was now seen as a joke and what was seen as a horrid sin in the past was permissible in this future. The black and white lines in the past were just a mixture of grey smudges. Not all things were bad, but there where subjects she definitely did not agree with.
"I'm not lying Tony, it's her. She's as real as you and me." She heard Fury telling the other person, "Tony" over the "cell phone". "The other one was a fake. I have your father's files." There was silence on the line. "I'm telling you. Peggy Carter is standing right next to me as we speak… OK, don't tell him anything, I want it to be a surprise…"
"But…" the rest was muffled.
"I see… this might pose a problem but I'm sure it's nothing they can't handle."
"Well Nick, I think it just might…" Peggy heard. "This is our leader and best agent on the team… I don't think you understand… They've been getting pretty serious Fury, but neither wants to admit their feelings for each other… This could complicate things and you know how I love drama but this is…"
"Don't worry Stark," Fury answered. "If it's real then they are going to have to get through things so much worse than this. This will make or break it. We can't have compromised agents. I just wanted your permission to have her stay at the Tower."
"Well you know how I would do anything for you," she heard the man say, voice dripping in sarcasm.
"I'll be there with Ms. Carter in an hour. Remember to keep your mouth shut. I know how difficult this is going to be for you but just try. Set up a room with appropriate and essential items. If she won't mind, ask Ms. Pots to take her shopping and I know Steve will want to tour her around the city as well."
"Like I said, anything for you." The voice now identified as Stark said.
Could this be Howard's son? Peggy thought.
Fury finally turned around and faced her, "Well, pack your bags. We're headed to New York."
Tony rubbed his forehead as he hung up the phone. Peggy Carter is alive. Aunt Peggy is young and was frozen. She never knew me as Tony. She's not my Aunt Peggy. She doesn't know me. She was cloned… This is Steve's Peggy. Steve and Natasha like in each other a lot. They are more than partners, more than friends. They're falling in love with more and more every day. They're just too stupid to admit it. Peggy is… she's mess this all up. If Capsicle breaks Natashalie's heart I'll break him.
"Tony, do you want to go out for lunch now?" a strawberry blonde woman called breaking him out of his reverie.
"Actually Pep, we have some company coming over who and they are going to be living here for a while." He said.
"Company, who is it?" Pepper asked eagerly.
"Can't say but, looks like she might become a new member of the team."
"She? Another woman?" Pepper exclaimed.
"Yes and she's not from around here. So, I was wondering that once we introduce her to the team, that you can help get her settled and then maybe take her out along with maybe Capsicle and do some clothes shopping and touring of the city."
"Steve? Why would he be coming along?"
"Because… he knows what it's like to be new around here and how to cope with the realization that the world you knew was gone. We can even have Barnes and Natasha tag along too. They know what that's like," Tony answered.
"Alright, but who is it."
"Guess you'll have to just wait and see."
"How about we go laser tagging? It's a compromise." Clint suggested.
"No, we did that last time." Sam said. "We should go bowling."
"That's so boring what are we ninety?" Clint retorted.
"Well yes, some of us are." Bucky muttered.
Steve and Natasha snickered from where they were sitting on the couch. They had been at it for hours, trying to figure out where to go for their weekly team bonding session. It seemed to happen every time. There would always be a dispute about where to go.
"How about paint-balling?" Natasha asked.
"No! You'll kill us all, it's not a fair fight." Clint complained.
"Come on, you're a master marksman with a wife and three children. And you don't think you can beat our resident spy in a friendly game of paintball?" Steve teased.
"With Natasha we all know that game will be anything but friendly." Bruce countered.
"Touché," Steve said.
"How about we don't go anywhere?" Tony walked into the room with a mysterious smile on his face.
"Tony it's team bonding day, we always do something together." Thor said.
"Oh, I know, but we have something important to do today."
"Like…" Natasha pushed.
"We are about to meet a new member of the team per our beloved former director Nicolas J. Fury. Well I don't know if they'll be ready to be a part of the team so suddenly because adjusting takes a while."
"What do you mean adjusting?" Bucky asked.
"Let's just say, she's not from around here." Tony replied.
"That could mean anything Stark," Natasha said. "But you said she, it's a woman."
"Yes, she is very special. No powers but she isn't from around here and I already asked Pepper to help her get settled but I think that it would be extremely beneficial if you, Steve were to help her adjust."
"Of course Tony," Steve nodded.
"I could help as well," Thor added. "And what about James? I'm sure he wouldn't mind helping."
"I'll help if Natasha helps," Bucky challenged.
"Help this woman adjust to change just to see James Buchanan Barnes help too, I'm in."
"Okay, so it's settled." Steve said. "The four of us know what it's like to adjust to new surroundings, time periods, worlds, lives, etc. We definitely know how to deal with change."
They nodded in agreement. The team chatted for a little while longer until Jarvis alerted them by someone's presence. "Sir, a man under the name 'Nickson' is here to see you."
The group chuckled knowingly, "Let him in, J."
Peggy was nervous again. Fury stood in front of her as the elevator rose up to the 97th floor. The doors parted and she took a deep breath and bowed her head down. Fury walked out as she stood in the doorway, feeling many sets of eyes on her. She looked down at her attire and smoothed her navy trousers and played with the ruffles on her light blue blouse.
"Nick, it's good to see you." She heard Steve say.
"Captain Rogers, it's nice to see you as well." The director shook hands with the captain. "I have a new addition to your team. You know her very well actually."
"I do?" he asked incredulously.
"Yes and so does Sgt. Barnes and Mr. Stark over here."
Steve's eyebrows furrowed in confusion. He looked over to Bucky and Tony. Bucky shrugged and Tony looked nervous. His eyes averted to Natasha who was sitting at his right against his side. She was studying the woman intensely.
"Stop, you'll scare her. I'm pretty sure that's why her head is still down." He whispered in her ear.
Natasha's lips quirked up into a smile, "I can't help it. It's what I do."
"Well can you introduce us to this new lovely lady?" Bucky jumped up from his seat.
"Of course," Fury answered. "I would like to introduce to you Agent Peggy Carter."