Conclusion

[New York—St. Augustine's Cemetery]

A light rain fell across the Five Boroughs on that morning. A moderate wind billowed out of the northwest. An unseasonable chill permeated everything and everyone. The sod hardened. Passersby bundled in their winter best despite it still being October.

Quite a switch from the previous day's affair…..

The day before, a grand motorcade had pulled into this necropolis. The cars had wound their way through several turns before stopping before a previously-specified grave. Thor, Quill, Bucky, Sam Wilson, Sharon Carter and the Black Widow walked Steve's polished walnut coffin over the final few feet to the plot in question.

Only a few well-wishers had been there to eulogize Cap on that occasion. Bucky waxed on about his friend and brother-in-spirit's life and loyalty to others. One by one, the other assembled heroes did similar things. Then Sharon concluded by sharing what her friendship with Steve had meant. Furthermore she spoke on his impact spanning the previous century. She quoted her Aunt Peggy on the confidence he imparted just by being on a battlefield. Then she'd patted the coffin gently and bade Steve well asking only that he make her aunt happy on the Other Side.

With that, Steve was lowered into the plot to rest beside his beloved Agent….

Bucky stooped before the freshly covered grave. He'd inspected the stone to insure not a spec of dirt or refuse defaced his friends' monument. He still felt numb. Disbelief clouded his thinking. A piece of his heart was still missing. With a wet towel, he wiped the names and dates dry. Then he stood and glanced across the cemetery….

…toward his own supposed gravesite…

Now I get why Steve can be so morose. He shook his head. He recalled their many visits to this place during the latter teenage years. He'd teased albeit good naturedly that Steve kept MacDuffy's in business with the flowers singlehandedly. Even so, he respected his parents knowing Joseph and Sarah Rogers' sterling quality as parents and people. I hope his parents understand that we all tried. He patted the stone. "Hi, you two. I just wanted to check in before the next battle. Hopefully, Steve, you got to where you're going. I trust that you, Mrs. Simmons, got him there in one piece. Maybe she can get you to finally understand that you matter, You Big Jerk." He hefted the rebuilt and repaired shield. "Look. We even redid the shield. It's as good as new. The magic guy put some hocus pocus on it so that it's even stronger." He cleared his throat allowing for his thoughts to run their course and his head to clear.

Only the wind billowed through the yard in response.

Bucky sighed heavily. "Yeah. Well I need to be getting back too. I just wanted you to know that we're going back to nail that big purple guy. I won't forget." He patted the gravestone again as gently as he could manage with his metal hand. "I'll be back. Don't do anything else rash without me first. Maybe I might do the same?'' He rolled his eyes at himself. Just take on an alien with a death fixation? Oh yeah. That ain't rash at all! Nope. "You take care. Maybe you might get yourself out up there? I asked your folks to look in on you. Remember we love you down here, Steve. You too, Agent Simmons. Maybe you might get that red dress out for Steve? Teach him some fun and confidence. Hope to do you proud. See you later." He slid his remaining human arm into the shield's rungs and hefted it again. He expected to take the subway downtown to SHIELD's compound. From there, it'd be a quick turnaround until he headed back into space again. That next battle. A heaviness set in across his mind as it transitioned from mourning to soldiering again…

He nearly jumped when he spied one of his teammates standing not far away. "Thor?"

The thunder god watched him intently from the street. He waved to the new Captain America. "Are thou prepared?"

Bucky knew the Asgardian wasn't stalking him or trying to pry. From talking to Steve and his own time with the team, he knew Thor cared in his own way. He'd certainly seen enough of Steve's interactions with the team to know that they all cared about the former super soldier. "As ready as I'm going to get. I was just letting him know that we're heading out. Hope he can hear me."

Thor considered the words. Then he nodded earnestly. "The dead can hear us, Bucky Barnes. Do not underestimate the power in your heart as well as your metal limb. There are reasons why he valued you as a friend. I see. I know. Now shall we return to the bout? It is best to honor their sacrifice with our own."

Bucky glanced back at the stone. Then he offered, "You want time with him? I have a minute."

"Nay. Captain Rogers knows my heart and mind. I came here a few hours ago. Now come. It is time." Thor grabbed Bucky around the waist. "Hold on." He twirled Mjonir with his free hand. Then he let the hammer pull them skyward and back toward the city proper.

So it went for the deceased and those taking on their load in addition to their own…..

[Heaven—A Bedchamber]

[A/N: I'm presuming Steve's Christian because of the God reference he makes in the first Avengers movie.]

Steve stirred from deep sleep. He marveled at how perfectly refreshed he felt. He breathed contentedly. His nose twitched from a distant lavender scent wafting in through the window. His eyes took in his surroundings once more. He admired the elegant chairs and end table in the room's far corner. Sunbeams descended through open windows and the glass doors just to the left to gently light up the room with their hue. The floor's extravagantly-plush carpeting still overwhelmed him despite Peggy's best efforts to soothe his conscience and Depression-era sensibilities.

Peggy. He smiled warmly and turned to his left. Her hair stuck out from underneath the white pure cotton sheets and comforter. Her comforting warmth soothed his nerves and eased Anxiety's protests (at least in his mind) about his worthiness to be there. He recalled their dancing on the previous night contentedly. At least we got to dance finally! He leaned over. Gently, so as not to disturb her slumber, his lips pecked a courteous good morning onto the crown of her head. Then he slipped out of bed being careful not to disturb her once again. He pulled the robe on over his white shirt and sweatpants. Then he padded over to the glass door and took in the view of lavender fields and vineyards below. To think we used to joke of having such things during the war. Now we do. He grinned. "I couldn't think of anyone better to share this stuff with."

"I suppose you're speaking of me, Captain?"

He turned to find her tying her own terrycloth robe. "I wouldn't be talking of anyone else. Sleep well?"

"With you at my side? How else would I be?" she supposed. She allowed her lips to whisper still more of Amor's reassurances onto his. "And you even got up early. Will wonders never cease?"

"Got the call this time," he quipped back with a warm smile. "I love you, Peggy."

"I love you, Steve." She embraced him and to feel safe in the harbor of his arms once more. "Now this is bliss. I'm glad you're here with me."

"And I you. I just feel like spending the day here," he noted while rubbing her arm.

"We have time for such things. Your parents remember? They did want to catch up," she reminded him.

His eyes sparkled at the thought of seeing his parents once again. "Well then. Shall we get dressed and go? I…." He stopped as if feeling some other presence. He looked around.

"Hi, You Two. I just wanted to check in before the next battle. Hopefully, Steve, you got to where you're going. I trust that you, Mrs. Simmons, got him there in one piece. Maybe she can get you to finally understand that you matter, You Big Jerk," Bucky's voice echoed to him.

"What?" She looked at him intently.

He shook his head. "Sorry. I just swore that I heard Bucky talking to me."

She smirked. "You did. I heard it too." Seeing Steve's confusion, she explained, "We can hear their thoughts and well wishes. Just one of the quirks of this place."

"So Bucky won't forget. Neither will the Avengers," Steve realized.

"Not hardly. You see what you inspire, Captain?" she pointed out.

"Only because a certain agent had confidence in me. So shall we go and get ready?" he told her.

"We shall." With that, she grabbed a towel and walked toward the bathroom. "I shan't be long."

"That's okay." He headed back over to the window. Once more he took in the sunny conditions and the gently swaying leaves, flowers and fields of fruit below. Guess virtue, service and duty are their own reward. No matter, Guys, I won't forget you. Thanks for remembering. Just hold the line. I'll do my best by Peggy and everyone here. You got that from me.

And with that, he headed toward the closet to pick out his clothes for the day…the first day of the rest of his eternity….

…an eternity of bliss with his love divine for their devotion true….

THE END