1948, New York
The atmosphere in HQ in NY was stressful. They arrested a Hydra spy, and they knew that this was their chance of getting the intelligence they needed. They had a suspicion that Hydra found the body of Steve Rogers. They heard rumours that they knew where the Valkyrie went down. Everyone was emotionally interested in this, which made them more prone to errors. They all knew it, but there was no one who could act without emotions there. Phillips, Peggy and Howard were not sleeping well during the last few nights. Phillips was afraid that those two would do something stupid. He, himself, liked Rogers. But Rogers had never been his brother as he was to Stark, nor was he in love with him, as he was sure, was Peggy. That made them more vulnerable in this case. But he had no other choice than to let these two do their job. Nobody liked the idea that Hydra is doing experiments with Steve's body.
Nobody said it out loud, but they knew that there was a possibility, even though very tiny one, that Steve could have survived it. He was a super-soldier, and they were not sure to what extent is his metabolism able to survive extreme conditions. And the idea that they are experimenting with him – being alive, was even worse.
So, once the prisoner escaped the prison, they were all ready to do whatever it takes to put him back or to prevent him from continuing in his doing with Hydra.
He was running in the streets of New York, not knowing where to go. He was even more dangerous because he knew that he had nothing to lose. He stopped a taxi driver, dragged him out of his car and started driving himself. He was heading back, because that was the way towards the bridge and out of the town. Suddenly he realized that someone was standing in front of him on the road. According to the skirt he suggested that it was a woman. He grimaced. No woman would stop him.
Peggy stood there, her legs apart, aiming for the man. He was driving towards her. She aimed and shot once, twice. She was calm. She had already been in a situation like this, she was not trembling, her hand firmly gripped the gun. She knew what to do. The car was approaching. She remembered that the last time she was doing exactly the same thing, was the day of the Project Rebirth. She shot the man when the car was just twenty metres away. She realized that the last time, she survived because Steve was there. He was there to jerk her aside, to save her life. It was too late to realize that it was too late to jump away from the car now. She realized her mistake. There was no Steve Rogers to save her now. The few last seconds when the car was approaching her, she was not panicking. She thought, that maybe, but only maybe, she would finally meet Steve again.
And then, the car hit her.
She could feel that something broke within her body, then she was flying... and with a loud thump, she lost consciousness.
Firstly, there was only the pain.
And then, nothing, just a weird state of not feeling anything.
She did not know how the time was passing, she thought that she was somewhere on the edge of consciousness and unconsciousness.
She could hear voices.
Howard. She thought. But he was nowhere near the accident originally.
"We must try it. It's her only chance to let her stay alive. We must freeze her."
No, I do not want to! Peggy thought.
"She should decide for herself whether she wants it. She can live a happy life even without walking." New voice. Phillips. Where did he come from?
"She can't decide for herself. She is in a coma."
What? Coma? I am here! I can hear you!
"If we freeze her, it'll give her a chance."
"But for how long?"
"Till there is someone who can cure her spine."
"It can take years! She will miss her life and when she wakes up, she will be there alone."
No, I do not want to be alone. I know the feeling; I can't do it.
"It can be only a few years. I will donate everything to the research. We will find a way to cure a broken spine."
"And what if it does not work? She can die."
"She can die anyway. Have you seen the doctors? They are not sure if they can help her. She can die in here during the surgery."
Let them try it. I do not want to be frozen. I don't want to be left alone.
"I know that it's your call, Phillips, but I am not letting her die too!"
Oh, Howard. Do not feel guilty. It's not your mistake. It has never been your mistake. Not with me, not with Steve. Let me see him, Howard. Let me meet Steve, let me go. I will be safe.
"Colonel Phillips? Mr Stark? I am the head surgeon, I am here to take her to the surgery, we must act quickly."
"Is there any chance that her spine will heal?" Phillips was grasping at straws.
"Sir, she has a broken spine. It will be a miracle if she survives, we will not focus on the function of her legs."
Phillips' voice was raw. "Then it's settled. You will not take her away. Stark? Do it."
Oh, Colonel. I do not want it. If I should die, let me die now. Do not leave me in the ice. You are my family. I do not want to lose you. Do not let me sleep for too long.
…
The cold had squeezed all air out of her lungs. She panicked. She was there in the cold and alone. Her worst nightmares became the truth. She was screaming in her head.
Please, do not do it! Please! Steve! Steve, help me! I want to be with you, I do not want to be frozen, not dead not alive.
She lost consciousness in a panic.