Steve was sitting in a very uncomfortable chair for what seemed like forever. He was watching a girl who he fell in love with so many years ago. The last twenty hours could be described as cheer chaos. Helen Cho did what she could. She operated her and Peggy started to breathe again, but they were not sure whether she is able to wake up, not to mention her walking abilities. Maybe they woke her up too quickly. Maybe they should have waited. At least since the situation with SHIELD settles down. But they both, Tony and Steve, were impatient. Tony, because it was in his nature, Steve because when he found out, that the girl in that red dress is frozen so close to him, was not able to be patient anymore.
Helen Cho found out, that the machine must have stopped working for a few times during those years. That meant, that Peggy could have woken up several times. If she had, it would have to be worse than any nightmare they could imagine.
But doctors did what they could. They were all sitting around the operation table, waiting. But then, Tony was alerted, that SHIELD is on its way. They did not know how they found out, but there was no time to think about it further. Steve, Natasha and Peggy had to disappear. Steve did not want to even think about things that SHIELD would do to Peggy if they found out her whereabouts. And, as Tony mournfully pointed out, they could use her as a trap for Steve. SHIELD as they knew it, stopped existing. It was turning out to be as rotten as Hydra, but in its special way.
Helen was reluctant to move with Peggy. She was supposed to be lying until she come to her senses (if she does) and when they check her feelings in her extremities. But they did not have any other option. Steve lifted her up in his arms, cradling her against his chest. Natasha was given a few medicaments; a heart monitor and they were told to let Tony know if anything goes wrong. If worse come to the worst, they would transport Peggy to Helen Cho and then do anything in their power to protect her from SHIELD. But it would mean an open battle, not just hiding, and if they could avoid it, they would try.
Steve settled with Peggy on the back seats, and Natasha start driving them away. They could not use the main roads, so the roads were mainly curvy, and Steve had to hold Peggy firmly, so she did not fall from the seats.
They found a small apartment far enough, and they presented Peggy to the owners as Steve's sister who is very ill, and they accepted that, looking compassionate.
Steve laid Peggy on the bed, and Natasha started all those monitors that she was given by Helen Cho. Steve sat on the bed, holding Peggy's hand. It was cold. He covered her with a duvet, and then… he waited.
They were there for fourteen hours, and Steve did not change his position. Natasha went to a small market which was close, bought everything that she considered important, and cooked dinner. Steve refused to eat, refused to have a shower, he refused to leave Peggy for one minute.
The apartment had two bedrooms and Natasha went to sleep in the other one, reading, trying to figure out what they should do next. They were near the borders with Canada. They should hide in there for a while. But now, they needed to take care of the sleeping woman they brought with them.
Steve was drifting away, his head was falling slowly, but his senses were on alert. Or at least he thought they were.
He did not notice at first.
He did not notice when Peggy, finally, opened her eyes.
She felt confused, but when she spotted Steve, she calmed down.
Slowly, she tried to move with her hand. She covered his hand, which was placed on her thigh with her own. Steve looked around himself, looking to figure out what woke him up. Then, his eyes found hers, and a wide smile spread across his face.
"Peggy," Steve whispered, moving his other hand to cradle her cheek.
She smiled back at him, completely exhausted, but trying to resist the urge to fall asleep.
"I am glad it's you, Steve." Her voice was hoarse, but she managed to control it. "For a moment, I thought that maybe it will be Michael. But my last thoughts belonged to you. I am glad it's you," she whispered, drifting away again.
Steve realized that she thinks that they are dead and that he was there for her to greet her in the afterlife. His emotions overwhelmed him, his eyes suddenly welling with tears.
He knew how she felt. He was through the same. But he knew that she was too tired to be told the truth and to accept it right now.
"Yeah, Peggy. It's me. Don't worry, you can rest now. I've got you."
"'f course you do. You seem to be tired too. Stay with me."
Steve hesitated. He didn't want to take advantage of her while she thinks they are dead. On the other hand, he did not want to leave her either.
She tugged his hand to drag him towards her. And he let her do it.