Like Preston said, the equipment in the spacious backyard and basement was sufficient, and with clocking the stopwatch and even taking a few pictures of Steve using the equipment, Steve tested his limits for a week, while Preston took up secure calls with Roosevelt once in a while and venturing out to honor Steve's request.

And even Roosevelt kept his promise to see about Bucky Barnes, the best friend and brother of Steve, and on a very promising day, Peggy is walking down to the basement of the mansion, with a package of reports and letters of Bucky's progress from the past year to recently.

At least that would be really the only good news she could think of at the moment, if things were alright with Bucky. It certainly wasn't with her own people. The Germans and Italians in North Africa had inflicted a devastating blow to the British at Gazala and then to make matters worse, Rommel quickly took the port of Tobruk.

A thorn in his side during his previous advances in '41 which kept him from pushing deep into Egypt; the port held out for months under siege before eventually Rommel was pushed back to almost his original start lines when he first took command. Now, it fell in less than two days, and the door to Egypt was wide open.

Not to mention that the Germans were on the move again in the Soviet Union, though the papers seemed to have noticed that it was a bit more focused around areas of Ukraine rather than the entire front as it had been with the Nazi invasion the previous summer. But either way; the Allies weren't winning, despite the US Navy's hard blow against the Japanese at Midway.

She quickly shook her head; now wasn't the time to truly worry right yet, not all was lost, but time certainly would be needed. She took a few more steps before she looked around. "Steve?" She called out. "Steve, you down here?" She asked as she was heard what sounded like some heavy weights being lifted and dropped constantly.

Steve's voice replied, "Over here!", and Peggy walked over to the spot where Steve was heard, and saw Steve in his gym clothes, sweat soaking and such, pushing up weight with barbells, having tested by adding a weight or two by every hour or day.

Peggy smiled, admiring Steve for a few minutes before clearing her throat, "Steve.", and Steve glanced over for a second before setting down the barbells, and grabbed a towel and a water canteen, wiping himself down, smiling, "I knew you were watching before you announced yourself there...Like what you see?".

"Oh, I definitely do, husband, but I got news for you...I got a package from Roosevelt, about Bucky...", Peggy replied as she showed off the mail package.

Steve's eyes widened as he walked over to check it out. "About time, I've been worried for a while; he hasn't sent any letters or anything..."

"Well, he is probably having to keep quiet about things, perhaps. He might be on a special assignment.", Peggy reminded. "Yeah, but he's just with the infantry so I don't...", Steve took a deep breath as he started to open the package.

"By the way, what's the maximum you've done with those weights so far?", Peggy smirked.

Steve replied, "200 weights total so far, with 100 on each end. Looks like you have no worries if I give any of our future children a horseback ride through their toddler years, and of course, give them a shoulder ride as they grow up...", with a chuckle and a light blush on their faces as he said the last part.

Peggy smiled, "Well, you'd make a great horse, Steve, no doubt.", with a giggle, as Steve finally opened the package, looking as he sat down to read, and Peggy asked softly as she sat next to him, "Good news?".

"Well, he's still alive as of when this was sent...", Steve gave a small sigh of relief. "He's no longer with the 34th Infantry though, he's become a part of the Rangers; from the sounds of it, it appears to be our version of your country's commandos.".

"Best of the best, huh? Sounds like him if half the things you told me about him were true.", Peggy chuckled. "Yeah, but he's still safe in England for special training and such for the time being. But, more than likely, he'll probably be deployed for some special missions soon enough.", Steve said.

Peggy smiled, "Don't worry, Steve, Bucky won't be alone...After all, special missions require special people, and he's a team worker, isn't he?".

Steve chuckled, "Oh, he indeed is...And yeah, you're right...This makes me feel better somewhat...I hope I'd see him one of those days when I am sent out...".

"You will, and of course, there's always shore leave...If the Rangers has a base camp of training in Britain, perhaps we'll find him, if he's not deployed, of course.", Peggy encouraged him with a smile, before exhaling, "I'll miss you a lot, but I'll be with Phillips in one of the reporting stations or whatever, to keep up what you would do out there on the front lines...".

"Yeah...", Steve sighed. "I mean, it's a Catch 22 really; either we're separated but worried about how the other one is doing and where they are, or if we're together, we're worried about each other practically every minute especially if we were in danger.".

Peggy nodded with him, "I know, that's just sadly the nature of war and us being a part of it. I'm sure you'd feel a little better if I was pretty much like most of the women and just staying safe here in the States without having to worry about any sort of enemy action and all...".

Steve replied, "But I know you better than that. You'd be in Britain, marking up locations if any of my missions goes successful, and reports if anything goes wrong, like making mistakes or worse come to worse...You are an agent, a fighter, and about the most incredible woman that any man will never underestimate again if you kick them in the ass, like you did with Hodge.", as he chucked wryly, raising her cheek for her to face him in the eye.

Peggy smiled, remembering that day, blushing, and her eyes shone with a glint, "That's damn right...And you know that I could be in Britain most of the time, but I'll be on the move sometimes with Phillips and such, thanks to being an agent and a lieutenant of sorts...We might fly to Britain on the sendoff from here, after the whole testing of your limits like your ability of strength, agility, speed, and such but from there...that's where we would be separated...At least you'll know that I'd be safe on base camp in Britain, and I know you're a super Atlantean soldier, but I'll be still worried about you...I'm your wife, after all, and that is a damn big difference than a crush of a dame or even a fiancée.", with a small sigh.

"That's true, no other women to make me think different of our relationship or anything; that's for damn sure.", Steve said as she blushed.

"Plus, you know that nothing would stop me from reaching you and making you pay dearly if you did.", Peggy teased. "Oh no, I'm much too scared of that scenario; not even the entire Wehrmacht could stop you on that mission.", he laughed.

Peggy grinned, "Good, you're a smart man, and don't ever forget it!", with a determined look in her eyes, and Steve smiled, "I love you, Peggy Rogers.".

"I love you too, Steve Rogers...", Peggy whispered, and went to kiss him on the lips passionately, wrapping her arms around his neck, ruffling his blonde hair with her hands, and Steve muttered, "You realize I just came off from lifting weights and all?".

Peggy smirked, "I know, and I don't care...", before resuming her passionate kiss, and Steve closed his eyes, smiling as he gently pushed away the letters and reports of the package, and wrapped his arms around her, returning the kiss with fervor, as they continued on like that for five minutes, before an amused voice cleared her throat.

They broke away, looking at Audrey, playfully smirking as she crossed her arms, "Hey, lovebirds. Honestly, in any room, you are literally acting like honeymooners!", and they blushed, relieved that they were controlled enough to be affectionate yet socially acceptable to sleep in bed without pleasure time or lovemaking time for a whole week in one of Preston's guest bedrooms.

Steve cleared his throat, blushing, "What's going on, Audrey?", and Audrey smiled, "The old man's back from his morning trip. He's asking for you.".

Widening his eyes slightly, realizing that Preston might have found a perfect house for the couple, Steve nodded, "Right.", and Peggy smiled, "You better take a quick shower, soldier. I may be your wife, and I don't care too much, but best to get clean and get rid of the gym stink...", with a chuckle.

"Right...", Steve said as he walked off as Audrey chuckled. "I'm honestly jealous of you there, Peggy.", she admitted as Peggy blushed. "I mean, Steve, personality wise, is the guy every girl would want.".

"Glad you clarified on the personality there.", Peggy chuckled. Audrey shrugged, "Well, I didn't want to come off as shallow, but if you want me to go there, his whole boost is a huge plus too.".

Peggy chuckled, "Yes, I'm very lucky that I have him, and strangely enough, I still feel strong and independent with him around...", and Audrey smiled, "That's good. It's so obviously clear that the guy is totally in love with you, and that he would always see you equally, unlike a lot of men...", with a scoff.

"War, expeditions, even a great depression, they bring out the best in men, yet they also bring out the worst of men as well...I'm glad Steve remained good and kind after the whole change...Abraham was right...A man with a good heart would turn out to be a hero. And even if he hasn't been in the war yet, he has been a hero to me, and no one else will entirely know him like I do.", Peggy smiled.

Audrey nodded, "Fair enough as you are his wife. So, care to have some tea and some girl fun, if you're okay with being girly for a while?", with a smile as Preston told her to distract Peggy, strangely enough, though he swore that it's for a good reason, as Steve's technically behind the reason.

"Honestly, I wouldn't mind letting my guard down and sort of turning back the clock a bit in terms of my attitude.", Peggy chuckled as she followed Audrey.

In the meantime, Steve reached Preston's main hall and was glancing around for him. "Mr. Whitmore? Sir?", he asked.

Preston's voice chuckled, "How many times must I tell you that it's fine to call me Preston?", as he walked out from his office, and Steve smiled, "Probably a lot...Sorry, it's a habit, being polite and all. Mom would never let me live it down if I wasn't polite and having manners, etc.".

"Ah, that explains a lot. Anyway, are you good to get going? I found hopefully your dream house, and I'd like your judgement before I make the final payment to the seller. Apparently, I convinced him to hold back other offers for today.", Preston replied.

Steve exhaled, realizing that his gut feeling was right, and smiled, "Yes, let's...I know the train takes at least a few hours to New York City...How far is it from here?", as he went to follow Preston down through the mansion.

"About an hour and 50 minutes on the train, so precisely halfway between the train station here, and Grand Central. If you like the house, you have time to take Peggy there long before dark, so she can have the full view as a surprise. It's a fine home, Steve. Walkable/bikeable distance to downtown, in a place called Elkton.", Preston replied.

"Near Wilmington, Delaware, right?", Steve asked as Preston nodded, "Yeah; I mean, I wasn't exactly sure if anywhere around this region of the country was good or if you might have been wanting something much closer to New York...".

Steve smiled, "It's alright, Preston. If it's in the countryside basically, it's good, and besides, with technology getting better, I could see about getting a car after the war ends, and I know it will end, and it'd be somewhat quicker to New York than the train. I'll save my judgement until I see the house, and knowing Peggy, we can always outfit the place to suit ourselves better than before.".

"I think you'll like it; I've seen it myself and it fits you two to a T.", Preston chuckled as Steve smiled, "Seriously, thank you very much for everything you've done... I... I couldn't even begin to truly repay you for all the help...".

Preston smiled, "You already have, by giving me relief to know that two of my dearest friends are safe, happy, and married to boot, and the fact that Atlantis isn't a myth, yet gives me determination and motivation to protect the city for them, and for you.", with a nod, not going to overwhelm the man with his plans to rework his will by making the children and grandchildren of Steve and Peggy Rogers, along with any possible descendants of Joshua Sweet, or Audrey Ramirez to inherit his mansion and holdings and such.

He knew Jacques will never return back to the surface after the war, intending to stay with Sia and his family, and it was clear that Mole would always be a bachelor, obsessed with digging and all, despite his flirting attempts and such, Cookie and Packard are around his age, barely any family of their own apart from old friends, and he himself had never married, and liked his privacy.

Sure, it's possible that his crystal would erase aches and pains of being old for a long time, but he could have to stay careful and such to avoid suspicion when the time comes.

"Again... thank you...", Steve smiled as Preston nodded, "You're welcome... now then, I think I've kept you distracted long enough today; I get the feeling you were with your wife just before there.".

Steve blushed, smiling, "Yes...", and Preston chuckled, "Let's not be late to the train and see the house for yourself, and then if you approve of it, and me buying from the seller, with the house in your name, you can surprise your wife, and you can finally have your private time without the rest of us around. I'm sure it was well-meaning to be guests and all, but I bet you two are frustrated.", with a smirk and a nod as they walk out of the mansion, to a cab.

Steve blushed hearing that as he couldn't help but admit that was the case; he and Peggy really had no chance for that sort of thing ever since their honeymoon a couple weeks ago.

Preston patted his shoulder, "I'll not tease you anymore, Steve.", with a chuckle, and Steve nodded, relieved as they are technically in public now, and so, they went into the cab, to the train station, changing the subject here and there in their conversation while they rode the train, and after arriving in Elkton, they use a horse cab to the aforementioned house.

After stepping out of the horse cab, realizing that they are in a peaceful area of the countryside, with Elkton nearby, Steve surveyed a beautiful English-ish cottage with a storybook appearance, made of stone, and an American-English thatch/wood roof, while having some American accents to it, including window standards and such.

Preston replied, "The master bedroom and the guest bedroom is on the main floor, with a bathroom between those bedrooms, and a powder bathroom upstairs with a loft bedroom, with a living room with a nice chimney and a small library, kitchen, and a cozy nook to eat meals.".

"Boy, certainly a nice place.", Steve whistled as Preston chuckled, "Yeah, and nothing too extreme with size and pricing; after all, you two never gave off the vibes that you'd truly like living in a place like mine...".

Steve smiled, "Oh, that's for sure. Don't get me wrong, the space at your place would be great for a family or gang reunion of sorts, but this...on the other hand, it's much better than I'd ever imagined it would be...The outside looks great...I suspect there's a good-sized backyard, huh?".

Preston chuckled, "Complete with a vegetable garden. And of course, there's trails to a forest, a park, and then downtown...I'd think you two could be okay with a great run every day to keep fit and all.".

Steve smiled, "Sounds good. Can we head inside? I'd want to see everything including the backyard for my judgement before I might consider signing the papers and all.", and Preston nodded, "Yep, we can as the seller gave permission for you to check this place out after I told him about you and your wife, nothing much besides being sick of the city and needing space, I promise. The seller lives down the road back there for renting, he couldn't risk too long to wait for selling this place as he wants to head for warmer climates.".