Chapter 2
WASHINGTON, D.C.
June 28th, 1949
The morning light filtered through the gauzy curtains of Peggy’s room, its soft glow intermingling with the two figures that resided in the bed, located at the center of the room. Peggy and Steve, having awoken earlier, shared a moment of quiet intimacy, wrapped around each other, a conversation, light and teasing at first, was interrupted by a presence, Peggy’s roommate.
“You two are so cute,” came a clear, bright voice from the doorway, disrupting their moment. Angie Martinelli stood in the entryway with a smirk playing on her lips. Her eyes twinkled with mischief and delight as she surveyed the scene before her.
Peggy, her tone laced with a hint of annoyance, asked. “Angie, what are you doing here?”
“Oh, nothing, English,” Angie replied casually. “I was just passing by to let you know that Mr. Stark is here.”
Then, in what Angie herself considered a world record, both Peggy and Steve scrambled to dress, their movements, for a couple that reunited the day before, strangely coordinated.
Soon enough, the sound of the door opening signaled the arrival of another familiar figure. “Oh, hey Angie,” greeted Howard Stark as he strode into the living room. With his impeccable manners and unmistakable charm, Howard carried himself with an air of confidence that belied the complexities of his past. “You look beautiful as always,” he said, his eyes lingering on Angie.
Angie laughed lightly, filling the room with warmth. “I know, Howard, I know,” she replied with a playful roll of her eyes. “You know your charms don’t work on me.” There was a teasing challenge in her tone—a reminder that no matter how suave or debonair he might be, she was not so easily swayed.
“Don’t mind me for still trying, Angie,” Howard responded, his gaze shifted to Peggy, greeting her with warmth. “Oh, hi Peggy—long time no see!”
“Hello, Howard,” Peggy replied, politely.
Howard was about to inquire further about the arrangement when he noticed the other figure’s presence, shifting the dynamic in the room. “And why is it that you call…” Howard began, only to be cut off as a familiar figure stepped into view—a man who he thought dead.
“Steve?” Howard said, not being able to believe what he was seeing.
“Hi Howard,” Steve said, his voice warm, trying to be delicate, understanding the weirdness of the situation. “I’ll put you up to date.” In that simple sentence lay a promise of updating him.
As Steve recounted the extraordinary odyssey of his life in the twenty-first century, the room fell silent. Howard listened, his face a canvas of disbelief and wonder. “So, my son from the future saved the universe from aliens?” he asked, a note of incredulity in his voice as if trying to process the sheer magnitude of the events being described.
“Yes,” Steve confirmed with a calmness that was incredible to Howard, understanding the surreal nature of his tale.
Howard continued, his words punctuated by astonishment. “And you were stuck on ice for 70 years?”
“Yes,” came the measured response.
“And Barnes is alive, and HYDRA is still around?”
“Yes,” Steve replied, his tone hinting at more knowledge.
A long pause settled over the room as Howard absorbed the implications of Steve’s account. “Well, I’ll be damned,” he finally said, his voice heavy with the realization that the stakes were higher than any of them had anticipated. He turned his gaze to Peggy. “We have to do something.”
At that moment, Peggy’s eyes met Steve’s. There was an unspoken conversation in that look—a recognition of the shared responsibility that now rested on their shoulders. “So, Steve, what do you suggest we do first?” Howard asked, a million questions still in his mind.
Steve’s mind raced through the possibilities, on how to approach the challenges ahead. “I think the first thing is to get the other me out of the ice,” he began, before continuing. “Then, we rescue Bucky.”
“And then destroy HYDRA,” Howard finished, his tone resolute as the gravity of their situation settled in.
“That’s going to be more difficult,” Steve commented, thoughtfully. “Even if rescuing Bucky is a major setback for them, HYDRA has already infiltrated so many governments. In my timeline, they were like a plague—remove one of them, and three more appear.”
A ripple of understanding passed between them, the implications of their words hanging in the air. “Then why not just do that?” Howard asked, seeking clarity.
“Do what?” Peggy retorted, her tone sharp yet laced with amusement as she tried to make sense of what bold plan Howard is formulating in his mind.
“Infiltrate them,” Howard responded, his eyes gleaming with decisiveness. “By placing people of trust in positions of power.”
Peggy’s lips curved into a wry smile. “So then what—do I run for prime minister and Steve for president?” she joked, her voice light even as the stakes of their conversation grew ever heavier.
“That’s... actually what I was thinking,” Howard admitted with a casual shrug, as if the idea were normal. But Peggy was quick to remind him, “We’re not politicians, Howard.”
“Yet it’s a good plan,” Steve interjected, explaining before Peggy could interject herself. “Every time I affiliate myself with an organization or a government, HYDRA—whether they’re behind the scenes or out in the open—always tries to control people through fear and political manipulation. Maybe if we were in those positions, we could change that, restore integrity, and put human morale above the relentless drive for power. And stopping HYDRA would be the cherry on top.”
Peggy looked at Steve for a long time, her eyes softening with amusement. “You’re already thinking about what you’d do in office, huh?” she teased. “Well, I’m in.” she stated, still not believing she is agreeing.
A playful voice piped up from behind them. “So I’m going to be the best friend of a leader of a nation?” Angie said with a lighthearted lilt as she glanced at Peggy, her comment carrying an undercurrent of loyalty towards her.
“Not so fast, Martinelli,” Peggy replied to Angie, using her affectionate nickname as she reminded everyone that there were still practical steps to take before grand plans could be realized. “We have to do a couple of things first.”
“By doing a couple of things, I didn’t imagine this, English,” Angie teased, a mischievous smile dancing on her lips as she took in the sight of Steve.
“Angie, he doesn’t have any clothes,” Peggy retorted sharply, a mix of exasperation and laughter in her tone. “Or would you prefer him to go around naked at home?” she asked, playfully.
Angie merely shrugged in response, a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth as Peggy’s laughter filled the room. Amid the playful chaos, a familiar voice called out from the fitting room. “Girls, I’m still here!” Steve announced as he emerged from behind a curtain.
“Sorry, darling,” Peggy said as she watched him.
“It’s okay,” Steve replied as he stepped out confidently. “How do I look?” he asked, a playful glint in his eye as he sought her approval.
“Great as always,” Peggy replied, leaning in to kiss him.
From another corner of the room, Angie piped up once more, her tone light. “Guys, I’m still here,” she commented, eliciting a fresh burst of laughter from Peggy.
Now at night, back in the house, Peggy turned off the radio with a soft sigh. “I guess it’s time to go to bed,” she said quietly, her voice imbued with fatigue after a long day.
Steve, still sitting nearby, stared at her with eyes that spoke volumes—of desire. In that silent exchange, each could sense what the other desired. Peggy’s thoughts echoed softly: I want it too. And with that silent admission, she leaned in and kissed him hard, moving together and making their way toward their bedroom, clothes being taken off one at a time. Peggy could feel her pulse quicken as Steve’s eyes met hers—a look that confirmed his own desire.
“Peggy,” he murmured under his breath as they reached the bedroom.
Inside the bedroom, the atmosphere was thick with anticipation and vulnerability. They watched each other as if for the first time—the last remnants of clothing shed slowly, teasing each other. Then, both stood naked, Steve’s voice was soft: “Peg, you’re breathtaking.” His words, whispered in the quiet of the room, resonated deeply within her.
“You’re not so bad yourself, darling,” she replied with a playful bite of her lower lip, as Steve moved towards her, his lips found the sensitive skin of her neck. His hands traced patterns along her belly, each touch igniting a spark of pleasure that spread through her. “Steve, please, just do it already,” she pleaded softly, her voice trembling with anticipation and the need for release. In response, Steve’s fingers found their way to the warmth between her thighs, slipping two fingers into her, eliciting a soft moan.
His movements were slow and measured at first—a tender exploration that gradually grew more insistent. As he descended along her body, his lips sought out one of her nipples. “Let me take care of you,” Steve whispered, laying her gently on the bed, and getting his face near her clit, pausing to appreciate the delicate fragrance of her skin. “Dammit, Steve, enough with the teasing,” Peggy chided playfully, her tone mingling command and invitation. “Lick it,” she urged.
Without hesitation, Steve began, leaving Peggy trembling, managing to speak between labored breaths. “Your tongue abilities are impressive,” she said, sweat glistening on her skin from the intensity of her climax. “But now it’s time for me to take care of you.”
“No, Peg,” Steve said softly. “Just as you don’t want any teasing, I’m not going to stop now.”
With a nod that sealed her understanding, Peggy allowed herself to surrender to the moment completely. As she looked up, her eyes locked onto his—Steve’s desire evident, with the time seeming to slow as he moved closer, their bodies drawing together, he positioned himself and entered her, the two becoming one.