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𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐞: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐮𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥

May 19th, 2016

Bucharest, Romania

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It had been a long time since Allie had properly thought of Peggy Carter.

She didn't mean just a fleeting thought, like seeing the color red and thinking of Peggy's typically ruby painted lips. Or seeing a woman walking down the streets with short, bouncing chocolate hair and heels that echoed as she stepped. Not thoughts like this where Peggy's name briefly flickered into her conscience before fading as quickly as they came. Insignificant reminders of the woman that had been seared into Allie's memory.

No, she meant truly thinking about the brunette bombshell. The intelligent, beautiful and strong woman that had left her mark wherever she went. Who was willing to put her body and name on the line for justice. The soldier, the comrade, the friend that Allie wished she got more time to spend with. That maybe if things had of been different, they could of been old women who were still friends by now.

But things weren't different, leaving Allie to remember all the times she had spent with Peggy. The missions, the trainings, the chats, all times she wished she could relive again. Allie remembered everything Peggy had taught her about being a strong and resilient woman, teachings she strived to uphold every day of her life. A legacy that she would make sure that would never die.

But on this day, Allie wished that she wasn't forced to think about the spectacular woman that was Peggy Carter.

Allie had spent the morning at home alone, cleaning up the apartment as Bucky went out to do some shopping. Finding herself enjoying the peace and quiet, the heavy silence allowing her to be one with her thoughts. Contemplating the simple things of life, like what were they going to have for dinner or if she could be bothered to fold and put her clothes away. A task that she decided she would let grow until it could no longer be ignored.

But those mundane tasks had been interrupted by her phone ringing, something that seemed to be happening a lot lately.

"Hello?" Allie muttered into the phone that was propped against her shoulder as she tried to make her and Bucky's bed.

"Allie, it's Steve."

"Hey Steve! Is everything okay?" She questioned, a small smile tugging at her lips as she fell onto the bed, ignoring the crumpled sheets that needed to be cleaned.

"No." She heard Steve sigh."No it's not."

And just like that, worry began to flow through her like a drug. Eating away at her, it's sharp teeth tearing holes into her soul at Steve's very words. Because she knew Steve, she knew that he was never one to outright admit that something was wrong. He wouldn't even tell her if he was dying in order to save her from the pain, he was that kind of man. And if he was openly going to tell her something of this nature over the phone, she knew that it couldn't be good. Feeding into that insatiable beast that was fear.

"What's wrong? Are you hurt?" She asked instantly, concern dripping from her voice like tar.

"Peggy died," Steve replied, the words forcing a shocked exhale to fall from Allie's lips."She's dead."

"No... I—" She stuttered, shaking her head at his words in complete disbelief. "Steve, I'm so sorry."

It seemed that Allie's complete vocabulary faded from memory, leaving her unable to articulate what she wanted to say to Steve. Her mouth unable to form the lilts and inflexions needed to form those very words to communicate the sadness that stirred within her. How she wanted to apologize for his loss, for her own loss, for her guilt. How she wanted to apologize for it all.

"I just needed someone to talk to." Steve spoke after a moment, his voice lacking its usual livliness and joviality. Sounding like a ghost of the man that Allie knew.

"How did it happen?"

"She had Alzheimers and was living in a retirement home just outside of Washington. She had been bad for a while but she passed last night in her sleep."

"And you had been seeing her?" She murmured, leaning her head against the wall with a sigh.

"Yeah, I tried to see her at least once a week."

"I'm so sorry Steve. I know how much she meant to you." She began, her tone soft and empathetic. Almost splintering with grief. "She was a beautiful woman, and I am so grateful I got to know her back in the 40s."

"I should have brought you to see her."

"No Steve. I don't think it would have done either of us any good seeing each other." She shook her head resolutely. "With everything Peggy stood for, I don't think she would have approved of who I have become."

And that excuse Allie had told Steve, was one she had been telling herself for a while now. She would admit that the thought of going to see Peggy had crossed her mind since she had become Allie Williams again. Especially given her reunion with Steve and meeting Tony, leaving Peggy as the only member of the golden trio that Allie had yet to reunite with. But Allie remembered Peggy's unyielding views of morality, her internal compass that featured a stark line differing right from wrong. And after everything that Allie had done, that Trickery had done, (namely attacking Peggy back in the '50s), she wasn't sure if Peggy would have wanted Allie back in her life.

"Allie, she was not a fool. She would have understood everything you had to go through."

"I don't know if she would have understood me nearly killing her on a mission back in the '50s." She countered, her words leaving Steve speechless for a brief moment.

"She loved you, Allie."

"And I loved her too, I truly did."

"I know." Steve sighed, his words sounding tired, void of life. Revealing to Allie just how hard he was taking this loss. "Her funeral is on the 22nd, and I'd like you to come."

"Steve." She murmured dismally at the news, her eyes blurring with unshed tears. "I don't think that's smart."

"Why not?"

Allie gulped at his hurt tone, unable to stop the parasitic guilt that clawed its way up her throat. Constricting around her neck like a noose and chocking her of life. All because she knew she was letting Steve done by denying his offer.

She knew how much Steve needed her there, how he would need someone that would understand the loss of another person from his past. Especially given this was Peggy, his Peggy. But the shame strong-armed her. The reminder of how Allie had become Peggy's enemy, the poison that Peggy had dedicated her life to exterminating from the world, stopped her from going. Stopping her from becoming an insult at Peggy's funeral.

"Her funeral is a celebration of her life, and I don't think it would be wise to have the woman who nearly murdered her all those years ago be one of the attendees." Allie replied morosely.

"You were also her friend."

"And that's why I can't let myself ruin her funeral." She responded, lips curling into a bitter frown. "What if the police arrive? What if HYDRA track me down and ruin her funeral. The funeral only made for her family and close friends. I can't let myself do that to her Steve."

After a moment or two, she heard Steve sigh on the end, probably running a hand through his golden looks in stress."Alright, I won't fight you on this. But the invitation is still there, you are welcome to come."

"Thank you, Steve." She replied, knowing that she wasn't going to change her mind.

"Right well I have to go."

Allie blinked back her tears, trying to force a smile onto her face to no avail. "Stay safe."

"You too."

"Steve!" She called suddenly, praying that he hadn't already pulled the phone away and went to hang up.

"Yeah?"

"She loved you. So don't let that version of yourself die. Don't shut yourself down because she's gone. Live for her."

"I will."

And with that, Steve hung up the phone. Allie's strong front faltering as she heard the familiar tone beep in her ear, bringing down her defences. Sparkling diamonds bursting from her eyes like an untapped mine. Dripping and dripping, falling down her ivory face and into her trembling hands. Her mouth shut and silent as she wept, her glass heart drowning in pain and her thoughts solely centered on Peggy Carter, the woman that Allie used to know.

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Allie had thought that call with Steve would be the end of that discussion, that she wouldn't be forced to hear Peggy's name again and rehash the guilt. The tidlewave of all-consuming shame that suffocated her body and drained it of life. At least not for a while.

But little did she know, she was merely lying to herself.

Allie had woken up the next morning at the crack of dawn, with the sun bleeding bronze across the sapphire sky and sleeping city. Her slumber captivated with dreams of the recently deceased brunette bombshell, both the good and the bad. Forcing her to wake in Bucky's absurdly tight hold much earlier than usual. The soft singing of a lark working as an alarm as she curled into Bucky's warmth.

But despite the beauty of it all, she couldn't get her thoughts to stray far from Peggy. It was all she thought about, that heavenly woman she had known so long ago. Entwining those blissful memories with feelings of guilt and regret, tainting them, robbing them of the happiness they used to hold.

It had gotten so bad that she forced herself to get out of bed and leave the apartment. Trying to distract herself with a short walk, hoping the early morning sun would help ease her mind.

She had been walking the lonely streets of Bucharest for little over 10 minutes, her thoughts torn between her conversation with Bucky last night and memories of Peggy. As soon as Bucky had come home and spotted the glistening tears trailing down her alabaster skin, he had pulled her into his arms and held her against his chest. Almost trying to hold the broken of pieces of herself together as if he were glue. Whispering reassuring promises into her ear as he stroked her chocolate tresses.

She had immediately spilled the truth to him, relieving the mounting pressure on her heart. Informing Bucky of Peggy's death, which had also rendered him silent for a moment, processing the devastating news. But he soon went to reassuring Allie, telling her that she couldn't fixate on things she could no longer fix. Rather, she should look back on the memories and cherish them for what they were.

Advice that although true, was hard to accomplish.

And as she walked down the concrete sidewalk, mind entirely focused on Peggy, she failed to notice the swirling black portal that opened up behind her.

"You really need to pay more attention, Alexandra."

Alarm coursed through her body, turning her eyes sterling silver as she whipped around. Hands raised defensively, ready to take on the threat. A threat that was no more than a smirking, angelically beautiful familiar Greek Goddess.

"Nice to finally see you Allie." Melaina smirked, cocking a brow challengingly. "It's not like it has been nearly 2 years."

"Jesus Christ, Melaina." Allie sighed, heaving in a breath to stifle the adrenalin that coursed through her veins.

"Jesus isn't real." Melaina snapped, quite obviously insulted by the blasphemy. "He was but a child of Apollo who inherited his ability to prophesize."

"What?"

"Are you truly surprised by that?"

"Yes!"

Rolling her eyes, Melaina stalked away from Allie. Heading towards a chipped wooden bench that sat a few feet away from the two. Collapsing on it with an exasperated sigh as she ran her nimble fingers through her onyx hair.

"Humans, truly the most ignorant creatures I have ever met. And to think I believed you to be smarter than the average mortal." She muttered, giving Allie a slight glare as she joined her sitting on the bench.

Frowning at the backhanded compliment, Allie crossed her legs timidly. "Thank you?"

"So this is the city you call home now?" Melaina questioned, her eyes scrutinizing the ruged street and dated buildings, quite obviously not up to her godly standards. "It seems... nice."

Furrowing her brows, Allie ignored the question. The shock of seeing the Goddess finally wearing off. "How did you even find me?"

"I made a quick call to Hermes and he pointed me in the right direction."

"I'm not even going to ask." She sighed, before giving Melaina a questioning look, somehow already knowing the answer. "Why are you here?"

"Because I am taking you to Peggy's funeral." She informed her.

"What? No!"

"Yes."

"No!"

"Yes, Allie—"

"No! I am not ruining her funeral." She growled, anger swirling inside Allie's mind like a monsoon. A raw emotion so powerful with the ability to completely destroy everything in its path. Well, it used to. It's strength disappearing since she had been taking medication to treat the uncurable illness plaguing her body like a leper. That anger that used to do more harm than good.

Melaina gazed at Allie imploringly for a moment, recognizing the fury that danced in her chocolate irises. Waiting for it to abate before she continued with her arguments, one that she needed to work.

"I understand Allie, truly I do. But are you willing to ruin it for Steve who needs the support of his only true friend right now?" She eventually spoke, her tone soft and somber.

"Steve has the Avengers and Sam! And he has you!" Allie countered.

"They aren't his true friends, the ones stood by his side during the war and were actually there when he loved Peggy." Melaina explained, shaking her head. "I am not that person, but you are."

That anger that had consumed Allie was now replaced with fear, potentially the more dangerous out of the two emotions. Leaving her hands trembling in barely concealed anxiousness and voice stuttering.

"I—I can't Melaiana. I just can't."

"There is a difference between can't and won't." Melaina reassured, taking Allie's hand within her own and giving it a tight squeeze. "Steve needs someone there that will understand, someone that will understand in a way I can't. And after everything he has done for you, you don't think you owe him just a little bit?"

Letting a soft sigh expel between her roseate lips, Allie lifted her gaze to meet Melaina's emerald eyes. Eyes that resembled a coniferous forest in the spring, brimming with life and bursting with every variation of green imaginable. Not hint of awkwardness or discomfort lurking beneath its thick shrubbery.

"Why are you doing this for him? Isn't it weird for you?" She asked.

"No, I know I won't ever be able to measure up to what Peggy meant to Steve. I know that because Steve won't ever match up to my first love either. But it doesn't matter because he doesn't have to." She answered resolutely, her gaze unwavering as she stared down Allie. "All that matters is that he gets the funeral he deserves by not going through that pain alone."

"A pain you also are experiencing." Melaina continued, squeezing Allie's hand one last time before she stood up and flicked her wrist. Letting an obsidian flame of pure darkness grow by her side, a portal featuring the faint reflection of a London church.

"Now are you going to come or not?"

"I'll go." Allie murmured with slight hesitance. "But I need to do one thing first."

Melaina nodded, letting the portal fall away with a slight pop. "And that is...?"

"I need to go home first. There's... something I need to do first."

And that something was to say a quick goodbye to a certain brunette man that sat at her home awaiting her return. Leaving an impatient Goddess wondering what Allie could have been doing. But little did she know, or at least what little she knew then, of the secrets that Allie harboured. Secrets that would soon unravel.

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Cloaked in a raven coat and dark sunglasses, Allie watched Peggy's funeral from afar. Practically in the rafters, watching down on the ceremony, watching her best friend grieve the loss of the woman he loved.

It was beautiful, or at least Allie assumed so. She had never been to a funeral before, never having to experience the loss of someone so close when she was actually herself. She didn't know what to expect, if she should prepare for white waxy faces or cheers in celebration for the life once lived. If it would be a bleak, somber service where they would begrudgingly accept the finality of her death, or if it would be intimate, full of appreciation and reverence.

And somehow it was the perfect blend of it all.

The funeral started with the soft hymns of a choir, a harmony so high it rose higher than the silver clouds in the sky. Echoing throughout the church and reaching the heavens with their graceful notes. Aiding the procession of the casket, distracting the assembly from the morbid reality that Peggy's decaying body laid in a coffin enshrouded beneath the British flag. A body without its soul, no longer bearing the woman that they all came here to mourn.

And carrying that casket was Steve, his eyes fixed with boundless sorrow. A sea of gloom that was darker than Allie's broken heart, staring unflinchingly ahead as he carried the weight of the coffin on his shoulder. Even from where Allie stood, she could clearly see the pain that Steve was feeling. His red ringed eyes and trembling body, all signs of the torment that raged inside his mind.

And that was when she knew she made the right decision to come to the funeral. Because she realized that nobody should ever have to go through that pain alone.

The ceremony itself was long and tedious, but beautiful nonetheless. There were lots of speeches by the ebony-skinned minister, speeches that brought both onslaughts of fresh tears and soft chuckles of laughter from the assembly. Well-spoken words as a tribute to the woman they all came here to grieve, the unforgettable Peggy Carter.

Her niece also shared a few words. She didn't look like Peggy, but she had her spirit, her unwavering determination and conviction. They were both female trailblazers, walking along a path that most ordinary women didn't get the opportunity to take. Chiefly due to the fact they weren't ordinary women, they were anything but. They were exceptional.

And due to Allie's high vantage point away from the main gallery, she also saw how Steve relied on Melaina. The discrete tightening of interlocked hands in reassurance, the slight lean of his body into hers, she saw it all. How he used her as a pillar of strength when he felt like he had none. Exactly like how Bucky and Allie were.

When the ceremony finally finished, Melaina had reappeared by Allie's side. Giving Allie a grateful smile before she portalled her out of the church. Bringing her to an emerald park filled with a pristine array of flora. All flowering due to the brilliant spring weather. Haloed in golden sunshine, Allie sat on a wooden park bench under the tall deciduous trees, giving Melaina a soft smile as she portalled back to the church. Promising to get Steve and make him aware of Allie's presence in London.

Leaving Allie alone, gazing out at the discordant flowers. Her thoughts so solely fixed on the ceremony that she failed to notice a blonde man, donning a tight fitting black tuxedo, stride towards her.

"Mel said that I would find you here."

She instantly turned around and met Steve's broken eyes, the stunning cobalt irises surrounded by rings of crimson. Watching as he walked towards her morosely, almost a silhouette of himself, lost to the numbness and grief. She almost didn't recognize him, not with the defeated eyes and dark suit, a garment she hadn't seen him wear before.

"Steve." She whispered softly as he sat down next to her on the park bench, gazing at her imploringly,

"You told me that you weren't coming." He stated, more confused than angry.

"I wasn't planning on coming." She admitted, offering him a tight smile. "But Mel can be quite stubborn when she wants to be."

At her words, Steve cracked a smile of his own, the faintest of a twinkle returning to his usually star-suffused eyes. "Yes, she certainly is."

"But she was right. I realized that you needing me here was more important than risking getting caught." Allie lamented softly. "And I owed it to you. You have put up with all the pain and trouble I have brought into your life over the last year or so, and you never complained. Even after everything, you have always been there for me, and it was about time I did the same for you."

Steve was left stunned at her words, equal parts disbelieving and appreciative. But after a moment of poignant silence, he interlaced his hands with hers and gave it a soft squeeze.

"Thank you." He murmured and although short, it meant more than anything he would otherwise be able to articulate.

Allie gave him a bright smile before she let out a disappointed sigh, turning her gaze back to the emerald greenery of their surroundings."I can't stay for long though, I'm too out in the open. Too exposed."

"That's okay, I'm sure Melaina will give you a ride back."

"Hopefully." Allie nodded before testing the waters. "Peggy's niece is just like her. In every way possible."

"She is. She works at S.H.I.E.L.D too." Steve agreed, leaning back into the chair tiredly.

"At least her legacy is being carried on, by someone deserving it looks like too."

"Yeah." He conceded glumly, his thoughts obviously returning back to Peggy.

"The ceremony was beautiful, Steve, truly. And I am glad I was here to witness it." Allie spoke, giving him a concerned smile.

"Me too." He admitted, clutching her hand tightly. But his tender facade was soon replaced with exasperation, a tired sigh falling past his cracked lips. "Too bad it's being overshadowed by these stupid accords."

"So I assume you aren't signing then?"

"No." He answered instantly before he turned to her in confusion. "Wait, you know about the accords?"

"Who do you think told Tony how to bring it up?" She smirked lightly.

"Of course." Steve shook his head in annoyance, scolding himself for not knowig better. "Well it didn't work."

"Probably because Tony didn't listen to my advice and did it his own way." Allie chided, lips curling upwards into a small, teasing smile.

Steve dipped his eyes in frustration, already knowing what the next words would be that were going to fall past her lips. Another lecture about the accords, a subject that seemed to haunt him day and night. Unable to find even the briefest of a reprieve from the problem he had already flat-out denied.

"Look, Allie I love you. But I don't want to sit here and hear you try to convince me to sign." He groaned, his voice tight as he ran a hand through his perfect golden locks in irritation.

"Steve, no one has ever been able to convince you to do something you don't want to do. And having known you for 70 years now, I think I know that the best." Allie chuckled, trying to ease his obvious apprehension.

"Well you're not wrong."

"Of course I'm not." She grinned before letting her playful tone slip away. Dissipate into nothingness as though it had never been there in the first place. Instead replaced by a voice of caution, a warning.

"But, Tony's not wrong either. Neither are you."

Frowning at her words, Steve conceded to his curiosity. "How does that work?"

"Tony thinks that by giving the responsibility to those who are actually qualified enough to make the decisions, there will be less casualties in your next battle, whenever that may be. He is trying to minimize the damage that your fighting leaves behind. And that may not necessarily be because of you guys yourselves, but it's significantly contributed by you lot."

Allie turned to appraise Steve, watching her words sink in. She knew Steve, she knew his boundless loyalty and unwavering conviction. Two of the very things that had made him such a good friend to Allie. And yet it was those two things that also acted as his flaws, overpowering all his rationality when presented with conflicting scenarios. He was loyal to a fault, and she wanted to make sure that it wouldn't be his loyalty that split the family he had managed to make for himself.

"Tony is just trying to secure peace in the only way he knows how." She told him softly, almost pleadingly. "Now tell me you aren't trying to do the same?"

"No I'm not. I am trying to save democracy, to protect those who don't have the opportunity to speak up for themselves. Tony is just trying to shift the blame to the government." He countered, jaw clenched and nostrils flaring as a flicker of anger began to ignite inside him.

"No, he is trusting the Government with the lives of their people. The people that elected those officials into Government. Officials that's primary jobs are to look after their country. Countries that aren't just American, that do not follow the same laws as here." She objected rationally, keeping her voice calm and features soft. Not allowing herself to give into that same malevolent anger.

"Allie—"

"Look, I'm not saying you're wrong either." She interjected. "I understand why you don't trust the Government, because all you have to do is look at me and I am quite literally a testiment to that fear. I am a product of the Russian Government and of HYDRA. So I know that people in power are often corrupt, that their morals are skewed and they don't always have the interests of the people at their heart."

"I see both sides of the coin, Steve. And I just want you to be able to do the same. To not make a decision based on only the half of the knowledge that you have." She finished, watching him intensely. Tryig to gauge what his reaction would be to her ardent words, praying that she hadn't pushed one of her only friend's away.

But thankfully enough, Steve let out a soft sigh, nodding as he turned his gaze back to Allie.

"Alright, I'll try." He answered.

Smiling, Allie let herself lean against Steve lightly. A wave of relief unravelling inside her as he wrapped a hand around her shoulders tenderly. A friendly embrace, one she hadn't received in quite a while.

"Okay, that's all I can ask of you." She murmured.

Tightening his hold slightly, Steve let out a sorrowful exhale. "Peggy would have known what to do."

Letting that melancholic feeling return to the forefront of her mind, Allie nodded in agreement. Peggy was nothing if not diplomatic, exactly like her niece had said earlier. Having the intelligence and deviousness to outsmart any man in her field, fighting for justice where she saw fit. And if anybody could have negotiated the accords so that all parties were happy, it would have been Peggy.

"She would have."

Her words hung in the air for a moment, falling away with the wind as a pregnant silence enveloped the pair. Softly leaning into each other as they grieved their loss, a feeling they both knew all too well. But with their physical contact came the promise of friendship, an oath they wordlessly agreed to. Vowing to be there for each other, a pillar of support so they both could stand tall. One that had lasted the test of time and knew they would continue into the future, regardless of what was to come.

"I'm glad you're here, Allie."

"Me too."

. ☾ .

HEY EVERYONE!!!!

I'm so sorry for the delayed update but school has been a bit insane lately! I've just gone back to online learning after being at school for about a month since the last round of isolation so everything's just been a bit hectic atm. I'm so over Corona ):

But wow this is a monster of a chapter!!! 3 separate parts and over 5000 words! That also explains why it took me a hot minute to get it published! You guys better have enjoyed it!!

But we are finally into Civil War dudes! Shit's about to go from bad to worse, so prepare yourselves...

ANYWAY,, onto the questions!

1. What do you think of this chapter?

2. What would you like to see next?

3. Melaina x Allie or Steve x Allie??

4. Who's your favourite ship (Irl or fictional)?

UNTIL NEXT TIME LOVES!!!

— Grace xx