Before he left to return the Infinity Stones to their proper places in the past, Steve had already decided to remain there and have the life he'd longed to have ever since he'd woken up seventy years in the future.
When he'd see Peggy in 1970 during the Time Heist, she'd looked older of course but she had been as beautiful as he had remembered her. He had wanted to make his presence known in her office so much that it had almost hurt physically.
However, things didn't exactly go as he thought they would when he arrived in the 1950's. For one thing, he found that she was already a high ranking member of SHIELD, having helped Howard and now General Phillips found the agency. But more to the point, Peggy had moved on from him, and she had made a life for herself.
Steve had found where she lived, and since she had some visitors, he'd waited to reveal himself to her when he was certain Peggy would be alone. The day finally came when he was sure no one else was in the house but her, and he decided the best approach would be to simply knock on her front door. So he walked up to the door, and knocked on it.
"Just a moment!" her voice called out from within.
While he waited, he tried not to draw attention to himself by looking around, yet he knew the longer he was on her doorstep, the more of a chance he'd be recognized. Still, all he could do was wait for the door to open, and when it did, there was a gun pointed directly at his face.
"You've got five seconds to explain to me why I shouldn't blow your head off!" She said, a hard look on her face.
Steve looked into her eyes, and said, "Peggy, it's me. It's Steve."
"Steve Rogers was lost almost twelve years. Try again, and make it quick," she countered.
"Okay, how about I tell you something that only you and I know?" Steve suggested.
Peggy's eyes narrowed as she considered what he'd said. "Fine, one thing. But make it quick, and know this is your one chance to convince me," she said, lowering her gun slightly.
Steve takes a deep breath, "I still owe you that dance, Peggy," he said softly, his eyes locking with hers.
Peggy's eyes widened then softened a fraction, "Steve?" she whispered.
Steve nodded, "It's really me, Peggy,"
Tears welled up in Peggy's eyes, and she threw herself into Steve's arms. "How? How is this possible? After the plane went down, they told me they couldn't find any trace of it or of you!" she said, her voice muffled against his chest.
Steve held her tight, savoring the feeling of holding her again, his own tears threatening to spill over. "It's a long story, but I'm here now, Peggy. And I'm not going anywhere," he whispered, his voice choked with emotion
After a few seconds, Peggy pulled away and at his surprised look she said, "Let's take this inside, shall we, before everyone in the neighborhood takes notice."
Steve followed Peggy inside, and as they walked through the small but cozy house, Steve couldn't help but notice the pictures on the walls along with the knick-knacks on the shelves. Each and every one of them were a testament that Peggy had made a full life for herself in the years since he'd last seen her.
"Steve," Peggy said, drawing him out of his thoughts over to where she was sitting on a sofa by a fireplace, "I never expected to see you again for as long as I lived and I... I need you to tell me how it's possible you're here now."
With a nod, he crossed the room, and he sat down on the sofa beside her, "This is a long story..."
"Go on. I've got the time," Peggy confirmed.
Steve nodded, and began to tell her a version of what happened to him after the last time they spoke to each other in 1945. Although he told many details about his life in the future, he left out the fact he'd known and lost her as an old woman, He was also vague about the details of how they had pulled off the Time Heist, and how he was able to travel back in time. When he finished, the reaction Peggy gave to his story was not the one Steve had not expected.
Anger filled her eyes, and second later, her palm met forcefully with his cheek, "You never let me go! How dare you!" she shouted.
Steve stared at her in shock, raising one of his own hands to the cheek she'd slapped hard enough to actually leave a sting!
Peggy's voice was filled with disappointment as she went on, "Steve, I can't believe you would do something like this. from what you told me, you clearly knew that I moved on with my life. You knew I found love again with a wonderful man, and that I had a family with him! You knew I had made a new life with Danie," she said, her voice quivering with emotion.
Steve hung his head, realizing the extent of the pain he had caused, "I'm sorry I never meant to undermine the life you built, Peggy. I guess I blinded by my own desires and being so alone in the future. I didn't stop to think this all the way through."
Peggy's eyes welled up with tears, "Steve, you have no idea how hard it was for me after I lost you.Your death hurt me for a long time but I knew I couldn't wallow in my grief forever. I knew I had to find a way to move forward, to create a life for myself. And I did. I found happiness with Daniel, and we have a family together."
Steve nodded, his own eyes glistening with unshed tears because he knows now for certain he will never have any kind of future with her. The door on the life they might have had is forever closed and locked up tight behind them. He knows there is only one thing he can do now if he truly loves her, and that's to wish her well before he finally lets her go.
"You deserve that happiness, Peggy, and I am glad that you found it. Your husband must be a special man."
"He is. Daniel truly is. From the moment we met, he tried to always treat me with respect, and he wanted to be a friend to me at a time when I was alone."
So, they had started out as friends. That's good. That's very good since that's the way so many of the best relationships, the best marriages began. If that were true, and Steve knows that it is, he also knows there is nothing else for him to do but bow out of this as gracefully as he can, and live her life forever.
But there's just one more thing he needs and wants to do before he does that. Steve looked up at Peggy, "You're right, Peggy. I should have never come back without considering the life you've built for yourself. I apologize from the bottom of my heart."
Peggy nodded, her anger subsiding slightly. "I understand why you did what you did, Steve. But it doesn't change the fact that you hurt me deeply."
"I know, and I'm sorry. Is there anything I can do to make it up to you?" Steve asked, feeling the weight of his mistake heavy on his shoulders.
Peggy thought for a moment then she smiled, "Actually, there is something you can do."
"What is it?" Steve asked eagerly.
"You promised me a dance, Steve. All those years ago, and I never got it," Peggy said, her eyes softening.
Steve smiled back at her. "I did, didn't I?"
"Well, Captain, I'm waiting. Are you going to make good on that promise?"
Steve stood up, taking Peggy's hand in his. "I wouldn't dream of breaking a promise to you, Peggy." Peggy turned on the radio, and then took his hand.
They moved to the center of the room, and Steve took Peggy in his arms. The music playing in the background was soft, and they swayed together in perfect harmony, lost in the moment. For those few minutes, both the past and the future didn't exist, and just lived in the present, together.
As the song ended, Steve looked down at Peggy and smiled as much as he could under the circumstances. "Thank you for this dance, Peggy."
Peggy smiled back at him, a hint of sadness in her eyes, "It was lovely, Steve. But I think it's time for you to go now."
Steve nodded, since he knows that he couldn't stay in the past any longer. He gave Peggy one last hug and had turned to leave, but she stopped him.
"Steve, wait," Peggy said, and he turned back to face her.
"I just wanted you to know that I will always love you and I'll always cherish the time we had together, even if it wasn't as much as we wanted. And I hope you find happiness and someone of your own. Stop mourning what you lost, Steve, and move on," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Steve smiled at her, feeling a sense of peace settle over him. "I will. And I will always love you too, Peggy."
With one last look, Steve walked out the door and back to his own time, ready to start a new chapter in his life. But he would always remember the dance he shared with Peggy, and the love they had for each other, even if it could never be again.
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