I don't own anything except any original/own characters and any original plot.

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Chapter 5- Moments of Peace

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A/n: A few people have been confused about the Steve/Peggy/Reader scene. The Reader did that because Fury wants her to keep Steve stable and keep them close. Also, because she's alien she doesn't fully understand Earth's boundaries and didn't see why that was wrong. Enjoy!

~*~

"So women back then really weren't accepted wearing pants?" I took a small sip of my drink, flinching slightly when my elbow landed on the table. That would have been a poke in the arm from a fork on my planet.

"Some women insisted on wearing pants, to change the times, but everything was different back then. I'm glad women can do what they do now though, with my mom and Peggy...They showed me that most of the time women are more capable than men."

"You are Atreya's saving grace," I smiled, "On my planet, I was expected to wear formal clothing often. I had leeway, when it came to dresses and pants, but dresses were always more convenient. Pants were saved for training."

"That makes sense," Steve set a few dollar bills down on the table as a tip for our waitress, "And your planet didn't have any wars? No arguments, nothing?"

"When our planet first came to be, there were tribes, villages. They battled for years, killing the majority of the people. One of my ancestors got a vision from Atreya, our version of your God. She told them that fighting was not the answer, that all it did was lead to pain. My ancestor brought together all of the villages and we followed Atreya's words. From that point on, we didn't fight, because it does just cause pain."

I sat behind Steve on his bike as he kickstarted it.

"I agree with that. But why learn to fight, and go to Asgard then Earth to fight when you could stay safe on your planet?"

"I'm not sure," I leaned forward and wrapped my arms around Steve's middle, "My true calling was bringing peace, knowing how to fight was a big part of that for me."

It was silent the rest of the ride back to my apartment. It was usually like that. We had been meeting once a week for lunch ever since the Battle of New York. It was nice, keeping tabs on each other and having something to look forward to. I sometimes met with Nat and Clint, but it was a bit of a chore for Clint to travel from the farm house, and Nat was usually busy with missions.

"Thank you for dropping me off Steve. I have yet to get a Midhardian vehicle- car. I have yet to get a car." I flushed in embarrassment.

Steve gave a dashing smile, "It's alright. Even if you've been on Earth longer, both of us have some things to learn."

"Yes, I look forward to working through more of your list with you."

I waved to Steve as he drove off on his bike. Still feeling the dark blush on my cheeks I double tucked my hair behind my ears.

I quite liked Steve. Our mannerisms matched well and he made me feel like I belonged, even if I was an alien princess.

I flushed even darker when I thought about dating. I had never dated before. I never had the chance. But now, on Earth, with a man I could see myself having a future with...

I unlocked my apartment and walked past the threshold. It was exactly as I left it, neat, as all royal homes should be.

I grabbed some good from my kitchen, sitting down on my couch so I could watch television. Most of the news stations were still covering the Battle of New York, specifically the clean up and where the Avengers were now.

"They're relaxing," I muttered, leaning back on the couch.

Ring...Ring... Ri-

I grabbed my phone from the coffee table in front of me. Fury's name was lit up on the screen.

"Please tell me I don't have a mission," I pleaded.

"You're going to like this one Agent Altovar, you're going to be moving soon."

"Moving where, exactly?"

"An apartment has opened up across from Steve Rogers. Both of you have targets on your backs, and he doesn't know this. He can't know this. You moved into the apartment across from his because yours had a gas leak and this was the closest one to the original place. The two of you being closer together will be safer. We'll place another agent in the building as well. Don't you remember what I told you?"

"He'll trust me over anyone else," I repeated, "What if I refuse, to move, that is?"

"I'll have you evicted, and make sure that the only available place is across from Rogers. I thought that you'd be happy. You and Rogers seem to be getting particularly close."

"It's not like that, he still loves Peggy."

"Not a word to Rogers, these targets on your backs isn't something I think he'll handle as well as we hope. You however, have the uncanny ability to be able to blend into a crowd. One more thing agent, the only thing keeping Captain Rogers stuck on Peggy is the dance he couldn't give her. I expect to see you in that apartment by next week. Good luck."

Nick abruptly ended the call. I stared at my phone for a minute, letting out a huffed breath.

I guess I was moving.

~*~

I stared at myself in my new bathroom mirror, sighing quietly. I had moved onto my new apartment a few days ago.

Steve was surprised at first, but after I had explained that I had been looking for a new apartment, and really wanted to move in, he understood and seemed relieved to have someone he knew and trusted so close to him. I couldn't go through with the cover story that Fury gave me, not lying had been drilled into me since I was a child. Small lies were alright as long as they held seeds of the truth, I had figured that out when I was younger.

On top of moving, I was stuck on what Fury told me, about Steve and Peggy's last dance. Peggy Carter was bedridden in a care home, but my Peggy Carter wasn't.

Taking in one last deep breath, I shifted into Peggy, uniform and all. Organic clothes could be thanked for that. After a brief consideration, I shifted from the uniform into a dress fitting for the 40s, it was one of the styles I knew from the lessons Steve had been giving me.

"Steve...Rogers," I spoke slowly, trying to get the hand of Peggy's speech, "I am a strong woman who paved the way for equality. I am now residing in a care home, but I never got my last dance. Perfect."

I have myself one last lookover before I left my apartment. While out in the hallway, I spotted Sharon Carter exiting her apartment. We had trained together while both of us were trying to enter SHIELD. I was slightly shocked to see her, but not overall surprised.

"Do I wanna know why you look like my Aunt Peggy?"

"Probably not. Do I want to know why you're living in the same building as me and Steve?"

"For protection?" It came out as more of a question, "Let's just forget we saw each other."

"Understood."

Sharon retreated back into her apartment. I put my hand on the entrance door to Steve's apartment. The handle shook for a moment before it clicked, unlocking.

I walked as silently as possible towards Steve's bedroom. There were a few moments where my shoes clicked, and I tensed, fearing Steve would wake up, but  there was no indication.

As I was passing through, I noticed a record player. I looked through his selection, not recognizing any of them. Because of my planets limited knowledge on Earth, I didn't know much of what happened from the late 1920s to modern age. I was only taught what was needed to be an agent.

I settled on La vie en rose by Edith Piaf. It seemed romantic enough.

As soon as the first note came through I hurried to Steve's room. His eyes were blinking open. When he processed what was happening he shot up and out of bed, facing me with his fists raised.

"Steve," I greeted casually, "I see the army hasn't been kicked out of you yet."

"Wha- Peggy? I must be dreaming."

"Consider this a lucid dream," I smiled gently, "I've come to talk to you, while I could. Although I suppose your mind brought me here to talk about some things."

"Yeah, I guess I have been wanting to see you again."

"Come, let's dance, you can tell me what's eating you alive then."

Steve stepped forward and placed his hands on my waist. I wrapped my arms around his neck. We didn't start anything complicated, we just swayed."

"I've waited seventy years for our dance," I sighed, "But I feel as though your heart isn't in it."

It was true. There was a hesitation in his movements that confused me.

"You were the first person I ever loved Peg," my heart clenched a little hearing that, "But there's this gal. She reminds me of you, but she's different at the same time. I feel connected to her. In a way I didn't think I would feel again."

"Steve," I stopped my movements, "How long have you been out of the ice? A year? Two? It's okay for you to move on. You've been given a second chance."

"Thank you Peggy."

"Of course Rogers," I kissed Steve's cheek, "Now, back to bed."

"Yes ma'am."

I turned to leave the room, pausing at the doorway, "Steve...I loved you too."

With that I left, being sure to remove the record from the record player and put it back where it belonged.

I left the apartment in a hurry, returning to my own. I kicked the hells of at the door, shifting from a uniformed Peggy Carter to myself in pajamas. I collapsed onto my bed, curling up in the blankets and drifting off."

~*~

The next morning I jerked awake to the sound of loud knocking on my door. I looked over at the clock on my nightstand.I groaned, it was 7 in the morning. My body had moved away from early start times, and as a SHIELD agent, I was usually jetlagged.

I hurried out of bed and to my door. After I opened it I rubbed my eyes.

"(Y/n)," it was Steve. He usually went for runs in the morning so it made sense that he was up.

"What's up?" I questioned, wincing at my informality. It always seemed off to me.

"I was wondering if you'd want to go out with me. Outside of having lunch, that is."

"Like a date?" A smile stretched across my face.

"Yes, it doesn't have to be of course," Steve rushed to reassure me, "I was just thinking that there was-"

"A connection?" I repeated his words from last night, "Yeah I was sensing that too. But I thought that you would stay on Peggy."

"This might sound crazy, but I had this dream that Peggy came to me, and we danced. So I fulfilled my promise, and she told me that it was okay to move on. So, um, here I am."

"I'd love to go out with you Steve."

Mission accomplished.

~*~

I let out a slow sigh, brushing all of the ruffles out of the dress I was wearing. Steve didn't really specify where we were going, so I went with formal-casual. There was a strange middle there.

I heard a knock at my door and rushed to answer it. Steve was waiting there, with a bouquet of flowers. He was dressed in a button up, going formal-casual as well.

"Thank you," I took the flowers from his hands, motioning for him to come in while I put them in a vase, "So are you going to tell me where we're going?"

"The museum," Steve stated, "I thought it would be a good way to catch up for both of us."

"That is a good idea," I set the flowers on my counter, "I should probably go in human form, shouldn't I?"

"If you don't want to get swarmed," Steve smiled slightly.

I nodded, following him out of my apartment. His bike was in its usual parking spot. I got on behind him, holding on tightly.

The ride to the museum was relatively quick, the later time probably helped with that. Steve insisted that he paid for my admittance, and we were set.

The first few exhibits were from times that both of us were already knowledgeable of. But as we moved on, we encountered exhibits of things we didn't know about prior. We spent a few hours in those, marvelling over the history held in each section and laughing over how different Steve's time was, and how different my world was.

When we were nearing the end of the 70s, I noticed an exhibit we had walked past earlier.

"Steve, look," I pointed out the exhibit, "They have one on you."

Steve's eyes widened and he seemed hesitant to move towards the area. I reached down and grabbed his comparatively large hand. He glanced down at me, smiling slightly.

Together, we walked into the exhibit.

An automated voice began to speak, most likely run by a motion sensor somewhere in the floor, "A symbol to the nation. A hero to the world. The story of Captain America is one of honor, bravery and sacrifice. Denied enlistment due to poor health, Steven Rogers was chosen for a program unique in the annals of American warfare. One that would transform him into the world's first super soldier."

I looked up at the large display case that held Steve's first uniform, and the uniforms of his former squad. His eyes became clouded, as he went back in time to the 40s. I turned my head, and spotted a small video of Steve laughing with another man.

"Who's that?" I asked quietly, pulling him out of his haze.

"Bucky," Steve mumbled, walking towards the screen, "We were best friends. He um, he died on a mission."

"I'm sorry," I whispered. I really was. Steve deserved more than photographs in a museum. I looked at the video closer. There was something about the man that brought about a spark of recognition within me, "What color eyes did he have?"

"Blue. Why?"

I looked at the photo for a few more seconds before I looked back at Steve, "He looks a bit familiar, perhaps I saw someone like him before."

"Yeah," Steve blinked, looking away as well, "Why don't we move on?"

"Alright."

Hand and hand we moved on. Steve pointed on that they were making an Avengers exhibit. The sign explained that they had a few things, and were adding more on Sundays when they were closed.

Closer to the entrance/exit was a newly forming exhibit about the Avengers. The sign explained that it was a work in progress, so they were still adding more.

They had a smaller section for steve, which made sense because he had his own exhibit. The largest exhibit section at the moment was Tony's. Bruce's was a close second. His exhibit included videos of him as the Hulk and his scientific achievements. Clint's had some of his discarded arrows, and Nat's only had a picture. She was good at hiding information.

My area was a but more of a middle ground. There was a few accounts from citizens that were on the bus, a video here and there, but what really interested me was the information they had.

"SHIELD put out a statement soon after the Battle of New York," a female voice spoke, motion activated, "Explaining (Y/n) Altovar's situation."

Fury appeared on the screen, "Princess (Y/n) Altovar came to Earth to bring peace. Her planet is one we can learn from. Miss Altovar has extraordinary abilities. Ones that we monitor. She is a hero, and a friend, with no ill will. Thank you for your time."

The female voice came back on, "Director of SHIELD, Nick Fury, referred to (Y/n) Altovar as 'Princess', this has led many to believe that her planet is a monarchy, and she is a member of the royal family."

"You deserve to feel safe here," Steve assured me.

"I do feel safe," I nodded, "Especially with you. I know we'll continue fighting together."

Wit that we left the museum. The sun had disappeared beneath the horizon and the moon was shining proudly in the sky.

The ride back to our building was silent, but it wasn't awkward. Both of us were reflecting on the date, and simply enjoying each other's company.

When we reached the building, Steve parked in his normal spot. Our small talk started up again. We touched on all the amazing things we saw and what we thought of the exhibits on us.

"I had fun tonight Steve, thank you."

"Yeah," Steve ran a hand through his windblown hair, "Would you want to do this again?"

"I would," I rose to my tiptoes, kissing Steve's cheek gently. As I pulled away my human form fell away, revealing my true form, "Goodnight."

"Goodnight."

I unlocked my apartment and stepped inside, sending one last look to Steve before I closed the door. Once inside, I grinned, leaning against the door.

"Atreya, I'm glad I came to Earth," I whispered.

I had said this many times before, but there was a new finality in my voice. I really did mean it.