"Are you sure about this?"

Steve and Sam stood silently and looked at each other expectantly, waiting for the other to give the answer that you needed before you began to gather the energy that you required to teleport them both. Steve had made a very specific request of you, asking you to bring him back in time to his own past. It wasn't often that he ever asked anyone for anything, given the selflessness that he exuded with his every action, so he must have struggled with the idea at all, much less to find the will to give his request words.

"Yeah...I think so..." he mumbled, very uncertainly.

"Steve, this could be a one-way trip for us," you warned. "I've never taken more than one other person with me during a teleport, much less coupling it with a time jump. This is new territory for me."

"Hey, I can hang back," Sam offered. "If this is risky for you, (Y/N), I don't want to do it."

"I can do it, Sam. I can get us there. It's the getting back that's tricky," you explained cautiously. "Just so we can be there long enough for me to recover and build up my power before jumping again." You paused and focused your sights again on Steve, still waiting for the word to move. "Cap? We good?"

Steve took a long breath, his chest expanding against the resistance of his nerves so forcefully that he shook with the attempt and it gave him no solace in the least. The war that his team and his friends had just survived had left him with a completely different outlook on this life, as it had for them all, but Steve felt as if his perspective reached beyond theirs. This wasn't his first life, and when the dust settled and the terror subsided, he began to realize that his ability to get what he wanted and what he needed was nonexistent. "Yeah, we're good," he exhaled heavily, dropping the tension from his body once and for all. "This war...our survival...it made me see that dying with so many regrets just can't happen for me. When you offered me this, I just couldn't turn it down. I need to go back. I need to tell her how sorry I am for leaving her behind. I need to tell her-"

"That you still love her," you completed for him, nodding along with his every word.

"Yes."

Even though he was expecting what he had heard, Sam gasped under his breath just loud enough to find sound. He had always known that his friend longed for his time back, and the chance to have the life that he was meant to live, but to hear him say that he was still hanging on to a love that he never had the chance to share left him with longing. Longing to find more than service and more than heroism; Sam wanted a love that carried over decades of time too, and he found himself actually jealous of a man he respected more than any other.

"Steve," you began in a hushed voice, "I need you to answer something before I start. Are you asking me to leave you there once we find her? That could have serious implications on the future and where we are now."

"I know, but I want...I need to be there."

"Do you? How many people have you saved in these years who could die now because you're altering this timeline? You'll still be living with that guilt, Cap."

"(Y/N), you know that I'm not making this decision lightly, and I've thought about it over and over. I think that I've earned my life."

"No one is arguing that Steve."

A low groan escaped his throat, though he tried to hold it back; he really did understand and he had gone back and forth through his conscience and his greed and weighed it all out. He knew full well that he was being selfish and he began to not care. He led the charge to regain the universe from a titan who had come within a single snap of winning, and he should be repaid for that. Never once before had he asked for it, but after standing on the precipice of hell, his guilt faded away. There had to be a way to make this work.

"What if you dropped us in after he crashed the plane?" Sam offered eagerly. "That Steve would still be able to play out this life that we've been a part of. You've had to hide before, Cap. Just find a way to take on a different version of yourself."

"He's kind of obvious, Sam. Not many guys looked like this back then."

"It might work," Steve smiled, his hope daring to be re-energized. "What do you think?"

"I think you're gonna have to do a hell of a lot better than a ball cap and sunglasses. But...I don't know...maybe," you conceded. "I could try. But if you do this, you have to let the other Steve live the same life that you're leaving behind here. You can't alter his path." His barely formed smile began to fade and the understanding seeped into his expression in a slow wave of fresh pain.

"I can't save Buck. I can't save him from this life."

"No, you can't. That's why I need a solid promise from you. Now's the time to make good on that damn catchphrase, Steve. I need you to be honest."

The Captain closed his eyes and ran through the fastest pro and con list ever created, and you could practically see the items scrolling through his mind as he nodded along and shook his head ever so subtly with each point. His final nod was much more definitive, and his eyes opened again, this time showing a full understanding and a full resolve to not change his mind no matter what was about to happen.

"The Steve that's going to live this life will need him much more anyway."

~~~

After Steve allowed himself one more visit with each of his friends, and bolstering his decision when he gathered their collective support, he texted you to join him and Sam in the living room where the team would be there to see you all off. When you entered the room, you were taken aback at the sight, with Steve in his Army dress uniform, and Sam in a fitted, dark suit and tie, each of them looking very formal and very dapper.

"Wow, boys, looking good," you smirked, taking the last few steps to stand next to them. "Dressing up for your lady, Cap?"

"Yeah," he smiled shyly, the pink of embarrassment rising in his cheeks. "I hope this works and that I don't freak her out too much. She thinks I'm dead."

"Trust me, Steve, if she's as lovesick as you are, she'll be ecstatic to see you," Sam answered with a supportive slap on his friend's back. "Alright, (Y/N), how does this work?"

You held your hands out for each of them to take, "just hold on tight. You probably want to close your eyes, too. If you feel the urge to throw up, aim away."

"Throw up? What do you mean-" Steve tried, but before he could say any more, a flash of light lit the room around you all, and when it subsided, the spot you had just been standing on was empty. When he opened his eyes again and the surroundings had completely changed, he came to a very fast and very violent understanding of exactly what you meant.

While Steve was trying to collect his composure, you looked around the street scene that you had materialized in, looking for anything that would give you a clue as to what the date was. You released their hands and cautiously walked along the thankfully vacant sidewalk until you found a newsstand with the day's paper stacked within easy sight. "Shit," you groaned, "too early."

Seeing you return to them with your hands extended again caused a green wave to flush across Steve's face, but it didn't stop him from taking hold; he had committed to this, both good and bad. "I'll try to not puke this time, I promise."

The second trip through time went much better than expected, and Steve had held up his end of the promise with a clean landing and not a hint of nausea. You had read a great deal about Peggy Carter and her years after Steve had gone into the ice, mapping out her years of service so that you could pinpoint exactly when and where it would be best to intercept her. You wanted her away from New Jersey and the Army base where Steve was trained so that his exposure to anyone else who would know him was limited. Of course, the world knew who Steve was, and who Captain America had become before his demise, and Steve's uniform wasn't helping. You had chosen a late-night arrival as to limit the crowds, materializing in New Orleans at a dark and relatively quiet Jazz bar; FRIDAY had a stroke of luck to find the record of a reporter who had tried to interview her there about Steve and was unceremoniously thrown out on his ear.

"There she is, Cap," you nodded, finding Peggy sitting alone in a corner seat at the far side of the building. There was a lively beat playing and filling the room, but she looked to pay it no attention. She looked sad despite the energy of the band as they tried to pull her out of it. "Go get her, big guy. You've got this."

"Uh...yeah, sure..." he stammered, loosening the knot of his tie nervously. "Okay...right...I've got this." Steve took a few measured and slow steps towards her, again falling prey to the pro and con list as he approached, nearly talking himself into turning and running out of pure panic. His footfall came to a halt as his full form came into her sights, and it was too late to turn back now. "H-hey, Peg."

"Steven?" she gasped, knocking her drink over when she jumped at the view of him. "Oh...oh my god, Steve...is that you?" Peggy stopped and closed her eyes, shaking her head as to be sure that she wasn't hallucinating him. "No...I don't feel drunk yet..." she mumbled quietly, opening her eyes again, albeit very slowly and one at a time. "You're...S-steve...you're here? I don't understand..."

"Yeah, Peg, I'm here-" but he once again didn't finish his thought, finding himself nearly knocked back from his footing and onto the floor from the force of Peggy throwing herself into his arms, and the knee-buckling sensation of her lips finding his in a kiss that left the room spinning around him. Even though his memory had built this moment up to be nearly unattainable in how it would feel to be in her arms again, It was everything that he had dreamed it would be for almost eighty years now, and it still terrified him just the same as it had from the very first time.

"Okay," Sam whispered to you, "this is awkward."

He must have been just loud enough for his voice to carry even over the deep bass rhythms and to cut through the trance that Peggy had created in Steve with her greeting; the two pulled apart from their moment with an awkward smile and a wipe of her thumb over Steve's lip to clear away the red of her lipstick that was left behind. When he turned away from her to look back at the two of you, there was no sign of the embarrassment that you would have expected from him in this kind of situation.

"Hey, guys, this is Peggy. Peg, this is Sam and (Y/N)."

"Yeah, we gathered that," you smiled, holding out your hand in greeting. "It's nice to meet you after hearing every detail about you over the years."

"Likewise," she graciously agreed, "however, you have me at a loss. How is this even possible that you're here?"

The three of you did your best to explain it to her, in a way that could make sense out of something nonsensical to someone of her time, but she had no sign of difficulty keeping up. You had forgotten that she had been there when Steve made his transformation, and she had worked with Howard during the development of the process. Peggy had fairly advanced scientific knowledge and ability, and she proved that in abundance when she accepted your reasoning with barely a question or any attempt to refute it.

"Remarkable," was all that she offered, but the look in her eyes conveyed just how thankful she was for the miracle you had given her. She had been completely alone and surrounded by people who couldn't possibly understand, and here you all were, giving her validation in her despair, and another chance to leave it behind for the life that they both deserved.

"Alright, Sam," you turned, taking his hand in yours, "let's give these two some time to catch up. You and I need to put that suit of yours to good use."

"Oh, yeah," he answered with a cocked eyebrow in surprise, "what exactly are you in the mood for, darlin'?"

"Woah, slow down, fella. Let's try a dance first."

"Sure, the night's still young. We've got plenty of time."

"Sam," you smirked coyly, "is this what it looks like when you're trying to flirt?"

"Trying?" he scoffed, a hand to his chest in mock disbelief. "Trying? Honey, when I'm looking this fine, I shouldn't have to try." He paused and unbuttoned the jacket of his sleek suit, exposing the perfectly fitted shirt beneath it. He slid a finger under one of his suspenders and gave it a snap, winking at you as he took a slow spin to allow you to partake in every angle.

"Hmm, okay, you're right," you hummed, "you're quite the sight to enjoy, Wilson. But we didn't come here tonight so I could stare at you, so what are we waiting for?"

"Not a damn thing."

You swore that the music grew louder and more frenetic once his hand clasped yours and he swung you out onto the dance floor with a dizzying spin. The songs had been mellow and soothing until now, as if the band had waited for this exact moment to find their energy and to unleash it on you. Sam danced with skill that you didn't know he possessed, leading you around the room with ease and confidence that left you wondering where he had been hiding this side of himself for so long; the floor had cleared out so that the two of you had freedom while spectators grew but you never once noticed them. Suddenly, you had eyes only for your teammate, and they looked upon him with a new appreciation.

By the end of the evening, you had lost track of your shoes, and Sam had no idea where his tie or suspenders were. You could hazily remember Steve and Peggy passing by you at one point, but their trip around the floor didn't last, and they were right back to reconnecting and reminiscing as if their time would be stolen away again at any moment. For them, the risk of that was real and their fears might never change.

Once the band slowed again and the room lights began to come up to signal last call, you were exhausted to the point of worrying that you might not have the energy to get you back home.

"Guys," Steve interrupted, "I think it's time..."

"Yeah, I think so," Sam agreed, though you could hear the denial in his voice as he choked out even that much. You held his hand as he said his goodbyes to his best friend, his hand shaking so much that the sweat still covering it from dancing left you nearly unable to maintain your grip. You tried to not overhear what they were saying, but Sam wouldn't let you go. It was as if you were keeping him held to that spot and to release you would send him spiraling into a despair that he would drown himself in. When it came to the moment of pulling the two of you back into the current time, he still held it tightly after the bright flash dimmed, with no desire to let you go.

"Sam," you whispered, raising your open hand to his cheek, "are you okay?" You reached your thumb up to wipe away a tear that was about to fall, and he didn't attempt to turn away.

"No, not really."

"What can I do to help?"

Without another word, his arm slowly slid around you and he pulled you into him, breathing you in as he began to sway back and forth. There was no music to be heard, and neither of you would ask for it, though there really wasn't a need for any. This moment was not only for Sam; not only for him to recover from his loss, but it was for Steve too. It was for you both to allow yourselves one last goodbye before the next day could arrive when your lives would look completely different. You would have to tell the world that Steve Rogers had been lost in battle just to give them some explanation, but they would never feel it the way that you were now.

They would never understand how a loss could make you both devastated and elated at the same time. They would never understand how you could have left him there, leaving such a tremendous hole in the team that protected them every day. They would never understand why he would choose to give up a life that meant so much to him; a life of service and a life of battling evils away from the lives they took for granted, and without question.

They would never understand that they didn't know Steve Rogers at all.