"So..."
Steve had barely spoken when a violent jolt hit.
He found himself piloting a bomber.
Beside him, John raised a finger.
"Shh-"
He pointed at the controls, signaling for Steve to look.
Seeing the channel marked as connected, Steve realized where he was.
After a moment of silence, he said, "Peggy."
On the other end was the woman he loved. Agent Carter was speaking to him for the last time.
"This is my choice."
This was the moment before he went down with the bomber. He remembered this place.
"Peggy."
"I'm here."
Steve looked at the clouds beyond the cockpit. His lips quivered. Knowing how this ended, he chose to say something different.
"I love you."
There was no sound from the other end.
The plane plunged through the clouds, revealing a vast expanse of ice.
A bitter smile touched Steve's lips. He had finally said it.
Sadly, there was no reply.
Then, suddenly-
"I love you, Steve."
Agent Carter's voice rang out. "Next Saturday, at the Stork Club. Eight o'clock sharp. Don't be late."
Relief spread across Steve's face, and he smiled. "I still don't know how to dance."
"I'll teach you," Carter said, her voice infinitely tender. "Just be there."
"Make sure the band plays something slow." As the ground drew closer, his smile never faded. "I don't want to step on your toes."
After that, no further reply came.
The signal cut out.
And the plane reached its end.
There was only endless cold and darkness.
Sitting in the pilot's seat, Steve felt his eyelids twitch.
They seemed to have frozen shut. After several attempts, he finally opened his eyes.
It was cold. His breath came out in a white cloud.
He looked around in bewilderment and rose from the freezing pilot's seat.
"I thought you