AN:Sequel is here already! Hope you enjoy!

Frustration filled Peggy Carter and she had to fight the powerful urge to bodily throw the gun in her hand through the paper target across from her. Instead she just tossed it angrily onto the surface in front of her.

It had been three weeks since they had heard from Phil and they had no idea what was happening on his end. If she was honest with herself, they didn't really know what was happening on their own end. Hydra had been completely silent it seemed with almost no more communications at all. That or they had found Tony's virus and had eliminated it. She really hoped it wasn't that option.

In anyway, they have heard nothing knew from anyone. And even if they had, Peggy was completely benched. She couldn't even straighten her left arm, let alone use it, and was stuck being almost useless.

"Bloody ludicrous." She muttered glaring at the pistol like it was the one that had caused her damage.

"Alright there Peggy?" Bucky's voice came from behind her and she turned to smile sarcastically at him.

"Oh yes, peachy! I so enjoy feeling completely useless!"

He casually lifted his hand to bring the target back, revealing the holes clustered together a small distance from the center and then shrugged. "Seems like you're doing pretty good still."

"Pretty good! You of all people should know that pretty good isn't good enough! If I was just pretty good I'd be dead! And besides, I can't even shoot anything that isn't his stupid little pistol because of my damn blasted arm!"

He raised an eyebrow, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Yeah, true. But you can't expect to just heal instantly in four weeks."

"Steve did." She grumbled the last part, not wanting him to hear the complaint but his enhanced hearing picked it up anyway.

"Steve's a super soldier. Give yourself a break Carter, you're doing pretty well."

She sighed and nodded, giving him an apologetic look. "You're right Bucky. I'm sorry I didn't mean to basically jump down your throat. I'm just so frustrated!"

"I know, and its fine. We're all going a little crazy."

"Why didn't you go with Sam, Nat and Clint?" She asked referring to their trek down the east coast to be sure the destroyed Hydra facilities were really completely out of commission.

He gave her a 'why do you think' look and she nodded in understanding.

"Steve."

"You got it. I know he's not worried, but the idiot is never worried. He does dumb ass stunts without thinking them through and seems to forget what self-preservation is. I'm staying by him just in case."

"Hydra's plan mentioned you as well." She reminded him cautiously.

He just shrugged. "If they want to use their stupid antiserum on me go ahead. I was a perfectly healthy capable man before they screwed with me, and really I would be okay going back to being at least somewhat normal. Clint, Nat, Sam and you are and you all are beyond capable. Steve doesn't have that option. The serum is what makes him healthy."

"What if that's not their aim for you?"

She could tell he caught her meaning instantly, as a dark glower filtered over his face. "I'd just love to see them try and turn me back into a puppet."

"See that's why I want to be functional again! I'd like to know I can help both of you, not just spend all my time out in twenty-first century New York!"

"This century rubbing you the wrong way?"

"Have you seen the price of everything? A gallon of milk is almost four dollars James! Four!"

Bucky broke into laughter at her outraged expression and nodded enthusiastically. "I went out with Skye and Bruce and was very annoyed by the amount I paid for hotdogs."

"Exactly!" She said and then gave him a grin. "How is Skye doing?"

He grinned back. "Pretty good! Thor and Bruce have been helping her a lot, but heavy emotions and nightmares still bring tremors."

"Nightmares? Is she still dreaming about her father?"

"Yeah. Without S.H.I.E.L.D getting information to us she has no idea if he's still after her, or who that person was that took him."

"Also the agents who took over are hunting for her now too."

"Us as well probably. I knew the bitchy blonde woman didn't like that I was there, she probably told her real director all about the dangerous Hydra assassin that was in their midst." He said in a bitter tone with a roll of his eyes.

"Yes probably, but those agents have zero authority. They aren't the ones who started to make a connection with the American government." She reminded him and then picked up her gun and holstered it. "Come on, I can't practice anymore. I'll end up getting so aggravated that I'll break something."

They left the shooting range and returned to their apartment to find Steve blankly watching the muted TV while he stretched. As soon as he saw them he grinned and stood off the floor.

"Hey. How was shooting?"

"Discouraging." She replied walking to him and pecking his lips briefly. "I am beyond sick of my arm not working."

"I'm sorry Peg." He said with a frown. "Anything I can do?"

"Allow me to have your magical healing abilities?"

He sighed. "Unfortunately that isn't really an option. I would if I could though."

"I know darling." She replied giving him a fond smile before seating herself in one of their tall bar chairs. "I am just so sick of this frustrating waiting. Why have we heard nothing?"

"I don't know." Steve replied walking into the kitchen and grabbing a bottle of water to hand to her. "I'm beginning to be really worried about Phil and Hunter. We don't know anything about the agents that took over, or what they would do to them if they were caught again."

"As well as the others." She said, her thoughts going to Jemma. "Why do these things keep happening? One after another after another."

"Universe hates us." Bucky replied easily and then took an obnoxiously huge bite of an apple. "It's like our lives are a game or something. "Here's a good thing, enjoy it for the day and then it'll get ripped away by hydra, or a train, aliens, or SHIELD."

"Beautifully optimistic Buck." Steve remarked shooting his best friend a slightly worried look.

"Can't say it isn't true Punk!" he said pointing a finger at the other man. "When was the last time a good thing stuck?"

"Well I have Peggy." He grinned widely at her. "And you. Honestly, all things considered things could be lots worse. I could have lost my leg, the bullet that hit Peggy could have been a tiny bit further right and killed her, and we could have still been at S.H.I.E.L.D when the other agents came. I personally think we're pretty lucky."

"Talk about optimistic." He remarked.

"I think it's a good outlook, even if it's hard to see." Peggy said. "Personally all I can think about is how angry I am that Hydra is threatening you and I can't do anything about it."

"Why are we just sitting on our asses in this superbly ugly tower like giant beacon of sitting ducks?" Bucky asked as he tossed his apple core over Steve's head into the garbage.

"We're waiting for the other three to get home." Steve answered. "If they found anything new out it will give us a more definitive target in mind."

"And if we don't?"

"Well I don't know about you but I am really through with Hydra polluting my country." He replied. "I think anything they have on American soil should be the first to go."

"How many were there here?" Peggy asked.

"Eighteen, not counting the destroyed east coast ones. It should take a month or two to demolish all of them." Steve answered.

"Also, Tony's virus will let us peruse what files they open and add to get a good idea of what's there. So we're not, you know, going in blind and blowing ourselves up." His words were directed to Steve who rolled his eyes with a sigh.

"Three weeks Buck. Three weeks you've been saying that. I'm fine!"

"For now." He grumbled with a pointed look.

"Yes and I'll continue to be. You are right though, we have a lot more information than before."

"They're also prepared this time." Bucky countered. "Which means extra caution,"

"It's like you think I'm five." Steve stated. "I know how to be smart Buck. I'm not a captain for nothing."

"You're a captain because they thought your ass looked good in spangly tights and liked the ring of 'Captain America.' "Bucky deadpanned in return causing Peggy to laugh and a faint blush to crawl up Steve's neck.

"You're an ass you know."

"It's my charm." He bragged with a wink and then added, "They'll be home soon right? I'm with Peggy here and am sick of waiting around."

"Yes they'll be back soon. They wanted to be thorough. We'll be able to get back out there soon."

"Me as well right." Peggy asked. "I would be very peeved with you if you were to leave me here."

"Never even crossed my mind." Steve replied honestly with a loving smile. "I did promise you we would do everything together, remember? Couldn't possibly do that with you here. Besides, I'm nothing without you."

She grinned delightedly at his words. "Yes don't you forget that darling. I am really looking forward to getting out of here. There's only so much of this century I can handle at once."

"The general public is exhausting." Steve agreed. "I'm just glad you don't have to deal with paparazzi as well. That makes it so much worse."

"I can't wait to get out of here either." Bucky agreed. "Even with occasional trips out I feel stir crazy. I think it's because I know that I can be doing something more important."

"Making dove eyes at Skye isn't important enough?" Steve asked teasingly.

"Yes, what will she do when we go and you're no longer there to distract her with your obnoxious jokes and blatant flirting?" Peggy added on, before laughing at his unamused look.

"It's harmless flirting guys! Not like she'd be interested anyway, I doubt my absence will make much of a difference."

"And there he goes, all self-doubting again." Steve said to her with a shake of his head.

"Oh whatever shall we do with him." She answered in an exaggerative sigh.

"You two are monsters. Steve finally is the one with the perfect dame; I have to fill his place of whining that no one will ever love me."

"I never did that."

"Keep telling yourself that Punk." He grinned and then shrugged. "I do like Skye a lot. She's funny and smart and such a firecracker! I just honestly don't feel like I have much of a chance gaining her attention. Her last interest was Hydra, why would she want another one?"

"You aren't Hydra!" Steve almost snapped sending him a frustrated glare that Peggy echoed. "You're more than a swell guy Buck, don't sell yourself short."

"I did worse than that Ward guy ever did." He replied with another shrug. "Doesn't matter anyway, I'm in no position to make anything serious."

"We did in the middle of fighting Hydra." Peggy reminded him, pointing between her and Steve.

"You guys are some unfair fairytale of ridiculousness."

Steve snorted and shook his head. "We're just two people who really complete each other. You and Skye could be too."

"Thanks Dr. Rogers, but I'm okay alone right now."

Peggy raised an eyebrow, smirked, and then stood. "Suit yourself Bucky. I'm going to go shower, Steve? Would you like to come with me? You know, so I won't be alone?"

His eyes widened in delight and he nodded enthusiastically, quickly moving to follow her to their bedroom and attached bathroom.

"I hate you!" Bucky called jokingly to their retreating backs, causing them both to snicker as Peggy shut the door.

"You are a devious monster Margaret Carter." Steve stated with a grin as he shucked his shirt to the floor.

"Any incentive is good incentive." She replied while removing her own clothing. "No reason for him to wallow in self-pity. Life is short, especially when a Nazi terrorist organization is aiming for you. He just needs a push to be happy."

Steve smiled at her and stepped closer, wrapping his arms around her bare waist. "Agreed. I on the other hand, have all the incentive I need in the world to be happy standing right here."

"You are so cheesy!" She laughed playfully hitting his chest and then leaving her hand against him. "Not that I don't agree. Despite everything, you're all I need to be happy." She reassured him smiling into his eyes.

He grinned back and pulled her flush against him. "You said something about a shower? Did you want to still do that, or forgo it for now?"

"The shower can wait." She decided, pushing him in the direction of their bed, grinning at his delighted laugh.