EVELYN FOUND a new place in Brooklyn not too long after. She had made sure her three framed photos stayed on her new dresser as she made her new place a home. Even though she felt like she would never truly have a home unless it was with Bucky or Steve.
She was hanging up new clothes when she heard her phone going off, which still never failed to scare her.
"God," she muttered, "I need to change that ringtone." She looked at the name to see her nephew. "Tony, hi."
"Hi," he said quickly. "What would you say if I told you I'm dead to the world?"
"I beg your pardon?"
"Have you seen the news?"
"I can't work my television."
Tony snorted.
"The Mandarin attacked my house. Pepper is safe, but I'm in Tennessee. I just wanted you to hear it from me," he said quickly. "I didn't want you to think I was dead."
Evelyn smiled softly. "So, you're okay?"
"I mean, I have a kid getting me things I need. He's pretty cool company. I have Mark 42 with me," Tony replied casually.
Evelyn rolled her eyes. "Well, let me know if I can do anything—"
"No, no way. I don't want you involved. You're finally settling in. No one knows your alive yet, so you won't be targeted by this idiot," Tony cut her off and made sure he got his point across. "Just keep your phone on in case I call you. Also, keep an ear out for Pepper if she calls you."
Evelyn nodded. "I will. Thanks for letting me know."
"Yeah, I'm getting used to this family thing," Tony remarked with a chuckle. "See you, Auntie," he teased the name, only ever calling her that to be playful. He normally just called her Evelyn.
Evelyn was about to try and work her television when she jumped again at the sound of her phone. Glaring, she muttered, "I'm going to throw you out of the window!" When she saw it was Nick, she answered it with a sigh. "Hello?"
"Can you get to D.C.?" he asked with a calm tone of voice.
Evelyn bit her lip. "I mean, yeah. It might take me a little bit. I'm still processing how to drive this car Tony bought me."
Nick laughed. "You know, you're a lot funnier with this situation than—" he paused and coughed "—take your time, Agent Stark. I have some people I want you to meet."
Evelyn smiled. "Okay. I'll see you later."
Standing, she paused her decorating process of her home. Getting dressed in jeans and a new jacket of Bucky's that she had found at the apartment, she quickly curled her hair and put on red lipstick. She grabbed her new clutch with the phone and debit card Tony had gotten her that had access to the Stark account. Walking outside, she made sure to lock her apartment up before walking to the car. She stared at it a bit apprehensively, knowing Tony was being nice by choosing it for her, but Evelyn was terrified to crash. She was lucky Jarvis was installed to help when needed.
The drive to D.C. was easier with Jarvis's assistance. With her phone connected to the radio, she had been able to find music from her time that she and Bucky would dance all night to. She smiled, finally beginning to find a sort of closure no matter how depressed she would feel late at night when she longed for his arms to wrap around her and tell her it would be okay.
Parking the car next to a motorcycle, she furrowed her brows at the familiarity of it. Laughing to herself, she realized it reminder her of Steve's bike. "Crazy," she whispered, touching one of the handlebars.
Locking the car, she began to walk inside of the Triskelion. She flashed her badge to the security, people still reeling in shock when they would read her last name. She made it to the elevator, her heels making the loudest sounds in the quiet lobby.
"Director's floor," Evelyn said to the automated floor system.
"Access denied."
"Override. Evelyn V. Stark."
"Access granted. Welcome, Ms. Stark."
Evelyn smirked as she leaned on the glass behind her. She crossed her arms over her chest, looking behind her as the elevator began to rise. She remembered a time where music played in the elevator.
When it dinged open, Evelyn came face-to-face with someone she thought she would never see again.
Steven Grant Rogers, clad in his Captain America suit with the shield strapped to his back, stepped inside of the elevator as if he had no idea who she was. Evelyn realized she had on sunglasses—a habit she picked up from Tony. Evelyn felt sick all over again. Surely, this had to be a joke.
"Are you getting out, ma'am?" his voice sent shivers down her spine. She felt like she was trapped in 1945 again.
"Steve," Evelyn whimpered out, finally pulling off the glasses as his whole body froze at her voice.
He turned ever so slowly, eyes widening as his gaze swept up her body once until their eyes locked. "Evelyn?" he whispered back, his voice cracking.
Evelyn released a sob, jumping into his arms. Steve's arms shook as they wrapped around Evelyn's body. She was now openly crying onto his shoulder as he did the same. Steve could not remember feeling such joy in his life before.
"My God," she cried, "how the hell are you here!?"
Steve refused to let her go, needing to hold her a little longer. "I went into the ice to stop a plane from bombing the U.S. They found my body frozen," he said in her hair.
Evelyn let out an ugly laugh mixed with a cry. "They found my frozen body in the jet I stole to look for B-Buck."
Steve finally let her go, keeping his a hand on her waist as his other hand wiped away the tears flowing freely. "Evelyn," he repeated. "You're actually here."
"I am, Steve," she said softly, hugging him again as a door opened down the hall. "I'm here."
Suddenly, both broke away when they heard, "Oh, shit."
Evelyn backed off of Steve completely as she noticed a red-head staring at them with wide eyes. The woman looked back inside the room she walked out of with a grimace. "Cat's out of the bag, boss."
Evelyn narrowed her eyes, her brain realizing what had just happened. "Steve? How long have you been out of the ice?" she whispered.
Steve caught on as he said, "Almost two years."
"I've been out for a few months," she sneered as Nick Fury came into view.
Steve suddenly stormed out of the elevator toward Fury. "You've known about her for months and didn't tell me!?" he yelled.
"Hey! Watch it," the red-head stated.
"Romanoff. I got it. Go," Fury said as Evelyn walked slowly out of the elevator. Evelyn did not even glance at Romanoff—her angry eyes focused on Fury.
Evelyn's voice was a deadly whisper. "I had finally mourned, Director," she spat. "I finally felt okay. I accepted everyone was dead. Yet you've been keeping him from me this whole time!"
Fury stood silently as Steve added, "How could you do this, sir!?"
Evelyn's voice was quiet as she asked, "Did Tony know?"
Steve's head whipped to stare at her. "You've met Tony?"
"He's my nephew. Of course, I've met him. He never mentioned you! Let me guess, you were one of the Avengers?" Steve nodded, and she let out a scoff. "So, this is what my organization has come to, sir. Led by a man who decides what can be told to his employees."
Evelyn turned and began to stalk off. Steve quickly followed, ready to follow the woman to end of the Earth. He had her back. His best friend.
"I didn't tell you about Steve because you needed time to deal with everything. I planned on telling you soon!" Fury yelled as they continued walking. "I asked Tony not to tell. Don't be mad at him!"
Evelyn and Steve stood in the elevator, watching it close. Evelyn let her head fall into her hands. "I can't believe this," she whispered just as Steve grabbed one of her hands.