London, England September 1944
The entire city, no, the entire country and much of the western world were celebrating. Why? Because the second world war was nearing its end. Word had spread around to every single nation across the entire planet whether they were allied, axis or neutral on a day that would be marked in the history books. August 31st, 1944, the day the German army officially surrendered to the Allied powers. Victory in Europe. VE-Day. Even a week later, the city of London was still celebrating. Servicemen and women and civilians alike flooded the streets, planes flew overhead, and the bars were livelier than ever. One bar in particular was as jovial as the rest but at the back there was a gathering of special operators who were happy at the end of the war but were mourning the loss of a friend. Up on the wall was a picture of Steve Rogers and Bucky Barnes with the rest of the Howling Commandos and Taskforce Vanguard right after the Hydra breakout in Austria. The remaining Howling Commandos and members of Taskforce Vanguard gathered together and raised their drinks in remembrance.
"To Barnes and the Captain." James Montgomery Falsworth said, and everyone took a sip in honor of their fallen comrades. Polina hugged Anna Drake from the side as she was mourning the loss of Steve. It was hard on all of them and the war should have brought a catharsis, but it just reminded them that two people who deserved to rest after the war was over were no longer with them.
Back at the SSR headquarters, everyone was cleaning up and packing everything while ensuring it was all recorded and catalogued. With the war in Europe over the main priority for the SSR was accomplished. They were a force to help lead the fight against Adolf Hitler and Nazi Germany and then the Red Skull and Hydra. Both men and organizations were dead and destroyed so the purpose of the SSR was complete. There was still a war in the Pacific to be fought and the SSR was too valuable to be dismantled but with its primary objective complete it would be repurposed for a new one which likely meant intelligence gathering and support for the Pacific theater of war but when that was done…who knows. That was up for the President and the Joint Chiefs.
In the meantime, the London headquarters for the SSR was being decommissioned and its agents would be reassigned duties based on need. It would likely be clerical or intelligence gathering work like before but the process for getting them integrated into the Pacific theater would take time. The military was as much a bureaucratic mess as it was a logistical one. Agent Peggy Carter was helping with the cleanup when Colonel Phillips walked over with another box of files. The look on his face said it all before he left and she picked up the SSR file on Captain America. It was classified but had a stamp on it that read inactive. She opened the file and inside were Professor Selvig's notes on Project Rebirth along with all the data from the captain's various missions. Also included were pictures. Peggy took one out and it was Steve training at Camp Lehigh in New Jersey before the procedure, so he was shorter and skinnier. Another picture taken at Camp Lehigh was of Steve and Clark standing side-by-side in their uniforms. Peggy remembered that day as it was the day of the procedure, so a photo was taken before they left. She took the picture from the file and resealed it before walking through the base into an office where she saw Clark helping with the cleanup.
She walked over and held out the picture to him. Nothing was said but the meaning was understood. It was a memento. Clark looked at the picture and a smile crept on his face. Simpler times.
[Clears throat]
Everyone looked up to see Colonel Phillips standing at the doorway. "Can I please have the room with Captain Elbert?"
Everyone nodded and left the room one by one until it was just the two of them. "Sir." Clark saluted him.
"At ease, Captain. You're back sooner than I expected. Figured you would still be in Germany overseeing the occupation." Colonel Phillips admitted.
"I stayed as long as I was needed, sir and I didn't see any further need. All their weapons and vehicles were destroyed, and General Patton is more than capable of ensuring order with demilitarization. The prisoners?" Clark wondered.
"All accounted for and being watched over by hawks. Hitler may be dead, but people will still get their pound of flesh. The Russians in particular. Stalin has been making a fuss that we hand over Göring and Goebbels for them to stand trial." Colonel Phillips informed him.
"Any other protests from the Russians?"
"What you'd expect. They want to push their lines further from Poland into Germany aside from sending their troops. The bulk of their forces are still in Eastern Warsaw, but Churchill believes Stalin wants to push for more territory but won't risk it with some of his forces deep in US/UK held Germany. Logistically he has no reason to with the war over. The Russians are jumpy, but they won't risk starting another war when they just finished one. Though they did send a request that Ms. Petrova return to Moscow immediately for a hero's welcome." Colonel Phillips read the communique that was sent from the Russians.
"We both know that's a lie. Stalin has no use for heroes. He's hoping that she'll give him intel on us, more particularly me." Clark said and Colonel Phillips nodded. "She'll be in danger."
"You think Ms. Petrova knows that?"
Clark nodded in response. "She's smart enough to know what could happen to her when she returns. We've all talked about it. She went AWOL to track down Stormfront when her superiors told her to let it go and they only agreed to let her join Taskforce Vanguard because of the war. Now that it's over she's a loose thread and she has no family in Russia to help her. We need to protect her."
"I've already got that in the works. You sure we can trust her?" Colonel Phillips asked, and the look Clark gave him was all he needed to know. "All right. Ms. Petrova will be offered asylum in the States. Her and Taskforce Vanguard are agents of the SSR, technically, so we can ensure she's safe and I doubt the Russians will make too big of a fuss over one sniper."
"Thank you, sir." Clark said and Colonel Phillips waved him off.
"Now, as to why I sought you out. Your transfer orders went through." Colonel Phillips handed him a file. "You'll be flying out to the Pacific in a week to join the 1st Marine Division. The request definitely raised some eyebrows with top brass and General Eisenhower is sad to see you go but he understands what you're doing. There was a bump as I was going to have you join the 81st Infantry Division but you said you wanted to be on the front lines and lead the Vanguard, so the 1st Marine Division was the best choice. Their commander was a bit dubious but once he realized who you were he fast tracked your transfer. You'll be under his command. I'll be sad to see you go, Captain. We all will."
"The same, sir. Hopefully, the war in the Pacific will be over soon and we'll all be home in a year. It's been an honor, sir." Clark gave Colonel Phillips a salute, so the colonel saluted back before holding out his hand.
"No, Captain. The honor has been mine."
Clark shook Colonel Phillips' hand before he walked away. "I noticed you only put in a singular transfer. Not having your team join you?"
"No, sir. I believe their time in this war is over." Clark said with finality. "They've gone above and beyond the call of duty in fighting Hydra, the Nazis and everything else that has been thrown our way. I suggested to you three months ago that Taskforce Vanguard be kept together with the SSR to be used the right way and end this war and we did. They walked into what could have very well been a suicide mission and it's because of them that Project Phoenix is nothing, but a failed memory and Berlin fell. They more than anyone deserve to go home now if that's what they wish."
Colonel Phillips nodded. "You're right, Captain and I agree with you. Should any of them wish it then they can remain with the SSR. We'll just be mopping up Project Phoenix. It's up to them what they want to do but you've done a lot in leading them. What if they want to follow you to the Pacific?"
"You're still their commanding officer, sir. I'm sure some delays in orders or a misfiling of transfer paperwork are common." Clark said and Colonel Phillips nodded.
"Understood, Captain." Colonel Phillips gave him a salute. "Best of luck, Elbert."
"Thank you, sir." Clark gave him a salute before the colonel left. Clark looked at the transfer paperwork in his hand. One week and he'd be off to join the brave men fighting in the Pacific. He had heard stories of how things were fighting the Japanese and none of them were pleasant. They seemed to be just as fanatical as Hitler's Nazis though some say even worse. Reports of wounded Japanese soldiers using grenades to kill themselves and any solider who tried to help them or take them into custody, Japanese snipers prioritized medics, and Japanese kamikaze pilots deliberately crashed their aircraft into Allied ship when they were losing just to try and kill as many as possible. And the stories about what the Japanese did to prisoners are just as horrifying as what the Nazis did in their prison camps. Not only that but the islands which they were fighting on made things even more harsh and difficult. Anyone else in Clark's position who had done so much that they could realistically work out a trip back home would take it rather than go back to combat. But Clark could handle it. And it was only right to end the war there sooner rather than later.
"Are those your orders?" Peggy asked, walking back into the room.
"Yeah. I transfer in a week. First Marine Division." He told her. "What about you and the rest of the SSR?"
"Likely just cleaning up here. We're most likely going to be dealing with the Project Phoenix files you have and make sure this supposed Fourth Reich is buried for good, but we'll have some help. Mr. Garrett and Mr. and Mrs. Hall have returned from their trip abroad. They're with the others at the bar." Peggy told him.
"I best find them and break the news in person. See you tonight?" He wondered and she nodded.
"Yes, you will." Peggy gave him a quick kiss before he left.
Clark had changed into his military uniform to avoid any stares or drawing unwanted attention. He blended in with the celebratory chaos of the city as he made his way to the bar he and the others frequented for celebrations. The bar was rowdier than usual as servicemen and women were still all smiles and drinks for the end of the war in Europe. Clark walked to the back and saw Taskforce Vanguard and the Howling Commandos drinking with Dan Garrett, Carter and Shayera Hall. The three enhanced superhumans that Clark had fought side by side with had just returned from a special mission by Colonel Phillips. He took Clark's suggestions and used his special consultants to investigate all the remaining Hydra leads that they had. A lot of them were scattered around the globe so using ordinary military means would take a long time which is where Dan, Carter, and Shayera came in. They could cover a lot more ground and handle themselves against whatever Hydra had. The fact that they were back meant that they had successfully taken down the hidden Hydra sites.
Everyone listened as Dan, Carter, and Shayera recounted their adventures when Dum-Dum Dugan saw Clark walk over. "Captain on deck!"
"At ease." He told everyone and they relaxed. "I'm not here on an official capacity and you're all still on leave. Another round for all of them." The bartender nodded and began pouring drinks and handed them out. "Dan, Carter, Shayera. Glad to see you three alive and well."
"Thanks, Kal. You missed out on an adventure. We found Hydra sites in Africa, Spain, Portugal, even in South America. Happily, they are no longer standing, and the Hydra agents are all taken care of." Carter told him.
"A lot of good work on our part." Shayera stated.
"Amen to that." Dan praised before he took a sip of beer. "Still, Kal was busy. He and everyone else here stormed Berlin and ended the war."
"We didn't storm Berlin. We snuck in. There's a difference." Arthur Kingsley corrected him.
"Still, we blew it to sky high and ended the Reich for good." Lucas let out a hearty shout before he slammed back another shot.
"Still find it hard to believe that it's over." Jim Morita admitted.
"Not exactly. Project Phoenix showed that there are still some Nazis out there that need killing. Freisinger is dead but those that would have helped him still need to die." Polina stated.
"That's something the SSR will look into. Now that the war in Europe is over, moping up Project Phoenix and ensuring the Reich is buried for good is their priority for now. But your place in that going forward is voluntary." Clark said and they all looked at him. "This is the end of the road for us. I put in a transfer. I'm shipping out to the Pacific in a week. Alone."
"What about us, boss?" Lucas asked him.
"Your war is over. All of you." Clark said to both the Howling Commandos and Taskforce Vanguard. "If any of you wish to remain with the SSR as agents, help them clean up what's left of Project Phoenix than I'm sure Colonel Phillips will be more than happy to have you with him. But as for the war itself, you're all done."
"What do you mean we're done?" Dugan asked him.
"Your war is over. Hitler's dead, German High Command surrendered and the war in Europe is finished. You've all gone above and beyond what was expected of you in these last few years, and together we ended this. If anyone has earned the right to go home and put this behind them it's all of you." Clark told them.
"But not you?" Logan questioned.
"Until this war is over than no. Sure, some could argue I've done enough but I'm more useful helping completely end this world war that if I left home right now I'd just feel guilty I can't do more and it's different for me. Me on the battlefield alone is worth an entire army so it means that many more people can go home when this is all over. And before you even suggest coming with me just know that I've told Colonel Phillips to do everything he can to prevent that. None of you are bulletproof and if the stories coming out of the Pacific are any indicator than it's too dangerous."
"So was fighting in sneaking behind enemy lines to capture Mussolini, take down a poison gas factory, liberate a prison camp with a super soldier project, and sneak into Berlin. We're no strangers to danger here, Kal." Arthur Kingsley told him.
"My mind's made up, Arthur. This isn't a punishment, it's what you all deserve. Go home. Reunite with your family and loved ones. Rebuild what you lost…and live your lives in honor of what we did here. That's the final order from your commanding officer." Clark ordered.
"Yes, sir." Kingsley said and everyone teared up a bit. This was it. They were going home. He stood up straight and gave Clark a salute. "Captain on deck!"
Everyone stood up straight and gave Clark a salute and he saluted them back. "Is there a photographer around? I'd like to get one last picture." Clark said and the bartender nodded, quickly running off to get one before they all took their drinks from the bar. "One final toast. To all of us. We've been through hell and back, but we made it here. Race, creed, or gender didn't matter because we had each other, and nothing will ever change that going forward. We've lost friends and family, but we honor their memories going forward. I'm proud to have led you this far and it was my honor. I know that no matter what happens in the future you all will do great things, and I pray that we'll all meet again soon when this is all over."
"Amen to that." Logan said and they all drank. The photographer came around, so they all stood together for a picture. Logan got sentimental and decided on one last hurrah the right way. "Taskforce Vanguard?! What is our mission?!"
"To be the spear!"
"And what do we do?!" Clark shouted.
"We never give up! HOO-AHH!" They all shouted in cheers as the photographer took aim.
[Flash of light]
The pictures printed from the negative taken that night were a memento of everything Taskforce Vanguard and Howling Commandos had done in the last few years. Their war was over, and they would soon go their separate ways but the bond that they had formed was something truly special. They wouldn't be forgetting that anytime soon.
Though the drinking they got up to that night certainly tried.
Several days later…
Clark was lying on the bed of a hotel room looking out the window at the moon which was up in the sky. Full moon tonight which made it a sight to see. He let out a happy sigh as he turned and saw Peggy curled up next to him, her head on his chest and her arms around his body. A sheet was covering their modesty though the blanket was on the floor as was their clothes. Given the effort Clark and Peggy put in to sell the ending of their relationship to the SSR it meant they couldn't spend the time together that they wanted but with the war over they now had more time. The SSR base was being decommissioned, Colonel Phillips was busy with new orders, and Howard was back in the US, so Clark and Peggy were able to relax and spend some time together. After the chaos of the past few days some time together was exactly what they needed.
Clark leaned down and kissed Peggy on the head before she leaned up and kissed him on the lips and they laid together. "This is wonderful." She admitted.
"It is…" Clark leaned his head onto Peggy's, and they cuddled closer. "I've missed this so much. It's exactly what we needed, especially after the last few days."
Clark glanced over at a box on the dresser. Said box was what he was referring to as it held all the medals he had been given recently. Word quickly leaked that Superman was going to be deployed to the Pacific so before he left there were some medal ceremonies he had to attend. Churchill and King Charles conducted a huge ceremony for him, Taskforce Vanguard, and the Howling Commandos at Buckingham Palace with the press and everything for front-page exclusives. For their efforts in storming Berlin and ending the war they were all awarded the Victoria Cross, England's highest military honor. Even though most of them weren't British military the King and the Prime Minister made an exception. It was a big moment.
After the British came the French and then the Polish. From General Charles de Gaulle himself Clark got The Croix de Guerre AKA the War Cross, the Order of the Liberation for Liberated France, and the French National Order of the Legion of Honor. Another big press day and then from the Polish came the War Order of Virtuti Militari and the Order of the Cross of Grunwald. The US followed that up with Army Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, Combat Infantry Medal, and another Silver Star. Many were wondering why Clark didn't get the Medal of Honor but, and he was quoted in the papers, until I help the men in the Pacific and end this war then I don't deserve the Medal of Honor. Safe to say that it earned Clark a lot of respect. Everyone received medals, including Peggy, but that wasn't the exhausting part. It was being swarmed by the press and the politicians after the ceremonies that exhausted them. Repetition didn't make the experience any more palatable for Clark. He smiled for pictures with politicians and suffered through talks with them about supporting them on certain issues when he got back and them incentivizing him for his cooperation. And he used a polite word because he didn't appreciate their attempts at bribery or seduction with the models and actresses they brought with them. If he were Howard then it would have worked but he wasn't, so it didn't. He left as soon as he could and didn't care if it seemed rude. Spending time with Peggy was worth it.
"I took care of that request you asked about. Erik Lehnsherr and his mother will be given priority placement with the relocation." Peggy told him.
"Thanks, Peggy." Clark kissed her head.
"Are you still sure about tomorrow?" Peggy asked and he looked down at her.
"Absolutely." He held her hand and kissed it, looking at one finger in particular. "I'm just more upset that we have to do it this way. I hate that the relationship I'll have with your family won't be honest."
"Who is saying that?" Peggy moved so she was lying on top of him. He could feel her large breasts pressing against his chest and just the feeling of her skin against his own quickly put his mind at ease. "They will know the truth. Your name is Clark Kent. You are from Smallville, Kansas. We met during the war…and we are in love. We've been together for several years but because of the war we haven't gotten married yet as you would like to meet my family and I would like to meet your mother."
"All true." Clark admitted.
"Exactly. At the SSR we call it selective truths. Not exactly lying but just not revealing all the details. Compartmentalization is a key to how we've done things for the war. You know that. They don't need to know about your unique origins." Peggy told him.
"And if it should come up?"
"Well then you tell them you're adopted because your birthparents died which is true. Jonathan and Martha Kent took you in and raised you as their own and you are proud to be Clark Kent."
"That I am." Clark said, and she smiled.
"Good because I love Clark Kent. My family doesn't need to know about Superman because I'm not dating or getting married to him. I am being enchanted and will marry Clark Kent." Peggy looked at Clark and he looked at her. "And I wouldn't change that for anything." Clark smiled and leaned up to kiss her, wrapping his arms around her and she moved them up around his neck. She felt safe in his arms and Clark felt protective of her. He would die for Peggy, and she would do the same. Clark pulled away a bit and looked her in the eyes. "What?"
"Nothing. Just…" Clark held her hand in his and lifted it up. "…when I learned what I really was and why I was so different…I never imagined I'd be able to live a life with someone. I wanted what my parents had so much, but it never happened. I was so afraid of what would happen if they learned who I really was. But you, Peggy Carter…you're the only one for me."
"And you are the only one for me, Clark Kent. I'm just sorry you couldn't have been my one and only like I am to you." Peggy told him with a bit of a sly look.
"Clark stiffened and looked at her in surprise. "How did you learn…it was Howard wasn't it?"
Peggy's sly look grew. "Who else has a big mouth like him. Thank God he could keep military secrets to himself at the very least otherwise I might've gotten my chance to shoot him."
Clark groaned and his head fell back onto the pillow before he covered his face in one hand. "I just know he did this on purpose as payback for that little sneeze prank I did on him."
Peggy brought her hand up and cupped his face. "I actually think it's quite sweet and flattering. Though I'm curious, did you ever get the desire to be intimate with a woman?"
It had certainly been a stunning surprise for her to learn Clark had been a virgin until their first night together. Howard made no attempts to hide the disbelief he felt at someone actually staying physically pure during such horrible times. While she agreed with that sentiment she was more surprised that someone as handsome and caring as Clark never went that far with a woman. He certainly didn't perform like a first timer during their first night of intimacy. It made her wish she could've been his first time as well to really cement how they were the only ones for each other.
"My parents were quite instructive." Clark remarked. "They really taught me to only be with someone I grew very close to rather than letting my hormones drive me to find temporary sexual relief. Honestly those few dates I had were nice but there just wasn't that special spark between us that made me think she could be the one." He then looked at her lovingly. "That is until I met you Peggy."
Peggy wasn't one easily swayed by words but at that moment she could've sworn her heart skipped a beat. They were just so honest with no ulterior motive whatsoever as if stating a truthful fact. She couldn't help herself and leaned closer to kiss him. A gentle but prolonged one that conveyed how comfortable she was with him and her feelings. After almost a minute she pulled away with a small smile.
"I wish you could've also been my first." Peggy said not with regret but just wishful thinking.
Clark looked at her with all the love and admiration you could want to receive from your significant other. "None of that matters to me. I love you so much Margaret Elizabeth Carter."
"I love you, Clark Joseph Kent." She kissed him again and began to grind herself on Clark's crotch as his hands moved down and squeezed her rear before he turned them over, so she was on her back. "Oh. Someone is feeling feisty."
"I have the most beautiful woman in the world in my life and in my bed and in the buff beneath me. It's only natural I feel feisty at the mere sight of you." Clark moved his kisses down to her neck and then her breasts as Peggy did her best to hold back her moans. She loved what Clark was doing but in their little games she didn't like giving him the satisfaction that he knew her body like the back of his hand. Speaking of hands, Clark's hands came up her side and cupped her breasts before he kissed down her stomach and went underneath the sheet covering them.
"Oh…definitely feisty. From your eagerness and direction…[moans]…you're in a very giving mood…" Peggy uttered, and Clark peaked his head up from the sheet.
"Very much so. Now, lay back and enjoy…Mrs. Kent." Clark went back down, kissing as he made his way south and when he found his target Peggy gasped and moaned out loud. She reached her hand up onto the bed post and writhed in bed, but Clark kept her from escaping while his head was buried underneath the bed sheet at her crotch. She could do nothing but grip the bed post tightly and bite her lower lip to try and hold in the erotic noises threatening to come out. When she felt his tongue, however, that resistance cracked as her moans, gasps and eventually screams started filling the room.
Suffice to say that there were several noise complaints that night.